Digital Brand Protection
We’ve written articles on brand reputation in the past and how important it is to success. That being said, the digital space can ruin it in mere seconds. So, how do brands go about protecting their name on the internet? Well, there are so many variables to be considered, such as reviews, cyberattack, etc. but the short answer is digital brand protection. It is simply defined as the efforts of a brand to protect its intellectual properties, such as name, logo and any content related to the brand online, although it is much more complicated than it sounds. Here are some things that a brand will have to look out for when protecting their IP’s online:
We’ve written articles on brand reputation in the past and how important it is to success. That being said, the digital space can ruin it in mere seconds. So, how do brands go about protecting their name on the internet? Well, there are so many variables to be considered, such as reviews, cyberattack, etc. but the short answer is digital brand protection. It is simply defined as the efforts of a brand to protect its intellectual properties, such as name, logo and any content related to the brand online, although it is much more complicated than it sounds. Here are some things that a brand will have to look out for when protecting their IP’s online:
1. Fake website
2. Counterfeit products/services
3. Trademark abuse
4. Copyright infringement
5. Social media impersonation or impersonation on any level digitally
Here are some best practices to ensure that your brand is doing all it can to protect the brand online.
1. Register copyright, trademarks and patents
2. Establish monitoring
3. Secure your social media handles
4. Have NDA’s in place
If you don’t feel that you have the man power to keep up with digital protection then that’s ok. There are plenty of companies to outsource protection from. They will cover everything from keyword monitoring to pattern recognition to find counterfeit listings. Not only do they monitor they will remove them and report them in order to keep your brand name intact. Aside, from this it’s your job to keep your online brand reputation upheld through reviews and social media engagements. In the digital era that we live in today, all of these are crucial to a brand’s success.
Economic Trends
Yesterday we wrote an article on the economic cycles, so what is the difference between that and an economic trend? A trend is the direction that the market is moving over time. The cycle, as we learned yesterday, is the different periods that the economy goes through. Economic trends show you what part of the economic cycle we are moving towards. Trends can go up, down or sideways. Upward is how it sounds, and wages are rising. Downward means that the economy is shrinking and unemployment is rising. Sideways just means it’s a steady economy. There are some indicators to look at in the market to see what trend may be occurring, such as gross domestic product, unemployment and consumer confidence. Others include:
Yesterday we wrote an article on the economic cycles, so what is the difference between that and an economic trend? A trend is the direction that the market is moving over time. The cycle, as we learned yesterday, is the different periods that the economy goes through. Economic trends show you what part of the economic cycle we are moving towards. Trends can go up, down or sideways. Upward is how it sounds, and wages are rising. Downward means that the economy is shrinking and unemployment is rising. Sideways just means it’s a steady economy. There are some indicators to look at in the market to see what trend may be occurring, such as gross domestic product, unemployment and consumer confidence. Others include:
· Stock market trends
· Interest rates
· News
It’s important to track trends in the market if you’re in business. It can help you make better decisions, plan and identify opportunities. That being said, it’s important not to focus too heavily and get tunnel vision on the market. This can lead to missed opportunities and making the wrong assumptions. A happy medium needs to be achieved to be successful at tracking economic trends.
Economic Cycles
“Change is the only thing that is constant”
-Heraclitus
Economies cycle between expansions and contractions naturally. These changes are due to employment levels, interest rates, supply and demand, etc. There are four stages in the cyclic pattern: expansion, peak, contraction and trough. Expansion is when GPD is increasing and unemployment is decreasing. The peak is a turning point in which output begins to decrease. Contraction or recession is defined as output decreasing and unemployment increasing. The trough is where recession ends and output begins increasing again. We can dive a little deeper into the characteristics each of these.
“Change is the only thing that is constant”
-Heraclitus
Economies cycle between expansions and contractions naturally. These changes are due to employment levels, interest rates, supply and demand, etc. There are four stages in the cyclic pattern: expansion, peak, contraction and trough. Expansion is when GPD is increasing and unemployment is decreasing. The peak is a turning point in which output begins to decrease. Contraction or recession is defined as output decreasing and unemployment increasing. The trough is where recession ends and output begins increasing again. We can dive a little deeper into the characteristics each of these.
Expansion:
Rapid growth
Low interest rates
Increased production
Steady flow of money through economy
Cost of money cheap
Peak:
Growth hits max rate
GPD spending at highest level
Contraction
Employment falls
Prices stagnate
Surplus supply
Lowering prices
Trough/recession:
Stagnated spending
Stagnated income
Credit hard to attain
Low business sales
Caused by:
Shock or unexpected event or time
Government intervention
Time
These cyclical patterns are part of the economy. It’s important to understand them if you’re in any type of business. The economy will directly affect your brand.
Carbon Accounting
Carbon accounting has become an important aspect of businesses attempting to reduce their carbon footprint and have more ethical values. Consumers want greener brands that they can support while still being able to sleep at night. A lot of people have refused to back brands that aren’t nowadays. We completely support this and realize that carbon accounting is crucial for brands. And no, not just so your audience will like you, so corporations are helping do their part to make the planet a better place. So, how does carbon accounting work?
Carbon accounting has become an important aspect of businesses attempting to reduce their carbon footprint and have more ethical values. Consumers want greener brands that they can support while still being able to sleep at night. A lot of people have refused to back brands that aren’t nowadays. We completely support this and realize that carbon accounting is crucial for brands. And no, not just so your audience will like you, so corporations are helping do their part to make the planet a better place. So, how does carbon accounting work?
GHG Emissions Data Measurement: will require a tool to do calculations through translating business activities and brand characteristics into emissions outputs.
Scope 1 (Direct Emissions): things that your brand burns. Fuel to heat & power buildings, vehicles, etc. These are direct emissions from combustible fuels.
Stationary sources: buildings that burn fuel
Mobile: vehicles that burn fuel or other types of powered tools
Fugitive (refrigeration): chemicals released from equipment, such as AC and refrigeration
Fugitive (fire suppression): chemicals released from fire suppression
Scope 2 (Indirect): come from purchased electricity, steam, heating or cooling.
Electricity: look at utility bill for usage in kWh.
Steam, heat and cooling: know how it’s produced from providers.
Scope 3: largest share of carbon emissions. Everything it takes to create your product. They’re indirectly generated by brands. Business travel, commutes, waste disposal, transportation, distribution, etc.
Upstream: things that it takes to make your product
Downstream: everything to consume your product
We know, this was a lot to take in. Seems like a whole lot of hoopla in order to help climate change. Good news. There are so many companies out there that are made just for this. Your brand can outsource everything in terms of carbon accounting. They use software and help you understand what it is so that you can start to make little changes that will make a BIG difference.
Developing Mental Toughness
Grit, perseverance, resilience… What is mental toughness and why is it important at work? We know it when we see it but it’s very hard to define. We typically think of athletes who just refuse to give up but the same kind of mental toughness can be seen in CEO’s and those in high position roles. If you think you’re lacking in the mental fortitude don’t stress, studies say that it’s a trait that can be learned. Mental toughness includes keeping cool under pressure, staying strong in your self-belief, motivating yourself and maintaining focus on what matters. According to Paul Lyons, founder of Mental Toughness Partners, the 4 C’s are key to having mental toughness.
Grit, perseverance, resilience… What is mental toughness and why is it important at work? We know it when we see it but it’s very hard to define. We typically think of athletes who just refuse to give up but the same kind of mental toughness can be seen in CEO’s and those in high position roles. If you think you’re lacking in the mental fortitude don’t stress, studies say that it’s a trait that can be learned. Mental toughness includes keeping cool under pressure, staying strong in your self-belief, motivating yourself and maintaining focus on what matters. According to Paul Lyons, founder of Mental Toughness Partners, the 4 C’s are key to having mental toughness.
1. Control: this is rooted in self-esteem and stems from keeping control over your emotions
2. Commitment: effectively set goals and achieve them consistently
3. Challenge: adaptability and seeing challenges as opportunities to learn something
4. Confidence: how much do you believe in yourself?
So, if you find yourself having trouble with some of these how can you improve in those areas? Here are some ways to improve on your mental toughness at work and in life.
1. Focus on the long term
2. Seek constructive feedback
3. Find meaning in challenges in your work life
4. Consistency
Mental grit can be built through small actions every day. It can mean just delivering work early for 4 weeks in a row. It can be adapting to professional challenges while remaining cool under the pressure of a pressing deadline. Remember, motivation is fickle. Determination is where it’s at and this is how you will create consistency in your professional life. It’s by sticking to that routine despite how you may feel. It’s through jumping right back on the wagon if you fall off. It’s not that those who are mentally tough are that way because they choose the easy route. Chances are they’ve taken the harder road in order to grow exponentially.
Creating Your Management Philosophy
We’ve written an article on the different types of leadership styles so how does one go about creating a management philosophy? It will first depend on who you are and your goals as a leader. It’s important to have a managing philosophy in order to stay grounded. It’s your compass and you will feel more confident as a leader. Here are some other things to consider when creating your management philosophy.
We’ve written an article on the different types of leadership styles so how does one go about creating a management philosophy? It will first depend on who you are and your goals as a leader. It’s important to have a managing philosophy in order to stay grounded. It’s your compass and you will feel more confident as a leader. Here are some other things to consider when creating your management philosophy.
1. Think about leaders who inspire you and why
2. Consider your values and behaviors that are important to you
3. How can you inspire a productive work environment?
4. How do you want to be seen as a leader?
5. Do you know which leadership style you embody?
6. Focus on positive experiences you may have had leading
7. Keep growth in mind when creating
Now it’s time to sit down and ask yourself these questions. Write your answers down and come up with a list of things that you want to include in your management philosophy. Brainstorm these ideas and expand on them. It doesn’t all have to be done in one day and your list can change over time as your leadership goals do.
Types of Bonds That Drive Brand Loyalty
Brand loyalty is crucial to success. Not to mention, it’s the best type of advertising through WOM. Brands that have a solid community through brand loyalty understand their customers on a deep level. They seek out this information in order to know what makes their audience tick. Loyalists can be either hard core, split, shifting, or switchers. You want hard core but that won’t always be the case.
Brand loyalty is crucial to success. Not to mention, it’s the best type of advertising through WOM. Brands that have a solid community through brand loyalty understand their customers on a deep level. They seek out this information in order to know what makes their audience tick. Loyalists can be either hard core, split, shifting, or switchers. You want hard core but that won’t always be the case.
1. Hard core: just as it sounds. They only buy from your brand
2. Split: people who use a few brands
3. Shifting: people who move from one to another
4. Switchers: people with no sense of loyalty to any brand
There are a few types of bonds that drive brand loyalty.
1. Convenience: how convenient is your product or service for people to obtain?
2. Promotional: your brand can outspend its competitors and drown out other brands to somewhat monopolize the industry.
3. Superiority: how much quality does your brand provide? Think to Apple and how those who love Apple will only buy Apple. They will never consider a PC as an option. They feel it is far superior to PC. Side Note: we are some of those people…
4. Trail Blazers: is your brand the first to do something? If so, the relationships that your brand forms with its audience will be strong.
5. Ethical: this is especially important in today’s society. People want to support brand that are transparent about their values and it builds trust.
With brand loyalty repeat purchases drive business. Champions of brand loyalty will always succeed.
No Mow May
What is “No Mow May?” This new monthly trend for the month of May this year is for the planet health. Although it started in 2019 in the UK, we’ve really only been hearing the term thrown around a lot this year. The idea is that people are allowing their lawns to grow without mowing, watering or fertilizing. Yes, your lawn may look a mess but it’s for a good cause. It helps bees get an early boost with flower growth. It’s estimated that roughly 80% of lawns taking part support about 400 bees per day.
What is “No Mow May?” This new monthly trend for the month of May this year is for the planet health. Although it started in 2019 in the UK, we’ve really only been hearing the term thrown around a lot this year. The idea is that people are allowing their lawns to grow without mowing, watering or fertilizing. Yes, your lawn may look a mess but it’s for a good cause. It helps bees get an early boost with flower growth. It’s estimated that roughly 80% of lawns taking part support about 400 bees per day. It will also decrease pollution from lawn mowers and why would you even want to use chemicals on your lawn to begin with honestly? We know that this doesn’t have much to do with advertising or user-generated content but businesses can take part in this as well. Brands can also promote this through advertising and WOM marketing in order to increase the number of people participating to do good for the planet. We got to this article a little late this year but hey, better late than never. Next year we’ll be shouting to the rooftops about “No Mow May” earlier. And who knows, maybe you will decide to go with less lawn to support sustainability causes.
Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Did you know that 15-20% of people are estimated to be neurodivergent? We know, it sounds like something from the movies, but it is a real term. It describes, “the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits,” according to Harvard Health. This includes conditions, such as ADHD, dyslexia, Asperger syndrome, dyspraxia and autism.
Did you know that 15-20% of people are estimated to be neurodivergent? We know, it sounds like something from the movies, but it is a real term. It describes, “the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits,” according to Harvard Health. This includes conditions, such as ADHD, dyslexia, Asperger syndrome, dyspraxia and autism. When most of think of DEI we think of POC, women and multi-cultural workplaces. However, this should extend to neurodiversity as well and most businesses have done so in the past decade. There are many advantages that come with hiring individuals from diverse backgrounds and neurodiverse people can bring many new and different perspectives. Although individuals on the spectrum may have social quirks different from most people, they tend to be highly productive and their IQ’s are insane. According to a report done by JPMorgan Chase, professionals with autism made fewer errors and were 90-140% more productive than neurotypical employees,” in an article by Forbes. So, if you’re an employer looking to diversify your team it’s important to understand how to make your business more neurodiverse-friendly. Here are some ways to help with communication for you and your team.
Use clear communication:
Concise verbal and written communications
Avoid sarcasm and euphemisms
Try to give plenty of notice if things are changing around the office and reasons for it
This one should be done anyway…
Be kind and patient
Allow for sound sensitivity breaks:
Provide head phones or quiet spaces
Allow for fidget toys and movement breaks
Never make assumptions
Again, this is something that shouldn’t be done in general in the workplace with neurodiverse or neurotypical people. Clear communication is key
Neurodiversity is somewhat of a new concept and was coined during the 90’s social justice movement by Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist. Neurodiversity advocates for inclusive language that is nonjudgmental. Most people that are on the spectrum prefer to be identified as first person, such as “an autistic person” and not a person with autism. That being said, one should always ask. It’s time to start expanding the notion of DEI to include neurodiversity that is crucial for innovation within business.
Ways to Support AAPI Heritage Month 2023
Every May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Bet you didn’t know that it was originally a week and President Jimmy Carter was the one who designated it into law in 1978. In 1990 George Bush extended it to an entire month and in 2009 Obama changed the name to its current one. AAPI are the fastest growing group in the United States according to the Pew Research Center. Here are some ways to support the AAPI communities not just this month but all year long.
Every May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Bet you didn’t know that it was originally a week and President Jimmy Carter was the one who designated it into law in 1978. In 1990 George Bush extended it to an entire month and in 2009 Obama changed the name to its current one. AAPI are the fastest growing group in the United States according to the Pew Research Center. Here are some ways to support the AAPI communities not just this month but all year long.
1. Frequent AAPI owned businesses
2. Learn the difference between Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
3. Read books written by AAPI authors
4. Visit an AAPI History Museum
5. Learn how to pronounce common Asian names
6. Help stop violence against AAPI
7. Fight for salary gaps in the work place
8. Support AAPI curriculums in schools
9. Teach children about racism and diversity
During the pandemic Asian hate grew around the world. It’s especially important to help these communities feel safer through our actions. This year’s theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity” to help elevate AAPI careers. On social media use some AAPI hashtags when promoting their heritage this month.
Content Intelligence
This is a new term being thrown around in the digital space but what is it exactly? It’s a technique that uses AI and software to measure the impact of content in order to give insights on what content should be used the most according to effectiveness. I mean, we do it all the time when we check the insights on Instagram from our posts. This is a human example of creating content intelligence. The beauty of using software & AI is that it streamlines the process for you. Typically, software includes metrics/reporting, analysis, automation and management tools for your brand content. Some benefits include:
This is a new term being thrown around in the digital space but what is it exactly? It’s a technique that uses AI and software to measure the impact of content in order to give insights on what content should be used the most according to effectiveness. I mean, we do it all the time when we check the insights on Instagram from our posts. This is a human example of creating content intelligence. The beauty of using software & AI is that it streamlines the process for you. Typically, software includes metrics/reporting, analysis, automation and management tools for your brand content. Some benefits include:
1. Understanding what type of content your audience enjoys
2. Reduces guess work and takes less man power
3. It makes your content user centric
4. Predicting how content will perform
5. Increases visitors and engagement
We know that a lot of people are sneering at the idea of artificial intelligence but for some purposes it can help businesses be more efficient. This is one of those times. So, how do brands go about finding the right content intelligence programs? Here are some things to look for when searching for software.
1. Real time data collection
2. Management tools
3. Content creation assistance
4. Automated repetitive processes
5. Audience and competitor insights
6. Third party integrations
There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing which one to go with. Some of them include Semrush, Contently, and even IBM has one now. Content is king in the digital space now and content intelligence will help you navigate this space more efficiently. Happy hunting.
Adaptive Leadership
Think about the two words here. Adaptive: the ability to make suitable requirements or conditions; adjust or modify fittingly. Leadership: person who guides or directs a group. Put these two together. Someone who guides others through their ability to adjust or modify fittingly to the situations. Why is this important? Businesses are constantly changing with their respective fields so it’s vital to have leaders that can do the same. They should also be able to somewhat predict challenges that may arise, what risks are worth taking and they are open to constructive feedback. Adaptive leaders embody the 4 A’s:
Think about the two words here. Adaptive: the ability to make suitable requirements or conditions; adjust or modify fittingly. Leadership: person who guides or directs a group. Put these two together. Someone who guides others through their ability to adjust or modify fittingly to the situations. Why is this important? Businesses are constantly changing with their respective fields so it’s vital to have leaders that can do the same. They should also be able to somewhat predict challenges that may arise, what risks are worth taking and they are open to constructive feedback. Adaptive leaders embody the 4 A’s:
1. Anticipation of future needs and trends
2. Articulation of needs to get support and action from business
3. Adaptation for constant learning and adjust when needed
4. Accountability of their actions and willingness to take on challenges
COVID 19 really brought out the adaptive leaders in the world. Those that were able to take on this massive change that went worldwide and still keep their businesses thriving understand how to be an adaptive leader on a deeper level. They embody certain unique traits.
1. Emotional intelligence
2. Organizational justice
3. Development
4. Character
As with any style of leadership there are some pros and cons. Some pros are that change is anticipated, welcomed, all opinions are considered and the team’s strengths are effectively applied. Some cons are that there is a heavy emphasis on rules or structure and decisions can be made more hastily. With this style of leadership solutions to challenges within the company may take more time than a single decision. That being said, we really like the concept of adaptive leadership.
Interpersonal Skills in Business
Social skills are important for all of us in life in general. However, their importance at the workplace are crucial to building positive relationships at work in order to improve the overall work culture and success of a business. A list of interpersonal skills that employers will look for are:
Social skills are important for all of us in life in general. However, their importance at the workplace are crucial to building positive relationships at work in order to improve the overall work culture and success of a business. A list of interpersonal skills that employers will look for are:
1. Active listening
2. Dependability
3. Empathy
4. Good communication
5. Leadership
6. Conflict management
7. Negotiation
8. Positivity
9. Collaboration
10. Body language
11. Patience & flexibility
These are some great examples of interpersonal skill sets. Let’s say you have trouble with one or a few of these. What are some ways that you can improve on your interpersonal skills? Here are some quick tips for you.
1. Attend workshops or classes
2. Be thoughtful in your business interactions
3. Practice your compassion skills
4. Don’t be a complainer
5. Show interest in other employees at work
6. Ask for constructive criticism and be intentional with the feedback
7. Mentor someone you trust
Remember that interpersonal skills are face to face interactions that can be verbal and nonverbal. To be a meaningful part of the team your interpersonal skills don’t have to always be perfect but they should contribute to the efficiency and teamwork of the business most of the time. You also don’t have to be a “people person” either in order to have good interpersonal skills and they will be an asset to having a successful career.
The Sum of Averages: Become the Best Professional Version of Yourself
“You are the average of the top 5 people you spend time with”
-Jim Rohn
We’ve all heard this quote from motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, but how true is it really? We were curious about this so we did a dive into the research and this is what we found. As it turns out your social circle does directly affect you and the kind of life you have, professional and personally. However, it is not limited to the top five people that you spend the most time with. It extends further than that.
“You are the average of the top 5 people you spend time with”
-Jim Rohn
We’ve all heard this quote from motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, but how true is it really? We were curious about this so we did a dive into the research and this is what we found. As it turns out your social circle does directly affect you and the kind of life you have, professional and personally. However, it is not limited to the top five people that you spend the most time with. It extends further than that. A study done published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed correlation of obesity to those within a social circle. For example, their results showed that if a friend of yours becomes obese than you have a 45% chance of gaining weight over the next 2-4 years. However, it can extend further than that. If a friend of the friend of your friend becomes obese you still have a 10% chance to gain weight as well. This is an important insight because it will allow you to look further out into your circle to examine it more detail. It’s also important to remember that the person you spend the most time with is yourself so your thoughts will always play an important role in your success and happiness. That being said, let’s stick with the social circle for the purpose of this article. So, how do you know if those around you align with that best version of yourself you’ll always be striving for? Here are some questions to ask yourself.
What kind of person do you want to be?
Who are the top 5 you spend time with now?
Do these people align with who you want to be?
Who are 5 people that embody these qualities you want?
This can be anyone dead or alive
How can you increase contact with these people?
The person, their work, or visualization
You can literally be fortune teller of your own life here as the people you spend time with elevate your life or bring it down. Hanging out with positive and productive individuals you too will become this way over time. And, make sure to take a look at their circles too since their friends have an effect on your life as well. Are those the kind of people that take responsibility for their lives and grow often? To become the best version of ourselves will require some work and time so it can be awkward at first. Remember to be patient with yourself but try to connect more often with these people to allow consciousness shifts in yourself. Create the version of you that you have always dreamed of!
Mental Health Awareness Month 2023
Did you know that 21% of U.S. adults experienced a mental health condition in 2020? (Forbes) May is Mental Health Awareness Month so we thought it appropriate to support through writing on some ways to support mental health. First, and most importantly, talk openly about mental health issues. People who are suffering should not be afraid of speaking up or hiding their conditions. Make sure to educate yourself and your staff on mental health conditions that are common and the warning signs. You want to create an inclusive work culture that promotes openness about mental health. This is why empathy in the workplace is crucial. You do not know what someone may be going through behind the scenes. Creating an environment that does not support your employees will only hurt the success of your business in the long run anyway. Don’t wait for trouble to act against mental health issues at work either. Here are some other ways you can create a better work culture that supports mental health.
Did you know that 21% of U.S. adults experienced a mental health condition in 2020? (Forbes) May is Mental Health Awareness Month so we thought it appropriate to support through writing on some ways to support mental health. First, and most importantly, talk openly about mental health issues. People who are suffering should not be afraid of speaking up or hiding their conditions. Make sure to educate yourself and your staff on mental health conditions that are common and the warning signs. You want to create an inclusive work culture that promotes openness about mental health. This is why empathy in the workplace is crucial. You do not know what someone may be going through behind the scenes. Creating an environment that does not support your employees will only hurt the success of your business in the long run anyway. Don’t wait for trouble to act against mental health issues at work either. Here are some other ways you can create a better work culture that supports mental health.
1. Communication!!
2. Identify and manage psychological risks: yes, this includes overworking and causing professional burnout
3. Offer trainings: offer stress management trainings for your employees
4. No tolerance policies on bullying: this is a no brainer. Come on. We’re not in grade school anymore.
5. Empower your employees: give your employees control over their schedules and priorities at work
The cost of ignoring mental health is great. Depression has become the leading cause of disability according to the WHO. It’s important to remember that your employees are human and should be treated as such. If you provide a healthy work environment for them, they’ll be happier and you will too. Your business will thrive as you help each other!
Occam’s Razor of Advertising
We often tend to overcomplicate things. But, usually the best answer to anything is the simplest one. This is the principle behind Occam’s Razor. The idea is that the answer to any problem is usually the simplest solution possible.
We often tend to overcomplicate things. But, usually the best answer to anything is the simplest one. This is the principle behind Occam’s Razor. The idea is that the answer to any problem is usually the simplest solution possible. We read an interesting article by Jess Wheeler on the overcomplication in our industry. Usually, the best and most memorable ads are those that are simple and entertaining. It’s not the ads that someone took all this time working on programmatic or re-targeting and lots of CTA’s. A lot of times less is more in this biz. She uses the analogy of, “Will it make the boat go faster?” in which the 1998 British men’s row team applied this question to every aspect of their lives. If the answer was ever, slower, then it was out. If the answer to the question was, faster, then do more of said thing. Guess what? 2 years later they won gold! We love this analogy applied to advertising. Does the idea make the ad better or worse? Because often times the best answer is the simplest one so if the idea doesn’t add value to your campaign, then it time to scrap it.
Direct Mail Marketing
We’ve become so accustomed to email marketing that we sometimes forget that the postal service is still running. Direct mail marketing can be just as effective as email if done correctly. Actually, studies show that it can be more effective and you will probably have less competition. It can help improve brand awareness and memorability, boost engagement and inspire people to act. The ROI is also trackable. Who doesn’t like to see how their marketing efforts are doing? So, how does one go about direct mail marketing? Here are a few tips to get your brand started.
We’ve become so accustomed to email marketing that we sometimes forget that the postal service is still running. Direct mail marketing can be just as effective as email if done correctly. Actually, studies show that it can be more effective and you will probably have less competition. It can help improve brand awareness and memorability, boost engagement and inspire people to act. The ROI is also trackable. Who doesn’t like to see how their marketing efforts are doing? So, how does one go about direct mail marketing? Here are a few tips to get your brand started.
1. Know you market: define your target market based on your product/service
2. Generate a mailing list: you need mailing addresses to send your mail to
3. Decide on design: do you want to do a postcard? Whatever you decide to do it has to be unique. Make them remember who you are and pay attention to details. Make sure to add a call to action, such as QR codes.
4. Personalize: include personal details, such as their name.
Mail marketing can work for B2B or B2C and don’t forget that it may take a little longer to see results. They don’t call it snail mail for no reason. That being said, adding a QR code or including good offers will help speed up the process. Make sure to follow up and target repeat customers.
Digital Age: Effects on Creativity
We heard someone say the other day that their friends’ children were told to go play outside. They then saw the kids have absolutely no idea what to do when technology wasn’t present. They sat there. Doing nothing. Kicking rocks around. This made us start to think about what it was like for our generation growing up without IT. We had to get creative and think of things to do. We made up games, we hunted for critters, we rode bikes or other fun things with wheels. We then started to think, “what if this digital age is going to negatively affect creativity for that younger generation when they enter the work force.”
We heard someone say the other day that their friends’ children were told to go play outside. They then saw the kids have absolutely no idea what to do when technology wasn’t present. They sat there. Doing nothing. Kicking rocks around. This made us start to think about what it was like for our generation growing up without IT. We had to get creative and think of things to do. We made up games, we hunted for critters, we rode bikes or other fun things with wheels. We then started to think, “what if this digital age is going to negatively affect creativity for that younger generation when they enter the work force.” We think that maybe it hasn’t shown its true colors because those creatives working in industry did grow up without these things and know how to tap into their imaginations. What happens when Gen Z comes into the work force? Will their creativity be less than their older counterparts? Turns out that people are already trying to study these effects on creatives. One study found that when professionals were overloaded with technology the cognitive absorption of creativity suffered. They also reported higher levels of burnout with high levels of tech overload, which also led to negative impacts on creativity. Some argue that technology can facilitate creativity. Here are some negative and positive effects of technology on the creative process.
Positive:
1. It can be a source of information/inspiration
2. It can help come up with new ideas
3. Allows for easier collaboration
Negative:
1. It can be a distraction
2. It can cause digital burnout/overload
3. It can cause dependency
4. Lack of original ideas
We believe that creativity is spawn from the thought processes that it comes from. When we analyze information and need to solve something, it is our critical thinking skills that create innovative ideas. Not Googling it to find the best answers. This diminishes the act of critical thinking. We have a friend who plays a drinking game called, “Not allowed to Google.” They spend the evening hanging out enjoying the evening together with drinks. They’re not allowed to Google any thought or question that they end up talking about for the entire evening. This promotes creative/critical thinking skills. It’s actually very hard to do and really fun to play! This is where we need to be in our professional lives from time to time. Put the phones down and try to solve a creative problem with looking up solutions. We guarantee it will help you increase creativity. We’re not sure where creativity is headed with the younger generation but we sadly think that there will be a decrease in creativity in the near future. Think AI.
Communication Breakdown: Talk is Cheap but Not Talking is Expensive
Did you know that according to research, “the average loss from inadequate communication is $62.4 billion annually for companies with 100K employees?” (David Grossman) The most important thing in a business or anything for matter is good communication! There are many ways for management or upper teams to convey messages and contact others within a company. Texts, emails, calls, weekly meetings in person or via zoom, etc. Being in a top role in a company also means that communication is an essential skill to possess in order to keep your company running smoothly.
Did you know that according to research, “the average loss from inadequate communication is $62.4 billion annually for companies with 100K employees?” (David Grossman) The most important thing in a business or anything for matter is good communication! There are many ways for management or upper teams to convey messages and contact others within a company. Texts, emails, calls, weekly meetings in person or via zoom, etc. Being in a top role in a company also means that communication is an essential skill to possess in order to keep your company running smoothly. You’d be surprised at the lack of communication that exists in companies but it leads to almost every issue within one. It can lead to high turnover rates and cost the brand big time dollars. That said, let’s talk about the positive impacts of good correspondence within a business.
Improve employee moral:
Listening to employee feedback: this will boost moral through employees feeling like their needs are being heard and actions are being taken.
Conflict mitigation: any conflicts that may arise in your business can be averted if caught early. Knowing what’s going on with who inside your walls is important to keeping issues from escalating.
Improved job satisfaction: a transparent environment creates trust and will support your employees as they support you.
Increase productivity: when employees understand their tasks and what is expected of them they are more productive.
Increase Engagement: this can lead to innovative ideas through collaboration efforts between team members. Will inherently improve relationships between all team members as well.
There are a couple of other things that are important if you’re good to be a good communicator in the work place. The first is active listening. It involves 4 main elements of listening, reflecting, clarifying and summarizing. Paying attention to what the speaker is saying without interjection of opinions or solutions. Reflection means repeating back what they said. Clarifying is then asking the questions for more information. At the end of the conversation summarization with a brief overview of what key points they said. Second, is providing positive feedback and construction criticism. Lastly, in person meetings are a great way to communicate with someone. It’s important for reading body language and getting a sense of the emotional responses they may have. In short, great communication skills lead to a more successful business. Talk is cheap but not talking is expensive.
Jewish Heritage Month
May is known for a few different things and one of them is celebrating Jewish Heritage month. We’ve actually worked on some cool projects in the past for antisemitism that we are very proud of. That aside, there are some other ways that we can all help support Jewish heritage month.
May is known for a few different things and one of them is celebrating Jewish Heritage month. We’ve actually worked on some cool projects in the past for antisemitism that we are very proud of. That aside, there are some other ways that we can all help support Jewish heritage month.
1. Visit a museum of Jewish history
2. Read a Jewish book (aka support Jewish authors)
3. Listen to a Jewish podcast
4. Attend a Jewish event
5. Express antisemitism and share things on it
These are just a few snippets of things you can do to support the Jewish community for the month of May. But as always, remember it’s important to celebrate all cultures all times of the year. Celebrate diversity!