Kindness Is Free
Observations after 3 decades of returning to my Happy Place. Why does everyone line up for Tommy's Hot Dog stand?
Why Great Brands Are Unreasonable
Most people have no idea the Pirelli calendar exists. That may be part of why it works.
Don’t Be Too Efficient
We forgive big companies that treat us like cattle, but at a small company, it can destroy all faith and trust.
Why 80% of Businesses Are Running on Broken
Your brand has a story. The question is whether it's true.
You Have to Be the Captain
For whatever "sea" you're crossing, something subtle but vital separates sailors from true captains.
Have You Fallen Prey to The Committee?
You developed a Good Idea. They said, “Let’s make it stronger. Build consensus.”
Don’t Be an Egg-Laying-Woolly-Dairy-Pig
You instinctively know what that phrase means. Trying to please everyone satisfies no one.
Unicorns Are Real
Every business owner believes they are a unicorn. Most are just horses, indistinguishable from the herd.
Sawdust in Their Veins: Surviving the Third Generation Curse
It started as 1 man and a station wagon in America's biggest city. But he had no chair.
How Do We Build a Customer Loyalty Engine?
"Reward programs" miss the mark entirely, because people are loyal to those they trust.
Some Businesses Scale Calmly, Others Don’t: The Hidden Reason
You want to grow by scaling, not by stretching. And customer trust makes the difference.
Why Company Culture Is Your Most Powerful Marketing Asset
What do employees believe in their heart about the company? That's your culture.
When explanations still sound right and no longer work
Many leaders assume ambiguity buys safety. But times are changing.
Drift: When Leadership Loses Alignment Without Failing.
It's not that decisions are harder, exactly. They just feel heavier.
Busy, Booked… and Still Broke
My explanation to a home services company with record call volume & jobs completed, but shrinking profit.