Offer strategic partnerships not “consulting by the pound.” While this is listed as Epiphany 9, differentiation is critical for long-term business success. Over the past few years, I have consulted with companies that all believe they are different from their competitors, and it is often tough for them to learn that they do the same […]
Epiphany 9 – Differentiation – You Must Be Different Read More »
“Search engines are not just a marketing tool; they are a direct bridge to a consumer’s intent.” In my original business school thesis from 1994, I noted that search engines were the only marketing vehicle that allowed us to connect with consumers directly at the point of interest. I suggested that by providing the information
Epiphany 4 – Understanding Searcher Intent Read More »
Throughout my years of working with clients, agencies, and teams, one of the most significant epiphanies I’ve had is the importance of over-communication. When I say “over-communicate,” I don’t mean sending excessive emails or overwhelming people with information. Instead, I mean providing absolute clarity in tasks, expectations, and performance reporting in a way that is helpful
Epiphany 3 – The Power of Over-Communication Read More »
A force multiplier is anything—a process, tool, or person—that makes something or someone more effective, scalable, or impactful. Bill Hunt In my career, I’ve had several moments of clarity (epiphanies) that radically changed how I approach my life, job, or business. One of the most profound came when I worked at IBM and truly understood
Epiphany 1 – Leverage Force Multipliers Read More »
I first learned about Armenia when I was 12 from my father’s co-worker, who would talk about the small village he lived in as a child, where his grandparents grew walnuts and pomegranates, and about the many restrictions imposed by the Soviets. I also saw many pictures of Mt Ararat (currently in Turkey), but the
48 Hours in Yerevan, Armenia Read More »
Georgia has been on my list of places to visit for over ten years. When I was working with Huawei, there was a Georgian restaurant next to the main campus, where we ate every trip. The food, and especially the wine, was terrific, and I became fascinated by the country after learning about it being
48 Hours in Tibilisi Georgia Read More »
In every era of workplace innovation, those who prepare early gain an advantage. I’ve seen this firsthand a few times in my career—first, when offices transitioned from paper-based workflows to computers, and later, when simple automation tools like macros and internet-based applications reshaped how work was done. In both cases, having even basic skills ahead
Future-Proofing Your Career: Why AI Skills Are Essential Before They Become Mandatory Read More »
I’ve been intrigued by Baku in Azerbaijan since my grad school finance professor called it the most interesting yet underwhelming place he’d visited. It is also recorded in Marco Polo’s journals as the “city of fire” due to oil extraction and his stops at various caravanserai (the old name for rest stops for merchants on
48 Hours in Baku Azerbaijan Read More »
Corporate judo is finding ways to leverage your companies bureaucracy and rules to your advantage. Corporate judo, like the sport of judo, emphasizes techniques that turn an opponent’s force to one’s advantage rather than oppose it directly. This involves understanding and utilizing a company’s bureaucracy and rules to your advantage. While trying to implement force
Ephipany 2 – Corporate Judo Read More »
We’ve wanted to visit Georgia for several years and finally planned this trip to the capitals of the Caucasus mountains. It’s exciting because we’ll see three new countries, but I am most interested in this region’s diverse culture and food—the sites at the crossroads of many cultures. We visited Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Yerevan, Armenia. The Caucasus region
Reflections on Caucasus Capitals 2025 – Culture & Cusine Read More »