About the Title – How to Wash a Chicken
My new book on creating and delivering powerful business presentations comes out on September 25. I’ve heard from quite a few people, and they all seem to be excited about its release. You can pre-order a copy here. One of the questions that I’ve been getting quite frequently is this: What is with the title? This is […]
My New Book – How to Wash a Chicken
I’m happy to announce that my new book on presenting comes out on September 25. The book is titled, How to Wash a Chicken – Mastering the Business Presentation. The book is a practical, entertaining guide to crafting and delivering powerful business presentations. This includes business updates, recommendations and analyses. You can buy a copy here. […]
Build-A-Bear’s Pay Your Age Fiasco
Last week was the big “Pay Your Age Day” at Build-A-Bear. As you have probably read, the event did not go well. People certainly responded to the offer, but so many families and kids showed up that Build-A-Bear had to halt the event and turn people away. This was – to put it mildly – unpopular. […]
Advice to Graduates: Develop Your Presentation Skills
It is graduation week here at Northwestern. On Friday, several hundred Kellogg MBA students will walk across the stage and receive their degrees. There will be speeches and hugs and celebrations— it’s a fun time of the year. Soon enough, the graduates will get to work. Some will start in a week or two, while […]
Drop the Fifth Third Brand!
Yesterday Fifth Third Bank announced that it would be acquiring MB Financial Bank. The move gives Cincinnati-based Fifth Third an opportunity to do something it should have done a long time ago – drop its ridiculous brand name. The combined institution should become MB Financial Bank or adopt a completely new name. Every once in […]
Budweiser’s Smart New Product
Last week, Budweiser announced that it will be introducing a limited-edition beer this summer called Budweiser Freedom Reserve Red Lager. The beer was apparently inspired by a recipe that George Washington wrote in his journal in 1757. Is this a good idea? Absolutely. Budweiser is a famous but troubled brand. Consumption has fallen steadily over […]
Bill Cosby: A Predator and Savvy Brand Builder
This week I wrote about the Bill Cosby brand. He was a master brand builder, and used his remarkable brand to cover for his predatory behavior. Brands are powerful and can be used for good and evil. You can read the article here: https://fortune.com/2018/04/30/bill-cosby-rape-sexual-assault-trial-jail/
IAG’s Brilliant Defense
When it comes to building a strong, enduring business, it is impossible to over-emphasize defensive strategy. You have to protect your business. Airline giant IAG’s move to acquire Norwegian is a perfect example of defensive strategy at work. Defensive Strategy One of the few certainties in the world is that if you have a strong, […]
The Great Book Publishing Question: Self-Publish or Use a Traditional Firm?
This September I’ll be releasing my latest book—a guide to creating strong business presentations. You can read more about the project here. Anyone who has written a book knows one of the big questions these days is how to publish. Should you work with a traditional publisher? Self-publish? Some combination? Over the past several months, I’ve […]
Why Marine Le Pen’s Rebranding Won’t Work
Last week, French politician Marine Le Pen announced that she wanted to rebrand her political party. Going forward, the National Front (NF) party would be known as Rassemblement National—or National Rally. Le Pen suggested the move in order to generate publicity and, more important, broaden support following her electoral loss to Emmanuel Macron. The NF’s Problem […]
My Next Project: A Book on Business Presenting
Now that this year’s Kellogg Super Bowl Advertising Review is done and my winter quarter classes are in the home stretch, I am shifting my focus to my next big project: I am writing a book on creating powerful business presentations. Three Insights There are three insights driving this project. First, business presentations are critically important for organizations. […]
Saving SeaWorld
It is hard to imagine a brand that has taken more hits than SeaWorld. The company operates twelve theme parks in the United States and is best known for its spectacular shows featuring killer whales, including the star of the show, Shamu. For many years, parents and kids have delighted in the remarkable parks, marveling […]