The mall isn’t dead, but it needs a makeover. The current model of the mall is broken. It no longer serves the purpose it once did: for adults, it’s no longer convenient; for teens, it seems too much like something uncool from their parents’ generation to...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juq1UI_Hqfs&feature=youtu.be   In a society that values goals and results, it’s easy to see why play isn’t valued by adults. Play is a state more than it is a thing. Play involves doing something enjoyable for its own sake. There is no goal aside from enjoying the experience. But, play is not a trivial activity: play makes people happier, it helps develop empathy, it reduces stress, and it strengthens resolve.

A brand becomes stronger when you narrow the focus. Al Ries and Laura Ries, The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding. Keeping a brand on course is one of the most critical and difficult challenges executives face. A narrow brand focus will help keep your brand aligned with your...

How often do you daydream or even allow yourself to get bored? It turns out there’s a lot of value in letting our minds wander. Daniel Goleman calls this “open awareness” and says when our minds wander we’re free to constructively envision our future—essential for planning and...

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Albert Einstein Continuously learning is how you will stay relevant at any level of an organization. Consider stepping outside of your comfort zone, diversifying your areas of knowledge and establishing rituals and habits that support learning. Lifelong...

“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” William James, Philosopher, and Psychologist.
Stress in the workplace can have damaging effects, such as stifling creativity and risk aversion. When we operate under pressure, we shift into survival mode and in this mode of perception, we can have a much harder time thinking creatively and seeing things with a broader, longer-term lens. Similarly, when your associates are stressed, they tend to avoid taking risks and have a hard time thinking creatively, which ultimately affects their potential.

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where—“ said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. “—so long as I get somewhere,’”Alice added as an explanation. “Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.” Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Organizations that last know where they’re going. They know how they want people to perceive their business and they know what they want to achieve.

In short, they have a strong vision.

Creating a strong vision is a key to long-term success: it gives you clarity on what you should and shouldn’t do for the continuing health and prosperity of the company.

The vision, however, is only one of the keys to success, you must also have a purpose that drives the vision; and, you must have missions, strategies, and tactics to achieve your vision.

Is your marketing negative enough? I don’t mean attacking competitors, rather do your customers understand what life would be like without your brand? Do they see the negative of you not being around?