Comments

WOW!

Posted by felix gerena at December 24, 2004 11:46 AM

Of course this is the traditional time of year to re-imagine (resolve to make) significant changes to ourselves, our bodies, our businesses. Holding ourselves accountable to making our imagination manifest is something else altogether. One year I even made a resolution to make no resolutions. The follow-through on that one worked pretty well, I have to say.

But re-imagining—as you’re doing with your business, Tom—demands that nasty little side-car companion known as “accountability.” And it needs to move from side-car to handle bars if anything’s going to take shape. I’ve noticed that people tend to use the word accountability as that thing that you desperately want others to take. But to hold oneself accountable, well, that’s the rub. And that’s the key.

So that’s what I’m re-imagining for myself this year: to be a person who holds himself accountable for changing the world for the better.

This blog comment is my first step.

Posted by Steve Farber at December 24, 2004 3:33 PM

I Imagine...marketing gets its libido back.

I Imagine...marketing remembers it is tremendously satisfying.

I Imagine...marketing remembers it too is a societal and cause effort, improving the quality of the consumer's future emotional reality.

I Imagine...marketing remembers that it is about the consumer and not the product, that sales does that.

I Imagine...marketing starts to focus on behavior and neurology, ontology and empathy and one heirarchy of needs not two - who is the second person again?

I Image...marketeres remember they too are consumers; I am "A" consumer and "They" are the consumer..hmmm. No one changed so why am I acting like a complete idiot? ..i am a marketer too.

I Image...marketers remember making money is great! Let's do it the right way. But, remember a win-win isn't worth a battle. Someone MUST win in the end and that person must be the consumer. The prisoner's dilemna has been solved and the consumer wins! The company makes a profit, but our jobs as advocates is the make sure the consumer wins the war.

Posted by Wendy at December 24, 2004 4:52 PM

YES...yEs...yeS...yes...YEs...yES... I mean, yes!

Posted by Halley at December 24, 2004 4:55 PM

"I imagine ... a full-fledged Network of Re-imagineers ... devoted to Radical Renovations of our careers, schools, hospitals, businesses, agencies."

As one who knows a little about the schools, I'm hoping that you don't overlook them in the coming year. We've had enough Education Presidents, Education Governors and Education Mayors. We've had enough complainers, the good ones like you and the bad ones who don't even know what they are complaining about. It's time for real change. Although some wait for "the government" I think that that will be a waste of time and billions of dollars. There is a better way. My own newly started blog will post comments on practical ways to solve the problem instead of just talk about it. I hope that you stay the course for schools. We need all the help we can get.

Joel Heffner

Posted by Joel Heffner at December 25, 2004 8:53 PM

Hey Team

I also agree this is the year of crazed creative talks (blogs), with dashes of pure execution. This tropical tidal wave is just beginning, but many jagged sharp rocks and ruthless sharks have to be advoided. In that these early talks should be realistic yet bright with sunshine. Hope to solve and improve internet,edu,trust,security,teamwork,play...

Visionary Ben Kownack

Posted by Ben Kownack at December 26, 2004 3:52 PM

I LOVE the two concepts of imagine (and its inevitable companion re-imagine) and accountability. Without the imagine/reimagine part full of rich visions that stretch our minds, the world would be a dull spot stalled out millenia ago. Without the accountability piece to move from dreaming about "just doing it" or lamenting what we "shoulda" done, we wouldn't get off the dime to confront the challenges of REALLY Doing It!
Here is to Y2K5--the year for REALLY Doing It! and celebrating every step along the way!

Posted by Dr. Pam Brill at December 26, 2004 9:22 PM

Great Idea. Considering the kind of people that blog here, I am sure TPN would become a force to reckon with to lead reimagine efforts in every conceivable area, be it corporates, schools, or non profit organisations. Lets just go and do it and have lots of fun!

Posted by R.Srinivasan at December 27, 2004 1:07 AM

We are all a part of a larger tapestry. I believe we see the patterns more clearly when we let our imagination run wild...and re-imagine the landscapes of our choices. There is great power in sharing our re-imagined patterns in a tapestry that connects, commits and creates new paths that pull us all forward.

I re-imagine businesses with heart, soul and creative contributions to well-being. In our tapestry, we are the footprint of choices that define new exquisite patterns. Come play here.

Posted by Juli Ann Reynolds at December 27, 2004 10:57 AM

Julie Ann, I had to respond. It is my goal to reframe marketing such that the marketers become Identity managers who are responsible for cultivating Relationships that ensure exquisite pleasure for their consumers. Brands have identities that can be contextuatlized to support the consumer and relationships evoke feelings. Exquisite pleasure is my goal, all the way around. Work becomes play and play becomes work. You hit my sweet spot. Enjoy your day.

Posted by Wendy at December 27, 2004 11:06 AM

Sorry, kids, I had to add to TP's list:

I imagine . . . a 3/4-pound burger with cheese, bacon, KC Masterpiece barbecue sauce, and all the rest, under the shade of a tree in a San Francisco park on a warm October day, and I struggle to eat because I can't help stare into my wife's eyes, as we talk about everything and nothing, leaving our office issues in the office, as we take care of what's really important.

Because no one ever said on their deathbed, "I wish I would have spent more time in the office."

And, oh yes - I imagine . . . President C. Rice in 2008?

I blog, therefore I am, heh heh . . .

Posted by Ron at December 29, 2004 10:44 AM