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.

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:

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."

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."

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)

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.

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?

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.

Monday, December 2, 2024

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Melanie Bell

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 Melanie Bell, based in Houston, Texas. Melanie is the Co-Founder of Strategic Piece, a company that helps B2B businesses generate outstanding revenue growth by bringing together their marketing, sales, and service teams around an information-driven customer experience. However, Melanie is not only about marketing. She founded Leaders Who Fiction, a virtual monthly book club (where we met!), while running Strategic Piece. Through Leaders Who Fiction, Melanie helps people develop leadership skills by reading fiction and participating in intellectual, business-oriented conversations centered around a selected novel. Prior to Strategic Piece, Melanie was President of Marketing Interface, which she founded in 2014, after serving as Director of Marketing at SURGE Accelerator/SURGE Ventures. Melanie earned a BA in International Development from McGill University in Montreal and an MBA from Rice University in Houston.

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

MELANIE BELL: I had fun brainstorming answers to this question: Reese's, Hallmark, Butterball, and the Salvation Army came to mind. However, what I thought of first was Lexus. They do a fantastic job advertising their "December to Remember" sale every year. The ads are run frequently during sports games, and the rhyming name of the campaign makes it memorable to the viewership.

QUESTION: What is your favorite holiday ADVERTISEMENT?

MELANIE BELL: An ad entitled, "A Very Merry Mistake #MirryChristmus" from Air New Zealand a few years ago. The humor is so effective at getting the message across. I just love it. I think both New Zealanders and non-New Zealanders can appreciate this ad. I'm glad you asked this question because it gave me an excuse to watch the video again!

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

MELANIE BELL: My favorite guilty pleasure song is Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas." Please don't judge me too harshly! My all-time favorite holiday song is Bing Crosby's "White Christmas." I would love to see some more Thanksgiving-related songs because I have a strict rule to not listen to Christmas music until after U.S. Thanksgiving. I'm not a fan of the "Christmas creep" (Christmas extending into October and even earlier). However, I could listen to either of these songs at any time of the year and immediately get into the holiday spirit. They inspire nostalgia and festiveness.

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

MELANIE BELL: I hope people will agree that fictional characters can have personal brands, in which case I nominate Charlie Brown (though The Grinch is a close runner-up). He is in holiday movie classics for Halloween (It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown), Thanksgiving (A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving), Christmas (A Charlie Brown Christmas), and New Year (Happy New Year, Charlie Brown).

Across generations, he has played an important part of many people's holiday season from start to finish.

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

MELANIE BELL: There are so many great ones! As I was scanning through options, this one jumped out at me, so I'll call it my favorite (for now, at least):

"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

To me, what separates leaders from non-leaders is the ability to inspire, motivate, and activate people around you. To accomplish this to such a degree that your followers don't even see that dynamic happening is ideal, and one of the key things required in this scenario is that the leader's ego can't get in the way.

While there are many flavors of this quote available from many noteworthy people, Lao Tzu’s version strikes me as simple and artful.

Debbie Laskey's Blog

Thursday, December 26, 2024

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Susan Friesen

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

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Rebecca Rucker

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

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Michelle Redfern

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

Pantone Announces #ColorOfTheYear for 2025

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

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Doug Dickerson

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

Leadership Lessons from #PostElectionSeries Featuring Michelle Redfern

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

Monday, December 2, 2024

HOLIDAY LEADERSHIP SERIES – Featuring Melanie Bell

SHARE THIS: What separates leaders from non-leaders is the ability to inspire, motivate, and activate people around you. ~Melanie Bell (@bell_melanie_a) #DebbieLaskeysBlog #HolidayLeadershipSeries