Steve Jobs passed Wednesday October 5, 2011 and around the world people have written and spoken of the contributions that he has made to our world. If there ever was a person that demonstrated what drive, vision, creativity and above all passion can lead to… it definitely was Steve Jobs. We watched as he changed our world, and continued to do so, even as he was faced with his own mortality. President Obama released this statement regarding the passing of Steve Jobs. Bill Gates, Microsoft’s Co-founder and technology competitor to Steve Jobs wrote what an insane honour… and talks about their 30 year relationship. Across the world sentiments chime in from all types of people. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated “People like Steve Jobs change our world.”
As a creative person, I have professionally grown up with the MAC and by default, followed Steve Jobs and MAC ‘s innovation. Steve Jobs initially changed the landscape of my professional world… and in the last few years, I have watched him changed the landscape of our everyday lives. His legacy has changed the course of human communications and interactions. Few people leave behind such a profound mark on humanity so, in the true measure of a life, I say, well done Steve Jobs. Bravo!
I have reflected on the recent resignation of Steve Jobs and his legacy of what he taught the world. He has lead others by doing; not only in marketing, advertising, product development or the user experience, but in how a company can achieve greatness through people.
There is no need to reiterate the collection of apple products that are leading in each of their respective categories and I believe that has everything to do with the people responsible for the development of those products under driven and focused leadership. Steve Jobs understood that the character of each individual employee resonates on every project or task that they are involved with. Each person is essential to the advancement of the company so getting the right fit to hire is vital to a strong organization.
Company awareness is something that Steve Jobs has been noted for throughout his time at Apple. He believed that every person should understand the overall process of the business and that each employee, regardless of title or department, should educate others on how their part is a piece of the greater picture.
Involvement = Investment = Ownership
These are but a few of the lessons that can be gleaned from an inspiring individual who has earned his place in business history as one of the most influential leaders of our time.What have you learned from Steve Jobs over the years, or, what has impressed or annoyed you about his time at Apple?
I remember the days when WordPress was young and Matt Mullenweg was just starting to kick out one of the most exciting and user-friendly ways to run a blog and self-host it. Then it got real beautiful and super exciting because the open source community embraced it. Developer and designers a-like, believed that if you enhance a platform for the love of it and to improve it for all, more people will use it. They were more then correct on that assumption, they were dead on. WordPress has evolved into a robust CMS (Content Management System) which is being utilized by a variety of different businesses and individuals. I personally have grown up using it, developing and deploying it for clients and I am a huge supporter of the WordPress movement. It was great to hear one of the co-creators share on the history and future of the platform. To read and see the address head over to WordPress – State of the Word 2011 or view it below.
Designing for a niche is a well-targeted sales strategy. When your product caters to too many targets, the customization becomes diluted and your product doesn’t stand out. Nowadays, with so many options out there, you really have to make what you’re offering reach out and grab your target’s attention.
Because of its specificity, a collaborative, agile niche market design that really speaks to consumers at a deep level is long lasting.
Print, news and web are changing the game, demanding more comprehensive design materials that allow for interaction, and the reflection of social media integration. It’s not all about pretty pictures. But whether it be print, web, packaging or specialty products – the niche is a lucrative place to look.
Engaging an optimal audience is also possible through niche marketing. As reported by the Globe and Mail, when designing women’s shaving cream packages, Toronto Agency Juniper Park took little things into account like the fact that women shave in the shower – easy gripping – and that they like scented products – colourful variations.
Reaching out to a target in this way creates deeper dialogue between its members – who are already more invested in the product than the norm. Said Paul Kemp Robertson, editor of Contagious, in a article over at Marketing Magazine: “The beauty of niche is you get people who are very engaged and create thicker connections…The smaller the network, the thicker the connection.” These are the people that will pass along the information with others they think will be interested, because they are.
Like most successful marketing, the key is having that agile perspective. To really put yourself in the shoes of your target, and create something distinct that they will want to share and discuss.
When preparing for an advertising pitch, you have to be a perfectionist – if you are not a perfectionist, become one.
Even the smallest mistake can have major consequences.Think of going into a meeting, and finding that the headline to your conceptual ad has a typo. What is the company your presenting to supposed to think about your preparation – about your carelessness to detail that in could some way negatively impact the way their brand comes across. They are wary; you’ve lost the account. (more…)
There is a saying that is quite applicable in everyday life and it is hard to live by but can benefit everyone involved.
It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.- Abraham Lincoln
If you are too busy talking then you are not able to hear what is being said. What is being asked of you? What guidance is being provided? In a constant strive to make ME the most important word in the story…gear down. Set the cruise at a lower speed then you think you can handle, crank the guilty pleasure songs you admit to no one that you listen to and strive to be humble.
You do what you do because you know how to do it -all day – no doubt, you are a champion of all things you.
BUT
If your career is to extrapolate what others are trying to accomplish, then listening is not only vital but hyper listening is a mandatory requirement. You have to foresee the limitations of communication in all people. Bank on this. The client will always try with their best effort to convey the idea or tactic, it is up to you to use your intuitive interpretation and ensure all the obvious and not so apparent thoughts are captured and acted upon.
If you say nothing until they are finished and truly process what you heard – you will be much more effective in formulating a refined focused response which has been customized to their needs. This will make your guidance more sound and your vision a shared one.
