Entries Written By Alistair Vince
The100: Brand health, the end of averages and cargo cults
The world’s biggest database of human intentions The Parish of Brand Tracking uncorked a new metric late last year: Share of Search. Les Binet convincingly explains that share of search can predict market share; where share of search goes, market share follows. 30 minutes in the egg timer flies by. And Les starts the talk …
The100: Acquisitions, artaraxy and nuns’ brains
$1.85 gold filled spectacles Amazon is often served dishes of disdain in response to their in-house brands, with Peak Design’s 90 seconds of (understandable) snark being a recent example. Yet, as Ben Evans pointed out, Amazon isn’t doing anything different to those that came before them. Sears, for example, was even doing private label back …
The100: Slow-motion multitasking, faster horses and dreamscapes
I sent a researcher to 1890 The misuse of the Henry Ford ‘faster horses’ quote has long rumpled my stiltskins. All too often it’s oversimplified and used to pooh-pooh the need for innovation research. Indeed the quote is correct, participants aren’t going to invent the car. But that isn’t the point of research either. As …
The100: Internal presentations, problem solving and orange peel
At the first signs of smoke As First Mate in the House of Vince during these lockdowns (the real boots are not on my feet) recent advice from the gang at Farnham Street held particular relevance for both home and office life. The maritime approach to solving problems before they happen: If a leader can’t …
The100: Better arguments, positive uncertainty and Kawasakis
When disagreement floods the brain I like a good argument – shocker, I know. Though for many, arguing is more uncomfortable than a wet pair of socks. Thankfully, according to Ian Lesie, we can learn to be more at ease with them (arguments, not wet socks). But there’s more to disagreeing than just disagreeing. We …
The100: Creativity crises, fictional empathy and the Carolino effect
jeff@amazon.com In case you’ve been living under an extra large parcel, Bezos is stepping down as Amazon CEO. In addition to the airtime, wordtime and 21-gun salute recognising Jeff’s achievements, the ineffable Ritson has explained how Amazon’s success is due to their obsession with the customer. Insight is not the enemy of invention. It is …
The100: Tactical levers, beer mode and going client side
Someone who might say something a bit silly We’re fortunate enough to have been involved in more launches than a 1960s dockyard here at Watch Me Think. And whilst not one that we worked on directly, the new coffee bag from Taylors of Harrogate has always stood out. Just as brilliant is the story behind …
The100: Marketing cults, knowledge flows and involuntary body jerks
The year of the Rat Hello again. I hope you managed to enjoy the festive break (remember that?). First port of call this year is our annual list of the top 10 most clicked articles featured in The100 last year. It’s quite the show. I also wrote a review of what 2020 was for me …
The100: Best of 2020
As is tradition, below is a list of the top 10 most clicked articles that featured in The100 during 2020. In 10th In 10th place we have Lisa Charlotte Rost’s tremendously detailed piece on how to pick more beautiful colours for your data presentations. Pleasing. In 9th Next, in 9th, is a video about why …
The100: Project mapping, consumer loyalty and accidental sludge
When the milk runs out For the most part, consumer loyalty is about as windproof as a tea bag. Samuel Brealey argued that it is instead convenience that blows consumers from choice to choice. Is it really loyalty if you have to essentially bribe your existing customers to stay with perks? It reminded me of this …