Aglow Marketing's Blog

Time to make a Switch....

My latest issue of Fast Company has been one of the best ones yet.  The article that really enthralled me is an excerpt from the upcoming book, Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard  by Chip and Dan Heath. (They also wrote the bestseller Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die )

My favorite paragraph reads, "In tough times we'll see problems everywhere and "analysis paralysis" will often kick in.  That's why, to make progress on a change, we need to provide crystal-clear direction - show people where to go, how to act, what destination to pursue."

This was a great reminder as to why Aglow believes in having an overall marketing plan alongside creating beautiful marketing materials.  We break through the often overwhelming marketing options available to you and help you chart a clear course.  It takes many small, planned steps over time to reach that final destination.  Couple the course with eye-catching materials and you're well on your way to measurable and profitable success.

To read the full article, click here.  The opening story on Jerry Sternin from Save the Children was able to help malnourished children in Vietnam is fascinating and impressive in it's simple yet incredibly effective process.  The full book comes out February 16th and I'll definitely be purchasing it. 

Fan of Seth Godin? Check out his free mini e-book.

Just in time for the holidays, and probably more likely the new year, Seth Godin and loads of other great thinkers have put together a mini e-book titled, What Matters Now. 

Download the 82 page mini-manifesto here.

So far, my favorite page is on Productivity by Gina Trapini.  Love her simple yet effective distinction between getting things done vs. making things happen.  I vow to stop just getting things done and start making things happen.

Another noteworthy one is on Sacrifice by John Moore.  He quickly details how a winning business knows that to gain a customer, you first have to lose a customer.  Basically, a great reminder that you should not always appeal to the masses.  You get to your best customers by doing what you do best.

And a great finale page on Gumption by novelist J.C. Hutchins.  I like his comments on getting hungry - hyena hungry, to be exact. Then to get fired up, find your backbone and your wings.  I feel mine starting to spread already....

One last comment on this e-book.  None of the pages are particularly long and I think that is incredible.  Each person quickly gets to the heart of the matter and leaves you a little floored.  A telling reminder that a great story or point doesn't need a lot of show and bravado.  If you have some time or even if you don't, make some to check this e-book out.  I'm sure you'll come away with more than a few new ideas or reminders of What Matters Now to you.

 

Book review on Ignore Everybody and 39 Other Keys to Creativity

I was at Barnes & Noble last week picking up Diary of Wimpy Kid 4 for my 12 year old son. (Great series by the way - I think I enjoyed this one even more than Andrew did.) As I'm a total book junkie (thank you, Dad) I did a quick lap around the tables. This one book with a hand and a little illustration caught my eye. It was called Ignore Everybody and 39 Other Keys to Creativity. I sat down for a moment to peruse and I quickly knew I had to take this one home. I was up until 2 am reading it.

The author, Hugh MacLeod, has a very honest, witty and empowering set of messages. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Ignore everybody.

2. Put the hours in.

3. Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.

4. Merit can be bought. Passion can't.

5. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.

6. Good ideas have lonely childhoods.

7. Sing in your own voice.

To get a real flavor for Hugh's style, read an excerpt from the book at his website and then go buy it. The messages are timeless and the illustrations are priceless in their simplicity and brutal honesty. There's some vulgarity but it has a point and it's not there for shock value. I have already highly recommended it to many friends and now you!