The Visionary Chronicles

Brand Leadership | 5 Things High Peformance Teams Do Consistently

EPISODE 144
 
CHRONICLE: February 22nd, 2024
 
Brand Leadership | 5 Things High-Performing Teams Do Consistently
"Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.” - Steve Jobs
 
Hiring, building, and nurturing high-performance teams has long been a holy grail for brands. Each team has unique needs, personalities, and individual triggers that drive passion in each team member. So how does a brand build a competent team that gets along with one another and consistently produces superior results…consistently, not just one-hit wonders?
First, when building a high-performance team, understand each team's and individuals' primary needs.
Autonomy | The ability to perform without hindrance.
Competence | Having the skill set to perform.
Relatedness | Being able to interact with other team members.
 
Then, there are the three levels of support and building effectiveness for the team.
 
Dependence | INDIVIDUAL, the baby, the newbie, is learning from others. It is crucial to have a process for onboarding.
Interdependence | TEAM, working with a group, being part of a team, and finding a solution together.
Independence | LEADER, Leadership level, finding ways to make others successful. Be humble and grateful, and do not take credit for others' successes.
 
So, what are the 5 Things that High Performing Teams do Consistently?
They are Real with each Other | They express personal and professional emotions and share with the team, building a more intimate bond.
They Share Praise | They are more likely to share praise with others vs. trying to take credit for themselves. Again, it's all about the team and no friction.
They Bond | They spend more time together on non-work-related items and discussions. So it's not all about work!
They are Strategic | Not only with their work but, more importantly, with their time. They are finding ways to get more done in a shorter period of time. They work together through interdependence and independence.
They Communicate Directly | They are more likely to communicate through Voice vs. Text or e-mails. Be honest, be Live.
 
Building, managing, and growing successful teams for your brand takes a commitment to process and action. The approach to getting team members up to speed and the effort to assure they are satisfied with what it takes to be a part of a successful team and brand!
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
 
Bryan Smeltzer
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
 
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
 
The Visionary Files
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the three months, over 1,860 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
 
LiquidMind
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or  follow him at.
 
 bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
  @bryansmeltzer33
 @bryan_smeltzer
 @bryansmeltzer
 linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot in 2022 & 2023.
 
#BrandLeadership, #TeamLeadership, #VisionaryLeaders, #leadershipprinciples, #visionaryleadership, #visionaries, #Creators, #ElonMusk, #oakley, #jimjannard, #stevejobs, #thevisionarychroniclespodcast, #overcomingbarriers, #thevisionarychroniclespodcast, #thevisionarybrandbook, #brandtips, #brandingprinciples,#thevisionarybrand
@ElonMusk
@GuyKawasaki
@TomPeters
 
 

The Visionary Brand | Successful Branding | The Brand Is The Product

 
EPISODE 142
CHRONICLE: February 12th , 2024
 
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands
 
Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book
Amazon Bestseller.
 
The Visionary Brand  | Successful Branding | The Brand Is The Product
 
" Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception." – Carl Sagan
 
Generational, Visionary leaders committed to building a brand know how to build an authentic culture first and create aspirational products that match the brand positioning.
This strategy is easier said than done, and brands that have survived and then thrived over the years are the ones who have mastered the commitment to building a brand strategy and staying the course regardless of the circumstances.
The best analogy I can use is when you are caught in a storm and have a set course; just because it is storming does not mean you redirect entirely. Instead, you pivot, but eventually, you are set back on course. There is a significant difference between changing a course and redirecting a course. Change, and you lose Direction; stay the course, and keep your Soul.
Brands who have built a culture around premium positioning know they are selling a lifestyle centered around a product that enhances this lifestyle by making it more accessible, more convenient, or efficient.
Building a culture allows you to define “who you are?” and “what you do?”. Once this is anchored with a  brand through its Culture, it creates a lifeblood throughout the entire Brand and a commitment to being authentic. The Culture is the company, and the Product is the Brand, each unique and needed to build a generational brand.
If you look at examples of iconic, generational brands, you will find that the Culture builds the team, and the product drives their vision. Consumers do not get excited for the next great toaster, they get excited through the next disruptive product from a brand that has created a lifestyle enhancement expectation around the next generation of their products. The brand advocates expect greatness, and the early adopters line up to purchase their products.
To continually meet this expectation, these brands must have a passionate, insanely great product team, an amazing marketing team, and a sales team armed with the latest product innovations they can surf for generations.
The key to a Brand’s success is ensuring the product matches the vision!
Matching a product to a brand's vision involves aligning the product's attributes, features, and values with the generational goals and DNA of the Brand.
Here are key steps a brand can take to ensure that its products are in harmony with its vision:
 
Define the Brand Vision | Clearly articulate the Brand's vision, mission, and values. This serves as the foundation for all product development decisions.
 
Understand Target Audience | Gain a deep understanding of the target audience's needs, preferences, and values. Identify how the product can fulfill or enhance the lives of your community in line with the Brand's vision.
 
Product Pipeline Development | Ensure that the product planning process aligns with the Brand's vision and goals. Consider how the product fits into the overall brand portfolio and supports the Brand's foundational vision.
 
Consistent Design and Packaging | Design the product, its packaging, and labeling in a way that reflects the Brand's visual identity and design principles. Consistent design elements contribute to a cohesive premium brand image.
 
Quality and Performance | Maintain high-quality standards for the product to uphold the Brand's reputation. Ensure that the product's performance meets or exceeds customer expectations, reinforcing positive associations with the Brand.
 
Marketing | Develop marketing campaigns emphasizing how the product aligns with the Brand's vision and values. Communicate the unique selling propositions that differentiate the product within the market.
 
Storytelling | Integrate the product into the Brand's overall narrative and storytelling. Showcase how the product contributes to realizing the Brand's vision and mission.
 
Iteration | Collect feedback on market trends. Use insights to iterate on the product, ensuring it remains relevant to the Brand's vision and responsive to evolving consumer needs.
 
Long-Term Planning | Consider the product's long-term implications for the Brand's vision. Plan for product extensions or updates that support the Brand's overall strategic direction.
By integrating the Brand's vision into every aspect of the product creation and marketing processes, a brand can create a more cohesive and meaningful connection between its products and its vision. This alignment contributes to building brand loyalty and resonating with consumers who share similar values.
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
 
SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast.
Go to the link below, click the FOLLOW button, and you're in!
 
REVIEW & SUBSCRIBE to the Visionary Chronicles Podcast, and get a FREE e-book edition of The Visionary Brand!
Go to the link below, select Review, and send a screenshot to bryan@liquidmindsite.com
 
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With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past eleven weeks, over 1,784 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
 
Sign up for the Visionary Brand Course, and get a FREE hardcopy edition of , The Visionary Brand,  and a “Be Visionary” coffee mug!
 
 
 
FREE when you Sign UP for The Visionary Brand MasterCourse!
The Visionary Brand hardcover book.
"Be Visionary" inspirational coffee mug.
 
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
 
You can contact or  follow him at;
email |  bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook |   @bryansmeltzer33
 Instagram | @bryan_smeltzer
X |  @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn |  linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 

Generative AI | How Visionary Brands Can Successfully Integrate Artificial Intelligence

EPISODE 143
CHRONICLE: February 5th, 2024
 
Generative Artificial Intelligence | How Can Visionary Brands Successfully Integrate AI
 
" Common sense is not so common.” – Voltaire
 
With all the madness around AI, having a clear, definitive plan in place is critical to long-term success; however, you must know the “Who?”, “What?”, “Why?, “When?” and “Where?” with your plan and execution. Before implementing, define the needs, determine resources, outline expectations, and determine the execution timeline.
Visionary brands can leverage Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the brand lifecycle execution process from ideation and product creation, marketing execution, development, sourcing, and operations, and gain a competitive edge.
Here are some ways in which Generative AI can be utilized.
 
Product and Service Innovation | Use generative AI to brainstorm and generate ideas for new products and services. AI models can analyze market trends, consumer preferences, and industry data to suggest innovative concepts. This can accelerate the ideation process and lead to the development of more innovative products.
 
Content Creation | Deploy generative AI for content creation, including writing articles, generating marketing copy, or creating social media posts. Language models can assist in producing high-quality, engaging content, saving time and resources for the business.
 
Personalized Customer Experiences | Implement AI-driven personalization in customer interactions. Generative models can analyze customer data to create personalized recommendations, messages, and experiences, enhancing customer satisfaction and engagement.
 
Automated Customer Support | Integrate generative AI into customer support systems to provide automated responses to common queries. This improves customer service efficiency, allowing team members to focus on complex issues while AI handles routine inquiries.
 
Supply Chain Optimization | Use generative AI to optimize supply chain processes. Predictive modeling can help in demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics optimization, ensuring a more efficient and cost-effective supply chain.
 
Decision Support | Leverage generative AI for decision support systems. These systems can analyze large datasets, market trends, and various factors to assist brands in making well-informed, data-driven decisions.
 
Design and Creativity | Apply generative AI in design processes for graphic design, product design, or architecture. AI can assist in generating creative ideas, designs, and prototypes, enhancing the overall creative process.
 
Learning and Development | Use generative AI for employee training and development. AI-driven systems can create customized training modules, simulate real-world scenarios, and provide personalized learning experiences based on individual employee needs.
 
Predictive Analytics | Implement generative AI for predictive analytics. These models can analyze historical data to predict future trends, market changes, and potential risks, enabling brands to adjust strategies proactively.
 
Human Resources | Utilize generative AI in recruitment processes for resume screening, candidate matching, and even conducting initial interviews. This can streamline the hiring process and efficiently identify the most suitable candidates.
 
Cybersecurity | Enhance cybersecurity measures by using generative AI to detect and respond to potential threats. AI can analyze patterns in network traffic, identify anomalies, and predict and prevent security breaches.
 
Simulation and Scenario Planning | Use generative AI for simulating and planning various business scenarios. This can help brands test the resilience of their strategies and make informed decisions in anticipation of different outcomes.
 
Generative AI is a powerful tool, however when implementing generative AI in business, it's crucial to consider ethical considerations, data privacy, and potential biases in AI models. Regular monitoring, feedback loops, and continuous improvement are essential to ensure the responsible and effective use of AI technologies.
With these tools, which are improving literally by the second, it is important to stay ahead of this curve, or you will lose your competitive advantage, and potentially your foundational vision along the way.
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand brands and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or  follow him at;
 
 email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook |  @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram |  @bryan_smeltzer
X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn |  linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
#BrandGenerativeAI,#GenerativeAI,#artificialintelligence,#brandai, #VisionaryProducts,#Creators, #ElonMusk,#stevejobs, #TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast, #theVisionarychroniclespodcast, #theVisionarybrandbook, #BrandTips, #BrandingPrinciples,
#theVisionaryBrand,#TheVisionaryFiles

The Visionary Brand | Product Extinction | How to Eliminate Products & Gain Market Share

EPISODE 140
CHRONICLE: January 26th, 2024
 
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book
Amazon Bestseller.
THE VISIONARY BRAND | Product Extinction | How to Eliminate Products & Gain Market Share
 
" Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception." – Carl Sagan
 
Once a visionary brand successfully executes a breakaway/drawdown strategy, it must build a bridge to maintain the product lifecycle. To sustain a consistent flow of products from your pipeline, you must bring some products to extinction, sometimes at the height of their popularity. Implementing this strategy is critical but risky, as you bet the company on the next generation of products. However, unless you risk something, you gain nothing.
As discussed earlier, the Sony Walkman was one of the most recognizable case studies of product lifecycle saturation. This was a breakaway product when first introduced. However, Sony still needed to fully embrace the drawdown and extinction mentality fully, instead deciding to let it ride for some thirty years with only minor revisions. This strategy proved successful for a time, but this is a rare case. The danger with deploying such a strategy is you can get ambushed by your competitors, and you inevitably become a follower, no longer a leader. Having the market perception of being an innovative leader in your category carries with it prestige and privilege.
Most companies would assume any brand deploying the breakaway strategy must have a new product in the pipeline that will change the norm, establish a new way of thinking, or redefine a process. This was not the case with Sony and the Walkman—revolutionary in its day, it had a nice run for some 20 years but eventually died slowly in its last 10. The clincher was when Apple introduced the iPod, at which point it was game over for the Walkman. Ironically, the Walkman inspired Steve to find a better way to listen to music that was not so cumbersome or limited in portability. In analyzing the Walkman lifecycle, Apple knew better than to repeat Sony's mistakes, incorporating extinction in their product pipeline and having the courage to pull products at the peak of their popularity to keep their community hungry for what’s coming next.
Building a consistent and sustainable product extinction lifecycle flow creates limited supply, increasing demand on both the back end (drawdown) and the front end (breakaway). This has driven many brands, such as Apple, Microsoft, Nike, Adidas, TaylorMade, and Microsoft, to become some of the most valuable. These iconic brands have stood the test of time by building an innovative pipeline of products or services supported by a breakaway culture. Each of these brands succeeds by creating and adapting over a series of product iterations, adopting technologies that drive customer demand, and manipulating supply cycles through planned product extinction.
Here are some critical points in adopting an Extinction Strategy and Gaining Valuable Market Share.
Build a Breakaway Product Pipeline | This is critical to sustainable innovation.
Identify your following Breakaway or Incremental Product | Upon the release of the current product generation, this is the Apple strategy; they already have a product being commercialized that will replace the current version.
Eliminate the Current Version at the Peak of the Early Adopter Phase | The Extinction creates an “Innovator” NET GEN NEED and a “Late Adopter” WANT.
Release the Next Version | Timing is critical, and product commercialization is vital to pull this off.
Rinse, Repeat, & Recycle | The cycle of executing this strategy will align all products along the Supply & Demand Curve. Rare for a Premium brand, and extremely powerful!
Building a product innovation pipeline that can sustain continual and more rapid product extinction is where successful visionary brands move beyond their competitors. By holding to this Vision rooted in these Extinction principles, you will also successfully build sustainable brand value for both your shareholders and customers.
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot for 2022 & 2023, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or  follow him at;
 email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook |  @bryansmeltzer33
 Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
X |  @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIN | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
#ProductExtinction,#ProductInnovators,#ProductBreakaway,#BreakawayCulture, #InnovationCulture,#Innovation,#InnovatedontImitate,#ProductVision, #VisionaryProducts,#Creators, #ElonMusk,#stevejobs, #TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast, #theVisionarychroniclespodcast, #theVisionarybrandbook, #BrandTips, #BrandingPrinciples,
#theVisionaryBrand,#TheVisionaryFiles

Visionaries | Martin Luther King Jr.

EPISODE 141
 
CHRONICLE: January 17, 2024
 
Visionaries | Martin Luther King Jr.
 
" We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” –  Martin Luther King Jr.
 
Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was a clergyman, activist, and Visionary leader who played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement, and his commitment to justice, equality, and nonviolent activism was unparalleled.
He was a visionary leader who used his powerful vision to inspire and lead the civil rights movement in the United States. His vision was rooted in justice, equality, and nonviolent protest.
 
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
 
Martin Luther King Jr. had a true vision, willing to risk his life to ensure it was realized.
What were some of the core principles of Martin Luther King’s vision?
 
I Have a Dream Speech | The famous "I Have a Dream" speech, delivered during the March on Washington in 1963, articulated a compelling vision of a racial integration and harmonious America. His vision emphasized the dream of equality, justice, and brotherhood, resonating with millions and becoming a defining moment in the civil rights movement.
 
Nonviolent Protest as a Guiding Principle |  A vision grounded in the philosophy of nonviolent resistance. He envisioned a movement that would challenge injustice through peaceful protests, civil disobedience, and love rather than resorting to violence or hatred.
 
Belief in a Beloved Community | A vision extending beyond eliminating segregation. He spoke of the "Beloved Community," a society based on love, justice, and equality. This vision sought racial harmony, economic justice, and the end of poverty.
 
Inspire the Masses | Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision was not limited to a select few; it aimed to inspire the masses. By articulating a clear and aspirational vision, he motivated people from all walks of life to join the civil rights movement and work towards a common goal.
 
Appealing to Core American Values | A vision framed in terms of core American values, appealing to the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy as was in the Constitution.
Long-Term Vision | A long-term vision that extends beyond immediate victories. He understood that achieving civil rights required sustained effort and a commitment to transforming the underlying makeup of society.
 
Legislative Goals | A vision that includes specific legislative goals. He actively lobbied for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, seeing these laws as critical steps toward realizing his broader vision of equality.
 
Legacy of Inspiration | A vision that left a lasting legacy that inspires movements for justice and equality. His speeches and writings continue to be studied and quoted, resonating with those who strive for a more impartial world.
 
Martin Luther King Jr.'s visionary leadership played a pivotal role in shaping the path of the civil rights movement. King was a charismatic and powerful speaker. His ability to communicate complex ideas in a way that resonated with a broad audience helped mobilize support for the civil rights movement.
Dr. King’s speeches and writings are celebrated for their power. He had a long-term vision for transformation beyond the immediate goals of the civil rights movement. He sought to address systemic issues of poverty, demonstrating a forward-looking perspective. His ability to articulate a powerful vision, grounded in moral principles and a commitment to nonviolent action, mobilized people to work towards a more just society.
This vision contributed to legal and societal changes and impacted our broader human rights and dignity struggles. King demonstrated unwavering courage in the face of adversity. He faced numerous threats to his safety but remained committed to his principles and the pursuit of civil rights, and his courage inspired others to join this struggle.
In summary, Martin Luther King Jr. exhibited visionary leadership through his inspiring vision, moral and ethical principles, courageous conviction, empathy, strategic leadership, inclusivity, commitment to nonviolent resistance, charismatic communication, long-term vision, and a lasting legacy of inspiration for social change.
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
 
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or  follow him at;
 
email |  bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook |  @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram | @bryan_smeltzer
 X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIN linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
 
 

Visionaries | Alexander The Great

 
EPISODE 139
CHRONICLE: January 12th, 2023
 
Visionaries | Alexander The Great
 
"There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” –  Alexander The Great
 
Alexander was the son of King Philip II and received a classical education under the philosopher Aristotle. After his father's assassination, he ascended to the throne and quickly set out to fulfill his father's dream of uniting the Greek city-states and expanding their influence eastward.
Alexander the Great is one of the most successful military commanders in history. He is best known for creating one of the largest empires in the ancient world through a series of military campaigns covering a massive territory stretching from Greece to Egypt, Persia, and India.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Alexander's reign was relatively short-lived. He died in Babylon at the age of 32, under unclear circumstances—some theories suggest illness or poisoning. After his death, his empire was divided among his generals. Alexander's legacy has endured and resulted in current military and business leaders embracing many of his military strategies and leadership tactics.
Alexander the Great, the ancient Macedonian king and military conqueror, is considered a Visionary leader due to his extraordinary achievements and impact on the ancient world. Several characteristics contribute to his status as a Visionary leader.
 
Ambition and Vision | Alexander had grand ambitions from an early age. His vision extended beyond the borders of Macedonia, and he aspired to create a vast empire that would unite different cultures and peoples. His desire for conquest and expansion demonstrated a visionary mindset.
 
Military Genius |  Alexander was a brilliant military strategist and tactician. His innovative tactics, such as using the phalanx (‘FAY-lanks) and introducing combined arms, played a crucial role in his success on the battlefield. His ability to adapt to different terrains and circumstances showcased his strategic vision.
 
Lead from the Front |  Alexander led his armies from the front lines, often placing himself in the action, leading from the front. His personal courage and willingness to share the risks with his soldiers earned him their loyalty and admiration, contributing to the cohesion of his military forces.
 
Inspiring Leadership | Alexander possessed the ability to inspire his troops with a sense of purpose and loyalty. His charisma, speeches, and personal example motivated soldiers to endure long campaigns and face formidable enemies.
 
Cultural Integration |  One of Alexander's visions was to create a unified empire, surpassing cultural and ethnic differences. He encouraged the integration of Persian and Macedonian cultures, blending customs and traditions to create a sense of unity among his diverse people.
 
Urban Planning and Infrastructure | Alexander implemented innovative urban planning and infrastructure projects in the cities he founded, such as Alexandria in Egypt. These cities became centers of culture, commerce, and learning, reflecting his forward-looking vision for a united empire.
 
Curiosity and Learning | Alexander had a deep curiosity about the world and a love for learning. He surrounded himself with scholars and intellectuals, his version of the “mastermind” concept, and his conquests facilitated knowledge exchange among different civilizations. His appreciation for diverse cultures contributed to a more inclusive vision for his empire.
 
Strategic Diplomacy | While known for his military conquests, Alexander also employed strategic diplomacy to solidify his rule. He incorporated local leaders into his administration, promoting collaboration and cooperation.
 
Vision for Exploration | Alexander's desire to explore the unknown and reach the ends of the known world, shown clearly by his journey to the easternmost regions of Asia, reflects a visionary spirit. His journey for discovery expanded geographical knowledge and cultural exchange.
 
Legacy of Civilization |  Although his empire did not last long after his death, Alexander's vision left a lasting legacy. The spread of Hellenistic civilization, a blend of Greek and local cultures, influenced art, philosophy, and governance in the centuries that followed.
 
In summary, Alexander the Great's visionary characteristics include ambition, military genius, leading from the front, inspiring leadership, cultural integration, urban planning, curiosity and learning, strategic diplomacy, a vision for exploration, and a lasting legacy of Hellenistic civilization. His impact on the ancient world and his ability to envision a united and culturally diverse empire contribute to his recognition as a visionary leader.
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2024
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including; Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
 
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and established mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or  follow him at;
 
email |  bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook |  @bryansmeltzer33
Instagram |  @bryan_smeltzer
X |  @bryansmeltzer
Linked In | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot in 2022 & 2023.
 
#ArtificialIntelligenceStrategy,#AIBrandStrategy,#AILeadership,#BrandVision, #Vision, #creatingVision, #Visionaries, #disruption, #productstrategy, #BrandLifestyle, #Creators, #ElonMusk, #oakley, #jimjannard, #stevejobs, #theVisionarychroniclespodcast, #theVisionarychroniclespodcast, #theVisionarybrandbook, #brandtips, #brandingprinciples,
#theVisionarybrand
 

The Visionary Brand | The Product Vision | Building a Product Pipeline

 
EPISODE 138
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast
CHRONICLE: January 4th, 2024
 
Content from Bryan’s new Award Winning, Bestselling Book
The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World's Most Visionary Brands.
 
Readers Favorite Award Winner: Best, Non-fiction, Marketing book
Amazon Bestseller.
 
THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Product Vision | Building a Product Pipeline
" Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." – Steve Jobs
 
Creating or building a Drawdown Product Pipeline is a strategy that the most innovative brands deploy. The strategy allows brands to position products along the entire Product Lifecycle curve, increasing market share while not degrading brand equity.
I was a part of the product leadership of several of these brands when they were created. It is challenging to develop and even more difficult to surf for generations. The strategy is to create a breakaway design, creation process, and culture inside the brand. This takes a Visionary leader, one who understands the risk it takes and the rewards for successfully creating a Breakaway product plan.
As I mentioned in my previous podcast, you can only create a product pipeline if you have successfully built a Breakaway design and creation culture. A cultural foundation built on anticipating what your customer wants, embracing risk, creating an idea machine, and being a relentless innovator who always strives for disruption! Having these places before building a product pipeline is why so few authentic brands and even fewer can sustain a culture of continuous disruption.
A key element to creating a product pipeline is understanding where to “fill the voids” with your price tiers. If you are a premium brand, you are already at the “best” level, and you must stay true to this tier. The question then becomes, “How” do we you build a pipeline that crosses into “good” and “better” price tiers without degrading brand equity? This is the question I always receive from brand leaders when doing our LiquidMind “ideation sessions.” It is a delicate balance, but it can be achieved if you understand the game.
The brand that plays this game the best is Apple. Apple always wants to create a breakaway product, load it on the front of the adoption curve for the “Innovators” to adopt and the “Early Adopters” to anticipate, and at the height of its popularity, pull it from the shelves and make it a previous generation product. This is before the “Early Majority” or “Late Majority” are allowed to purchase. This is called the “Innovators” adoption curve, which is much steeper than the traditional curve. In The Visionary Brand book, I provide an example of the “Innovators” curve.
Pulling the product from the shelf gives Apple “permission” to reduce the price of the previous generation, as long as there is another generation that feeds the front of the curve. Building this “pipeline” along the adoption curve creates a “product squeeze,” where Apple can secure market share along the entire curve without degrading brand equity—a brilliant strategy and extremely hard to pull off effectively. Most brands we work with at LiquidMind understand the concept but are not always committed to executing it sustainably. This is Apple's lifeblood, along with other brands, and they have stayed committed to this strategy since Steve re-joined Apple.
So, having discussed this Product Pipeline strategy, what steps can your brand take toward achieving this generational pipeline?
Build a Product Breakaway Ideation, design, & commercialization foundation.
Create Authentic products, don’t move down, stay Premium
Understand your market and channel opportunities to gain market share
Be Relentless with Innovation & Disruption
Embrace Risk and Reward Progressive Failures
Know when to discontinue and when to release. Timing is everything
Build a Sustainable Breakaway Design Culture, regardless of who is in the driver's seat
Feed the Innovators, the Early Early Adopters, and their Community is instrumental in achieving sustainable innovation
Being a revolutionary innovator is a generational goal, and it takes a commitment from the Visionary leader to sustain its success. If your brand wants to be a generational leader while maintaining market share growth, you will need a sustainable, long-term strategy built around your product pipeline.
You can achieve greatness if you understand the rules of the game. Go ahead play the game, have fun, be relentless, be great!
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
 
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
 
He is also a member of the Board of Advisors at UCI’s BCIE along with their New Venture Program, an Innovation Advisor at the UCI’s Applied Innovation program at the Cove, a Mentor/Advisor to UCLA’s Price Center Venture Accelerator Program, and a Mentor/Advisor at the San Diego Sports Innovators Accelerator (SDSI) center.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or  follow him at;
 
email |  bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
Facebook |   @bryansmeltzer33
Instragram |  @bryan_smeltzer
 X | @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/
 
The Visionary Chronicles Podcast was ranked the #1 Global Visionary Podcast & Top 50 Marketing podcast by Feedspot in 2022 & 2023.
 
#ProductInnovators,#ProductBreakaway,#BreakawayCulture, #InnovationCulture,#Innovation,#InnovatedontImitate,#ProductVision, #VisionaryProducts,#Creators, #ElonMusk,#stevejobs, #TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast, #theVisionarychroniclespodcast, #theVisionarybrandbook, #BrandTips, #BrandingPrinciples,
#theVisionaryBrand,#TheVisionaryFiles
 

The Visionary Brand | The Product Vision | Creating A Breakaway Design Culture

THE VISIONARY BRAND | The Product Vision | Creating A Breakaway Design Culture
 
"The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”– Steve Jobs
 
The Product Creation process is unique in its implementation and execution. Implementation must follow a strict Ideation process with the freedom to interact and mindstorm, and the team's makeup must be the Creators who know what it takes to disrupt the status quo. The execution is where the support system comes in, helping bring these Ideas to Reality.
To create a Breakaway product culture, you must first have a culture that believes in and embraces Disruption, blowing things up that do not make life easier or more efficient—a culture of risk, which inevitably determines your destiny. Many companies are uncomfortable in this environment, and why they are NOT brands. To achieve “best in class” status, you must create an authentic culture that embraces failure due to risk. The risk results in both rewards and failures. Remember, as I have stated before, NO great product has ever been created without first having failed, most times, again and again before successfully commercializing the Idea.
A Breakaway product creation culture demands you are “disruptive by design,” to become a category leader, you must have a clear vision of the future and determine what your community needs, not wants. Want is driven by the current environment; the future determines need. Think of the iPhone or the automobile; each Disruption was driven by a visionary leader who knew what they needed.
Visionary brands create what I call a Breakaway Pipeline. If you use the surfing analogy, surfing the funnel, the pipeline is the ultimate thrill. More importantly for brands, being able to surf this creative pipeline for generations and not becoming just another one-hit wonder.
If you have your sights set on being a Visionary brand, then one of the most critical ingredients of your formula is the Breakaway Pipeline, achieving category leadership through the following;
Give the Creators and the Design team the freedom to dream big and fail! Reward excellent failures, as this moves you closer to success. Success without failure is impossible.
Commit to Category Leadership.
Build a sustainable product Ideation process. Create, Test, Release, Reload.
Stay true to your brand Vision and foundation principles. Without them, you lose authenticity.
Break things! Don’t accept the world for what it is; instead, what it can become.
 
This road to achieving a sustainable Breakaway product pipeline is agonizing, bumpy, challenging, and painful but rewarding once you cross the finish line. However, this is not where it ends; it just means you have cut a path to long-term success.
Unless you consistently build and sustain your pipeline, you will lose momentum to your competitors, with declining market share and category growth. If you continue to surf this pipeline, it will sustain you for generations.
So, stay committed to your Ideation process, create an environment of freedom for your Creators, and build a pathway to realize your ideas and a culture of Disruption that bleeds throughout the entire brand!
 
Stay True, Stay Authentic, be Different, and be Great!
Enjoy the Journey!
 
Bryan Smeltzer, President
 LiquidMind Inc.
 
#TheVisionaryChroniclesPodcast
#TheVisionaryBrandBook
 
@LiquidMindsite.com
@BryanSmeltzer.com
 
 © All rights reserved, Bryan Smeltzer, 2023
 
Bryan Smeltzer is a consumer products business executive and entrepreneur. He has held executive-level roles in business development, Product, and marketing with some of the world's most prestigious brands, including Oakley, TaylorMade, Adidas, K-Swiss, and Schutt Sports, among other international brands. He also founded a men’s apparel brand, successfully running a profitable business for ten years, eventually selling to a VC firm.
He also hosts a Podcast called The Visionary Chronicles, ranked as the #1 Visionary and Top 50 Marketing Podcasts by Feedspot, and recently finished his first bestselling book, The Visionary Brand, The Success Formula Behind the World’s Most Visionary Brands, and recently received the prestigious Readers Favorite Award for BEST Non-fiction, Marketing Genre book.
With the book's release, Bryan created The Visionary Brand MasterCourse. The Master Course site at The VisionaryFiles.com includes a Master Course with 18 Video Learning segments and almost 2 hours of Visionary lessons training. Over the past five weeks, over 1,500 brand leaders and Entrepreneurs have taken the Master Course! Unleash your potential as a brand leader and take the Master Course.
Bryan oversees LiquidMind Inc., a global brand strategy firm that partners with start-ups and establishes mid- to large-cap consumer brands to empower businesses to think differently, be different, drive a passionate culture, and execute relentlessly.
You can contact or  follow him at;
 email | bryan@LiquidMindsite.com
 Facebook |  @bryansmeltzer33
 Instgram | @bryan_smeltzer
X |  @bryansmeltzer
LinkedIn |  linkedin.com/in/bryansmeltzer/