Category Archives: Motivation

February 10, 2014

Motivation / Strategy

Why Better Marketers Create a Better World

better marketers

Don’t laugh but I think better marketers create a better world. I’m admittedly a little biased on the subject, as I am a marketer myself. I also teach future marketers at the University of Iowa and help marketers overcome digital …


August 26, 2013

Motivation

Encouragement

encouragement

When my sister was in medical school she shared a fun turn of the phrase with us. One of her colleagues would often compliment students with the stoic praise, “strong work.” And while this has become something of an internal …



October 6, 2011

Motivation

Steve Jobs on Innovation, Intuition, & Life

Steve Jobs has passed away leaving behind an unparalleled legacy in American innovation. As my friend and fellow marketer, Bob Abbate, fittingly summed up, “His vision inspired me. His products are the tools of my trade. He was a master …


September 23, 2011

Life / Motivation

What Do You Do at Take-Off?

In the past couple weeks I’ve flown twice. Each time I was seated directly behind a young child in the 2-3 year-old range. The two kids’ behavior at take off couldn’t have been more different. Though quite normal, the first …


August 25, 2011

Blogging / Motivation

The Best Blog Posts I’ve Written

… are usually the ones I almost didn’t write. I’ve been reminded of this a lot recently. Writing a blog post about Winnie the Pooh and branding seemed a little off. Really? A post where you relate a Disney franchise …


July 22, 2011

Branding / Motivation

A Branding Story from Winnie the Pooh

On Saturday I took my kids to Disney’s new Winnie the Pooh movie. That same day I received a handwritten thank-you note from a colleague. At the crossroads of these two events is a take-away as you consider your own …


June 13, 2011

Motivation / Strategy

8 Innovation Lessons from Walt Disney

Vacations allow you to recharge your batteries — both personally and professionally. On a vacation to Disney World it’s hard not to be struck by the vision and innovation of the park’s founder. If Walt Disney were alive today he’d …


January 10, 2011

Blogging / Branding / Motivation

Personal Brand Spotlight: Roger Ebert

A couple weeks ago, CBS Sunday Morning (an important part of my weekend routine) profiled film critic Roger Ebert. By now many are familiar with Ebert’s struggles with cancer, which eventually resulted in the loss of his speaking voice.


February 28, 2009

Blogging / Motivation

Good Day

Paul Harvey died this weekend. There are any number of finely worded obituaries you can read about the man whose “rest of the stories” and “good days” punctuated the breakfast tables of my childhood. What I think should be noted …