You’ve got a great business idea. You’ve got the drive to make it happen. You’ve even got some cash to set your baby in motion. Only problem: You don’t have a business name. We were recently quoted in a Portfolio.com article on branding and naming where we offered some points on the process startups need [...]
Most business people aren’t professional storytellers. Yet, we all tell stories every day of our public and private lives. So how can business owners and marketers leverage the power of stories to connect and influence their audiences? There is a vast ocean of literature on the practice of storytelling in business, which can make finding [...]
Like language and brands? A while back we started a highly successful group on LinkedIn dedicated to this very topic, a.k.a. verbal branding or verbal identity. The group is called VERB, and today we’re more than 1100+ members strong. If you’re interested in joining the conversation, please do so here. Here’s a deeper rundown of [...]
Get your man-beast on. Slog through mud pits and fields of fire. Rock that mohawk! Tough Mudder is one hot brand with one cool verbal identity. Billed as “Ironman meets Burning Man” and “probably the toughest event on the planet,” Tough Mudder “is not your average lame-ass mud run or spirit-crushing endurance race.” Courses are designed [...]
From the global marketer launching a new product to the entrepreneur who bootstraps her way to the top, business people have a lot of misconceptions about naming. Today, we’d like to set the record straight on what naming your new brand really is, and isn’t, all about. Myth 1: “Naming a brand is easy.” Nope. [...]
Read more! →- For us, Japan is a first and second home. My wife was born in Tokyo, and I lived there for almost seven years. Our family, friends and colleagues are among the millions who have been affected by the recent earthquakes, tsunami and nuclear reactor situation. Although everyone we know seems safe, there are still [...]
Read more! →You’ve seen it. We’ve seen it. We’ve all had it at some point. Blog slob syndrome. You know, when companies and everyday folks become too busy, or too lazy, to keep up with their blogs. Yes, we too have been blog slobs lately. Well, times are changing, and we’re getting back into the game. With the [...]
Read more! →Anyone who has ever started a company or developed a product knows that naming your latest creation is one of the first, and most difficult, challenges you’ll face. So I thought I’d share a naming how-to presentation I’ve given at talks in the past. Although it’s not the full story, the deck offers insight on [...]
Read more! →(originally posted 03/31/2010) I think a lot about how I pitch my business and how I can help my clients promote their brands. As many of you know, it’s highly complex. You need a clear, concise message – one that resonates with your audience and you’re excited to share. So I did a little poking [...]
Read more! →(originally posted 04/01/2010) Running a naming business can be like driving an ambulance. The call usually comes only when there’s an emergency. Company A needs a name, and they need it now! So the next time you find yourself in a naming pickle, breath deep and take a minute to understand your options. Luckily you [...]
Read more! →(originally posted 01/30/2010) Just came across this ad by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership. Thought it was a fantastic example of storytelling — simple, power and almost entirely visual. Who says you always need language to tell a great story? Sussex Safer Roads Partnership – Embrace Life – (2010) :90 (UK) Here’s the rundown from [...]
Read more! →(originally posted on 01/29/2010) Big news. Yesterday, Apple officially launched iPad – the product and the name. Here’s my rundown of what’s good about the name, what’s bad and what really matters: The Good? It’s Short Like most Apple names, iPad is petite. Four little letters. Extremely descriptive. For native English speakers, “pad” is obvious. For those who [...]
Read more! →Subscribe to Our Mailing List
