Blog
The Poetry of a Revolution
Changing the world has never been easier. We have the tools, we have the power, we have the resources, we have the connections, we have the initiative, we have the people and we certainly have enough problems that need to be solved. What’s missing is a beacon to guide us, give us hope and show the way forward. A manifesto that serves as the poetry of a revolution. It’s…
Don’t Boil The Water
The point isn’t to consume the content. The point is to be the first to comment on it. The point is to be the best at publicly deconstructing it. And to the point is to outdo everyone else in making fun of it. That’s why the volume of comments far exceeds the volume of content. Because that’s what nerds do, they obsess. They have hyperactive internal monologues passionately deconstruct…
Two Ideas Having a Baby
Innovation isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about taking two wheels that already work well on their own, but haven’t met yet, and helping them intersect in a novel way. The first step toward innovation is combination. Which of your two ideas need to have a baby?
The Art of Choreographing Attention
It’s not a nametag, it’s a magic trick. Think about it. In the past thirteen years, I built a successful publishing and consulting enterprise out of nothing. Nothing. I authored dozens of books, did hundreds of interviews, published thousands of articles and got paid big money by big companies to travel around the world and share my story with millions of people, despite having no job experience, no resume,…
Brands That Momentize, Monetize
Let’s travel back in time. Fifty years ago, everyday activities like landing on the runway, shopping for clothes, taking bread out of the oven or receiving a package from a friend, were just ordinary, fleeting experiences. And then the world flipped. Now, thanks to the beauty of technology, thanks to the connection economy and thanks to the new social norm of digital sharing, the concept of the moment hasn’t…
What’s The Ecosystem Around Your Product?
The product is only the beginning. What’s evolved is the ecosystem around the product. Now, it’s not just the product. It’s joining the community that the product is a badge for. It’s redefining the industry the product is part of. It’s shaping the generation the product is a symbol of. It’s building the tribe the product is the symbol for. It’s listening to the voice the product is an…
Charisma Versus Authenticity
What image would you rather project: Charisma or authenticity? Charisma comes from the Greek word kharisma, which means “gift” or “divine favor.” According to Wikipedia, is often used to describe the ability to charm or influence people. It also refers to a quality in certain individuals who easily draw the attention and admiration of others due to a “magnetic” quality of personality and/or appearance. Big deal. This is 2013….
The Monopoly of Expectations
The Islands is a hole in the wall you hope no one else discovers. Not just because the portions are huge, the dishes are amazing and the prices are affordable, but with only five tables, an alarmingly low ceiling and a dining room the size of your grandma’s attic, you’re basically on top of each other the whole time. And with only two ladies doing the all ordering, cooking,…
The Power of Ongoing Micro Experiments
Everyone needs an interesting way of interacting with the world. Some creative lens, personal filter, permanent fixture or unique coefficient, that we carry with us at all times, that affords us the opportunity to navigate and meet and understand the world with a slightly skewed perspective on just about everything. Think of it as your ongoing micro experiment. For me, it’s the nametag. Wearing one all day, everyday for…
Does Your Brand Integrate With People’s Lives?
People will always value a brand if the experience of it adds something to their lives. The problem is, too many companies fail to actually consider people’s lives when they make decisions. And as a result, their marketing is tolerated at best and loathed at worst. Turns outs, it’s not about starting with the customer in mind, it’s about actually starting with the customer. It’s not about how they…