Greek Philosophers and Persuasive Marketing

Ancient Greek philosophers characterize persuasion as displaying three primary qualities. The first quality is that of trust. This is typified by an earned reputation based on past experience and performance.  A modern analogy is that you would prefer a heart surgeon who has completed hundreds of operations much more than you would trust a heart surgeon that is highly regarded and fresh out of medical... [Read more]

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How to Do More Great Work Everyday

Elevating one’s work to the next plateau is a struggle for those with aspirations of doing great work. The roadmap towards doing great work is driven by three ingredients: focus, courage, and resilience. Starting with the need to focus, when you think about it the number one barrier to great work is our own inability to maintain any focus for any extended period of time. If you have ever tried... [Read more]

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Reproductive Thinking

We are programmed for safety and survival and are drawn to repetition. Opting for the known and comfortable has kept us close to the fire and the wolves at bay. Today we follow our daily routes to and from work. We buy favourite brands uniformly designed for availability, recognition and consumption. Then, following the commute, we just settle down out in the valley for a gin martini, a little Kelly... [Read more]

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Beware Monkeys Bearing Guns

Here is a great story in AdWeek that provides an example of why strategic communications and issues management expertise should inform Social Media initiatives. A designer can craft a great look and a developer can build a highly functional and optimized site, but the communications strategy and potential ramifications behind the process of engaging  real people – some supportive, some not and... [Read more]

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Why WordPress is Disruptive

In the wake of Steve Job’s passing, the term ‘disruptive technology’ has been thrown about in reference to the iPhone, and how it changed the smartphone industry.  Disruptive technology is a term coined by Clayton M. Christensen that describes a real innovation, one that creates a new market and value network, and that fundamentally changes an industry. Disruptive technologies are... [Read more]

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Unlocking the Sweet Serendipity of Ideas

It is interesting how frequently the concept of being creative is thought of as an abstract moment in time. As if this process is a tap that can be turned on and off at will by the legions of creative-types whose sole responsibility is to daydream the next big idea. The act of generating creative thought is in fact hard work that starts far upstream from the time that ideas are required. Creative... [Read more]

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Ten Thoughts to Ponder for Every Aspiring Leader

As you enter the day, keep in mind that culture and results are like water.  Water always flows downward, dripping from the head onto the rest of the body.  If you expect results then you must set the tone. Here are ten thoughts to ponder for every aspiring leader. Value your time first, show that you treat time as a commodity and invest this wisely to create results. Ask yourself if you are working... [Read more]

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Emailga.me

Brad wrote about email overload a couple of posts ago, and I went looking for an easy solution to an endemic problem. (Hugh McLeod: “I do the work for free. I get paid to deal with all the emails.”) A friend sent me to emailga.me, currently only available for Gmail.  It turns your inbox into a game, and pits you against a clock to earn points for quick replies, short messages, and rapid... [Read more]

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