I was totally enthralled last week with Dr. Jill Taylor’s presentation on the brain. She tells the difference between our right and left hemispheres, and what they do, using zero big science-y words in what she calls, “my stroke of insight.”
Dr. Taylor brings out a real human brain as she tells the story of her own stroke and living in her right hemisphere for a brief time before needing over 7 years to return to full health.
It’s unmissable how much she gives of herself into her presentation. She is in the moment. And that’s the secret of connecting with an audience no matter the size of the room isn’t it??... Being all in. It’s how music show judges choose winners—do we believe you mean it as you are singing? Similar thing with presenting—do we get enthralled with your conviction as you are laying out your thoughts?
There is no course or class to learn this. It’s just about studying and knowing the material and then choosing to share it in a way which lets the passion flow out.
Her presentation is the best I’ve seen in awhile, on a variety of levels. And I just had to share it with all of you. Enjoy. (HT @rondaconger)
From John’s Pinboard:
- McKinsey has an excellent piece on The Future of Work. This topic comes up a lot so I’m saving this as my go-to source. Their key outlook: Very few occupations—less than 5 percent—consist of activities that can be fully automated. However, in 60 percent of occupations at least 1/3 of activities can be automated.
- OK GO’s latest video: ‘continuing to prove they are an outstanding ad agency masquerading as a mediocre band’.
- Great research and consumer insight question to file away: Ask your current customers “what nearly stopped you from buying us”? Found in this collection of 52 things from 2017.
- I think the The Richards Group has done a nice job for Abercrombie & Fitch recently—especially considering the monumental task that was needed for that brand. Curious what others think...
- Last week Snapchat unveiled its new format: separating the social from the media.
- Thanksgiving consumer spending was very similar to last year: $115/wk vs $106/wk. Holiday spending will be up over last year—how much ‘up’ is the key question.
- I think it’s fairly interesting to keep up with Pantone’s color of the year. Greenery is largely about returning to nature and away from all the negative chatter and political horseshit.
- Creative Review had the top 20 ad slogans of all time. This skews British, because, well, The Creative Review is in the U.K.. But any list without The Ultimate Driving Machine is questionable. Dig in and check ‘em for yourself.
- Did you see the amazing new brand identity for Formula 1? Awesome. And they look at the back of the logo which is something I have wanted to consider with VR. The new mark still evokes the core make up of the previous mark, just makes it so much more workable today.
- Seattle’s new mayor, Jenny Durkan, just signed an executive order that gives two years of free community / tech college to any public high school graduate. Details are still being worked out but this will probably happen.
- Michael Lewis (Moneyball writer) has a great piece in Vanity Fair on the U.S.D.A. and the current Government transition there. A longer read but worth it to anyone who follows government, politics or America's nutrition.
- And let’s sign off with this heart-felt piece from Toyota. “This Is Us” fans will like. Saatchi & Saatchi, LA has had this account for decades, and every few years they release some really great work and capture a Cannes Lion or two.
Have a great week,