Topic: The Container Store Inc.

The Container Store on Facebook

Facebook used to be just for kids but now it's growing up. More companies are realizing the value that Facebook brings to connect a business with their customers. The Container Store is the latest company to join this Social Media ...READ»

What's Selling in America: part 5 of 5.

"The Lamest Question in Retail Is, 'Can I Help You?'" How the Container Store Lays a Solid Foundation It's not every day that both the chairman and the CEO of a $300 million retailer choose to dress up in amusing costumes -- one as ...READ»

Once upon a Brand: Part Two

The goal of a brand is to connect to the market with emotion and relevance. Make it an engaging, enjoyable experience; have a premise, point, obstacle/solution; and be memorable. Applying storytelling principles to a brand strategy ...READ»

Once upon a Brand

Once upon a time in a competitive market called Reality, there was a savvy organization led by people who understood the power of storytelling. They knew that humans have been touched by stories since their childhood. A wonderful ...READ»

What's Selling in America

If you want to convince customers to open their wallets, you've got to open your mind to new ways of connecting with them. That's why we set out on a nationwide shopping spree in search of the fearless companies and breakthrough ideas that are reinventing retail. Here's what we found.READ»

A LEAP Profile

The Extreme Leader's manifesto is to cultivate Love, generate Energy, inspire Audacity and provide Proof. I shared this with the National Conference on Operations and Fulfillment (NCOF) on April 19th in Chicago. When I got back to ...READ»

The Control Boom

If necessity is the mother of invention, we clearly need quite a bit. The U.S. Patent Office this year has been flooded with applications. Inventors and marketers keep churning out great -- and some not so great -- new gadgets and ...READ»

The Control Boom

If necessity is the mother of invention, we clearly need quite a bit. The U.S. Patent Office this year has been flooded with applications. Inventors and marketers keep churning out great -- and some not so great -- new gadgets and ...READ»

Show Compassion, Find Profit

I have a lot of people tell me how unique my company is. I guess it's because in my industry (call centers), most businesses are focused on being the lowest bidder and aren't concerned about sacrificing employee morale and margins. In ...READ»

What's Selling in America: part 4 of 5.

"We Decided to Merchandise Raised Toilet Seats in the Same Way You'd Merchandise Lamp Fixtures at Pottery Barn." Can Take Good Care Make Hip Replacements Hip? "What a drag it is, getting old," whined Mick Jagger in 1966. What a drag, ...READ»

Design Rules

Unit of OneREAD»

Magic Shop

Are your frontline employees going to save or kill your most important quarter? At Apple, nothing is left to chance.READ»

What's Selling in America: part 2 of 5.

"How Does a 900-Pound Gorilla Get to Be an 1,800-Pound Gorilla?" Wal-Mart Thinks Outside the Big Box Dear Wal-Mart: Was it something I said? You don't call, you don't write -- and you give me the brush-off when I call you. Too bad, ...READ»

Conscious Capitalists Focus on the Ideals of Businesses

Mackey says a Conscious Capitalist focuses on one or more of four ideals -- the good, the true, the beautiful, and the heroic -- and on aligning the interests of all "stakeholders." But just what business should emulate is unclear.READ»

• John Mackey's Vision to Reshape Capitalism

Breaking Down the Best Companies to Work For

Shouldn't it be "The Best Companies For Whom to Work?" Whatever. Let's take a look at the companies making this highly-publicized list for 2008: Number of publishers: Zero.  That's unfortunate now, ...READ»

What's Selling in America: part 1 of 5

"First You Get High on It, Then You Buy It." Amoeba Music Marches to Its Own Beat Memo to: The Big Bosses at Virgin Megastores Re: Your Next Big Source of Competition These days, it's hard for monstrously big music retailers to ...READ»

John Mackey's Whole Foods Vision to Reshape Capitalism

John Mackey, the Libertarian CEO of Whole Foods, says not to worry: Capitalism and the invisible hand will cure the world's ills. But isn't it a little late to start believing in magic?READ»

• Conscious Capitalists Focus on the Ideals of Businesses

What's Selling in America: part 3 of 5.

"Our Customers Can Sniff Through Any Kind of Hard Sell. And When They Do, They're Gone." ESPN Takes Retailing to the Extreme The arena pulses with teen adrenaline. Zitty-faced skater kids zip down the half pipe, wide-eyed with arms ...READ»

Piggyback on Saddleback | part one

The best book on building and growing a business wasn’t written by an acclaimed consultant or esteemed academic. It was written by Rick Warren, the founding pastor of Saddleback Community Church. If you are one of the ...READ»