Comments for Insights and Ingenuity

Comment on Fail to Succeed by Sabra Fiala

Sabra Fiala — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:32:44 +0000

I confess I thought it might be me as well. :0) Thinking about vulnerabilities, I recently presented at a conference with 300+ attendees. It is by far, the most terrifying experience for me – but only for the first minute. I look at the crowd, I can’t breathe, my vision gets blurry, and somehow making a complete fool of myself by passing out on the floor (crumbling in a skirt is not pretty) is my choice rather than going on. But, I always get over it and within minutes I I’m at the top of my game. I’m so comfortable when the attention is on me and I’d like to think I thrive in that instance. It’s the lowest and highest point all within 60 seconds. I had a lot of time to think about it yesterday as it took me about six hours to get back from Chicago (traffic was hell)….maybe you have to reach into the depth of your fear and embrace it and like I boomerang the opposiite exponentially arises? Hmmmm, how existential? So, there you go – my biggest fear hanging out in all its glory.

Comment on 12 Step Program by Sam Meers

Sam Meers — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:01:07 +0000

The connections with individual bloggers can happen any time you post. But that’s just the beginning. As you continue posting, you’ll come to build connections with regular readers, and if you’re true to your blog’s POV, those readers will continue to grow with each post.

I find it fascinating to speak with companies who want to jump on the social media band wagon. Some miss the point that first, a company must have passion for a category and then be able to share an authentic point of view. Without that, a corporate blog is akin to the sound of one hand clapping.

Comment on Writing on the (bathroom) Wall by Peter Tard

Peter Tard — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:38:17 +0000

This is good page and I love this content.

Comment on Fail to Succeed by Connie

Connie — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:06:00 +0000

thought I was probably the one you were describing until I got to the point where it was a guy….oh well, maybe next time. Just shoot me, we have returned home from 5 days in Chicago doing all the tourist things….yep, 7 people in a minivan and they are all still alive….I deserve a friggin medal!

Comment on This Brand is Your Brand? This Brand is My Brand. by Sam

Sam — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:33:01 +0000

Having just gone through a major re-branding of our institution, I agree and hope that we are right!!

A brand is more than a logo or a tag line, but an overarching and organizing idea that must be reflected in every interaction. In my opinion, a brand is really only created when an organization and the customer are aligned in their perception. As an organization, it is a promise that is made to its customers (ours is “Science Transforming Life.”). Only when this how your customers actually think of you, does it really become a brand.

Learn more about how National Jewish Health (formerly National Jewish Medical and Research Center) built our brand story at http://www.nationaljewish.org/about/brand/story/built.aspx. Check out the new logo and how it evolved at http://www.nationaljewish.org/about/brand/story/visual.aspx

Comment on The Origin of Ideas by Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:01:58 +0000

I think the foundation of innovation has been influenced by the people and experiences around us throughout human history. As humans we can’t help but look around us and observe what others are doing to help us fill needs in our lives. Because technology has advanced to the point where communicating ideas and collaborating on projects is almost a trivial matter, there are a lot more floating around. There are so many easily accessible ideas that it may seem like everything has already been thought of, but ultimately, I think it’s context and interpretation that makes ideas original.

Your question brings to mind the huge controversy over creative mash-ups/remixes and copyright. If you take someone else’s work and flip it on its head to reframe the perspective of the audience, whose work is it? Is it the original artist because she built the foundation or does it become the reframer’s work because he changed its intrinsic nature? The reason why this is a huge issue is because it’s *not* clear who has “ownership” of the creative idea at that point. I would argue that the work is original in both cases.

Comment on This Brand is Your Brand? This Brand is My Brand. by Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:38:47 +0000

I completely agree with what you’re saying.

My husband and I actually found “no value add” with banking customer service to the point that we now bank with a company that has no physical branches. We went with our insurance company (USAA) because we were treated so badly at Washington Mutual that we could no longer in conscience stay with them. We had received nothing but superior service from USAA (in fact we have all of our insurance through them, we got our car loan through them, etc.) that we went with something somewhat less convenient so we would be treated with respect.

The irony is that we hardly deal with their customer service at all. It’s when there are problems (often emotionally highly charged experiences) that you really find out who’s got your back.