Monday, February 18, 2019
MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-Up
Marketing Guidance
Persuasion Lessons from Honest Abe
In honor of President’s Day, I look today to President Lincoln. He was a master story-teller and persuader. Here’s a great article from Ascend (Harvard Business Review) that explores how Abe did it — and the lessons we can draw from his masterful approach.
Recommended Viewing
Blind Adventurer Leads Others to Live Life With “No Barriers”
I saw this incredible story on the morning news today about Erik Weihenmayer, a blind man who climbed Mount Everest (among other achievements). He founded a nonprofit called No Barriers that uses physical challenges to help people unleash their potential. No Barrier’s mission: “…to fully unleash the potential of the human spirit. Through transformative experiences, tools and inspiration, we help people embark on a quest to contribute their absolute best to the world. In the process, we foster a community of curious, brave and collaborative explorers who are determined to live the No Barriers Life.”
Very cool!
Recommend Listening/Watching
Tiny Desk Concert with Tank and the Bangas
Every year, NPR runs a contest to select one “unknown” musical act to perform a “Tiny Desk Concert.” In 2017, Tank and the Bangas from New Orleans was selected from among more than 6,000 submissions as the Tiny Desk winner. I recently saw their Tiny Desk Concert and was blown away — especially by the third song in their set.
Here’s a link to that song, Rollercoasters. Beautiful.
If you like this, check out the entire 23-minute concert here.
Business Lessons
The Story Behind Bed-in-a-Box
For whatever reason, mattress retailers promote sales around Presidents Day. It’s a tradition.
But the traditions around the mattress industry have been transformed by companies like Casper, Tuft & Needle and Leesa that sell mattresses online and deliver them, rolled-up in a box, to homeowners.
Bed-in-a-box is a great case-study about how a smart business model can disrupt an entrenched and flawed industry.
Here’s an interview with Casper’s founder, and here’s an article that tells the story of how Casper disrupted the mattress industry.
Lots of great business lessons here.
Quote I’m Pondering…
I found this on the front page of the No Barriers website:
“What’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way.”
Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip.
Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend.
Tom