Is Uber’s brand really worth billions?
The power of a pre-mortem
Like many things in life, strategy is rarely perfect the first time round.
Building brand engagement in a post-trust world
Brands have established a new model for growth: fostering an economy of mistrust.
No more disruption please, we’re British.
The most consistently profitable innovators are not relentlessly disruptive: they are capable of introducing radical new ideas to the world, but they hone and perfect the delivery of those ideas through years of incremental improvement to improve efficiency and profitability.
New luxury: a triumph of excess over experience?
The truth is that the modern concept of luxury remains stubbornly wedded to excess, despite all the optimistic column inches devoted to new luxury’s more balanced, less materialistic, more experiential, less conspicuous, more ethical stance.
Ten reasons for brand strategists to love Milton Glaser, too
Milton Glaser had the ability to penetrate through the layers of bullshit that often come with a job that balances the commercial with the creative. He thought seriously and deeply about this balance. Here are ten things I’ve taken away.
How Ocado embraces what makes their brand weird.
Best practice can’t happen unless we’re prepared to step away from the comfort of the usual once in a while. That’s why so many of the retail world’s most notable innovators have embraced weirdness.
Challenger banks: not radical enough?
We’re learning to love contactless and mobile forms of payment, but we’re a long way from digital banking nirvana.
Extinction Rebellion: when Nudge comes to Shove
Extinction Rebellion offers a much-needed reminder that dramatic systematic change is needed if we want to avoid screwing up the planet for future generations.
Entrepreneurs and the art of ‘enough’
It’s easy to revile entrepreneurs. They have money, power and an address list that mere mortals can only dream of. But without them where would we be?
Why commercial brands should look to not-for-profits for inspiration
A compelling charity brand is spontaneous, collaborative and delivered with charm and a warm imperfection that reminds us what it means to be human.
Does business class travel have a future?
Business class travel – whether by air or by train – is one of the most weirdly wasteful and anachronistic aspects of modern working life.
Don’t be distracted by your competitors
It’s possible to be fiercely competitive without this becoming toxic.
Brands and emotional dishonesty
This form of positivity is toxic precisely because it robs us of our right to call something out as damaging, or depressing, or shameful.
You don’t have to be crazy to believe in brand archetypes… But it helps!
Archetype theory isn’t the product of rigorous scientific study. It is the result of an imagined relationship between the spirit world and the world of the real.
How circular economy thinking and learning is essential for business
Tomorrow’s leaders won’t be the businesses that most effectively stamp on their competitors. The future belongs to those who can balance the art of competition with the art of collaboration.
Are you an authentic leader?
Why being true to yourself is the worst mistake a leader can make.
Ageism: why we all miss out in an ageist business culture
Why the solution to ageism isn’t age blindness.
Lessons from brands that deliver great experiences
Iconic brands have been delivering great experiences for centuries before the term ‘experiential marketing’ was coined. Here are a few things I’ve learned from working with some of them.