Debbie Laskey's Blog

Welcome to Debbie Laskey's insights and commentary about BRANDING, MARKETING, LEADERSHIP, SOCIAL MEDIA, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, and CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES. Debbie has worked in high-tech, the Consumer Marketing Department at Disneyland Paris in France, nonprofits, and insurance. Expertise includes strategic planning, brand development, marketing plans and audits, competitive positioning, websites, communications, public relations, employee engagement, customer experiences, and social media marketing.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Highlights of My #HolidayLeadershipSeries

This winter, following the inspiring footsteps of my previous #FallBacktoReadingSeries, #SpringLeadershipSeries, and #OlympicsLeadershipSeries, I’ve featured a series that addresses leadership and marketing as they pertain to the holiday season. I’ve posed the same questions to ten thought leaders, and I hope their responses add to your enjoyment of the holiday season.

But first, since today is New Year’s Eve and tomorrow is New Year’s Day, let’s take a moment to look at some key brands and how they’ve become so memorable.

Tonight, the world’s attention is tuned to New York City and Times Square. The city known as “The Big Apple” has hosted a memorable New Year’s Eve party every year since 1907, with the exception of 1942 and 1943. Hundreds of thousands flock to Times Square to watch a truly brilliant event: the crystal ball dropping as the final seconds of the year tick away toward midnight, ushering in a new year. According to the Times Square website: "Thanks to satellite technology, a worldwide audience estimated at over one billion people watch the ceremony each year. The lowering of the Ball has become the world's symbolic welcome to the New Year."

In addition to New York City, there are two other brands that lead their categories every day and especially on New Year’s Eve. They are Dom Pérignon, the world’s most well-known champagne, and Waterford, the world’s best-known crystal. According to the Times Square website, “The Ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds. It is covered with a total of 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles that vary in size. Each crystal triangle has a special sparkling pattern. 192 crystal triangles are the Gift of Love design of overlapping hearts entwined together symbolizing love for family and friends.”

And once the evening turns into morning, the world’s attention turns to Pasadena, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. Home to approximately 140,000, Pasadena's population swells to the hundreds of thousands, possibly even a million, each year on January 1st. The city's main street is Colorado Boulevard, and that is where the action begins around 8am every January 1st. The attraction on New Year's Day is the annual Rose Parade, hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. According to Wikipedia, "First held on January 1st, 1890, hundreds of thousands of spectators watch the Rose Parade in person, and millions more watch it on television – both in the U.S. and in more than 100 international territories and countries worldwide. The Rose Bowl college football game was added in 1902 to help fund the cost of staging the parade. Since 2011, Honda has sponsored the Rose Parade. Accordingly, the company has the parade's first float, which like all floats, follows the parade's theme."

ERIKA ANDERSEN:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: Christmas trees

Holiday Advertisement: The Hershey’s Kisses “Jingle Bells” ad

Holiday Song: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” sung by Frank Sinatra

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: Nat King Cole

Leadership Quote: “It’s not joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful.” ~Brené Brown

JAMES STROCK:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: Eggnog

Holiday Advertisement: Budweiser’s Clydesdales and Coca-Cola’s sleigh ads

Holiday Song: “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and Sir Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime”

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: Charles Dickens’ “Christmas Carol”

Leadership Quote: “First say to yourself what you would be, and then do what you have to do.” ~Epictetus

ERIC JACOBSON:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Holiday Advertisement: Budweiser and Coca-Cola polar bear ads

Holiday Song: “Merry Christmas Darling” sung by Karen Carpenter

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: Burl Ives

Leadership Quote: “Leaders are measured by the caliber of leaders they develop, not the caliber of their own leadership.” ~John C. Maxell

SHEP HYKEN:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: Turkey with pumpkin pie a close second

Holiday Advertisement: Anheuser-Busch ads featuring Clydesdales and dogs

Holiday Song: “The 12 Days of CX-Mas” and a tie between the Charlie Brown Christmas song and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” sung by Bruce Springsteen

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: Jerry Seinfeld, based on “Festivus”

Leadership Quote: “There is only one boss – the customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money elsewhere.” ~Sam Walton

MELANIE BELL:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: Lexus due to its “December to Remember” campaign

Holiday Advertisement: Air New Zealand’s “A Very Merry Mistake #MirryChristmus”

Holiday Song: “All I Want for Christmas” sung by Mariah Carey and “White Christmas” sung by Bing Crosby

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: Charlie Brown

Leadership Quote: “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” ~Lao Tzu

DOUG DICKERSON:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: Coca-Cola

Holiday Advertisement: Budweiser Clydesdales

Holiday Song: “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” sung by Andy Williams

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: John Travolta in a Capital One ad with the track “Staying Alive” sung by the Bee Gees referencing the iconic 1977 film “Saturday Night Fever” that starred Travolta (On a related note, in 2010, according to Wikipedia, "Saturday Night Fever" was deemed culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant by the Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry.)

Leadership Quote: “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go, they merely determine where you start.” ~Nido Qubein

MICHELLE REDFERN:

Most Memorable Brand/Product/Ad during the holiday season: John Lewis (store in the UK)

Holiday Song: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” sung by Michael Bublé

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: All our personal brands stand out during the holiday season, irrespective of our personal philosophies.

Leadership Quote: “There are three types of people in the world. Those who make things happen. Those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Always aim to be in category number one.” ~Michelle Redfern (thanks to a former manager)

REBECCA RUCKER:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: Coca-Cola due to its ads featuring Santa Claus, polar bears, and “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”

Holiday Advertisement: Coca-Cola’s polar bear ads

Holiday Song: 1971: Coca-Cola’s “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing in Perfect Harmony”

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: Opray Winfrey

Leadership Quote: The quote I return to again and again is found in the old Cherokee story, "The Wolf You Feed." It goes like this:

One evening, an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

SUSAN FRIESEN:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: Lindor chocolates

Holiday Advertisement: WestJet’s holiday commercials

Holiday Song: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: Mariah Carey (Who doesn’t have an image of her singing her iconic song “All I Want for Christmas?” right now? That’s the sign of an exceptional personal brand.)

Leadership Quote: “It is not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.” ~Roy Disney

DEB KRIER:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: Coca-Cola

Holiday Advertisement: The Hershey’s Kisses “Jingle Bells” ad

Holiday Song: “Silent Night,” “White Christmas,” and “Joy to the World”

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: Santa, Rudolph, and Hermey the Elf

Leadership Quote: “Being different isn’t a bad thing, it means you’re brave enough to be yourself.” ~Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

DEBBIE LASKEY:

Brand/Product that is most memorable during the holiday season: NORAD

Holiday Advertisement: 1993: “Ingle Ells, Ingle Ells, don’t forget the J&B”

Holiday Song: “Jingle Bell Rock”

Personal Brand that stands out during the holiday season: Queen Elizabeth II

Leadership Quote: “Leadership doesn’t require you to be the smartest person in the room. It requires you to block and tackle for others.” ~Mark Herbert

My gratitude to these amazing thought leaders for appearing on my blog, for sharing their insights, and for virtually celebrating the holiday season together! Happy holidays, and see you on #DebbieLaskeysBlog in 2025!

Image Credit: OllyMolly via Freepik.

Monday, December 30, 2024

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Deb Krier

Sunday, December 29, 2024

Marketing News of the Month of December: Packaging of a Building, a Vehicle, Beverages Plus More

During the month of December, there were news stories that reflected brand identity, brand storytelling, brand extensions, packaging, and more.

RE-OPENING OF NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL IN PARIS

If you remember the date of April 15th, 2019, you may recall that a structural fire broke out in the roof space of Notre-Dame de Paris. According to Wikipedia, "By the time the fire was extinguished, the wooden spire (flèche) had collapsed, most of the wooden roof had been destroyed, and the cathedral's upper walls were severely damaged. Extensive damage to the interior was prevented by the vaulted stone ceiling, which largely contained the burning roof as it collapsed. Many works of art and religious relics were moved to safety, but others suffered smoke damage, and some of the exterior art was damaged or destroyed. The altar, two pipe organs, and three 13th-century rose windows suffered little or no damage, but the fire contaminated the site and nearby areas of Paris with toxic dust and lead. Two days later, French President Emmanuel Macron set a five-year deadline to restore the cathedral."

Fast forward to December 7th, 2024, the restoration was completed, and Notre-Dame de Paris, a medieval Catholic cathedral in Paris, France, was reopened. The reopening ceremony was presided over by the archbishop of Paris in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and other dignitaries, including present and former heads of state.

As a Francophile who has lived in France twice, I consider Notre Dame to be the center of the Parisian capital and part of the French soul. The fire to the 860-year-old cathedral was devastating to watch on television, I cannot imagine what it must have been like to watch the fire in person.

According to CNN Travel, "The cathedral expects to welcome up to 15 million visitors each year. For now, visiting remains free. Guests will be able to book a free ticket online and access the building either on the same day or one or two days after booking."

COCA-COLA'S PACKAGING

According to CNN, "Coca-Cola is scaling back its packaging sustainability goals, igniting outrage from environmental activists. The beverage company, which has long been criticized for being one of the world's top producers of plastic pollutants, changed its "voluntary environmental goals" in December. It now aims to use 35-40 percent recycled material in its packaging by 2035 — a drastic reduction from its previous goal of 50 percent by 2030."

According to Plastic Pollution Coalition, "Coca-Cola's new move follows decades of greenwashing by the company, which has involved deceptively marketing its products as sustainable. This includes Coca-Cola's disproportionate use of its glass bottle in its advertising, when in reality most of the packaging it produces — nearly 50 percent — is made of plastic. Coca-Cola is the largest consumer-facing global seller of plastics, producing almost one-quarter of the world's single-use plastic bottles. Coca-Cola plastic bottles, caps, and wrappers have been the most commonly found branded plastic pollution found in the environment for the last six years, according to Break Free From Plastic Brand Audits."

UNIVERSAL THEME PARKS TO INTEGRATE WICKED

According to Universal's corporate communications department, "Universal Destinations and Experiences theme parks (Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort) will invite guests to defy gravity with a variety of all-new immersive experiences and exclusive merchandise inspired by Wicked, Universal Pictures' film that appeared in theaters November 22. The engaging Wicked experiences will differ at each of the destinations but are both designed to capture the imagination and spirit of the breathtaking world of Wicked, allowing guests to express their fandom through fashion and accessories, while stepping into the story for the first time...This exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience will whisk guests along the yellow brick road and into a variety of iconic Wicked locations from Shiz University to the Emerald City. Fanciful costumes and props created by the designers from the film will also be on display as guests become immersed in spectacular scenic and theming that will recreate some of the most memorable moments of the film...Even more Wicked celebrations are coming to Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Japan early next year."

FRONTIER AIRLINES ANNOUNCES "FIRST CLASS"

While known as the ultra-low fare leader, the airline announced, "Frontier Airlines is soaring to new heights in 2025, and we're thrilled to bring you along for the journey. As part of the next phase of The New Frontier, we're introducing a suite of exciting new products and benefits designed to elevate your travel experience. From luxurious First-Class seating and complimentary seat upgrades to unlimited companion travel and enhanced rewards, Frontier is delivering premium perks without the premium price tag."

According to USA Today, "Frontier Airlines is joining the ranks of its competitors by installing first-class-style seats in the first two rows of its cabins. The product will be similar to Big Front Seats on Spirit Airlines, a recliner-style domestic first-class seat with extra legroom. Frontier hasn't announced exactly what amenities will be included with the purchase of its first-class seats, but airlines typically give passengers who spring for more space perks like priority boarding and free or upgraded snack and beverage service."

Is first class seating a contradiction with low fares? Time will tell how consumers welcome this new phase of the Frontier flight experience.

POPE FRANCIS GOES ELECTRIC

According to Mercedes-Benz, "We have supplied cars to the Vatican for 94 years, and for the past 45 years, the Pope has been using the renowned "Popemobiles," based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Now, for the first time, the Popemobile from Mercedes-Benz is going all-electric. The vehicle was developed in close cooperation with the Vatican specifically for the Pope's use because its electric drivetrain was adapted to the particularly low speeds required for public appearances." According to NPR, "The car's conversion to electric comes as the Pope has repeatedly urged people worldwide to accept the science of climate change and work to protect the environment." ((Note: I may have been influenced by the Pope, because I recently added an electric vehicle to my family.)

CHRYSLER APPEARS ON LIFE SUPPORT WITH ITS MINIVANS

According to CNN, "Chrysler was once a giant in the US auto industry – one of the Big Three, sharing a name with one of the world's tallest buildings and with factories and dealerships spread across America. But "once" is the key word. Today the once-proud brand is a shell of its former self, an after-thought on life support, whose very future could be in doubt. After going through three purchases by foreign-based automakers over the last 25 years, a bankruptcy, and the second federal bailout in its history, the brand has only one car rolling off an assembly line with the Chrysler badge on it: and it's a minivan built in Canada. And while Chrysler invented the minivan, that was decades ago and has long since been rejected by American buyers, looking to haul children and more, in favor of the brawnier style of SUV's."

END OF PARTY CITY

According to CNN, "The New Jersey-based Party City is closing down all of its stores, ending nearly 40 years in business. CEO Barry Litwin told corporate employees that Party City is "winding down" operations immediately. Staff were told they would not receive severance pay, and they were told their benefits would end as the company goes out of business."

This retail outlet follows in the footsteps of Bed Bath & Beyond and the 99 Cents Only Stores. Its specialty was balloons, Halloween costumes, and other party goods - and it had faced competition from e-commerce sites (Amazon, Walmart, and Costco) and pop-up stores like Spirit Halloween. Interesting footnote, during the Covid pandemic, there was a helium shortage, which clearly impacted its balloon sales.

KRAFT MAC & CHEESE'S EVERYTHING BAGEL FLAVOR

According to Food and Wine, "The mac n' cheese giant has announced its plans to drop a brand-new Everything Bagel Mac & Cheese flavor in direct response to "Zillennials," aka, a mix of Gen Z and Millennials, consumer behavior. The Kraft and Heinz Company explained, "The release of Everything Bagel underscores a new flavor-focused expansion strategy that Kraft is piloting to deliver on Zillennials' desire for bolder flavor offerings from their favorite brands. The Everything Bagel flavor brings together the cult-favorite spice with its signature cheese sauce in an irresistible, crave-worthy fusion of oniony, garlicky flavor. The new flavor will be available exclusively on Walmart.com for a limited-time and will only be available while supplies last. The company noted that its timing is rather intentional. It wanted to launch the box just after the Thanksgiving holiday to give exhausted cooks seeking an easy yet crowd-pleasing meal that can be whipped up in minutes without additional ingredients."

TACO BELL'S NEWEST OFFERING

Earlier this year, Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's global chief food innovation officer, said in anticipation of the release of its Cantina Chicken Menu that, "We knew our fans wanted more chicken."

So, beginning December 19 and while supplies last (though originally tested in select locations in Houston and Minneapolis), Taco Bell will give fans what they want and attempt to satiate those cravings in this poultry-mad world with its own take on the fast-food favorite. The company explained, "Our chicken nuggets will be marinated in zesty jalapeño buttermilk flavor and breaded with a blend of breadcrumbs and crunchy tortilla chips. There are also three brand-new sauces to pair with the nuggets: Jalapeño Honey Mustard, Hidden Valley Ranch Fire Sauce, and a creamy, tangy Bell Sauce."

TACO BELL CAFE CONCEPT

Taco Bell is testing a new restaurant that is not focused on tacos. Instead, the newly-opened concept in San Diego is called the Live Más Café, and features a beverage-centric menu that includes milkshakes, coffee drinks, and fruity iced drinks.

"Beverage chains have been among the fastest-growing chains in the restaurant industry from a visitation standpoint during the past two years. Beverage-led concepts attract younger consumers, and it could be a way for Taco Bell to expand and diversify its audience," explained R.J. Hottovy, head of analytical research at Placer.ai.

AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL MEDIA LAW

According to Reuters, "The Social Media Minimum Age bill sets Australia up as a test case for a growing number of governments which have legislated or said they plan to legislate an age restriction on social media amid concern about its mental health impact on young people. Countries including France and some U.S. states have passed laws to restrict access for minors without a parent's permission, but the Australian ban is absolute.

Some 97 percent of Australian teenagers use social media across an average of four platforms, making them among the world's most connected youth. While the ban is yet to be legislated and at present lacks key details, such as which ages and platforms it would affect, the government's first step is to trial age verification."

According to PBS, "Australia's new law approved by its Parliament is an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. And like efforts of the past to protect kids from things that parents believe they're not ready for, the nation's move is both ambitious and not exactly simple, particularly in a world where young people are often shaped, defined, and judged by the online company they keep. While the ban won't go into effect for another year, how will Australia enforce it?"

THEATER AND SCOTUS

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a longtime theater lover, made her Broadway debut. She appeared in a one-night-only walk-on role on December 14th in the Tony-nominated romantic comedy musical "& Juliet," a modern take on Shakespeare's tragedy that imagines what would have happened if the female protagonist survived and took control of her own life.

According to NPR, "Jackson has long been open about her unabashed love of theater, as she called it in her 2024 memoir Lovely One. She illustrated it further by singing a few lines from The Wiz and Schoolhouse Rock during an interview on her book tour this fall. In the memoir, Jackson describes writing in her application to Harvard University — where she earned her undergraduate and law degrees — that "I wished to attend Harvard as I believed it might help me 'to fulfill my fantasy of becoming the first Black, female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage.'"

According to NPR, "Jackson isn't the only Supreme Court justice with a passion for the performing arts. The late justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, ideological opposites, famously bonded over their love for opera — a friendship that inspired a comic opera in 2015. One year later, at age 83, Ginsburg made her onstage debut (with a speaking role) in a one-night-only cameo as the Duchess of Krakenthorp in a Washington National Opera performance of The Daughter of the Regiment."

MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S WORD OF THE YEAR

According to Merriam-Webster, "Merriam-Webster' 2024 Word of the Year is polarization, which happens to be one idea that both sides of the political spectrum agree on. Search volume on Merriam-Webster.com throughout the year reflected the desire of Americans to better understand the complex state of affairs in our country and around the world. We define polarization as "division into two sharply distinct opposites; especially, a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes."

MSNBC observed that, "The 2024 presidential election has left our country more polarized than ever." The word was also used to describe divides beyond the U.S. election, as when Forbes warned that in workplaces, "cultural polarization is becoming a pressing challenge."

According to Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster's editor at large, "The basic job of the dictionary is to tell the truth about words. We've had dictionaries of English for 420 years, and it's only been in the last 20 years or so that we've actually known which words people look up."

According to PBS, "The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election rattled the country and sent shockwaves across the world — or were cause for celebration, depending on who you ask. Is it any surprise then that the Merriam-Webster word of the year is polarization? According to Peter Sokolowski, "Polarization means division, but it's a very specific kind of division. It means that we are tending toward the extremes rather than toward the center."

PANTONE'S COLOR OF THE YEAR

For 2025, the Pantone Color Institute selected PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. The description of this color was: "It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort."

According to Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, "For Pantone Color of the Year 2025, we look to a mellow brown hue whose inherent richness and comforting warmth extends further into our desire for comfort, and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others."

When it comes to brown hues, here are some memorable brands: UPS, M&M's, Hershey's, Yves St. Laurent, Nespresso, A&W Root Beer, and Godiva. Are you seeing a chocolate theme?

BALD EAGLE BECAME OFFICIAL NATIONAL BIRD OF UNITED STATES

After nearly 250 years, the bald eagle was recognized as the official national bird of the United States. President Joe Biden signed a bill into law on December 23rd to amend the United States Code - Congress had designated the bald eagle as the national emblem in 1782. According to Senator Amy Kobuchar of Minnesota who had introduced the bill with our legislators, "The bald eagle is a symbol of our country's freedom and strength. In Minnesota, we know a thing or two about eagles: we are home to one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the country as well as the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. With the passage of [this] legislation, the bald eagle will now be recognized as our nation's national bird."

TIME MAGAZINE'S PERSON OF THE YEAR

This annual magazine's choice was a surprise when there were such other inspiring choices. At this time, no more need be said, however, tune into my blog on January 20th, 2025, otherwise known as Inauguration Day for political junkies and history buffs, to read about MY five choices for TIME's Person of the Year.

What other recent marketing buzz caught your attention? Since there's always something happening that impacts marketing, read #DebbieLaskeysBlog for the scoop! And don't forget to swing by on January 1st for my 15th annual "Top 10" marketing highlights of the year post.

Image Credits: Pantone Color Institute, Reuters (Note Dame), Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images (Popemobile), and Universal Destinations and Experiences.

For more details about a visit to Notre Dame in Paris, France:

https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/

To watch my favorite holiday ad this season, Naughty List from Toyota:

https://youtu.be/ihzg0TlveC0?si=G_bpUmngkS67M_Hw

Friday, December 27, 2024

Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Rebecca Herold

As I announced in my commentary about the 2024 Presidential election, during November and December, I have featured a timely #PostElectionSeries with a number of inspiring women authors, leaders, and influencers. To read the previous Q&A's in the series, search #PostElectionSeries on this blog.

Today, to conclude the series, I've invited Rebecca Herold to provide commentary about the election, leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more. But first, a brief introduction.

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, and with over 30 years of IT, security, and privacy experience, Rebecca Herold is the founder of The Privacy Professor Consultancy (2004) and of Privacy & Security Brainiacs SaaS services (2021). She has authored 22 published books so far, and co-authored NIST catalogs NISTIR 7628, NISTIR 8259, SP 800-213, NISTIR 8425 and TN 2066. She has served as an expert witness for cases covering HIPAA, criminals using IoT devices, social engineering, stolen personal data of retirement housing residents, and tracking app users with Meta Pixels. Rebecca hosts Data Security & Privacy with the Privacy Professor, and since early 2018, she has hosted the Voice America podcast/radio show, Data Security & Privacy with the Privacy Professor.

QUESTION: In Lyn Chamberlin's article entitled, "When Brand Betrays Us," she wrote, "Branding is supposed to be about truth, or at least a piece of it. At its best, branding is storytelling, the kind that resonates, inspires, and speaks to who we are. But what happens when a brand warps into something sinister, built on lies, misinformation, and manipulation? What happens when a brand betrays not only our trust but our institutions?...Branding can empower, but it can also deceive. Trump's brand isn't just a lesson in how to build an indelible image. It's a cautionary tale — a reminder that without honesty and accountability, brand can become a weapon that betrays us all."

What are your thoughts?

(Read the full article here:

https://lynchamberlin.substack.com/p/when-brand-betrays-us)

REBECCA HEROLD: I completely agree about honesty being absolutely necessary for branding. Particularly in my business that helps organizations create effective information and data security and privacy compliance programs. Every action that relates to security and privacy must be defensible with supported verifiable facts and evidence. Also in my work as an expert witness supporting legal cases where judgments usually depend upon such verifiable facts and evidence. I believe for my business fields this is still true. Other businesses that have not been honest, even if it was because of an error or some other type of situation, have often had their brand value and reputation significantly damaged. Often beyond repair.

Just look at CrowdStrike. It built up a reputation of dependability and cybersecurity excellence over the years. And then on July 14, 2024, it caused a huge, global outage that had widespread repercussions across various industries across the world. It was basically caused by a sloppy software update for a sensor configuration update for Windows systems. It has caused over $5.5 billion in losses, and has spawned huge numbers of legal claims, significant customer losses and reputational damage. Many class-action lawsuits are also going through the courts. CrowdStrike’s value was quickly cut in half. Their customers felt betrayed; they depended upon CrowdStrike to provide dependable security, and yet, their vulnerabilities in their software update process resulted in a huge security incident that caused business stoppages all over the world.

They are now trying to demonstrate accountability, and regain trust, dependability, and build back their customer base.

While there are certainly similarities, business organizations are generally different from celebrities-turned-politicians who have been in the public spotlight their entire lives, and have even managed to gain fans despite demonstrable dishonesty.

QUESTION: In Katie Rogers article in THE NEW YORK TIMES, she wrote, "The United States has been led by men for all of its 248 years, and that will continue for at least four more. On Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris became the latest woman to fail to break the gender barrier to the presidency, and the second to be defeated by Donald Trump...The United States lags behind several other nations — Britain, Germany, Israel, India, Canada, and, this year, Mexico — which have chosen women as leaders. Men do still run the world, numerically. Only about a third of the countries in the United Nations have ever had a woman head of the government. Just 13 of the body’s 193 member countries are currently led by women, according to the Pew Research Center."

(Read the full article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/politics/harris-woman-president.html)

In Dana Theus' post-election article entitled "Women, Power, and Fear," she wrote, "Three times in twelve years, an old white man, now a convicted felon, has run for the highest office in the land. When he ran against another, more qualified old white guy, he lost. Both times he ran against vibrant, more qualified women, he won. Looking at the pattern, I don't think it's defensible to blame the female candidates or their campaigns. I truly worry that the majority of our nation — women and men alike — simply do not trust women enough to give us power."

(Read the full article here:

https://inpowerwomen.substack.com/p/women-power-and-fear)

What were your thoughts about the election results?

REBECCA HEROLD: When I was in 6th grade, in a rural school where my 20-students class was the largest in all the school's K-12 grades, and we shared a large classroom with the 13-students' 5th grade class, I was nominated and ran for the 5th/6th grade student body president against a fellow male 6th grader. We “campaigned” for four weeks, with the teachers asking us each to make speeches to the students throughout that time. I didn’t only lose; I was obliterated, 31 votes for the winner, and 2 votes for me…one my own vote, and the other vote from a male 5th grader, who I didn’t even know hardly at all, who told me I was smarter and nicer than the newly elected president. Even the persons who nominated me voted against me. And my own close female friends voted against me. Everyone I asked as to why they didn't vote for me basically answered, "David is a boy. Girls aren't presidents." That has stuck with me my whole life.

Throughout my 35+ years career, there have been multiple times when I was told by potential clients on more than a few occasions, who asked me to submit a proposal but gave the project to another business, that I didn’t get the contract by saying something generally similar to, "We're just more comfortable working with a business led or owned by a man."

So quite frankly, even with 34 criminal convictions and one count of being accountable (guilty) of sexual assault, I was not surprised that the person with the Y chromosome won; he has been in the public eye for his full adulthood, and perpetuating a wide variety of false statements throughout that time that his long-time followers have always seemed to believe or accept without fail. However, I was greatly disappointed for a variety of reasons.

That statement from decades ago is inexplicably still the view of over fifty percent of voters of all genders: "Girls aren't presidents." I will not be surprised if a woman has not been elected president in my lifetime. However, I will die disappointed in addition to being very sad in not having been able to see that result. I hope I'm wrong.

QUESTION: Katherine Spinney wrote an article entitled, "Silence Is Not the Answer," during a national crisis, however, her words deserve attention now. She wrote, "Silence is not the answer. If fact, it is one of the most damaging plans of action you can take. Despite hopes for the contrary, silence during this time will not shield you or protect you and it will not go unnoticed. Your staff are watching, waiting, begging for you to speak up. This moment in time is going to determine not just how others view you as a leader, but how they view you as a human being. Your words and actions during this time will not just impact your legacy as a leader — they will define it...What is true for all of us is that we must speak up."

How should leaders address the Presidential election results?

(Read the full article here:

https://katherinespinney.com/silence-is-not-the-answer/)

REBECCA HEROLD: Every kind of leader needs to be and stay aware of the initiatives being pursued by the incoming government and how it will impact their organization, employees, customers, clients, consumers, patients, etc. The election is over, and now, instead of dwelling on the same messages that were being made before the election, attention needs to shift to the current reality.

Even if certain government programs are eliminated, an organization’s leaders can still choose to create equity in how all individuals are treated, and the opportunities that are made available to them. Related policies and procedures may need to be tweaked, to remove such references to the programs and to change the related terminologies, but the concepts can still be practiced.

After all, in the United States, it is not illegal to treat everyone with equal respect and consideration. But, if a business, especially small to mid-sized businesses, has clients who have extreme views, they likely will not be able to lose such a client if it means also losing their business. Such situations need to be considered, and addressed tactfully. This will be recognized by employees, especially if they realize that they could lose their livelihoods. The key is for leaders to make strategic decisions and take subsequent actions in accordance with their values and beliefs in ways that will not require compromises in those views and supporting actions. Could this be challenging? Of course. However, anything worthwhile must be addressed through thoughtful planning and consideration. It will likely not be easy, and could take more time than you’d like. But then, most things worthwhile are not accomplished by taking knee-jerk actions or making off-the-cuff statements.

QUESTION: In Barbara McQuade's article in TIME Magazine, she wrote, "The real danger when a leader traffics in half-truths and conflicting claims is that people don’t know what to believe." Instead of looking at leaders' actions, let's swap the perspective. How can employees keep their leaders honest?

(Read the full article here:

https://time.com/7173492/second-trump-term-misinformation-essay/)

REBECCA HEROLD: Employees should never be discouraged from asking questions. Good leaders encourage their employees to ask their leaders questions, applicable to work activities, whatever those questions may be about. This includes their beliefs regarding what may be hot-button topics that are related to how the business is run, impacts business decisions, etc.

Business leaders should be straight-forward and honest in their answers. If for some reason they cannot provide an answer, such as, for legal reasons, to protect privacy of associated individuals, etc., they need to clearly explain the reason why they cannot provide an answer. Ideally, they could consider providing some related information that could address some of the related topic. Some employees may think this is avoiding the question, but if leaders have taken time to consider the question and then how to best explain the response, this can usually be accomplished. Some employees may still not be satisfied, but rarely in such cases will everyone be satisfied with complex and difficult topic discussions.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Susan Friesen

With the arrival of the holiday season, it's time for the memorable end-of-the-year advertising campaigns and familiar music to hit the airwaves; our TV's, radios, and computer/tablet/smartphone screens will be bombarded by reminders of the season. Since I've been honored to share several inspiring series on my blog over the last year including my #FallBacktoReadingSeries, #SpringLeadershipSeries, and #OlympicsLeadershipSeries, I've decided to end the year with my #HolidayLeadershipSeries.

I've asked 10 thought leaders to chime in and share some of their holiday thoughts as they pertain to leadership and marketing specifically during the holiday season. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

Since today's featured guest is from Canada, I'd like to share some basics about Boxing Day so that we can all join in the festivities. Celebrated on December 26th, the day after Christmas, Boxing Day was once a day to donate gifts to those in need, but it has evolved to become a part of Christmas celebrations. It is celebrated in Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

According to Britannica, "Explanations for the origin of the name have varied, with some believing that it derived from the opening of alms boxes that had been placed in churches for the collection of donations to aid the poor. Others have held that it came from the boxes of gifts given to employees on the day after Christmas. According to this theory, because the work of servants was required for the Christmas Day celebrations of their employers, they were allowed the following day for their own observance of the holiday. When December 26th comes on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is designated as the official public holiday."

And now, for today's post, I'd like to introduce Susan Friesen, based in Canada. Susan is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia's premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she's an expert in helping businesses to establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity. Her passion for empowering female entrepreneurs to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the marketing industry.

QUESTION: What BRAND or PRODUCT is the most memorable during the holiday season?
SUSAN FRIESEN: Lindor chocolates exemplify a memorable holiday brand. Their strategic packaging and promotion cater to a range of occasions, from Halloween to New Year's. By introducing seasonal flavours and themed packaging, Lindor ensures that they stand out and remain an easy choice for consumers navigating the candy aisle.

QUESTION: What is your favorite holiday ADVERTISEMENT?
SUSAN FRIESEN: I find WestJet's holiday commercials to be truly remarkable, thanks to their well-thought-out campaign of gift-giving called, "The WestJet Christmas Miracle." For their 2023 campaign, they honoured Canadian travel industry workers by reuniting these holiday heroes with their loved ones by flying their families from around the world to Canada. It's always exciting to observe their behind-the-scenes strategy and planning, and then witness the fulfillment of giving such incredible gifts.

QUESTION: What is your favorite piece of music or SONG during the holiday season?
SUSAN FRIESEN: Since my husband usually starts thinking about the holidays in mid-October, our favourite song that starts the whole season off is, "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas." We typically don't see any snow at that time yet, but the cooler weather brings the promise of snow and the Christmas season soon to come.

QUESTION: Whose PERSONAL BRAND stands out during the holidays, and why? (Think outside the box and do not share any religious choices.)
SUSAN FRIESEN: The personal brand that stands out for me each Christmas season is Mariah Carey. Who doesn't have a vivid image in their mind right now of her kneeling in the snow in her red outfit from the cover of her famous album, "Merry Christmas," which premiered her iconic song, "All I Want for Christmas" by just hearing her name? That's the sign of an exceptional personal brand. Despite her losing her bid to register the "Queen of Christmas" brand in 2022, she will always be my Queen of Christmas!

QUESTION: And lastly, since this is a leadership series, what is your favorite LEADERSHIP QUOTE, and why?
SUSAN FRIESEN: I love this quote by Roy Disney: "It is not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are." This quote resonates with me because running a business and leading a team are fundamentally based on integrity, which stems from our values. It is much easier to make decisions when our values are clearly defined, which I have instinctively done for the past 21 years of running my company, eVision Media!

My gratitude to Susan for sharing her leadership insights and for being a part of my #HolidayLeadershipSeries.

Monday, December 23, 2024

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Rebecca Rucker

I've asked 10 thought leaders to chime in and share some of their holiday thoughts as they pertain to leadership and marketing specifically during the holiday season. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

But first, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, Chanukah (December 25-January 2), and Kwanzaa (December 26-January 1) this week, let's review the origins of and some interesting facts about these holidays.

According to the History Channel, "Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25th, Christmas Day, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870."

According to the History Channel, "Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah, Hanukah, Hannukah, or Chanukkah) celebrates the re-dedication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem during the second century B.C., following the triumph of a small group of Jewish rebels, known as the Maccabees, against their oppressors, the Greek-Syrians, who had defiled the temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls. In order to rededicate the temple, the Maccabees had to light a menorah that would burn within the temple at all times. However, they only had enough pure olive oil to last for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, leaving time to find a fresh supply of oil...The first day of Hanukkah can come as early as November or as late as the end of December, which means occasionally Hanukkah overlaps with Thanksgiving or Christmas. The last time we celebrated Thanksgivukkah was in 2013. Hanukkah and Christmas saw duel celebrations in 2005 and will converge again in 2024."

According to the History Channel, "Maulana Karenga, a Black nationalist who later became a college professor, created Kwanzaa as a way of uniting and empowering the African American community in the aftermath of the deadly Watts Rebellion in Los Angeles. Having modeled his holiday on traditional African harvest festivals, he took the name "Kwanzaa" from the Swahili phrase, "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits." The seven principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. In order to avoid over-commercialization, gifts handed out to family members on the last day of Kwanzaa are often homemade. Alternatively, some participants buy books, music, art accessories or other culturally-themed products, preferably from a Black-owned business."

And now, for today's post, I'd like to introduce Rebecca Rucker. Rebecca is a psychotherapist based in Houston, Texas. We met via a virtual book club, Leaders Who Fiction led by Melanie Bell. Rebecca belongs to the Leaders Who Fiction book club because she enjoys the quality of the discussions about leadership that transpires among the book club members. When not reading fiction, she meets with a weekly group of eclectic elders who study the works of Shakespeare.

QUESTION: What BRAND or PRODUCT is the most memorable during the holiday season?

REBECCA RUCKER: My first memory of a brand was the Coca-Cola Santa Claus series in the 1960s. Their Santa Claus picture was right out of the Norman Rockwall era. He was pictured as a jolly gentleman in the classic red suit with a white beard drinking Coca-Cola. In one of the commercials, he had a polar bear on his knee. In the 1990's, the polar bear would become another Coca-Cola iconic symbol of the holidays, but the bears were proceeded by "I'd like to teach the world to sing" in a series of commercials in the late 1970's and early 1980's.

QUESTION: What is your favorite holiday ADVERTISEMENT?

REBECCA RUCKER: As much as I loved the original Coca-Cola Santa Claus, when the polar bears came along for the Christmas Coke commercials, I knew it was Christmastime. The simplicity and beauty of those commercials with their message of "sharing a Coke" or "helping a friend and sharing a Coke" are such a powerful message of peace at Christmas. To me, these Coke commercials are as iconic as the Budweiser Clydesdales' commercials with their horses for the Superbowl commercials. There is something quite hopeful from the messages that those animals convey.

QUESTION: What is your favorite piece of music or SONG during the holiday season?

REBECCA RUCKER: As I mentioned in the Coke commercials, the song, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing in Perfect Harmony" is one of my favorite commercial songs during the holiday season. Coke has a series of memorable jingles that create mind worms in the brain like "Coke is It" and "Can't Beat the Feeling" from the 1980's to "Always Coca-Cola" and "Open Happiness" in the 1990's. Their message of positivity in songs and jingles goes well with the videos they produce about hope and prosperity.

QUESTION: Whose PERSONAL BRAND stands out during the holidays? (Think outside the box and do not share any religious choices.)

REBECCA RUCKER: While she is no longer on television everyday, Oprah Winfrey leads personal branding at Christmas as many of us wait to hear what is on her list of Favorite Things. Companies small and large seem to grow with abundance when they make the "Oprah list" each holiday season. While on television, Oprah became known for giving away items ranging from vacations, gifts, books, to even cars. However, it is her influence on the buying public with what she selects on her "Favorite Things" list that exceeds in sales all of the giveaways she did on her show. Only Oprah could transition acts of generosity into acts of buying sprees by the public from her hand-selected list!

QUESTION: And lastly, since this is a leadership series, what is your favorite LEADERSHIP QUOTE, and why?

REBECCA RUCKER: The quote I return to again and again is found in the old Cherokee story, "The Wolf You Feed." It goes like this:

When I make daily choices, I often find myself asking which wolf I am feeding. To me, a good quote is one that you remember, are able to ponder, and from that reflection, make your best decision.

Monday, December 16, 2024

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Michelle Redfern

I've asked 10 thought leaders to chime in and share some of their holiday thoughts as they pertain to leadership and marketing specifically during the holiday season. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

And now, for today's post, I'd like to introduce Michelle Redfern, a globally-recognized gender equality, diversity, and inclusion strategist based in Australia. She advises organizations in the business and sporting sectors on DEI strategy development and implementation and works directly with women leaders to advance their careers. She has been recognized as one of Australia's Top 100 Women of Influence and has won awards for her contributions to women's advancement. She is passionate about what sets her soul on fire, closing the global leadership gender gap, and enabling women to have a career that soars!

QUESTION: What BRAND, PRODUCT, or ADVERTISEMENT is the most memorable during the holiday season?

MICHELLE REDFERN: Whilst I am generally in the southern hemisphere over the Christmas holiday break, and it's hot and summery, I think about John Lewis in the UK because their Christmas advertisement is so well known, so beautifully produced, and often beautifully heartwarming. The themes they bring to life, seeing Christmas through the eyes of children and being kind and inclusive, speak volumes to me.

QUESTION: What is your favorite piece of music or SONG during the holiday season?

MICHELLE REDFERN: I cannot go past Michael Bublé singing "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas." Bublé has a magnificent voice and is often very, very funny at his own expense. He seems like a decent human being who epitomizes the goodness and kindness that the Christmas spirit embodies.

QUESTION: Whose PERSONAL BRAND stands out during the holidays? (Think outside the box and do not share any religious choices.)

MICHELLE REDFERN: I'd like to think that all our personal brands stand out during Christmas, irrespective of our personal philosophies. It's a time of year, regardless of one's beliefs, to stop, breathe, and reflect on how to be kinder, more compassionate, and to have empathy for those who are not as privileged and fortunate as ourselves. Of course, I'd like that to happen all year around!

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Pantone Announces #ColorOfTheYear for 2025

The Pantone color company has announced its color of the year for 2025. With all the chaos in the world including the possibility of a winter surge in covid cases, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the instability in Syria, the post-presidential election milieu, and the holiday season, this news was welcomed by those of us in the marketing field.

According to ENews, "Originally created in 1999 by the Pantone Color Institute, the Color of the Year's goal is to engage the design community and color enthusiasts around the world in a conversation around color, while shining a light on the relationship between culture and color. Pantone enlists a team of global color experts at the Pantone Color Institute to scour the world in search of new color influences - from film to art, fashion to technology, and even upcoming sporting events. To make their pick, experts at the Pantone Color Institute trawl through high-fashion runways, interior design trends, pop culture moments, and human psychology. Pantone's Color of the Year is a global phenomenon that reflects a lifestyle trend. You may see its effect on color palettes everywhere." And those of us in the marketing world anxiously await Pantone's announcement every December.

For 2025, the Pantone Color Institute has selected PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. The description of this color is as follows: "It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort."

According to Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, "For Pantone Color of the Year 2025, we look to a mellow brown hue whose inherent richness and sensorial and comforting warmth extends further into our desire for comfort, and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others."

Is mocha the color of any well-known brand? When it comes to brown hues, here are some memorable brands: UPS, M&M's, Hershey's, Yves St. Laurent, Nespresso, A&W Root Beer, and Godiva. Are you seeing a chocolate theme?

Will your brand add mocha to its logo during 2025? And as for fashion, do you think you look good dressed in mocha?

According to ENews' reporter Megan Gray, here are some of the many Mocha Mousse colored items:

Kate Spade Outlet Madison Willow Mini Flap Crossbody:

Have you met the Madison Willow Crossbody? With a chic metal accent and soft leather exterior, it may become your next go-to bag.

OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish in Espresso Your Inner Self:

You may need to espresso your inner self with this chocolatey brown hue. It's a more subtle shade that will go with every outfit, and the brand promises it'll give you seven days of wear.

Puma Suede XL Sneakers:

Retro-inspired with some Mocha Mousse flair, these suede sneakers are a wardrobe staple. They can make any outfit look effortlessly cool, plus their padding and cushioning will provide a super comfy feel.

Starbucks Ground Coffee, Mocha Flavored Coffee:

Starbucks' Mocha Flavored Coffee is made without artificial flavors and can give you a chocolatey, caffeine kick.

However, according to Cristin Kennedy of Blackbird Interiors, "The announcement of a luscious brown being selected as Pantone's color of the year isn't a shock. I think that people today are after a more intimate setting in their homes. Incorporating these richer hues lends itself to that feeling. The days of homes with all white walls and fully open concepts are coming to a close."

What do you think the color of the year will be for 2026? Here's a hint: Watch 2025 with marketing-colored glasses for clues!

And lastly, did you know that paint brands also choose colors of the year? Check out this recap from House Beautiful:

https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/colors/g63115105/color-of-the-year-2025-list/

Image Credits: Pantone, Kate Spade, OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish, Puma, and Starbucks.

Monday, December 9, 2024

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Doug Dickerson

I've asked 10 thought leaders to chime in and share some of their holiday thoughts as they pertain to leadership and marketing specifically during the holiday season. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

And now, for today's post, I'd like to introduce Doug Dickerson, based in South Carolina. Doug has more than 30 years of experience in various leadership positions and first appeared on my Blog back in 2010, after I read his inspiring book, "Leaders Without Borders: 9 Essentials for Everyday Leaders." I then appeared on his podcast several times, and we discussed the intersection of leadership and marketing. As Doug explains on his blog, "My purpose isn't complicated. I am here to share my leadership insights and perspectives in hopes to cut through the clutter and give it to you straight up and simple. My desire is that you will come away inspired, encouraged, challenged, and better equipped as a leader."

QUESTION: What BRAND or PRODUCT is the most memorable during the holiday season?

DOUG DICKERSON: Many stand out, but I think the most memorable over time is Coca-Cola. The brand has been around for decades, and during the holidays, it has always stood out with strong imaging and messaging.

QUESTION: What is your favorite holiday ADVERTISEMENT?

DOUG DICKERSON: Budweiser beer, and more specifically, the Clydesdale horses. For years, that has been a memorable product. The horses are amazing, and ads featuring them are feel-good advertisements.

QUESTION: What is your favorite piece of music or SONG during the holiday season?

DOUG DICKERSON: My favorite holiday song is "It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year" sung by Andy Williams. It embodies everything about the season that makes it special - and renews my hope for humanity.

QUESTION: Whose PERSONAL BRAND stands out during the holidays? (Think outside the box and do not share any religious choices.)

DOUG DICKERSON: One that stands out for me features John Travolta in a Capital One commercial with the track "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees. It's just a fun, feel-good advertisement.

QUESTION: And lastly, since this is a leadership series, what is your favorite LEADERSHIP QUOTE, and why?

DOUG DICKERSON: I like the following quote because it reminds us all that we do not have to be defined or limited by our past and that the path forward is full of unlimited possibilities if we work hard:

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go, they merely determine where you start." ~Nido Qubein

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Michelle Redfern

As I announced in my commentary about the 2024 Presidential election, during November and December, I will feature a timely #PostElectionSeries with a number of inspiring women authors, leaders, and influencers.

Today, to continue the series, I've invited Michelle Redfern to provide commentary about the election, leadership, gender bias, misinformation, and more. But first, a brief introduction.

Michelle Redfern is a globally recognized gender equality, diversity, and inclusion strategist based in Australia (and therefore, shares a unique perspective about the recent American Presidential election). She advises organizations in the business and sporting sectors on DEI strategy development and implementation and works directly with women leaders to advance their careers. She has been recognized as one of Australia’s Top 100 Women of Influence and has won awards for her contributions to women's advancement. She is passionate about what sets her soul on fire, closing the global leadership gender gap, and enabling women to have a career that soars!

That bio may describe Michelle, but in her own words, here are the three things she does: "I fix workplace systems that prevent women and organizations from reaching their full potential. I help women navigate the systems in their workplace to reach their full potential - I am like a human compass to guide women towards success. I advocate for the rights of women and girls, particularly in the sporting sector."

What are your thoughts?

(Read the full article here:

https://lynchamberlin.substack.com/p/when-brand-betrays-us)

MICHELLE REDFERN: Trump has garnered the support of over half of the voters in the USA. This indicates to me that, despite my beliefs regarding his lack of ethics, trustworthiness, and ability to unite people, the majority feel that he resonates with them, inspires them, and speaks to their needs. The more important question is how his opponents can create a stronger brand and narrative for the future.

(Read the full article here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/politics/harris-woman-president.html)

(Read the full article here:

https://inpowerwomen.substack.com/p/women-power-and-fear)

What were your thoughts about the election results?

MICHELLE REDFERN: I am devastated, angry and despondent at the election of yet another OWD (old white dude) to the highest office in the land. As a lifelong feminist and now as someone whose mission it is to close the leadership gender gap, this is a body blow.

I am angry with white women for voting for this man, and it tells me that the USA's individualistic capitalist society has been validated once again. In other words, I am OK and will vote for someone who will solve my problems and, if I am ok, stuff the rest of society, particularly those less fortunate and privileged than me. For older white women, the issues around women's rights and bodily autonomy didn't affect them, so they voted on issues that affected them, like the cost of living and bought into Trump's rhetoric. This individualistic mindset is worrying for America. Where is the social justice and fair go mentality?

The fact is that women in power are still an anomaly and not the norm. Powerful women are terrifying for those who have enjoyed the status quo for a long time. I think society is lucky that we women are seeking power, not revenge.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

ERIKA ANDERSEN:

JAMES STROCK:

ERIC JACOBSON:

SHEP HYKEN:

MELANIE BELL:

DOUG DICKERSON:

MICHELLE REDFERN:

REBECCA RUCKER:

SUSAN FRIESEN:

DEB KRIER:

DEBBIE LASKEY:

Monday, December 30, 2024

SHARE THIS: Being different isn't a bad thing, it means you're brave enough to be yourself. ~Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer via @DebKrier #HolidayLeadershipSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Sunday, December 29, 2024

RE-OPENING OF NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL IN PARIS

COCA-COLA'S PACKAGING

UNIVERSAL THEME PARKS TO INTEGRATE WICKED

FRONTIER AIRLINES ANNOUNCES "FIRST CLASS"

POPE FRANCIS GOES ELECTRIC

CHRYSLER APPEARS ON LIFE SUPPORT WITH ITS MINIVANS

END OF PARTY CITY

KRAFT MAC & CHEESE'S EVERYTHING BAGEL FLAVOR

TACO BELL'S NEWEST OFFERING

TACO BELL CAFE CONCEPT

AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL MEDIA LAW

THEATER AND SCOTUS

MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S WORD OF THE YEAR

PANTONE'S COLOR OF THE YEAR

BALD EAGLE BECAME OFFICIAL NATIONAL BIRD OF UNITED STATES

TIME MAGAZINE'S PERSON OF THE YEAR

Friday, December 27, 2024

SHARE THIS: Employees should never be discouraged from asking questions. Good leaders encourage their employees to ask their leaders questions, applicable to work activities, whatever those questions may be about. ~Rebecca Herold #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Thursday, December 26, 2024

SHARE THIS: It is not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are. ~Roy Disney via @eVisionMedia #DebbieLaskeysBlog #HolidayLeadershipSeries

Monday, December 23, 2024

SHARE THIS: A good quote is one that you remember, are able to ponder, and from that reflection, make your best decision. ~Rebecca Rucker #DebbieLaskeysBlog #HolidayLeadershipSeries

Monday, December 16, 2024

SHARE THIS: I'd like to think that all our personal brands stand out during Christmas, irrespective of our personal philosophies. ~@RedfernMichelle #HolidayLeadershipSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: There are three types of people in the world. Those who make things happen. Those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. Always aim to be in category number one. ~@RedfernMichelle #HolidayLeadershipSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Kate Spade Outlet Madison Willow Mini Flap Crossbody:

OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish in Espresso Your Inner Self:

Puma Suede XL Sneakers:

Starbucks Ground Coffee, Mocha Flavored Coffee:

Monday, December 9, 2024

SHARE THIS: Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go, they merely determine where you start." ~@NidoQubein via @DougDickersonSC #HolidayLeadershipSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

SHARE THIS: Powerful women are terrifying for those who have enjoyed the status quo for a long time. ~Michelle Redfern #PostElectionSeries #DebbieLaskeysBlog