I’m a big fan of research and numbers. External sources and research helps validate your opinion.

Of course, there will always be cases (no pun intended), such as Crystal Pepsi that tend to test well, but flop when rolled out to the masses. Research will only take you so far.

But, the presentation of the information can make or break a campaign.

There was a good article on the Marketing & Strategy Innovation Blog called Why Percentages Don’t Add Up that stresses how important the positioning of numbers can be.

Which is scarier – undergoing a potentially fatal surgical procedure that has a 95% survival rate, or one that causes death in 1 out of 20 patients? If you are like most people, you would find the latter statistic far more worrisome, even though mathematically the two statements are the same. A variety of research shows that marketers should choose carefully when throwing numbers at their customers.

In summary, if there is a small chance of something happening (such as getting burned by an exploding laptop battery), it is better to use percentages. If you are looking to stress the positive, focus on numbers.

Good: 90% of our customers rate our service as “excellent”
Better: 9 out of 10 customers rate our service as “excellent”

Technorati Tags: research, statistics, number, chance, psychology

I enjoy Jenne’s blog and I was reading her post about her bull running experience and I was reminded how seldom we step out of our safe zone. Jenne, you get the guts award for this one!

I was also inspired by a quote that Andrew posted:
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”
–Albert Einstein

Although I’ve been to Europe, I haven’t made it to Spain to brave the bull running. The closest I’ve gotten is canyoning in Interlaken, Switzerland, which was fun.

I’m as guilty as the next person in trying to solve problems just as much as the next person with existing solutions that just plainly don’t fit without some sort of innovation.

Stepping out of our comfort box doesn’t have to be something dramatic and can start with baby steps. Maybe trying a new food that you’ve been too scared to sample. Or trying a new approach to a project when you keep beating your head against the wall.

For me, blogging alone has made the list of stepping outside my comfort zone. As would contributing to the Age of Conversation book, which I’m happy to say holds the #2 (Hardcover), #4 (Paperback) and #8 (e-Book) spots on Lulu, which we used to publish the book. All profits are going to charity and it has been a great experience where I have met a bunch of great people.

As I continue to become more involved in the Web 2.0 universe, I look forward to what’s next.

As some people look over my work history scattered with startups during the hot dot com days, they wonder why I took the risks.

My answer: with risks comes reward.

So yes, several of the companies I worked for tanked, but I came out of those situations learning more than I would have from any job. And yes, getting downsized hits the ego, even if the company drops from 600 people to 125 and your division is closed.

Risky? Yes. Rewarding? Without a doubt.

What have you done to step outside the lines?

Technorati Tags: startup, Jenne, Einstein, running with the bulls, pamplona

What is a Babymoon you ask?

Well, I’m not sure who made it up, but I am sure it was someone in the travel industry. Frommers has a good article about Babymoons.

The basic idea: a romantic getaway or quiet time spent together by expectant parents or parents and their new-born babies.

In fact, there are even Babymoon planning sites.

We heard about it from some of our pregnant and new baby friends, which is growing is number quite quickly.

The bguides quote for the day:

“Begin each day as if it were on purpose.”

Mary Anne Radmacher (1957 – )
American artist and writer

My purpose this week: enjoy the babymoon, because the October 16th due date is going to be here before we know it.

Technorati Tags: babymoon, Myrtle, Beach, vacation

“You have to find something that you love enough to be able to take risks, jump over the hurdles and break through the brick walls that are always going to be placed in front of you.”

George Lucas
American film director, created “Star Wars”

Whether you like or dislike the world of Star Wars, there is no disputing the impact it has had on the culture over the last 30 years with $4 billion in sales (Star Wars history below).

I’m not sure how this ranks against the Harry Potter series, since that includes strong book sales in addition to movies and merchandise, but according to an article from USA Today appropriately titled “Book industry will miss ‘Potter’”, the Harry Potter book sales alone have been 500 to over 850 million a year since 2000.

bhistory:

At the box office, the top sales performer (worldwide) for the series was “Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999), with $922,379,000 in ticket sales, according to IMDb.com. The rest of the series ranks like this…

2. “Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (’05) – $808,700,000
3. “Episode IV – A New Hope” (’77) – $797,900,000
4. “Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (’02) – $648,200,000
5. “Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (’83) – $572,700,000
6. “Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (’80) -
$533,800,000

Total worldwide box office sales for the series… $4,283,679,000.

Technorati Tags: Star Wars, Harry Potter, George Lucas

Charged is a mobile entertainment magazine from Asia that I picked up recently, and there was a great article about the direction and impact the iPhone and other emerging products will have on society.

According to the Japanese Ministry of Information, in 2005, the number of Japanese accessing the Internet from their mobile phones (69.2 million) surpassed those accessing it from their PC’s (66 million).

But as I finish the compilation of my mobile marketing notes from CTIA Wireless, I’m reminded of how truth in this statement as it relates to technology, and reality, to all businesses.

So, in honor of hockey legend Mr. Gretzky, I came up with my own tag line:

If you’re standing still, you’re already behind.

or, to say it differently:

If you’re standing still, you’ve already been passed.

But don’t quote me on that, because who knows if someone else already has a copyright on it.

Technorati Tags: Wayne, Gretzky, Japan, mobile, Charged, skate, hockey, cutting edge

What have you done to stretch your limits? This can be professionally, physically, mentally, you name it.

Professionally: Try taking on additional responsibilities, getting training, picking up a new skill, or attending an industry event. Or, maybe even making an attempt to create a blog, and, a soon to be launched social network. =)

Physically: Try running just a few more blocks. Or taking a walk when you would otherwise watch TV.

Mentally: Try picking up a good book or journal. Engage in deep conversations with your friends.

I’m no Covey expert, but what are you doing to “Sharpen the saw”?

A survey by Chief Executive magazine chose 7 Habits as the most influential book of the 20th century, so he must be on to something with the whole “sharpen the saw” mindset.

And if you haven’t read his books, you can buy them from just about every new and used bookstore out there. Or, ask your friends, because chances are good that someone you know has them.

If its worth doing, its worth sharing. Myself? I’m going to brush up on my Covey-isms.

What are you doing in the “sharpening the saw” category?

Technorati Tags: Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, stretch, mental, limits

Inspired to pursue creative outlets.

Inspired to keep blogging, when I only have a handful of people reading.

Inspired to not give in to the budgets, schedules and numerous demands we all live by.

And most importantly, inspired to have the courage and patience to keep pushing for the next big idea.

“Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory. Be brave enough to live life creatively.”
Alan Alda (1936 – )
American actor, screenwriter & director

bthought:
Have the nerve to try something new. Be careful not to allow the possibility of failure to keep you from realizing your full potential. True failure occurs only when you quit.

Technorati Tags: quotes, Alan Alda, creativity, potential, failure