Another Lessons To Be Learned

Something else came out of the ‘leaders’ debate’.
The need to be yourself.
Your REAL self.
Brown, Cameron and Clegg all seemed to spend too much energy on projecting an image of themselves.
Problem is, you could see how much effort they were putting into their performances.
So they ended up feeling completely false.
No-one is that easy to fool.
Try to show just how relaxed or confident you are and no-one’s going to believe you.
You are always transparent… even when you’re trying not to be.
Audiences are an intuitive bunch.
They can feel the truth.
They can sense authenticity.
And they know when it isn’t present.
Projecting a pretence will only push people away.
Show some fear, express some doubts, share your hunger.
That’s your real self.
It’s the version of you that has a genuine passion for helping other people
(or a product or service)
And it makes whatever you’re selling feel like a far more compelling proposition.

Kissing Babies

Did you see the “Leaders Debate” on TV last night?

What did you think?

Horrible wasn’t it

It was a pitch and for all you “pitchers” out there, there are lessons to be learned

After the action one of the news shows, collected a bunch of disenfranchised undecided youth voters and canvassed their opinions.

Whilst they were willing to be swayed by the personalities of the leaders taking part in the televised debate, they still had some reservations.

One young woman said she was concerned that the manifestos are just hollow promises.

She told the presenter that she felt the politicians would say anything to win the vote.

She’s had a point.

I’m sure you know by now that I’m a big advocate of keeping promises.

I also believe in transparency and honesty.

From a sales perspective, you have to give yourself the best opportunity win the job in the first place.

That comes from being a real person, someone to be trusted, fun to work with competent and honest

The fine details of the idea, project can always be worked out later in collaboration with the client.

First you need to inspire

If the politicians took a similar approach, perhaps they’d be a little more believable.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Hear ye, hear ye.

Once upon a time the town square was the heart of the community.

It’s where businesses thrived, news was shared and people would meet.

These days, the town square has been replaced with the digital space.

That’s where people and brands now come together.

Our environment might have changed, but our needs remain the same.

But it’s important to remember that the town square is more than just the place where you make your sales on market day.

The rest of the time, it’s still the place where people come together.

So brands need to ensure that they’re facilitating those relationships and making it easy for people to connect with one another.

A Voyage Of Discovery

Despite what Ranulph Fiennes might think, we’re really all explorers.

We all crave that moment of discovery, whether it’s a brand, a movie or a new music artist.

In these empowered times, there’s nothing to stop any of us being the first to uncover an amazing new experience.

And we’d all love to be the one who gets to stick our flag in that new discovery.

Because once we’ve identified it, we can start to share it with our friends.

I think sometimes brands forget the importance of the discovery experience.

They neglect the balance between work and reward that’s essential in making each new interaction feel valuable.

Stick a brand in front of someone’s face and you’re making it too easy for them to engage with.

Instead, make the act of discovery part of the experience.

Create a sense of mystery and intrigue.

Give them something to do, before expecting them to buy.

Killing Me Softly

You’re not fooling anyone.

They all know exactly what you’re saying.

Even though you’re not actually saying it.

We work in a terribly polite world.

Everyone’s always happy to help.

“No bother, really, of course I don’t mind, not at all.”

At least that’s what they say.

Sometimes, their true meaning slips out.

And everyone can feel it.

There’s no point being passive aggressive,

it just makes it look as though you don’t have the courage of your convictions.

If something’s frustrating you, get it off your chest.

Don’t dip it in sugar and hope that it’ll seem sweet.

The bitterness always cuts through.