Focus is an ingredient in the bedrock of good marketing strategy.  That said, all focus with zero periphery is dangerous.  There’s an analogy I learned long ago that helps me to maintain a healthy balance of both, and it starts with a Christmas story.  

Have you ever experienced bias towards industry background as the most important aspect of being able to achieve success? It’s the idea that one is only capable of marketing a brand player within a given industry vertical, if one has knowledge in that industry and is a flawed notion. Let me try to illustrate why.

Is the best leader of a function is one who has grown through that particular vertical and any other really has no place in setting any direction for the unit? I’m not so sure.

That headline should get some attention (and the algorithm jumping). But what is it?  How do you do it?  What does good, great or successful leadership (the process and outcome) look like?

Recently I found myself marvelling at the skill of a butcher, which in my opinion at least, is craft and artistry equal to any other.  

There’s a pivotal scene during the first installment of Steven Spielberg’s epic Indiana Jones story, Raiders of The Lost Ark, when Indiana and his cohort Sallah excitedly realise that in a race to discover the whereabouts of the Ark of The Covenant, their competition have made a critical error.

"There’s only enough time to dust off your cape, and then back to the skies for you".

-- Regina Dugan

Watching Elon Musk’s 2017 TED interview is inspiring. The humility in which he presents and talks about his dreams for the future are almost childlike, in the sense there’s almost a lack of excitement and more like “isn’t everyone thinking that”?

When Chrysler wanted to tell the story of their post-GFC phoenix rising, they didn’t just shout about deals, give things away or stack inventory. They tugged at hearts. They gripped souls.

Why has red become the standard colour for marking up changes on a layout, document or other piece of business collateral?  Where did that convention come from?

I was fortunate to be invited recently to hear Martin Lindstrom speak on what led him to conclude that small data (his coined phrase for small, human clues) is being wrongly set aside in favour of big data, and write his latest book on the subject.

I love pinball machines and that’s partly because they remind me of those halcyon days (and nights) cruising to games arcades, milk bars and making a play for pinball wizardry.

Once in a while something comes across one's field of vision, ear shot, desk or whatever that clarifies.  Even less times it may amaze but it's very rare indeed when both things happen at the same time.