Tim Thoughts

One of the main reasons I don’t write enough on my own blog is that I generally underestimate the value of my thoughts. What I mean is, a blog is just a diary opened up for the world unless there’s content that can inspire or teach others in some way. Well, I’m going to take a few minutes and drop some wisdom on you. Please note that I do not have a single one of these thoughts yet. I’m hoping at least 5 or more come to mind, starting… NOW!
Free …

Is there currently a more annoying phrase in sports broadcasting than, “it’s a copycat league”? For the sake of this discussion, let’s set aside the ridiculous overuse of the word “swagger.” Even Lou Holtz is talking about “swagger” now. “It’s a copycat league.”
If you’ve heard this, and I bet you have, there’s a 95% chance you’ve heard it in reference to NFL teams turning to the wildcat formation on offense. You know the formation I’m talking about. The team’s usual QB either comes to the sidelines for a play or …

On Saturday, the Chicago White Sox closer, Bobby Jenks, threw a fastball behind the back of the batter, the Texas Rangers’ Ian Kinsler. This occured during a one run game, so Kinsler represented the tying run. There was basically no chance Jenks actually wanted to hit him, putting the tying run on base. But Jenks admitted following the game that he threw inside intentially to send a message he wouldn’t stand for White Sox hitters being hit by pitches. So in essence, it’s like he yelled at someone rather than …

A few days ago I was walking by a basketball court and six kids were shooting hoops. After a missed shot, two of them scrambled for the ball but neither could secure it before it bounced out of bounds. Then the argument ensued. Who touched it last? After a few seconds of finger pointing the resolution was simple.  “Hey guys! Jump ball!”
And that was that. Not sure of the right call to make? Jump it. And I thought about how nice it would be if most decisions in life were …

A question popped into my brain yesterday and I haven’t been able to come to a conclusion yet, so I figure I might as well bring it to the blog. How does someone become an -er or an -ist? (I guess -or fits into the group as well.)
Here’s what I mean. Suppose someone performs a behavior. Is that person then an -er or -ist of that action? If you drink alcohol, are you a drinker?
My initial thought about this was that there likely needs to be some sort of repetition …

A major part of any messaging from a brand to its consumers is respecting the consumers. This sounds basic and universally agreed upon, but many marketers fall into a trap by not carefully walking the fine line of targeting an audience.
Consumers like brand that they can relate to and identify with. But people don’t like being blatantly targeted. People really don’t like others making assumptions about their habits, interests, and beliefs. Even in the instance that the assumptions end up being correct, it makes them feel predictable, simple, and not …