All About Eric
What do people say about Eric?
“Eric demonstrated exceptional strategic prowess and a keen marketing acumen. His insatiable curiosity, desire to create, and extensive academic knowledge make him a standout in our industry. He possesses admirable wisdom that consistently contributed to our business’s success, and his comprehensive understanding of the market landscape is truly impressive, regardless of the industry. ”
“Seems rare these days, but Eric knows the difference between an opinion and an insight, which means he applies academic rigor upstream to validate his hypotheses before foisting them on anyone else. Another rarity, Eric also knows the difference between a fact and an insight, which means he finds something new and relevant to share about a thing before bothering to share it. Most importantly, Eric knows an insight is only as good as its application, so he wires the thing to hunt.”
“Eric is a unique strategist that brings amazing insights that dig deeper than surface layer to uncover new opportunities to drive creative excellence and business results. He has been a great thought partner, with questions that help teams refine ideas, briefs and POVs, leading to stronger executions. Eric has a thirst for knowledge, a deep curiosity and an empathetic perspective. He is amazing to work with and an asset to any team he touches.”
Analytical
Behavioral Geographer: I am deeply interested in human behavior, and how different groups of people see their world. I have a special interest in human values, which are the assumptions that drive people’s decisions.
Dot Connector: I am constantly looking for patterns in the universe: patterns of behavior, patterns of belief, patterns of expression. Where there is a pattern, there is usually a system.
Conceptual Architect: I have a reputation as a framework builder. As a visual thinker, it comes naturally for me to graphically represent even complex ideas with clarity and precision. That’s why at Leo Burnett, I was often known as “The Framework Guy”
Insight Detective: The best insights are the ones that make you smile when you discover them. I don’t just accept data, I interrogate it. I look deeply into data to see what story it is trying to tell, and why, looking for then look for patterns, anomalies, and salience to find fresh insights.
Systems Maven: As a systems thinker, I look at the big picture, at influencers and relationships and how they all work together.
Creative
Relentlessly Curious: Always asking why, never afraid to go deeper, and willing to live in the problem before immediately find the solution. I love to challenge conventional wisdom to find something innovative.
Lateral Thinker: I can connect those facts and experiences in unexpected ways to bring new ways of thinking about a problem.
Enthusiastic Maker: Since I was a kid, art was always in my life. My dad taught me how to use tools, and make furniture. I didn’t go to art school, instead I served a formal two-year design apprenticeship where I learned graphic design by doing it, starting in the darkroom. Later, I learned to work in all different kinds of media: silver and gold, stone, paper, print, electronics, leather, textiles, ceramics, photography, audio and video. If I can dream it up, chances are I can make a prototype of it.
Compelling Storyteller: My mother once said to me, “If you are faced with the choice of doing something and not doing it, if it will make a good story, do it.” As a result, I’ve had a lot of unusual experiences and met interesting, even famous people. I am an accomplished public speaker and teacher and know how to design a presentation that has the kind of narrative arc audiences connect to.
General Knowledge Polymath: One of my superpowers is a huge, weird general knowledge. I kill on trivia nights.
Flexible
Lifelong Learner: I am constantly educating myself, from making the perfect French omelette (I’m getting there), to Aikido, to philosophy, far too many to list here. I am not afraid to have beginner’s mind, and teach myself by failing fast and getting back in the saddle. And often I find along the journey, ideas that help inform my approach to strategy and design.
Empathetic Listener: I have an ear like a spy—constantly listening not just to what is said, but what isn’t said to get a picture of what’s really going on. Then I can put myself in the experience of another to understand how they see the world. Like the time I designed a website for Tampax, that targeted teenage girls.
Resilient Pivoter: Strategy and design is iterative. Whenever I build a model of something I always test it and try and break it. I call this forging strategy. Like a blacksmith, I’ll take a framework and beat the impurities out of it to make it stronger. But there is a saying in design: “a good designer is not afraid to kill their little darlings.” If something isn’t working, I’ll fix it of it can be fixed and if not, I’m not afraid to scrap it and start over.
Leader
Relationship Builder: I have strong relationships with the people I work with and I believe in esprit d’corps. I protect my teams and make space for them to shine. When I worked on Samsung, my Korean clients taught me that you must earn their trust first before they will buy your ideas. So I try and cultivate relationships with my client so they always know I have their back, even when I have to challenge them.
Mentor: I had great mentors coming up and I believe deeply in paying it forward. So I always am there for my teams to share my experience, knowledge, and encouragement to help them grow. One of the things I am most proud of is that even 20 years later, some of the colleagues I’ve mentored still seek me out for advice. And I’m always there for them.
Thought Leader: I am always trying to make the craft of strategy better, by inventing new tools, frameworks and methods. I’ve published in places like The Baltimore Sun, The Chicago Sun-Times and Pen Computing Magazine. I created the first Masonic podcast and have published several articles in Masonic scholarly journals.
Hands On
Writer: I’ve published in places like The Baltimore Sun, The Chicago Sun-Times and Pen Computing Magazine. I created the first Masonic podcast, X-Oriente and have published several articles in Masonic scholarly journals. I have also edited computer books for Peachpit Press and Que. I am constantly writing.
Graphic Designer: I started my career as a graphic designer—first doing keylining and paste-up and later on, the Mac. I specialized in, brand identity, web design, and publications. Later, I pivoted to be more digital, adding web design, UI design, and Interaction design to my skill set. I can make a killer Powerpoint deck.
Prototyper: Prototypes are models that help us simulate and test concepts. To me, prototypes have two dimensions: fidelity or how true to the experience the simulation is, and resolution which is more about fit and finish. In strategy, I try to prototype with the highest fidelity and the lowest resolution possible. Build to learn.
Skilled
Executive Presenter: I understand that to effectively present to executives, one has to be short, clear and direct. Presentations also must inspire. With strategy, you are trying to sell an idea, sometimes one that challenges existing orthodoxies. So I always back up my assertions with evidence, from credible sources.
Data Visualizer: I took Edward Tufte’s course in data visualization and studied it at ID, so I know how to say a thousand words with one picture.
Podcaster: I’ve been podcasting for 13 years and learned the craft when everything was manual. I have a full studio and mobile rig and am currently writing the 15th season of X-Oriente.