Disqus - Latest Comments for comradity

Re: The Best Ways to Make (and Flavor) Popcorn

COMRADITY — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:53:23 -0000

In our shared workspace, I learned to make popcorn in a truly simple way from a former Forune 50 CEO. A brown paper lunch bag in the microwave.

Re: Seven Lessons I’ve Learned On Elder Care

COMRADITY — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 08:45:08 -0000

Having just lost a father and mother, I’ll add that talking about things in advance (my father was an estate lawyer and my mother - after he died- had long term care insurance and chose, for her phone wallpaper, an image of her advanced directive) should go deeper than finances and dnr’s. For example, the next biggest conflict is that your parents don’t want to be a burden. But that can be a burden because it’s just unrealistic. Very few people have the luck of being vital and dying in their sleep. For most it’s a journey and impossible to do alone.

Re: Thieves of Experience: How Google and Facebook Corrupted Capitalism

COMRADITY — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 18:33:12 -0000

Thanks for a great review.

Regarding weighing the rewards of giving up privacy for a social media channel. It is relative.

Older Millenials may well consider the loss of privacy a fair trade.

But younger people . . . not so much. The bullying that comes when a kid doesn’t have to look you in the eye is epidemic.

Additionally, this post-Snowden generation gets what Zuboff is saying. They are more likely to camouflage their online identities.

Gloriously, humans still adapt and evolve. This next generation will be interesting to watch. For example, a way to truly personalize and control an “assistant” http://bjoernkarmann.dk/pro.... Interestingly, he isn’t aiming to disrupt. GOOGLE should license the idea. Because they are now the IBM, SONY, Motorola, etc that Gates and Jobs stood on the shoulders of.

Katherine

Re: Leadership and Self Care

COMRADITY — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 09:52:13 -0000

Fred,
The purpose of innovation is to create value. When the consequence is a visceral disconnect among stakeholders, isn’t it time to acknowledge there’s a fundamental problem.

We have lived through an era of believing that humanity is flawed and technology can replace human decision-making with a more perfect outcome. That thesis presumes that perfection is possible, ignoring the “if it’s not one thing, it’s another” truth of Rosanne Rossanadana. (Pain isn’t necessarily the way. One test of universal truth is it makes everyone smile.)

Humanity has strengths and weaknesses and they are inherently connected. Decisions are always trade-offs, economic and non-economic. That’s why they should be made consciously by humans, not by a black box. Good decisions are balanced. The best decisions are win-win. It takes practice, not preaching, programming, or a retreat.

With the data and technology available today, predicting consequences should be possible in real time, instead of years later, so humans may make better decisions or even change them, before damage is done.

COMRADITY is a work and meeting place that starts with the thesis that there’s nothing better than the real thing. For example, we are designing an experiment - a Project Based Learning program for business leaders and university students to practice better decision-making. Businesses benefit from developing and recruiting better leaders. Universities have a new opportunity for University students to find jobs. Technologists benefit by pitching solutions designed to serve humans to future business leaders and talent as proof of concept projects for the Project Based Learning Teams.

Re: Making Documentation Difficult is tied to Voting

COMRADITY — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 07:47:50 -0000

I’ve learned a lot about this from a startup in our space.

The bill was passed after 9/11 because a few guys with compromised IDs boarded a plane.

By compromised, I mean that the fake IDs sold to students to get into bars have also been sold and been renewed by DMV - they are now valid and baked into the system.

Today, the REAL ID Act requires multiple proofs to verify that you are the real owner.

This is just the beginning, because proving credential ownership is a moving target - no one knows how many people are walking around with valid duplicates of your original credentials. Breaches like Equifax have compromised more records. For example to get a birth certificate on line most states only require a credit card with a billing address that matches the mailing address.

So the solution starts with the thesis that physical credentials are compromised, both document validation and ownership verification should be the standard, and the methods should be hard to implement at scale to de-motivate the fake ID industry.

Katherine Warman Kern

Re: Another Voice: New Amp will incorporate vital improvements

COMRADITY — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 23:21:23 -0000

Whistling by the grave? How about paying respects to a beloved icon and all the memories it holds.

Re: Chautauqua Institution board vote paves way for Amp demolition

COMRADITY — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 07:27:36 -0000

Linda, if the Administration cared about Chautauqua and the community, the press release would have been very different. As you know, the community is divided over the decision to demolish the Amphitheater - not over the need for safety. The Institution issued a press release, the final draft of which dated the day before the vote, declaring "victory" without acknowledging the community divide and the motion to delay this decision until there are at least two options to consider. The donors have been misled about the community's support for the demolition.
Sincerely,
Katherine WArman Kern

Re: Going With The Flow

COMRADITY — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:02:49 -0000

If media companies were designing their program experiences to serve the multi-device and interactive viewer, then advertisers could focus on designing the marketing conversation content relevant to the context offered by the interactive multi-media property.

Why doesn't media do this?

Re: 9 Awesome Co-working Space for Startup Entrepreneurs in Connecticut

COMRADITY — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 12:27:37 -0000

Hi Herby, And COMRADITY Strategy & Creative Resource Center http://comradity.net - A venue for corporate off site meetings and incubation with corporate level video conferencing, webinar, and web casting, HD video production. A fresh perspective among resident members Accelerated Growth Partners, AnswerYes, Blissful Media Group, Brand-Taxi, From the Rough, Movable Media, Multilot and a network of mobile member professionals in music, radio, research, video, creative direction, writing, and graphic design. Walking distance from the Stamford train station, Fairway, many fine restaurants, and the waterfront at 845 Canal Street in the South End of Stamford. Schedule a tour by calling 203-883-9255.

Re: Lifestyle Businesses

COMRADITY — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 09:25:39 -0000

Been to busy to hang out with you all for a long time . . . but this is my sweet spot.

Lifestyle businesses are run by people who have the freedom to choose what they work on. They love what they do. Their work has integrity. They are respected and trusted by their peers and customers. They care more about quality than quantity.

"lifestyle business" is a compliment!

Aren't you looking for a name for a business that is neither a "lifestyle business" or "venture ready"?

How about "Big Hat No Cattle?"

Re: Tools Change, Craft Is Forever

COMRADITY — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 12:36:26 -0000

Larry, I think the technology you reference is very exciting - especially in the context of #VRM - more specifically, when consumers choose to communicate with things and/or the business they already own or do business with. But even then, I don't think anyone wants an intimate conversation.

During the purchase decision process, advertising is still an appropriate form of communication from a business to an unknown prospect.

What has changed is the possible interactivity.

Ever hear the one about the sales guy who told his boss "I only made 25 calls today. I would have made more but the 25th person asked me what I was selling."

Advertising designed for this scenario changes from being closed ended to open ended. And the creator of that ad has to be open to having no control over where that conversation goes. That is something that makes traditional advertising creators/producers very uncomfortable. It also makes database people uncomfortable, they want to control what information is collected at that point.

So that's where the opportunity for exploration between creativity and data is. And it is not what either side thinks it should be right now.

Re: Tools Change, Craft Is Forever

COMRADITY — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 16:21:43 -0000

"More than ever, brands will need authentic and compelling stories"

The Creative Revolution coincided with a time when brands had an authentic and compelling story to tell.

Then there wasn't anymore.

And advertising creativity was reduced to come up with words like "unsurpassed" to describe a parity product that sounds better than commodity.

The unintended consequence is that advertising's reputation has returned to the snake oil salesman days.

Case Studies from the Creative Revolution period often reduced the real story of the creative process to a logical, rational one - because that's what academia, professional associations, and the trade press would buy.

The unintended consequence is that many think that creativity comes from data.

What we need is a "do over" -

Let's be honest about what it takes to develop the iconic advertising campaigns of the Creative Revolution, starting with authentic and compelling product stories to build a brand from. Then the time it takes to percolate an idea that resonates, what experience teaches human judgement, and how many big successes were accidental rewards of an open minded partnership between client and agency.

Then let's explore how you tell an interactive story in multi-media in real time. That's a totally different process than a story you control from every word to every production value.

And let's explore how data can help us develop a universal language for multi-media story development - like the system musicians have - to collaborate on melody, harmony, etc.

There's a lot of experimenting to do. And it will be fun if we all let it happen instead of trying to make it happen.

http://www.comradity.com/co...

Katherine Warman Kern
co-founder
COMRADITY Strategy & Creative Resource Center

Re: #Fraternite - The COMRADITY Journal

COMRADITY — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 10:01:01 -0000

thanks for be here Suzanne

Re: Tension in Advertising

COMRADITY — Sun, 09 Nov 2014 10:29:14 -0000

Russ, after hearing Bill Prady talking about writing comedy and your post, wrote about strategy today: http://www.comradity.com/co...

Spoiler alert: Studying the past benefits the future. But there's still some figuring out to do "/

Re: Is innovation exploding or expiring?

COMRADITY — Sat, 10 May 2014 07:37:57 -0000

Post WWII employees perceived they personally benefited from contributing to their employers' success. They were the shareholders. The 1970's began the era of corporate re-structuring. Employees became numbers on a page. From 1996 to 2004, formerly known as employees became indepedent entrepreneurs, capitalizing on opportunities their employers wouldn't invest in. Today, we've eliminated the only source of funding for the indie's innovations - the second mortgage.

Re: What does "It" look like? - The COMRADITY Journal

COMRADITY — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 09:57:46 -0000

All this evidence should justify - even to the accountants! - the return on the investment in time and resources to put a value quality content.

Re: Let's do it. - The COMRADITY Journal

COMRADITY — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 09:29:49 -0000

Great point Guy. COMRADITY will not be for everyone.

Although their are plenty o' big egos in the creative business, we have worked with incredibly talented folks whom no one has ever heard of precisely because they aren't very good at tooting their own horn. COMRADITY is specifically designed for them.

Everyone thought the internet would be a place where the cream would rise to the top. But it turns out it is a great place for anyone to game the system. That's why we are offering a member only online network, with membership by invitation only, COMRADITY.io.

As for recruiting collaborative Studio members to the physical space, in our experience, music brings people together. Stay tuned for the opening event themes and how music will contribute to revealing who plays well together.

Finally, and most importantly, Our first goal is to help independent professionals and
businesses re-tool the creative services business model for mutual
benefit. Once we prove we can do that, almost anything is possible.

Re: Why we need a ‘Don Draper’ mentality to redistribute $200B in TV ad spending from broadcast to the web

COMRADITY — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:17:47 -0000

Hmm. I wonder where you find the talent who remember how to deliver ads that move people. . . . "/

Re: 5 Unlikely Recommendations for Startups

COMRADITY — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:32:33 -0000

Product is Marketing. It is the first of the 5 P's in Marketing: Product, Packaging, Pricing, Placement, Promotion.

Separating product from marketing - i.e., developing the product in a vacuum - is a mistake. So if that is what you are saying, AGREED.

Katherine Warman Kern

Re: Steve Jobs and Management by Meaning

COMRADITY — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 18:10:48 -0000

Here's to beyond "meaning" to "meaningful".

Re: The Human Algorithm: Redefining the Value of Data

COMRADITY — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 07:24:56 -0000

Brian, it is about time the tech world discovered the value of humans making sense of data. I have been arguing this point for a very long time. For example, start with the fundamental garbage in garbage out data problem. The next big trend is to go beyond collecting and aggregating data because it is there and you can. It is to design how to collect and aggregate it. In the days before the marketing world separated from research, there were a lot of ideas that were way ahead of the communications technology of their day.

Re: Why The Daily failed

COMRADITY — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:54:10 -0000

It is remarkable how much time I spend deleting emails I never read and closing windows that disappoint.

With this perception who would be willing to take the risk to pay in advance?

And if you can't get people to pay in advance, who is going to take the risk to pay the professionals folks to create really great stuff.

There is one teeny little crack of light. People are starting to get tired of wasting time.

Netflix gets paid in advance because people believe they are more likely to find something good from their library of a zillion movies and series episodes than on the 800 channels on cable.

When people believe they won't be wasting their time, they will pay in advance.

Re: How To Be A Happy And Successful Creative Freelancer (Or Work With One)

COMRADITY — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 09:16:07 -0000

Great article. After almost 20 years as an "independent" I relate to all of the comments above.

The one thing I have yearned for is an opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of being independent without being isolated.

When you are working around others, it is clear what you are good at and what you are not so good at. For example, the art vs. math issue =} And in today's economy, knowing how to chase that dollar is becoming more and more important to survival.

When you see potential partners in action, it is clearer whom to trust.

When you work around others who put so much of themselves into what they do - because let's face it creative work is personal - you value your own work more.

There are places springing up where you can work around others without making a long term commitment.

But I don't think working around just anyone is good enough - even if it is a temporary scenario.

I have been lucky to work with other equally dedicated, experienced, and trustworthy creative people, whether it is virtual or physically in a space.

There are remarkably talented musicians, writers, designers, game developers, video directors, etc. and no one knows who they are because they don't get credit for their work.

There are creative business people, project managers, systems, and legal structures that can help improve the financial viability of being an independent creative professional.

If they weren't isolated, independent creative professionals would benefit and so would their clients.

Katherine Warman Kern
founder and chief membership officer
COMRADITY Creative Professional Guild & Studio
www.comradity.net

Re: Inclusivity

COMRADITY — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 07:16:06 -0000

Surprise! I agree with kid mercury. Exclusivity is essential in the context of a marketplace. There is nothing wrong with lowering the common denominator so everyone can play in a pure social context. But in a marketplace - where you get what you pay for - separating the pros from the amateurs is one way to create value, grow the market, and protect customers.

In the advertising marketplace, their is no credentialing. Anyone can claim to be an expert. That is one reason the click rate is so low and we hate advertising.

K-

Re: If You Choose to be Creative, You Have to Choose Not to be a Sheep

COMRADITY — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:23:29 -0000

As long as you accept these as the only two choices there is no revolution.