Tag View: Wit & Wisdom Wednesday
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - John Adams
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. John Adams
Our founding fathers are not only a fount of wisdom, but are quite witty in their delivery as well. John Adams is one of our favorite wits. This quote about Facts is so applicable to marketing and advertising it hurts. When you examine advertising based on performance, you look at facts. Attribution is not nebulous and yield is calculable. The smoke and mirrors approach that used to work is out the door, and none too soon. We are ready to confront facts.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Mark Twain on Advertising
"Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising." -Mark Twain.
Its Wit & Wisdom Wednesday here at The Specialist Works US and we are focusing on the importance of advertising today in the office. Effective advertisings purpose is to reach out to a targeted audience and successfully get your message or product across to them. Twain is correct in saying no matter how small the thing, it can become large through a skilled advertising campaign.
Here at TSW US, we all share the same vision for the company - "Build our clients business and ours will grow alongside it." To do this, we must be strategic in our approaches to get our clients businesses properly acknowledged. Some tips for an effective advertising campaign include: keeping your ads relevant, describe what sets your product apart, include a call to action, and to list the price of your product or service.
Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Guillemets on Goals
Setting a goal is important with any plan. However, it is the constant strives and dedication that make any goal possible. To reach your long-term goals, you must focus on the now and create short-term goals to further yourself to success. This is a prominent ideal within our company.
Here at The Specialist Works US, understanding goals is important. Our core philosophy states we will treat each client like our partner, strive to understand their long term goals, and spend time and effort to create tailored solutions that work. This is a promise based off goal-setting. We take the time to truly understand what it is our client wants as a result and we take the now steps to achieve it. A mountain is not climbed quickly, but with time and hard work you will get to the top.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Susan B. Anthony
It is International Womans Day, and it is also Wit & Wisdom Wednesday. Handy! Today we have decided to post an insightful comment from Susan B. Anthony. As a woman in business, I have been an employee, a partner, and an outright owner. I have always believed that the above quote rings true. Prove yourself as a person, not as a woman. Respect is earned, not handed to you. I am proud of my team of both men and women at TSWUS. I hope that as their team leader they know that there is not only no gender bias, but there is no limit to what they can achieve if they put in the effort.
Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Steve Jobs on Teamwork
Its Wit and Wisdom Wednesday here at The Specialist Works US and we love this Steve Jobs quote. While Jobs had many different accomplishments including being an American entrepreneur, businessman, inventor, and industrial designer, he knew the value of teamwork. Society may remember Jobs most for his groundbreaking work with Apple, however without the help of fellow colleagues, it may not have come to be. It takes many different parts to make a well-oiled machine.
We here at The Specialist Works US understand that. Everyone is valuable and appreciated for their given job, but it takes those jobs coinciding successfully for our overall goal to be met for our clients. Teamwork is necessary in not only advertising and marketing, but for all businesses to operate efficiently.
Sometimes it’s a Doodle
Today is Wit and Wisdom Wednesday at The Specialist Works US and we are trying to push through hump day.
Things can get pretty hectic at TSWUS; sometimes you start working on one thing, and as the week goes by you find yourself working on multiple unrelated projects with each of them demanding your best efforts. Those days can quickly evolve into mayhem. What is there to do?
Sometimes the answer is writing down the random words from your stream of consciousness; messing up your hair and combing it back into place; finding different ways to arrange your notes; or a simple doodle. The most important thing is to do something that requires some level of effort, but no specific result.
Often times we think that art needs to be something grand or beautiful; true and timeless. But art can also be something we do to forget about where we are -- an escape. It doesnt need to be anything displayed in a museum or shown on the big screen. This art is the kind we make so that we may vacate from our daily demands and return with a new perspective on problem-solving.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Francis Quarles on Rest
"Put off thy cares with thy clothes; so shall thy rest strengthen thy labor, and so thy labor sweeten thy rest."
-Francis Quarles
It is Wit and Wisdom Wednesday at The Specialist Works US and today, were still not done with labor day. The three-day weekend provided us with some much-needed rest. It can be difficult sometimes to go from work to rest and then back to work again. It is often easy to forget about one while focusing on the other.
Having a balance between work and rest in critical, especially in business. Our greatest thoughts and ideas come when we are not focused on them; when we arent trying to force them. Inversely, knowledge without action is practically useless.
So while it may have been a quick holiday weekend, TSWUS is back and ready to get ourselves in gear.
Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Chinese Proverb on the Proactive
It is Wit and Wisdom Wednesday at The Specialist Works US, the first of its kind ever to be published on a Thursday! We apologize for the late post, but we just had to share this qoute with you. Chinese society, in ancient times was, and today still is, incredibly industrious. A culture that has evolved alongside the teachings of Confucius, emphasizing justice, knowledge, and integrity has molded itself into the economic powerhouse that we see today. Whether it's tech startups like Didi Chuxing, to which Uber recently merged with in China, innovative social networks like WeChat, which is arguably the most advanced and integrated messaging platform on the planet, or absolute dominance in the steel industry, Chinese companies have made a mark on the market.
The point is that in the business world, and world at large, change is the only constant. We say this as we prepare to welcome new staff, new business, and fresh ideas. The company we are today is very different from who we were a year ago, and we couldn't be happier. We took risks, bit off a bit too much, but through diligence and hard work digested all of it.
(Image is of Mo Tzu, who opposed Confucian ideals to lead his own school thought, Mohism, which opposed adherence to tradition)
Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Jean-Paul Satre on Honesty
Telling the truth is a two way street. For the teller, there is a certain intangible moral capital that they gain. It allows them to meet reality head-on and be somewhat objective about the world. Being honest doesn't just provide a fuzzy feeling, but also tangibly helps you achieve your goals. Understanding where you stand allows you to better orient yourself towards where you want to go.
For the person being told, the truth is an olive branch that allows us to connect with the teller. It shows that they treat us with respect and that they have enough confidence in us to share their world. This in turn results in stronger trust, increased interactions, and higher amounts of happiness from these interactions.
Advertising is the same. As brands become more integrated into our daily lives, consumers are in turn expecting more from the way they are being marketed to. Millennials especially, seek genuine interactions with brands and dislike dishonesty. Be big enough to treat consumers like people, tell them the truth, and most importantly, listen to their response.
Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Burns on Being Scottish
July 27th is National Scotch Day in the United States. It is also Wit and Wisdom Wednesday at The Specialist Works US and in honor of our favorite spirit we are highlighting a quote from Robert Burns. We love this quote because it beautifully embodies the philosophy of our agency.
To succeed in advertising, we need to be honest with the client, ourselves, and about the product. Sales are not driven by campaigns that are unrealistic, disorganized, or facetious. They come from understanding the truth behind the clutter, gaining valuable marketing intelligence, and doing the necessary legwork to execute appropriately. Life is tough and delusional directions only lead us further astray. So whether you're having one neat or on the rocks, Slainte!
Wit and Wisdom Wednesday - Riley on Problem Solving
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at the Specialist Works US and today we touch on problem solving. As advertising professionals we are inherently tasked with solving problems, not just identifying them. It is much easier to tell a client why their business isnt working, rather than consulting with them to ensure that it does. This approach is an investment of time and energy, but as the three little pigs quickly learned, a house built of bricks is well worth the effort.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Dali on Ambition
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and we chose to highlight this Salvador Dali quote. Dali certainly pushes the edge of comfort in his Art. We need to push ourselves beyond comfort to see what we are able to achieve. Through some of our recent business transitions, we have found ourselves doing exactly that.
Stability is nice. Adventure is living.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Faulkner on Pouring Out Liquor
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and we are in a mellow and reflective mood. It is a perfect mood to indulge in some Faulkner and sip a wonderful whiskey (except that we are at work). This quote has no legitimate tie in to our business and we can't even pretend to create a business parallel, but we love the quote and our collection of Faulkner novels.
As a business in the American South we are always inclined to reflection, and this quote makes us feel relaxed enough to take the time to indulge.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Dr Seuss on Going Wiith The Flow
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and today we want to say Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss. Born on March 2nd, 1904. We are certainly game for enjoying the ride ourselves.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Caldwell on Storytelling
“Many Southern writers must have learned the art of storytelling from listening to oral tales. I did. It gave me the knowledge that the simplest incident can make a story.” Erskine Caldwell
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and we are happy to be back in the South for the some much needed office time. If you read our blog regularly, you will know we are fans of Southern literature and of Caldwell in particular. Having been on the road in meetings over the past two weeks, we have come to realize just how much of our role in client relationships and new business development is actually dependent on storytelling.
In business, this is called a "case study", but in its most effective application it is actually just a story. The ability to convey a message to another person or group in a memorable and meaningful way can be the difference between success and failure. Dry data points are a great supporting items to follow up with, but rarely win the day.
The most effective business story telling I have seen in action is by a close friend from Texas. Like Caldwell, he manages to take a small mundane incident, and envelope it in a level of hilarious detail that makes it memorable. Almost exclusively, the stories are self-effacing, and that enhances their value to the audience. Someone that would poke fun of themselves is surely worth listening to. It builds trust. There is, however, always a gem mixed in with the humor that is the intended if subtle takeaway. Without realizing there is a "lesson" underway, the audience hangs on every word.
This Wednesday tell a story.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Failure is not Fatal
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and we love this Winston Churchill quote on perseverance. Business is rarely an adventure that continues to stay steady and level. More is the FUN!
Life is a fast ride during which you need to hold on tight, because if you can ride with no hands, you are doing it wrong.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Le Petit Prince
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." Antoine de Saint-Exupery
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and we anticipate in the upcoming holiday we will be feeling like the snake that swallowed the elephant in Le Petit Prince, so we thought we would quote Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
So often in life, we are compelled to make decision on a rational basis, rather than on our instincts or intuition.
Call it gut, heart or emotion, we all come to the table understanding exactly who we are and reacting to events as the character we have become in life.
Is it a “chapeau” or a “snake that has swallowed an elephant”? We hope you see the elephant.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Twain on Facts
"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please." Mark Twain
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and in our minds you can't go wrong with a quote from Mark Twain, or indeed with one from Samuel Clemons. Always witty, these quotes are painfully truthful. In this week's selection we examine "facts". The value of a fact depends on what is shared, and what is withheld.
From a business perspective, due diligence and data mining have tremendous value. Sadly though, facts don't always mean what you believe they mean. Before making significant investments based on "facts" test their validity.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Washington Irving on Spell-Casting
"He is the true enchanter, whose spell operates, not upon the senses, but upon the imagination and the heart." Washington Irving
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and in honor of Halloween we thought we would quote Washington Irving author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. What does this mean to us? Sensual impact is fleeting, but if you can reach deeper, and make a connection it is truly is magical.
This quote is incredibly applicable to advertising. Sensory bombardment is one thing, but the lasting impact of a campaign that has a true emotional appeal is another. Allowing the consumer to engage with their imagination to either see themselves in a new light because of a product, or to bond with the product philosophy is indeed spell-casting.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Patton on Decision Making
"No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair." George S. Patton
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and we love this quote. We don't hate swivel chairs, but we do recognize that they symbolize detached decision making. Hands on experience and understanding of a situation is not only recommended, it is necessary.
Exposure to the practical application of decisions is critical to ensuring they yield the intended results. Not only does that require getting our of the "swivel chair", it requires due diligence before the decisions are made.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Caldwell on Listening
"I was not a writer to begin with; I was a listener."
Erskine Caldwell
We love Southern literature at Elarbee Media. Erskine Caldwell's God's Little Acre was the first "First Edition" purchase we made. Erskine Caldwell himself gives us a truth in his statement that is so powerful it is easy to overlook.
Listening is an Art. You can not understand how to deliver the cure if you don't listen to the symptoms of the disease. It is all too easy to try to push solutions without listening to problems.
Listening is not about hearing the words, it is also hearing the cadence, and tone. Language is a gift, tool and weapon. Listen and hear so that you are prepared. People tell you more than you imagine in a simple sentence.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Yogi Berra
"It ain't over till it's over" Yogi Berra
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and today we want to highlight one of the best quotes ever. Keep pushing forward in business and in life. There is a reward.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Franklin on Diligence
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and we can always count on Ben Franklin for a dose of truth. In business, sitting back and waiting doesn't make the phones ring or the money roll in. Small steps toward your long term goals create steady progress.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Edison on Execution
"Vision without execution is hallucination." Thomas Edison
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and we love this quote from Thomas Edison. Ideas are great, but when not put into practice they are worthless.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - George Orwell on Faces
“At 50, everyone has the face he deserves.” George Orwell
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media. We are not spring chickens here. Although we are not yet 50 we have “been around the block a few times”, “had our teeth kicked in”, and “pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps”. When we see the signs of age, we embrace them. They aren’t wrinkles, they are character lines.
Not living life means not making mistakes, and not making mistakes means not learning. If you can’t see in someone’s face that they have lived life, it is best to run away quickly. Very quickly.
Wit& Wisdom Wednesday Jim Henson on the Child Inside
"The most sophisticated people I know - inside they are all children." Jim Hensen
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and we can't think of a better person to quote than Jim Hensen. As children of the Sesame Street Era, we appreciate the brilliance of the creative mind that fearlessly built an empire.
Jim Hensen is a reminder of how we can get it right. Work should be fun, and you should enjoy it. When you stop enjoying it, it is just drudgery.
We are very lucky to be able to say "We love what we do!". It is indeed a rare gift and we appreciate it. Although we may not be particularly sophisticated, we are most definitely children inside.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Riding Ahead of the Herd
If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there. -- Old West Proverb
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media. We love this Old West Proverb, and think it is perfectly applicable for business. Competition drives us to innovate and push forward to make sure we are the "front-runner" in our industry. Is that really wise?
Taking the lead means putting yourself out there and taking all the risk. Often watching the testing other peer companies are doing allows you to garner critical knowledge on what is performing and what is not. Watching and tracking does not require a significant investment from your own coffers.
If you are the leader, look back over your shoulder to see who is following your lead, and what edits they are making to refine your process. It is often easier to edit effectively than it is to create.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Batman
“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.” Batman
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and we pulled this Batman quote to continue our bat theme for the week. Actions are the true expression of who we are.
Businesses so frequently miss this connection. Spending time developing strategy, then failing to execute defines the business. Theory is only theory. What you put into practice is what will determine your success.
This Batman rendition is by Brent Woodside. WoodsideIllustrations.com
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Kipling on Fear
“Of all the liars in the world, sometimes the worst are our own fears.” ― Rudyard Kipling
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and we thought we would share a Rudyard Kipling quote that is as applicable to our personal lives as it is to our business.
Anticipating failure causes a failure to act. Embracing the fear of beginning and the fears of change are two of the most damming choices businesses make. Mistakes are teachers. You have to act to learn.
Wit& Wisdom Wednesday Faulkner on Clocks
"Clocks slay time. Time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life."
William Faulkner.
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and today is all about the South and this Faulkner quote from The Sound and the Fury. Elarbee Media is located in Atlanta, GA, but we are not all from her. Time has a different meaning here, and things take a bit longer than in many places. It can be frustrating to an outsider until you realize that the results show the caring behind the time taken.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - E.M. Forster on Spoon Feeding
“Spoon feeding in the long run teaches nothing but the shape of the spoon.” E.M. Forster
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and we wanted to share this classic quote from E.M. Forster. For us this quote is about taking the time to invest in people and in training. "Spoon Feeding" may get the small tasks completed in the short term, but creating an engaged employee that can see what is coming next is real goal. That takes time, patience and candor. It is well worth the investment.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Alexander Hamilton on Mistakes
"A well adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous." Alexander Hamilton
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and we are focusing on this quote from Alexander Hamilton. Businesses, especially Advertising Agencies, do tend to make the same mistakes more than once. The key is in learning form it the first time, and still committing to taking a risk on the second round.
Failure and mistakes are the cornerstone of progress. It is rare to see success that has not been brought forward without these two friends along for the ride.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday -Thomas Edison on Not Failing
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Thomas A. Edison
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media. This quote from Thomas Edison speaks volumes to us as Direct Response advertising professionals. Success is about testing. While Edison may not have been testing media to hit a target ROI, his continual progress down a path to eliminate what does not work is an eerie parallel.
Starting with a hypothesis on what will work, you test. You fail, but you look to answer the question "Why?". You test again with a variation on the strategy. You fail again, but continue to refine or reject what you know has not worked. If you keep repeating, and refining, you come to the point of success.
Not everyone has the stomach for failure. For many it is the closure of the process. For those with the courage, it is simply part of the journey.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Churchill on Listening
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Winston Churchill
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and we are pulling a quote from one of our core inspirations Sir Winston Churchill. (The man, not the superb bar on Crescent St in Montreal)
Business leadership is a tricky thing – people look to you for direction, but sometimes it is important to set direction based on what you hear from the ground up. Stopping, taking stock and listening are often hard things for the entrepreneur to embrace. That said, listening is one of the most important things you as a leader can do. The perspective from other positions and directions is often enlightening to the point of being painful, but is always a starting point for advancement. Whether that comes from changing systems, or editing those who do not share your perspective, it is always an opportunity for progress.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday on Cowboys
“Any cowboy can carry a tune. The trouble comes when he tries to unload it.” – Old West Proverb
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and we are so excited to be once again in Texas! Cheers Cowboys!
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - AA Milne on More for Less
“It was Lord Northcliffe who killed the penny dreadful: by the simple process of producing a ha’penny dreadfuller. “ A. A, Milne
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and this week we are quoting A.A. Milne of “Winnie the Pooh” fame. Milne is referring to the founder of Britain’s The Daily Mail, Lord Northcliffe, and his business acumen in producing what the public wanted; more and for less money.
Some things don’t change. The appetite for “more for less” is more prevalent now than ever. As an advertiser it is imperative to not only sell the “discount”, but to highlight the product benefits. Price is only half of the equation.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Kipling on work
"Gardens are not made by singing 'Oh, how beautiful,' and sitting in the shade." Rudyard Kipling
At Elarbee Media, we love old books, the touch and feel of the thick yellowed pages is comforting, as is the thought that they have been touched many times before. We tend to collect the same authors time and again, which likely shows in our choice of quotes. Kipling is one of our favorites.
This Rudyard Kipling quote for Wit & Wisdom Wednesday is a poignant reminder of the need for toil. It is the work that creates the success, the constant testing, failing and then finally succeeding.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Ronald Reagan on Siimple
This Wit & Wisdom Wednesday we have decided to view things through the Ronald Reagan lens. Sometimes the simple answer is the right answer.
Advertising should drive sales. Advertising needs to be executed to drive sales. Simple.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Adam Smith
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media and this pointed quote from Adam Smith is telling. We are motivated by what is beneficial to us as individuals.
In advertising, it is essential to outline benefits to the consumer. By highlighting how products or services enhance the life or position of the purchaser you create a perceived need. Selling these benefits, serves the advertiser's interests.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Rudyard Kipling on Failing
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media, and past time for a little Kipling. Often being direct and succinct is incredibly powerful as in the quote above.Advertising messaging is powerful when direct and succinct as well. Test it!
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday - Churchill Hell
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday James Joyce on Planning
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday again at Elarbee Media. This week we are fully staffed, and there is no business travel. We will enjoy being productive, and knowing that it will show tomorrow.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Nonsense and Beauty E.M. Forster
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media. This quote from E. M. Forster, one of our favorite authors, is so much fun. It can be interpreted in so many ways.
Is nonsense the excess of beauty? That one step too far? Or, does embracing folly and frivolity allow you to see real beauty?
When does pushing the envelope lead to a breakthrough, and when does it lead to degradation of the idea?
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Jeannette Rankin
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media. On these Wednesday, we look to the past to have someone say exactly what we are thinking, but with a lot more eloquence that we can muster.
In business, clients the make decision on how far they will go. Sometimes that is just shy of "far enough".
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Will Rogers Stop Digging
It is Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media. Will Rogers seems to have an incredible ability to state the obvious with a delivery that shocks you with its impact.
So often you watch as people, and businesses, fail to change what they are doing even though it isn't working. Why?
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Mark Twain on the Majority
It's Wit & Wisdom Wednesday at Elarbee Media. Mark Twain offers us both on a platter with this quip about embracing the majority. His wit is timeless because it reflects on the nature of people, not on specific issues.
What does this have to do with business? If you are doing what everyone else is doing, you need to pause and reflect. In marketing innovation is crucial. Keeping up with the pack means you are already behind. If everyone is doing it, the competitive advantage has already passed. So how do you embrace new opportunities without throwing money down the toilet? Test. Test small and test often. Test odd and innovative channels. Test.
Wit & Wisdom Wednesday Warhol on Art and Business
Stunning as it is, Andy Warhol, pictured here in a cowboy hat, has one of the most remarkable business quotes out there. Unashamedly capitalistic in his approach and certainly talented, he nails it with language. And who doesn’t envy his approach to hair-styling?