In Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where pinot noir is king, you’ll sometimes hear a phrase: “Pinot fatigue.”
Pinot fatigue sets in (at least in my case) around the third day of wine tasting. Almost every winery produces a pinot noir, sometimes several. After a while, they can start to run together.
That’s about the point at which you welcome a cabernet sauvignon, or a syrah, or a sangiovese-based blend. They’re rare in Willamette, so they stand out.
The opportunity: Pinot noir grows well in the Willamette Valley.
The challenge: Pinot noir grows well in the Willamette Valley… and many wineries already produce it.
The pool may be crowded. That doesn’t mean you should jump in.
My friend Katie Robleski had an idea: Teaching creativity in business workshops by using abstract ink blobs.
I’ve never heard of this before. I’ve seen improv exercises and camping trips and trust falls on corporate agendas, but not abstract ink blobs.
The challenge: Ink blobs are unheard of in the corporate world.
The opportunity: Ink blobs are unheard of – so far – in the corporate world.
The pool may be empty. That doesn’t mean you should stay out.
About Matthew Fenton: Matthew is a former CMO who helps brands and businesses to focus, grow and win. Since founding his consultancy, Three Deuce Branding, in 1997, he’s helped hundreds of brands to achieve “brand clarity.” His consulting services and speaking engagements help brands to focus on what matters through positioning, strategy and ideation. Contact Matthew here. He’s based near Portland, in Oregon wine country.
Copyright 2020 – Matthew Fenton. All Rights Reserved. You may reprint this article with the original, unedited text intact, including the About Matthew Fenton section.
