A Real-World Business Parable Photo by 13on on Unsplash Our summer here in the Northeastern United States has already been full of preposterous weather events — and we’re just entering hurricane season. We like to think we’re hardy types, but this happy delusion is being challenged by torrential rain, frequent thunderstorms, blazing heat, and high… Continue reading Who You Gonna Call When the Tree Comes Down?
A writer forwarded a link to Tom Colicchio’s letter to chefs which ultimately led me to Micheline Maynard’s “My Open Letter to Tom Colicchio and Every Other Guy in the Restaurant Business.” I clapped for both, sent enthusiastic responses to both pieces, heard back from Maynard: “Thanks — have you tried anything new in particular?” I stammered… Continue reading Where Everybody Knows Your Name
It’s an old story… One I have used many times But cannot let go. She didn’t belong. This fusty, marvelous jumble of an antique shop with sections carefully separating each seller from all the rest is not the kind of place for a pretty teenage girl. There is nothing here for her, nothing pretty, nothing… Continue reading Criminal Speed
One proposed, all in: Anti-aging is no more! World views are transformed…. The cover of a woman’s beauty magazine blares a surprising stance: anti-aging is no more for us! Inside, editorial declares: We won’t use the term “anti-aging,” will not feature articles about products that hide, mask, turn back time. My question is: Why? Where… Continue reading Walking the Talk
Test markets don’t lie All see their desired results Debate best tactics Short, burly Maury was the New Product Development team’s favorite chef/food scientist. For decades, he had consistently delivered original, delicious recipes on time, as requested, and with a smile, often with a creative twist that delighted taste panels and consumers alike. Affable… Continue reading Primed to Win
W used to claim that she learned all that she needed to know about how sales and market share were going in an area by poring over syndicated data and sales reports. She prided herself on quick, cursory analysis delivered with cackling certainty of her own brilliance. When the numbers did not turn her way,… Continue reading Walking in This World
“A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” — Wayne Gretzky A writer friend gushed the news: a notable publication requested use of a recent blog post. They wanted to see her future work as well. Hugs, tears, congratulations shared, the writer wanted to… Continue reading A Suggestion for Anticipating the Puck
Sunday morning, 10 a.m. at The Elephant’s Trunk flea market. On my way out, I spotted this teapot in a jumble of naked baby dolls, chipped dishes, and faded plastic flowers. The beat-up Ford Escort behind the folding table was crammed with wretched cardboard boxes stuffed with more loot, ready for a quick getaway. My… Continue reading Flea Rules
Louise Foerster 