Armed with Scissors and an Idea a Billionaire is Born. The Spanx Story.
Sara Blakely was getting ready for a party when she realized she didn't have the right undergarment to provide a smooth look. Like all revolutions: it was not easy.
Business lessons from a pro athlete
Most owners aren't "superstars." But they have a hidden superpower. Discover your superpower amidst the lessons from my friend Jean Hebert, a pro athlete and NHL referee.
What delivering newspapers taught me about pizza – The story of Domino’s.
How an orphan who was swindled out of his life savings grew the largest independent restaurant business on the planet.
Fish when the fish are runnin’
Morris was Vice President of Marketing of a $50 million business and his favourite saying was, "We go fishin' when the fish are runnin'." But Morris was wrong.
Facebook and John Deere 9620RX are both powerful tools I don’t need
In the beginning, connecting with long-lost friends was nostalgic. It was fun to catch up and reminisce about things long gone. Then the world changed.
By definition, an entrepreneur solves problems
Business ownership is not a career path. It’s a lifestyle choice. It’s not for everyone. There are sacrifices to be made.
Mom was right, your so-called friends are using you.
Just like the friends that go to your neighbor’s party when the freebies are gone, Transactional Customers mooch from you until there’s nothing left to give.
Beachheads
A beachhead is a defended position on a beach taken from an enemy by landing forces from which an attack can be launched. In business, beachheads are found where competitors aren't willing to go.
A Trip to Italy Changes Everything for Starbucks
How a sip of espresso at a piazza in Italy transformed the coffee industry in North America. It seems obvious now. But trust me. This idea was crazy.
Growth, Blindspots and FOAG
When a customer answered with FOAG (Fine, Ok, Alright, Good), our staff challenged them. “Really, it was just ok?”
Seabiscuits and Monstars
I coach baseball for the same reasons I work as an ad guy. I dream for my kids to understand the underdog doesn’t need to have the most points to be the winner.
Iron Chef Branding — 2 Practical Steps that Work in the Real World
Whip up that gourmet message, not from scratch, and not by following a predetermined recipe, but by making use of whatever ingredients are already on hand.
There Is No Word-of-Mouth “Marketing.”
Word-of-Mouth is now more critical to business success than at any time since the dawn of mass media. And yet you can’t make a customer talk about you.
Relational Employees
My phone buzzed with a text message that changed my life for the next two years. The assistant manager texted that he quit his job. He followed with a second bomb that everyone quits. No notice, no negotiations. Just quit.
What’s The Most Powerful Asset That Every Business Possesses?
The things that don’t seem to be about money usually produce the most money. A lot of times they require little to no ad dollars.