Categories
Design

Inspiration

From the HB Blog

A blank page. Quite intimidating. Where can we find the inspiration to craft meaningful content, visuals, or information?

Humans

Grab a peer. Ask for help. Show a family member. Often, our creations are self-centered. An alternate point of view can provide an unaffected opinion on your layout or draft. Even if the feedback is “bad,” it provides an opportunity to enhance your work.

Resources

Lean on news sources and creative aggregators for help. Every day, I view successful designs on The Dieline, Swiss Legacy, and Brand New (to name a few). Even if your working on a non-package, non-poster, or non-logo, a design can help to inspire. In addition, it helps to read about successful campaigns or initiatives. We Heart, T Magazine, and Design Envy are excellent aggregators of interesting projects across architecture, design, and fashion.

The Web

Why not ask your favorite design or content communities for their thoughts? Dan Cederholm’s Dribbble provides an open environment for sharing ongoing designs. You can also rely on Twitter and Facebook to review your work as well – your communities are salivating for new content to devour.

Other inspiring collectives: AisleOne, FormFiftyFive, It’s Nice That, and Motionographer.

Categories
Business Culture

Props to Values

From the HB Blog

What drives your business?

Rosanna M. Fiske, APR, chair and chief executive officer of the Public Relations Society of America shares the importance of values across a company. Fiske argues that good businesses profit from products and services while great companies do the same with a higher purpose. Companies must communicate their values across the business for the greatest impact. Perhaps her most important point concerns asking employees what they feel is most important.

Talk

So often we forget to speak directly to our audience(s). Whether you are an agency, a B2B company, or a retail shop, it’s critical to know what your team thinks. How does your account manager, sales team, or cashier embody a company’s value system?

Execute

We pride ourselves on The HB Way, a set of principles guiding our actions with clients, prospects, and each other. These beliefs emerged from internal (ongoing) discussions about HB’s purpose and role in the world of marketing. When in doubt, refer to The HB Way to make a valuable decision.

Categories
Business Social Media

Meetings, Greetings, and Tweetings

From the HB Blog

Networking events serve to connect people, provide an opportunity for introductions, and act as an environment in which to speak about your business.

And often they conclude without any business leads. Such is the nature of networking events – meet interesting people, engage in conversation, but ultimately struggle to gain traction with prospects. So what’s the point?

Practice

Start thinking of networking events as incredible opportunities to speak eloquently about you and your business. I recently attended several events, including a South Shore Tweet-up, where constant interactions require I succinctly and efficiently share HB’s solutions from the perspective of the client.

Patience

In order to effectively discuss your business, you must practice. Practice in the mirror, to your significant other, to your dog – whatever works best. Over time, networking events will seem less intimidating and more beneficial. Talk about your business well and your conversations become more meaningful.

How are you talking about your business?

Categories
Business

Let’s Go!

From the HB Blog

You know that email you’re afraid to send? Or that critique you can’t seem to share? Or that errand you are avoiding?

Stop it. And let’s go.

Too often I find myself:

  • Avoiding mowing the lawn,
  • Returning unfinished library books, or
  • Feeling unsatisfied with my work ethic.

Time management and commitment greatly influence success. What’s stopping you? Whatever you need to do – do it. And let’s go.

Need tools to help? FranklinCovey lends a hand.
How about testing? Chris Brogan suggests just that.
Or, just a simple look in the mirror. Julien Smith gets in your face.

I require a look in the mirror every now and again to recharge my batteries. It doesn’t hurt that the HB team also helps push me to work smarter.

LET’S GO.

Categories
Sports

Going Green… On the Green

From the HB Blog

I thoroughly enjoy sports, especially golf (above: my recent trip to Torrey Pines in San Diego with my family). I also enjoy “doing the right thing,” especially when it comes to the environment.

Several sports franchises feel the same way and developed the Green Sports Alliance – a collective group working to reduce the environmental impact of their teams and venues. Their most recent news surrounds FedEx Field in Washington, D.C., home to the NFL’s Redskins. The organization plans to install solar panels in its parking lots which will power the field on non-game days and dramatically decrease the energy needed for home games. Even more impressive, the recently-founded Alliance has quickly quadrupled in size thanks to the addition of our hometown Red Sox and other franchises.

As a Sox fan, I proudly root for the players on the field… and soon I will proudly root for a team that is “doing the right thing.”

An additional thought: I know that golf in particular can be hard on the environment. Read my previous post about how Justin Timberlake sets a new standard for eco-friendly golf, and if you’re a golfer, join me in asking for environmentally conscious practices at your local golf course.