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5 Predictions from an Unwavering Optimist

The world is changing more rapidly than ever, and it’s hard to imagine where we’ll be in another year, another decade. One of the things I like to do every January is make a few predictions.

4 Holiday Trends that Will Continue in 2018

There are many trends and traditions to enjoy this holiday season, and I think some are going to...

Redefining Age

A new year is coming. How will you spend it? Carl Reiner published a book this year. He is 95...

Are You Distancing People with Your Assumptions?

Recent social changes are forcing us to continue to rethink our assumptions and re-frame how we...

From Pilgrims to Present: Thanksgiving Spends and Trends

Ever since the first Thanksgiving in 1621, Americans have been enjoying turkey every year with family and friends. However, turkey is the only food that’s comparable to what the pilgrims enjoyed on their first Thanksgiving. Here’s a look at old and new trends for this holiday known for stuffing both turkeys and ourselves. What’s on the dinner table?

Empathy and Compassion: Must-Have Factors in Life, Love, and Business

Whether it’s helping hurricane victims, working with customers, or having a conversation with strangers, empathy and compassion are must-have factors that move us from understanding to insight and action. Empathy – the ability to understand the feelings of another – is what gives us the ability to take another’s perspective. Through empathy, we develop compassion that strengthens our connections with others and motivates us to take action.

From Parents to Pets: Halloween Is for Everyone

Halloween is right around the corner, and it’s estimated that 179 million Americans will be celebrating the spooky season this year. That amounts to a record $9.1 billion in spending on Halloween-related purchases. Although spending on candy will account for $2.4 billion, the biggest spend of the season will be for costumes. Spending for costumes in 2017 will reach $3.4 billion, followed by $2.7 billion in spending on home décor. Approximately 69 million Americans expected to be in costume – and about 16% of those dressing up will put their pets in costume, too.

Taking Your Own Seat at the Table

Several CEOs and CMOs have asked me how they can participate in the research I’m doing for their companies, and I always invite them to take a seat at the table. I’ve had several CEOs of smaller companies participate. At larger companies, it’s usually EVPs and CMOs who join us. Some are eager to sit the whole time, others like to come in for the second half or last 15 minutes, and others attend with the intention of joining the group at some point but never do. Many that are new to focus groups tend to be more comfortable in the back even though they want to participate.

College-Bound Gen Z Fuel Back-to-School Spending

As we head back to work this fall, including the first Gen Z college grads to join the workforce, the largest consumer group in history is heading back to school. And on their way back to school, their spending will be the second biggest shopping season of the year. The National Retail Federation estimates that back-to-school spending will reach $83.6 billion this year, up over 10% versus year ago.

What Professional Women Can Learn from Golf (Besides Golf)

Thanks to the enthusiastic recommendation of a friend about her golf instructor, I now take golf lessons. As it can be with learning anything new, we need to train our brains, there’s a lot to integrate and practice, and we learn so much more than we thought we would. According to the National Golf Foundation, only 19% of golfers are women. In becoming a part of this group, I’ve learned about more than just having a solid swing. Here’s what I’ve learned taking golf lessons (besides golf)

Welcome to the Workforce, Gen Z

Congratulations, Gen Z. Your first class of cohorts graduated from college this Spring, and that means your generation will start making its mark in the professional world in a big way. Here’s some advice, collected from millennials, on how to succeed in business: