Do you want to show up more creatively for your clients and your colleagues, your family, and your friends?
Do you want to default to thinking about opportunity versus focusing just on problems?
Discovering Hope is full of proactive steps you can take right now, to achieve a more positive mindset or to help maintain the positivity you already have
Getting Positive reveals that more optimism is close at hand
Conferenced In
Which conferences or award shows are best for strategic planners? SxSW, Cannes, PSFK, Jay Chiat’s, Planning-Ness, TED Talks…? Are they even worth it?
Here’s my take on the marque events I attended: a newsletter for creative strategy/brand planning professionals My main (and obvious) thought is that having a specific goal gives you a better chance of getting a worthwhile experience. Take a moment to identify what you really want –strategic insights, exposure to current thinking, specific learning for the team, inspiration, networking opportunities –and act accordingly.
Each conference has its own style and focus. SxSWand Cannes offer a little for everybody (latest strategic thinking, methodologies, technology, music, video…etcetera) and can be overwhelming without a game plan. Planning-Ness is at the other end of the spectrum and its limited numbers gets attendees truly engaged. Jay ChiatAwards are great for networking with strategists of all levels and expertise and the EFFIE’s are fun too but are over in a few hours, so the event is less network friendly. And PSFK and TED Talks give fresh thinking from a range of non-media industry executives.
Having talked about goals, I find that some time without structure yields valuable interactions and the ‘fun’ element key for a positive experience.
Contact me for a first-hand perspective
Stuart
PS. Events of interest to lateral thinkers:Â Lucid NYC
Articles and commentary that might be of interest…
- How To Optimize Your ROI From Attending Conferences
- The Ultimate Guide To Getting Your Money’s Worth From Conferences
- The 5 Best Ways To Optimize The Business Value Of Attending Conferences
- The Good, The Bad & Ugly Of Marketing Conferences
- 10 Digital Marketing Conferences That Are Perfect For Newbies
- Are SEO Conferences Worth Attending?
- The Best Marketing Conferences In 2014
- 50 Best Conferences To Attend This Year
- Turn That Soul Crushing Conference In To A Win
Purpose Driven Marketing
We hope that companies that provide services to us do not exploit their workforce or wreck the environment, but is there a benefit to brands when they adopt a philanthropic approach to funding people and causes? Price is often key, but increasingly so too are the actions of companies in our crowded planet.
Philanthropy is generally perceived positively but more than seeing brands shower cash, astute consumers want to see cause or purpose driven marketing aimed at achieving ‘actual social impact.’
It’s the difference between sending food to starving people (philanthropy) versus helping people to learn how to feed themselves (purpose).
This reality is particularly evident with younger target audiences; Recent research revealed that 47% of consumers that buy a brand (at least monthly) that is associated with actively supporting a cause, are themselves prepared to ‘take action/advocate’ on behalf of that brand, which in turn generates earned media. Do your clients embrace this reality?
Stuart
PS. Have a look at my past newsletters
Articles and commentary that might be of interest…
- Cause v Purpose
- Study 2013 Cone Communication Social Impact Study
- Why brands should focus on social change not philanthropy
- These Shoes Ain’t Just Made for Walkin’: The Cause Marketing Biz Model
- 10 Best Cause Marketing Promotions of 2013
- The Power of Cause Marketing for Good Cause-Related Marketing and the Millennial Mindset
- 3 Key Advantages of a Cause Marketing Strategy
- 4 Things Cause Marketing Can’t Do (& What Your Campaign Should)
Personal Brand
We hope that companies that provide services to us do not exploit their workforce or wreck the environment, but is there a benefit to brands when they adopt a philanthropic approach to funding people and causes? Price is often key, but increasingly so too are the actions of companies in our crowded planet.
Philanthropy is generally perceived positively but more than seeing brands shower cash, astute consumers want to see cause or purpose driven marketing aimed at achieving ‘actual social impact.’
It’s the difference between sending food to starving people (philanthropy) versus helping people to learn how to feed themselves (purpose).
This reality is particularly evident with younger target audiences; Recent research revealed that 47% of consumers that buy a brand (at least monthly) that is associated with actively supporting a cause, are themselves prepared to ‘take action/advocate’ on behalf of that brand, which in turn generates earned media. Do your clients embrace this reality?
Stuart
PS. Have a look at my past newsletters
Articles and commentary that might be of interest…
- Cause v Purpose
- Study 2013 Cone Communication Social Impact Study
- Why brands should focus on social change not philanthropy
- These Shoes Ain’t Just Made for Walkin’: The Cause Marketing Biz Model
- 10 Best Cause Marketing Promotions of 2013
- The Power of Cause Marketing for Good Cause-Related Marketing and the Millennial Mindset
- 3 Key Advantages of a Cause Marketing Strategy
- 4 Things Cause Marketing Can’t Do (& What Your Campaign Should)
Do you have a ‘great’ mind?
‘Great minds have purpose while others have wishes.’ (Washington Irving)
That said, the wish that has meaning to you is the one that brings greatness.
It’s a question of ‘powerful’ motivation; We can all have it. Do you? If you’re unsure
that’s one thing but if you are going to work zombie-like, that’s quite another..
http://www.sparkincoaching.com/self-help.html#bored
And, not being powerfully motivated for any time will actually damage your brand/
your opportunities with your current and prospective employers.
For more on this, see the June edition of ‘Narrate.’
http://createsend.com/t/i-17B02C6892895989
Now time for a walk to clear the mind..
Make your success here and now.
This morning I heard the tragic news of the untimely death of one of our industry peers. This made me feel incredibly sad for his family and friends. This also got me thinking once more, about ‘making the most’ and encouraging others to make the most, of NOW! My mind turned to what is effective/successful use of time.
The truth is, we all have our own versions of what is a great use of time, family and friends are right up there for me. However, I think we collectively place much emphasis on the use of time to be about achieving something way off in the distance. And, our society conditions us that big = success. Be it big: Title, salary, home, car, reputation etcetera.
The common reality is, we quickly get dissatisfied once we reach the top of the hill and look for the next one to surmount. This in itself is not a bad thing as human nature and evolution is dependent on the goal driven and inquisitive aspect of human beings. The bad thing is that we often spend much of our lives fixated on the bigger goals and live frustrated or dissatisfied.
My personal view is that real success is in part about tomorrow’s achievements but in large part it is enjoying the steps that lead to achieving the bigger goals. And it makes sense, as those steps make up the bulk of time and our lives.
Real success is about the simple things in life that we take for granted and ignore when we become completely focused on the bigger things. So, recognize your success today by continuing to be driven but also by acknowledging how far you have already travelled, experienced and by the people who appreciate you today.
Employees and Personal Branding Baloney
If you’re an employee, what does personal branding really matter?