January 2010

This month we carry on Rambling Randomly.

• Squirrel Update
• Ground Feeders
• Silent Night
• 1,000 Fans
• Christmas No.1
• BRAvo Delegators
• Bank Twits
• I’m Busy Sleeping
• And Finally

Squirrel Update

Before we go any further, a quick update on the pre-Christmas squirrel. I had a new multi-function bird feeder for Christmas. The various elements are attached to a slim metal pole. No chance the squirrel could climb that.

The squirrel inspected it carefully, then shinned up it without the slightest bother. Extraordinary.


Ground Feeders

No, don’t worry, this isn’t turning into a wildlife column. However, it is evident that a number of ground feeding birds benefit from the fragments of seeds and nuts scattered from on high by other birds and the squirrel. It is also noticeable that several bird species expend considerable energy driving off ‘competitors’ for food/territory, whereas others get along quite amicably and focus their efforts on taking advantage of the food source provided.

It strikes me that this is a metaphor for the way organisations operate. The home-based businesses and small operators can’t always compete with the ‘big boys’ in certain sectors of the market but their lower cost base or greater flexibility or faster reaction time can allow them to succeed if they target the right area and try to pick up niche customers.

Likewise, small organisations could well benefit from a cooperative strategy with similar organisations rather than trying to see them off. One of the mistakes often made by start-ups is trying to operate in a secretive way for fear of being copied. More often than not they would be better to open up and ask if there’s anyone around who might help them.


Silent Night

Do you remember one of my other themes - I've called to say nothing? The point behind that was that the customer wants to know what is going on. The biggest complaint over the Eurostar tunnel debacle? Little or no information as to what was going on! Whenever there is a major issue involving Joe Public you can guarantee absolutely that the thing that turns a problem into a corporate catastrophe is a failure to keep the customer informed. It beggars belief that it happens time and again and yet organisations do not develop a communication plan to deal with such issues. Hope you've got yours in place!


1,000 Fans

No, sadly we don’t have that many fellow Ramblers yet! The article below is lifted in its entirety from a recent Seth Godin blog post. The Kevin Kelly article to which Seth refers is primarily about artists and performers but it is transferable. Suggest reading Seth’s view below then clicking the link to the KK item. (3T RPD readers note: rapid prototyping gets a mention!)

“Kevin Kelly really changed our thinking with his post about 1,000 true fans.
But what if you're not an artist or a musician? Is there a business case for this?
I think the ability to find and organize 1,000 people is a breakthrough opportunity. One thousand people coordinating their actions is enough to change your world (and make a living.)
1,000 people each spending $1,000 on a special interest cruise equals a million dollars.
1,000 people willing to spend $250 to attend a day-long seminar gives you the leverage to invite just about anyone you can imagine to fly in and speak.
1,000 people voting as a bloc can change local politics forever.
1,000 people willing to try a new restaurant you find for them gives you the ability to make an entrepreneur successful and change the landscape of your town.
Even better, coordinating the learning and connections of this tribe of 1,000 is not just profitable, it's rewarding. If you can take them where they want to go, you become indispensable (and respected).
What's difficult? What's difficult is changing your attitude. Instead of speed dating your way to interruption, instead of yelling at strangers all day trying to make a living, coordinating a tribe of 1,000 requires patience, consistency and a focus on long-term relationships and lifetime value. You don't find customers for your products. You find products for your customers.”

(PS – If you need a rapid prototype/low volume production run visit: www.3trpd.co.uk)


Christmas No1

Remember the moral of the pre-Christmas squirrel story? Push your luck too far and someone will rebel. Of course, as we all know now, that's exactly what happened to Mr Cowell when his mighty X Factor marketing machine was overtaken by a Facebook campaign to determine the Christmas No.1 single.
It should serve as a timely reminder to any organisation that people power will triumph ultimately. And just in case you'd missed the point, it was also the most dramatic demonstration of the power of the Internet. And of how to gain 1,000 (or more) fans.


BRAvo Delegators

I was browsing a recent edition of the Nat West Business Sense magazine and spotted an article by Michelle Mone, the CEO and founder of Ultimo. When she set up her business apparently she found that delegation was the most difficult challenge. But she says, “You can’t do everything on your own – and you shouldn’t think that you can. You have got to be good at delegating tasks or you will never get the job done.”

She goes on to say that one should try to get a mentor: “Sometimes you can’t see the wood for the trees and having that person can really help.” Even though the Ultimo business is now worth around £50 million she says that she still needs the help of her mentor occasionally.


Bank Twits

I know that there are many sceptics but when a major bank has a full-page article in its business magazine that states, “Twitter is a powerful business tool” I would suggest that you ignore it at your peril. Suggested reading is: www.econsultancy.com/blog.


I’m Busy Sleeping

Long standing Ramblers may remember an item in August 2008 about ‘The Discipline Of Daydreaming’. Loose, unstructured thinking with no particular goal in mind – gazing into space as I put it – is often more productive than focussing too closely on a problem or issue. Well, now it seems that it may even be beneficial to go beyond just gazing into space and actually nod off. Research at the University of California has shown that a quick doze during the working day can actually enhance problem solving skills and improve alertness and creativity.

So here’s my challenge for 2010. How many of you will encourage your team to have forty winks after lunch each day?


And Finally

The concept of power napping is not new. Back in the 60s I understand that it was the habit of the MD of the Jensen car company in West Bromwich to take a nap after lunch. He would retire to the boardroom and settle himself on the boardroom table. To make himself more comfortable after his executive lunch he would undo the buttons on his trousers. The great man’s secretary understood that nobody was to be allowed into the boardroom during this sacrosanct period.

All was well until the lady went on holiday and a temp was brought in. Unfortunately her briefing had failed to cover the MD’s post luncheon nap. One early afternoon she was trying to locate him and finding his office empty popped her head round the door of the boardroom. She was alarmed to find our man motionless on the table. Naturally she feared the worst and screamed in alarm. This was unfortunate.

The scream startled the MD from his slumbers and, forgetting his position on the table, he leapt to his feet. This was also unfortunate given his state of undress and the fact that there was a chandelier immediately above the table.

Alerted by the commotion, others burst into the boardroom to find the MD standing on the table with his trousers round his ankles, blood pouring from a head wound, confronting a, by now, hysterical young woman.

Please take care where you take your lunchtime nap,

David