Newsletter/Blog
L.L. Bean Gets the Boot
When a fashion-conscious teenager opts for a 104-year-old product, there must be something special about it. So when my 16-year-old daughter Fiona chose L.L. Bean rainboots, I had to ask her what the appeal was. To Fiona’s credit and my relief, she did not say “I…
4 Undeniable Truths About Your Brand
Do you know how brand images are formed? Come behind the scenes to my kitchen project and take a look. I was seeking a tile contractor to install a new backsplash in my kitchen. My aim was to get three bids. I got a list of names from two tile retail stores and…
10 Brand Storytelling Lessons from Bruce Springsteen
When I read Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography Born to Run in January, I learned that he and I have a few things in common. Both of us like the smell of coffee but not the taste. Neither of us can read sheet music. Both of us grew up in New Jersey (okay I knew that),…
Netflix Ain’t Chillin’
What do Netflix and “The Godfather” have in common? Both showcase visionary brands that have succeeded with unorthodox methods. In Netflix’s case, to paraphrase Mario Puzo, keep your friends close and your competitors on the payroll. Wait – what? Most business leaders…
Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It
I hate clutter. You might not know that from the condition of my home, but I do. To reduce clutter, I regularly donate what we no longer use to the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation. But prevention is the holy grail. I scrutinize purchase considerations and proffered…