Business Skills

Insightful Marketing Books

Insightful Marketing Books

“Business has only two functions – marketing and innovation.” — Milan Kundera

I’ve put together a comprehensive list of marketing books that I’ve found to be insightful or useful in some way.

By December 16, 2010 12 Comments Read More →
Trends for 2011

Trends for 2011

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

One of the best ways to deal with change is to anticipate it. At the beginning of each year, I take a step back to see the forest for the trees.

By December 15, 2010 20 Comments Read More →
Entrepreneurship is the Path Out of Poverty

Entrepreneurship is the Path Out of Poverty

“Give a person a fish, and you feed them for a day. Teach a person how to fish, and you feed them for a lifetime.”

One of the questions I keep asking is, what skills do we need to survive or thrive in our new world?

By November 30, 2010 9 Comments Read More →
It Starts with Strategy

It Starts with Strategy

“A strategy delineates a territory in which a company seeks to be unique.” — Michael Porter

Strategy guides your tactics. One of the most effective tools I’ve used for designing a strategy is a Strategy Diamond, which outlines the five key components of your strategy: arenas, vehicles, differentiation, staging, and economic value.

By November 26, 2010 16 Comments Read More →
Energized Differentiation Separates Brands from the Pack

Energized Differentiation Separates Brands from the Pack

“You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.” — John Mason

In a world that’s over-crowded and over-flowing with competition, what makes some brands stand out? I’ve been trying to answer that question, and then I came across The Trouble with Brands, an article by John Gerzema and Ed Lebar.

By November 22, 2010 11 Comments Read More →