Posts Tagged ‘business’
How Disruptive Innovations Happen At The Edges
Think of any business that’s succeeded over the past two decades and especially the upstarts that have left incumbent brands on the back foot. Kodak vs. Instagram, Sony vs. Go Pro, Hilton vs. Airbnb, cab companies vs. Uber, banks vs. Paypal, Borders vs Amazon, Blockbuster vs. Netflix, Chubb vs. Canary and on and on and…
Read MoreShortcuts And Workarounds
I found this shortcut under the soap dispenser in the ladies toilet at a local cafe and it made me smile. It also made me think about the person who put it there, someone looking for a shortcut in a moment of efficiency (or procrastination)—as we all do. What if your shortcut isn’t really a…
Read MoreThe Brand Sweet Spot
Every time I upgrade my phone the guys at Virgin try to convince me that there are much better options than the iPhone. When they ask me why I prefer the iPhone I never have a definitive answer. It’s not always easy to put that kind of value into words. Think about your favourite brands,…
Read MoreThe Limitations Of Knowing ‘How To’
For years we’ve been rewarded for knowing the right answer. All of those gummed gold stars licked and stuck in copybooks next to neatly spaced handwriting, served their purpose. We can’t help wanting to know the answer. Knowing ‘how to’ is barely an advantage to the twenty first century business owner or entrepreneur, because there…
Read MoreThinking About Your Assets
Take a blank page. Draw a line down the centre. On one side list your tangible assets, things like stock, equipment, products and your website. On the other side make a list of your intangible assets, stuff like intellectual property, trademarks, brand names, the skills of your team, your customer database, reputation and the trust…
Read MoreIt’s Harder To Matter On Purpose
It’s easy to think about what it would be like to build your business around the quick win. To be the author of the book discovered by a random stranger at the airport, or the designer who gets picked by the awards committee. It’s much harder to matter on purpose, to be intentional about the…
Read More30 Questions Every Startup And Entrepreneur Should Answer
We’ve become really good at looking for answers. So good in fact, that we get close to asking a billion questions every day in Google search. And yet as busy business owners and idea creators, we struggle to find time to ask really important questions of ourselves. Here then, are questions worth taking the time…
Read MoreSignificance Could Be Your Competitive Advantage
You’re late for an appointment and in your rush to get out the door you forget to put everything into your bag. QUESTION Which would you rather FORGET to bring with you, your wallet or your phone? 2006 ANSWER PHONE. 2014 ANSWER WALLET. A competitive advantage isn’t always as tangible as the patents you file,…
Read MoreSuccess Is How Your Customers Feel
You’ve just had a great launch. You made your monthly sales targets. Your stock sold out in one day. There are a hundred and one reasons to celebrate, and one thing to remember. Success is not just a data point that you hit on the sales chart, or a dollar figure that makes your accountant…
Read MoreBlonde Or Brunette?
Still or sparkling? Red or white? Stuffed crust or deep pan? These questions might give people a reason to choose in the moment, but they are not the foundation of a lasting relationship. You don’t win in the long run by simply being one of the alternatives. You win by being ‘the one’. What will…
Read More