I thought it was going to be even worse than it was. Econsultancy’s ‘Worst of’ list is full of sound life lessons for anyone but definitely for anyone involved in Branding and Marketing. We all need help with proof reading (see image above presented in semi-guerilla style during the Cannes advertising awards) but simple security […]
Startup Weekend Vancouver
The StartUp Vancouver Weekend was impressive not only because it did what is claimed, create new ventures in 54 hours with teams of programmers, designers and business types, but also because the loose structure fostered ideas and connections. Although I volunteered to help with the organization team, I ended up being inspired into action from […]
Business Strategy and Sports Metaphors
I’m very interested in the strategy of business as well as the strategy of sports. The similarities come easily, often too easily (thankfully that there are less references to military strategy these days). The most intriguing sports performance research is the famous study of basketball free throw practice. The simple summary is that people who […]
Car2Go – WOM (Word of Mouth), wtf?
Owned by big auto (Daimler AG), Car2Go has developed some loyal fans. The service is inspiring with it’s by the minute usage (only $0.35/min!) and leave almost anywhere policy. A small but vocal membership has repeatedly espoused the flexibility, affordability and lovability of the entire experience. A true raving fan, and that is probably the […]
Brand Police : social pressure could be the ‘vigilante justice’
There’s a great article in the Sports section today (Globe and Mail, Nov 5/11) about counterfeit goods. The scourge of copy cat jerseys has spread to that hotbed of Canadian commerce, hockey jerseys. After seriously impacting the bottom of line of official merchandise retail in the other bigs leagues, it seems that the Asian manufacturing […]
“Don’t buy new gear”, says Patagonia
Patagonia is not like other manufacturers of consumer goods. Beyond providing exceptional products, they live their principles, heck they even prove that new models can flourish. With their latest “Buy Less, Buy Used” campaign, conspicuously launched during fashion week, they are new telling folks to NOT buy their gear, instead buy used gear. A partnership […]
“Designing the Cereal Box” : A Tale of Brand Strategy Consulting
Lytro : Is this camera good enough to become the next big thing?
Let’s put Lytro down in the “innovation does not necessarily mean adoption” category. The ‘light field’ camera enables user to forget about focussing because every point will be in focus such that you can adjust foreground, background, depth of field and they say even instant 3D with the benefit of hindsight. Is this something that humans […]
Passion is the Best Strategy : The Soul of Entrepreneurship Lives
I’ve had the pleasure of working with a traditional start up in the food industry. The person behind this organization is an inspiration. A true entrepreneur. It’s easy to come up with reasons not to pursue an idea. Extremely hard to trust your intelligence and instinct to go for it. Visiting the warehouse I felt that […]
Innovation Story – Exit strategy built in!
Several years ago a friend ‘leaked’ some details about a novel brick making system that was in development. He couldn’t tell me much beyond the IP was being filed and the prototype worked. Fast forward 5 years and I happen to run into that friend. After catching up on everything else I asked about this […]