The Small Blog

Fri, October 16, 2009 - 9:51:27

Think before you Tweet

As the authors of THE POWER OF SMALL: Why Little Things Make All the Difference, we firmly believe that even our smallest actions can have outsize impact on our lives, both professionally and personally.  Whether it’s a kind gesture to a stranger on the street or an unintentional roll of the eyes at a loved one, the little things we do, one by one, can determine the path our lives take.  And sometimes the smallest missteps can spell disaster… even something as tiny as a “tweet.”

Image courtesy of Twitter.com

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Thu, October 15, 2009 - 9:41:47

Trust your Intuition: Sweating the Small Stuff Solves the Jaycee Lee Dugard Mystery

With the release of Jaycee Lee Dugard’s photograph on People Magazine yesterday, our attention turns once again to the miraculous discovery of the missing girl, who abducted at age eleven, had been missing for 18 years.  Although her accused kidnapper, Phillip Garrido, had been visited at home by law enforcement on multiple occasions, Dugard remained hidden just a few feet away for nearly two decades.  And if not for a chance encounter with two local police officers who sweated the small stuff and trusted their instincts, the case that has captured the attention of the nation may never have been cracked wide open.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, October 09, 2009 - 9:13:31

Changing the World, One Bowl at a Time: Ben Ali of Ben’s Chili Bowl Dies at 82

Walk down U street in Washington DC and while many things have changed, you’ll find one familiar place that’s been a mainstay in the dynamic community for over 50 years.  A place that has witnessed cultural revolutions, demographic shifts, crime waves and times of peace; one that has served as host to dignitaries, civil rights leaders, jazz legends, and everyday folks, and one that for five decades people have come to to set aside their differences over one simple thing: a bowl of chili.

Image courtesy of Washington City Paper

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Thu, October 08, 2009 - 11:41:00

Talk to Me, Baby

In our recent guest post on Marc and Angel Hack Life we describe the amazing way in which small talk helped to save the life of an everyday woman battling a terrible illness and it’s just one of the many powerful ways in which small talk works every day.  Whether you’re looking for a new friend or looking for a new career, we know that small talk can open the doors to a wealth of opportunities, but as we were catching up on the New York Times last week, we were reminded of just one more way in which making a little small talk can make a huge difference—even if the person you’re talking to can’t quite talk back.  Yes, as many of our fellow mom’s may know, the simple act of making small talk with your baby can actually play a monumental role in his or her early development.

But, while most of us know how important small talk is to the development of the mind in its most formative stages, making small talk with your kids no matter what their age is an important way to strengthen your bond with them throughout your lives.  Unfortunately, as many of us have discovered, when kids grow older, getting them to open up often becomes a little harder. 

Who hasn’t experienced this situation?

Parent: Walking into the house from school. “How was your day, honey?”

Child: Already making a bee-line for his or her bedroom. “Fine.” Door shuts.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, October 02, 2009 - 9:17:19

Today’s Leading Innovators Think Small

As the founders of one of the nation’s fastest growing ad agencies, we’ve learned through experience that the secret to success is sweating the small stuff, honing in on the fine details, and recognizing the amazing potential in even the tiniest of ideas.  And according to a recent report from The Harvard Business Review, we’re not alone in our thinking.  In fact, as professors Jeff Dyer of Brigham Young University and Hal Gregersen of Insead explain, thinking small is intrinsic to the DNA of the business world’s greatest innovators.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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