I’m lucky enough to be able to work with some of the biggest global brands on their innovation challenges. Facing competitors becoming leaner and faster these brands need bigger, more disruptive ideas delivered at speed. Below are three observations on how some brand teams are pushing us to fulfil their greater ambition. 1. They start... Continue Reading →
It's that time for personal goals for the new year. If being happier and more successful is your motivation then it is worth considering the findings of Robert Waldinger, Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development alongside those of Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage. Waldinger's study based on 75 years of observing 724 men, 'reveals' that good relationships... Continue Reading →
When innovating to deliver growth I have noticed a tendency for teams to start with product ideation and then progress to packaging as a support for their product ideas. But with the pack first to engage shoppers and usually representing a fraction of the cost of product the risk is that significant profitable growth opportunities... Continue Reading →
In a recent workshop I used the brilliant example of skin care brand Sol De Janeiro to demonstrate the value of understanding behaviour. It is an example worth sharing... Sol De Janeiro with Ogilvy Brazil created ‘Tattoo Skin Cancer Check’ to increase early detection of skin cancer - the most common type in Brazil, with a rising incidence among... Continue Reading →
There is much to like with the new social enterprise scheme being trialled in London that gives homeless people the opportunity to staff coffee carts and earn a living wage. This not-for-profit initiative addresses a growing problem with rough sleeping in London having increased by 80 per cent since 2010. It is backed and inspired... Continue Reading →
An all female team completed the Volvo Ocean Race this year. Sponsored by SCA they battled against the elements and oceans 24 hours a day over a distance of 38,000 miles. The team's achievement is a high profile example of women competing with men on equal terms and facing equal challenges. It is a case-study that... Continue Reading →
It is difficult to get excited about financial products, particularly 'death insurance' but with Vitality Life Insurance I can get somewhere close. Here we have a Life Insurance that is designed and communicated with insight on how to change behaviour. As Vitality recognise thinking about Life insurance is something we avoid. Without a prompt very... Continue Reading →
A recent survey revealed 89% of brand marketers expect to compete primarily on customer experience by 2016. Despite this, delivering and differentiating customer experience remains a difficult challenge for brand leaders and managers. There is a big leap from consistent, engaging brand communication to a consistent, engaging customer experience. To achieve this you need to... Continue Reading →
The UK Labour party have a new leader. Jeremy Corbyn has achieved a major victory over Yvette Cooper, Andy Burnham and Liz Kendalle. Credit and congratulations go to Corbyn who following 90 days of campaigning secured 59% of the votes from the 400,000+ who participated. The result is also a lesson in the importance of accessibility,... Continue Reading →
Today is the day I should really be planning my new consultancy - turning the dream of lucrative and stimulating self-employment into a reality. A couple of hours in and I am already procrastinating with a blog article (which I feebly justify as good for my profile). In recent years I have taken an interest in... Continue Reading →
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