In Bad Taste...

Some of the most fascinating work I've done in branding was taught by anthropological professors at Harvard Business School. The process they describe involved mind mapping -- not unique to branding or anthopology -- but a visual representation of how ideas and "things" are related in our conscious and often unconscious minds.


I share this prelude to explain my disdain for the vehicle pictured, a few years ago in New Hampshire.

I recall that I yielded the write of way -- instinctively, even though he didn't have the lights flashing or anything -- when I first encountered the former ambulance in a parking lot.

When I did a double-take a few seconds later, I found myself more than just a bit irritated. It goes back to our mind maps. Obviously, I have "matters of life and death" associated with this kind of vehicle, striping, and warning lights -- and this fellow was taking advantage of my respect for emergency vehicles!

The takeaway (lest it be lost in the fuming :) is that people who are offended by certain types of "bending the rules" will probably never become our customer or spread good will about us.

pt