New Media Marketing

Last night I attended an event where three presenters shared examples of how “New Media” has become a powerful marketing tool. Here are my three favorites. The best video series award goes to the “Will It Blend” videos. Done as a viral marketing campaign, Blendtec, a small blender manufacturer, developed dozens of 90 second videos. […]

Persuasion and the Presidential Primaries

Although I rarely write about politics, the current Presidential campaigns are giving us some interesting examples of psychological manipulation. For example, this morning’s newspaper’s headline was, “(Obama) says Clinton’s attacks paved way for her big night.” It is believed that Hillary’s negative campaign helped her win key states. Why does mudslinging work? Why do people […]

A Fun Innovation Diagnostic

Innovation can be, and should be, fun. Here is a 16 question “diagnostic tool” I published back in 2001 in my first book, 24/7 Innovation. It may help you assess just how innovative your organization is. It is, admittedly, quite tongue in cheek and not a serious diagnostic. But who knows, you might just learn […]

Idiots Out-Innovate Intellectuals

Here’s a great quote from Ville Keränen from Finland: “One idiot who walks gets further than five intellectuals who only talk…”

Innovative Pricing Models

I was having a conversation the other day with the CEO of a small and growing company. We were talking about innovative pricing models that could help attract – and then lock in customers. Although there are many models out there, here are three I find particularly interesting. The Consumable Model With this model you […]

Innovation at the Four Seasons Hotel

Last week I attended a presentation at the Four Seasons hotel in Boston given by Barbara Talbott, the EVP of Marketing for the Four Seasons. She discussed “The Power of Personal Service.” Here are my notes from that speech. Admittedly, not much was radically new, but it was a good reminder of how personal service […]

Quote from Fritjof Capra

A person functioning exclusively in the Cartesian mode may be free from manifest symptoms but cannot be considered mentally healthy. Such individuals typically lead ego-centered, competitive, goal-oriented lives. Over preoccupied with their past and future, they tend to have a limited awareness of the present and thus a limited ability to derive satisfaction from ordinary […]

Analogy Driven Innovation

photo credit: Peter Emmett Here is another tip from our “Little Book of BIG Innovation Ideas.” As adults, when we try to solve a problem, we often ask, “What does this mean?” We try to pull the answer from our knowledge bank, just like finding the solution in an encyclopedia. Solve the problem the way […]

How to Be Unique

“The more you are like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.” — Walt Disney This quote is quite appropriate given my recent blog entries (and this one too). This is great advice for any organization that wants to be more innovative. I play golf — not well, but I […]

Be Outrageous, It’s the Only Place That’s Not Crowded

My previous entry focused on innovation as a way of helping you stand out in a crowd. I also discussed how wearing a bathrobe at a black tie event can have the same effect. In my Goal-Free Living book, I interviewed a successful entrepreneur (and now a good friend), Mikki Williams. Mikki is the master […]