Moneyball, the critically acclaimed new movie starring Brad Pitt, brings to life Michael Lewis’ best-selling book about the spectacular rise of the Oakland A’s baseball team through masterful use of statistics and mathematical analysis. This would seem to be complete vindication of left-brain thinking over fuzzy-headedness.
Et tu, Nordstrom?
Like other patriotic Americans, I spent some time over Labor Day weekend shopping. Just doing my bit.
The retail world is in perpetual transition, but I thought I could always count on a few eternal verities, namely:
• Bloomingdales has overpriced brands but great sales
• Lord & Taylor has the best dress department
• Nordstrom has wonderful service but infrequent sales
• You’re a chump if you pay full price at Macy’s
Steve Jobs’s departure: Best times ahead for Apple?
There’s a lot of handwringing out there following the news of Steve Jobs’s resignation as Apple’s CEO. Yes, things will be different. Sure, it’s the End of an Era. But Jobs is only stepping down from operational control. This could actually be the best thing that ever happened to him—and to Apple.
How many truly creative people love all the management crap that comes with running a company?
Breakout brilliance at HubSpot
HubSpot is well known for its expertise in inbound marketing. Its founders, Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah, quite literally wrote the book: Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media, and Blogs. (Highly recommended!) Tech innovation from a successful software firm is not surprising. What is both novel and exciting is to find nuanced human […]
Empathy fuels growth at Harley-Davidson
Great marketing is alive and well, happily. After covering the Bad and the Silly at the recent Edge Conference in Boston in my last two posts, it’s a pleasure to salute admirable work that’s strategic and innovative, integrating plentiful right-brain thinking.
Harley-Davidson is a much admired brand, and justifiably so. One key reason for the brand’s success is empathy.
While many brands look externally for paths to growth, to acquisition or flashy new digital tools, Harley looks deep into the hearts and lives of real people. By connecting human aspirations with the brand’s own roots, the company has developed new business opportunities while also strengthening loyalty. No small feat.