The recall of nearly 2 million Toyota cars this week, seemingly due to a faulty part in the accelerator pedal, will be causing the best in crisis management to be knocking on the door of Toyota’s corporate offices. In many ways, the damage is done in the short term – instead greater resource and...
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This morning I (reluctantly!) had to pick up our car tags and registration at the DMV – strangely located in the ground floor of a Georgetown boutique shopping mall. If you’re not familiar with Georgetown, it the premier shopping / historic district, located in North West Washington DC. I was struck at how empty...
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I’m always eager to hear directly from successful business leaders, particularly true entrepreneurs like David Trone, CEO of ‘Total Wine and more’. He (and his brother) opened up their first wine store in PA back in 1991 at the time when 60 Minutes famously linked wine drinking to health(!), and now they stand on...
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I was asked this question the other day by the CEO of a start up technology company that we were pitching to. It’s a really valid point, and one which is worthy of this (rather lengthy) blog post (be warned!). I wanted to write this post to better understand why the question was asked,...
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For those of you who aren’t familiar with Seth Godin – he’s got an enviable following around the world for his thoughts on marketing, branding, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He’s a successful business owner and leader. He’s written many books, and is a revered speaker for companies and charities. Like you, me, your business, your...
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I’m working with a company at the moment who started their business to help skilled and educated people in developing countries reach their potential professionally, and have the same opportunities that western economies have. This company pay higher than average salaries, offer health insurance, and scholarship schemes. To date they’ve not communicated this mission...
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If you didn’t know it already, Aston Martin are preparing the launch of a new urban small car or “supermini” as one car blogger put it. It’s a fascinating move from an established luxury brand leader, which most of us still associate with the old DB5 in the Bond movies. What is the Cygnet?...
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John Moore presentation – notes and commentary: John Moore, previous head of marketing for Starbucks and Wholefoods, was the keynote presenter at the Accelerent breakfast meeting, just outside of Washington DC. He gave a fascinating talk focused on lessons and principles in brand strategy. I’ve made some notes from the meeting, and included my...
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