New year's revolutions for winning brands
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Have you made any business resolutions for the new year? Better yet: a business revolution. It's a new year, full of possibilities. Here are some ways to create far-reaching changes that make '14 your best year yet.
Is your brand shade-worthy?
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Twentieth century philosophers Timbuk3 sang "the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades..." Their '80s era music video on MTV leaves a message for leaders of this century. You have a bright future ahead, too... if you broadcast your vision in ways that are just as engaging to internal audiences.
How one ceo, a big fat excuse and a million yards of bad karma burned a brand
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
"Frankly, some women's bodies just don't actually work [for Lululemon yoga pants]" famously said Chip Wilson, chairman of Lululemmon.
There's only been an "I'm sorry I'm not sorry" from Chip.
The Forrest Gump warning for brands everywhere
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Do you know people who poke a hole in the bottom of a chocolate to see whether or not it's the one they want? The culprits I know never throw away the damaged piece they've decided against. They just sneak it back into the box. (As if no one will notice!)
Proud to wear the mustache
- Written by: Alexandra Reilly
We've all had one. At one time or another. You know what I'm talking about. A mustache. Maybe it's a milk mustache. A milk shake mustache. Or a pink Kool-Aid one. Then there's the one you get from an extra foamy cappuccino.
Don't be afraid to bite off more than you can chew
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
"Martha Ellen Bartlett, that's entirely too big a bite for a young lady."
I heard it more than once at the dinner table when I was growing up. I think it means that I enjoy food—and life—with passion. And as an adult, I still occasionally get a bit carried away.
How a humble PB&J can build a stickier brand
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
People in your rapidly growing company are working at a hectic pace. They love the brand and are proud to give it their all. But they'll run out of energy (and the company will flounder) if you don't keep feeding their passion and purpose.
Don't let them starve!
Why You Should Care What the Fox Says
- Written by: Alexandra Reilly
The Fox by A. Victor GoodpastureDid I put that song in your head? You can thank me later. But first, why should you care what the fox says?
Kill the silos, not the messenger
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Does your organization make outbound calls to support your issue or invite people to an informational event? Here's a very, very wrong way to go about it...possibly the worst voice message ever.
But it's premature to shoot the messenger.
When the left brand doesn't know what the right brand is doing
- Written by: Martha Bartlett Piland
Please come to our fair city. Spend money at the shops—and some more with the cops.
A recent visit to downtown Grand Junction, Colorado felt like that. Mixed messages, brand dissonance...so, do they want me or not?
