STORIES

Recently, I was discussing the recession of 2007 with a friend and it stirred up a few emotions for me. It was a pretty painful time for a great many of us. When the underbelly of the banks was exposed we all realized the fraudulent behavior that had existed over time. The scariest thing, at least for me, was the ability of people to turn a deaf ear to potential long-term consequences and continue to focus on their short-term gratification. In fact, the entire recession was based on short-term greed and the unwillingness to commit to the long-term.

I had the great pleasure of watching my daughter’s hockey team win the national championship earlier this month. After an amazing year that saw the team win five tournaments, they capped it all off by coming back from a two goal deficit in the the third period to win in overtime. As you can imagine, I am one proud father.

The theme for our CANVAS magazine this year has been centered around the African Impala, which can jump to a height of more than 10 feet and cover a distance of greater than 30 feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure within any zoo with a 3-foot tall wall. Apparently, the animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will land.

Why is nobody listening? I have had countless conversations where I know the other party could care less. I have had people look down at their phone or even engage in another conversation as I was speaking. I chalk it up to rude behavior and a general attention span epidemic. But before blaming something else, I may want to look in the mirror.

I look at my kids sometimes and wonder what their futures hold. I get concerned with what contribution they will make in this seemingly chaotic, noisy and chilly world, and I’m not naive in that just about every parent out there has similar angst.

I have talked to countless B2B organizations over the years and one of the most common things I’m asked is where to find the best

If we attempt to sift through all the noise created by the unrelenting barrage of messaging, we can see there has been a remarkable amount of disruption over the last decade. We have seen Netflix destroy Blockbuster and become a widely embraced platform for entertainment. We have seen Amazon disrupt Walmart and become a part of our daily commerce. And we have seen Uber build a new trusted mode of transportation.

I was recently told to “hone” my marketing pitch on custom publishing. To be specific, the person said it seemed like I had a vision in my head but that I really needed it to be more concise. I thanked him for the feedback and then took some time to think about the suggestion.

Oftentimes, we confuse strategy and tactics. A strategy is a plan for achieving your objectives. It’s all about the big picture, mapping the path and setting the tone for your journey.

I have met guys who have told a joke at a party and I knew it was “like” at first sight. Others bond over a football game or the fact that their wives spend endless hours trying on clothes at the department store. Whatever the circumstance, guys know pretty quickly if they can hang out with one another.