: About Me

Question: What is the single largest untapped source of fresh ideas?

Answer: Kids.

Andy Shen interviews kids aged 10-15, and then translates their insights and knowledge into helpful tips for adults.

Here's one way to think about this: A typical 3-year-old knows so little about the world, while a 23-year-old seems to have mastered all things modern. What happens in between? Somewhere around the ages of 10-15, kids learn enough to pass many adults by. Adults readily concede that kids are quite knowledgeable across a broad range of emerging topics: technology, culture, language, relationships, and more.

Nevertheless, for some reason, many adults are reluctant to learn from kids. Are you? (Curious? www.TipsFromKids.com )

Andy blends a diverse background into his work. With a Chinese father and an American mother, Andy's travels across four continents have rounded his world view. He graduated from Harvard in the 1980s, where he focused on graphic design under Professor Toshihiro Katayama. Andy also received an MBA and was a successful business manager in exciting fields: A large urban health & fitness facility, a Silicon Valley high-tech start-up, and America's largest seasonal theme park. Recently, Andy retired from a 20-year career as a marketing executive at The Gillette Company, where he managed several billion-dollar brands. Now, in addition to writing about kids, Andy contributes to Helium.com.

Andy lives in Andover, Massachusetts with his wife and two daughters. With both daughters adopted from China, Andy remains involved in the adoptive community. His favorite restaurant is Fenway Park.

I know too much about ...

helping a loved one battle cancer.

My favorite memory ...

perched atop a stool in grandfather's workshop, watching his magic

Why I write ...

to inspire people to imagine.

My first job ...

raising pigs and loading eggs in Jersey farm country.

My inspiration ...

any smile will do.

Business > Marketing How to put together a promotional campaign that works

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There are three types of promotional campaigns: successes, failures, and mysteries. Sadly, many campaigns fall in the "mystery" category; all too often, the manager is unsure if the promotion met its objectives. But don't despair. Successful promotions can be terrific. Promotional campaigns that are well-planned and well-executed can provide an outstanding boost to a business. Here are a few helpful tips for assembling a successful promotional campaign, based on lessons learned from twenty years in the business. First, these two broad principles are recommended for any promotional plan: [1...

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