What is my message (and why does it matter)?
April 28, 2023
What is my message? is a question that has an out-sized impact on our lives, even when we aren’t aware of it....
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How many north stars does one company need?
April 24, 2019
Some years ago, I had the opportunity to help Dow Chemical clarify its global brand: What was the company all about? Why was it here? How did the company make a meaningful difference to its customers, employees, suppliers, communicates, even investors? When I arrived in...
Read MoreThe peace in Bill Marriott’s eyes
December 6, 2012
in Brand
This time of year it's hard not to think about peace. We're in the season of "peace on earth, good will toward men." We sing about it, ponder it, imagine it, pray for it. But we don't have it. I believe that before we can have...
Read MoreHow to avoid the brand follies
September 4, 2012
We must protect our image!
How often have you heard well-intended executives and other high-ranking leaders (priests, coaches) say these words — their goal: to ‘protect’ their institutions from embarrassing publicity, which might muck up their brands.
When is a business problem really an identity problem? (Just ask Yahoo)
July 29, 2012
One of my favorite quotes is from Albert Einstein, who said (something like) “problems can’t be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.” That means that you can’t churn the same data and gain insight into solutions. Cause those data are born of the problem!
The Power of Identity in Brand Building
March 12, 2012
Apple, Whole Foods, Alcoa, GE, Ford...
Read MoreWhat’s your personal brand?
February 22, 2010
There’s so much talk these days about personal branding and how important it is to shaping a successful career. But exactly what is a “personal brand” and where does it come from?
Say ‘Hello’ to the Societal Brand
July 28, 2009
in Brand
The economic crisis has managed to shine a bright light on the fact that business and life are utterly intertwined. What does that mean for branding? It means that it’s not just about the customer anymore. No. It means that people – from customers, investors and employees, to folks on the street, politicians and legislators – will judge and jury companies based on what sort of relationship those concerns have with the society of which they are necessarily a part.
An identity for Obama
May 7, 2008
“What identity could Barack Obama choose that will be both sincere and successful?” This is the opening line of a recent article from Chron.com entitled, The Search for an Identity that works for Barack Obama. My answer?
