Transformist non-Conformist

Transformer or conformer? Which one are you? Which one are me? [in the tone of Erykah Badu's poet piece "Fans, Friends, Artists"]

This a question that presents itself at one point or another in every person's life, whether born-again or not. The logic being, to conform to the standards of those around you, whether positively or negatively, or to go against the gradient and set your own standards by pursuing that degree of righteousness which is has been deposited in all of us.

Slanting towards the latter sound simpler when said rather than done, don't you think?

I mean, its not like us people of the faith, are still subject to the social pressures of the world right? Or are we? How many us speak, dress or conduct ourselves in a manner that is reflective of the transformer within us than the conformity we see around us? Maybe let me rephrase it in the following manner, how many of us are willing to stand out and be singled out from the crowd?

Those are some tough questions, to think about... Especially, if you tend towards standing out and being singled out from the crowd.

Consider the instance of that early suit wearing "nceku" i.e. that Bible slinging, church suit wearing guy in the neighbourhood that we used to ridicule for always being dressed for even during the week:-) From that time, even us as fellow brethren were quick to separate ourselves from any association to them and their cause out of fear being seeing a outcast.

But I wonder how many of us took time to consider the possibility that this dude actually is more of a transformist than conformist?

How? Consider that maybe he comes from circle of "skollies" or good for nothing youth who no one really would expect much good from them. Then suddenly this "skollie" goes from Dickies "sportie" and Allstars to now an aspirational formal suit wearing member of the community and his now got a black and pink Bible badge to prove it?

Now, if you are any right thinking somebody... That changes the manner in which we would now perceive that "nceku" we used to make fun of right? And yes of course, this is not blatantly obvious and scenario applicable to everyone but just think, that's all that I am trying to do. Get us thinking about how much of this life that we are currently leading is transformist than conformist, relative to the person God has purposed us to be?

It is my belief that we are all designed to be transformers in one way or another. To some it maybe be transforming the manner in which we are perceived as uncool? To others it maybe transforming the perception that our type of men as always being unfaithful? And to some, it may be to change perceptions about how possible it is to live a life of righteousness, pure from all immorality (including sex) and committed to the cause of salvation.

For me, I reckon that I a transformer in the space of changing perceptions about how possible it is to live a life of salvation that is one faithful, constantly seeking righteousness of God and is committed in a manner that is cool, fun, radical and exciting just as the prime example given to us by God to us on the Earth... Yeshua Christus or more commonly known as Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Until the next instalment from the Sidewalk Kultivationist...

"Transformist and Conformists all must meet. Which one are you? Which one are me?"

The Business Race is Not For The Strong BUT The Innovative!

In this every evolving and globalization driven world, it is increasingly becoming difficult as a budding entrepreneur and creative to find your place in this modern commercial world. Despite the increasing demands for more globalization, or more precisely standardization of processes, services, products and (more recently) persons.

I mean, how do you standardize a person?!

Despite this unfortunate reality, I've got some good news for all my fellow budding entrepreneurs and creative thinkers out there. And the good news is this... "THERE IS A GROWING NEED FOR MORE INNOVATIVE THINKERS LIKE YOURSELF!"

Especially, in a world that boasts highly advanced systems and processes it is refreshing and reassuring to come across an article that substantiates the key role that having innovative thinking employees play within the bigger scheme of the commercial world. More specifically, within the context of keeping companies competitive in a world that is increasing becoming flatter and flatter by the day!

So, what did the article say?

The article was illustrating the unfortunate future companies that have made standardization a high priority opposed to innovation. And the manner in which the article recommended as a remedy to companies failing to remain competitive in a highly globalization driven world is in acquiring and introducing three types of individuals into their organizations. Those three individuals are namely; Innovators, Drivers of Innovation and Marketers of Innovation.

So, yes! That's right my fellow budding entrepreneurs and creative thinkers out there. There is still and increasing room for you in this modern commercial world. But what I want you to be mindful of is that not just any entrepreneur or creative thinker sort after but rather one that can either (1) conceive an innovation, (2) bring an innovation into reality and (3) get a 'buy-in' from stakeholders into that specific innovation.

So, what does this mean to you my fellow budding entrepreneurs and creative thinkers?

Simply this, determine which of the above mentioned soon to be sort after innovative role players do you most relate with. Are you maybe an "Innovator"?

An "Innovator" being someone who is able to take a particular concept or idea and creatively conceive a robust improvement on a particular business service or product in a manner that will in add value to the organization but importantly, generate revenues for the organization. If that is you than you are case and point an "Innovator" by classification. Thus, this individuals unique quality lies in their ability to come up with new ideas, robust modifications and improvements to current business services or products in a manner that will generate increased revenue streams for the company.

Or maybe you are a "Driver of Innovation"?

If that is the case, bubbling creativity may not necessarily be your portion but your strength lies in your ability to connect and re-allocate the required resources needed to ensure that any idea or innovation is feasible within the scope of an organizations current operation. Thus, the unique quality you bring to the party comes in the form of your ability to ensure that resources are effective utilized to accommodate the introduction of an innovation, however, in a manner that cost-effective to the organizations operations.

And lastly, maybe you are "Marketer of Innovation"?

"Marketers of Innovation" are essentially, the individuals who are able to identify the particular need the innovation is able to satisfy. Thus, you are individuals who are able to conceptualize the manner in which an innovation will be introduced within an organization and fundamentally, to the final end-user of the business service or product. Thus, these individuals unique quality is to be able to identify the latent needs the innovation is able to satisfy.

So, in conclusion, entrepreneurs and creative thinkers out there... The future is not as gloomy, or more appropriately, as standardized as globalization implies. But rather, I would like to think that the flattening of the world is actually an opportunity for your entrepreneurs and creative thinkers to start thinking 'innovatively' to be relevant and successful in the near future!

Yours in entrepreneurial and creative heaven,

The Original Sidewalker (Moonwalker was already taken)...

Sidewalk Kultivators Bringin You ->->->--------->>>THE "INCITE to INSIGHT"!>!>!>!>!>!!!!

How Supporting Bafana is like a Parent supporting their Child

With all the media and marketing attention directed towards really getting the country behind Bafana Bafana... A question popped into my head.

What are we doing now that is different to what has been done in recent years?

And just for all you Coach Couch Potatoes... I am referring to what is been done away from the soccer pitch:-) And the answer is simply this...

All form of marketing and advertising communication is conveying one universal message, with the exception of one or two wayward newspapers... GET BEHIND BAFANA BAFANA!

I mean, I can only recall two accounts in which a similar event took place, where all advertising and marketing communication (although promoting totally different brands, products and services) conveyed the same message.

And the two events were when the Springboks won the World Cup in 1995 and Bafana Bafana won the AFCON 1996. I mean, what I am getting at is the following...

During the period in which there was close to no communication to rally up fans and support for Bafana Bafana before they play in either previous tournaments or international games, moral used to be so low that Bafana Bafana supporter could sit on the edge of a one rand coin and still not touch the ground?!

But when we mix consistent moral support building marketing and advertising communication into the mix of a great technical and coaching support structure... We have instance of a team that is not only receiving words of encouragement from their coaching team but also an entire country.

The best way of rationalizing this lies in using the following analogy...

Imagine a child who had every single thing needed to excel a particular sport....

Now, add to that a parent who wouldn't be too bothered to show his child support in this sport of interest to them. However, the only support the child gets is from their teacher at school. Now, can we really expect the child to excel in that sport?

But now imagine a situation where dad encourages and echoes the sentiments shared by the teacher in letting their child understand that they are supported on all fronts will produce a child who can feel like he can like he can achieve the impossible.

So, what is the secret to the recent success we have seen in Bafana Bafana...

I would like to believe that it is a combination between a great technical and coaching structure plus an absolutely phenomenal universal, consistent marketing and advertising campaigns that simply says..."Let's Get Behind BAFANA BAFANA!"

From the Sidewalk Kultivation desk...

Wishing our boys a great Fifa World Cup tournament!

Understanding Personal Branding

'Personal Branding' is increasingly becoming one of the fastest growing topics within the modern day. With the likes of the Richard Branson, Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki and many others regularly being used as prime examples of exceptional personal branding. In the same light, these prime examples are also used to substantiate the relevance of personal branding to the aspirational career-driven individual. It is of no question that the power of personal branding can prove to ensure that an individual can be perceived as indespensible. However, my question is, at what price?

If we revert to the definition of 'personal branding,' we come to understand that 'personal branding' is fundamentally a process whereby people mark themselves along with their careers as brand. And if we follow the same logic, we can describe 'personal branding' as a form of 'self-packaging' or 'self manufacturing'. Thus, if we follow this rationale then it means that if one follows a very selvective process of picking out the appropriate series of colours, imagery, pay-off lines, etc i.e. brand aesthetics, one can transform themself into an exceptional personal brand.

A term closely associated to exceptional brands is 'consistency'. A segment of empirical research suggests that a brands strength is measured in how consistent the brand is in its communication. More specifically, the degree of consistency in brand aesthetics used in all its communication. However, this comes at the expense in terms of the investment put down to ensure that we control against variability in our brand or in the case of humans, volatility. Unfortunately, as humans lack the power to completely control against the volatility that makes up our lives.

Take for consideration, receiving an urgent phone call right before a presentation or interview informing you that you have just lost a loved one. Or for instance, being caught in a thunderous storm that not only messes your outfit but goes on to trigger a runny nose?

Branding theory would suggest that despite such variation in the status quo, the brand should not be impacted in any way. However, the inconvenient reality to personal branding is that, we as humans, are affected by such variability in the status quo. Thus, our personal brands are affected inevitably. So what good is focusing solely on aesthetics such as appearance and packaging benefit one if they are susceptible to external factors which are outside of a personal brands scope?

I say let's redirect our 'personal brand' conferences, seminars, workshops, etc towards the one thing that shapes and moulds the personality along with the physical aesthetics that make up our appearance...VALUES! Any true marketer or brand developer with tell you that the strength of any brand is not in its ability to be consistent in its use of the brand's aesthetics but rather its ability to be consistent in abiding to the brand's 'values.'

A brand's 'values' stand out in the following sense that they are not shaped by volatility or variability in any external factor. Rather they shaped autonomously from any factor of influence, thus, making them to large extend, the most consistent element to a brand. Take for instance, Nike's ability to manufature a high end sports shoe and yet in the same light manufacture a low-end alternative but yet the perception about both products is the same because of the consistency of Nike's values about it's products. Or on a more slightly, humorous note...

Someone who I consider should be viewed as a prime example that personal branding should go beyond aesthetics and become more orientated towards the values or positioning behind a brand... Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the greatest 'personal brand' that ever existed: MICHAEL JACKSON (R.I.P). Although he went through a physical transformation, his brand has remained as relevant and consistent in appeal to any audience that has been exposed to it. And my belief is that regardless, of the aesthetics of the package, the consistency of its brand values have made this brand what it is today.

So if we follow the doctrine of some 'personal branding' teachings floating around out there...
We should not be suprised to find people who have imprisoned themselves to conveying a particular brand image rather than communicating the brand values they abide by. In conclusion, what I believe is the following...

In the same manner that a brand's values determine how great an impression a brand will have on it's audience, the same principle applies to 'personal branding.' The more we communicate our personal brand's values, the easier it is for individuals to shape the aesthetics they believe convey their particular brandings whenever they conduct a presentation or interview.

To Kultivate or Not To Kultivate? That is the question...

Welcome to the world of Sidewalk Kultivations...

A world where marketing insights are made and captured in a manner that will stimulate, encourage and celebrate the art of marketing, the engineering behind marketing strategy and fundamentally, to give voice to essence of true marketing which is to "give our consumer the best, most consistent brand experience ever!"

This encompasses everything from a consumer's first touch point with our brand to all post purchase and experience activities that make up a brand. However, how can this ideal be achieved unless there is a forum in which the very same consumers we are targetting in our marketing communication are given a platform to share their views about the very same marketing campaigns we pitch at them daily?

And this dear reader, is how the "Sidewalk Kultivations" blog was birthed into existence.
The vision behind this blogspot is to provide a platform both consumers and marketers a like to share their views and perceptions about any and all marketing activity of interest in our case studies or alternatively, as they see should be brought onto the table for consumer and marketer deliberation and discussion.

It is through this blogspot that we believe that we will see the birth of an age in marketing, in which marketers will be able to shape and alter their marketing campaigns as their target audience receives the communication and shape their perceptions about them.

Marketers and non-marketers (consumers) alike, once again welcome to the world of Sidewalk Kultivations where it's all about the "insight to incite."

Crops (revenues) are harvested from thorough kultivation (marketing) that entails preparing the soil (research), ploughing (using the information), fertilising (designing the right offering), watering (marketing) and finally, bringing in the harvest (generating the revenues).

This might sound a little perplexed for a lot of traditionally trained marketing minds but like Christ said to his disciples, I may speak in parables but all things shall be revealed to you in time. Thus, the question to this I would like to leave you with in this maiden blog is the following... To Kultivate or Not To Kultivate?