Linda's Marketing Leverage Blog

Top of Mind Thursday August 28, 2014: Shake, Rattle and Roll

Early last Sunday morning, northern California experienced the largest earthquake in nearly 25 years, as a 6.0 tremor hit Napa Valley. 

 

Although there were some injuries and a lot of good wine wasted, the good news is that it appears no one was killed. However, there was significant property damage, much of which was to older buildings in the Napa area that are made with unreinforced masonry.

We've known for decades that unreinforced masonry (brick, stone and the like) collapses in a significant earthquake. Again and again, local authorities have advised owners to retrofit their buildings. Yet another earthquake hit and we see so many people who thought they could outwit Mother Nature.

What known vulnerabilities exist in your business? Where are the unreinforced weaknesses that could cause major damage? How can you eliminate them before disaster strikes?



My session on Overcoming the Fear of Business Success is available starting today, August 28 at 3pm PDT, as part of the free Break Through Fear and Self Doubt Telesummit. More information.

 

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Let us help your business rise to the top.

[email protected]
(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com

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Just a Moment for Marketing: Not All That Glitters is Gold

Linda advises: Don't bet the store on the latest shiny object or technology.

Top of Mind Thursday August 21, 2014: The Iceman Cometh

By now, it's pretty hard not to have seen and heard about the ice bucket challenge. 

 

Individuals shoot video of a bucket of ice being dumped on their heads and invite others to join the challenge, too--as a way to promote awareness of ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease.

This promotion has gone viral, with everyone from athletes to politicians participating. Here in California, authorities are reminding people we have a serious drought and to please not waste so much water with this stunt (though if you did this near some thirsty plants, perhaps that would alleviate the concern).

The ice bucket challenge has greatly raised awareness for ALS and has generated new contributions for ALS research (which is where resources are desperately needed).

Other "orphan diseases" are looking for ways they can do something similar. Look what happens when you think outside the bucket.

 

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Let us help your business rise to the top.

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(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com

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Top of Mind Thursday August 14, 2014: The Tears of a Clown

To many of us, Robin Williams epitomized the best comedy of our generation. 

 

From the silliness of Mork and Mindy to the quirky but compassionate Genie of Aladdin, the literate leader of the Dead Poets Society, and the genderbending nanny of Mrs. Doubtfire....Robin Williams touched our hearts as well as our funny bones.

Yet beneath that comic genius lurked a dark side. Williams suffered with addiction and depression much of his adult life. Sadly, this week he lost the battle with these diseases. How sad that he wasn't able to take the light and life he created for others into his own being.

In his honor, we should look back at his body of work and continue to smile and laugh. But we also need to look forward at the work we need to do to help those amongst us who suffer silently with these illnesses.

Rest in peace, Robin.

 

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Let us help your business rise to the top.

[email protected]
(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com

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Cut Through The Clutter: How Focusing on One Big Idea Positions Thought Leaders for Success

Mark Levy
Founder
Levy Innovation LLC
www.levyinnovation.com

Mark Levy is the founder of Levy Innovation, a positioning firm that helps consultants and other thought leaders increase their fees by up to 2000%. His clients include Marshall Goldsmith, Simon Sinek, David Meerman Scott, the CEOs of major brands, the former head of the Strategy Unit of the Harvard Business School, and many TED and TEDx speakers. His book Accidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insights, and Content has been translated into 10 languages.

In this podcast, Mark talks about why it’s critical for companies and business people to develop effective positioning. He discusses why great books are not necessarily written logically from beginning to end and why it makes sense to start developing thought leadership with a single big idea.

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Listen to this podcast.

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Just a Moment for Marketing: The Goldilocks Effect

Linda recommends: Learn what you need to change to make things just right.

Top of Mind Thursday August 7, 2014: Fever of Doubt

Two of the medical volunteers fighting Ebola fever in Africa have recently been brought back
to the US for medical treatment. 

 

If you listen to the sensationalists and the conspiracy theorists, bringing these two sick individuals here will lead to widespread contamination and contagion, with people dying like flies in the street. For all we know, this could be the beginning of the end for Western civilization.

But the reality is likely quite different.  Our medical system is set up to handle patients with highly contagious diseases of this sort, with full quarantine and complete isolation. Furthermore, if these individuals are able to fight off the virus and recover, what we learn from the process may be extremely valuable in developing better ways to treat this horrible epidemic around the world -- and perhaps other untreatable illnesses as well.

Being prepared in advance for this type of scenario, with proper training, process and procedure, was critical. Moving quickly to implement a plan of action when crisis hit leads to much better probability for a successful outcome.

 

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Let us help your business rise to the top.

[email protected]
(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com

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Just a Moment for Marketing: Objects in the Mirror May be Closer Than They Seem

Linda advises: Take action now, ahead of your competitors.