Mission (Statement): Impossible

Mission (Statement): Impossible

One of my favorite recreational activities is to surf the web for mission statements. (I lead a very sheltered existence.) I find mission statements to be some of the most stunning examples of inexplicable gibberish imaginable. And I love to try to put myself in the...
Big Words Don’t Equal Big Ideas

Big Words Don’t Equal Big Ideas

I had a meeting with a prospect last week. He was eager to brand and launch his start-up. And he was excited for the opportunity to discuss its positioning and promotion. He was so enthusiastic when we spoke on the phone that I was as fired up as he was on my way to...
Sometimes a Page is Just a Page

Sometimes a Page is Just a Page

Here’s a partial list of the things most companies say they want on the pages of their websites: Sizzle. Fashion Shows. Popularity contests. Pizzazz. Things that make the boss happy. The kitchen sink and all the attendant plumbing. Cool stuff. And here’s...
The One and Only

The One and Only

In the summer of 1971, I was 17 years old. My friend, Bruce, and I went to see B.B. King at the Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, Connecticut. We may have been the only two white dudes in the place. We most certainly were the youngest. And we were in no way prepared to...
Five Things You Must Do To Survive

Five Things You Must Do To Survive

I was reading an article the other day about more effective blogging. One of its suggestions was to publish lists. As you know, I’m not a fan of lists. But I’m nothing if not open-minded. So, I resolved to give it a shot. Here are the five things you must...