Reconsidering an Old Adage Through Alice in Wonderland I'm a CMMA member and was recently asked to provide a written response to the question below. Because I share practically everything, below is my response. Hope you enjoy it. My Answer As long as I can remember I haven't liked playing by other people's rules, so if I may, I would answer this question by only choosing one which is doing communication projects well (good). I...
The Legendary Meeting Between Ferruccio Lamborghini and Enzo Ferrari Ferruccio Lamborghini, founder of the iconic luxury sports car brand I love my lunchtime chats with coworkers, and I know they are anything but typical. We get into some interesting subjects, and I always seem to take away at least one thing every lunch hour. Somehow the topic of Ferrari's came up a few months ago and after doing some fact checking I found what they...
Why a simple electronics component perfectly explains the communication breakdowns that destroy relationships XKCD #814: When engineering meets relationship psychology At first glance, XKCD comic #814 looks like just another nerdy electronics joke. Two stick figures argue while holding opposite ends of a diode, one speaks, the other apologizes, and somehow only one of them can hear what's happening. But dig deeper, and you'll discover this seemingly simple comic contains a profound insight about human...
A Culture of Service in 75 Words For many years, new employees were given a copy of the famous Nordstrom's Employee Handbook – a single 5-by-8-inch (130 × 200 mm) gray card containing 75 words: However, new hire orientations now provide the card above along with a full handbook of other more specific rules and legal regulations, as the way Nordstrom operates has changed. During this time, Nordstrom had the highest sales per square foot...
From Mailman to Post Office Builder I recently participated in a LinkedIn discussion, and I wanted to open it up to the world (or anyone who wanted to read or contribute to it). It is partially edited so it reads better in a blog format. I thought what John Clarkson commented back was brilliant. What do you think? Any brave souls out there? Social media's value is that it is created and communicated by the...
The master storyteller behind Nike, Lego, and Starbucks reveals his approach to building unforgettable brands Stanley Hainsworth has been the creative force behind some of the world's most recognizable brands. As creative director at Nike, Lego, and Starbucks—all brands that have become iconic through exceptional design—he's mastered the art of brand storytelling. Most recently, he completed the redesign of the Gatorade bottle, adding another major brand transformation to his impressive portfolio. Now at the helm...