By now you’ve heard the news that Apple has been recognized as the world’s largest company. We can’t say we’re surprised. We’ve been fans of Apple for years. Our enthusiasm isn’t tech-based (although we love our iGadgetry as much as anyone), but is instead borne...
If we ever needed an illustration of how social media has changed the dynamic of corporate communications, we need look no further than Chick-fil-A. It's no secret that the leadership of the quick-service chicken chain is openly hostile towards same-sex marriage; they donate millions of dollars...
We join with the world in sorrow and grief over the Aurora, Colorado massacre. As a culture, we'll be a long time figuring out what went wrong, and why. As business leaders, we have to understand the impact of events like this have on our customers. For...
Last week, we talked about a powerful Thai campaign designed to encourage people to stop smoking. There are lots of people who get pretty happy when folks kick the cancer-causing habit, but we have to admit that the sentiment is hardly universal. Tobacco farmers aren't big...
What do you call a brand that has enjoyed long-term success, remaining profitable and vibrant for over 30 years, while the vast majority of their early competition struggles for relevancy? In the music world, you'd call that brand Duran Duran. Get ready for your 80's flashback!...
In Customers First, we talk about Starbucks and some of the ways that the brand appeared to be heading off track. It's only right and fair that we should raise our coffee mugs and salute Starbucks when they get it right. Check out this NY Times...
It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye! It was almost a year ago when we wrote this post, highlighting an innovative, effective emergency preparedness educational campaign from the Center for Disease Control. In an effort to get people to stock up on bottled water,...
The news that GM has decided to stop using paid Facebook advertising has created a big buzz. If the nation's third largest advertiser isn't getting enough bang for their buck from Facebook ads, the conversation goes, what does that mean for the rest of us? GM...
Starbucks, it turns out, is not synonymous with seamless, stress-free success. Embracing a global strategy is an integral part of the coffee retailer's much-talked about turnaround strategy, but after ten years of effort, things still aren't great in Europe. Particularly not in France, according to...
Almost two years ago, Jose Lopez, executive VP of Operations for Nestle, was explaining to the Business Standard why the global foods, health, and nutrition brand, which claims to have a billion customers a day, is so successful. A particular focus of the interview was...