10. January 2012
This morning we had our first working breakfast.
Mark Earls did what he does best – he made us think!
Here’s our 60 second whistle-stop tour of the wise and wonderful things he had to say.
His theme was that people follow patterns of behaviour. We can improve communication effectiveness by better understanding these patterns. It's for this reason that Mark's latest book is called "I'll Have What She's Having".
Mark started with a story – a story of Empire, adventure, map making and the Kong Mountains. (A quick visit to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountains_of_Kong explains all.)
It turns out that for nearly a 100 years we believed the Kong Mountains to be in West Africa. They were the source of the great Niger River. Maps pinpointed where they could be found. The truth is they've never existed! They're a myth!
How did this come to pass? Mark explained that social context and shared belief are the most significant elements in our decision making.
We are inherently social beings and so our decision making is necessarily shaped by the influence of others.
From the moment we are born we are homo mimicus – mimicking man. We are copying machines aping the behaviour of our parents from day one. We then progress and ape the behaviour of our peers, of our social milieu and of wider society. We do it through-out our lives. This is why ideas spread; it's why markets have long-tails. We are copying machines. Drinks for example are a social choice.
As much as we all want to believe we're rational and independent of thought, the truth is we our part of a herd and make social decisions.
The trick is to understand the pattern that people's decision making is conforming to. To see the dynamic behind the mimic. Only by doing this can we seek to influence behaviour.
That's it other than to say thanks Mark for a stimulating and insightful talk. Great way to start the working day.
Mark's latest book, "I'll Have What She's Having", the inspiration for much of this morning, can be bought by clicking here. Well worth a read.
4. January 2012
CMW's celebrated Bacon Club is back and better than ever for 2012, now better known as Working Breakfast.
Kicking things off on Tuesday January 10th at One Alfred Place, we are particularly excited to announce that our speaker is Mark Earls, one of the UK's most popular writers and speakers on brands, marketing and changing mass behaviour. He is the author of 'HERD' and the recently published 'I'll Have What She's Having'. He's been described as Malcolm Gladwell on speed, and always has an entertaining story and a great insight into how marketers really influence audience behaviour.This is a chance to genuinely find out what makes consumers tick, and an opportunity to mingle and enjoy some breakfast.
We still have a few places available, so if you are interested in coming along, please email daisy.batchen@cmwlondon.com for more information. And for those of you who are already on the guest list.....see you there!
8. November 2011
40 years ago today Led Zeppelin released their fourth album. It doesn't have an official tiltle. Still 37m copies and counting have been sold. Just wished I'd aged as well...
Anyway here's Going To California being played live at Earl's Court
26. October 2011
While the Saatchi's mob sup their pints of real ale at the Pregnant Man and the creative wunderkinds at Mother pick at their Salad Nicoises at Shoreditch House, we at CMW are keeping things a little more real. So from 2nd November we are pleased to announce that a Greggs the bakers is opening next door to us on Tottenham Court Road. That's right, that fine purveyor of the saussage roll (large and small), the cheese and onion pasty, and the all-time classic the steak bake - all at exceptionally affordable prices - will be available to colleagues and clients alike. Enjoy.
Image found at
Hokd
20. October 2011
This top tune is one of CMW's faves. We are told that the chap on the guitar is not, we repeat not, Ben Rachel our Planning Director.
3. October 2011
Ah Japan. Land of the Rising Sun, of the Samuri, of the Geisha and of course of the markerless 3d AR application in the ... well, you'll see for yourself ...
8. September 2011
* Please do not be alarmed. Marnie is at her desk working and has not been sent to Wales the country. She's been sent two whales.
ST (v pleased with my little joke).
17. August 2011
Turn your favourite office tool from your desk
into cutlery.
The perfect solution for all of you workhorses who have
to eat lunch sitting at your desk. Awesome. And proof that there are still
plenty of original ideas to be had out there. See this.
JB