This is  a perfect example of why I’m not a fan of clicky scrolly flashy banner ads.  The majority of “interactive ads” are just disruptive annoying clutter in my opinion. Not too far from spam.

Later in the day it looked like the beta version of the Mapquest homepage with new UI changes was implemented as the default. You could still get to the classic version and apparently they caught the mistake and took the ad down. Good job, I can think of better ways GM can spend tax dollars anyway.

I wonder how long the ad was live? How many users it alienated? How many users could not search for a map in the time frame? Who knows and who really cares anyway, it’s New Years Eve. Cheers.

Now you see the search button to retrieve a map.

Now you don’t.

I find the videos useful to pass along to clients, friends and others when helping them understand one of the topics. I’m still amazed at how many times I end up explaining the basics of RSS. I’ll explain it, then point them to the below oldie, RSS in Plain English, along with RSS the Oprah Way (she seems to have all the answers, geez). They help to further my explanation (ramblings) and Voila, they get it. Check out the series at www.commoncraft.com

You know Marty Neumeier from his books on branding and business, The Brand Gap, Zag and the upcoming Designful Company. What I like about his books is that they are clear, simple, to the point and quick reads. His agency, Neutron, writes an article series titled Steal This Idea, with a similar straightforward tone. “Thinking is Free” is the latest, which focuses on four branding basics to consider to keep your business fresh and thriving.

1. What makes you different?
The active ingredient in any brand is differentiation. If it’s not different, it’s not strategic. What can you do to increase your difference? How can you make your difference more meaningful and compelling?

2. How well are you focused?
Without focus, customers will have a hard time seeing your difference. What makes you the “only” in your category? Which of your offerings best support your difference? Which should be cut to make your focus stronger? What new offerings could be added as you pick up momentum?

3. What trend are you riding?
Tomorrow’s economy will create new trends. What wave are you riding? Is it a wave that’s still forming, or one that’s already crashed on the shore? Is it possible to ride more than one trend at a time? What new trends are barely visible yet inevitable?

4. Are you communicating clearly?
Good strategy paired with poor messaging is no better than poor strategy. What messages are your various constituents hearing from you? Do all your brand stories add up to one big story? Is your big story clear enough and bold enough to earn a place in their minds?

In my business we ask ourselves these types of questions on a regular basis. It’s important to stay nimble, evolve and implement quickly. You have to embrace change and act. If your brand can’t hack change and new thinking, you may become irrelevant in the next economy just like many dying traditional ad agencies. Read “Thinking is Free” here

Project management can a breeze when things are running smoothly and hell when they are off track. More often than not a bit of both happens during the life of a project.  Meri Williams provides a few simple and useful tips on project management over at 24Ways titled, What Your Turkey Can Teach you About Project Management.  The key points are:

1. Make sure you start your projects well – with an agreed (written) vision of what you’re trying to achieve.
2. Plan your projects at the right level of detail and in an appropriate format – never be more than a few days away from knowing for sure whether you’re on track or not.
3. Plan for likely and important risks and make sure you track and resolve those you actually encounter.
4. Institute a project board, made up of the people with the real power over your project.
5. Create rituals for closing projects well – don’t leave anyone in doubt that the project has been delivered, or of who they should go to for further help.

If a project does go to hell, you better keep simple steps top of mind to pull things up to PM Purgatory. And maybe even PM Heaven if your good. For more read the full post here.