Advertising adds value to a product by changing our perception, rather than the product itself. Rory Sutherland makes the daring assertion that a change in perceived value can be just as satisfying as what we consider “real” value — and his conclusion has interesting consequences for how we look at life.
Most small businesses are either personality-driven, or if they are systems driven, the system is a cookie-cutter format of a business that started as personality-driven, but someone came along with the insight to systematize the procedures that made the business successful. Most businesses try to “systematize” and replicate the charisma of the charismatic founder or [...]