Mark McNeilly

It’s Not Just The Biscuits: Bojangles’ Recipe For Rapid Growth

Southern chicken chain Bojangles’ is outpacing the growth of national industry giants like Chick-fil-A, KFC, and Popeye’s. Here’s how its CEO goes beyond a better biscuit to outpace the competition.

Is Branding Art, Science, Or A Whole Lot Of Both?

Branding has the power to turn a humdrum consumer product into a beloved, can’t-live-without-it, emotional experience. Is this dark art based on mastery of data or channeling of creativity?

“The Princess Bride” And The Man In Black’s Lessons In Competitive Strategy

In business, the best way to stay ahead of your competitors is to win the battle before it begins. Time to start building your resistance to iocane powder–and fighting on your own terms.

Is Posting Political Content On Facebook Hurting Your Brand?

Love it or hate it, political content is everywhere on Facebook. Take our poll and tell us what you think about using Facebook as a platform for your political beliefs–and whether it can hurt your personal brand.

A Tale Of Two Very Different Presidential Campaigns

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are both fighting for the White House, but they’re running very different campaigns to get there. Which has the winning approach?

5 Steps To Handling Your Next Brand Crisis

Between Chick-fil-A igniting a cultural battle about gay marriage, United breaking guitars, and BP spilling oil, brands get in deep trouble. Here’s how to (kind of) get out.

Rebranding Mexico, Beyond Beaches And Bullets

With drug cartels on one side and foam parties on the other, Mexico’s tourism was falling apart. Enter Ogilvy PR’s smart tactics for remaking what it means to take a trip south of the border.

Marketing, Presidential Positioning, And The Battle For Your Vote

“Product positioning” happens in politics, too. Here’s what smart marketers can learn by watching Obama and Romney scrap it out between now and November.

Lessons From The Founding Fathers On Leading A Breakthrough Meeting

Here’s how George Washington created consensus among a group of strong-willed men representing states at the most important meeting of all time: The Constitutional Convention of 1787

The Creativity Gap

Creativity is crucial to economic expansion, the development of society, and personal growth. Yet only 1 in 4 people actually feel they are living up to their creative potential. A look at what’s behind this “creativity gap.”

9 Principles For Great Branding By Design

We all know great design has a critical role to play in building a great brand. But how do we go about making that happen? Three top designers weigh in.

Employers Want Your Facebook Password–What’s Next?

Some companies are requesting Facebook passwords or to “friend” someone on staff so they can access your private information during the hiring process. Given the swift and high-powered pushback, this will likely stop; however, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other privacy issues to be aware of.

Peyton Manning’s Lessons In Career Strategy

This week, the Indianapolis Colts released four-time MVP quarterback Peyton Manning to look for work with another NFL team. As removed as your job or company may feel from the NFL, there are four key career-strategy takeaways for all professionals (even the ones who don’t wear shoulder pads).

A Game Plan For Restoring America’s Competitiveness

I’d like to believe it’s “Halftime in America” and the U.S. is starting to make a comeback in the game of global competition. Unfortunately, the reality feels more like sudden-death overtime–but there are concrete steps we can take to get back on track.

Winning Through Simplicity

3 Ways To Deal With A No-Win Situation

3 Timeless Parables For Regaining Perspective

Coke Discovers The Hard Way That People Can Taste Color

Why Facebook Fiercely Protects The Privacy Of One Group–Facebook Stalkers