Author Simon Sinek speaks up on NY Brand Lab Radio

This morning on NY Brand Lab Radio, Simon Sinek came on the show as my special guest and what an inspiration he is. Right now, a few hours later, I believe he’s on a plane headed for Toronto so here’s wishing him safe travels!

In about 48 hours, however, you can download the approx 40-minute interview with Simon on my site: http://zingyourbrand.com/radio. Check it out, it’s certainly (clearly) worth hearing him walk the talk.

FYI Here are some notes, in my own words, from the interview. Hope this inspires you to visit his site which is very cool, informed and mindful: http://startwithwhy.com and also pick up his book. A terrific read.

OK.Here goes. One thing before I start: I usually ask my guests at the end of the interview to DARE our listeners to do something out of their comfort zone. Or to DARE them to do something differently in their business. But this week, I decided to do something different, and so I asked Simon at the start of the interview, to DARE listeners….

1. Simon took up the challenge brilliantly and his dare? Do things your way. And the reason why most people have a problem with this? Doubt creeps in. You realize you’re doing things because that’s what someone told you to do or it’s for the wrong reasons and you’re struggling. The more you struggle, the worse you feel. As soon as you start doing things your way, things will turn around very quickly. That’s what happened to Simon. (You’ll have to listen to the interview to hear Simon share a little about how he had to transform his thinking and way of doings things.) I’m not trying to tease you. I just couldn’t possibly do justice to Simon’s remarkable story and journey.

2. Simon goes on to say: At the end of the day, every company (no matter how large or small) has to function on three levels to succeed. They have to:
a.) Know what they do.
b.) Know how they do it.
c.) Know why they do it.

3. If you can’t work out your WHY for being in business — your true purpose and set of beliefs — why should anyone else care?
What’s more, if you don’t know the answers to 1 – 3 (above), you’re going to be out of balance. And that doesn’t feel good, right?

4. Simon figured out his WHY. It’s all about teaching others how to inspire so they can inspire others. That’s his bottom line, his benchmark. Anything or everything that comes his way, all he has to do is ask the question: “Does this inspire?” If the answer is no, it’s easy. The answer is no, thanks.

5. The irony here? When you tell people HOW and WHAT you do, it’s not always that helpful to your business. People’s eyes glaze over. But when you start talking about WHY you do what you do, and what you BELIEVE in, things start to change pretty quickly. That’s what happened to Simon.

6. It takes huge courage to live your WHY.

7. The courage to live this way, and live out your WHY, is partly about surrender. The best entrepreneurs have to admit and accept they can fail. After all, to succeed means taking risks, taking huge leaps of faith, and the need for acceptance — whatever happens. The other thing? You need to be take full responsibility. You need to be accountable.

8. Did you know 90% of entrepreneurs fail? It takes a special mentality to be an entrepreneur. Just listen to the language of being an entrepreneur. You have to be willing to ‘take the plunge.’ Willing to ‘take a huge leap into the unknown.’ These metaphors have clear and inherent messages that suggest this is risky business. (You can hear that, right?!)

9. Never forget what inspired you when you first set out as an entrepreneur. In fact, write that reason down somewhere. Keep it handy. Keep reminding yourself WHY you’re doing what you do.

10. If it helps, use visual images and stick them up all around your workplace. Remind yourself constantly. For Simon, the image of the airplane is what inspires him. The notion of flight and defying gravity. And capturing the imagination. So make your beliefs tangible. They’re what you stand for, remember. Write it down. Surround yourself with visual symbols and images.

11. Your beliefs are the center of all emotional connections. It’s what makes people resonate with you.

12. Trust and loyalty. They’re feelings, too and they make for creating (hugely) powerful emotional connections.

13. Life is short. Don’t forget that.

14. So are you having fun doing what YOU do? Are you doing things you never imagined doing? (Like Simon?)

OK. Those were just a few notes I jotted down this morning. The important take away here? Tap into your WHY. If you are having difficulties knowing where to start, go to Simon’s site and check out all that he is doing. Here’s that link again:
http://startwithwhy.com

Let me know how you’re doing with your WHY. It’s quite the journey:)

What do successful brands know that others don’t?

Are you aware there’s an invisible link between your brand and the money in your bank?

Guess what? The most successful companies today know what that is, and they’re clearly doing something that others aren’t doing.

Find out what’s that invisible link in this ‘roll-up-your-sleeves’ Lab session! Here’s the scoop on the next NY Brand Lab:

WHAT IS IT? The NY Brand Lab is opening its doors to a special four-hour morning session, The “Money’s in the Brand”, a ‘work-in-progress’ Lab environment for only 15-18 savvy business people where we will work on turning each brand into a money-making machine.

WHEN? Tuesday, June 29 TIME: 8:30am-12:30pm.

WHERE? The NY Brand Lab takes place in Zing Your Brand’s loft in DUMBO, only two blocks from the Brooklyn Bridge, right near the waterfront. That’s 55 Washington Street, Suite 400 on the corner of Water & Washington Streets.

TOPIC: THE MONEY’S IN THE BRAND
How to Tap into the Invisible Link between your Brand and The Money in your Bank with Mary van de Wiel, Chief Brand Maker, Zing Your Brand & Jamie Johnson, Chief Profit Maker, Jamie Johnson Consulting & Recruiting.

THE BRANDS MAKING THE MOST MONEY TODAY KNOW SOMETHING OTHERS DON’T.
All the good brands (Apple, Nike, Starbucks) know there’s an invisible link between their brand and their financial success. What’s the secret? They know how to make their customers feel like you’re talking to them — personally, every time. The deeper the relationship, the more they’ll spend. (Guess what? That’s why they become fans for life.)

After attending this insightful, info-packed presentation, you’ll have a much clearer idea about your business brand’s emotional and financial IQ. Here’s what you’ll find out:

BRAND POWER
* How your brand can make money for you, instead of shooting you in the foot
* How to check your Brand’s Pulse and Emotional IQ
* The 5-Step Brand Intelligence Methodology that taps right into your market’s emotional power
* The 7 top qualities of an irresistible brand with proven ROI
* How to create super-caffeinated brand affinity

MONEY POWER
* How to create a spike to your brand’s ability to make money
* How to supercharge your profitability (and stop leaking profits)
* How to get paid the most for your product or service (What’s your financial IQ?)
* The art of choosing which products or services are the most profitable (or not)
* Infrastructure secrets that will save you thousands of dollars (and keep your eye on the business)

Join us, get inspired and find out how to position your brand to become a money-making machine in any economy.

BONUS # 1: Three lucky people will get the chance to get on the HOT SEAT for Van’s popular Brand Audit session. Walk away knowing what kinds of subliminal ‘Go Away’ messages are popping up across all your marketing communication, and learn how to reverse them!

BONUS #2: Everyone who signs up has a 15-minute private consultation with Jamie and Van before the Lab session on 6/29. That’s so we can both get a sense of exactly where you’re at with your biz, and what you’re looking for so the “Money’s in the Brand” will bring you the answers you’re looking for.

WHAT’S THE FEE? For the four-hour Lab session, it’s $197.

WHO IS CO-HOSTING THE MONEY’S IN THE BRAND WITH ME?
Jamie Johnson is Chief Profit Maker and independent advisor to creative businesses. She works with firms to manage and refine the components of a healthy, profitable business that generates buzz and revenue — including everything from HR, Marketing, Licensing, Cash Management to IT and Administration. Creative businesses can focus on what they prefer to do — and do best: Create!

Jamie founded her consulting company following nearly 20 years of experience in managing world-class interior design firms. After managing Bunny Williams Inc. for 11 years during its transformation into the leading interior design firm it is today, she went on to become Chief Operating/Chief Financial Officer of Gomez Associates/Mariette Himes Gomez, Inc. and then Thad Hayes, Inc. She also worked in product management with internationally-recognized licensed brands at L’Oreal and Revlon. Jamie has a Masters in Business Administration in Marketing and International Business from New York University Stern School of Business.

WHAT’S THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE @ THE NY BRAND LAB?
The business of branding and generating revenue is a complex one. It’s not only about managing perceptions and expectations. It’s about going deeper and creating meaningful and powerful connections with your audience. That’s why I keep numbers at The NY Brand Lab small. (Only open to 15-18 people max.)

I know what happens when a small group of smart people put elbows on the same table and get to work. It’s a highly-energized dynamic and only works with motivated, smart and mindful individuals.

What’s more, you and your business brand and money issue get a lot of attention and focus. You’ll come out of the Lab experience with your ‘brand’s point of pain’ addressed to the fullest, and you’ll be ready to jump start your business in a totally new and energized way.

OK. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
You create a stronger emotional connection with your clients. You boost your bottom line. You understand that invisible link between your brand and your financial success. You can raise your visibility and credibility factors. You stop your brand from leaking profits. You understand how to connect with your audience in totally different way. You’re better at managing your audience’s perceptions of your business. You now have a better grasp on your business brand’s emotional IQ and financial IQ. Critical to moving forward in this economy.

WHY NOW?
Following the successful Brand Reinvention Summit last year, and two NY Brand Labs earlier this year, I was hearing that many of you wanted to continue the Brand Dialog — but this time — face-to-face around the issues of money.

This tough economy demands a different thinking about your business. And, that’s one of the best things about The NY Brand Lab. We get to work together. We put elbows on the table and roll up our sleeves and make things happen. I’m delighted to have Chief Profit Maker Jamie Johnson co-hosting this Lab session. I know she’s going to be hugely inspiring and revealing about all things around money and business.

HERE’S HOW THE NY BRAND LAB WORKS
* We meet at The NY Brand Lab at 8:30am — 12:30 on Tuesday, June 29th
* Everyone around the table gets the chance to talk about their brand’s particular ‘money point-of-pain.’
* You get one-on-one feedback from a global Branding Expert and a Profit Maker as they address the critical issues around your brand and it’s money-making capability
* You get insights and actionable ideas about how to kick start your brand so it’s working in your favor, and close that ‘money gap’
* You get to refresh and revitalize the way you think and talk about your brand and your financial success
* You get to ‘test’ new ideas and concepts with the group
* You get to feel more empowered and confident that your business brand is doing what it’s meant to be doing. Leaking profits is not an option
* Just like a Master Class, you’re in a unique environment where you’re getting individual instruction, insights and ideas.
* You’re part of am intensive, personal, upfront and results-driven experience. (Nothing quite like it.)

WHERE DO WE MEET UP ON JUNE 29?
* Here’s the address: 55 Washington Street, Suite 400, DUMBO, Brooklyn New York 11201, right in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge
* Quick and easy access by subway A/C/1/2/ and F. (More detailed directions to come later)
* This is the site of The NY Brand (only two blocks from the Brooklyn waterfront) and it’s part of a larger 15,000 sq.ft. 2D-3D design/sculpture loft studio.

HERE’S WHAT YOU GET
* A four-hour roll-up-your-sleeves morning session with two New York-based experts in business branding and profit making
* A 15-minute complimentary one-on-one telephone call with each expert before the 6/29 session to make sure we get to the bottom of your brand’s ‘pain’ — and fix it. As soon as you sign up, I’ll send you schedule options re booking the call.
* The opportunity to meet other like-minded entrepreneurial business thinkers, and get tremendous support for your ideas. Whether you are coming up with a new product or service, or re-inventing your current business model, The NY Brand Lab acts like a mini focus group. Instant feedback. Instant support and exchange of ideas.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SIGN UP?
Within 48 hours, we’ll email you The NY Brand Lab’s ‘The Money’s in the Brand’ Prep Document. You’ll need to answer the questions and email back to us before the Brand Lab starts. Be as honest as possible because your answers and comments are going to be key to us getting our head around your particular brand/money issues. All answers are totally confidential, needless to say. PS Clarity and honesty are big on my list.

We’ll also be sending out an email with some possible times to set up two individual private telephone sessions — 15 minutes each — with both Jamie and myself.

If you need to boost your brand and your bottom line now, here’s the link where you can sign up:
http://zingyourbrand.com/moneys-in-the-brand

Am I going to see you at The NY Brand Lab table on June 29th?

How to Find The Money in Your Brand! NY Brand Lab 6/29

Did you know there’s an invisible link between your brand’s value and your financial success?

Do you know why the most phenomenally remarkable brands are making the most money today?

Are you ready to stop shooting your brand in the foot and allow it to finally make money for you?

What’s more, in this New Economy and current state of Business Unusual, it’s more important than ever to understand this subtle correlation between your brand and the money in the bank.

OK. You can now find out where the money is in YOUR brand: On Tuesday, June 28, at 8:30am The NY Brand Lab is opening its doors again, and this time, it’s a morning workshop from 8:30-12:30. The topic? The Money’s in Your Brand: 9 Reasons Why Good Brands Make Great Money.

The NY Brand Lab, the only roll-up-your-sleeves workshop of its kind in the city, only has a limited number of seats around the table. It’s an energizing lab setting right on NY’s Brooklyn waterfront where you get to focus on — and work on understanding why your brand is bleeding money – and what to do about it — and stop it, sooner than later.

My co-host for this Brand Lab is my friend and colleague, Jamie Johnson, and together we’ll be presenting “The Money’s in The Brand!” Jamie is an independent business advisor to many creative businesses where she manages and refines the components of a healthy and profitable business for her clients. Her business is managing money, after all.

Save the date! More info is on its way to you re what you can expect, why, when and how. In the meantime, if you have any questions, get in touch with me — van@zingyourbrand.com.

The Latest Trend in Interview Questions: Increasing the Odds of Getting Hired.

We all know someone who is looking for a job right now. So the question is: How to increase the odds of helping them get hired?

I recently posted an article here by Anne Messenger about how to create your own personal brand when seeking a job. Anne’s article clearly resonated with people, and I had heaps of positive comments regarding the post.

So here’s another great article written by my friend and colleague, Susan Goldberg. Her NY-based company conducts retained senior level executive searches for businesses and also provides career coaching for both executives and recent college graduates.

It’s called The Latest Trends in Interview Questions: The “It” Factor is the “Fit” Factor. Remarkable insights here so the next time you think there’s nothing new in the world of interviewing, you may want to think again. Enjoy and let me know if this has changed your way of thinking about how you’re going to address the new trend in interview questions! Here goes:

The Latest Trends in Interview Questions: The “It” Factor is the “Fit” Factor
By Susan Goldberg.
http://www.womanaroundtown.com/author/careerexpert

At the end of a presentation on “Interviewing Secrets” I delivered to a women’s professional networking group, I threw in some last minute comments on the latest trends in interviewing questions. To my surprise, this portion of the presentation received the most attention. I heard from 25 percent of the attendees, weeks after the presentation, including journalists and a highly-regarded life coach: the concept of there being “trends in interviewing questions” and the specific questions that were being used by companies were notions these people had not considered. Imagine.

Remember when standard interview questions included: “If you were an animal, which animal would you be?” or “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be?” Those questions gave some insight into which attributes were important and valuable to that particular individual.

Those types of questions were asked when the economy was expanding. The individual contributor was evaluated by what he or she could bring to a business. Compensation and other financial considerations and costs weren’t as highly scrutinized as they would be during difficult economic circumstances. That was a different time from now.

What’s Different?
The newer trend questions make sense in an uncertain economy when so many are unemployed, businesses are being very careful about spending, and younger business owners, from Generation X’ers and younger, have been shown to care much more about group dynamics than their predecessors.

With an overabundance of well-qualified candidates, how does an employer choose?

In an uncertain economy, an organization wants to ensure that the candidate hired will remain with the organization and fit in with those employees already there. A company hopes to avoid hiring, training, and investing in an employee, only to have that person leave or be “let go” within a short period of time for failing to “suit” the culture. How to increase the odds that the new hire will have some longevity at an organization? Business owners in their 30s, for example, want to replicate the environment they became comfortable with early on, one that fosters a closely-knit team.

Fit, Is It
That’s where the new interview questions can help, addressing “the potential for a good fit” for a business. “We know the person can do the job, but how will they succeed in our environment? How can we make a decision about hiring the right candidate while decreasing the risk that they will leave the organization soon after the company has invested in them? “ That’s what the responses to these questions hope to answer.

Examples of Questions
Some examples of the “trendier” questions used may seem silly or unusual, but for the company that’s asking them, the responses are extremely useful for determining that potential fit. For instance:

“On a scale of 1-10, how lucky do you consider yourself?”

“On a scale of 1-10, how in control of your destiny do you feel you are?” Other examples are:

“On a scale of 1-10, how happy are you?”

“What values in an organization do you hold above all others in importance?”

“Can you describe the type of work environment that you think will increase your potential to have a positive impact on the company overall? “

Which Companies Are Using These Questions
Who uses these questions? Companies like Zappos, Netflix, West and East-Coast based technology firms, some businesses whose owners have gone through WIBO’s (Workshop In Business Opportunities) 16 week training course, and many of my retained search client companies are using “fit-focused” questions in their interviewing . Many do it along with testing to increase the odds of a “good” hire.

So, next time you think there’s nothing new in the world of interviewing, you may want look at other trends that are changing and why, and think again.

If you are a professional woman who has questions about interviewing and are considering a career change in today’s market, you can register for a workshop, “Trying It On For Size-Using Your Skills To Transform Your Career.” The workshop is a networking and group career coaching session divided into three separate topics for less than half the price of an individual hour of career coaching. For additional information, please contact coaching@susangoldbergsearch.com .

Susan Goldberg’s company, SGES, conducts retained senior level executive searches for businesses and provides career coaching for both executives and recent college graduates. Her website is www.susangoldbergsearch.com and Susan can be contacted at info@susangoldbergsearch.com.


Neuro Marketing. Or, How Not to Clear a Room in Seconds.

On NY Brand Lab Radio earlier today, my guest Ann Convery was talking about her favorite topic, and her most popular program, “You’re So Brilliant! Why Don’t They Buy?” It was a terrific interview, and my thanks to Ann for her insights and expertise. Her talent, after all, is enabling her clients around the world to generate up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in business within weeks. Sounds attractive to me.

So here are a few sound bites from our interview. They are not fully developed here so it’s going to be helpful if you listen to the audio which will be posted on my site tomorrow. www.ZingYourBrand.com/radio. But I’m so excited about the great content Ann presented, I’m going to jot down a few points here for you. Here goes:

OK. What did we talk about? This is all about understanding human nature. One of the best books out there, and one of Ann’s favorites, is called Neuro Marketing, by Patrick Renvoise and Christov Morin. It addresses the Old Brain, and why the most important thing in communication is creating an emotional connection with your audience. Otherwise, you’re wasting your breath.

Let’s face it, the last thing you want to do is talk in such a way that you can clear a room in seconds, right?

• In the business context, when you meet someone, for example, so many of us just want to talk about what we do. The truth is, however, that most people just don’t care. Or, rather, their Old Brains don’t care. What’s more, they particularly don’t care if you’re talking in language that their brain can not respond to.

(FYI You are going to need to understand the difference between the three different brains, and why the OLD BRAIN is the one you want to be talking to. More about that in the radio interview.)

• The key is that it’s important to speak to that part of the brain, the ‘old brain or lizard brain’ that is only interested in its own survival. If you’re talking about how to get more money love or health, that’s when the lizard brain will pay attention to you. Otherwise, you’re not going to get through.

• If you use neutral language, you’re toast. (Understand now why you get that glazed look when you start talking what you do? Their Old Brain has gone to sleep.)
Remember. The old brain is self centered. You have to keep it interested, curious and on alert if you want to get heard.

• We talked about how the brain likes to make fast decisions so make it easy for the brain to understand your story. Brains love good stories, particularly when they’re visual stories. Raise the anticipation. Talk up the story in highly visual ways and what does that do? It triggers this kind of (ideal) response:

“Can I have your card?”

• The important point is to engage them with your story. Leave them hungry and wanting a bit more. Do not satisfy them. Try this out and you’ll find you’re going to resist this idea. It’s basically counter intuitive. The clue is? Stop talking so much. Hold your breath. Bite your tongue. So whatever it takes. Just stop talking and telling them everything you do!

• Don’t label what you do. Basically, we are constantly putting labels on people whether we know it or not.
So I meet you and tell you that I am brand consultant, you immediately label me as ‘brand consultant’ and you tell yourself: “I’ve got one. I don’t need you.” And you write me off! Start talking about your success stories and results that will hook them.

• How do you make your prospects “talk themselves” into working with you?
This is about an intentional conversation that will deliberately draw people to you. Don’t tell someone everything you do. Remember you are speaking to an old brain that lives in survival mode. Brains often have to listen to that elevator speech you’ve taken so long to put together, right? How many times have you delivered it and then you stop and nothing happens! Nothing happens because your listener’s brain has already gone to sleep. You’re talking in neutral language, so you’ve lost them – right from the start.

• What’s the average human attention span? You have nine seconds. That’s right. Just about the attention of goldfish! If you bore people, the brain goes on ’snooze.’ It only wakes up at the end of your elevator speech.

• I asked Ann about politicians and are they understanding these methods of truly connecting with their different audiences? She said that Reagen was a superb communicator and was a natural when it came to making emotional connections. He was an actor, after all! But he never needed script.

Thanks, Ann! Ann is an international speaker, seminar leader, trainer and author, She offers private training and seminars on speaking, small business marketing, product training and attracting more money in business. Go to annconvery.com or youresobrilliant.com.

“If you’re so brilliant, why don’t they buy?” – Ann Convery

• Ever wonder how you make your prospects “talk themselves” into working with you?
• Ever wonder when you’re going to stop stumbling when you tell people what you do so you can attract more clients with ease?
• Ever wonder how to eliminate the part of your offer that “doesn’t matter” and concentrate ONLY on what brings you money?

These are just some of the 6 rules of the Old Brain, and they’re critical to buying. The good news? At 10am ET this morning, I’m thrilled that Ann Convery is going to be calling in from Los Angeles as my guest on NY Brand Lab Radio, and she’s offering up the big answers to all those kinds of questions you keep wondering about. What’s more, this is all about how to generate up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in business within weeks.

I only recently met Ann, and after one high-energy conversation, I asked her be on the show to give us her insights re how to stop our target market’s eyes from glazing over. Know that feeling?! Hope you’ll join us this morning, and after the interview, would love to hear your questions for Ann.

There are two ways of tuning into NY Brand Lab Radio.
1.) Listen online here: http://blogtalkradio.com/ny-brand-lab-radio

2.) Call in number: 646.652.2383

So take a look at some of what we’re going to cover this morning:

• What are the 6 rules of the Old Brain, and why are they so critical to buying?
• How does curiosity produces a flood of feel-good chemicals that predisposes your prospect to buy?
• Why is emotion is the deal-breaker with ALL of your prospects – even the emotion-less ones?
• Exactly what words will turn on the buy signal in your prospect’s mind, and which words will turn it off.?
• What is the mindset switch you need to be more effective in promoting your services?
• Can you give an example of unhearable words?
• Can you give me an example of a good trigger word?
• How can we stop labeling ourselves in conversation? Or online?

By way of background, Ann is an international speaker, seminar leader, trainer and author, and her popular program, “You’re So Brilliant! Why Don’t They Buy?” enables her clients around the world to generate up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in business within weeks. She offers private training and seminars on speaking, small business marketing, product training and attracting more money in business.

For 18 years, Ann has prepared clients in the fields of politics, medicine, law, business, health and beauty for Oprah, CNN, 60 Minutes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, Vogue. What’s more, Ann speaks and trains for corporate and private groups in Barcelona, Madrid, Mexico City, New York, Chicago, Seattle, and California. She has guest lectured at UCLA Extension and The USC Marshall School of Business, and has been interviewed in The Los Angeles Times, Elle, Cosmopolitan, ABC-TV, Woman’s Day, First for Women, Entrepreneur, Presentations Magazine.

Going to join us on NY Brand Lab Radio? Look forward!

1.) Listen online here: http://blogtalkradio.com/ny-brand-lab-radio

2.) Call in number: 646.652.2383

Corporate Blogging Expert Debbie Weil on air tomorrow @10amET

I am delighted to have the inspiring social media expert Debbie Weil on NY Brand Lab radio tomorrow morning at 10am ET! We met in Washington DC last year, I found her high levels of energy totally impressive (and irresistible!), and I just found out that Fast Company named her one of the ‘Most Influential Women in Technology in 2010!” Kudos, Debbie!

She is a corporate blogging expert and social media consultant, and she’s going to talk about why your blog should be the hub of any social media marketing strategy. What’s more, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn are the most important outposts for any large organization (or small).

Named one of the Most Influential Women in Technology in 2010 by Fast Company, Debbie has helped clients such as GlaxoSmithKline and the American College of Radiology embrace and execute social media marketing. She is also a sought-after speaker and consultant who shows clients how to leverage a blog as a powerful social media hub. A card-carrying member of DC’s Digerati for over 20 years, she has been blogging since 2003. She is also the producer of the popular cupcake event series, Sweets and Tweets.

Want to hear Debbie live tomorrow? Go to http://blogtalkradio.com/ny-brand-lab-radio or call this number and you can ask her some questions! 646-652-2383.

See you tomorrow on the show!

NY Brand Lab Radio: Celebrating Two Months On Air – Today!

I’ve always loved tapping into what really gives a brand that special spark!

And, why does one brand nail it while others fail? Well, two months ago today, on March 10, 2010, I launched NY BRAND LAB RADIO to address that very question.

So every week since, at exactly 10am Eastern, I’ve had the pleasure (and honor) to be talking to many fascinating people who are doing remarkable things in their worlds. I pose questions about what they do, why they do it and what they suggest, and – for their wisdom and words and friendship – I thank them all!

So hurrah, today, I’m celebrating two months of NY Brand Lab Radio, and in my first episode, my guest was Megan Kent who was talking about her soon-to-be-published book, Brand Synchronicity. Megan knows how to get your brand in alignment with the natural wiring of the brain so if you want to find out how to create intuitively satisfying customer experiences for your brand, you can download the radio show from my site.

Of course, I’ve blogged and tweeted about the earlier speakers so here, I’m just going to share with you some of my most recent guests on NY Brand Lab Radio. Take a look, then go download the episodes. Heaps of learning, tips, insights, stories and diverse ways to think differently about your business.

Full Disclosure: On March 24, Ivan Schwartz was my guest on the show. As a design thinker, artist and innovator steering his 3D design studio in the world of sculptural storytelling, he talked about what it’s like being a design thinker in the business world. The only omission I made in this interview? I forgot to mention Ivan is also my husband. How amazing it that? Here I am, a branding and communication consultant who insists on transparency, and I discovered, to my amazement, that I am a little shy! Hey, it happens.

Enjoy the shows, here’s a quick overview. And the link for all downloads: http://ZingYourBrand.com/radio

Ann Sachs knows a lot about Theatrical Intelligence™– a process she developed that uses theater concepts to bring creativity into the workplace. Find out which role you play in your biz. (Ann suggested my roles might be actor, producer and director!) Her mantra? “if you can dream it, you can do it.”

Elaine Pofeldt, a highly-published freelance writer, editor and online editorial consultant, was responsible for building FSB.com to 2-to 5-million page views a month. Great trend spotting and smart ideas here for entrepreneurs. You’ll find her blog terrific for entrepreneurs, so go check it out: http://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/hp

David Johnson is a highly-acclaimed business analyst, Wall Street veteran and a fixture on local and national media for 30 years and allowed me to coax out some of his best-kept secrets about leadership. You can hear David on his radio show, David Johnson CEO SPOTLIGHT on KRDL Radio www.krld.com/pages/7296.php

Mignon Espy, a leading entertainment executive at the forefront of her industry, she now heads up her own entertainment brand marketing business. It’s no wonder she’s passionate about brands after working with Stevie Wonder, LL Cool J, Bon Jovi, Jay-Z, Lionel Ritchie, Ludacris, Mariah Carey, and many more. Want some gutsy insights? Listen to Mignon.

Brian Collins is Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of COLLINS:, a design & innovation firm dedicated to inventing brand experiences and communications that shape companies and people for the better. Collins sees brands as the ideal platform for leading the way. He’s a winner.

Ivan Schwartz is a design thinker, artist, sculptor, innovator, visual storyteller, a true New Yorker (and happens to be my husband!) As founder and Creative Director of StudioEIS, which is at the forefront of sculptural storytelling, he talked about being a design thinker in the business world.

It’s 52º and chilly.

It’s May 10th today, 52º and chilly. In fact, you can see the white caps on the East River. Last night, howling winds brought down an old tree in one of my favorite Brooklyn parks. They say it’s going to hit 64º later today. Why I talk about the weather, I have no idea. I never talked about the weather when I lived in Sydney. But New Yorkers do, or so it appears!

In any case, moving on to a more interesting topic, I heard the inspiring Francis Cole Jones, speak last Friday at the Fashion Group International’s Regional Directors’ Conference (more about that later), and her recent book is The WOW Factor, The 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today’s Business World. Loved her hugely energetic personality! Check out her book. She also wrote, How to Wow.

What’s more, last Monday, I wrapped up The NY Brand Lab series of four Monday Masterminds. What a group of exciting people, brands and collective of energy,ideas and determination to make things happen! Kudos to you all!