Bader Rutter's CEO, in 140 characters or less

Unfiltered access to a CEO is hard to come by. That’s why we’re so excited Bader Rutter’s CEO, Greg Nickerson, has started sharing quick-hitting wisdom via Twitter. You can read tweets from our fearless leader on everything from leadership advice and strategy tips to various happenings around the Bader Rutter offices.

We’re thrilled about more than just getting to know Greg better; having a CEO who is willing to embrace social media is great for business. A recent study claimed that “77 percent of people say they are more likely or much more likely to purchase a product from a company if its higher-ups are tweeting.” That’s a pretty substantial reason to start sharing your 140-character thoughts!

Inc.com recently published an article about why CEOs should tweet, including relationship-building and connecting personally with employees. And not too long ago, Mashable created an infographic with a similar message — “Social media is no longer a fad. Since sites like Twitter…and LinkedIn are a part of daily life, we’re starting to expect more social engagement from CEOs.”

Well, that’s exactly what you expect from Greg. And you never know, he may even answer some of your questions from time to time. Happy connecting, everyone!

BBN comes to Chicago

How do you effectively integrate brand asset management, creative and technology-enabled channel strategy… and play it out on a global scale?

That was just one item on the agenda when Bader Rutter played host to the Executive Board of the Business Branding Network (BBN), which held its first ever Chicago meeting last week.

Representing a network of more than 20 agencies worldwide, the BBN Executive Board

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Marcom A to Z ─ W for Work

I read Steve Jobs’ obituary this morning. The world should feel a little smaller today ─ less innovative ─ without him. And yet the legacy he built throughout his career, and his life, fills any void that might exist.

The article chronicled his life by milestones, work setbacks, and accomplishments. It got me thinking: We spend a quarter of our life (often more) working. Doing what? A task? Checking a mandatory box defined by someone else? Hopefully not. That’s the prerequisite only if

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A Thank You to Coach Wooden

John Wooden, the UCLA basketball coach who will remain as one of the greatest coaches in American sports, died this week. Reading about the contributions Coach Wooden is credited with in his 99 years led to me to his “Pyramid of Success” program.

His teaching system was based on 15 building blocks of traditional values such as cooperation, enthusiasm, initiative and personal responsibility acting as reminders of what’s important in work and life. In fact, as I studied them again, I was reminded of the connections with our agency’s core values: Passion, Teamwork, Respect, Imagination and Continuous Improvement.

Below is a list of twelve lessons in leadership from Coach Wooden’s website.

1.  Good values attract good peoplePhoto courtesy of Wikipedia
2. Love is the most powerful four-letter word
3. Call yourself a teacher
4. Emotion is your enemy
5. It takes 10 hands to make a basket
6. Little things make big things happen
7. Make each day your masterpiece
8. The carrot is mightier than a stick
9. Make greatness attainable by all
10. Seek significant change
11. Don’t look at the scoreboard
12. Adversity is your asset

After reading more about John Wooden’s teaching system, I realize that even I can call him my Coach. Thanks Coach Wooden.

Community matters

Community is all around us, from our families to our neighborhoods to our work communities. As a current member of the class of 2009-2010 Future Milwaukee Leadership Program I have had the opportunity to learn more about the great communities that make up Milwaukee.

One of our sessions featured a trip to Brown Street Academy, an MPS School that is taking an alternative approach to school activities with great results. With a fully operating garden that takes up almost an entire block, the children are not only learning how to garden but also about the importance of the environment and eating healthy.

In the same community, just blocks from the school, we were able to see Fondy Food’s Farmers Market. It is Milwaukee’s largest farmers market, and was created in response to a lack of access to healthy food in these types of neighborhoods, and has created jobs in the community as well. It is one of only two farmers markets that accepts food stamps and also teaches nutrition and healthy eating habits to the youth of the community.

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Legacy advice from a legendary funmaker

Photo courtesy Jeff Christiansen, FlickrWho knew such valuable, well-tested business and branding advice could come from a cartoon artist and amusement park guy?

Okay, well, he never was just that. Walt Disney is the visionary behind one of the most successful entertainment corporations ever built.

His leadership, principles and vision were simple and forthright.

I was recently reminded of this when I came across this article, “Walt Disney’s 8 secrets to success,” and had to share the highlights:

1. Provide a promise, not a product.
2. Always exceed customers’ expectations.
3. Pursue your passion, and the money will follow.
4. Stay true to your company’s mission and values.
5. Differentiate your offer.
6. Lead by example and delegate.
7. Defy convention.
8. Leave behind something to grow.

Check out the above article link for additional editorial on Disney’s secrets to success.

These principles can guide all companies striving to create a brand, product or service that stands out from the rest and an experience that turns into repeat business and customer loyalty.

Walt Disney would agree.