Tom Ruwitch

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Monday Mash-Up ~ 2023.03.13

By Tom Ruwitch

Recommended ReadingSeth Godin on the Power of “I Don’t Know”  Another quick read from Seth Godin’s blog. Well worth the <1 minute it will take you to read it. Why it’s OK (or better) to say, “I don’t know.” Recommended ReadingBrian Kurtz: How Life Imitates Direct Marketing Baseball season is here. Spring training is in full…

The Oscar’s Champagne Problem (A Cautionary Tale)…

By Tom Ruwitch

I invented a new drinking game called “Red Carpet Roulette.” Details and rules below.  But first, the backstory.  The Einsteins who run The Academy Awards decided they have to “reimagine the Oscars’ red carpet aesthetic and guest experience.”  (Because, everyone knows: The #1 gripe about The Oscars is the red carpet aesthetic.) So they hired…

Business Lessons From a Jazz Master

By Tom Ruwitch

Before the pandemic, I attended a workshop called The Hidden Jazz of Teams.  It revealed how artistic pursuits, such as playing and composing jazz, reflect and instruct business pursuits, such as team-building and creating.   Dan Rubright — a jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher — ran the workshop with his partner Leslie Peters.  I loved that workshop…

“One of the greatest jobs of marketing that the universe has ever seen is…”

By Tom Ruwitch

I came across an old video of Steve Jobs talking about marketing… …and dishing out high praise for Nike. He said… “One of the greatest jobs of marketing that the universe has ever seen is Nike.”   And then he explained:  “Nike sells a commodity. They sell shoes. And yet, when you think of Nike, you feel something…

The Worst Reason Not to Email

By Tom Ruwitch

I know a business coach who’s great at what she does but struggles to sell it.  We’re in a mastermind group together, and during our last meeting she asked how to promote her new program.  Ideas flew around the Zoom room — mostly about ways to get new leads.  “Try Pinterest,” someone suggested.  And then…

About My Dad

By Tom Ruwitch

I’ve completed another lap around the sun.  Time to stick another candle in the cake, make a wish, and blow ’em out.  And time to write about Dad.  This has become a tradition for me: Tell a story or two about Dad on March 7 — the day I was born (1965) and the day…

Monday Mash-Up ~ 2023.03.06

By Tom Ruwitch

Recommended ReadingWhy You Shouldn’t Be Swayed by the Popularity of Super Bowl Ads This is a great article from AdWeek about the difference between “popular” ads and profit-generating ads. Valuable lessons here about measuring what matters.  Recommended Listening and ViewingHappy Birthday, Wes Montgomery Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery was born 100 years ago today (March 6). Many call…

Why You Should Celebrate The Impact You Make

By Tom Ruwitch

Marketing master Dave Dee sent his list a great email yesterday. With his permission, I share it now… I have a simple question for you. Is your business a force for good in the world? I don’t mean that metaphysically. Instead, do you genuinely help people solve problems and help them get the outcomes they…

A Seuss-inspired Mindset Beusst…

By Tom Ruwitch

Theodor Seuss Geisel — a.k.a. Dr. Seuss — was born on this day (March 2) in 1904.  Happy Dr. Seuss day.  A few years back, I wrote a poem, in the style of Dr. Seuss. It’s a true story. Here it is… When I earned a diploma, I got many a gift. A watch. And a camera. Some…

The “One Thing” That’s Helped me More Than Any Other…

By Tom Ruwitch

I have a stack of newsletters Dan Kennedy wrote in 2001 – when the economy was “bad” and most business owners were in retreat.  In the August 2001 issue, Dan told a story about a business owner who refused to invest in his “Magnetic Marketing” program.  The business owner said, “If I did (purchase it),…