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Think about the last time one of your customers made the following complaint: “I like their product, but I just wish the company would take themselves more seriously.” Exactly. They’ve never said that. Ever. WHICH MAKES SENSE: We live in a litigious, hypersensitive and politically correct society. And instead of branding their humanity, organizations – in the name of “professionalism” – are prohibiting their employees from expressing any shred…

“Acts of friendliness in moments of anonymity.” That’s why I wear a nametag: To invite people to join me, to remind the world that face to face is making a comeback and to create spontaneous moments of authentic human interaction infused with a spirit of humor, playfulness and connection. And if a picture is worth a thousand words, a nametag is worth a thousand stories. Here are my most…

I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. Affectionately known as, “The Show Me State.” According to the state government homepage, the most widely known legend attributes the phrase to Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver, who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1897 to 1903. “I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I…

Last time I was in Florida, I passed a woman on the beach wearing a shirt that read: “Pregnant is the new skinny.” I was beside myself. Not just because of the shirt itself, but because of the overall ridiculousness of the fashion industry. HERE’S THE REALITY: Fashion isn’t about your appearance – it’s about your approach to life. Straight from my monthly column at American Express Open Forum,…

Companies that inject soul, win. Companies who are touchy feely, win. Companies willing to brand their humanity, win. That’s not customer service – that’s a love letter. But, contrary to popular conditioning: Love is not a weakness. Love is not a combination lock. Love is not an instrument of control. No. Love is the bell that’s always ringing. THE QUESTION IS: Is your brand brave enough to hear it?…

[ View the infographic! ] “Everyone should wear nametags, all the time, everywhere, forever.” That’s my thesis, philosophy, dangerous idea and theory of the universe. My name is Scott, and I’ve been wearing a nametag for past four thousand days. And after traveling to hundreds of cities, a dozen countries, four continents, meeting tens of thousands of people, constant experimentation and observation, building a enterprise and writing a dozen…

[ View the infographic! ] “Everyone should wear nametags, all the time, everywhere, forever.” That’s my thesis, philosophy, dangerous idea and theory of the universe. My name is Scott, and I’ve been wearing a nametag for past four thousand days. And after traveling to hundreds of cities, a dozen countries, four continents, meeting tens of thousands of people, constant experimentation and observation, building a enterprise and writing a dozen…

“Acts of friendliness in moments of anonymity.” That’s why I wear a nametag: To invite people to join me, to remind the world that face to face is making a comeback and to create spontaneous moments of authentic human interaction infused with a spirit of humor, playfulness and connection. And if a picture is worth a thousand words, a nametag is worth a thousand stories. Here are my most…

I’m no futurist. But some trends are too pervasive to be denied. THE COOL PART IS: You don’t have to kill yourself doing more – you just have to challenge yourself to do different. Consider these twelve trends, and how your organization might adapt to them:1. Beta is the new post. You’re never ready. Aiming is overrated. And fire burns people. Instead of “ready, aim, fire,” try this formula:…

Love people until they ask you why. Don’t let them fade away quietly. Don’t let them walk away silently. Be promiscuous with your heart. And do so without expecting payment. Love people until they ask you why. Don’t wait for them to earn it. Don’t wait for them to ask for it. Be indiscriminate with your spirit. And do so without demanding reciprocation. Love people until they ask you…