How can marketing make the world worth saving?

To those affected by yesterday's bridge collapse in Minneapolis, we offer our condolences and prayers.

The event gave me flashbacks about every big and terrible event that has occurred over the past ten years.

As social creatures, we crave to be in the know. Sometimes it makes me wonder, though. Is being in the know more important to many of us than just standing up and lending a helping hand?

To some, obviously not. As horrible as events like these are, there always seem to be people who will dive in the water -- to risk life and limb -- in order to save complete strangers.

What is that motivation? Where does it come from? And how can we become so brave and caring?

If we can figure that out, maybe we won't be tempted to rely on corrupt sports figures or politicians to be our role models. Instead, we can look to true heroes who toil in obscurity every single day, doing the little things that usually go unnoticed, but whose character and service to others shines brightly when tragedy strikes.

This heroism does not happen by accident. Although each moment in our lives is an opportunity to make the right choice, even if our past is littered with bad ones, heroism in this form is the usually result of a cultivated dedication to serving others.

It drives me nuts to think that the things we do as marketers rarely appeal to the better sensibilities that make man worth saving. We go with the cheap laughs. We buy slapstick.

If we wait until a tragedy occurs before we decide to take notice of the things people do to make the lives of others better, we'll not nurture the seeds that give rise to the growth of such qualities.

How can you cultivate the character that engenders heroism?

It might be in creating a platform that allows others to share with each other; superior customer service might be the legacy you leave. In any case, it boils down to doing what is right and putting the needs of others above or on an equal plane with your own. - Cam Beck

Comments

[Valeria Maltoni]

The human connection is the strongest one can have. Our bodies, minds and souls can carry more energy and life saving resources than anything you can think of.

In life saving situations, we rise to the occasion. The same genes that make us join in and help, make us forget quickly. Why? We could not operate in survival mode, our adrenaline would eventually kill us.

Let this be a reminder of our fragility and need so we can do our best to carry the lesson -- in our actions, words, and spirits.

[Lewis Green]

Cam,

Heroism such as we see in Minneapolis and in war zones come from deep inside us and without thought for ourselves. Businesses spend way to much time thinking about what to do when they should spend time listening and responding.

Bravery and doing the right thing come from the heart; caution and doing the easy thing come from our mind.

[Cam Beck]

Valeria and Lewis - Great points. Whenever I start to think that marketing is part of the problem in this world, I take comfort in knowing the two of you are out there, holding the line.

[Lewis Green]

Cam,

No brother in arms is ever alone and neither are Italians. Cryptic, I know, but you all get it. (Valeria and I bleed green, white and red as well as red, white and blue.)

[Drew McLellan]

Cam,

I think what happens in moments of crisis -- be it the Mpls bridge collapse, 9-11 or a house fire is that people don't have time to over-think, so they react. That reaction is their true self shining through.

Which supports my "people are basically good" until they get in their own way theory.

Great reminder.

Drew

[Brenda Friedrich]

Thanks for sharing your take on heroism. I think you're spot on! It's not about a minute in the spotlight, it's how I live my life.