Friends of Dave #78: Billy, Don't You Lose My Number
With summer upon us, the days are not the only things getting shorter.
Lots of stuff going on here and with all of you no doubt, Friends of Dave. You may find the intros to the newsletter a bit on the light side over the next few weeks. But don't worry, I still have plenty to say....so, Billy, don't you lose my number.....
This week, less preamble and more links. But all GREAT stuff -- I carefully picked out something I know each of you will like, so scan the headlines and take a gander. You've got alternative data, blockchain, Millennial Dadzillas, Mr. Rogers AND Phil Collins....how can you go wrong?
I also made a point to highlight a great post by Anand Sanwal at CB Insights. Well written, authentic, self-aware and insightful on both personal and business fronts -- best thing I read all week. Worth it.
Have a great weekend everyone!
XOXO
Dave
My Pick of the Week:
How To Manage And Sell A Company In An Industry And A Country You Don’t Know — www.cbinsights.com
Anand Sanwal gives a deeply personal account of the personal and professional challenges in taking over his father's company after his passing in early 2017, while also still running his own. Great stuff and lots of good lessons.
Think on These...
How To Recover When The World Breaks You — medium.com
Because those that cannot break, cannot learn, and cannot be made stronger for what happened.
Everyone has setbacks. And while we may think that if they break us we will be worse for it, we should think differently. Breaking can actually make us stronger in the long run.
Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives — www.brainpickings.org
Interesting look at aspects of fixed mindsets and growth mindsets and ideas on how to fine-tune the internal monologue that scores every aspect of our lives, from leadership to love. WARNING: this is a bit on the longer side. If it's too much, read the infographic and scan the sections in quotes.
The secret to lifelong success is lifelong learning — www.weforum.org
We often believe we can’t afford the time it takes, but the opposite is true: None of us can afford not to learn.
I know I have passed on some articles about this in the past, but here are more insights on why we need to take the time to learn new things as an investment in ourselves, and strategies on making it a part of our daily routine.
For Your Day Job...
The Anatomy of a Disruptor — www.spencerstuart.com
The very best executives today are themselves disruptors. They drive change in their organizations with a relentless focus on the customer. They are also leaders of cultural change.
Why an Outstanding Customer Experience Is the Key to Win — www.the-future-of-commerce.com
While the focus here is retail, there are lots of important lessons for any business. A commitment to a tremendous customer experience when you are in a competitive space is absolutely essential. Great share by longtime Friend of Dave Mat Gagne.
The Alternative Data Strategy Used by Investors — www.arcadiadata.com
This gives a comprehensive run down of the "how and why" of alternative data strategies used by asset management firms and hedge funds within the buy-side community. In the spirit of lifelong learning, good for those of you not in the financial data space as well -- your business is a data business too and this audience wants your data.
How The Blockchain Will Simplify Supply Chains — www.globaltranz.com
If you are still scratching your head about blockchain, check out this post from my friends over at GlobalTranz about how it will simplify and digitize supply chains. Friend of Dave Greg Carter has a lot to say about this topic.
Your Weekly Dose of Randomness...
US states with the most psychopaths — qz.com
Of course, Connecticut wins the dubious award of most psychopathic state in the US. Have you seen all the crazy Vineyard Vines shorts and boat shoes wearing people there? As Charles Ramsey once said, "Dead giveaway...dead giveaway...."
The rise of the Dadzilla — www.bostonglobe.com
Remember, I called this months ago....summer is here, get woke.
Got Milk? How the iconic campaign came to be, 25 years ago — www.fastcompany.com
And here I thought it must have originated from a house full of teenagers who leave near empty cartons in the fridge.....
A Mister Rogers Update....
Movie Recommendation: Won't You Be My Neighbor — bothsidesofthetable.com
VC Mark Suster weighs in on “Won’t You Be My Neighbor," the Mister Rogers documentary mentioned here a few weeks ago that is now out in theaters.
And The Last Word....
Should Phil Collins Be Celebrated or Vilified?
For you music fans.....the crown prince of middle-of-the-road ’80s Top 40 has embarked on a farewell tour. What will be his legacy?