I’ve been thinking a lot about relationships – work relationships, client relationships, personal relationships. What makes some so rewarding? Others so difficult? There are many answers. But one predictor is how a person shares information. Are they flexible and collaborative? Authoritative and secretive? Often, secretive people (and companies) have a “scarcity mindset.” If someone else [...]
Most B2B organizations have an x-factor – i.e., something you know (or do) that others don’t (or can’t). Our job as marketing/PR professionals is to find that x-factor and put it on display. That’s what thought leadership – white papers, speeches, articles, videos, blogs, stories, analyses – is all about. At its most basic, thought [...]
When it comes to content consumption, we live in an on-demand world. We can access video, editorial, audio and broadcast content whenever, however and wherever we want.
Over the past month, I’ve heard the same question from multiple healthcare and insurance clients: “how do I make my product or service a ‘must-have’ rather than a ‘nice-to-have’?”
Last weekend, I (like many Wall Street Journal subscribers) read Amy Chua’s article “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior.” The article, an excerpt from Chua’s book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, has raised a storm of mixed opinions – some supportive, others downright angry. What’s interesting to me is not so much the debate over Chua’s ‘extreme parenting’ techniques, but rather, the questions that she raises about motivation and excellence – issues that have equal relevance in the boardroom and the playroom.
From an early age, we’re taught to look before we leap. We understand intuitively the importance of gathering information about the world around us. We look both ways before crossing the street. We check the DJIA, NASDQ and S&P before buying or selling stock.
Last Monday, I went to McKinsey & Co’s annual New York Office alumni holiday party. Each year, the party features a content presentation linked to a major business issue. One year the presentation was on China. Another year it was on the on the global recession. This year it was on “Unlocking the Power of Social Media for Superior Performance.”
Many of us in PR describe ourselves as story-tellers. Our clients have a story to tell, and our job is to tell it. But, most of the time, story-telling is just the first step. If we focus too much attention on the story, it’s easy to lose sight of the real prize – i.e., the action or outcome that the story is designed to motivate
When Harry Met Sally is one of my all-time favorite movies. I’m a real sucker for romantic comedies. Plus, there’s something about Meg Ryan’s and Billy Crystal’s unlikely friendship – and ultimate romance – that’s ennobling. It’s a story of growth. Two opposite temperaments learning to understand, befriend, complement and enrich each others’ lives.
Last month, I attended the Association of Management Consulting Firms’ (AMCF) seminar on innovation. Like many consultant gatherings, the event featured high-profile panelists from industry, academia and publishing. But unlike many such gatherings, the tone was highly pragmatic. And the questions raised were ones you don’t often hear: “In today’s hyper-competitive market, is there such a thing as too much innovation? How much large-scale change can an organization handle?”
