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Finally, a new Train of Thought website
The new Train of Thought website has finally launched. This is a quick reminder to not put off until tomorrow what your marketing needs today. A client (accidentally) told me one day that they didn’t know the breadth of our … Continue reading
I wanted you to know what’s wrong with “I wanted you to know”
When your sales calls, messages or advertisements begin by stating, “We’d like you to know” or “I wanted you to know”, you’re really saying, “I am more important than you.” And that’s a pretty ballsy thing to say in a … Continue reading
The end of complete thoughts and the homogenization of brands
Have we reached the end of complete thoughts, sentences and brands? The latest trend in marketing copywriting. Is incomplete thoughts. Like this. For the entire family. In short non-sentences. In school, we are taught how to form and structure complete … Continue reading
What a difference a little humanity makes
I recently discovered that some companies ‘get’ the concept of humanity, while others have probably not ever heard of it. I was hired by a company who requires even their subcontractors to submit to drug testing. ‘No problem,’ I thought, … Continue reading
The embarrassment Adobe Illustrator embodies and the opportunity it presents
Adobe Illustrator is an embarrassment to the graphic design industry. It also represents a tremendous opportunity. When you have industry-standard software that severely restricts creative expression, that’s a problem. When that same software routinely requires you to explain to clients … Continue reading
Invisible changes to your personal brand
Have you taken stock of a big personal change in your recent past? We are constantly changing, even if we are unaware of it. Your change could be anything or any size—little or huge. It could be insignificant or profound. … Continue reading
Overcoming fear is as simple as admitting you can try
“A man’s got to know his limitations.” ~ Harry Callahan It’s important to know your limitations, but equally valuable is breaking through them. Last week, I wrote about having a tooth pulled and reflecting on not being able to do … Continue reading
Ouch wow, the wrong kind of wow
Wow is often problematic because it provides a wow moment (oh boy!), then does nothing at all in regards to selling, instead prompting the viewer to look for the next wow. Of course, you can’t keep wowing all the time. … Continue reading
The differences between us
I gained a profound new appreciation for the differences between us yesterday. I was sitting in the turquoise chair watching birds feed outside as a soft-skinned assistant’s hand gingerly supported my head from under my chin, keeping it steady, while … Continue reading
Customer service empathy and the opportunity it presents
Customer service reps have one of the hardest people-interfacing jobs on the planet. In addition to being kind, courteous, patient, and woefully underpaid, they are asked to be the knowers of all things, the virtual hand-holders, and the consumer psychologists … Continue reading
