In real life, if you're being followed, you have a sense of it. A sensation. A sense of knowing that someone is following you and monitoring you. Without a question. And then there are instances when you swear you are being followed even when no one is. It's the polar opposite on the internet. If…
Bringing soul into your brand
It used to be that brands that "gets the job done" are enough to keep customers, but the game has since changed. Emotional connection is as important as getting the job done. Having a heart, a soul, is as important as being efficient. Creating a brand that emotionally connects with customers is not as simple…
Schrödinger’s plates
Schrödinger's Plates: They are both broken and not broken until you open the door. Schrödinger's wallet you know you have money but when you open it you don't
Do the work
When Steven Pressfield says "Do the work and the rest will follow" he's basically dropping some serious truth bombs about how to achieve creative success. A lot of people think they can just talk about their ideas and aspirations without actually putting in the hard work necessary to make them a reality. Do the work,…
Date your customers
When you have a clear understanding of your ideal customer, you can focus your marketing efforts on them and cater to their needs. But more importantly, you'll know who is NOT your customer. There is no customer called everyone. You might think that your product or service is perfect for everyone, but that's not entirely…
From customer to product
If you want to create a product that really resonates with your customers, you need to start with them, not your own brilliant ideas. Simply put, start with your customers and working backwards to create a product that meets their needs, desires, and preferences. This approach is about understanding what makes them tick, what they…
Did you ever win something?
Jamal: Did you ever enter a writin' contest? Forrester: Yeah, once. Jamal: Did you win? Forrester: Well of course I won! Jamal: You win like money or somethin'? Forrester: No. Jamal: Well, whadchu win? Forrester: The Pulitzer. This exchange is a famous dialogue from one of my favourite movie Finding Forrester. In the movie, Jamal…
Read and let read
Paper books are great, e-Books are great, Audiobooks are great, New books are great, Old books are great, Library books are great, Classic books are great, Genre books are great. Read what you want to read however you want to read it, and let others do likewise. Some people love the feel and smell of…
If you want nobody to find out
If you're doing something that you wouldn't want others to know about, then it's probably not a good idea. Before acting, you should carefully weigh the upsides and downsides of your choices. The last thing you want is to be caught in a compromising situation that could ruin your reputation or even your entire life.…
What did the mayonnaise say when the fridge door opened?
I held a masterclass for entrepreneurs today on how to give a pitch presentation, and I asked them to practice their pitches so I could give them feedback. One of the entrepreneurs used humour in her pitch for her restaurant. She said: What did the mayonnaise say when the fridge door opened? "Close the door,…
The main character syndrome in entrepreneurship
I love entrepreneurship. I think it's one of the most exciting and rewarding paths you can take in life. But there's a danger lurking in the world of entrepreneurship that I think needs to be addressed: the main character syndrome. Main character syndrome is a term used to describe a psychological phenomenon in which an…
Remembering the styrofoam cup
Trains of thought are fascinating because they connect different experiences and transport us to unexpected places. Recently I thought of the Styrofoam Cup story: I heard a story about a former Under Secretary of Defense who gave a speech at a large conference. He took his place on the stage and began talking, sharing his…