Comments for Torque Blog

Comment on Marketing mistake #1: Failing to Lead by Kevin Masi

Kevin Masi — Tue, 31 May 2011 11:52:34 +0000

Don, your question: “how was Wright so successful in selling clients?” has been haunting me since the MENG discussion event. If anyone can point me to a biography that reconstructs his client interactions in detail, I would be grateful. Could be fascinating material for a screenplay, too.

Comment on Marketing mistake #1: Failing to Lead by Don Drews

Don Drews — Fri, 20 May 2011 17:44:51 +0000

The striking paradox of Frank Lloyd Wright: how could he be so rigid and obsessive in his vision–and probably a very difficult ego to deal with–and yet so successful in selling it to so many clients? Something was working there, and perhaps “leadership” is a good working label.

Kevin, thanks for the reminder that “If you ask for what’s wanted, expect to hear what’s already known and understood.”

Comment on Abri Credit Union Launches New Brand by Name Change Review: 121, MidAmerica, MidUSA, Abri, Admirals | The Financial Brand: Marketing Insights for Banks & Credit Unions

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:48:11 +0000

[...] “ah BREE”) is a French word for “a protective shelter or safe place.” The credit union says it chose the word to reflect the two merged organizations’ “deep commitment to providing members with a sense of [...]

Comment on Judith Wright: Do Men and Women Lead Differently? by Kevin Masi

Kevin Masi — Sun, 02 May 2010 12:40:40 +0000

John, thanks for your insight on this. Over fifty people attended the talk, and many men and women shared experiences such as you describe. Some felt they had learned to succeed and even thrive, while others were still grappling with how to overcome differences in gender communication and leadership styles. Of the many comments about the future of gender intelligence and leadership, Daniel A. Pink was quoted on the direction of business, particularly in the US. As we evolve into the conceptual age, beyond the historically more tangible industries and manufacturing economies, the skills needed will include relationship-nurturing, pattern recognition and meaning-making. both Pink and Dr. Wright described these as feminine energies and sensibilities. They are also prominent qualities in marketing professionals. All of this would seem to imply to exciting opportunity for both women and marketing professionals to have increasingly critical roles in leading business, and to your point, well-worth developing fully.

Comment on Judith Wright: Do Men and Women Lead Differently? by John Agno

John Agno — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:12:55 +0000

This looks like an excellent program; discussing that the men from Mars and the women from Venus do have different leadership styles.
Women managers bring uniquely feminine styles, motivations and skills to professional life and have learned to use some of their strengths — like empathy, adaptability and strong verbal skills — to their advantage.
Co-existing with male executives in the C-suite, however, can be difficult for female leaders. The Wall Street Journal reported that women are at a disadvantage when they communicate “like a woman” in a male-shaped corporate culture, and 81 percent of women are now “adopting a style with which male managers are comfortable.”
Communication styles rooted in childhood training or unconscious beliefs can be tough to change. A first step is becoming aware of how you talk at work. An executive coach can help you to be heard by those you want to influence.

Comment on Managing the Wobbly Economic Recovery by Navigating the New Normal: Midmarket Companies in the New Economy – Torque Blog

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:31:42 +0000

[...] junkie entrepreneur. Here’s what we’re seeing: Midmarket companies face multiple challenges: the wobbly economic recovery, global competition, and relative invisibility in a business world dominated by the lore and legend [...]

Comment on The Good-to-Great Framework, for Brand Building by Kevin Masi

Kevin Masi — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:39:45 +0000

Don, thanks for the comment. Yes, Collins focused on more aggressive companies, as a result of his existing body of research on success stories, which were the basis of his book: “From Good To Great.” I think you’re pointing out the need in the marketing consulting industry for a study on the under-performers, those who wither away from inward focus and absence of proactive change initiatives. Seems a great opportunity to learn from others’ mistakes.

Comment on The Good-to-Great Framework, for Brand Building by Don Drews

Don Drews — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:30:18 +0000

Kevin–
Provocative post. I disagree with Collins’ assertion that companies that fall from greatness do so because of undisciplined, aggressive change and growth. It is much more common for companies to lose their way because their thinking and their orientation turn inward rather than outward, and they get over-invested in their status quo. Yes, there are risks in aggressive change for aggressive change sake, and there are minefields in unbridled marketing creativity that is off strategy. But way too often, success creates a subconscious, defensive lets-protect-our-pile mentality that ignores the signs of a market shift.

Comment on Embrace Consumer Tribes for Marketing Performance by How I Make $300 a Day Online

How I Make $300 a Day Online — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:07:41 +0000

Hey, great post, really well written. You should post more about this.

Comment on April 29 event: MENG & Second City create levity in all seriousness, to spark new marketing leadership by Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:04:40 +0000

Nicolas, thanks for sharing your thoughts on both. I’ve also found that it broadens my perspective to get visions of the future of the economy from sources that are not driven by business or more commercialized media sources.