Some quick observations, musings, rants, and comments....I think I have figured out who is behind the rapid climate change.....It's none other than Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix... Netflix has seemingly become what A&E, Bravo, Lifetime, the Hallmark Channel and Comedy Central in the 2000s all aspired to be when they grew up. Maybe I am just late to the party, Friends, but these days if you have a couch, a comfy blanket, a polar vortex and 30 idle minutes, watch out....those 30 idle minutes turn into 4 sleep deprived hours on Netflix faster than you can say "BoJack Horseman"....and not sure what it says about you when your January viewing history includes a documentary about the Fyre Festival debacle (definitely worth watching), a docu-series about Ted Bundy (not done yet, don't spoil it for me....), the little mythical life coach/closet organizer that is Marie Kondo (she is like a combo of Yoda and Dr. Ruth but for Millennial hoarders), and a series where Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin convince you that life after 70 is just one big discussion about Cialis and frequent urination (some legit funny moments though)....To me, people who are perpetually indecisive and/or afraid to say "no" are the most perplexing and, to borrow from the previous item, decidedly do NOT "spark joy" -- particularly when they are supposedly in positions of leadership or power. While I hate to lose, I have much more respect for someone who delivers an expedient "no" than a weak "maybe." So I am thinking a concept from Marie Kondo may also be applicable to business relationships: to those who have proven time and time again to be indecisive, thank them for their service, and then get rid of them. Declutter your life (or network) if you will....Similarly, I have found that if someone disrespects the value of your time once, they will have no problem doing it again. And again. That will not spark joy....shame on you if you let it happen a third time. I continue to battle test my theory that dysfunction in organizations usually arises when they are lacking in one or more of these areas: urgency, accountability, communication or empathy. Show me an organization that consistently gets these right with both their customers and employees, and they are leaders in their industry (or soon will be). Show me one that is truly deficient in all four, and I will show you a rapidly sinking ship....I have yet to be wrong....Sales people: I love you, I really do. But your continued insistence on having "marketing leave behinds" in order to sell your product and make your number is killing me, your business, and it is not helping your case. It's 2019, not 1999 -- people no longer answer the phone "Whassssupppp!", they no longer say "for shizzle" and prospects no longer look at double sided glossies touting product features. If they can't view it on their phone, it is essentially worthless. And if they ask you to leave something behind after a meeting, it likely means they don't want your product and just don't want to tell you. I know your marketing sucks, but if you can't tell a compelling enough story about the problem your company is trying to solve and the value you bring, then it's either time to learn how to do so or find a new profession. Seriously.Mobile ordered a coffee from Dunkin' Donuts last week during a particularly cold snap. It was there waiting for me when I walked in....iced...when I asked about it I was told I had to specifically order it hot.....Really DD?!? Haven't we gone over this before? Tweeted this earlier this week: If the headline starts with "A Florida man/woman" & includes a mugshot, there is a 99% chance I am clicking to read more....I'm not ashamed to admit it, are you?Super Bowl Prediction: Patriots win, 31-24. Rams (and AFC runner up Chiefs) are the future and have better overall talent on the field, but the moment proves too big for the young team and their head coach this year. Patriots have the experience, better coaching staff, and Tom Brady. I also think there is a remote chance Patriots coach Bill Belichick retires with a win. By the way, I think the game will be one of the lowest rated in the last 10 years -- call it the Netflix effect....Have a great weekend and enjoy the Big Game. Some good stuff below, so check it out if the game gets out of hand or the commercials don't hold your attention.XOXODave
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Friends of Dave #110: Does This Spark Joy?
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Some quick observations, musings, rants, and comments....I think I have figured out who is behind the rapid climate change.....It's none other than Reed Hastings, CEO of Netflix... Netflix has seemingly become what A&E, Bravo, Lifetime, the Hallmark Channel and Comedy Central in the 2000s all aspired to be when they grew up. Maybe I am just late to the party, Friends, but these days if you have a couch, a comfy blanket, a polar vortex and 30 idle minutes, watch out....those 30 idle minutes turn into 4 sleep deprived hours on Netflix faster than you can say "BoJack Horseman"....and not sure what it says about you when your January viewing history includes a documentary about the Fyre Festival debacle (definitely worth watching), a docu-series about Ted Bundy (not done yet, don't spoil it for me....), the little mythical life coach/closet organizer that is Marie Kondo (she is like a combo of Yoda and Dr. Ruth but for Millennial hoarders), and a series where Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin convince you that life after 70 is just one big discussion about Cialis and frequent urination (some legit funny moments though)....To me, people who are perpetually indecisive and/or afraid to say "no" are the most perplexing and, to borrow from the previous item, decidedly do NOT "spark joy" -- particularly when they are supposedly in positions of leadership or power. While I hate to lose, I have much more respect for someone who delivers an expedient "no" than a weak "maybe." So I am thinking a concept from Marie Kondo may also be applicable to business relationships: to those who have proven time and time again to be indecisive, thank them for their service, and then get rid of them. Declutter your life (or network) if you will....Similarly, I have found that if someone disrespects the value of your time once, they will have no problem doing it again. And again. That will not spark joy....shame on you if you let it happen a third time. I continue to battle test my theory that dysfunction in organizations usually arises when they are lacking in one or more of these areas: urgency, accountability, communication or empathy. Show me an organization that consistently gets these right with both their customers and employees, and they are leaders in their industry (or soon will be). Show me one that is truly deficient in all four, and I will show you a rapidly sinking ship....I have yet to be wrong....Sales people: I love you, I really do. But your continued insistence on having "marketing leave behinds" in order to sell your product and make your number is killing me, your business, and it is not helping your case. It's 2019, not 1999 -- people no longer answer the phone "Whassssupppp!", they no longer say "for shizzle" and prospects no longer look at double sided glossies touting product features. If they can't view it on their phone, it is essentially worthless. And if they ask you to leave something behind after a meeting, it likely means they don't want your product and just don't want to tell you. I know your marketing sucks, but if you can't tell a compelling enough story about the problem your company is trying to solve and the value you bring, then it's either time to learn how to do so or find a new profession. Seriously.Mobile ordered a coffee from Dunkin' Donuts last week during a particularly cold snap. It was there waiting for me when I walked in....iced...when I asked about it I was told I had to specifically order it hot.....Really DD?!? Haven't we gone over this before? Tweeted this earlier this week: If the headline starts with "A Florida man/woman" & includes a mugshot, there is a 99% chance I am clicking to read more....I'm not ashamed to admit it, are you?Super Bowl Prediction: Patriots win, 31-24. Rams (and AFC runner up Chiefs) are the future and have better overall talent on the field, but the moment proves too big for the young team and their head coach this year. Patriots have the experience, better coaching staff, and Tom Brady. I also think there is a remote chance Patriots coach Bill Belichick retires with a win. By the way, I think the game will be one of the lowest rated in the last 10 years -- call it the Netflix effect....Have a great weekend and enjoy the Big Game. Some good stuff below, so check it out if the game gets out of hand or the commercials don't hold your attention.XOXODave