Simon Mainwaring

We First provides consulting and training to help companies tell the story of their good work in ways that build their business

Simon Mainwaring

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Like many, I’ve watched this week’s discussion around Nike’s 30th anniversary campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick play out across every imaginable media channel, veering from fiery headlines on the front pages of national newspapers to YouTube videos of protesters literally lighting their Nikes on fire. But much of the discussion has, at least from my perspective, missed the […]

Like many, I’ve watched this week’s discussion around Nike’s 30th anniversary campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick play out across every imaginable media channel, veering from fiery headlines on the front pages of national newspapers to YouTube videos of protesters literally lighting their Nikes on fire. But much of the discussion has, at least from my perspective, missed the …

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Neoclassical economist Milton Friedman would argue that to maximize profit, companies should strive to get the cheapest labor required to manufacture a market-ready product. Indeed, many corporations outsource work to sweatshops in developing countries where labor is cheap and laws are lenient. In practice, however, strong teams build strong businesses. Recent research from Deloitte show …

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While many brands compete in the yoga and fitness apparel space, Lululemon has positioned itself as an industry leader by building community around its brand. The apparel company has cultivated a loyal following, connecting consumers with the tools and experiences they need to be their best selves. Since its beginnings in Vancouver, Lululemon focused its …

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Papa John’s Recent PR Crisis It can take years to build brand reputation and only one moment to tarnish it. While no company wants to make mistakes or attract negative publicity, mistakes happen. The list of mishaps – from Facebook to H&M, to United to Pepsi, to Dove to Tesla – prove that no company …

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CASE STUDY: NUTIVA In a hyper-competitive superfood market, where consumers are increasingly seeking new, non-sugar based, healthy food and beverage alternatives. While in line with the overall rise in healthy lifestyles, small and mid-size brands need to find ways to break through the clutter, adopt and engage with a loyal following. As the nation’s fastest …

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Employees make your business work. With the U.S. unemployment rate hovering around 4 percent and limited skilled labor, acquiring top talent is competitive. What’s more, recent Gallup polls found that roughly half of America’s fully employed are seeking a new job and only 13 percent of them consider their work to be meaningful. So, the …

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