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So far duncan has created 58 blog entries.

The Power of Perseverance – Why I Called Disney 27 Times in 27 Days

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right.” – Henry Ford   Have you ever been told you couldn’t do something? That you were incapable of achieving a particular goal or dream? Unfortunately, by the time most of us reach adulthood, this has happened more times than we can count. And though deep down we know we shouldn’t pay attention to this negativity, it’s human nature to take it to heart. Meaning that over time, most of us tend to reduce [...]

2020-07-29T23:16:24+00:0020 May, 2020|Creativity, Think Different|
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Companies That Are Innovating for the Greater Good

The world is a different place than it was just a few weeks ago. Coronavirus has touched nearly every country on earth, and for most, has brought life and business to a screeching halt. Not surprisingly, this has created a perpetual state of uneasiness. People are tired. People are scared. And if you spend any time at all watching the news, it seems to be getting worse by the day. Sure, much of the spotlight remains on all the negative effects of the virus around [...]

2020-12-01T14:12:16+00:0015 April, 2020|Consumer Experience, Creativity, Design Thinking, Innovation, Think Different|
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A Box is Never Just a Box

Think back to your birthday morning as a child… That rush of anticipation as you leap out of bed and run towards the living room, your brain cycling through all the possibilities of what your Mom and Dad may have brought you.  And as you turn the corner and catch your first glimpse of the presents in all their glory, what’s the first thing you do? You take inventory: how big are the boxes and which ones should I open first?  As far as children are [...]

2020-04-08T15:46:43+00:0007 April, 2020|Creativity, Innovation, Think Different|
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Why Richard Branson Just Gave $250 Million to his Employees – A Lesson in Employee-First Mentality

What if every executive gave up this year’s annual bonus and shares to help keep their people employed? Iconic entrepreneur Richard Branson made headlines this week with the announcement of a $250 million package aimed at saving his employees. With major revenue streams coming from air travel, cruise lines, hotels, travel bookings, and aligned industries, Branson’s Virgin Group and its 70,000 global employees have already been greatly affected by the chaos caused by the coronavirus. To stop the bleeding, Branson unveiled his plan to save [...]

2020-04-08T14:47:18+00:0025 March, 2020|Consumer Experience|
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How Adopting a Consumer-Centric Mindset Can Save You Millions

When was the last time you spent the day with one of your customers? If the answer is “I don’t know” or “never,” you’re missing out. Interacting directly with those who buy your products or services is an invaluable opportunity. An incredible chance to come face-to-face with a human being and better understand their wants, needs, desires, and everything else that ultimately affects their decision to buy from you. Spending the day with your customers is like receiving a treasure map. They’ll show you where [...]

2020-04-08T14:47:28+00:0018 March, 2020|Consumer Experience|
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How to Fix Bad Meetings with the Power of Signalling

We’ve all been there. Sitting in that dreary room, feeling as though the minute hand on your watch has gotten stuck. Time seems to stop, and you’re left hoping – even praying – that it’ll all be over soon. That you can escape the beige prison that currently encases you. The terror I am referring to? Why a typical corporate meeting, of course! Unfortunately, meeting and presentation dread has become a common occurrence at offices around the globe. What should be treated as a collaborative, [...]

2020-04-08T14:47:39+00:0004 March, 2020|Design Thinking, Innovation|
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Can Robots Make Us More Human?

"I find it touchingly poetic to think that as our technology grows more advanced, we may grow more human." (Diane Ackerman, The Human Age) Remember when robots couldn't walk? I do. Yet, very few of us would be impressed or even scared by a walking robot today, not when we've seen one execute a backflip. Remember when the idea of A.I. face recognition would have overwhelmed most? I do. Yet, now, A.I. can generate deep fakes that are so convincing, we've built entire corners of the internet dedicated [...]

2021-03-11T18:06:38+00:0026 February, 2020|Innovation, Think Different|
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From Senator To Stage – My Next Event with President Barack Obama

I'll never forget the first time we met. (Like any good Disney story, there always must be a great "Once upon a time" intro, right?) He was a young Senator at the time, and I was lucky enough to give him his first pair of custom Mickey Mouse ears. Little did I know that this interaction would be the first of many wonderful stunts that we would collaborate on. And now, again we are about to add another event to our list! President Barack Obama [...]

2020-04-08T17:41:42+00:0013 February, 2020|Creativity, Innovation, Re-Expression, Think Different|
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How to create a culture of innovation by leveraging diversity the right way!

Let’s be honest. Diversity quotas are the single most frustrating thing about workplaces today. The reasoning for having a quota is well-intentioned, but, ironically, it’s the quota itself that is getting in the way of diversity, every single day. Because of this, companies are wasting the talent they have hired and don’t even know it, because it’s never crossed their minds to do more than simply hire a candidate and check off the “diversity” box. Hear me out. The problem is that companies hire diverse [...]

2020-04-08T17:37:39+00:0010 February, 2020|Creativity, Design Thinking, Innovation|
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5 Industries That will be Turned Upside Down Over the Next Decade (and How you Can Survive)

Can you remember the top 15 companies of 2000? How about 2010? Last year, even? If you were to sit down to try and rank just the top five companies globally by earnings alone who would you include? Apple? McDonald’s? Coca Cola? Ford? Disney? Take a minute and watch the following video clip that ranks the top 15 best global brands by year, starting in 2000 all the way through 2018.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQovQUga0VE   Done? What did you notice? The usual characters like IBM, Microsoft, [...]

2020-04-08T17:36:40+00:0030 January, 2020|Innovation|
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