OK, so I about to violate one of the cardinal rules in public discussion - talking about politics or religion.  The religion side is easy for me as I am a committed Christian.  The political side is much more difficult and I won’t express my views about this yet - the jury is still out [...]

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I just read a great article in Harvard Business Publishing, “In a downturn, please put aside pathetic platitudes,” written by John Baldoni.  The reason this is a great article is that it is “in your face” accurate on what really shouldn’t be going on in organizations.
John states in the article that when times are tough [...]

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When economic times become more and more uncertain this question seems to come up more and more - a direct correlation in my book.  Companies start to realize that what they were doing in good times doesn’t necessarily work in weaker times so this drives the “strategy question” of what should they now do differently. 
Strategy [...]

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I wrote and article about a month ago titled, “Be Disruptive, Build Loyalty and Consistently Beat your Competition - 5 Steps to Succeeding in Difficult Times.”  The article, I have to say, was a great benefit to a lot of people, at least there were a lot that downloaded the article.  Because of that response [...]

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One of the key “mantra’s” that I live by and what I strive to accomplish with all my clients is “Simplicity.”  Simple is just simply better.  I know I am taking a bit of liberty with some words here but think about it.  The world has gotten so complex that the messages and products and [...]

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I heard this phrase the other day, Crisis Forces Innovation, and it really stuck a chord with me.  Let me say that in all my experience with individuals, organizations and business in general, this is very true.  It isn’t until someone has their back against the wall do they become the most creative or innovative [...]

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Since I live in “Starbucks land” and “Microsoft land” there doesn’t seem to be a day that goes by where there isn’t some article on Starbucks in the papers.  The latest is on the extensive layoffs this year and next year and the store closings all over the country - or should I say the world!  [...]

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I have been reading and listening to some speeches given by Kevin Roberts, Worldwide CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi, one of the most respected and revered advertising agencies in the world.  Why, you might ask, would I be reading and getting deep into what an advertising agency is doing?  Great question - let me explain.
Kevin [...]

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I just read a very interesting article in the Deloitte Review (Deloitte Review is a semi-annual publication of selected articles they believe are important to their clients and potential clients) that gives a great deal of support to what we have been saying for years - building TRUST and LOYALTY with your customers is key [...]

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For the past number of years we have been talking about how everything needs to start with the Customer in mind and that if they aren’t considered in everything you do, you are missing the point.  After all, our favorite phrase is, “How can you ignore the primary group that ‘writes you checks’ when trying [...]

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