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The blog about branding, rebranding, launch, and rollout.

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The brand truth

Seven key message issues that prevent scale

Words first: the long path to the short cut

Words first: the long path to the short cut

Don't give the short-shrift the story that needs to be told.

Beyond words

Beyond words

This is one client's story of moving beyond phrases and key messages to real business transformation.

Who’s at the table?

Who’s at the table?

Communications team structure is a determinant of results.

The consistency quotient: taking control of your greatest brand asset

A brand’s ability to be flexible depends on its consistency.

Do we need a new brand? (Maybe not)

The answer to “what should be done?” is not always a new brand.

Positioned or pigeon-holed? Be leading-edge AND understood

Positioned or pigeon-holed? Be leading-edge AND understood

Demystifying the concept of “positioning” for tech and other leading-edge enterprises

Re-thinking your pitch: pitch the story, not the FAQ

Re-thinking your pitch: pitch the story, not the FAQ

You're drinking your own Kool-Aid, but your audience isn't (yet).

The vanity pitch: when is pay-to-play okay?

The vanity pitch: when is pay-to-play okay?

How to identify and evaluate sponsored advertising disguised as awards, shortlists, and exclusive profiles.

Are you talking to me? Choosing the right audience

Are you talking to me? Choosing the right audience

The right messages, crafted well but directed to the wrong people, won’t open doors.

Leveling-up authentically: get a brand from here to there

Getting from “here” to “there” does not require a dishonest leap of faith.

Launch-and-forget: the cost of (brand) neglect

In branding, neglect is the enemy of progress.

Guest blog: when a vision fails

Guest blog: when a vision fails

Volvo's Vision 2020 inspired an industry then failed -- just not the way you think.

Do these 5 things to support brand succession

A brand-centric viewpoint on succession planning + five concrete things to do.

Brand stewardship: how to caretake your brand

The what, why, who, and how of brand stewardship.

On-brand customer gifts

Why journal books are the best customer gifts I’ve ever given (with recommendations)

Your brand as real-estate ad

The importance of passionate objectivity in branding.

Quality Time With Your Brand: Video Series

Five short exercises to get to know your brand more deeply.

Unsticking a brand

Where to start when re-branding or re-positioning is in order.

Communicating with creatives

Communicating with creatives

Top tips and best practices for getting the best creative work.

10 topics to build a thought-leadership brand

Inspiration for aspiring or established thought-leaders.

The rule of simplicity

The rule of simplicity

The why and how of paring down to essentials to boost brand power.

Understanding (your) brand

How to take a new look at your brand.

Is your brand adapting or breaking?

Learn the warning signs and take charge.

Your business has a personality

Your business has a personality

The user manual for your brand and how it ticks.

You aren’t your business: divide to conquer

You aren’t your business: divide to conquer

Freedom is disentangling from your business's brand.

Pre-marketing: the groundwork for success

Pre-marketing: the groundwork for success

Laying the groundwork for successful long-term marketing.

When it’s too complicated to explain

When it’s too complicated to explain

You can't cross the chasm with complicated messages.

Your ad agency is crazy

Your ad agency is crazy

Tips for getting great business results from designers, writers, and other creative minds.

When your brand is a best-kept secret

Kick “best-kept-secret” syndrome with a powerful brand voice.

If marketing feels bad

If marketing feels bad

Start saying NO to marketing activities that don’t work and do your pre-marketing instead.

Your proposals suck

Your proposals suck

Here’s what I think about proposals: they should feel exciting to create.

When the marcom team gets it wrong

When the marcom team gets it wrong

How to help others communicate in the voice of your brand.

Your competition is lying

Your competition is lying

Company leaders often explain to me how their competitors are making untrue claims.