Can You Feel It?

We’re all under pressure right now.
And in the same way that points mean prizes, pressure means tension.
It’s always there, bubbling under.
Threatening to spill out and wreck relationships.
Even worse, it can force you off course and sabotage your projects.
There’ll always be differences of opinion.
But when the pressure’s on, you need to be more gracious, not less.
Remember this: “The one person who has time to rock the boat is the person not rowing.”
I’d love to take credit for that one.
But they’re the wise words of Jean-Paul Sartre.
He knew a thing or two about rowing.
Oars up!
(I said ‘oars’ George).

The Times They Are A-Changing

I’ve mentioned Tom Peters before.
But this is my blog, so if I want to mention him again then I will.
That’s empowerment for you.
Anyway, Tom’s the one who believes that "If you don't like change you are in the wrong industry, whatever industry you're in."
Hard to argue with that kind of logic.
When it comes to change, you have two choices.
Run and hide under your desk.
Or embrace it, and the opportunities it presents.
The key is to manage change through effective communication.
Of course, you could always bitch and moan about the way things used to be.
Then maybe you could smash up a Spinning Jenny with the rest of the Luddites.
Face facts.
Those days are gone.
And unlike flares and lava lamps, they won’t be coming back.
So, to recap.
Change is inevitable.
Unless you’re using a vending machine.

Short And Sweet

That's not a description of me, it's a description of this post......,
It can’t have escaped your notice that for Jack Morton, this has been the year of the experience brands.
Everybody’s excited by the new possibilities opening up around this innovative thinking.
But it’s not actually such a new thing.
The value of experience over other forms of communication is as old as the hills.
Immanuel Kant, the German philosopher (1724-1804) believed that
"It is beyond a doubt that all our knowledge begins with experience."
So, ask yourself.
Are you an Immanuel Kan, or an Immanuel Kant?

Busy Is As Busy Does

I hear you.
You’re busy.
I’m busy.
We’re all busy.
Busier than we’ve ever been.
That’s the reality of our new economic paradigm.
But even as stretched as we might feel, we still need to participate.
Get involved.
The way I see it, most people are on the world, not in it.
When we’re all rushing to keep up, there’s a dangerous tendency to phone it in.
Sit in meetings and let it just waft past us.
We’ve all done it – sat in a brainstorm and never got our energy levels out of first gear.
Dial into a conference call and then doodle on a notepad with the phone on mute.
Don’t.
Play a part.
Make your mark.
Shake things up.
You’ll be amazed at how energy creates more energy.
Act dynamically and you’ll be dynamic.
You’ll feel so much better for it.
As Mr White Chocolate says:
"Don't be a hater be a participator"

Nothing To Worry About

Well, it’s finally time to hang up my nomad hat for a few weeks and enjoy being back on terra firma. After a couple of weeks of travelling it’s nice to be back in one place for a while.
Having said that, I wouldn’t have missed last week’s speaking engagement for the world.
I was invited to present at the third African Experiential Marketing Summit.
I didn’t know quite what to expect, but am happy to report that it was an amazing event.
So my thanks go to David, Carol and Latifa, from Exp
As well as the real star of the show, Dan Hanover publisher of Event Marketer.
"Love Dan – Hug Dan"
I hadn’t originally planned to attend, but I was standing in for the amazing Liz Bigham.
You know me, I love any opportunity to get up on stage and share the Jack Morton viewpoint on the world.
It’s also a great way to help grow the business with new clients and prospects.
But it’s not just about us.
Events like this are the best way to take the pulse of our industry.
See what’s out there, and hear what other businesses are achieving.
You get a real sense for just how great our industry is becoming.
And it opens your eyes to new possibilities and fresh perspectives.
As a bonus, you also get the chance to meet a bunch of genuinely inspiring people.
In talking about the opportunities they’ve encountered and the roles they fulfil, you’re reminded that anything is possible.
No problem is insurmountable.
As they say in that part of the world, “hakuna matata”.

You Complete Me

On the way back from Johannesburg, more of that next week, now have a 4 hour delay in Dubai.
What's a man to do?
Send e-mails, write a blog.
First batch of e-mails done.
So here's the blog.
One of the things that came up in South Africa was internal communications
Or alignment as the worldwide Jack community call it.
I made a point that is maybe worth repeating here
Every smart marketer knows that the key to effective communication lies in audience insight.
The more you know about the people you want to reach and what drives them, the more successful you'll be.
So I struggle to understand how internal communication people ever manage to get it wrong.
Think about it.
Your audience are part of your brand.
You know what they earn, and what they take home.
You know how hard they work, and what they think of you.
You know their hopes, dreams and ambitions.
There's so much rich data at your fingertips.
If your colleagues in consumer marketing had that kind of insight, they'd be selling by the bucketload.
With so much to work with, there is no limit to the amount of targeting and segmentation you can apply.
Its hard to screw up.
So don't.
Got to go apparently I'm having curry for breakfast.

Das Boat.

After two and a half days on board the Arcadia,
which housed the Marketing Forum, all I can say is "Wow!"
The idea of spending a couple of days floating around of the
coast might sound like fun (not sure to whom?),
but it's actually a pretty intense event.
It's a relentless agenda, with 30 meetings taking place within about
48 hours, and another 30 for my colleague George.
Mealtimes?
Well, the food was great, but that just meant another chance for more meetings.
It just never stopped.
Just lasting the course is a feat of endurance and quite an achievement.
The real test though, is what you do when you get home, dry out, and catch up on your sleep.
It's not about how you start. It's all in how you finish.
We all made some friends but it's the follow up that's going to
determine whether or not the trip was a success.
And to Jo (not you Joe) you're right!
We really were the best dancers on the boat.
Happy fishing!

My Diary Is A Nightmare

How many times a day do you hear that?
How many times a day do you say that?
We are all super busy
This week I’m off on to the Marketing Forum on the Arcadia
If you’re there too look forward to meeting up.
Also below you will see my conference dates for the rest of the year.
Come and say hi
It’s going to be a lot of fun

19th -20th October Africa Ex Conference - South Africa
18th – 19th November International Sports Marketing Poland
3rd – 4th December EA Summit - Kenya

Briefs In Pitches Out

Responding to briefs can feel a bit like a factory process
Especially when we are all so busy.
Going through the motions a bit
‘Muscle memory’ as Julian, my MD at Jack calls it.
Here’s a thought
Someone once asked Jack Lemmon, the Hollywood actor, star of over 60 films, how he made his choices.
His answer:
“The ones that terrify me I do”
The ones that stretch him as an actor
The ones that are transformational.
Of course I understand that in this climate we’re happy to have briefs,
But if you load the agency with the usual, you won’t have room for the transformational.
As my dear, sainted mother used to say at the all-you-can-eat buffet:
“Don’t load up with the bread, as you won’t have room for the smoked salmon.”
Chips anybody?

Hands Up For Ryder Cup

For those that don’t know, I’m a massive golf fan.
This weekend marks the biennial match between Europe and the USA.
Sitting watching the opening shots this morning, I myself feeling a little torn.
I work for an American company.
I’ve spent time with our guys in the States this year and I ...I ...love them.
So where is my fervour, my passion, for cheering on the home team?
I glad to say it’s still there.
There is nothing wrong with a little healthy competition.
After all, we live in a competitive environment.
Pitching and winning means someone has to win.
And someone else is going to lose.
But that doesn’t mean that you have to automatically hate the other team.
You just want to win.
To test yourself against a worthy opponent.
If you want to be the best, you have to compete.
So don’t be a hater.
Be a participator.
Come on Europe!