Bio: Part alchemist, part sherpa, part director and part producer, Jim is a trusted advisor and accomplished business leader. He brings a diverse set of lenses and perspectives to his work; focused on the union of brand offering and experience design. Jim has a depth of real-world experience as an architectural and graphic designer, musician, artist, chef and passionate student of the remarkableness of life. This empowers him to bring a holistic, authentic and innovative flavor and tone to the development, evolution and revolution of brands and their expression. Paired with his design thinking, his ability to inspire people, to collaborate with organizations and to navigate the complexity of markets and business, Jim is able to dig deep into a company’s soul, galvanize its essence and communicate its true potential. For over 30 years, Jim has helped businesses uncover their authenticity, generate the courage, create bold ideas and sustain the commitment to new, truly differentiating products, experiences and environments. His clients include Starbucks, the Tennis Corporation of America, Sears, Getty, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, AT&T, JDL Development Corporation, the Frank Russell Company, the Buona Companies, Florsheim, Exxon, Kraft, Tishman, Wendy’s, among many others. About Spark: Spark helps businesses get at the essense of what makes them great.

1. hello
jim cohen spark

2. the essence of greatness

3. some background

4. inside
Text

5. essence
dna mojo
authentic
humanreal
core
truth

6. soul

8. Text

10. essence

12. the soft stuff
is the hard stuff

14. stuff
great stuff
Text

15. in
Text

17. values, beliefs

18. what if we
let the simple, human ideas rule
used soul as our beacon

19. ...and by
doing so
acknowledge
authenticity,
Text
create
differentiation

20. getting there
๏ consider it the first step
๏ get the team in on it
๏ observe, inquire then create
๏ be sherpa-like
๏ establish that it’s the main driver

21. out
Text

22. tell
Text

23. experience design
media
graphics
communications
Text
environments
products
organization
behaviors

24. real story aimed at
opportunities

25. now
why is this important now?

28. a compelling
crossroad
desire to implement immediately
vs.
Text
desire to be consistent, holistic

30. why now?
๏ need for real differentiation
๏ appreciation of the long view
๏ fear of a finite planet
๏ return to an authentic life

31. us

32. what’s expected of us?
๏ lead by example
๏ stretch the boundaries
๏ have vision, humor, understanding, humility
๏ be an inspiration

33. the times
demand it

35. dig deep
tell the truth
createText
commit

36. be great, be soul miners, have courage

37. thanks