Bloggers run into trouble when they forget writing can be more than monologue. To help balance my own echo chamber, I’m seeking out the smart and the savvy for interviews (aka, dialogues). First up is author and anthropologist, Grant McCracken. I’m a fan of his blog , where he writes fun missives that blend pop culture, storytelling, business theory and anthropology (start with Aftermath or Voice Over . His is a voice I wish I’d discovered long ago.
1. What do you think executives and middle managers in business should know about anthropology? If you could add any required course to MBA programs, what would it be?
Anthropologists specialize in the study of culture, and culture matters in marketing because it supplies the infrastructure for thought and feeling in America. How consumers see the product, the service, or the pitch, these are largely shaped by the culture in their heads. The marketer who understands this culture has an advanta...
Content suppressed by ://URLFAN, for full article visit source
Four Reasons Most Startups Fail (And How Yours Can Succeed)From: feeds.harvardbusiness.org
Post Date: 2008-07-18 11:39:52
Last winter, when we all thought the economy had really taken a nosedive, I made the case that bad times could be the best of times to start a company . Well, over the last nine months, economic conditions have gone from bad to worse—but the startup boom shows few signs of slowing down. Want proof? Spend time with Paul Graham , who’s spent the last three years helping young entrepreneurs launch the companies of their dreams. Graham and his cofounders run a cool outfit called Y Combinat...
more Managing B PlayersFrom: feeds.harvardbusiness.org
Post Date: 2008-07-18 07:41:04
Executives can get more value from their workforce if they recognize and motivate their B players. These solid, steady performers form the bulk of a workforce--and bring crucial forms of value to companies, especially during a weak economy.
Read the one-page summary of this Harvard Business Review article . If you enjoyed this video, subscribe to Harvard Business Video IdeaCast —a free, weekly video podcast on iTunes featuring leading business thinkers who discuss mana...
more Do Schools Kill Creativity? A Comical Inquest at TEDFrom: feeds.harvardbusiness.org
Post Date: 2008-07-17 14:53:06
If you think of yourself as someone who understands creativity, this is an essential talk by Ken Robinson, from the TED Conference . He calls into question the antiquated teaching models we have in the Western world, and asks many great questions about creative thinking and the business world. Key quotes from Mr. Robinson: "My contention is that creativity is as important as literacy and should be treated with the same status." "They’re [children] not frightened of being wrong. I d...
more 
Websites mentioned in article
Buzz Words mentioned in article:
How popular is feeds.harvardbusiness.org?
