"I am convinced that revolutionary leaders bent on innovation will take over the universe. With the status quo in just about every industry sucking wind, there is a new book out there that is kicking in teeth and helping business leaders - and marketers - take it to the next level.
Recently, I wrote in the Harvard Business Review digital edition a piece entitled "Marketing in Revolutionary Times." I asked "how does a smart business respond in a time of heightened passions and greater activism?" And suggested that you run the risk of being out of step with your customers, if you fail to respond to this shift in the culture, with your company looking like a status quo brand in a revolutionary world.
Let's talk innovation. Let's talk colliding worlds - business leadership + marketing. It's happening in the C-Suite, and it's the topic of discussion in boardrooms and on the golf course. Last week, I picked up and read Lisa Bodell's wonderful and inspiring new book entitled "Kill The Company." This book rocked my world. The content is more about leadership than marketing overall, but several themes pop and nicely align with the thinking above.
It's not hyperbole to suggest that "Kill The Company: End the Status Quo, Start an Innovation Revolution?" is changing the thinking of business leadership and is creating leaders wanting to drive marketing innovation. Well, you would, wouldn't you?
I just spent a week on a production in Miami reading it. Some observations.Reading it helps align the need for marketing innovation with the overall needs of the business today, so understanding this helps marketers have a more holistic view on the mindset of business. It's also not a bad place for innovation to start. Especially when marketing can ignite a movement that establishes a new culture, new philosophy, brand purpose, actions and behaviors.
Even as marketers, while people in this role tend to be highly creative, it's easy to stick to the tried and true. Being o