DISQUS

Duct Tape Marketing: Perspective Gives Meaning

  • LindaBusiness · 1 year ago
    I find that "creative thinking" is lacking in many areas of business - don't you find that it takes right brain thinking to spark those leaps of intuition, sparks of "out of the box" thinking? I've done some creativity workshops for business people in the past - wearing my artist hat - and have people who normally spend all day with their analytical left brain at work [the side that does all the management to make sure things stay as they are] and give them some right brain exercise [the side where leadership is, where vision is birthed and new ideas hatch]. I like your idea of "point of view" reading...I'm going to adopt it.
  • MarketingTwins-Randy · 1 year ago
    Brilliant John - except the fact that you show me up! I just told my wife that I am making a resolution to read at least 2 books each month. For me, that's a leap! You've got me beat! But I appreciate the challenge.

    If I compiled what I read in blogs, it might turn out that I do read at least a book a week. My BLOGLINES feeds numbered near 246 after just a couple of days off for July 4th! That takes some time to go through!
  • Mike · 1 year ago
    There was an old TV show called Connections on PBS - it documented the development of technologies through just the kind of application leaps you are describing. It was a truly good show - too bad it is no longer shown.
    The point of Connections was that virtually every innovation can be traced to the notion of someone noticing how an idea from one field and can be applied to solve a problem in the observers field - hence the name Connections. While in-depth expertise is critically important, many if not most breakthroughs come from experts who are curious about what is happening in other fields.
  • steve · 1 year ago
    John - I'm on the same page with you. I'm an active blogger and blog reader, but I've yet to find a magic stroke of insight from the blogosphere (I find it much better for joining in on a great conversation). I think that partly has to do with the herd mentality of most blogs/books in ANY vertical, but with marketing especially (your book/blog is one of the true exceptions because of your practical advice).

    I have, however, found plenty of inspiration about marketing in books outside of the field. Books in psychology and philosophy have been particularly helpful. Speaking of brain books, "The Brain that Changes Itself" was particularly illuminating.

    Keep up the great work!
  • Paul Simister · 1 year ago
    I like this idea John of borrowing and adapting and I know that it is something that Jay Abraham endorses strongly. At conferences he would force people to read magazines outside of their interest areas so that they opened their minds to other sources and concepts.

    This is similar although instead of being open-minded about everything you are looking for new perspectives to your current issues.
  • BobPoole · 1 year ago
    Great idea! A very sharp business woman told me a few years ago that she got some of her best ideas by going to a museum looking at art while thinking about one thing that she wanted to improve with her company or herself. I've tried it and it works! While you are considering what the artist wanted to convey your mind seems to open to new possibilities.
  • Joe · 1 year ago
    I like your approach to reading. Wish I could pump through 5 books per week. As to POV reading, perhaps you are describing synthesis which is the mother of all invention. You grab a book on whatever topic and attempt to marry it's thesis with your pre-ordained topic.

    "Get the habit of analysis- analysis will in time enable synthesis to become your habit of mind.” Frank Lloyd Wright.

    I think you have developed the habit of synthesis. Well done.
  • JudyAnn Lorenz · 1 year ago
    I call this my 'shopping bag style'. I read for my benefit, not stopping to argue with any point that doesn't perfectly fit my philosophy, but looking for points that I can usefully apply. It means I can read some pretty crazy things, looking for that one gem that I need.
  • Chad · 1 year ago
    Excellent! Last night I read "The Back of the Napkin" by Dan Roam (in one sitting), and it definitely helped by giving me a different perspective of bringing creativity into every aspect of business(or everyday problems, for that matter). This book wasn't off-topic, but I can see how it directly relates with your approach. Taking a different approach to something "routine" always seems to spark something in me.
  • Adrianne Machina · 1 year ago
    5 books a week? Sheesh! I thought I read a lot, and I can only get through 2-3 each month. I don't intentionally draw parallels, but my subconcious seems to apply what I'm reading to any challenge I'm facing (even if the topics are light years apart). Joining a book club is a fantastic way to stretch yourself and read topics you normally wouldn't pick up. Right now our book club is reading Ken Folliet's "The Pillars of the Earth" and while the central theme is cathedral building, my mind is on fairness, human character, and what makes great writing GREAT. In fact I just posted on this topic: http://tornadomktg.com/blog/just-words-small-bu...
  • Small Business Entrepreneur · 1 year ago
    Good item - getting a different perspective when you are deep in the woods should show you a better way and clear your mind.
  • veronika · 1 year ago
    Connections was a great show! It helped me LIKE history!
    I think this is a cool idea - I'm an one-woman show and I think this could help me get my creativity flowing when I'm feeling alone and stuck.
    Thanks again for a useful post; I have found a lot of tips that have benefitted myself and my clients!
    Veronika