I have two teenagers: a literal teenager, who is cheerful, well-adjusted and wonderful; and a teenage alter-ego, who is cynical and loutish. I never really noticed the latter until July or August of 2020, when the exhaustion from the pandemic…
A version of this article was originally published by ColoradoBiz here. Nobody wants to hire a hero. Think of your favorite movie. I bet I know a lot about it without you naming it. Whether it’s a thriller, drama, romance or comedy,…
A version of this article was originally published by ColoradoBiz here. When marketing is alienating or boring, overdog protagonists are a common culprit. Last month I opened a three-part discussion on how to avoid common business storytelling blunders. I usually keep my…
Redefine and communicate your purpose with these 2 simple branding exercises This article was originally published in BizWest here. Tony Hsieh, founder of shoe ecommerce giant Zappos, isn’t passionate about shoes. He says his passion is “delivering happiness.” You might not be…
It has been a rough year, and this post I'll be departing from storytelling and marketing insights to focus on providing myself (and hopefully others) some perspective to help finish strong. Maintaining a sense of Buoyancy in life and business…
A version of this article was originally published by ColoradoBiz here. One key culprit for boring company narratives is that few people actually know what constitutes a “story.” This matters more than you think. What’s a story? Is your company history a…
A version of this article was originally published by Entrepreneur here. Business storytelling is increasingly recognized as a force to be reckoned with. So why are there so many humdrum brand stories? "Ultramarathon Man” Dean Karnazes is a jerk. I say this…
A version of this article was originally published by ColoradoBiz here. Here’s why humor is an underutilized, effective tool in B2B marketing Suspicion creeps into relationships little by little. My wife started taking a Wednesday evening painting class a few months…
A version of this article was originally published by ColoradoBiz here. Most of us have resorted to or at least fallen for them. They can be as innocent as an overlooked social cue, or as toxic as racism. What are they?…
This article originally appeared in the ColoradoBiz online edition here. Sensory language makes ideas more memorable by enriching context Do you mind if I totally screw with your head for a minute? Good — I was hoping that’s what you’d say!…
