Walter | Cooler Insights

Are You a Promoter or a Preventer?

September 15, 2013 • Business and Management • no comments

How much risk are you willing to take? (courtesy of Condominium Insurance Review)

In life and at work, there are two kinds of people. That is, if you believe psychologists Heidi Grant Halvorson and E. Tory Higgins in their fascinating article in HBR.

The first, promotion-focused people, see their goals as a way to advance forward. They zoom in on the rewards that can be realised when goals are achieved. Eager to “play to win”, they like to dream big and stretch their imaginations in whatever they do.

Buyology – Truth and Lies About Why We Buy

September 11, 2013 • Book Reviews • 3 comments

Imagine that you are a smoker. You pick up a pack of cigarettes.

On the front of the pack are gory images – a hemorrhaged brain, blackened lungs, deformed baby, ugly cancerous growth – coupled with stern admonitions like “SMOKING KILLS”.

How would you react to these gruesome warnings?

Marketing – and branding – is all about the little things (courtesy of Allographics)

Since time immemorial, marketers are obsessed with the “Big Idea”.

Ruled by “out-of-this-world” campaigns that win Golden Lions or Creative Circle awards, we were transfixed by the notion that bigger and bolder is usually better.

Reflections from The Alchemist

September 4, 2013 • Book Reviews • 3 comments

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21

As a business blogger, I don’t often read fiction. However, I couldn’t resist picking up Paulo Coelho’s mega-bestseller The Alchemist after hearing so much about it from friends.

Why No Service (Or Self-Service) May Be The Best Service

September 1, 2013 • Business and Management • no comments

What is fabulous service? How do you define a “delightful experience”?

To many, an exceptional encounter is a heroic one, epitomised by a smiling human being who jumps through flaming hoops to provide memorable encounters.

Image courtesy of Fedobe

In the age of social media, life becomes a spectator sport. The only difference is that we’re both the athlete and the audience in this arena.

Meals, shopping trips, holidays, and events become Instagram, Flickr or YouTube moments. Daily murmurs are framed on Facebook while fleeting thoughts (in 140 characters or less) are immortalised on Twitter. The more verbose (like yours truly) would seek the solace of blogs, documenting their thoughts in detail.