This week I'm looking at authenticity. Initially I'm going to introduce you to a cool campaign out of France utilizing authenticity in food marketing, but we'll end by contemplating a grander application of authenticity and what you really stand for, in your branding and positioning. Really, should your strawberries have cosmetic enhancement and look like they are fresh out … [Read more...]
Opportunities in the sharing economy
Sharing, it's a hard concept for some to grasp, particularly when our society has been driven by acquisition and ownership as a demonstration of success. I'll admit freely that as an only child (albeit with cousins by the dozens that often made me feel like a sibling), I didn't get schooled early on sibling rivalry and sharing. Thank goodness my own kids, a little over 3 years … [Read more...]
Re-imagine with abandon. Learn to love disruption.
It would seem that summer has officially kicked into gear. Holidays can be a great time to recharge for many and re-imagine for some. In my experience entrepreneurs by nature are often doing the latter. We're always thinking of new and exciting ideas, and it's frequently when we step away from the busyness of life, that the best thoughts come forth. For those of you who have … [Read more...]
Relationship selling: understanding courtship & the use of social media
I blame the guarded attitude of many folks towards the sales process in business solidly on the shoulders of Willy Lowman, the hapless salesman, and feature character in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. This 1949 classic was mandatory reading for most Canadians of my generation. And it's lasting effects reached far beyond our impressionable years of English 11. While it … [Read more...]
3 business cards that spark a conversation
If you're like me, you likely have stacks of business cards you've collected at various networking events, sitting on or in your desk. While they serve at the time as trophy proof that you made some connections at an event or meeting, the contents usually end up in an electronic database of some sort, for easy retrieval later and follow up. In fact I've encountered a couple … [Read more...]
