Rave reviews about the lunches at The NY Brand Lab!

The next NY Brand Lab kicks off April 12 and, according to the recent Lab grads who sat around the table, the lunches are surprisingly amazingly delectably delicious. So here’s the scoop re their Number #1 favorite lunch. Those Lab grads all begged/pleaded/demanded the recipes and details so here goes:

I’d have to say the Porcini Mushroom Tortellini was the number #1 favorite. It’s from Bertagni, a product of Italy and it comes in a 8.8 oz (250g) package. Takes only a few minutes to boil and it’s totally drop-dead delicious. I serve it with a melted butter and sage sauce. Unbelievable. Of course, then there’s The Van Salad that goes with it. Everyone also seems to want my all-time favorite Van Salad Dressing! Here goes: Use the best olive oil you can afford. If not, don’t worry! Then it’s a few drops of White Wine Vinegar (not Balsamic). Add a small dollop of Dijon mustard and whisk, mix, stir it up so it looks swirly. Be generous with your Maldon sea salt and ground pepper. Then, depending on what kind of mood I’m in, I’ll mince a few cloves of garlic. When it comes to leaves: I like a mix of arugula and that purple raddiccio. (Nothing like a burst of color.) Toss it all up. I add toasted (not-quite ground but slivers) of almonds or pine nuts. Place in a good hot fry pan. No oil required. But you have to watch it closely otherwise it burns. I love avocado. And at the last minute, I shave the real Parmiggiano cheese and mix. Note: I prefer those old fashioned kinds of cheese graters that grate generous slivers of cheese. Much prefer that to the tiny, tiny grains of cheese. It’s the texture that is important here.

Here’s what the remarkable Smita Paul, social entrepreneur & creative director from www.IndigoHandloom.com said about lunch at The NY Brand Lab:

“There’s no other workshop or group in New York City that serves the kind of lunch that Van does. My favorite? The mushroom porcini with sage/butter sauce.”

Try the tortellini. You won’t be sorry.

Does your biz have a Brand Average or a Brand Plus?!

A Brand Average is clearly not good enough in this economy. So if you’re looking for one of the best ways to give your brand a leg up, so to speak, take a look at how you’re talking to yourself. That’s exactly what my friend and colleague Dr. Sharon Melnick was talking about when she came to speak at The NY Brand Lab a few weeks ago.

Here’s what she said: “The way you talk to yourself is the way you talk to everyone.” So if you’re feeling negative or frustrated with the ways things are going in your business, watch out. You might be shooting yourself in the foot because that kind of negativity comes out when you talk to your clients, your colleagues – and the rest of your world! So this is the time to be paying attention to how you’re talking to yourself. Important stuff.

Your brand either has its own voice. Or it doesn’t.

There’s something many entrepreneurs are ignoring. It’s the lack of tapping into your very own unforgettable ‘brand voice.’

Let’s face it, your brand voice starts with your choice of language. There’s enormous power in words whether you’re crafting your brand story or creating an irresistible marketing message.

So, here’s an invitation to join me on Wednesday, February 24th at 3:00 Eastern with my friend and Canadian colleague Susan Regier, founder and head writer of Vantage One Writer.

Want to register for this Free call? We’re going to have a blast! Plus I want you to call in with questions. Is that a deal?

Sign Up for Your Access Code and Call-in Number
http://tiny.cc/wG6Sc

This will be a jam-packed call! We’ll share things that simply aren’t being talked about – but can drastically change the way you do business, including…

* The power of language in brand storytelling and crafting an irresistible marketing message – and the mindset to build a thriving business in any market.
* How to tune into your own brand voice and hear what it really communicates about you, your business, and your deliverables (and how to convert it into an irresistible magnet).
* The biggest mistake entrepreneurs are making when it comes to branding (and how to fix it ASAP).
* How to identify the main reason why some entrepreneurs are resistant to telling their irresistible story.
* The top 5 best-kept secrets to create more provocative copy and content that will impact your bottom line (and make heads turn).
* How to build a “Brand Unusual” and knock the socks off your target audience (and your competition!).
* Why creating your own Brand Signature for all marketing communications will get you closer to where you want to go.

See you on Wednesday, February 24th at 3:00 Eastern!
Van

How do you want to change your world?

It’s Van here, just wanting to touch base with you at the end of the week. I’m feeling over the moon about the extraordinary group of entrepreneurs sitting around The NY Brand Table and, of course, I could go on and on about them but just let me say they’re an inspiring lot.

What’’s so interesting to me is also what happens when you get a group of savvy business people, visual
thinkers, thought leaders and creatives in this Lab setting. It’s a powerful group dynamic. You feel the energy around the room and then, ahhh…. there’s that bond, the glue – that’s keeping everyone connected. I am finding that now, more than ever, people are looking to make stronger emotional connections with the people in their orbit, both in their business and personal relationships. It’s got something to do with creating a better future and building and enhancing your brand is part of that. It’s significant, meaningful and powerful stuff. My program at The NY Brand Lab aims for a certain kind of constructive engagement. It’s serious. It’s playful. That’s why I love this notion of wearing the hat of ‘Master of Serious Play.’ It’s hugely important to me. That’s why I’m in a good mood. What about you?

Here’s my challenge to you: Think for a moment about the kind of difference you want to make in your world. Imagine your brand as being the vehicle that allows you to do exactly that. FYI Your brand is your ally here. Consider signing up for the next NY Brand Lab if it resonates with you. It kicks off April 12 for four consecutive Mondays. That’ll put you in a good mood. Believe me. So I invite you to talk to me about it. Show the world your way. Here’s the link. I have an Early Bird Special going on right now http://zingyourbrand.com/nybrandlab

OK. Moving right along. Here we go with Clue 7º from the ‘The Things I Can
Spot in a Brand In a Flash’ Series. Remember, it tells me whether your brand
is working in your favor. (You know, shooting you in the foot or not.)

CLUE NO 7º No indication of any vital signs in your business. (i.e. No brand
pulse.) So what on earth am I talking about? Your brand needs you. (Hey, I
just need to keep on reinforcing this.) Your brand can’t survive without you or your energy, input, thinking, intention, desire, dreams, determination. You get the idea. It needs YOU.

As the CEO/Brand Guardian, it’s up to you to pay close attention to your brand. A healthy pulse lets a doctor know the patient is alive, thriving, right? Well, when’s the last time you checked your brand
pulse? Because if your brand is showing healthy, vital signs, then I know you are going to be emotionally in sync with your biz. It’s going to tell me your emotional IQ is pretty high, you have the ability to identify, understand and manage your emotions. Remember, your brand is a living and breathing and
continuing conversation between you and your customers. And the more you
identify with your brand, it’s going to be that much easier to build stronger emotional connections with your audience.

SIGNED UP YET? FREE TELESEMINAR FEB 24 at 3pm EST It’s all about how to brand proof your business in this lousy economy. There’s been a great response (so far, thanks to you all!) so make sure you book your spot on the call. The best part? You’ll be able to eliminate any “brand anxiety” to grow your business, attract more clients, and knock the socks off your competition. Here’s that link. You’ll land on Susan Regeir’s site, my friend and colleauge in Canada, and we’re going to have a blast doing this call.

To register, go to: http://www.findyourauthenticvoice.com/branding/signup.php

See you on the call!

The NY Brand Lab: The Inside Scoop.

This is what I’m hearing from some of you who are not living in NYC: Where’s The NY Brand Lab taking place? What’s the NY Brand Lab table look like, for Pete’s sake!!? Show us some pics of the loft space! OK. Here goes:

Imagine you’re sitting around The NY Brand Lab table. This is what you’re looking at (see below). It’s part of the stage set where I’m holding these weekly mastermind sessions. In the background, full size clay molds are lined up by the entrance. One of my favorite resin paintings by Ivan Schwartz. Of course, you see that four-legged critter? That’s the gorgeous eight-year old Finn. A French pointer with spots galore. (Brown never looked this good.) Next time I’ll include a head shot.

See the long pale green table (below) with resin surface on the right? Almost looks like glass? This is The NY Brand Lab table where we all roll up our sleeves and get to work. It’s my job to make sure no one is falling into the Dead Brand Walking trap! Against the wall, my long trestle table which I shipped over from Sydney. Think it used to be used in the Australian bush on some sheep farm. Of course, nothing like a few clocks on the wall. I like George Washington keeping an eye on things (back corner). Edgar Allen Poe keeps a look out from his pedestal (far left). The big collage on the wall is another of my favorites by sculptor/painter/inventor/designer Ivan Schwartz.

A close of the collectibles, artifacts, lamps, lights (below) and then, don’t miss Lafayette looking across the room. See him? He’s the bronze bust (left of center). See the detail on The NY Brand Table? That’s what I call “Black Line Crazy.” More about that another time although I can tell you that designer Ivan Schwartz designed the resin table.

Took this at night. The light in the middle was on a dimmer. You’d never know it. Alas. My iphone can only do so much. The backdrop? Ah. This is more “Black Line Crazy: Designed, created and executed by innovator/designer Ivan Schwartz. I need to check in with him before I tell you how he did it. We both like sets.

This is a shot taken on the beach a block away from the studio. This is just to give you an idea of where The NY Brand Lab takes place. In DUMBO. On the Brooklyn waterfront. DUMBO is a small triangular piece of real estate situated between the Brooklyn Bridge (seen here) and the Manhattan Bridge. Apologies for the out of focus pic. Huge amount of traffic on the East River. Particularly tugboats.

This is the base of the Manhattan Bridge (below). You can just get a glimpse of Manhattan on the right there. Next time, will include more of the bridge. I happen to love bridge pylons.

titlte

The NY Brand Lab: A Couple of Studio Shots

These are a few pics from The NY Brand Lab studio right here on the Brooklyn waterfront. I’m also including some images of the studio that were featured in The World of Interiors, a few years back!

A close up shot of the studio (below).

Lining the entrance to The NY Brand Lab is group of figures (below) from The National Constitution Center (www.constitutioncenter.org) in Philadelphia. These are, in fact, clay molds and all 42 signers of the Constitution were produced for the NCC by StudioEIS, one of the foremost 3D design, sculpture and visual storytelling companies in the country. The figures were cast in bronze in an upstate NY foundry and you can see them at the Signers’ Hall on Independence Mall. The two partners at StudioEIS also happen to be my former 3D design partners when I first moved to NY. And I am pleased to say I have a wonderful corner office in their 12,000 sq.ft. space.

When you get the chance, check out this link to StudioEIS: http://studioeis.com You’ve never seen anything like it. I bet.

Announcing launch of new site: http://ZingYourBrand.com

I have decided to have more fun with my brand. You bet. After all, it’s something I encourage clients, friends, family, distant relatives, colleagues and everyone, in fact, who comes anywhere near me. I say: Have fun in your business. Have fun with your brand.

So finally, after some soul searching, finding my real voice (for once and for all) and with a little help along the way, I am delighted to be launching my new site. It’s still http://ZingYourBrand.com. But go there and you will sense/feel a difference. Here’s why:

1. My biz is about helping people (like you) avoid falling into the trap of Dead Brand Walking!

2. My interest is about helping people (like you) create an outrageously unique, unforgettable and irresistible brand. Without you, you’re toast. That’s my bottom line.

3. What else. My willingness and desire to speak about this wonderful world of branding is close to my heart. I want to be upfront and personal. That means I get to do whatever it takes to spread the word, and challenge the status quo. Sounds good to you?

4. So hey. Get in touch. Don’t hesitate. But first, go check out my site. http://zingyourbrand.com

How irresistible is your brand?

It’s Tuesday and guess what? The best news so far is that The NY Brand Lab kicked off 10 days after we moved back to DUMBO/Brooklyn, it’s now in full swing and guess what Monday’s topic was all about? What’s your Irresistibility Factor? Critical stuff in today’s lousy economy. So we put elbows on The NY Brand Lab table and got to work on every aspect around the issue of irresistibility. What it means, why it’s so important and, of course, how do you get more of it – and get your hands on it (sooner than later)!

More good news: My new website is now live. FYI I keep encouraging my clients to have more fun with their brand so guess what? I decided to do the same. Check it out and let me know what you think.

http://zingyourbrand.com

What’s more, on Monday’s NY Brand Lab, I invited the fabulous copywriter Laura Belgray to join us for lunch and talk about how to write ‘non-sucky copy’ for your biz brand. If you want to tap into her particular wit, brilliance and smarts, go to her site, www.talkingshrimp.com and you can pick up her free copy of non-sucky writing tips.

OK. Moving right along. Here we go with Clue 6º from the ‘The Things I Can Spot in a Brand In a Flash’ Series. Remember, it tells me whether your brand is working in your favor. (You know, shooting you in the foot or naot.) 

CLUE NO 6º

Not clear whether the Brand Guardian (ie. You) is setting a higher standard. Then living by it.

What used to be an afterthought in business practice, operating within the parameters of social responsibility, is now coming of age. Thank goodness. This is essential thinking for entrepreneurs and future biz leaders.

A good example. At last year’s Harvard Business School graduation, more than half of the students volunteered to take a new student-authored MBA Oath. It promises that Harvard MBAs will act responsibly, ethically and refrain from advancing their own narrow ambitions. In other words, they are taking a stand that greed is not good! Take a look: http://MBAoath.org
What can you do? Ok. Ask yourself what you can do in your organization. How can you send a powerful message about the impact your business brand is having – and will continue to have in the future?

Another example. A global agency’s home page is striking for its message and intention. You click on its home page, and you see a totally black screen with only one line of type. It’s white type that punches out of the black background. Good dramatic effect. The line says:

What matters to you?

I love it for its direct approach. It has allure, it’s got my attention and it’s asking what is meaningful to me. What do I care about? What matterst to me? Sadly (for me) the menu of options just ends up being the standard list of links. But no matter. I like the message. It’s a good starting point.

Here’s that link: http://draftfcb.com

A BRANDING GENIUS MUST: THE NY BRAND LAB!
if you don’t know about The NY Brand Lab yet, you need to check it out. Like, right now. There’s no better way to find inspiration, strike creative gold, and become a branding powerhouse in your own right.

If you are interested in signing up for The NY Brand Lab in April, send me an email. I’m announcing dates for the 12-3pm Monday time slot as well as an evening time slot, 6-9pm and this one seems to be getting a lot of traction. So get in touch and at least, get your name of the list so I can keep a spot at the table for you. Here’s that link: http://zingyourbrand.com/nybrandlab

In the meantime, I dare you to keep thinking about this one: What’s your irresistibility factor? Is your brand impossible to resist? Is your brand turning heads? Does your brand have that charisma, appeal –– (sigh) allure!?!

What’s the prognosis here? OK. OK. Here’s to your unforgettable allure….

Where you were tonight at 8:00pmEST? I was talking BRAND TALK with the amazing Lori Wilk!

Tonight I was on the line with the most amazing Lori Wilk, CEA, creative energy accelerator and extraordinary host of Successipes talk show live from Las Vegas. Lori (aka the fabulous Brooklyn-born babe) and I were shooting the breeze about how to Zing Your Brand for huge success in 2010 and beyond. Watch this space. You’re going to want hear Lori. She is, indeed, the original creative energy accelerator of all times;)

FOR MORE DETAILS:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/successipes
Watch for Lori’s article after the broadcast at
http://www.examiner.com/x-32346-business-success-examiner

You’re in brilliant company @ The NY Brand Lab

It all started around noon on Monday. Rain was pouring cats and dogs. A bitter East River wind whipped around ankles near Brooklyn’s water front. Suddenly the Brooklyn Bridge was closed to traffic. Crazy turmoil, long lines and honking horns. Despite all that, everyone who booked a seat at The NY Brand Lab table arrived in one piece and carrying one soaking umbrella and guess what else they brought along?

A huge burst of energy, whip-smart brilliance and enthusiasm marched into the NY Brand Lab on Monday. I couldnt have asked for more. It was a thrill to meet and greet the most amazing people at 2010’s first Brand Lab. If you were there, you would have known you were in AMAZING company. Needless to say, the brands sitting around that table were, of course, totally knock-your-socks-off impressive. And it goes without saying that every Brand Guardian at the table is mindful, smart, keen, willing and curious. Big smiles on faces. Big laughter. Rolled up sleeves and a brilliant start.

Watch this space:)