I’m reminded of the following story after attempting to explain our new business’s value proposition to a fellow early-morning dog walker yesterday.
She offered up some excellent feedback: “It wasn’t until you [finally] put it in Malcom Gladwell terminology that it became totally clear to me.” Which means I still need to work on the pitch.
So, here’s an old joke, with a timeless truth…
A rancher from Colorado visits his farmer friend in Vermont. As they walk the fields, the rancher can’t help thinking just how small his friend’s grounds are compared to his own big spread out west, and quips:
“You know, back on my place, I can hop in my car and drive from one end of the ranch to other, and it takes a whole day to get there.”
To which the farmer replies: “Yeah, I used to have a car just like that.”
One topic, two entirely different conversations.
Thanks to my dog-walking friend, Loraine, for reminding me of the challenges of even the simplest conversations. 
My grandfather was the owner of a prosperous coat manufacturing company. When we were young, my siblings and I would often go on a magical trip to “the city” (NYC) and visit “the place.” Too much fun running around the joint, getting lost in the racks of fur coats and playing “office.”
40+ years later, I’m launching another company and my thoughts drift backward.
But there’s way too much on my plate to wax romantically about times past, what with my partner, Alan, and I divining our brand platform, setting up systems, creating collateral. 5AM start times don’t seem early enough.
So, now you know why I haven’t been posting lately; I’ve been playing office instead.
Important stuff, this. Can’t be ignored if you plan on success. You simply have to know the what, why, where, when, how and to whom you’re selling.
But, just as importantly, if we don’t spend enough time getting clients it will all be for naught, yes?
Balance is key.
More to come…
The Digital World
Pundits, naysayers, voyeurs
The clamor of LIFE*
* Conversation at lunch yesterday included how cacophonous the online world is.
True.
But, in this truly global medium, where everyone is an expert (at least, in the moment), everyone has a say (even if their opinion is based on empty thinking) and everyone can pursue their heart’s desires (to the edges of what some might call morality)…why would we expect anything less than an almost crystal-clear reflection of the offline world?
Your thoughts?
After some rumination, I realized there was a critical factor missing from my treatise on the go-to-market paradigm: Experience.
No small omission there, since customer — and staff — experiences with your products, services and business itself are so important to profitability and sustainability.
Check out diagrams 4 & 5…
Casual Friday.
Denims and no ties in sight.
Sweats? Flip flops? Midriffs?*
* How casual is too casual? Rachel Zupek from CareerBuilder writes about it here.
