Michael E. Dunn

"Purpose is dead. Long live purpose!" Two or so weeks ago, I had a thought-provoking conversation with Ken Beaulieu, head of the Association of National Advertisers' Center for Brand Purpose, about whether marketers are truly moving on from purpose or if it's simply evolving into something more profound. Ken shared research he conducted this past Spring with Internationalist Insights and was curious to learn my take on what it said about the evolving role of purpose in today's complex landscape. Some key topline insights I shared with Ken include: 🔍 Purpose: Evolving, Not Fading Despite sentiment among some marketers that purpose is "one and done," the ANA-Internationalist research reveals that purpose is very much alive and evolving. While 85% of marketers acknowledge that insubstantial purpose can harm a company, a strong brand purpose remains a “North Star” for organizational alignment and impact. 🔗 Beyond Marketing: A Holistic Commitment Purpose is maturing into what it is meant to be: much more than a marketing strategy. It's a company-wide effort transcending PR tactics, one that requires the commitment of the entire organization, from the C-suite to front-line employees to ensure it is embedded into brand DNA and business operations. 💡 Five Guidelines for Embracing Purpose: 1. Align Purpose with Organizational Goals: Purpose is most effective as a driver of decision-making and operations, not a stand-alone initiative or after-thought. 2. Communicate Authentically: Sincere messaging, backed by tangible actions, is crucial for resonating with all material stakeholders. Empower Stakeholders as Advocates: Engaged communities amplify brand reach and grow impact. 3. Cultivate an Ethical Supply Chain Across Sectors: Partnering with nonprofits and maintaining responsible practices enhance the honesty of purpose. 4. Embrace Continuous Improvement: Purpose is an ongoing tool for risk management and innovation. When activated effectively, purpose serves as a strategic compass for modern brands, guiding them to navigate today's shifting social landscape more fluidly. Embedding purpose in a brand’s DNA and business operations cultivates genuine engagement, enhances social impact, and drives profitable growth. For more in-depth insights, read my full article on the ANA's Industry Insights blog. (https://lnkd.in/eX7uGgcR) What do you think about purpose in today's landscape? Is it one and done or is its role evolving? Share your thoughts in the comments below! #Purpose #MarketingStrategy #Growth #Performance #CorporateResponsibility #SustainableBusiness #SocialImpact #BrandCitizenship #DoGood

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Wondering what's new in the world of early-stage innovation research? Katie Sheehan's team has helped many brands use conversational research to better explore unmet needs and whitespace territories, understand their real potential in the market, and refine ideas. Register for the next Reach3 Insights masterclass webinar featuring Katie and Matt Kleinschmit to hear what they're learning and best practices you can use right away: https://lnkd.in/gwrpUxga #innovation #marketresearch #productresearch

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My friend Shashi Jain wrote an impassioned post to those impacted by Intel Corporation layoffs with five pieces of advice on navigating the path ahead. He was spot on in talking about adjusting your mindset, leaning on people in your network and making sure to take time for you. It sucks to see chapters close that weren't under your control but what if they next chapter is one your grandkids are going to talk about? A recent study by Clarify Capital followed tech workers laid off during the pandemic and found some fascinating insights; - 63% of those laid off started their own businesses - 93% of those businesses started competed directly with their past employer;) - $13,000 increase in income since be laid off - 58% felt they had better job security today than before they were laid off This study and the countless examples that I have seen in my career (I was laid off once myself) make me feel that your next chapters will likely be better than the one you had at Intel. For those of you thinking about moving on that idea you have had in your mind for years or taking that side hustle you have and turning into Intel's next big competitor please let me know how Jelani Memory and I can help over at Vanport Studio. We are rooting for you. Scott Hanselman Corey Frazier, Ph.D., PE Yoseph Ukbazghi Ed Halla Damola ‘D’ O. Rick Turoczy

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Behind the paywall there’s some great stuff here…. Gap has been all over my LinkedIn FYP these last few days which to me is an indication they are working there way back into the hunt. To Danny Weisman’s point - this isn’t always about “impressions” but rather impressions with purpose. I’m old enough to remember you went to GAP for quality clothing that felt great on and held up to weekly washing. Should be a great lesson in how brands & media now more than ever need to work in tandem. Something Steven M. and I with our consultancy Moy & Halter often are talking extensively to or are listening in on brand marketers with great insights like: Diana Haussling, Vinny Rinaldi, Alyson Griffin, Casey Hurbis, Dave Kersey and Sri Rajagopalan about. What’s your opinion on how creatives and media strategy teams can better align through the planning process? Leave an opinion below 👇

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For anyone in San Diego 12/13, I’ll be at the mission-based investor’s showcase at UCSD with RIA, the empathically-based AI humanoid robot poised to transform healthcare, education, and workplace wellness. We'll explore current critical healthcare challenges, and how RIA is supporting overburdened professionals, improving access to underserved communities, and advancing medical research, patient, and professional care- essentially how empathy, AI & Robotics intersect. This is an invite-only event... so I can't guarantee you will get a seat. This is an intimate gathering of world-leading, curated decision-makers, and investors. If that is you... if you are interested in evolving the healthcare, biohacking, education, and corporate wellness space, here’s more information: https://lnkd.in/g7CyFrtS #ai #aiforbusiness #aiforgood #artificialintelligence #artificialintelligenceforbusiness #predictiveAI #conversationalAI #generativeAI #genai #genairevolution #genaitrends #humaniodrobots #robotics #RIA #bestsellingauthor #keynotespeaker #enrichinglives #humanoids #machanirobotics #futureofwork #futureofhealthcare #healthcare #HealthcareInnovation #EdTech #appliedempathy #AIandEmpathy #empathy #EmotionalAI Laquelle Mari #RoboticsInHealthcare #HealthTech

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Fundamentally, advertising is akin to financial services. Marketers give agencies a budget just as investors give financial advisors investment dollars. Advertising and Marketing has lost sight of this notion and it's exciting to see events like AdTech Economic Forum address the ROI factor of this industry. mktg.ai is looking forward to seeing Brian Wieser, CFA Madison and Wall and a host of industry leaders. #marketing #advertising

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Parallel stories unfolding in Seattle right now at Boeing and Starbucks. Two new CEOs. Two major turnarounds. I've been watching both Kelly Ortberg (Boeing) and Brian Niccol (Starbucks) initial communications closely, and there's a fascinating pattern in how they're architecting change. Most recently from Starbucks' preliminary Q4 guidance and Boeing's Q3 results. The diagnosis is strikingly similar: ▸ Boeing: "Trust in our company has eroded" ▸ Starbucks: "We have drifted from our core" But it's their parallel playbooks for communicating change that caught my attention. 1. Heritage as North Star 🌟 Both CEOs are heavily anchoring their change narrative in company DNA: ▸ Boeing: Return to engineering excellence ▸ Starbucks: Back to coffeehouse roots  ▸ Lesson: Use your company's legacy as the springboard for the future, not something to run from. 2. Front-Line First 👥 Their first moves weren't PowerPoints - they were: ▸ Ortberg: Factory floors and engineering labs ▸ Niccol: Store visits and barista conversations  ▸ Lesson: Ground truth comes from where value is created, not headquarters. 3. Problem Definition is Everything 🎯 Note the clarity in problem statements: ▸ Boeing: "Trust has eroded" ▸ Starbucks: "Drifted from our core" ▸ Lesson: You can't solve what you won't name. 4. Framework, Not Frenzy 📋 Both use clear four-pillar strategies to make change digestible: ▸ Simple enough to remember ▸ Specific enough to execute ▸ Sequenced for impact  ▸ Lesson: Complex change needs simple architecture. 5. Time Horizon Management ⏰  Both are explicit that: ▸ Quick fixes won't work ▸ Fundamentals come first ▸ Change is a process, not an event  ▸ Lesson: Set realistic expectations on the long, hard road of change and transformation early. The meta-lesson? Successful change leadership requires: ▸ Brutal honesty about problems ▸ Deep respect for heritage and what got you here ▸ Clear frameworks for action ▸ Authentic engagement with front-line teams ▸ Realistic timelines For leaders stepping into turnaround situations: notice how both CEOs balance urgency with patience, heritage with change, and clarity with complexity. If you were stepping into either role today, which elements of their playbook would you prioritize? And what might you add? #changecommunications #communications #leadership #ceotransition

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Putting in the work enables results.

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What do you think, is it worth the hype? A colleague shared this article with me today, and it is too good not to share more broadly. IMHO, most public sector orgs are far from ready for GenAI: 1.) because the tools are not mature enough, and 2.) because most orgs have some housekeeping to first (e.g. data, policy, processes). As my colleague pointed out, we haven't even really tapped into the full potential of more mature types of AI yet and some are ready to leap ahead to the unknown of GenAI. I'm here for it and excited about it, BUT...use caution when running toward the shiny new thing! https://lnkd.in/ePsappRB

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Effective leaders and sellers ask smart questions. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, says in HBR's *The Art of Asking Smarter Questions,* 'I probably give fewer answers and ask a lot more questions… It's almost possible for me to spend a whole day just asking questions.' This approach encourages his team to explore unrecognized ideas. As AI and unpredictability reshape business landscapes, this mindset shift applies to sales. Key Takeaways (my take on how they apply to our sales world): * Active Listening & Curiosity: In sales, it's crucial to ask the right type of questions to deeply understand clients' needs and deliver tailored solutions. *Strategic Questioning Framework (a structured approach to asking questions that drives better decision-making, using five types of questions): · Investigative: What's known about the client's current challenges? (Establishes context and uncovers pain points) · Speculative: What if the client's problem could be solved differently? (Encourages creative solutions and new opportunities) · Productive: How do we measure success? (Defines clear metrics and aligns expectations) · Interpretive: What insights can we draw from this conversation? What did we learn from this? · Subjective: What's unsaid but influencing the decision? As the article said, “When we fail, it’s often because we haven’t considered the emotional part.” What are some effective questions you ask in your discovery calls? 📝 Adapted from "The Art of Asking Smarter Questions" by HBR. https://lnkd.in/gBjayuc4 #SalesStrategy #ActiveListening #QuestionsLeadTheWay #SalesLeadership

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A year ago, I stood as a proud parent at Parents’ Weekend at Berkeley, celebrating my son Shaun’s achievements. Today, I am a grieving mother, mourning the loss of my beautiful child. The ache I feel is indescribable. I was once filled with pride, but now, all I wish is to turn back time—to hold my son again and tell him that life isn’t about attending the best university or chasing perfection. What truly matters is navigating life’s experiences, embracing adversity, and knowing you are enough, just as you are. There are so many things I would have done differently when Shaun was just 5. If I could, I would tell every young parent that you have a chance right now to make a difference in your child’s life. Don’t wait until they’re teenagers, when it might feel too late. The signs, the struggles—they begin early. Suicide prevention and resources often come too late. I want to share my experience. I lived in what I thought was an ideal, upscale community in Carmel Valley. It was supposed to offer a bright future for Shaun, but in reality, it was isolating and full of pressures I couldn’t see until it was too late. Not everyone will have the same story, but my hope is that sharing mine might help others. Love your children enough to be tough when it’s needed. Show them that life is not about perfection but about resilience, connection, and being present. Take care of your children—starting at age 5. If you need to talk, I’m here. Together, we can help our kids navigate this world. Walking tommorow for Shaun and awareness https://lnkd.in/gUwjPcX2 #suicidepreventionstartsasachild #suicideprevention #cal #berkeley #afsp

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While most crime numbers have significantly declined in most major U.S. cities, including Chicago, the perception is quite different: A lot of people still feel unsafe and quite often don't trust the published reports. Reviewing last year's Gallup research, respondents voiced more pessimism about local and national crime than at any point in the survey’s roughly 20-year history. Here are just two key data points that are essential for this conversation from multiple crime statistics: - Murder dropped 11.6% from 2022 to 2023 across the U.S. , the largest declined in the last 20 years with overall violent crime down around 3% across these two years. - The monthly U.S. homicide rate from around 10,000 in January of 2022 has declined to below 8,000 today, on trend to reach even lower numbers more comparable to 2018 than the high COVID years. But still, over 80% of U.S. residents believe that the monthly homicide rate is higher than a year ago. - In Chicago, we have experienced a +20% decrease in homicide numbers since 2021. In today's Crain's Chicago Business in a must read article, Steve Hendershot is trying to explain the vast difference between the reality and perception of crime in our country. He is arguing for a few reasons for this large gap: - A few high-profile crimes across the country and many regions contradict the crime data’s optimistic narrative. - Public transit crime occupies a high perceptional influence that makes people, especially users of public transit, feel unsafe. - The increased usage of crime alert social media platforms and apps increase the perception of widespread lawlessness. The constant reminder of crime incidents undermine any feeling of personal safety. - An increasing political dimension drives perceptions of urban crime as a recent Gallup poll highlights. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents were more than three times as likely as their Republican and Republican-leaning counterparts to consider Chicago a safe place to live or visit. - Overall, people feel that their environment feels more chaotic and out of control than Pre-Covid. Random acts of violence undermine any feeling of improved safety. Overall, our crime numbers are still unacceptable high, especially in historically underinvested neighborhoods. But there is progress in many U.S. cities, including in Chicago. Steve Hendershot's article shows that we have to both continue to drive substantial improvement in crime numbers but also push for a broader crime data awareness and education to close the gap between reality and perception.

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The FTC's ruling on fake reviews is crucial for maintaining integrity and trust. Genuine consumer feedback shapes brand perception and guides decisions. Authentic reviews are not just a legal obligation but a commitment to ethical practices that build trust with clients and audiences. This article states " In 2020, analysis by Fakespot found 42% of reviews on Amazon were fake or unreliable." #branding #FTC #regulations #digital #ConsumerTrust #Leadership

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This makes sense to me -- a #smallstore concept aimed at urban dwellers (read: peeps who have money spend and what to drop it on fresh-squeezed juices, etc.) starting in NYC. First, sounds like they (#wholefoodsmarket) have a focus on their target customers; second, this allows them to penetrate markets where retail space is VERY expensive; third, as they have store base to start, they can leverage existing supply chains to be efficient (looking at you #foxtrot). But, it's not really a #grocerystore or should I say a traditional grocery store. It's what grocery seems to be almost inevitably evolving toward -- smaller footprint, highly specialized, highly efficient outlets that work for a (or many) specific markets. Does this work in Williamsburg, IA? Or even San Angelo, TX? Or the 'burbs of Chicago? Probably not. I hope that #WFM doesn't forget that lesson as they roll these out.

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Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. That’s why it’s so life-giving to find community and inspiration from fellow founder/CEOs, like my old pal Sasha Strauss, CEO of Innovation Protocol. 🌟 We reconnected about the joys and perils of parenthood, business building, and making time and space for life’s priorities—even if that does include our meaningful work. Years ago, when I was first considering launching my own firm, Sasha was one of the first people I confided in. Mustering creative confidence to share my vision, I was met by his generous spirit, belief in the possible, and helpful, real-world wisdom—hallmarks of any creative leader.     Sasha, you are #BornToCreate!  Thank you for sharing your creative gifts with so many lucky leaders and companies. If you’re a founder, who gave you an early burst of creative confidence? I'll kick things off in the comments! ⬇️ Spring Street #branddesign #innovationprotocol #entrepreneurship #ceolife #creativityatwork

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HOW TO SAVE PELOTON: As I Said 5 Days Ago. Peloton needs to go PRIVATE; their survival depends on it. Ironically, struggling brands get more damaged by staying in the public view. However, it isn't enough to take Peloton private. You need to step back and take a good, hard look at what is working and what doesn't. Here are three areas that need to be revisited by prospective PE buyers. Brand Positioning: Is it going in the right direction? How much damage have they taken from bad publicity? Are customers buying more products from them or selling off their exercise equipment? Growth: If you strip out the errors of the Pandemic and growth were to continue normally, where would they be today versus where they are? It is the best place to determine if the brand has peaked or is faltering. Leadership: This brand needs two leaders, one with a deep AI and Data technology background and the other with the finesse of leading specialty brands. Because that's what this is: a specialty health/fitness brand living in the technology space. And their customers will want real-time updates on their progress from exercising to eating. Partnerships: Part of me is considering a Weight Watchers opportunity or a joint partnership with a PE. They might even consider Peloton Franchises, where fitness experts buy a franchise with their equipment and take share from other fitness centers. Investment and Innovation: They need to continue to innovate and invest in technology that enhances their customer's experience. Making it compelling for many who work out at home to sign up. By the way, 52% of people who work out do so without a gym membership. #retailing #strategy #ceo #technology #innovation #peloton https://lnkd.in/gNYTtG5h

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A great post from Cindy Gallop on why the make-up and governance of any AI Council or SteerCo must be carefully considered.. ..not just gender and ethnic representation but also representing different perspectives that combine both commercial, the customer and ethics.. ..shockingly and somewhat unsurprisingly Meta has got it wrong with an all white male crew. The future of AI can not be white and male - Zuck, Musk, Besos with their 💵’s are controlling the development right now.. ..thankfully Satya of Microsoft brings greater diversity and also the importance of empathy. It will be crucial to consider the origination of LLM’s and bias as businesses make decisions about which GenAi platforms to back and teach models on the back of their tech. It’s not just about whether your data is being used to inform their model, it’s whether the leadership and engineering team are representative of our society today.. #AI #GenAI

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It’s no surprise to see leading VC firms investing in AI and parenting. As a parent of a 3- and 4-year-old, having tools that support our family’s needs is critical. Leveraging LLMs to reduce the time spent on tasks that might otherwise consume hours—like sorting through social media for advice—has been a game changer. On average, families have two kids that are close in age and are also often balancing caregiving responsibilities for other family members. It’s a lot to manage, especially for parents of teens and within the healthcare landscape.

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