Trent365

Branding expert Anneli Hansson suggests that you should not give away your thinking for free.

The execution or the final solution is what people see, but it's the process and the thinking behind it that creates the real value.

Sometimes we can focus all the attention on the solution and almost dismiss the significance of the thinking behind it.

To be honest, I've always been of the opinion that ideas are easy, execution is hard. 

To be fair, I think it really depends on the individual.

If you're a creative person, ideas probably come easy to you. But executing that idea might be hard for you.

So I guess it's really a matter of 'horses for courses'.

But regardless, I definitely agree with Anneli that we need to give due consideration and respect to the ideas behind our solutions.

In many respects, that's where the real IP (Intellectual Property) lies.

#thinking #ideas #execution

We're all familiar with FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out.

But what about FOOPO - Fear Of Other People's Opinions.

In a world in which we spend so much time online, on social media, putting ourselves out there, FOOPO can be crippling for those who suffer from it.

It's so easy for other people to share their opinions of us. Either directly or indirectly.

And if those opinions are negative, it can hurt.

But of course their opinions are only that - opinions.

They can't possibly know the whole story. They will only ever have just a small piece of the picture.

So don't worry about it.

As comedian Steve Harvey said, 'Other people's opinion of you...is none of your business.'

#selfawareness #FOOPO #opinions

The best branding helps you form a relationship with the brand, after you already have the product in your hands. After you're already using it.

As a result of that relationship and connection, you come back for more.

That's exactly what happened to me with Sanatarium's Crunchy Peanut Butter recently.

As I was scooping out the last little dollop of peanut butter from the jar, I noticed this cool little peanut character on the label, doing a crunch - like a sit up.

Remember, this was Crunchy peanut butter.

I hadn't even noticed that when I first bought the product.

But now that I have, it's changed my relationship to the brand.

Now, I see it as a fun brand, one that doesn't take itself too seriously.

And it worked.

Today when I went back to the supermarket to buy a new jar...I sought this brand out.

In fact, as I picked it up, I even noticed a little smile crossed my face.

That's great branding!

#branding #brandawareness #brandidentity

Usually, making those big, life-changing decisions is scary because there's so much we don't know.

We want to get all the answers to all our questions before we pull the trigger.

The reality is, of course, we may never get all the answers.

And here's the other reality...you don't know all the answers where you are now, either.

You may think you do. But there are always factors outside of your control.

Your boss may have already decided to restructure your department.

Your long time girlfriend may have already accepted a big promotion that means she has to move across country.

So, instead of stressing about getting all the answers you need, just agree on a  few 'must knows'.

For example...

You must know where you're going to live - even if it's only temporary - when you make the move.

You must know that you have enough cash in the bank to survive for 12 mths with no income.

Now, once you've answered those two 'must knows', you're ready to pull the trigger on that life-changing decision.

Easy, right?!?!?

;-)

#lifechanging #decisions #unknown

We like to draw analogies between sport and business.

When we think about sport, we understand the need for a good offensive strategy and a good defensive strategy.

However, in business, we tend to focus much more on the offensive side.

Many companies think all they need for a good defense is a legal department ensuring compliance. Or a finance department doing some due diligence.

But there's much more to a good defensive strategy.

Your defense is there to counteract the opposition's offense.

If they implement a new pricing strategy, how will you defend against it?

When they introduce a new marketing campaign, what defense should you run against it?

Maybe it's time you assigned both offensive and defensive roles in your organisation? Just like you would on the sporting field.

#businessstrategy #defense #strategicthinking

A skeptic needs to be convinced. They don't just believe everything they're told.

A genuine skeptic has an open mind. They're happy to be convinced either way. You just need to show them the evidence, the proof and the facts.

Most of us like to think we have a healthy dose of skepticism.

But sometimes, when we refuse to accept something, we tell ourselves we're being skeptical, when in fact we are being a denialist.

A denialist can't be convinced. Regardless of the facts, their mind is already made up. And that is not healthy.

As Seth Godin suggests...

'Skepticism is gutsy, denialism is based on fear.'

#skepticism #denialism #openminded

Our Thoughts, Opinions & Beliefs are important to us.

They help define who we are.

But just because we believe in something, doesn't necessarily make it true.

We used to think the Earth was flat. That turned out not to be true.

Some thought the Internet was a fad. It hasn't really played out that way.

And in the opinion of many financial experts, Bitcoin is worthless. So far at least, that appears not to be the case.

So, by all means, hold your Thoughts, Ideas & Opinions.

But, as Matt Church suggests...hold them lightly.

Don't hold them so tightly that it prevents you from seeing the truth.

NB: That to Matt for getting me Thinking...and Opinion-ing...and Belief...ing.

#thoughtleadership #opinions #beliefs

Peleton is dipping its metaphorical toe into the Wonderful World Of Wellness with the launch of the Peleton Mood Series.

Instead of the usual high intensity workout rides Peleton is famous for, these new 'Mood Rides' are intended to tap in to your emotional state.

Whether you're Happy, Sad, Calm, Confident or Heated, Peleton now has a Ride (and Yoga and Run) for you.

I think it's a clever idea.

What do you think?

#peleton #wellness #mentalwellness

When you get a Yes...or a No...to your question, keep in mind that is almost never the answer forever.

There will, over time, be changes to the factors and elements around that question that may well lead to a change in the answer in the future.

'Should we spend big on Yahoo banner ads?'

If you were asking me in 1998, chances are, the answer would have been yes.

But as it's turned out, that wouldn't have been a Forever Yes.

That same ad strategy today probably wouldn't pay off.

So, whenever you get a Yes...or a No...and you're not happy with it, don't despair.

It's probably not Forever.

#changingthegame #circumstances #noforever

The base price of the iPhone 13 is about $1,200.

Every time Apple releases a new phone, I find myself thinking the same thing...

'That is a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a phone!'

But of course, it's not just a phone.

Yes, it's a mini-supercomputer in your pocket.

But, much more than that, it's become the Personal Assistant of our Life.

It's with us almost all the time. At work. In the car. At home when we're on the sofa watching TV. When we go to walk the dog.

And we use it for many things that are important in our live. Banking. Shopping. Emails. Social Media. Music.

When you actually think about how much time you spend on your smartphone AND how many important functions it performs for you...

the cost per hour of having the latest model is pretty nominal.

NB: Please don't go out and spend $1,200 if you can't afford it. But if you can. And if you (like most of us) use your phone A LOT...it might just be worth the price tag.

#pricing #timeismoney #valueformoney