Top 5 Most Engaging Posts 2015

Thank you, Dear Reader, for your continued interest and support in getting my thoughts published here.

Looking back, this year has been a truly wonderful and wondrous year for me. Started publishing here on July 16, 2015, I made peace with 21 posts, excluding this meta post on my long-form posts. 

Long-form publishing on LinkedIn is a great door-opener and conversation-starter. If you're an aspiring thought leader, like me, you will find like-minded experts from around the globe -- most of them, from unexpected quarters! 

As a way to show my appreciation to my readers and friends, I'm putting up my Top 5 posts, measured in terms of engagement. I've taken the liberty to define engagement as the sum total of the number of likes, comments, and shares. So, here's a chance for you to revisit some of my most engaging posts this year.

Marketing, Digital, and Leadership are the three topics with most engagements.

5. Lessons from Marketing Development Day

Highlighted some of the learnings from SiriusDecision's study of Buyer's Journey. The latest study finds that digital is pervasive in both "human and non-human interactions." While science is becoming a bigger part of marketing, human brains are hard-wired to relate to a story. "Agility is critical. Learn from mistakes and move on."

4. People at the Heart of Marketing

"First, win the heart. Then, the head. And, the hands. That's what we do as marketers." This is how I opened my speech at a local B2B Marketing Summit. I highlighted some of the findings from a Corporate Executive Board Company study on B2B buyers. The study concludes: "B2B customers are emotionally more attached to a brand," while personal value trumps business value.

3. Future of Digital Transformation

This post ranked the highest in the number of views and shares. It may be attributed to the timing of the post. I was a day or two earlier in breaking out the new digital business framework proposed by SAP SE. At the center, you find the digital core where business processes and insight are delivered "live" and in real time. Around the core, you see the four essential elements of every business: customers, workforce, suppliers, and assets.

2. Leaders See the Possible

“Look closely at the block of wood. See what it can become. It’s always right there, right under my nose. All I need is to see the possibility, the latent beauty that wants to come out. I simply add my chisel to help it materialize.” This is what an aspiring sculptor friend of mine told me almost two and a half decades ago. It still rings true, especially for aspiring leaders who see the possible.

1. Leadership and the Art of Possible

"Imagine what's possible. Always be yourself. And ask." This is the great pieces of leadership advice from my new regional head of marketing. As an aspiring leader, it's such a lucky strike for me to meet Zarina Stanford who's shown her expertise in leadership and storytelling -- two of my favorite subjects. 

Thank you again for being there with me throughout the year. Wishing you all the best and days full of unforgettable experiences in the year ahead. Cheers!