And to think I put on a tie.
I attended the first couple hours of a business conference today. I climbed into a suit for the occasion. Hadn’t done that in over two years. To my relief, it still fit.
Ever notice how silly the male business uniform looks? Decked out in dark, worsted suits, Egyptian cotton shirts, and the power tie du jour, we all waddled around looking like clones. This, in a conference where “stand out from the competition” was preached.
That’s not to say that women don’t have it worse. I am well aware of the ridiculous things society expects women to wear, “society” in this case being a euphemism for clothing designers who don’t have to wear what they design because they’re men which is a shame because if they had to wear what they design they wouldn’t design it that way.
Anyway, I left early.
I had shown up in hopes of picking up an insight or two. Nope. Same old stuff: Innovate, adapt, care about customers, empower, take risks, and mind your brand.
In the introduction to my book Of Marketing and Emasculated Goats, I bemoan business gurus who regurgitate the same old pap and adoring audiences who reward them for it by eagerly scarfing it down. That’s what this was. I don’t go to conferences to hear speakers reiterate and cheerlead. I go to have my skills sharpened, my thinking challenged, and my horizons broadened.
If I receive a follow-up survey, I’ll suggest that next year they add a break-out group for presenters called “Try saying something new. Also, remember not to bore.”
Update: They indeed did send a survey. I was honest. I expect my comments will be dismissed.
Ever notice how silly the male business uniform looks? Decked out in dark, worsted suits, Egyptian cotton shirts, and the power tie du jour, we all waddled around looking like clones. This, in a conference where “stand out from the competition” was preached.
That’s not to say that women don’t have it worse. I am well aware of the ridiculous things society expects women to wear, “society” in this case being a euphemism for clothing designers who don’t have to wear what they design because they’re men which is a shame because if they had to wear what they design they wouldn’t design it that way.
Anyway, I left early.
I had shown up in hopes of picking up an insight or two. Nope. Same old stuff: Innovate, adapt, care about customers, empower, take risks, and mind your brand.
In the introduction to my book Of Marketing and Emasculated Goats, I bemoan business gurus who regurgitate the same old pap and adoring audiences who reward them for it by eagerly scarfing it down. That’s what this was. I don’t go to conferences to hear speakers reiterate and cheerlead. I go to have my skills sharpened, my thinking challenged, and my horizons broadened.
If I receive a follow-up survey, I’ll suggest that next year they add a break-out group for presenters called “Try saying something new. Also, remember not to bore.”
Update: They indeed did send a survey. I was honest. I expect my comments will be dismissed.
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