It’s been a rough year for organizations, large and small. During the past few months we’ve watched many companies struggle, and others rise to the challenge. Canlis restaurant in Seattle exemplifies the latter. A Seattle institution since 1950, every morsel of their reputation is well deserved (and my love for …more
There’s no business like show business, like no business I know.Irving Berlin There may be no business like show business but, sadly, there’s currently no show business either (sorry, Mr. Berlin). For theatre junkies (like me) this is particularly troubling. How do we get our regular entertainment fix with Broadway …more
In the final installment of my journey down toy-memory lane, I’m going to talk about my most favorite toy of all time: the Carry-All Cape Kennedy Action Playset by Marx. Marx created a lot of playsets. These collections of figures, buildings, and accessories included dozens (or even hundreds) of pieces …more
In the late 1980s, video games consisted of one of three options: 300-pound arcade consoles; bulky home systems that connected to a television; or computer games running on a PC. The word “portable” could not reasonably be used to describe any of these options. If you played video games in …more
Any kid growing up in the 60s and 70s idolized motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel. From his first televised jump in 1967, to his regular appearances on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, to a Saturday morning cartoon, it seemed Evel was everywhere. And as a kid, of course, anything worth watching …more
“The form has to follow the function. I can’t think of it any other way.” Dieter Rams – If you love Apple design, then you love Dieter Rams. You just don’t know it yet. Dieter Rams, the chief design officer at Braun from 1961 through 1995, had one simple design …more
Dining out is about more than the food. It’s the experience. That’s why the best restaurants in the world are known for their impeccable service and inviting ambiance (and it’s why Big Ed’s Bottomless Buffet is known only for its complimentary after-dinner heartburn tablets). As part of that experience, technology …more
For all you space nerds out there (yes, I’m looking at me), July 20th is etched in your brain. For those of you who aren’t space nerds, well… why not? But also, today is the 51st anniversary of the NASA moon landing. The day that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin …more
“It’s such a groovy place to talk and maybe watch a show, down at the drive-in” The Beach Boys, 1964 Any boomer (and probably many Gen Xers), have enjoyed at least a few nights at the local drive-in. These suburban icons reached their peak popularity during the 1960s as an …more
Maybe you never realized it existed in the first place, but I’m happy to report that the NASA worm logo is back in all its 1970 modernist glory. At least for a while. To fully appreciate why I’m so thrilled, a little logo history lesson is in order. So let’s …more
Bill Gates once said that “we always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change …more
I’ve recently been hearing and reading a lot about “the new normal,” or “the next normal.” Even as we’re struggling to adapt …more
First things first. It’s not really social distancing. During the forced separations that nearly 90% of us are currently experiencing, the last …more
It’s been a tough few weeks. We’re all going a little stir crazy. As we collectively shelter in place it seemed fitting …more
Show of hands. Who loves Seattle? Who loves explainer videos? I answered “yes” to both these questions, which puts this recent video …more
Business leaders must begin to plan how the coronavirus will permanently impact their organizations in the future.
Five short weeks ago I was barely thinking about coronavirus. I’ve always been a diligent hand washer, but social distancing, personal protection …more
Full confession: I’ve been binge reading information surrounding the coronavirus and COVID-19. And while I’ve learned a lot, I’m now realizing that …more
The importance of clear and concise communication cannot be overstated. In today’s frantically connected society we’re already at risk of misinformation. During …more
I’m a voracious learner. Throughout my career I’ve consistently preached the maxim that we must always be learning. This applies even in …more
Profound words from poet, Lynn Ungar. Worthy of reflection as we all slow down and reevaluate our life priorities. Thank you, Lynn.
One of the few silver linings during the COVID-19 situation has been the frequent examples of people pulling together in a time …more
Stop what you’re doing and read the following article. Seriously. Whatever else you had planned for the next few minutes can wait. …more
Your brand is your lifeblood, the promise to your customers. It’s safe to say that every marketer recognizes the value of their …more
Everyone has heard of G.I. Joe. Introduced by Hasbro in 1964, the movable fighting man was the original “action figure.” Not only …more
Our Annual Sales Kick-off (ASKO) for Sprinklr is next week, and I couldn’t be more excited. Last year I got to roll …more
In my previous post (The late great Marx Toys, Part II) I talked about how toys and toy advertising used to give …more
Marx Toys was arguably the greatest toy company of mid-century America. It created the coolest toys ever — our house was full …more
Throwback Thursday: Today we take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to jump in the Wayback Machine to re-visit a …more
Welcome to the Western World’s second most conflicted holiday — another combo religious/solstice holiday which raises strong passion from both sides … …more
