Bold People Need Encouragement Too
Today's singular American Tale goes something like this: be bold, step out and be you, and your reward is glory and success. It may be the last awesome, inspiring story that our culture knows how to tell. Tragically, this story is rarely true, and it even neglects what it means to be human.
Bold Decisions are Rarely Met with Encouragement. Make Bold Decisions Anyway.
When I look at the richest stories of the people I know best, and the grand stories of people who I wish I knew, there is an undeniable pattern--their life stories are defined by [...]
Be Brave: Ask the Hard Questions
I am afraid that in most meetings, even in high-level meetings, people spend too much time posturing themselves to look cool. It’s different than “looking cool” that we all practiced in high school, but the motivation is the same. We want people to like us and think we matter.
Ecosystems and Business Strategy
We are all familiar with ecosystems. We learned about them when we were young, and most of us remain curious about ecosystems wherever we go. It’s a fascinating way to observe the world around you. It turns out that an ecosystem is a powerful way to see your company, and your long-term competitive strategy.
Rule Number 1: No Mind Reading
We all know that “mind reading” doesn’t work. Life is hard enough as it is, so it’s silly to take on the additional burden of having to decipher one another’s emotions and actions to pick up clues on an unspoken tension.
4 Signs of a Dysfunctional Workplace
I’m really embarrassed when I stumble into the dysfunctional parts of adulthood. Particularly, dysfunctional teams at companies. I wish there were a better word than “embarrassed,” but it’s the best word I have. It’s [...]
The Problem of Blame
It’s easy to blame others for your problems. This is true in your personal life, and in your professional life too. However convenient it is to blame others for you problems in the short term, there are long-term effects that are toxic.
The Last Blog You Should Ever Read about Millennials
Discussion about the "Millennials at Work" has become an obsession within our culture. This could be casual talk at the coffee shop, at your water cooler, or in elaborate articles from well respected news [...]
The Problem of Hindsight Bias
There was an irresistible TV mini-series on VH1 called “I love the 1980s" that debuted late in 2002. Over the course of ten episodes, VH1 showcased each year of the 80s and all the [...]
Models for Predicting the Future: Geoffrey Moore’s “Crossing the Chasm”
Ok so I'm writing this blog series about models for predicting the future. Now that I'm here in Part III, I'm fully aware that the series theme of predicting the future is a bit sensational. But [...]
Models for Predicting the Future: Gartner’s Hype Cycle
Last week in the blog, I talked about how echo chambers can create wrong-headed predictions about the future. This week, I want to talk about my favorite model for understanding [...]
What the Internet of Things (IoT) Can Teach Us About Echo Chambers
This the topic of the blog today is about hype. Trends. Predictions. If you dare make predictions about the future, you will inevitably find yourself embarrassed by your own predictions. Mostly because predictions are [...]
A Bullet-proof Strategy for Relaunching Massive Websites
Avoid unnecessary drama when relaunching your website. Our intuitive, 3-phase approach gives your powerful options to align resources for a successful project.
WordPress or SquareSpace?
Which is better platform for building websites? Wordpress or SquareSpace. Understand the pros and cons of each platform and find what's right for you.
Digital Marketing: Where Are We Today? Where Will We Be in 5 Years?
SEO has played an outsized role in digital marketing. Is SEO important? Yes. But SEO only solves 10% of your problems. The other 90% is what matters most.
SEO in Plain Language: How has SEO changed since it became a thing?
There is a lot of confusion around the subject of Search Engine Optimization, and I hope to help out the Internet by having the audacity of speaking plain language.
SEO in Plain Language: Keyword and Key Phrase Strategy
Using keywords is obvious. But knowing which keywords are the most valuable to boost your website up Google search results is not obvious. Here's our process.
SEO in Plain Language: Once you are on Page 1 of Google Search Results, do you stay there?
Maybe. But as soon as someone else comes along wanting to be on Page 1 as well, you have to prove that your website deserves to be ranked higher.
SEO in Plain Language: How long does it take to see that SEO is working?
You should start seeing your website move up in the Google search results within a couple of months, and absolutely within 6 months.
SEO in Plain Language: When I hire a company to build my website, will they optimize our website for search engines?
Know that there was a time where SEO seemed like some sort of digital voodoo. Do not accept this! You should know what you are paying for and how it SEO works.
SEO in Plain Language: What does SEO mean? What are examples of SEO?
There is a lot of confusion around the subject of Search Engine Optimization, and I hope to help out the Internet by having the audacity to speak about a technical [...]
Job Opening: Entry-Level Web Designer at smithHOUSE
smithHOUSE is a young Phoenix-based creative agency that focuses on branding, web, and mobile. We enjoy the sweet spot that is in the intersection of design, technology, and business. We have an opening for an entry level Web Designer beginning January 1, 2017. This is a salaried position with benefits.
18 Years Later: 10 Ironic Things About “You’ve Got Mail”
Technology, society, and business have changed since the 1998 film "You've Got Mail" suggested you could find love online.
5 Innovative Brands Part IV: Digital Marketing and the Power of the Tribe
There is way too much advice online for basic social media strategy. But what does it take to get to AWESOME? Today, I reveal 2 brands who are showing the way.
5 Innovative Brands Part III: Collaborations We’re Dying To See
Great companies collaborate with one another to create something new, useful, + cool. Boost your brand's value, bring in new customers, generate perfect buzz.