Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category
What are the Benefits to Companies Using Social Media?
Today, social media acts as one of the most important tools in a company’s arsenal. With social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube sporting their user-friendly interfaces, companies now have the ability to continuously manage and sculpt their “public profile” at their fingertips. All of this while instantly and conveniently being able to connect with hundreds of thousands of potential customers in their community. (more…)
Marketing Trends – How do you keep up?
“The only thing that is constant is change” – Greek philosopher, Heraclitus
Is it worth keeping up with marketing trends? Three words come to mind: Innovate or die. In today’s hyper connected world of online reviews and social media, consumers hold more power over your brand than ever before. It’s crucial that brands remain vigilant for emerging trends. We recommend a combination of traditional and digital strategies to stay competitive and relevant.
Recharging Your Battery
Sometimes, all we seem to do is work. We work at the office. We work at home. Now that summer is upon us, many of us are looking forward to the true meaning of summer –vacation. Vacations allow each of us time to unplug and forget about the day-to-day challenges. We are allowed to escape the stresses of everyday life and float away for a bit of “rest and relaxation”.
Are vacations necessary? You bet they are. (more…)
Inspirational Independence
“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” These are the famous words of Thomas Jefferson, our third President of the United States, who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. (more…)
Summer Media Tweaks
Is your media plan working as hard and smart as it could this summer? While your 2017 media plan is likely well-mapped out, here are a few summertime considerations to potentially take advantage of:
Summer Reset
Summer is a time to recharge, reset and find inspiration. As marketers, many of us have been head down and laser-focused on executing our Q1 and Q2 initiatives. With the first half of the year nearly behind us, summer presents an opportunity to reflect on progress against plan and consider seasonal adjustments and extensions. With a potentially lighter summer workload, now is an ideal time to strengthen your team and seek out opportunities to build your brand.
Craft Beer, Crafting Creative
Plato, the Classical Greek Philosopher, once said, “He was a wise man who invented beer.” It seems that Americans wholeheartedly agree. Today, in the U.S., there are more than 5000 small breweries and, according to some industry leaders, this is the greatest time in history to be a beer drinker in America.
Your Last Day on Earth
It’s a phrase we’re all familiar with: “Life is full of surprises.” No matter how much we plan for our future, life has a way of surprising us. So, why not live every day like it’s your last — with a sense of pride, joy, inspiration, and, ultimately, accomplishment? Or with a peaceful feeling that, no matter how small or large, you’ve already achieved something great with your life? (more…)
Anything Is Possible
The Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon: a mission that’s been held annually since 1978 and requires athletes to test their mind, body, and soul against a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run without a break. Now also held throughout the world, most Ironman events have a strict time limit of 17 hours to complete the race, making the grueling test that much more difficult. (more…)
New Year, New You?
You’ve made it; it’s 2017!
As I’m sure you know, along with the new year comes new goals, a new hope, and, perhaps, a new you – a rejuvenation if you will.
For many of us (myself included), we typically decide on a New Year’s resolution because we feel that: “I should be making this change in my life.” I always find myself wondering: is this really something that I can stick to? Am I committing to this resolution because I’m trying to better myself/those around me? Or do I feel the need to choose a New Year’s resolution because I should? (more…)
Why Does a (Retired) Creative Director Make a Good Santa?
Most creative directors never really retire, they just move into jobs that interest them more. As a creative director, I spent over four decades in marketing and advertising. I designed, wrote and presented marketing concepts that are being used to this day by Fortune 500 companies. I never thought I would find a job more creative. But I have as a Real Bearded Santa. (more…)
Get the Juices Flowing
If you have to think for a living, being inspired can be a problem. Ad agency executives, creative people, writers, business owners, architects, cyber-security experts – anyone dealing with information needs to be inspired to succeed, to innovate, to come up with compelling ideas and solve problems in order to get better at their profession and as a human being.
(more…)
4 Ways to Keep Your Employees Inspired
There are managers out there who truly believe employees just love coming to work. Are they right? Yes and no. According to a 2013 Gallup study, only about 30% of American workers are engaged and inspired with their careers and places of employment. Do they “love” coming to work? Well, the jury is still out on that. The bottom line, however, is that inspired people get more done. All employees want to be inspired and want to grow with great teams and organizations. Here are a few ways to keep your staff motivated and on the road to success.
(more…)
Need a Little Inspiration?
Who hasn’t thought about quitting their job, selling the house and moving to a tropical island? Why is this such a compelling concept for so many of us? Do we really think that by dropping out of everything, we will somehow achieve true happiness and become inspired to achieve our goals? I don’t think so.
3 Ways Inspiration Matters
1. Inspiration sparks creativity
Without inspiration you would have no creativity. No great advertising or design. No great anything. Inspiration is the spark that gives you a new lens of focus, allowing you to isolate insights that are striking and compelling, and to create more freely. Inspiration doesn’t come easy, and it isn’t automatic. And there is no formula. But below is a check list to help foster creative inspiration.
Inspiration – It’s bigger than me
Back in 1962, when JFK said we would go to the moon by the end of the decade, it was an audacious claim that inspired a generation — and spawned rivers of sweat and endless toil among scientists and engineers.
How to Channel Your Inspiration (Part One)
We all seek inspiration. Sometimes, it finds us. Inspiring people is a difficult art, but being inspired is relatively easy. That’s an interesting irony.
We’ve all attended seminars, professional conferences, personal retreats, workshops and the like. Inspiration is a cottage industry. We leave with goose bumps, vows and resolutions. But, what really happens? All too often we sink back into our daily efficiencies and the inspiration wears off.
