We have considered the indisputable value of “commitment” (Step Two of the MODELTM) in the decision process in previous posts. As business gets continually tighter, the more you can prove “commitment” to your current and prospective clientele, the better your chances are to succeed.
The following is a commitment pledge from a company who sees the value of publishing what they are willing to commit to in ten areas. This looks like an excellent format to consider in most any business or service. It would be easy to substitute categories to fit your particular business. Showing your commitment before you ask for the order is the best possible introduction. This also leads you to the subject of what you will be asking your client/prospect to commit to as well….a two-way street.
So, here’s their promise:
“In a competitive world, where talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words, we hold ourselves accountable to a high standard of professional service. These 10 values represent our professional commitment to each of our clients”:
Honesty: Any relationship built on trust requires the highest degree of integrity and truth, even if it means stepping on your toes or swallowing our pride.
Proactive: We believe that the proactive party has the advantage over the reactive party. Whatever the nature of the challenge, we will have a proactive plan.
Focus: We are considered experts in our chosen field. Our clients want and deserve experts, not general practitioners.
Passion: We like what we do, and it shows in our enthusiasm. Our passion keeps us at the forefront of emerging issues and developments in our field.
Confidentiality: Your business is your business. It's our job to keep it that way.
Reliability: We do what we said we would do when we said we were going to do it.
Promptness: We consider it our duty to return your calls/messages within 24 hours. We take that duty seriously.
Cost Effectiveness: Our clients are in business to make money. Our job is to support that goal by staying laser focused on their budgeted allocations.
Responsiveness: You can anticipate our initial file review and analysis within 7 business days of our receipt of your referral. As a courtesy, we will e-mail you a copy as well.
Availability: We provide every client with access to our integrated phone system, staff, voice mail, wireless phones, e-mail and fax. When you need us, we will be there.
Again, this is one outline/approach, but the “bones” are there for you to be able to adjust it to your own particular business.
Zillion Dollar Thinking
Posts
All Comments
Please visit me at ProducersWEB.com
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Zillion Dollar Thought
A can of Spam is opened every 4 seconds...(e-mails excepted).
Zillion$ of Spam since it hit the market!
Zillion$ of Spam since it hit the market!
Monday, April 26, 2010
W. Decisions.
One of the early reports says:
"In gripping, never-before-heard detail in his new book, President Bush brings readers inside the Texas Governor's Mansion on the night of the hotly contested 2000 election; aboard Air Force One on 9/11 in the gripping hours after America's most devastating attack since Pearl Harbor; inside the Situation Room in the moments before launching the war in Iraq; and behind the Oval Office desk for his historic and controversial decisions on the financial crisis, Hurricane Katrina, Afghanistan, Iran, and other issues that have shaped the first decade of the 21st century.
The former President offers intimate, unprecedented details about his decision to quit drinking, his discovery of faith, and his relationships with his family. He writes honestly and directly about his flaws and mistakes, as well as his historic achievements in reforming education, providing life-saving treatments for HIV/AIDS and malaria for millions of people in Africa, safeguarding the country from another terrorist attack, and other areas."
Regardless of all the pre-reporting, we will not fully know the details until the book signing events get started…scheduled for late fall.
But, here is what we do know:
-It’s a new book named Decision Points by George W. Bush.
-It’s about decision making.
-It’s about the decisions made at the highest level in the world at the time.
-It’s done and we are all living with the results (good or bad).
What will be the most interesting (to our group) will be the following:
1- At what point did the “problem/crisis/issue” get to his desk and become his?
2- What level of “commitment” was attached to the problem/crisis/issue?
3- What was and how was the critical “solution” developed and assigned?
4- What were the specific “actions” and timeframes needed for execution?
Of course, these are the four steps in the MODELTM of the book Zillion Dollar Thinking TM.
As such, we will be most interested as to what (if any) model was followed and to find that it was used consistently with each of the decisions that will be proffered. It should be easy to detect.
Difficult decision making is the hallmark of leadership, and this president was challenged with some of the most critical issues of that office. Personally, I look forward to the decision categories, but more importantly, the methodology behind each one of them.
"In gripping, never-before-heard detail in his new book, President Bush brings readers inside the Texas Governor's Mansion on the night of the hotly contested 2000 election; aboard Air Force One on 9/11 in the gripping hours after America's most devastating attack since Pearl Harbor; inside the Situation Room in the moments before launching the war in Iraq; and behind the Oval Office desk for his historic and controversial decisions on the financial crisis, Hurricane Katrina, Afghanistan, Iran, and other issues that have shaped the first decade of the 21st century.
The former President offers intimate, unprecedented details about his decision to quit drinking, his discovery of faith, and his relationships with his family. He writes honestly and directly about his flaws and mistakes, as well as his historic achievements in reforming education, providing life-saving treatments for HIV/AIDS and malaria for millions of people in Africa, safeguarding the country from another terrorist attack, and other areas."
Regardless of all the pre-reporting, we will not fully know the details until the book signing events get started…scheduled for late fall.
But, here is what we do know:
-It’s a new book named Decision Points by George W. Bush.
-It’s about decision making.
-It’s about the decisions made at the highest level in the world at the time.
-It’s done and we are all living with the results (good or bad).
What will be the most interesting (to our group) will be the following:
1- At what point did the “problem/crisis/issue” get to his desk and become his?
2- What level of “commitment” was attached to the problem/crisis/issue?
3- What was and how was the critical “solution” developed and assigned?
4- What were the specific “actions” and timeframes needed for execution?
Of course, these are the four steps in the MODELTM of the book Zillion Dollar Thinking TM.
As such, we will be most interested as to what (if any) model was followed and to find that it was used consistently with each of the decisions that will be proffered. It should be easy to detect.
Difficult decision making is the hallmark of leadership, and this president was challenged with some of the most critical issues of that office. Personally, I look forward to the decision categories, but more importantly, the methodology behind each one of them.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Zillion Dollar Thought
"Each year people throw away 1.6 billion pens, 2.9 million tons of paper towels, and 220 million tires…Zillion$ in disposables."
Friday, April 23, 2010
A Lapsing Decision...
Lapse: Definition in the insurance industry:
“Termination of coverage resulting from failure of a policyholder to pay premiums.”
Maybe this is a small and often overlooked decision that both companies and individuals make on a daily basis, but it really adds up. Please consider this…
According to Insurance industry statistics, the average amount of life insurance sold in this country annually by premium is approximately $165 Billion. Further stats show that the average first year lapse rate [high/low companies] is approximately 6%.
Calculating these figures, the loss to this group of previously insured policyholders is:
They have nothing to show for their $10 Billion dollars…nothing. The money has gone to the insurer and, to add insult, the insurance company is off the hook.
Now, look around other industries and you will find similar results. For example, the automobile industry shows a shadow result of approximately 6% of new cars back to the contract holder (dealer, bank or finance company…etc) within the first year. Result:
So, if we think through all the industries that have similar products, services and statistics over our economic lifetimes…zillion$ in losses. That affects profitability, ratings, reputations, competitiveness, and on and on. Where is this headed?
One shift we see is that, as a percentage, more and more products and services are being purchased through direct marketing (internet, direct mail, specialty providers, etc.) which will cut out many salespeople and their front loaded commissions.
The life insurance industry still contends that their product is “sold and not bought.” Only a small number of policies were bought through direct marketing just a few years ago. Now…one in five…headed toward one in four. Point is that as more people buy on purpose rather than get sold by accident, these lapse rates may improve. That would be good for everyone.
Who knows where these costly lapse rates will fall as more and more people make more independent buying decisions. But, one thing is clear.
The buyer has never been better armed to conduct due diligence about most any product, service or company than they are today. We can instantly get a report from a smart phone, desktop or laptop on about anybody (salesman) or anything (car-policy-lapse rate, etc). Almost everyone has that access now or soon will.
With all that information in our hands, we should be better prepared to make costly decisions than ever before. But conversely, if a lawyer, judge or jury asked us in a legal dispute what level of due diligence and suitability we conducted/initiated in the process of buying a product or service…today, there will be little escape or retort. As more independent buying is accelerated, more emphasis will be transferred to us to do our decision homework and due diligence in the process.
Decision making will only get more significant tomorrow.
We can all use good reliable resources.
“Termination of coverage resulting from failure of a policyholder to pay premiums.”
Maybe this is a small and often overlooked decision that both companies and individuals make on a daily basis, but it really adds up. Please consider this…
According to Insurance industry statistics, the average amount of life insurance sold in this country annually by premium is approximately $165 Billion. Further stats show that the average first year lapse rate [high/low companies] is approximately 6%.
Calculating these figures, the loss to this group of previously insured policyholders is:
$10,000,000,000.00 per year
They have nothing to show for their $10 Billion dollars…nothing. The money has gone to the insurer and, to add insult, the insurance company is off the hook.
Now, look around other industries and you will find similar results. For example, the automobile industry shows a shadow result of approximately 6% of new cars back to the contract holder (dealer, bank or finance company…etc) within the first year. Result:
$22,000,000,000.00 per year
So, if we think through all the industries that have similar products, services and statistics over our economic lifetimes…zillion$ in losses. That affects profitability, ratings, reputations, competitiveness, and on and on. Where is this headed?
One shift we see is that, as a percentage, more and more products and services are being purchased through direct marketing (internet, direct mail, specialty providers, etc.) which will cut out many salespeople and their front loaded commissions.
The life insurance industry still contends that their product is “sold and not bought.” Only a small number of policies were bought through direct marketing just a few years ago. Now…one in five…headed toward one in four. Point is that as more people buy on purpose rather than get sold by accident, these lapse rates may improve. That would be good for everyone.
Who knows where these costly lapse rates will fall as more and more people make more independent buying decisions. But, one thing is clear.
The buyer has never been better armed to conduct due diligence about most any product, service or company than they are today. We can instantly get a report from a smart phone, desktop or laptop on about anybody (salesman) or anything (car-policy-lapse rate, etc). Almost everyone has that access now or soon will.
With all that information in our hands, we should be better prepared to make costly decisions than ever before. But conversely, if a lawyer, judge or jury asked us in a legal dispute what level of due diligence and suitability we conducted/initiated in the process of buying a product or service…today, there will be little escape or retort. As more independent buying is accelerated, more emphasis will be transferred to us to do our decision homework and due diligence in the process.
Decision making will only get more significant tomorrow.
We can all use good reliable resources.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Decisions, Choices and Quotes
Life is the sum of all your decisions.
- Albert Camus
As a man thinketh, so is he, and as a man chooseth, so is he.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
We are the creative force of our life, and through our own decisions rather than our conditions, if we carefully learn to do certain things, we can accomplish those goals.
-Stephen Covey
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
-Prov 16:33
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death.
-Matt 27:1
- Albert Camus
As a man thinketh, so is he, and as a man chooseth, so is he.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
We are the creative force of our life, and through our own decisions rather than our conditions, if we carefully learn to do certain things, we can accomplish those goals.
-Stephen Covey
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
-Prov 16:33
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death.
-Matt 27:1
Monday, April 19, 2010
Ten Decisions that Helped Shape our World
1. Walt Disney listened to his wife, Lillian, and named his cartoon mouse Mickey instead of Mortimer. Entertainment was never the same after Mickey and Minnie debuted in Steamboat Willie in 1928.
2. In 1950, Frank McNamara found himself in a restaurant with no money and came up with the idea of the Diners Club Card. The first credit card changed the nature of buying and selling throughout the world.
3. Ignoring market research, Ted Turner launched the Cable News Network in 1980. No one thought a 24-hour news network would work. It did.
4. In the early 1960s, Philip Morris repositioned Marlboro as a man's cigarette. This positioning, and the Marlboro cowboy, helped create one of the world's most successful and durable brands.
5. In 1924, Thomas Watson, Sr. changed the name of the Computing-Tabulating Recording Company to International Business Machines. The company had no international operations, but it was a bold statement of ambitions.
6. Sony chief Akio Morita noticed that young people liked listening to music wherever they went. He and the company developed what became the Walkman, first made in 1980. There was no need for market research. "The public does not know what is possible. We do," said Morita.
7. In 1850, Julius Reuter used carrier pigeons to communicate share prices between the end of the Belgian telegraph line in Brussels and the end of the German line in Aachen. It was the beginning of the news and information business.
8. In 1948, the world's first instant camera the Polaroid Land Camera Model 95, was demonstrated. Management bravely decided to price it at $89.75 against Kodak's Baby Brownie, priced at $2.75. The entire initial stock of 56 was sold on the first day, and Polaroid was launched.
9. Ray Kroc liked Mac and Dick McDonald's stand in San Bernardino, California, selling hamburgers, fries, and milk shakes, so much, that he opened his own franchised restaurant in 1955 and formed McDonald's Corp. Kroc went on to create a huge global company and a vast market for fast food.
10. Michael Dell decided to sell PCs direct and built to order. Now everybody in the industry is trying to imitate Dell Computer's strategy.
Reprinted from Management Review, November 1998.
2. In 1950, Frank McNamara found himself in a restaurant with no money and came up with the idea of the Diners Club Card. The first credit card changed the nature of buying and selling throughout the world.
3. Ignoring market research, Ted Turner launched the Cable News Network in 1980. No one thought a 24-hour news network would work. It did.
4. In the early 1960s, Philip Morris repositioned Marlboro as a man's cigarette. This positioning, and the Marlboro cowboy, helped create one of the world's most successful and durable brands.
5. In 1924, Thomas Watson, Sr. changed the name of the Computing-Tabulating Recording Company to International Business Machines. The company had no international operations, but it was a bold statement of ambitions.
6. Sony chief Akio Morita noticed that young people liked listening to music wherever they went. He and the company developed what became the Walkman, first made in 1980. There was no need for market research. "The public does not know what is possible. We do," said Morita.
7. In 1850, Julius Reuter used carrier pigeons to communicate share prices between the end of the Belgian telegraph line in Brussels and the end of the German line in Aachen. It was the beginning of the news and information business.
8. In 1948, the world's first instant camera the Polaroid Land Camera Model 95, was demonstrated. Management bravely decided to price it at $89.75 against Kodak's Baby Brownie, priced at $2.75. The entire initial stock of 56 was sold on the first day, and Polaroid was launched.
9. Ray Kroc liked Mac and Dick McDonald's stand in San Bernardino, California, selling hamburgers, fries, and milk shakes, so much, that he opened his own franchised restaurant in 1955 and formed McDonald's Corp. Kroc went on to create a huge global company and a vast market for fast food.
10. Michael Dell decided to sell PCs direct and built to order. Now everybody in the industry is trying to imitate Dell Computer's strategy.
Reprinted from Management Review, November 1998.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Zillion Dollar Thought
A butterfly has 12,000 eyes.
Just think of all the butterflies since the beginning…eyeing zillions.
Just think of all the butterflies since the beginning…eyeing zillions.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Experts say key factors can inhibit people from becoming effective decision makers.
Fear of Failure- Because the consequences of a decision may be so severe or critical, the decider does not want to deal with the results.
Fear of Accountability- Some do not want to be responsible or accountable for what may happen if a decision they make turns out to be a mistake.
Lack of Experience- By not having to make major (or even minor) decisions of their own earlier in life, makes one fearful and less confident of making tough decisions as an adult.
Too Many Options-Considering too many options will make the decision making process more difficult which generally leads to confusion and frustration (Usually…“I want to think about it”).
Lack of a Process- This is the primary cure to most decision making problems providing that it is simple, reliable, transferable, tangible and tested.
Real Time Facts versus Intangible Feelings- Lovaglia's Law:
“The more important the outcome of a decision, the more people will resist using factual evidence to make it.”
Fear of Accountability- Some do not want to be responsible or accountable for what may happen if a decision they make turns out to be a mistake.
Lack of Experience- By not having to make major (or even minor) decisions of their own earlier in life, makes one fearful and less confident of making tough decisions as an adult.
Too Many Options-Considering too many options will make the decision making process more difficult which generally leads to confusion and frustration (Usually…“I want to think about it”).
Lack of a Process- This is the primary cure to most decision making problems providing that it is simple, reliable, transferable, tangible and tested.
Real Time Facts versus Intangible Feelings- Lovaglia's Law:
“The more important the outcome of a decision, the more people will resist using factual evidence to make it.”
[Note: Add to this list based on your own experience…]
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Best and Worst Decisions (Continued)
In the mid-1970s, executives at the W.T. Grant variety store chain, one of the nation’s largest retailers at the time, made the decision that the best way to increase sales was to increase the number of customers … by offering easy and quick credit.
That put tremendous "negative incentive" pressure on store managers to issue credit. Employees who didn’t meet their credit quotas risked complete humiliation. Factual reports say they had pies thrown in their faces, were forced to push peanuts across the floor with their noses, and were sent through hotel lobbies wearing only diapers.
Eager to avoid such total embarrassment, store managers gave credit "to anyone who breathed," (sound familiar/Fannie-Freddie) including untold thousands of customers who were bad risks.
W.T. Grant racked up $800 million (billions in today’s dollars) worth of bad debts before it finally collapsed in 1977.
Question: How do leading companies like Grant arrive at such decisions?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Are you a good decision maker? Who says that is vital?
Decisions, decisions, decisions.
It seems like every time we turn around, we have to make more decisions. The question is, "Are you a good decision maker?" If you aren't (or don't think you are), there is no need to worry. Decision-making is a skill that can be learned by anyone. Although some people may find this particular skill easier than others, everyone applies a similar process.
There are two basic kinds of decisions: those that are arrived at using a specific process (conscious/planned) and those that just happen (unconscious/unplanned). Although both kinds of decisions contain opportunities and learning experiences, there are definite advantages to using a specific process to make a decision. The most obvious advantage is the reduced level of stress you will experience.
Wise decisions are made using a definite process. They are based on the values and perceptions of the decision-maker and include carefully-considered alternatives and options along with periodic reassessments of the decision and its effects. Wise decisions may or may not follow societal norms and expectations, but they are right for the decider based on what he/she knows at that point in time about his/her options as well as him/herself.
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration
It seems like every time we turn around, we have to make more decisions. The question is, "Are you a good decision maker?" If you aren't (or don't think you are), there is no need to worry. Decision-making is a skill that can be learned by anyone. Although some people may find this particular skill easier than others, everyone applies a similar process.
There are two basic kinds of decisions: those that are arrived at using a specific process (conscious/planned) and those that just happen (unconscious/unplanned). Although both kinds of decisions contain opportunities and learning experiences, there are definite advantages to using a specific process to make a decision. The most obvious advantage is the reduced level of stress you will experience.
Wise decisions are made using a definite process. They are based on the values and perceptions of the decision-maker and include carefully-considered alternatives and options along with periodic reassessments of the decision and its effects. Wise decisions may or may not follow societal norms and expectations, but they are right for the decider based on what he/she knows at that point in time about his/her options as well as him/herself.
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Best and Worst Decisions
Executives: Mike Smith and Dick Rowe, executives in charge of evaluating new talent for the London office of Decca Records.
Background: On December 13, 1961, Mike Smith traveled to Liverpool to watch a local rock ‘n’ roll band perform. He decided they had talent, and invited them to audition on New Year’s Day 1962. The group made the trip to London and spent two hours playing 15 different songs at the Decca studios. Then they went home and waited for an answer.
They waited for weeks.
Decision: Finally, Rowe told the band’s manager that the label wasn’t interested, because they sounded too much like a popular group called The Shadows. In one of the most famous of all rejection lines, he said: "Not to mince words, Mr. Epstein, but we don’t like your boys’ sound. Groups are out; four-piece groups with guitars particularly are finished."
Impact: The group was The Beatles, of course. They eventually signed with EMI Records, started a trend back to guitar bands, and ultimately became the most popular band of all time. Ironically, "within two years, EMI’s production facilities became so stretched that Decca contracted to help them out in a reciprocal arrangement to cope with the unprecedented demand for Beatles records."
Background: On December 13, 1961, Mike Smith traveled to Liverpool to watch a local rock ‘n’ roll band perform. He decided they had talent, and invited them to audition on New Year’s Day 1962. The group made the trip to London and spent two hours playing 15 different songs at the Decca studios. Then they went home and waited for an answer.
They waited for weeks.
Decision: Finally, Rowe told the band’s manager that the label wasn’t interested, because they sounded too much like a popular group called The Shadows. In one of the most famous of all rejection lines, he said: "Not to mince words, Mr. Epstein, but we don’t like your boys’ sound. Groups are out; four-piece groups with guitars particularly are finished."
Impact: The group was The Beatles, of course. They eventually signed with EMI Records, started a trend back to guitar bands, and ultimately became the most popular band of all time. Ironically, "within two years, EMI’s production facilities became so stretched that Decca contracted to help them out in a reciprocal arrangement to cope with the unprecedented demand for Beatles records."
Monday, April 12, 2010
Full Page Advertisement in the Wall Street Journal: Decisions
"DECISIONS, DECISIONS"
Sometimes the decision to do nothing is wise. But you can't make a career of doing nothing. Freddie Fulcrum weighed everything too carefully. He would say, "On the one hand . . . but then, on the other," and his arguments weighed out so evenly he never did anything. When Freddie died, they carved a big zero on his tombstone. If you decide to fish---fine. Or, if you decide to cut bait---fine. But if you decide to do nothing, you're not going to have fish for dinner.
The secret of true liberty is responsibility. And that calls for decisions, decisions.
Tough decisions. Lonely decisions. Unpleasant decisions. Misunderstood decisions. Courageous decisions.
As we can recall, Jesus often had fish for dinner.
(William Edward Burghardt Du Bois).
Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll
Sometimes the decision to do nothing is wise. But you can't make a career of doing nothing. Freddie Fulcrum weighed everything too carefully. He would say, "On the one hand . . . but then, on the other," and his arguments weighed out so evenly he never did anything. When Freddie died, they carved a big zero on his tombstone. If you decide to fish---fine. Or, if you decide to cut bait---fine. But if you decide to do nothing, you're not going to have fish for dinner.
The secret of true liberty is responsibility. And that calls for decisions, decisions.
Tough decisions. Lonely decisions. Unpleasant decisions. Misunderstood decisions. Courageous decisions.
As we can recall, Jesus often had fish for dinner.
"Responsibility is the first step in responsibility"
(William Edward Burghardt Du Bois).
Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Zillion Dollar Thought
Today’s average household in the USA contains more computer power than existed in the world before 1965...
Zillions of zero’s (0) and one’s (1).
Zillions of zero’s (0) and one’s (1).
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Motivational Decisions Buyers Consider When Purchasing
To access opportunities – because they open the door to other possibilities
To speed up their work – because people know that time is precious
To become more efficient – because efficiency saves time (equals money)
To escape or avoid pain – which is a major reason for most anyone
To feel safe – because security is a basic human need
To protect/maintain their reputation – because they worked hard to build it
To communicate better - because we all want to be understood
To escape stress – this is universal
To be informed – because it’s no joy to be perceived as ignorant or slack
To save money – the reason for a significant number of the population
To leave a legacy – because that’s a way to live forever
To speed up their work – because people know that time is precious
To become more efficient – because efficiency saves time (equals money)
To escape or avoid pain – which is a major reason for most anyone
To feel safe – because security is a basic human need
To protect/maintain their reputation – because they worked hard to build it
To communicate better - because we all want to be understood
To escape stress – this is universal
To be informed – because it’s no joy to be perceived as ignorant or slack
To save money – the reason for a significant number of the population
To leave a legacy – because that’s a way to live forever
Monday, April 5, 2010
Are You Rational?
Before you make any more decisions you need to answer that question.
A rational decision is based on testing and data and an understanding of the mechanics underneath the system you're working on. The more you know, the better you decide.
An irrational decision is based on gut instincts, conviction and faith. No one is rational all the time. In fact, somewhere along the way we made 'irrational' into a bad word, but it shouldn't be.
There are card counters in Las Vegas who are rational about blackjack. And they make a decent living. The more they play, the better they will do. In the same casino, there are craps players who blow on the dice, wiggle their hips and wear lucky shoes. Inevitably, if they play long enough, they will be broke.
If you're running Adwords on Google, I hope you're making rational decisions based on clickthrough and conversion. On the other hand, were you rational when you fell in love? Did you do the math? Medical analysis?
What about the last time you fell for an April Fools joke?
The very nature of faith is that you don't (and shouldn't be) rational about it. In fact, you're entitled to be aghast when anyone confronts you with proof. Proof and rationality aren't the point.
Same with fine art. If your taste in paintings or music or wine is based on some sort of rational analysis or Zagats-type survey, I feel quite badly for you. Deeper and more detailed information is not better information when you're making irrational decisions. If you need to hate on Copernicus in order to have more faith, something is seriously wrong.
When Chris Blackwell introduced reggae to the rest of the world (Bob Marley!), it was irrational. That moment in time was the best time to be working with Bonnie Raitt or Jackson Browne, not some unknown spleef-smoking guys from a tiny island in the Caribbean. No amount of rational analysis would have led an investor to back Chris.
Irrational passion is the key change agent of our economy. Faith and beauty and a desire to change things can't be easily quantified, and we can't live without them.
Steve Jobs is irrational about product design. As a result, focus groups make no sense. Who cares what other people think? He has faith in his gut. Your website: is it rationally designed? Should it be? What about the process you use to create new products or ads? Or the way you pick the focus of your startup? There's room for both rational and irrational decision making, and I think we do best when we choose our path in advance instead of pretending to do one when we're actually doing the other. The worst thing we can do is force one when we actually need the other.
Save to del.icio.us (23 saves, tagged: sethgodin inspiration rational) • Digg This! (4 Diggs, 2 comments) • Email this • Subscribe to this feed • Share on Facebook
Posted by Seth Godin on April 01, 2010
Permalink
A rational decision is based on testing and data and an understanding of the mechanics underneath the system you're working on. The more you know, the better you decide.
An irrational decision is based on gut instincts, conviction and faith. No one is rational all the time. In fact, somewhere along the way we made 'irrational' into a bad word, but it shouldn't be.
There are card counters in Las Vegas who are rational about blackjack. And they make a decent living. The more they play, the better they will do. In the same casino, there are craps players who blow on the dice, wiggle their hips and wear lucky shoes. Inevitably, if they play long enough, they will be broke.
If you're running Adwords on Google, I hope you're making rational decisions based on clickthrough and conversion. On the other hand, were you rational when you fell in love? Did you do the math? Medical analysis?
What about the last time you fell for an April Fools joke?
The very nature of faith is that you don't (and shouldn't be) rational about it. In fact, you're entitled to be aghast when anyone confronts you with proof. Proof and rationality aren't the point.
Same with fine art. If your taste in paintings or music or wine is based on some sort of rational analysis or Zagats-type survey, I feel quite badly for you. Deeper and more detailed information is not better information when you're making irrational decisions. If you need to hate on Copernicus in order to have more faith, something is seriously wrong.
When Chris Blackwell introduced reggae to the rest of the world (Bob Marley!), it was irrational. That moment in time was the best time to be working with Bonnie Raitt or Jackson Browne, not some unknown spleef-smoking guys from a tiny island in the Caribbean. No amount of rational analysis would have led an investor to back Chris.
Irrational passion is the key change agent of our economy. Faith and beauty and a desire to change things can't be easily quantified, and we can't live without them.
Steve Jobs is irrational about product design. As a result, focus groups make no sense. Who cares what other people think? He has faith in his gut. Your website: is it rationally designed? Should it be? What about the process you use to create new products or ads? Or the way you pick the focus of your startup? There's room for both rational and irrational decision making, and I think we do best when we choose our path in advance instead of pretending to do one when we're actually doing the other. The worst thing we can do is force one when we actually need the other.
Save to del.icio.us (23 saves, tagged: sethgodin inspiration rational) • Digg This! (4 Diggs, 2 comments) • Email this • Subscribe to this feed • Share on Facebook
Posted by Seth Godin on April 01, 2010
Permalink
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Zillion Dollar Thought
A baby is born every seven seconds.
Run that out since the beginning…zillions.
Run that out since the beginning…zillions.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)