What Can CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Business Owners Learn From Colin Kaepernick and Nike [Rescue a CEO]

Now that the dust has settled a little on Nike's decision to make Colin Kaepernick the face of the 30th Anniversay Campaign, head over to Rescue a CEO, where we asked what entrepreneurs and business owners could learn from Colin Kaepernick and Nike to see if there's anything that can be learned from their bold decision.

The internet went crazy as word leaked about Nike supporting Colin Kaepernick and that he would be the face of the 30th Anniversary Just Do It Campaign. The controversial campaign had people on both sides either falling in love with Nike's decision or to boycott the company and everything they stand for. An early study says that sales have increased, but wanted to see if entrepreneurs and business owners could learn anything from the company. Nike is an established brand and company and this bold move was something that entrepreneurs and business owners can learn from.

1. Winning marketing: “Marketing has the most impact when it elicits a massive emotional response – either negative or positive.” – Jodi McLean, Key Person of Influence USA
2. Embrace Yourself & Your Values Proudly: “This campaign was a great reminder of why it is so crucial to embrace yourself and your values proudly, no matter what negative consequences could arise.” – Swati Davidson
3. Money Where Their Swoosh/Mouth Is: “When you are an authentic brand and you know who your core audience is and what is important to them you can take a stand on an issue like this.” – PaigeArnof-Fenn, Mavens & Moguls
4. Do What Your Sales Want: “In other words- media attention only matters when it overlaps with increasing sales. That’s what Nike did- and they did it correctly.” – Rosie Faulkner, Bulldog Adjusters
5. 3 Things: “Nike is considered a bold brand but most companies prefer to be neutral and neutral means boring.” – Julia Angelen Joy, Z Group PR
6. Take Your Stand: “The story of Nike and Kaepernick should reaffirm to all business owners and entrepreneurs that trying to stay out of the weeds and please everybody is terrible mistake. It is when we stand for something and letting the world know about it, that creates real value.” -Steven Dudley, Acts of Evolution
7. Well Thought Out: “Everyone is talking about it and that was the idea.” – Edward Corona, FinTechmerchantaccounts.com
8. Stand Up for Core Values, No Matter What: “Values provide entrepreneurs a sense of purpose and direction, and can eventually function as an anchor for their businesses.” – Megha Hamal, Megha Hamal PR & Branding, LLC
9. Stand Firmly Behind Your Brand: “Stand behind what you are putting out. Move forward with your ideas with confidence that it fully represents you, your company and your brand.” – Tonya McKenzie, Sand & Shores PR
10. Be True to Your Brand & Key Ideals: “Controversy or not, remaining true to your roots and your brand ideals is a big key to success.” – Roberta Perry, Scrubz Body Scrub, Inc.
11. Some Issues Transcend Business Interest: “It’s good to be on the right side of the history.” – Elena Ledoux, MommyGO.co!

Read the full post on Rescue a CEO