Brand Strategy Growth

More than talent

The first thing I do each morning is write for myself. No editing, expectations or excuses. Even while on vacation, during the holiday’s, and on the weekend. Its been nearly 3 years, and for about the first year, my writing was hardly legible. I don’t write for feedback, judgement or stories. And it’s rare that I ever go back to read what I’ve written.

The guidelines are simple:

1. Write every day.

2. Don’t think.

3. No expectations.

4. No judgements.

Before my commitment to this daily routine, I had several failed journaling attempts. My home carried the evidence of papers sporadically filled with random thoughts, occupying space among blank pages and hidden potential. And numerous blogs were created with good intentions and shared with nobody.

This daily routine has been my antidote to the many jump starts and creative efforts that could never flourish. Helping me realize that creativity requires more than talent. It’s about showing up every day and not over-thinking, while keeping expectations within reach and judgements to a minimum.

Brand Strategy Perspective

A wider perception

Perception is defined as:

The process of becoming aware of something through the senses.

A persons perception is only as good as…

– The process they use to gather information.

– Their interpretation of the information.

Perception is not…

– A barometer of right and wrong or good and bad.

– An unchanging reality of our environment or experience.

A person can widen their perception by…

– Expanding their process for digesting new information.

– Gathering information from alternative sources.

Our world, projects and ideas could benefit from a wider perception. But first, we must challenge ourselves to discard accustomed perceptions for broader ones.

Growth Perspective

The hype

Hype is an interesting thing. It’s when popularity makes something more attractive than it really is. When an overblown reputation makes something more sought after than it probably should be.

For example, if a friend asks my opinion about a popular restaurant that was only subpar, I might tell them, “Don’t believe the hype.” Meaning, it’s not as good as people have made it out to be.

The alluring thing about hype is that it attracts people by the masses. The danger is that it can repel people twice as fast, because nobody can fill the gap of overblown expectations.

Make sure what you’re doing is worthy of the hype, but don’t fall for the trap of believing it.

Growth Perspective

Highlighter

How often do you return to the things you highlight? What is the reminder to go back and review that thought, information or material.

There are times when the best ideas exist only as a highlighter. As a thought scribbled in a journal, a fading sketch, or a folder labeled “Ideas.” In the moment, these highlighted thoughts inspired something within us and triggered an action that marked our intention of coming back.

If it’s been a while since you’ve returned to the things you’ve highlighted, here’s your reminder. It’s worth going back to the things we’ve highlighted.

Uncategorized

Beginners luck

A wise teacher once told me that producing an exceptional project on the first attempt was one of the worst things for a students growth.

He observed that the students who experienced beginners luck would mostly….

Effort: Give less effort throughout the course.

Stuck: Stay within the boundaries of what they did on the first project, hesitant to explore new territory.

Beginners luck has an advantage because….

Effortless: There are minimal “thought” parameters and boundaries for beginners.

Freedom: Beginners have limited expectations and allow themselves to think more freely.

When we set out to master something new, it is important to understand that we can learn a lot from our bad work. While also realizing that there is value in approaching an old project with a beginners mindset.

Growth Perspective

The weekend

Can you imagine a time before the weekend? If you lived life in the U.S. prior to the 1940’s, you might. And while life without these coveted two days may seem impossible, the reality is it took a combination of events to secure its place in our lives.

Some of those events include…

Time: First introduced in 1908, it took over 30 years to implement the weekend, as we know it, nationwide.

Climate of change: To prevent layoffs during the Great Depression, policy makers reduced the hours worked – Serving as a partial remedy during drastic times.

But, what are the possible disadvantages of a valuable idea, like the weekend?…

Stuck in time: When something has appeared to work for a significant period of time, our thinking can become rigid, preventing us from seeing new possibilities.

Resistance to change: A good idea can become a stale idea if it does not evolve with its environment. For example, technology has increased efficiencies without a significant change in the workweek.

Good ideas have an enduring quality to them, and existence without them can seem incomplete. But all ideas, even the greatest ones, must evolve as we do.

Brand Strategy Perspective

Good idea. Better timing.

Good ideas often fail because of bad timing. I’ve personally experienced this with a product idea, that on it’s way to being produced, got side swiped by a flailing economy.

According to Bill Gross, founder of Idealab, timing is the number one reason startups fail. In his recent TED talk, he reports that when accounting for 5 key factors: Idea, Team, Business Model, Funding, and Time – Timing was the biggest factor in success or failure. Surprisingly, idea was only the 3rd most critical factor.

His less than 10 min TED talk is worth watching…..if you have the time.

What does this mean? Here, I talk about about our perception of time being a construct of the brain and how it can be manipulated. How can something so abstract be accounted for in the generation of new ideas?

Below are a few ways to account for timing…

Relationship: Be in relationship with the world around you. Isolation runs you the risk of developing an idea that is not connected to the way people are actually living their lives.

Presence: Events are not as random as they seem. Many times we can look back and see all the clear linkages that produced our present state.

Vision: Draw linkages between people, world events and your personal experience to identify trends.

Usefulness: Aspects of the idea can be timely, while others may not be. When packaged with useless ideas, even a good idea can seem untimely.

Relevance: Answer the question, why is this idea relevant for today?

Sometimes, you may check-off all the boxes, but still have an idea that doesn’t get off the ground. The reality is, only time will tell.

Brand Strategy Product design

Piece of cake

We can learn a lot from cake. The other day I observed the minimal action received by a dessert counter inside a local coffee shop. Maybe the lack of interest was due to the discipline of so many people…..or maybe not?

There seemed to be a few factors at play…

Slice of cake: Most of the cakes were untouched. Few people want to be the first to purchase the first slice of cake.

Passing through the line: Dessert goers and non-dessert goers pass through the same line. If several people pass through without succumbing to temptation, someone following may feel they can as well.

Smell: The smell of coffee and espresso overpowered the sweet aroma of the desserts.

In comparison, why does the dessert shop or the separate dessert counter in stores seem irresistible?

Discipline: It makes us feel disciplined. If there are hundreds of desserts on display, you seem like a warrior for only taking one.

Separate line: Everyone who makes a trip to the dessert counter is interested in the sugary treats on some level, even if it is only to stare and salivate.

Smell: The concentrated smell of desserts and fresh pastries are hard to resist.

Questions to consider…..

How do we optimize the presentation of our idea? Will different environments influence how people engage? How are decisions being influenced? And are we making the experience a piece of cake?

Growth Perspective

Blank Canvas

What would you create if you were given a blank canvas for that strategy, project or idea? Where would you draw your inspiration from? What things would you need to let go of?

Many of us are working with canvas’ that have been overworked. Oftentimes, in our desire to paint a masterpiece, we try to add everything in fear of getting it wrong.

We have to be like artists when we create. Trusting that we will be inspired by the canvas as we begin to create our masterpiece. Focusing on the idea in front of us, knowing that a blank canvas offers us new possibilities.

Brand Strategy Product design

Selling cleverness

Recently, I dined at a restaurant that served mashed avocado. Somewhat intrigued by this distinguished name for guacamole, I ordered. When the dish arrived, there was slight disappointment to discover that while a bit more pricey, it was just plain old guacamole.

The definition for guacamole is:

gua·ca·mo·le

noun

a dish of mashed avocado mixed with chopped onion, tomatoes, chili peppers, and seasoning.

You can give an old product a new name or color and sell it as an original. The risk you take is engaging people who are looking to buy into a new idea, when all you’re selling is cleverness.

When is mashed avocado a new experience and when is it really just guacamole?