David Harkins' Blog

Fear is useless

Fear is the most primal of our emotions. It protected early humanity from physical dangers like being eaten alive by wild animals or falling off a cliff. Although few of us need to worry about being the main course for any animal in the modern world, falling off an emotional cliff remains a real possibility. Think about your fears for a moment. Are you afraid to act on that spark you just felt with another because you don’t want to be rejected, or deal with the mess it would cause in your life? Are you afraid to start a business

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Commentary

Made in America: Still viable for apparel manufacturing?

Consumers may endure modest cost increases in American-made apparel, there is a not-yet-established point where the value of the “Made in America” selling proposition will be sufficient to sustain the price of the product at any level. Unfortunately, economic factors will undoubtedly force consumers to look for lower priced alternatives for one of life’s necessities, clothing. 

READ: It is Time to Think Differently about Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship

7 tips for new entrepreneurs

You don’t want to make the mistake of discovering too late that you are not cut out to be your own boss. Doing so could make for days of hunger, the repossession of a car, or worse still, the loss of your home. So, if you are not willing to make these sacrifices and take these risks, you might be better off working for someone else. There’s no shame in working for others, though. We are all wired a little differently. We’re all not cut out to be entrepreneurs.

READ: It is Time to Think Differently about Entrepreneurship
Culture and demographics

Mister Rogers remixed for a new generation

Fred Rogers never forgot to explain the why. He knew that in order for a message to be heard and understood, it had to be delivered in a way that connected with its audience–old and new. Parents need to see the value in the message, but that same message must connect with the kids. Today’s younger parents may not connect with Fred Rogers the way we Baby Boomers do, but they know his name. Yet, their children have likely had little exposure to Mister Rogers’ message, his sneakers, or that trademark sweater.

READ: It is Time to Think Differently about Entrepreneurship

You cannot control your brand

A company can only control its intention, its action and its reaction. If you think about it, this is only about 1/4 of a brand’s value when it plays out in daily interactions between the customer and the company. The customer controls the remaining 3/4 of the brand’s value based on their perceptions of how the company delivers, whether it be product quality, service and fit with the customers needs, values and expectations.

READ: It is Time to Think Differently about Entrepreneurship
Culture and demographics

Nonprofits have a mission connection problem

The misalignment of needs, values, and expectations means that the message and the mission of many nonproft organizations no longer connects in a meaningful way with new generations of prospective donors. This lack of a mission connection is the underlying reason, not the economy, for the decline in giving to majority of nonprofits and educational institutions today.

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Don’t be afraid of the storms

Storming is a necessary part of life. It helps us to confront the issues and overcome the conflicts that prevent us from achieving greater successes. We must not be afraid to Storm, however uncomfortable it may be for us. Storming is especially critical when it serves to move projects or ideas forward, or supports growth in our personal lives. Refusing to Storm never allows us to be the best we can be, as an individual or as a member of team.

READ: It is Time to Think Differently about Entrepreneurship
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