Your Brand is Exhaust Fume, not the Engine

“How do you manage your brand?” I get asked that question really often, especially at public-venue speaking events. Typically, I sigh. It is not that the question is silly, or

Why I Love REI

My friend, Professor Terri Griffith sent this Yelp Review of Acme Bakery tonight because the review takes a side trip through REI… Check it out: This is a delightful tiny,

Visible Through Onlyness

Last week, Ellen McGirt (of Fast Company fame) and Susan McPherson (exec at Fenton and expert in CSR) and I co-hosted a Salon to discuss Onlyness, key to #socialera. Onlyness is that thing that only YOU can bring to a situation. As you see yourself, others can see you and the value you bring.

5 Opportunities in ECommerce (Trend)

I’m an insane online shopper. Online wins over in-person for several reasons. One is research based; if I pick well, I only need to pick a few things that last.

We Can’t Agree to Disagree

If [fill in the person] thinks I’ve bought in, they’re crazy.” “Even if [fill in the group] doesn’t believe in our current vision, they’ll believe when they see it.” “I

Love & Brands

A friend running brands for a big giant software company sent me a note asking if I knew someone who had 10 years of expertise doing FaceBook/Twitter marketing.   Anything

Love & Brands

A friend running brands for a big giant software company sent me a note asking if I knew someone who had 10 years of expertise doing FaceBook/Twitter marketing.   Anything

Open Letter to Carol Bartz, Yahoo

Congrats on your new role. For many of us in the tech industry, Yahoo is more than a company, it’s a Silicon Valley icon. By putting in the kind of strong management you represent, I hope the board is signaling the company’s intent to reinvent itself and thrive once again. Your opportunities speak to opportunities for every tech firm, so we’re going to make this an Open Letter in the hope that everyone can learn from the experience you’re about to have.