tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42870645317386685822024-03-04T20:30:28.972-08:00tbutenblogt. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-90845194069365154862020-01-27T12:10:00.000-08:002020-01-27T12:22:16.361-08:00Change Agents<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve all heard the
expression, “<i>The more things change, the
more they stay the same.”</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";">I respectfully
disagree.</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";">Successful production &
flawless execution of our MJ programs and communication IS change. Our work
leads to change.</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";">Marketing is
change.</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";">A new client is change.</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";">Today a new customer, tomorrow an entire new
division of work.</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";">Net, we all can </span><i>be the change</i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";">, one program one client at
a time.</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book";"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A new idea is also
change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best ideas require
significant change AND courage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They fly
in the face of the status quo, inertia, and the way “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we’ve always done it</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
comfort is a powerful force against change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are you comfortable in your current role?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too comfortable?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that seems impossible given the pace
of change, but perhaps it’s time for a professional or personal change?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because
WE need the new ideas and it can come from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All business requires new ideas, new personnel, and our services of tomorrow
will demand significant change today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How will you lead this change with clients and colleagues?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">IF you see a way to
make things better, you now have the opportunity to create change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You haven’t made an impact or performed
marketing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">until</i> you’ve changed
someone or moved your service & customer to a new place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Changed an idea or system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Changed the way children embrace reading and
learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Changed the way you deliver
production or concepts or the demand for an MJ product or service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Finally, there is no
roadmap for this change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No simple
step-by-step series of tactics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Author Seth
Godin writes, no roadmap indeed, but we do ALL have a personal & professional
compass and the belief you are headed in the proper direction:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True North.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you find yourself struggling with direction, consider applying this
acronym:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The four E’s that lead to WE:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Effort, Enthusiasm, Energy &
Execution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring these four E’s to work each
& every day, and WE are sure to enjoy the success YOU create as the next great
MJ Agent of Change! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-17670569599850467252016-07-06T12:49:00.002-07:002016-07-06T12:53:55.250-07:00Procrastinators vs. Pre-crastinatorsAdam Grant writes below about why there is value in procrastination. <br />
Amen brother. Why pay bills early? Why commit resources before absolutely necessary.<br />
Inspiration, often strikes after experiencing someone else's brilliant idea. So don't rush it. Why do today what you can do tomorrow, and all that jazz. But there is certain value in waiting for what tomorrow shall bring. Just don't wait too long. :)<br />
<br />
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/opinion/sunday/why-i-taught-myself-to-procrastinate.html?_r=0t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-81977505489543708732016-06-01T08:47:00.001-07:002016-06-01T08:47:16.141-07:00Establishing RelationshipsJob one IS establishing a relationship with the client. "Common ground" I've heard over and over in sales workshops. It's more than that of course, it is in fact building trust and the understanding operational excellence is a part of every good and service we offer. Work the relationships - both externally with clients and internally with your colleagues - and watch revenues (and job satisfaction) flourish.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-25070308257873445892016-02-28T06:53:00.002-08:002016-02-28T07:21:38.743-08:00Songwriters and StorytellersEveryone has a little darkness in them. <br />
Anger, sorrow, shame & regret.<br />
<br />
Performers go out and share it with audiences, and they hear it, but don't have to take it home with them. A man sings a sad song he very well knows is sad. People don't write music or stories - they are given to them. <br />
<br />
Thank you Hank Williams.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-5021194798285393802016-01-20T15:23:00.002-08:002016-01-20T15:24:16.198-08:00The Revenant - What's Relevant.Everyone is complaining and whining and working soo hard....the stock market is down...the roads are treacherous, we must spend less and produce more and yes, the market is correcting ..blah blah blah. <br />
<br />
Tell ya what, go watch a story like The Revenant. You will, (probably not) APPRECIATE the obscene life of luxury we enjoy and this wonderful time in which you are on this planet. <br />
<br />
YOU have automobiles that warm and wait for you and electric garage doors and nutribullets and even better, you're not raising a family in 1973. The Revenant, set in 1821, showcases what a hard life we humans have had evolving into what YOU are today. (Why do we suddenly value life so much more today?) <br />
<br />
So please stop your pithy whining. Go to work and enjoy two and three revenue streams, cars that cost and cover more ground than most countries and this wealth driven, ridiculous lifestyle. OR go to South Dakota and work a range and fight Native Americans for a weekend. Leonardo DiCaprio spent a year there without whining - so please - stop it. No threat of grizzly bear combats in the suburbs either. Perhaps deer, but not grizzly bears...t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-54918625575932572502015-08-28T15:25:00.001-07:002015-08-28T15:25:07.307-07:00Football playersI have great respect for football players. Been there - quit that. Wasn't courageous enough to endure those collisions back in the glory days. No guts, no grit, no glory. <div>
Kenny Chesney has a beautiful song out that portrays what Friday nights are all about competing across small town USA. </div>
<div>
Be safe out there tonight. Head up please. Enjoy Mr. Chesney's take on high school football: <div>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryheU9sHUe4</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-12485352510685674792015-03-25T11:53:00.002-07:002015-03-25T11:53:24.539-07:00Things - they are a changingThe Internet of Things. IoT. <br />
Device Things. Streaming Things. Media. Chat. Tablets. Customer visits. Content. Rumors. New Ideas. The Internet of Things. Things are changing. Regardless of what you do, what your industry, product or service is, the purpose of your job and organization is directed towards some form of EXPERIENCE. What is it? What is the experience YOU provide? How is it structured? How does it need to change & evolve? The Internet of Things has initiated change, both personally and professionally like never before. The key is recognizing this change as a great <i>opportunity</i> and attacking it with fresh ideas and solutions. The IoT rewards ideas and creative solutions. <br />
So will your customers.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-32993344735485598672014-10-28T11:42:00.001-07:002014-10-28T11:43:55.481-07:00Who taught Superman how to fly?Remember Disney's animated film "The Incredibles?" Such a wonderful story on so many levels. <br />
I love watching that story. Now fast forward to the fab work you and I perform each and every day. Yep. Don't you sometimes feel as if you're <i>slightly</i> under-employed from time to time? Why is that? Why do we allow ourselves to feel and behave in this manner? Where is that unbridled enthusiasm we brought to work when we were 25 years old and carving out new space and quite honestly didn't know what the hell we were doing all the time but WOW were we doing it. Today it often feels like it is dangerous if you even admit (to clients or colleagues) that you're fearful and not quite sure how to get something done technically or worse, artistically (for shame). Then it must be time for another vendor. Ouch. No way - I got this - done that - EXPERIENCE and PROCESS is my middle name sister. Boring. No, worse yet, predictable. Middle-of-the-road. You see what happens when several people or client (teams) sign-off on a program? Middle-of-the-road happens. If seven people weigh-in everything gets pushed to the middle. Yuck. (<i>Ask roadkill how safe it is in the middle-of-the-road)</i>. Here's an idea. Next time you teach a lesson or write a concept or stage a meeting, do it like you have <i>no idea</i> what you're doing. Do it as if it's DAY ONE of teaching 101 or the first time you penciled together your first-ever concept proposal or client sales call. Sponsor THAT feeling and the curious, fun-loving new hire will once again take flight.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-87989728046553716032014-06-30T18:51:00.005-07:002014-07-01T05:21:28.735-07:00Having a bad day?Bad day you say? Two words: Alison Krauss. OK two more: Diana Krall. Done. Harmony. Peace. Collaboration. Frustration exits your body and weaves its way into the early evening sunset. The gentle art of possibility begins to surface once again. Why do we have bad days? History is a conflict between US and THEM. Nations, political parties (yuck), religion, labor verses ownership/management drive the most intimate realms of our lives. And now, a full decade plus of Company vs. Supplier. We all live & enjoy a brand new generation of business thinking that gave birth to a new titlewave of friction called "outsource". Growing up at Ross Rivercamps, I would have thought this referenced some form of exclusive outdoor plumbing. No that's not quite what this glorious business "strategy" references. It's a term that came of age during the internet gold rush of the nineties and really began to impact companies at the turn of the 21st Century. Please cue the Allison Krauss music... What framework could possibly transform & embrace this notion of "outsource" (across an entire value-chain) and TRANSFORM business and vendor relationships? How does one interweave multiple companies and disciplines and constituents across ONE company P&L statement and platform? One program, one story, one resource, & one company terrirtory? How can we improve/refine a process to take us from an entrenched posture of hostility and turf war to one of partner enthusiasm, step-change, results and deep regard? Well, it's gonna take a strong conviction of WE. The practice and alchemy of WE. We the company. We the division and results. WE the suppliers and partners working together as ONE. Without TRUST, you can forget this notion of entering any WE relationship - let alone one this complex and void of personal achievement & emotion. THIS outsource supplier generation asks you and all of us to trust the evolution of WE. After all, YOU set the damn thing in motion - to serve others (shareholders) over the long WE line. What happens now, is not in your control (that's the real difficult part) but it springs from the WE itself. Now, enough with Allison Krauss, it's time for Diana Krall, and the best part of everyday...t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-28841928579359453022014-06-19T18:34:00.001-07:002014-06-19T18:54:02.083-07:00My tiny dancerElton John wrote about her. <br />
I get to love her. My Emmy B. My tiny dancer. She is, well, enormously talented, gifted in so many ways and yes, tiny. The quiet, cerebral, intelligent, hard working, athletic and beautiful Emmy B. Pretty-eyed, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand. Hold me closer my tiny dancer. Lying here with no one near - Emmy B only you can hear me.... and yes, I will always love you - softly and slowly; hold me closer my Tiny Dancer. Proud of you Emmy B. Keep up the great work - and the both of us will continue in our journey counting the headlights on the highway. Thank you Sir Elton & thank you for everything Emmy B., my tiny dancer.<br />
<img alt="My Photo" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkklRmnMu2MOzUZeHg9pWA8wd8HDeJ6H38YaK6vZHIbq4mAyHm1Npuxay5IjsWOvSTsGQjNvt91HeDyz5MXaEUZDFwsNgQOV6SZ9U7PadgYYlZ6bpTaPzcjvVdFMyJGo1vNJRFK_Q9dsz/s220/emmy+daddy.JPG" />t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-2311483488408342002014-06-02T19:14:00.002-07:002014-06-02T19:19:00.203-07:00Simple Designs Complex TimesThe principle used to be called "KISS" and referred to "<i>Keep It Simple Stupid</i>." Now you really shouldn't reference 'stupid' - so today the new KISS Principle is: "<i>Keep It Super Simple." </i> I like super simple. Trouble is, if you work with a complex, very large company, with many, many layers of services and people, simple is, well, not always well received. Maintaining simple is deceptively difficult. Yes we humans do have a wonderful natural tendency to drift toward complexity. Not our fifth grader. He even has a simple name. Joe. Hmm. He's not well received in this complex world all the time either. I wonder in big organizations or mature establishments - if all those wonderful university degrees and layers of management generates layers of complexity? Complexity. It really is an engine of productivity and strategic thinking right? How can one penetrate layers of rich complexity without countless hours of working and reworking even more complex proposals? If were talking layers of people and ideas, well then, you have to craft something deep enough to penetrate the many, many layers of complexity. Wow. I think I just spelled-out my Tuesday morning. But before I polish-off & submit the next proposal, I'll call Joe. Joe helps me focus on THE most important layer - the first one - a simple design decision and operational imperative. And sure enough, once we penetrate the initial layer, who knows what can happen right? KISS. Keep It Super Simple people. AND yes, congratulations to the band KISS on being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - along with my very personal favorite Peter Gabriel. I suspect that band followed the KISS principle. Peter Gabriel, not so much...t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-10802049144036891582014-04-29T11:34:00.002-07:002014-04-29T11:34:30.324-07:00Consistent ProcessProcess Process Process. <br />
Want to improve your golf game? Process. Carve out an ideation niche with a fortune 50 brand client group? Process. And please make it repeatable.<br />
<br />
Golf is a wonderful game celebrating so many life-lessons in a four hour round. Unfortunately for most of us, a repeatable process is at the very heart of the game. Other life experiences that play out on the beautiful course? How about serendipity? Check. Hard hard & preparation? Doublecheck. All the fun that the great outdoors has to offer and the joys you can experience from a good walk spoiled? It's in there.<br />
But if you want to improve your game on the golf course, work the process. The process I'm referring to runs about two seconds long. It's the THOUGHT PROCESS that occurs each and every time you take a whack at that ball. It takes about a two second duration to initiate a back swing and then explode downward to strike the golf ball and this process will repeat roughly 30 times in an 18 hole round, hitting off the tee and fairway and another 30 times on the putting surface. You can practice putting later, here we are focused on your two second swing thought process. For me, golf has always been an easy game. Smacking the crap out of the ball has always been pretty simple; a God-given talent right? Great. What has NOT come so easy is repeating that process again and again and again. Why? Because my mental process gets in the way (again and again and again). Back to this process point and the great game of golf and life. What makes this wonderful golf game so difficult and (life) so challenging at times, is the mental aspect that plays-out in a round of golf. What happens? Your MIND plays games with the physical process of swing execution. In the time it takes to swing a golf club, I'm capable of about 10 divergent thoughts! Not good when you're trying to replicate a great confident swing and process over and over again. For me, and I suspect any golfer, a great round of golf beings and ends with a consistent swing THOUGHT process. You can work & practice this on the range. Find something that works for you. Perhaps address pacing with <i>"one thousand one</i>" in your backswing and <i>"two!"</i> in downswing. Or try thinking <i>"attacking the ball"</i> in the backswing and <i>"finish at the target"</i> in the downswing/follow through. Try something and repeat it the next time you are out and if it doesn't work, well, you can always go back to a bunch of random thoughts - and then finish your two second swing with "<i>FORE!!"</i>t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-87589782749549223032013-10-09T07:03:00.002-07:002013-10-09T07:03:17.685-07:00The foundationI've gotten away of late from my ritual of writing in the early morning hours. Many of you have routines - that work for you. Stick to them and get to work. Abe Lincoln walked the grounds of the White House every morning at 5am and then ate his breakfast of one egg and black coffee. Ben Franklin swore by 'air baths', which was his term for sitting around naked each morning and writing. When I was creating concepts and scripts each week for broadcast TV, (fully clothed) I learned from the start that type of work could only be produced for me between 6am and 9am. After 9am you worked for others. Before that, you work for yourself. Thank goodness Starbucks opened at 5:30AM. Good times, challenging work & great colleagues to cherish forever. Now back to work. Seth Godin suggests that all our talents and capabilities begin with a foundation of skills, much like a typeset is the <em>foundation</em> of printing and writing. IF you've exhausted all you can with the letters you possess, PERHAPS it's time to invest in collecting new letters to work with. t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-12717418880932462162013-08-29T09:45:00.002-07:002013-08-29T09:45:26.753-07:00Exceptional CompaniesWhat is an "exceptional" company? <br />
Or better yet, what are the axioms that define exceptional ? A recent report in Forbes Magazine shared this 10 year research and findings and there's a critical point for all of us to hold onto here. <br />
It's an especially empowering concept if you are in the business of building sales or growing your very own business. The article shared research with global companies and data for more than a decade and the authors sought to define one or two elements that were consistent with companies that landed in the exceptional category. The organizations that found their way onto the list were the usual suspects: P&G, J&J, Apple to name a few, but the two characteristics they uncovered as must haves for exceptional, is what we all can use in our work each and everyday: Profit margin & quality. Exceptional companies strive for quality and hold firm on profit margin. Period. Now all of us in sales tend to forget this when we're busy being all things to all people, but if you can hold your ground and set your sights on quality, margin will come with those programs. In turn, make certain there is margin in each and every program - and this too will lead to quality. Choose the path that is right for you and your programs and clients. Trouble is, we all live in get'r done now and cheap world. Right. Understood. However, if you can strive to maintain quality and margin on-point for each & every program, soon you'll be producing exceptional results for equally exceptional clients.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-16203837126698185162013-08-27T06:47:00.003-07:002013-08-27T06:47:53.268-07:00Who What How of Digital MarketingWhy is it that more and more companies and brands are getting away from "the basics" when investing in social media marketing? Brands simply need to discover which interactions are truly valuable and understand their goals going in to any social situation. Analytics. Research. Decision making. Brands can start within their own network and begin with your own customers to clearly define a WHO that works in social media. Find out what they need and are talking about by listening, then use content rich media to give it to them. Why does influence matter to Crest toothpaste? Because a lot of folks talk about oral care online. Yep, it’s not exciting, but your consumers and colleagues and friends are talking about it. You want to reach mothers and those who drive purchase decisions right? Once you’ve identified WHO these people are, how do you find and reach them & actually inspire them to engage? Ask moderator <a href="http://twitter.com/ideafaktory" target="_blank" title="IdeaFaktory on Twitter">Steve Faktor</a> of Idea Faktory.<br />
You need to dig deeper and segment your target audience, recommends Levey. So you want to reach moms…ok, well which ones? Are they in their 20s, 30s, or 40s? What income bracket does their household fall into, and does that matter? Setting clear goals is key, he said.<br />
Get back to Marketing 101: WHO, WHAT, HOW. The panelists agreed, social media monitoring and analysis is incredibly important. Now more than ever with marketing budgets ticking-up and the Instagrams & Vines of the world emerging each & everyday. Find a way to define WHO your audience is and drive your digital marketing future strategy thru great content & ROI.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-54370048131733225122013-06-10T13:44:00.002-07:002013-06-10T13:44:30.878-07:00DIGITAL by DESIGNHere is a great Mills James story and link to a digital signage Vital Signs program install for Embassy Suites.<div>
<a href="http://millsjames.com/mills-james-news/mills-james-installs-vitalsigns-digital-signage-at-salt-lake-city-hotel/">http://millsjames.com/mills-james-news/mills-james-installs-vitalsigns-digital-signage-at-salt-lake-city-hotel/</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Why is this a significant component and one pillar of the Mills James media business? Because monitors and digital signage have become part of the media landscape & omnipresent in all our lives. Transactional marketing is how we engage now, not just broadcast marketing to the masses. Marketers now have the ability to surround the consumer with an "always on" approach to storytelling and yes, digital signage is a strategic touchpoint. Who better to navigate the digital signage landscape than Mills James, a media company that has been focused on CONTENT production for 29 years. We don't simply hang the monitors - (my brother-in-law can do that & cheap) we design and create the content management system (cms) to enable a simple, holistic approach to content and programming. Focus on the end-user experience, the persona, and channel message and celebrate the one-on-one human interface that is transactional marketing; and yes it is digital by design.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-75846967651268351342013-03-19T05:04:00.002-07:002013-03-19T05:04:26.842-07:00Connection EconomyWelcome to the connection economy. You know when you feel it? Being disconnected? After you've been insulated by a large employer for 17 years? How so? Well, when you work for a closed-caption audience or select group of clients or colleagues, connecting ONLY to a select group of clients (& to colleagues in the parking garage) you may not care what's going-on in "<em>the real world</em>". Yep. No doubt. Guilty as charged. Here's the good news. There are folks out, a whole host of them, in-need of your service. Not even really in-need of your service, more so in-need of your energy and enthusiasm and love of the story and work. Energy & enthusiasm is absolutely the baseline you must bring to the connection economy. Wanting someone to pong to your ping certainly won't happen without energy & enthusiasm. The connection economy can be a great game of Ping-Pong, especially if you're willing to invest in an oversized racquet! t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-52272708991362343602013-03-05T06:50:00.003-08:002013-03-05T06:52:39.479-08:00VITAL SIGNSSignage helps customers identify, navigate and celebrate environments. Digital Signage is increasingly today an important information-sharing component of the customer brand experience. Digital media opens the door for your interactive storytelling. Is your lobby part of your brand experience? Would you like to display your message across multiple screens and at multiple customer touchpoints? This can be done simply and affordably with stunning HD messaging YOU control with a simple-to-use Content Management System (CMS). You only get one chance to make a first impression right? Let's make it visible, vibrant, and on-point with VITAL SIGNS from Mills James. <a href="http://www.millsjames.com/vitalsigns/">http://www.millsjames.com/vitalsigns/</a><br />
Call me if I can help introduce & launch this digital signage capability! Tom Buten 513-470-9809t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-29553050886386166132013-02-11T20:55:00.005-08:002013-02-11T21:13:19.920-08:00Red Bull Gives You Wings<em>I think it's human nature to want to explore. To find your line, and go beyond it. </em>Have you seen & enjoyed the amazing Red Bull commercial? Please take a moment and click the link below to watch and listen to this beautiful :60 second story.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti2Lm4hb2ZY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti2Lm4hb2ZY</a><br />
<br />
In today's world, in which we are all bombarded with images, sights, sounds, messages and media, it's easy to glance over these images - but please just this once don't. Stop and ponder what these young athletes are doing. Extreme gamers? Explorers? Forget the human poetry and landscapes presented in this commercial and sport and imagine if YOU had to step to that edge - yes just once. These athletes are poets that challenge physical limits. We typically think of Michael Jordan, Ray Lewis or Tiger when we think of today's modern athlete. But God and natural ability has a lot to do with that type of athletic performance and paycheck. However, the only real measureable component with the extreme daredevil athlete - is a courageous spirit. As John Steinbeck once wrote, "<em>Our species is the only creative species, and it has one instument, the individual mind and spirit of man. The preciousness lies in the lonely mind and spirit of man</em>". I suspect the folks jumping off these cliffs may have a moment of loneliness - but it's probably not when he or she is flying down that cliff or waterfall. It's right before they take the leap of faith. I hope we ALL not only have the opportunity to leap - but like these brave young men and women captured in this story - we take it. <em>To </em>BB, Emmy & Joe Riley, please always remember <em>the only limit - is the one you set yourself.</em>t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-59459106152634101712013-01-31T07:16:00.000-08:002013-01-31T07:16:23.876-08:00AdvertisingAdvertising is not an expense, it's an investment. An investment that needs to be linked to sales. What is the return on your investment? Track it. It's easier than ever to document your ROI from your ad dollars. <em><u>Content</u></em> and <em><u>placement</u></em> are the most important factors in your marekting program. <em>What </em>you say and <em>where</em> you say it, are more important then how many people you say it to. Invest in understanding this target customer base and measure your ROI and value-add from your marketing & advertising programs.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-35954004109115578682013-01-29T08:49:00.001-08:002013-01-29T09:04:30.388-08:00Coaching 101IF you have a young athlete in your family, then you've probably been exposed to many diverse personalities and coaching styles. I've done my fair share of coaching over the years and it's a blessing to work with kids and their families. You care deeply for each of them. Over time, you begin to form a framework for coaching and deep convictions. Personally, I've also been able to adopt my professional work & strategic marketing framework tactics - and apply them to coaching. One of these frameworks is really very simple to apply. It is the WHO WHAT HOW WHEN methodology, and I strongly believe in it. This is a P&G marketing framework that was introduced companywide years ago - in an effort to simplify the global language and methodologies used between the agencies, business and P&G brands. The WHO, refers to your targeted audience and consumers. In the case of coaching - the players & families. The WHAT is the message, content and reason-to-believe in the product or service. WHAT is the most critical component a coach or business leader can author and deploy. HOW & WHEN refer to the execution. The COACH is responsible for laying-out the WHAT. The coach owns the WHAT. What is the plan? What are the convictions, content & culture of the program? What are the offensive and defensive sets and practice routine? These set plans & convictions should be presented in such a way that there is no doubt in the framework, the content and plans. Net, the coaching staff is 100% responsible for the WHAT. These plays and routines should be presented and executed in such a way - that everyone involved is comfortable with the WHAT. The young athletes need to be comfortable with the WHAT. When they are on that stage, they need to feel sponsored and comfortable. Job one of the coach, in my opinion, is to ensure the kids are comfortable and confident. And yes, this leads to FUN. Your employees and colleagues should be very comfortable & understand and believe in your WHAT: The reason-to-believe in your framework. Once everyone believes in the WHAT, the players can move forward & deliver the HOW. How athletes get it done. How the individual employee gets it done. This HOW is brought to life by the players. The HOW must be delivered by the players. And when this happens, when they do the HOW with confidence and their unique skillset, this HOW is beautiful to watch playout on that stage. Ya see, once a coach lays-out the strategy and plan and convictions, then cuts loose those young athletes to provide the HOW, you find out very quickly just how comfortable and confident the kids are out there. They are sparkling, creative young athletes, and it's up to them to deliver the HOW, but like any performer, they need to feel comfortable and confident on stage. And they will deliver, but ONLY if they feel very comfortable and enabled to deliver THE HOW. If your child is not having success, and losing many games and their confidence, and the culture is not very good - I suspect you can point back to the WHAT for that program. And chances are, the what, is not in a good place. The student athletes are not in a good place. The WHAT is broken. And a broken WHAT leads to lots and lots of interchangable parts and constant switching of athletes that are not comfortable nor confident and unsure on how to deliver the what. Worse, over time, players and employees will start to challenge the leader, the plan and the WHAT. Job one of a manager or director or coach - is to get the WHAT right. Then, and only then, can a coach cut loose those wonderful athletes to confidently deliver the HOW.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-42093261804301108022013-01-24T07:32:00.001-08:002013-01-24T07:33:03.880-08:00Winter LandscapeI enjoy the atmosphere and fresh scent of being alive created by the constant change of colors and seasons in the Midwest. However, this time of year, when the landscape wears its winter white, a splash of vibrant color can add a much needed shot of renewal. Try citron or framboise, cherry red, or perhaps a dark chocolate. In brand advertising, color is used to evoke emotion, express personality and stimulate association. In your home, use color that you enjoy and lots of it. For your brand or business, use colors that create emotion, trigger recall and provides some sort of comfortable sensations. A school bus by any other color is not really a school bus. We depend on the familiarity of Coke red and UPS brown and Tide orange. For your brand or product offering, choose a color that does what you need and would like it to do. The ultimate goal for your brand or product is to OWN a color that facilitates recognition and builds brand equity, like winter owns white.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-77398183069626892302013-01-22T08:21:00.001-08:002013-01-22T08:29:42.424-08:00Celebrating VogueHave you ever paged through a Vogue Magazine? If you work retail, fashion or trends of any kind, (or you simply want to impress teenage nieces & nephews with brand name & actor recognition) it is a worthy time investment. One immediate observation is that the models, who I'm sure are well paid, don't seem to ever smile for the camera. Is this a photo celebration? Where is the laughter and joy? Perhaps the seductive apparel is too tight or incredibly uncomfortable to wear? Nope. One critically important consideration is what these photographs, models and brand names are actually attempting to portray and share with readers: Inspiration. We common folk are not going to wear the bulk of these clothes depicted in the photograph, but we sure can draw some INSPIRATION from the composition presented. The image sparks the neverending debate - is this media supposed to be a window for us to gaze through OR a mirror that reflects today's lifestyles and behaviors? For the sake of this discussion, let's go with the window. A chance to look into the distance and wonder "<em>what if</em>" and be inspired. A dose of inspiration is a very powerful and productive marketing element. A photograph that enables our imaginations to run wild. Yes, that's it. Who needs to smile when you're striving for mythology, hopes and dreams of a target customer base and audience? Now that's worth celebrating, and a very powerful point-of-view to launch initiatives from.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-37471394002307507522013-01-18T06:23:00.001-08:002013-01-18T06:23:29.493-08:00Strategic MovementStrategy is not a static condition, rather a motivating factor in constant motion. When you work strategy, you'll have an end destination out there somewhere for sure, but always remember that each tactical decision you make will create an experience that will involve reacting in a different context. Net, your strategy may be in constant flux. Now more than ever, we live in a highly complex and layered world requiring a strategic and thoughtful approach to designing experiences. That design is dynamic and in continual motion. If you need a constant theme or idea to build your work and tactics around, let's not call it strategy, let's refer to it as a PROMISE. Somewhere in your brand framework or marketing blueprint, articulate a promise to share in your product, service offering or work. A promise is something you can take hold-of and build into a foundation for your company and needs to be true to who you are and what you stand for. Strategies should evoke movement and be permitted to evolve as you interact with the many layers of the world today. So go ahead and always allow for strategic movement.t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4287064531738668582.post-89095866161118106962013-01-16T06:13:00.001-08:002013-01-16T06:13:08.348-08:00Silver Linings PlaybookA powerful movie with oscar worthy performances by Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and Jennifer Lawrence. The story involves a brutally honest, raw & fascinating look through the eyes of an adult husband dealing with a personality disorder, marriage and work life that have failed. The beauty of the film and screenplay is that you find yourself always rooting for this character, straining to support him and love him, urging him to make intelligent choices. Everyone in his small Philadelphia middle class family loves him - most especially his Mother & Father. Without this love and support, there would be no Silver Lining. The movie is a powerful showcase for the strength of family and unconditional love, although father De Niro does offer a few conditions of his own at times. But his love for his son is by far the most beautiful aspect of the film. Silver Linings Playbook taps into both the vulnerability and strength of the human heart and the power of unconditional love. t. butenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12345182692688143985noreply@blogger.com0