Friday, February 13, 2009 at 8:12AM Yesterday's post looked at tapping into your creativity as one of the ways to strengthen your brand. So in the spirit of being a "creator" below is a behind the scenes look at indie pop sensation Santogold and the making of her new video "Creator". Enjoy!
Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 2:57PM 
That will give your brand
"heavy rotation"
Beat #1 - Creativity - See it. Know it. Embrace it. Love it. Why? Because its a part of who we are. It bubbles readily to the surface more so for some than others but its there within each of us. Why do we love rock stars, actors, and artists? They wreak of creativity. It taps into and displays that raw energy that's in each of us to do something new, original or do something old with a unique twist to it. Either way plug into those internal juices and tap into your inner creator!
Beat #2 - Solutions - Being creative is the easy part. Does your creativity actually solve problems or provide solutions? Does it make life easier, or more pleasurable to deal with? If it does your product/service will be seen as a godsend and that ladies and gents is gold coins in the bank account.
Beat #3 - Memorability - As I mentioned in my last post our lives are ultimately about stories. Not how much money we make or the cool gadgets we own or how big our houses are. It's about the stories we share with the people we know. That also goes for what your business is offering. If you have a great and memorable story about what you do or sell, people will keep you in their minds and when they are talking and sharing stories with friends. . .out comes your tale and the powerful word of mouth begins.
Beat #4 -Purpose - You're a good company that takes care of your customers. You make sure you take care of people as they will ultimately take care of you (you need them to pay your bills). But beyond making money (which is of the utmost importance) what's the reason that your company even exists? Beyond engaging your customers in day to day transactions what do you stand for? What's your purpose?
Beat #5 - Trust - You can have all of the above (and more) but if your customers, colleagues, clients, business partners and/or co-workers don't trust you - pack your bags right now and head down to New Zealand for wind surfing classes. Trust is often what keeps businesses average or takes them to the next level. Its more often than not, the gateway to more and better things to come. As the old saying goes "trust is something earned not given". It doesn't happen overnight so dig in and prepare for the long haul. If patience isn't one of your virtues, I think I saw that suntan lotion over there by the dresser. . .
Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 8:59AM 
There are people, places, events, conversations, ideas, music, failures, books (and the list goes on) that introduces people to themselves. Things that move your world.
Through a conversation with your best friend 5 years ago you discovered that you definitely wanted to attend a school of fine arts - a seminal moment in your life. It was hearing a story of how one of your parents almost didn't get into college that drives you everyday. Remembering that first time you discovered a new artist that opened you up to different music ideas and new tastes that pushed your own musical interests into new realms.
Its these things that make us who we are, what we do and why.
Its not our cars that draw people to us. People don't really care how much money you make. Your job and what you do at work isn't the end all be all in life. And its definitely not about how you'll soon be the new owner of one of the hottest new gadgets hitting the market come next month. Not even close.
What it is, is our stories.
What were you doing 10 years ago that you'll laugh about today? How did your first girlfriend/boyfriend crush your heart? During your last road trip or vacation, what did you see that you would want to share with a friend? What was an absolutely unforgettable childhood memory?
This is the core, the centerpiece, the crux - the stories of our life. The ups and downs we experience. The adversities in each of our lives that introduce us to who we are (or are not). Then we give back by sharing these stories with friends, co-workers, brothers, mothers, colleagues, bosses, wives, lovers and the list goes on.
This is what it's about. The personal anecdotes that help people understand why you became a biologist. Why you are afraid of small spaces. Why you started your own company. What's happened in your life or going on right now that tells the story of who you are and the things that move your world.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 7:54AM 
. . .but a lack of curiosity will put to death any possibility of you trying to enhance your creativity which in turn will minimize your innovation potential.
Now why is that?
Many new ideas start with questions. A simple pondering. A desire to know if what is being done now is really the optimum way? For all intensive purposes can a better mousetrap be built?
Of course it can.
Often times though, most would rather take the position of curiosity killing the cat and play dead/be dead than to think of it in terms of curiosity might just actually give you nine more lives, ideas or opportunities to create something that could just take the world by storm (and even if you fall short of that goal you'll still have grown in exponential ways).
Let's take a few examples:
These are just a small handful of ideas where curiosity is opening up the doors to new possibilities. The space and place for more questions and creative answers is endless.
There is just one mole hill to get over, though.
Seeing curiosity as an opportunity generator instead of as something that will finish you off. Once you wire that into your DNA. . .
. . .then my friends you are off.
Monday, February 9, 2009 at 2:24PM 
As you continuously develop your business strategy and position your brand to make an impact in the market you should never lose sight of one fundamental business concept:
Do your customers or clients see the value of what your product or service offers?
Its that simple. No need to go into a diatribe. No need for an hour explanation. No need for a 10 page report on the pros and cons of what you are offering the market. A simple statement or short paragraph stating what it is that makes your offering highly valuable in the eyes of the market will pretty much do the trick.
You can twitter until your fingers fall off. You can link to a hundred social sites. You can blog till the cows come home but if you can't clearly show what you are offering as something that people need, want or desire (and will pay for it) then you are just spinning your wheels.
With the country firmly entrenched in a recession, businesses letting employees go, and companies hunkering down in these uncertain times, creative ideas of high value potential will be that shining star in a gloomy environment where that silver lining seems unfindable.
Now in a climate such as this, getting the ears of folks who are only concerned with "survival" vs looking at how to position themselves for the future, can be challenging, but again if you know you have a product or service that you know people will want (especially in these times) then it all becomes a matter of when. And funny enough as it is, even when you have an incredible offering that clearly has high market potential some folks are just slow to pick up on things. That's why you definitely should be aware of the marathoner idea. Now if you understand this as well then you have a huge chunk of the battle won and you will be well on your way. . . .
