At the recent MarTech conference, I asked vendors what sorts of AI they built into their platforms. Most were hesitant to discuss tools or techniques, either for fear of sharing their "secret sauce" or because they didn’t know what their platform was built on. So many marketers are afraid of giving away any information about…
I was asked recently: “What are some of the most prevalent marketing misconceptions you’ve run into?” This is an important question, because too many marketers are working with outdated misconceptions about what still works in marketing. Here are just a few examples: On-Page SEO: Very few things you do on your website matter when it…
This week, let’s look at a general pest repellant for the garden. I’m a fan of natural solutions when the science behind them is sound. I’m also a fan of making things yourself whenever possible, because that’s the only surefire guarantee that you know what the ingredients are. The intent of this DIY garden pest…
How valuable are professional marketing certifications? I don’t mean full academic credentials like an MBA; I refer to certifications like Hubspot’s Inbound Marketing Certification or Google’s Analytics Qualified Individual certification. To some people, these certifications are stamps of approval, validation by a third party of our knowledge and skills. To other people, these certifications are…
In the martial arts, we spend a lot of time learning how to face and deal with difficult situations, dangerous enemies, and unpredictable challenges. However, the worst, most dangerous enemies we often face are ourselves. We get in our own way. We sabotage ourselves. We make things more difficult than they have to be. We…
You can teach an old dog new tricks. You can upgrade older software. You can change your understanding of gender. I did. I am a fact-based person. My world and my living is made of facts, of data, of analysis, of as much objective truth as possible. Argue with the interpretation or meaning of a…
At the start of each year, I follow the exercise that my friend Chris Brogan first instituted over a decade ago, the tradition of writing down 3 words that guide our year. It’s something of a mantra, something of a phrase we used to remind ourselves what we are supposed to be focused on at…
Earlier this week, I shared an analogy for understanding the differences among vision, mission, strategy, tactics, and execution using the example of a casserole. Today, I’ll close the circle by sharing the recipe for the casserole. This casserole is amazing for serving to a large group of people. Kids and adults alike enjoy it, and…
Food expert Alton Brown is fond of saying that the only uni-tasker that belongs in the kitchen, the device which performs one function only, is the fire extinguisher. Everything else in his kitchen must have multiple purposes or it contributes to clutter. Everything from the food processor to the spatula must have more than one…
