Chatter by Patty Soffer

And This Doesn’t Even Take into Consideration People Who Have Stopped Looking for a Job . . .

August 17th 2010

My good friend Joe Lombardo and I were talking today about the new reality, our struggles and what this all means for people like us.

He asked for my thoughts on the economic recovery and I told him I’m not optimistic, for many reasons and based on some pretty clear indicators.

Then I clicked on the Huffington Post and saw this interactive map.

I was born in North Dakota. Judging by this map, I might have to go back there.

Take a look.

Posted by Patty Soffer under Branding & Business & Design & Economy & Life & This just Sucks & Uncategorized | No Comments »

Smoky Mountain Bye

August 14th 2010

I’ve had enough of me.

I’m headed down the mountain and back to society once again.

Great trip, but what I learned about being alone is this:

I like being with people. Other people besides just me. I’m outward-focused, and all this introspection gets old after a few days. Plus, it’s hard to play tennis alone (if I even played tennis . . .).

I work with people for a living. I help them think about themselves and why they do what they do and then dive into what it is they really want to do. I take all their ideas, help them think bigger, and then help plan their business growth and innovation strategies.

To do this job, one has to be able to listen. It’s when people tell you who they are (thanks Maya Angelou).

I have learned to be a good listener and I love to listen.

To someone other than myself.

Posted by Patty Soffer under Design & Life & The Collec+ive & The Collective & Uncategorized | No Comments »

180 Miles, Three States and One Mac Power Cord Later . . .

August 8th 2010

Ok so FEDEX is not finding me until next week Wed or Thurs, which is not even close to being acceptable. So off I went, early this morning, to the nearest Apple Store. Thing is, that would be 90 miles from here, in Greenville, South Carolina, most of which is crazy, twisty, winding mountain road. And - change of plans - it would not be happening on the back of a Harley. Oh well . . .

Lake Sequoia, NC

But I had an OUTCOME: to get the power cord here in time for my Tuesday a.m. Skype meeting, a critical meeting for me. I’m a strategist, so OUTCOME is everything. I always start with the end, so the road to my goal(s) is clear. I know the Tuesday meeting will be life changing. And it’s a goal-within-a-goal. A step.

So I traveled, with Ed and Addy on my lap (arf), down the mountain and through three states, getting unbelievably lost (ok, so the clear road thingie doesn’t really mean “road”) but seeing beauty that took my breath away.

Through no fault of my own - can you say Google Mobile? - I finally found the Apple Store, bought the cord and was back on the road within 15 minutes.

Outcome is a huge motivator. What would you to to achieve an outcome that is dear to you? How about if your outcome was a great marriage; financial success; a business that rocks; a child; happiness?

The answer is this: YOU WOULD DO ANYTHING. Think about that. ANYTHING means there is nothing that will stop you. It means you jump over hurdles and take all the deep breaths you need to stay focused. It means your OUTCOME is so important that you put everything you have into achieving it.

I did ANYTHING today, and got way more than I expected. And I expect even more, because the power cord is but a step toward achieving my final OUTCOME . (I’ll be telling you exactly what that is in the next few months).

How about you? What do you want so badly you will do ANYTHING?

Posted by Patty Soffer under Design & Uncategorized | No Comments »

Michigan: Brilliant Heart-Based Branding + Positioning

June 19th 2010

So here’s a state that has been decimated with the loss of much of its main industry- automobile manufacturing.

So what they did was shift the focus –from Detroit and its problems to their other abundant natural assets.

What they have done is respond to human needs.

First, there’s the series of Pure Michigan commercials that uses emotional and heartfelt messages of a quiet, healthy, safe respite in a really scary world, whether it’s on land or on their many unpolluted waterways. And they are telling the truth. Michigan is a well-kept secret and absolutely gorgeous with natural resources that take ones’ breath away. Don’t miss it.

Perhaps the most priceless resource they have is their people. They are honest, loyal, hard-working, community-minded survivors. They are midwesterners.

So, in the spirit of survival, they are working hard to become a film capital. Yes, you heard me. They have gone Film Friendly. In a big way. Last year, the Michigan legislature passed nearly unanimously the best film and commercial production incentive package in the nation. They know they need to create a new industry to replace what once was. What innovation! Incredibly creative thinking! In addition to Mother Nature’s stage, imagine all the available studio space that can be created from abandoned or closed auto plants.

Florida is really missing the mark here. We have, and have had for years, ample opportunity to become Hollywood West. We, too, have incredible natural resources and one more thing Michigan can’t claim-amazing weather.

I can’t imagine why we are not pursuing this.

Anyway, bravo to Michigan. Makes me proud to be a midwesterner.

Posted by Patty Soffer under Art & Branding & Business & Design & Economy & Family & Movies & Music & Politics & The Collec+ive & The Collective & Uncategorized | No Comments »

Yeah! We Won Again!

April 27th 2010

We gotta be the only out-of-business business with seven Local and Regional ADDY Awards under our 2010 belt and on the way to the Nationals! Stay tuned for more award updates. And a shout out to the best creative team ever in life. Can’t keep us down!