Career
Baltimore’s iconic Berger cookie inspires a career move
Born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey, I never thought something could ever rival the famous Black & White cookie. The mix of chocolate and vanilla icing lightly covering an oversized cookie bed made for an enormous smile in my childhood. Today, Black & White cookies can be bought as easily in the 5…
Read MoreMind the gap – Strategies to handle a planned (or unplanned) leave of absence from the workforce
Mind the gap! This lovely phrase is used in the London underground to ensure passengers properly step from the platform onto their respective passenger trains without stumbling. There is such a strong career implication in this imagery, as passengers consciously understand and willingly do something slightly different in order to move forward. In 2012, professionals…
Read MoreMickey and Minnie can teach plenty about your next informational interview
Mickey and Minnie. These lovely mice evoke smiles across generations and are important gems within the Disney organization. Millions of people across the globe take their families to see these famous characters at Disney World. But what brings customers back again and again to Disney’s signature theme park? Simply put, it is the way that…
Read MoreBeing open to change is totally “kosher.” Talk to Manischewitz. Oy!
Manishchewitz. The tried and true American Kosher brand for 120+ years. If you are an American Jew, the brand is a constant symbol of kosher food for the Passover holiday, offering the basic staples of matzo, sweet red wine, and macaroons. It is the marketing equivalent of the “one trick pony”: one product set for…
Read MoreUnilever is considering rebalancing its brand portfolio. When is the last time you rebalanced your skill portfolio?
Unilever (a merger of Lever Brothers and Margarine Unie in 1929) is an Anglo-Dutch consumer goods powerhouse with well-known personal care brands such as Dove, Axe, Vaseline, and Suave as well as food brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Slim-Fast, Ragu, Bertoli and Skippy. If you look at any region on planet earth, there are…
Read MoreWatching Seinfeld with your friends and loved ones could do wonders for your career
Jerry Seinfeld has brought laughter to billions by finding humor in the ordinary and mundane through his stand-up comedy and legendary TV show, Seinfeld. Merely saying his name brings a smile to one’s face just because of his comedic gifts. The laughter he provides could be a boon to your career. The Washington Post, “Laughter…
Read MoreSteve Jobs succeeded by failing – Your job interview should be no different
Steve Jobs. His legendary status as a successful visionary, entrepreneur and technology pioneer have inspired countless tributes, articles and testimonials since his untimely passing. Just a quick google search shows what has been written about his success. He is also being commended for how much he actually embraced failure. The Washington Post, “How we succeed…
Read MoreProcter & Gamble and a focused job search: Don’t be willing to “do anything”
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is a consumer goods powerhouse that touts more “billion dollar” brands than any other. Legendary brand names like Bounty, Crest, Olay, Pantene and Tide have filled America’s homes since 1837. P&G fundamentally understands the American consumer and has based its success on targeting “the middle class.” The economic conditions of recent…
Read MoreYour performance review is a personal brand opportunity…ask Tropicana Orange Juice
Personal brand packaging is important just as when customers choose one brand over another. In early 2009, Tropicana and its media agency decided to give a fresh look to its Pure Premium Orange Juice carton and take away the classic “orange with straw” in favor of a “glass of juice.” (See chart below) Tropicana then…
Read MoreBe Careful What You Wish For…
Professional fantasy. It takes you away from your current work, your current “office” and draws you to that oh, so special place where you feel you SHOULD be. You begin the day with a smile. You are valued. You are working with people you choose to be around. You decide how best to approach your…
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