Aesthetic Intelligence

Longtime leader in the luxury goods sector and former Chairman of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton North America reinvents the art and science of brand-building under the rubric of Aesthetic Intelligence.

In a world in which people have cheap and easy access to most goods and services, yet crave richer and more meaningful experiences, aesthetics has become a key differentiator for most companies and a critical factor of their success and even their survival. In this groundbreaking book, Pauline Brown, a former leader of the world’s top luxury goods company and a pioneer in identifying the role of aesthetics in business, shows executives, entrepreneurs, and other professionals how to harness the power of the senses to create products, services, and experiences that stand out, resonate with their customers, and create long-term value for their businesses. The power is rooted in Aesthetic Intelligence—or “the other AI,” as Brown refers to it.
Aesthetic Intelligence can be learned. Indeed, people are born with far more capacity than they use, but even those that are naturally gifted must continue to refine their skills, lest their aesthetic advantage atrophy. Through a combination of storytelling and practical advice, the author shows how aesthetic intelligence creates business value and how executives, entrepreneurs and others can boost their own AI and successfully apply it to business. Brown offers research, strategies and practical exercises focused on four essential AI skills.
Aesthetic Intelligence provides a crucial roadmap to help business leaders build their businesses in their own authentic and distinctive way. Aesthetic Intelligence is about creating delight, lifting the human spirit, and rousing the imagination through sensorial experiences.

Reviews

Aesthetic Intelligence emphasizes how important it is for people to develop a strong voice—a voice that expresses who they are, that is inspired by their personal stories and desire to help others, and that helps them build a business that captivates others. — Donna Karan, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropistSuccessful leaders and innovators are skilled at looking outside their own fields for inspiration and knowledge. In Aesthetic Intelligence, Pauline Brown shows how you can apply critical lessons from fields like fashion and beauty to transform all types of businesses. — Walter Isaacson, author of Benjamin Franklin: An American LifeAesthetic intelligence is not just important for those who are leading luxury brands; it’s also important for businesspeople in all sectors. In her groundbreaking book, Pauline Brown shows how aesthetics have the power to transform all types of businesses, and how individuals can develop and use their own AI to engage, inspire, and delight their customers. — Mindy Grossman, CEO of WW International (formerly Weight Watchers)Aesthetic Intelligence shows executives and entrepreneurs how to harness and apply their personality, preferences, and tastes to their companies, and, in so doing, create long-term sustainable advantage. — John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods MarketIt’s fascinating to realize how much of our economy is premised on consumers making aesthetic choices. Yet this aspect of what drives behavior has been largely ignored by thoughtful analysts until now. Pauline Brown opens up a new area of inquiry as she highlights the power of aesthetic intelligence as a success factor for business leaders today. — Dan Nordstrom, consumer brand investor and former retail leader