Derek Thompson
[Raymond] Loewy … believed that consumers are torn between two opposing forces: neophilia, a curiosity about new things; and neophobia, a fear of anything too new. As a result, they gravitate to products that are bold, but instantly comprehensible. Loewy called his grand theory “Most Advanced Yet Acceptable”—maya. He said to sell something surprising, make it familiar; and to sell something familiar, make it surprising. … [ Read more ]
Content: Quotation | Author: Derek Thompson | Source: The Atlantic Monthly | Subjects: Customer Related, Marketing / Sales
The Four-Letter Code To Selling Just About Anything
When Raymond Loewy arrived in Manhattan, U.S. companies did not yet worship at the altars of style and elegance. That era’s capitalists were monotheistic: Efficiency was their only god. American factories—with their electricity, assembly lines, and scientifically calibrated workflow—produced an unprecedented supply of cheap goods by the 1920s, and it became clear that factories could make more than consumers naturally wanted. To sell more stuff, … [ Read more ]
Content: Article | Author: Derek Thompson | Source: The Atlantic Monthly | Subjects: Customer Related, Marketing / Sales
The Biggest Problem With Remote Work
Companies need a new kind of middle manager: the synchronizer.
Content: Article | Author: Derek Thompson | Source: The Atlantic Monthly | Subjects: Human Resources, Organizational Behavior
The Science of Smart Hiring
Finding great new workers is hard. A little bit of empiricism can help.
Content: Article | Author: Derek Thompson | Source: The Atlantic Monthly | Subject: Human Resources
More Is More: Why the Paradox of Choice Might Be a Myth
It’s widely assumed that overwhelming people with options — whether in TVs or delicious jams — can make them less likely to make a decision. But maybe that’s wrong.
Content: Article | Author: Derek Thompson | Source: The Atlantic Monthly | Subject: Marketing / Sales
Talking Your Way In
In a new approach, B-schools dispense with the essay—and the painful wait—and give fast answers in one-day admissions programs.
Content: Prospective MBA Content | Author: Derek Thompson | Source: BusinessWeek | Subject: Business School News