Mike Arauz's Blog – The Archives

My friend and fellow blogger Sean Howard has been an inspiration to me since I started blogging. Sean cares about what he does, he cares about how technology is changing our world, and he cares about what the internet can do for mankind (which is all very refreshing when we seem to be drowning in a sea of people who are faking an interest in these monumental societal shifts just for the sake of cashing in on the buzz). Sean's passion is infectious.

A few weeks ago, Sean emailed me to say that he had been inspired by this article by Saul Kaplan, "Creating a Passion Economy." Sean wanted to create an e-book exploring this idea, and asked if I would join 10 of his colleagues in contributing an article.



The e-book is now finished. And it's an honor for me to be included in such great company.

Katie Chatfield

The opportunity for brands in this space is to be and build the bridges between needs and resources for people. Between people and what they want now, and what they want the future to be. To claim ownership of a need, build a sustainable purpose, engage, enlist, inspire action and make this action a habit.

Scott Suthren

Don’t use empty rhetoric or try to energize the legions with abstract concepts. Don’t be too cerebral. Hit them in the empathic mind, and the heart will follow you anywhere.

Ellen Di Resta

Passion is connection. It’s human nature to seek others who share our values, and people are constantly evaluating the subtle cues that hint of such a connection.

Gavin Heaton

In a world where business, marketing and yes, even advertising, has desaturated language of all meaning, the magical word can restore our purpose—and in so doing—transform our private and professional lives.

Charles Frith

This select few can really shine outside of the broadcast-and-monologue marketing communications model like never before, with compelling authenticity, values and conviction-of-direction that are the hallmark of the few brands who know how to participate in the lives of their customers on equal terms.

Mike Wagner

Don’t settle for vicarious passion. Our marketplace is full of vicarious passions. Take the Super Bowl—millions of passionate but passive observers watching 22 passionate participants. We've got to get beyond "watching" and get to the "doing."

Mack Collier

Instead of better reaching customers, should companies be looking for a way to bring the voice, and more importantly the PASSION of their customers, into their company?

Alan Wolk

One very positive development of the new economic reality is the diminishing life span of the inferior product: we can no longer use the smoke and mirrors of marketing to disguise shoddy products. “The Google” makes it too easy to unmask them for what they are.

Peter Flaschner (Peter also designed the book)

I propose that this movement will result in at least two forces that act on our economy. One, we will make buying decisions that do less harm to ourselves and the collective whole, and two, we will make buying decisions that enhance our passions and our membership in communities.

Matthew Millan

What far too few marketing folks understand is that the future is here, and it involves investing in people. Having your brand on Twitter is not investing; helping create more value for individuals is.

Download the PDF here - The Passion Economy: Opportunity for Brands, or Just a Fad?