Looks Matter

Looks are important. Let's not fool ourselves. So, is consistency. People put greater stock in organizations that offer a sense of consistency in what they say and how they say it, particularly when they are talking to different constituencies.

Consistency for the sake of consistency is bad. Yes. But, consistency for the sake of reinforcing a core purpose with diverse stakeholders ... far from bad. In fact, very good. And, when it looks good: all the better!

Go Back to Go Forward

Think back to simpler times. When approaching something, take a moment to put yourself back into the shoes of a 5-year-old. What do you see? What surprises you? What's possible? Researchers in the late 1960s discovered that humans are born with the capacity to approach challenges from four perspectives: analytically, procedurally, relationally or innovatively. Yet, by puberty, we've shut down half of that capacity. From that point forward, we only preserve the modes of thought that have seemed most valuable during the first decade or so of life. It speaks to the value of teams made up of diverse thinkers and varied perspectives. It also reinforces the value of stretching one's mind and reclaiming skills from yesteryear in order to deliver beyond business as usual for future success. Start small on something you control, then expand to larger projects and strategic planning efforts that set the stage for your future.

New Habits for New Advantage

Too much routine hinders our ability to solve new problems, but brain researchers have shown that when we consciously develop new habits, we create entirely new brain cells that can jump our trains of thought onto new, innovative tracks. And, once on those tracks, it is crucial that we allow time and space for wonder and reflection. Time to explore possibilities. Space to align those possibilities with the objective. Then, focus a constructive conversationto convert the talk into action. Take a chance today and see what develops tomorrow; become amazed by the creative energy that sparks.

Know Your Network

Succeeding in business can be hard enough on its own. Add to the mix the risk of an entrepreneurial or start-up venture and you need more than a solitary love for what you’re doing. You need people surrounding you, at work and out of work, who can push you, pull you and support you. Let them help you hone your plan to achieve your vision; and be sure they do it all while helping you be true to yourself.

Little Luck

We are all a factor of our environment and a factor in our environment. As you observe, as you adapt, as you build, you become a force in defining and achieving your destiny. And, research indiciates that luck may have little to do with it. Psychologist Richard Wiseman found that people who describe themselves as lucky share common habits that account for their success – he found that they tend to be friendly, fond of new experiences, relaxed and observant. They also tend to be, what he called, pigheadedly optimistic: They believe in themselves, they believe in their networks, they believe in their vision and they believe in their plan. In the end, when they face adversity, they don’t give up, they adapt. They get lucky.

Come alive

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. " - Howard Thurman

Shared Vision = Shared Success

When researching his book Startups That Work, Joel Kurtzman found that successful ventures usually have a team of two or three founders who share a common vision – their success rate, as a cohesive founding team, is a remarkable 50%. Compare that with the odds for solo founders. Research showed that individuals were more likely to find themselves as only one in 10 of businesses that succeed because the individual visionaries find themselves working at cross-purposes with hired employees who see things differently. It’s a strong case for connecting purpose and people.

Creativity that connects

If you're going to invest in creative campaigns, make them work for your organization. Connect the creative to the essence of your mission, culture and identity. It creates an ever-present thread that connects the audience back to your organization. It also helps to engage your stakeholders so they become part of (or create) a conversation that includes you. Perhaps our goal as organizations shouldn't be to sell our product, service or mission but to become part of the way in which people think and live their lives.

Talk, talk, talk -- to yourself

A recent Wall Street Journal article explores a phenomenon that many of us might consider the sure signs of losing our minds: Talking to ourselves. The habit of self-chatter usually begins as babies and toddlers, where it plays a vital role of language acquisition and communication. However, researchers have found that as many as 96% of people still talk to themselves. And there seem to be many benefits. "Among the things it's useful for is what's called self-regulation: goal-setting, problem-solving, decision-making and planning."

Furthermore, self talking also increases during complex tasks and stressful times." Hearing your own voice can actually help get your ideas straight, keeping you focused and ready to act.
"The irony is that self-chatter, like sharp objects, is both most suited and least suited to the workplace. At work where we would most benefit from talking out loud ... we are least likely to do so for social reasons." So maybe the next time any of us have a decision to make or an important document to write, let's speak up and out loud!

Honing In on Out There Marketing

"Out there" marketing works only when it connects "in here" for the audience -- and for the organization. It connects to the head, it connects to the heart, it connects within the audience and compels them to action. Preferably, the intended action. Campaigns that work break through the clutter with simplicity, clarity and creativity. They grab the right kind of attention so that the audience remembers the intent and thinks about it, talks about it or takes action on it. Effective campaigns stimulate intrigue and encourage participation as the audience takes the next step.

As you're preparing your next campaign or communication, start within. What do you need to see? What do you want to have happen? What new technique, technology or tactic might move you beyond business as usual? Get curious. Then, picture your audience. Think about the world from their perspective and their pressures. Get creative. And, before you sign off on final approval or hit "send," ask yourself if your new "out there" creative is going to bring *in* your audience.

Asking for money seems hard

We lose many things when we age, many of which aren't so obvious. As children, we have a certain freedom to explore, to try and to question. As children, we ask questions out of curiosity; as we age, we start to ask questions for other reasons. As children, we ask people for things that we need with a simplicity that affords a simple response; as we age, we make it harder -- for the ask and the answer. Add money to the mix for adults and the complexity only increases.

Yet, since we can't return to simpler days of childhood, we must strive to make it easier for people involved in helping nonprofits ask for money (particularly when involved with a capital campaign). Try starting with a creative discovery process that encourages people to engage like curious children -- eager to learn, encouraged to question. Allow the energy (and insights) from that process to inform the messages, the imagery, the case, the everything. Make it accessible. Shape it to be compelling. Then, bring people together in a safe environment to play (role play) in introducing the idea, building the relationship, making the ask and moving forward with the answer.

Capital campaigns and development are far from child's play, though perhaps we can make them easier by looking to lessons from simpler days.

The Senses of Identity

BusinessWeek reported this week on the adoption of a sensory approach to enhancing the customer experience at Credit Suisse. The scents of choice: peppermint with hints of grapefruit and green tea. "Surveys showed an uptick in customer satisfaction at the sensory branches." The statistics are in on their experience, so make one of your own ... what's your scent?

Speak to the positive

Imagine if there was someone in your office or social circle designated to remind you not to gossip -- at least for the next hour. An interesting proposition raised as The New York Times reported on a national campaign in high schools sponsored by the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation, a religious group based in Suffern, N.Y. The campaign may stem from religious roots, seeking "to use religious teachings to raise awareness about the power of speech, for good and for ill." Yet, what a good reminder for all that social warfare stems from words; and words are very, very powerful weapons. Let us, too, use them for the positive.

Start with the box

Research attributed to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has shown that the degree to which we use creativity at work is a safeguard against disengagement, low morale, burnout and absenteeism. In the interest of having creativity work to your advantage (and protecting the interests of those of us who infuse it professionally), take a page from our book. Always be prepared to make it relevant. Know your box and embrace it. Find the edges. Figure out how tall it is. Know what it’s made of. Basically know your parameters. Then, start pushing a little. Pull it. Try to jump out of the box. When you escape, soak everything in. Run amuck through the open fields. Feel the greener grass under your feet. And, do it quickly. Because the true value will then come when you bring everything you’ve discovered back into the box with you and use it to deliver a better solution while the problem is still relevant to your success.

Try a little something new

Creativity often stems from perspective: primarily involving your ability to take risks in exploring a different one. Start small. HOW Design has a great new installment that is infusing a different creative technique over four weeks with the challenge to try them all and make your month more creative. While the magazine targets the design industry, the first push lays out a wonderful welcome mat for anyone with the desire to try new things. Happy experimenting!

Sounds of Success

The first thing people notice when they walk into our office are the orange and yellow walls. Eventually, they notice something else: the music. Sometimes it erupts in that they finally comment on the range of styles they've heard in the span of a few minutes; sometimes it's a sidenote about its mere presence; other times it is simply the supportive energy during a creative silence. We didn't invent the idea; we simply benefit from it.

A recent article cites a study that shows music in the workplace "releases a listener's endorphins, reduces stress and improves creativity." Furthermore, behavioral scientists also suggest listening to music in the workplace boosts employee relations. The article points out that music is a universal tool of nearly every background and generation, and it offers a great way of making connections.

Evolving an Identity

The April 2008 issue of PRINT Magazine has a series of articles on the Lord & Taylor signature. Seeing the traditional approach to advertising is invigorating for "old school types" such as myself. There is something truly beautiful about classic sketches and ad layouts from the 40s, 50s and 60s. The attention given to integrating the logo into the ads, into that world, is commendable. The respect given to the identity's heritage by David Lippman and BrandBuzz is as well. Now, let's hope those involved with strengthening the brand remember that success stems from knowing who you are, what you stand for and what you want to achieve. Define that and connect it with your audience; you put yourself in a position to make things happen.

The Power of Positive

'Tis the political season and it's exciting to see such a focus on language this time around. A recent Clinton line caught my attention: "It’s time we moved from good words to good works, from sound bites to sound solutions..."

It may be the time, but perhaps not the best strategy. It goes both ways, after all, perhaps it's time some candidates moved from good works to good words, from sound solutions to sound bites. The great things come from a combination of those principles. Push only the practical, you neglect to inspire. Neglect the practical and you deflate your promise.

Obama has hit a chord with a lot of people. They are responding to what they crave in their society, in their communities. They crave some hope. While the language speaks of "change," hope is at the heart of the matter. There is a power to the positive. Many Americans, right now, really want it (even if they can't define it). So, rather than pushing for a movement from promise to policy, perhaps it's time for all of the candidates to strike their balance.

Context is Crucial

Success lies within context. For anyone to succeed, they must know the context that defines success. For people to communicate effectively, they must know the context of the message. You can have a brilliantly crafted line but if put in the wrong or improper context, it loses all power. As you develop your next campaign, think about the context of how the message will be received and let that shape the context of its delivery.

Best Laid Plans are Sometimes Best Lain

In business, we have a tendency to get swept up in the mania of what needs to be done (or what we perceive needs to be done). In business, we think of goals; we set targets; we make plans; and, then, we feel a sense of panic or failure when an unexpected, unconnected emergency diverts our attention. We forget that we're connected with people who can and will help. So perhaps it's not just in business that we get swept up. Perhaps it is in life itself -- which might be why life sometimes takes the time to remind us that our true need is to focus on what's important. What's crucial. Relinquish those plans, those goals and targets. Breathe. Focus on what's important. You just might find you've created opportunities for so much more.