Inspiration: Week of December 26, 2011

I hope you all had a great holiday week. Here are a few things that stood out for me during the celebrations.

Family
A significant part of the "reason for the season", the reason for our work, and what keeps our batteries charged.

Flipboard
Yes, Santa brought the Nelson family an iPad this year. Although perhaps no longer the "App Du-Jour", I found myself addicted to Flipboard for the iPad because it transforms regular ol' Facebook, Twitter and RSS content into a new immersive experience that encourages deep-diving. For me, this reinforces the importance of a well thought-out, beautifully-designed user interface.

Nonesuch
As my family and friends traded gifts of recorded music, I pondered record labels and the value they represent to their artists in this new age. I think Nonesuch is part of a rare breed of labels that understands the power of brand. Nonesuch brings value to its artists by maintaining its own uncompromising brand standards. This is manifested in such ways as cream-of-the-crop artist roster curation, and by designing and producing a beautiful physical product (with several Best Recording Package Grammys to show for it). Nonesuch knows that a label with value is more than a logo on the back of an album -- it's a brand with which artists, music media, promoters, distributors, retailers and consumers alike want to be associated.

The Upcoming New Year
New resolutions and renewed commitment. A chance to bring old chapters to a close and open whole new chapters. To explore new opportunities to bring value. Happy new year everyone!