A "Holiday" Blueprint: Learn how to harness ancient philosophy for modern business success here!

From the desk of Miles Everson: Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a good rest over the weekend. Let’s kickstart this new week enthusiastically by talking about our “Marketing Marvels.” Every Monday, we highlight such outstanding individuals with hopes to inspire you in your professional journey in the business and marketing world. In today’s article, let’s put the spotlight on a modern marketer who introduced the Stoic philosophy to the marketing industry. Continue reading below to learn more about this “Marvel.”

A "Holiday" Blueprint: Learn how to harness ancient philosophy for modern business success here! How would you describe the digital landscape in one word? Globalized? Fast? Simultaneous? In an age where the digital landscape shifts at breakneck speed, finding time to pause or slow down could be a bit of a challenge. … but did you know there’s this one prominent figure who’s able to blend timeless philosophy with cutting-edge marketing tactics? Enter Ryan Holiday, an author, marketer, and entrepreneur who has done just that! Holiday has carved out a unique niche, using the ancient wisdom of Stoic philosophy to navigate and influence the chaotic world of modern business and marketing. Making Every Day Feel Like A “Holiday” Holiday is known for his books on stoicism, marketing, and personal development. His work often blends classical philosophy, particularly Stoic philosophy, with contemporary themes and practical advice. Early in his career, Holiday served as the director of marketing for clothing retail company American Apparel. He is known for his unconventional and highly effective marketing strategies, which were detailed in his book, “Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator.” His other best-selling books include: The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph (2014) Ego Is the Enemy (2016) The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living (2016) Stillness Is the Key (2019) Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave (2021) Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control (2022) These books draw heavily on Stoic philosophy and aim to provide practical advice for navigating life’s challenges. Besides his work as an author, Holiday runs a company called Brass Check, which advises authors and brands on media strategy. He has also been involved in various entrepreneurial ventures and has contributed to multiple media outlets. Contributions to Business and Marketing Holiday’s influence on business and marketing is profound. His “Trust Me, I’m Lying” book reveals how easily the media can be manipulated and offers insights into the creation and management of public perception. By understanding these dynamics, Holiday is able to help businesses craft more effective media strategies and navigate the complex interplay between media and public relations (PR). The concept of growth hacking is another one of Holiday’s significant contributions. Growth hacking involves innovative, low-cost strategies to rapidly acquire and retain customers. This approach, which Holiday has both practiced and preached, emphasizes the importance of agility, creativity, and data-driven decision-making in marketing. Here are a few other lessons he wants to impart to businesses based on his wealth of experiences: Embrace Stoicism in Business At the core of Holiday’s teachings is Stoicism, an ancient philosophy that emphasizes resilience, control, and clarity. In business, this translates to focusing on what one can control and viewing obstacles as opportunities. He believes that by adopting a Stoic mindset, businesses can navigate crises with composure and turn challenges into growth opportunities. Prioritize Content Creating valuable, evergreen content is a cornerstone of Holiday’s strategy. According to him, businesses should aim to produce content that educates, entertains, or solves problems for their audience. Why is that so? It’s because such content builds trust and establishes authority, thereby fostering a loyal customer base. Focus on Long-Term Success Holiday encourages businesses to prioritize long-term success over short-term gains, stating that sustainable growth often requires patience and persistence. … and one of the ways to do that? Investing in relationships with customers, partners, and employees! Ethical Marketing Holiday is a strong advocate for ethical marketing practices and believes honesty and integrity are paramount. Sure, misleading tactics might yield short-term results but in the long run, that can severely damage a brand’s reputation. That’s why for Holiday, aligning marketing efforts with a business’ core values ensures a consistent and trustworthy brand image. Continuous Learning For Holiday, staying curious and committed to learning helps businesses stay ahead of industry trends and continuously improve their strategies. So, among these important lessons, which do you think you need to work on or apply to your business or marketing strategies? Feel free to express your answer by leaving a comment on this article or sending us an email! Overall, Holiday stands out as a beacon of wisdom in the business and marketing world. By blending ancient Stoic philosophy with modern marketing insights, he provides a roadmap for navigating the complexities of today’s market. His lessons—ranging from media manipulation and growth hacking to ethical marketing and resilience—offer invaluable guidance for businesses aiming for sustainable success. That’s why we truly encourage you to think about the aspects above that you need to improve on or implement in your business! You’ll see—as you, your business, and your marketers embrace Holiday’s teachings, you’ll not only enhance your strategies but will also cultivate a mindset geared towards long-term growth and ethical integrity. Wouldn’t you want that? We bet you would! So, what are you waiting for? Apply these insights to your business and marketing strategies now, and let your business experience a holiday every day—in terms of customer base, profit, engagement rate, sales, etc.! Hope you’ve found this week’s topic interesting and helpful. EXCITING NEWS AHEAD The world of work has shifted, and there’s no going back. The barriers to entry have never been lower for talented professionals to work independently, and today’s massive external workforce is hardly a pandemic-produced fad. Business owners can only survive in the new work landscape by partnering with this deep talent pool. With decades of experience in both small-business entrepreneurship and executive management at PwC, I truly believe that the future of work is independent. With that, I’m happy to share with you that my book, co-authored with Walter Scott Lamb, is now available for pre-order on Amazon! Free Birds Revolution: The Future of Work & The Independent Mind This is an essential read for both independent professionals and corporate executives. Here, we provide educational and practical guides to unpack the ever-growing workforce and offer you crucial ways to become a client of choice. Click on the link above to pre-order your copy. Let this book help you future-proof your career and organization in the new world of work.     Stay tuned for next Monday’s Marketing Marvels!