A lot of wisdom that helps teams wins on the football field also helps leaders win in business. Take for example “look the ball into your hands.” This speaks to the importance of follow-through, whether you’re playing a game or leading a team. My latest Smartbrief on Leadership shares some of my favorite football phrases […]
If you’re struggling to build a cohesive company culture, you’re not alone. Where and how people work varies so much now that culture-building seems more difficult than ever. Instead of trying to control or quash the different directions your culture seems to be headed, provide clarity and focus to the variations. In this Smartbrief on […]
What brands should you pay attention to in the coming year? I’ve just published my list of Brands To Watch In 2020. Naming one brand per letter of the alphabet, the list includes Amazon and Facebook of course, as well as non-tech sector newsmakers such as Nike and LVMH — and even some unconventional takes […]
Dear Friends and Colleagues, It took a proverbial village to make the launch of my book, FUSION: How Integrating Brand and Culture Powers the World’s Greatest Companies, a success. Thank you for being my village! I’ve been blessed by all the opportunities you helped create for me this past year. This recap of the launch […]
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2019 is the year of the pig — which usually means a spirit of relaxation and enjoyment. It’s unlikely, though, that all brands will enjoy a happy, prosperous 2019. Many will undergo significant changes – others will face challenges from category disruption and stiff competition. And all will have to […]
Call me old school, but I really enjoy the written word. I prefer reading a long-form blog post or article than a pithy tweet or fleeting Facebook post. That’s not to say that I want a writer to blather on — rather, I like reading the work of people who have mastered the written word […]
When it comes to predicting what will happen in 2018, I’m following Casey Stengel’s advice: “Never make predictions, especially about the future.” But I am keeping my eye on some brands because I’m pretty sure they’ll be making the headlines in the coming year. So, here’s my list of Brands to Watch in 2018, in […]
Ah, summer! What a great time to grab some books and a beach chair and head out for some leisurely reading! Or you could be like me, working away this August and trying to live vicariously through other people’s posts of vacations, excursions, and other summertime fun. My work has actually involved a lot of […]
Every January, over 150,000 people make the pilgrimage to Las Vegas to attend International CES (previously known as the Consumer Electronics Show.) Far from being an expo of electronic gadgets, it’s an exciting, inspiring, and (over)stimulating way to experience all things tech. There is so much to see (new products on the show floor like […]
The recent news that Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is handing over the reins of the company gives me pause. This the second time Schultz has left the brand’s top post. The last time was back in 2000 and the brand suffered so much in his absence, he ended up having to return in a dramatic […]