You know it’s late November not because of the lights twinkling on trees, the generally bad (digital) invites to corporate holiday events or the toxic Christmas scents in shops and hotel lobbies. Rather, it is because this is the season for sneaky emails that pop up on your screen from a panicked assistant who’s been charged with pulling together a year-end board report or 2012 strategy document. They generally read something like this:
“Dear Fast Lane,
I’m doing a bit of consulting work with a major global retailer and as you seem to travel to Asia frequently I’m wondering if you might be able to help my client with some ideas about trends, consumer engagement concepts and anything that’s hot in the world right now. Unfortunately I’m on an incredibly tight deadline and I need to build some key points into my presentation. I’m hoping I might be able to interview you over the phone or if it’s easier you could send me 15 or 20 things you think are really captivating about shop design, advertising and consumer outreach. Do you think I could get something by the end of the day?”