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Hey you, busy marketing / business manager! Remember the good old, school days?
Just around this time, your teacher would be compiling summer reading lists, and you would be dreaming of long, warm, sunny days running free, not thinking about your daily responsibilities of school. While (most likely) you still have to show up for work this summer, we invite you to hit the refresh button in a different way – we invite you to think warm, happy thoughts about your marketing and branding. (Too far fetched? We don’t think so!) And, guess what? Grab your beach blanket, water bottle, sunscreen and one of these books, from our summer reading list – for you AND your brand.
Summer, we are ready for you!
#1. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
Author: Mark Manson
That’s right. There’s an F word in the title of this book, and there are plenty of them on the pages of this book, too. There’s also a massive reminder for business and marketing managers alike, to remember to pick our battles and to know where to put our focus. This book is perfect for summer, as it’s funny, light, and super practical, as the author invites the readers to review their priorities in life. These lessons can be applied to business, marketing and all other areas of your existence – for a happier, more purposeful life! I am sure there’s been a study or two, that shows that business managers and marketers whose hearts are full and happy, can literally move mountains! So, open your mind (because, remember – the F word…) take a deep breath, relax your face, relax your shoulders, and be ready for a serious paradigm shift (in your business AND life).
#2. Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd
Author: Youngme Moon
Once you read the first book, your mind will be nice and open to receive some information on how to actually be different. In this amazing book, Youngme Moon shows the reader how often – in pursuit of catching up with competitors – companies end up becoming a copy version of their competition, instead of joyfully parading their own brand’s values and strengths. This book is a delicate reminder of all the things that you already know about USP (unique selling proposition) and branding in general. After reading Different, I can guarantee, you will forget about your competitor’s website, and will want to dust off your Brand Book instead, to make sure your marketing is polished, fresh and truly representative of what your company stands for.
#3. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
Author: Phil Knight
As the title implies, this book is about the creation of Nike. You will find many interesting details on how their brand – name, logo, mission – came to be, and how they grew through oh-so-many challenges, from being a start-up to the company they are today. This is a very light, entertaining read, that will nudge the reader to stay humble and confident at the same time. It is also a good reminder of the fact that it takes time and a ton of hard work to build anything worthy of people’s attention. Marketing and branding are nothing without an amazing product, service, and relentless dedication to the mission!
There you have it! May this summer be bright and refreshing for your soul AND your brand, while at it!
Happy marketing!
P.S. Got marketing or branding dilemmas of your own? Give us a shout or stop by our digital marketing agency in Vancouver, we always have chocolate.