Canine Comparison

I love dogs. Almost in a weird way, but whatever. Observing my two very different dogs, and experiencing a dozen others in my lifetime, I can’t help but see the similarities with us when it comes to personality and behavior. Do you see what I see?

There are obviously a multitude of personality traits to consider. Everyone, and every dog, is different. I, however, happen to have 2 dogs, each with a completely different textbook personality.

Tank

“I’m sniffing over here, relax already. Who do you think I am, Lassie?”

Tank might go to look at the ball you just threw, but he sees no connection between that and any action on his part. Tank is not bringing it back because you threw it away.

Not only is Tank unaware the ball is yours, he could give a poo. Really. Tank loves you because you care for and love him. Should you decide to take a jog around the neighborhood, he knows you’ll be back. Tank has no job. No responsibilities. We love Tank.

Bailey

“Really? I can go? Like go get it?! Oooh, I cannot wait to get your important thing, thank you for trusting me with this critical assignment! I will not let you down!”

Alternately, Bailey knows that whatever you’re about to throw is something you want back, and his job is to go get it and return it with pride. Bailey feels joy and love in groups small and large. Bailey is grateful for this golden opportunity to be a dog. He may not know why you threw it, but Bailey is on the ball. We love Bailey.

What If…

The stark difference in their two personalities is profound. And that got me thinking (warning), if these dogs were marketing researchers, what would they be like?

Torpid Tank Talking

How many times have you unfortunately had to work with Tank? You don’t really want to work with Tank if you can avoid it. He’s careless, self involved, not concerned with your problems, and he begins every journey with little to no enthusiasm. Have questions you need research to answer? Tank interviews his family at Sunday dinner and writes a topline he calls genius. Tank delivers little. To him, you are food, comfort, and a door opener.

Brisk Bailey Brings it Home

You want to hire Bailey. He’s loyal, obedient, will warn you of problems, and he will begin every journey wanting to know what you want and need. Bailey runs after your critical business challenges, seeks answers, analyzes collective results and returns to you with the actionable results of your dreams. To Bailey, you are his everything.

Bottom Line

And if I take this discussion back to my two dogs… if they really were human and working with me, I’m pretty sure I’d be busy feeding Tank and Bailey would be busting some serious ass.

A Final Thought

It is true that at one time my office included 6 dogs every work day. We all made the walk, we all took breaks at the same time, we ate together – it felt like a real team. I’m realizing now, many years later and after all my little buddies have passed, that OMG, they were all Tanks and I was Bailey!

More Tips & Joy

Holy Crap, a Clean Joke

A 7-year old told me this joke many years ago and I packed it away for my personal use every now and again. It has never failed to get a sincere chuckle.

Q. What did the left eye say to the right eye?

A. <cross your eyes and say suspiciously> Something smells between us

More Tips & Joy

Spotlight on Good News

There’s a concerted effort among news organizations today to leave the audience on a high note. Popular series include Steve Hartman’s Kindness 101. The Uplift , NBC Good News, Inspiring America, CNN Good News, regional happy spots (Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, and New York), GMA Good News, and Fox’s Be Well health spots. There’s a clear news push to find something good in all the mess.

While I listen to Bill Withers singing””Lean on Me”, the human need to connect and feel love sinks in. We live in a world of kinetic chaos that could squash the human spirit, but yet somehow, we find the good. The media offers up these happy bits and we cling to them like life savers. It is my pleasure to throw you one of my favorites.

Austin’s Altruism

Austin is a superhero and it’s not just because he dons a cape. He helps feed the homeless in Birmingham, Alabama. The fact that Austin has been on this earth just 4 years is almost irrelevant. He’s single handedly making a difference. Using his allowance and lunch money, he politely provides and reminds all to “don’t forget to show love”. How did this happen?

Austin’s dad seems just as perplexed, but equally supportive and proud. My favorite part of Austin’s story is that his superhero name is President Austin, as he believes this is what a President does. May we be so fortunate. You have my vote, Austin!

More Tips & Joy

The Joy of Olive and Mabel

When Covid 19 hit the US with a punch in the Spring of 2020, how did it affect you? How did it affect your family? Your work? Well, if you are a sports caster and there is suddenly no sports to discuss, you, like many, turn your time and talents inward and start taking a long hard look at your home surroundings.

Andrew Cotter transitioned his sports broadcasting skills to his favorite companions: his dogs. Not what you might be expecting, we encourage you to take just a few minutes to enjoy Andrew’s two favorite players. Welcome, Olive and Mabel…

More Tips & Joy

Finding Your Funny

I came across this online article from The Atlantic and literally LOL’d myself into a good mood. It’s a great read about the weirdness of human behavior and how we animate ourselves to accommodate new means of communication like Zoom. The author, Faith Hill, is a comical social behaviorist from whom I can’t wait to read more. Please, Faith, do more!

Faith Hill’s article put me in such a good mood, it got me thinking. A dangerous course of action, in some cases, but this time all turns out well.

I googled (can you believe that’s a verb?) what we can do to put ourselves in a good mood and that lead me down a bit of a retail rabbit hole, from which I may never fully recover. A massive amount of email spam is sure to come my way from all the self-help articles I found myself dismissing (yet clicking, damn the click!).

What I discovered beyond all the sponsored content is that mood boosting can come from anywhere and can be anything. It depends on your personal preference, which leads to limitless possibilities. From looking at calming pictures to watching cat videos.

It seems we intuitively know what will boost our mood. The key, as with most beneficial things, is to do it. Take the time and watch the cat videos. Laugh at humans failing at almost everything you can imagine. Put the laughing Chewbacca woman on auto repeat. Boost your mood and you’ll always be happy you did.

So whatever legal behavior makes up your secret sauce to getting through the day, you just keep doing it. Life is short. And life can be hard. So take that break and do what makes you happy for a moment. You just might find yourself smiling. And who doesn’t need more of that.

Please share what you do to boost your mood! The Chewbacca Mask Lady Works. Every. Time.

More Tips & Joy

Tips and Joy



















































The Perplexing Pimple Persiflage


Register to Receive Tips & Joy from InsideHeads

Request a Quote

Schedule Moderator Training

Join the Panel

Best In Show Awards

InsideHeads ad in Quirk's Marketing Research Review
See our ad in Quirk’s

(Originally Posted May, 2015)

The votes are in! Out of nearly a hundred exhibitors, InsideHeads received an honorable mention for Best Event Experience at the first annual Quirk’s Event earlier this year at the Brooklyn Marriott in NY. The Best in Show awards came from responses collected in the event app and the post-event survey to attendees.

InsideHeads at the Quirk's Event
Event attendee displays her digital caricature from InsideHeads

With the 2nd Quirk’s Event already scheduled for the same bat time, same bat channel, InsideHeads is doing some advanced planning as well. Stay tuned for more fun and fabulousness from InsideHeads at the 2016 event February 23-24!