Category: language

Taleb: Marketing beyond information is insecurity

I spend a lot of time in my real estate business putting information out there. If you follow me, you know I’m almost daily putting out market stats, average values, talking about trends, giving advice, etc.

When I read this statement in Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s Antifragile, I was metaphorically (and possibly literally) rocked.

Marketing beyond information is insecurity.

It articulates a core mantra I have; that is, “If my marketing as I define my actions – that being advocacy through information and education – doesn’t work to maintain and build my business, I will do something different.”

I rarely talk about my sales metrics, volume, success in negotiation of deals. To me, those aren’t what this is about for me. It’s about helping folks make informed decisions, stepping back and letting them make the actual decision.

 

Negotiation strategy and pain points

Whether it be politics, real estate or interpersonal relationship issues, part of an effective negotiation strategy is knowing the other party’s position and pain points.

If your position is lose/lose for them, it may be more beneficial for them to walk away and lose less than accepting your offer (or demand as they will likely perceive it, if it’s a losing proposition for them).

This is fine if you operate in a zero sum world.

If you want long term success, you may want to consider your strategy.

Frameworks and why are there so many?

credit: pixabay

“Everything that needs to be said has already been said. But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again.”
– André Gide

I was reading my friend Andrew Whitehouse’s blog this morning and came across a post he wrote regarding originalism in thought and work. In addition to the quote above, he said (wrote?) something that jumped out at me, articulating the why of what I do here. That is:

That’s what I’m aiming for here. (The “what is it for?” for this blog.): Looking for patterns in the work others have done, applying my own perspective, writing about it, noticing what’s there, and then iterating.
– Andrew Whitehouse

This all circles back to something I’ve asked myself quite a bit, “Why are there so many different frameworks that say much the same thing when you boil them down to basics?”

I think the answer is that:

1) people weren’t necessarily listening at that moment (that framework X was developed)

or (as if not more likely)

2) it wasn’t said in a way that resonated

To the latter point, Seth Godin’s Linchpin hit me like a hammer. It articulated the principles I’ve tried to live by in such a way that it resonated with me. Further, it allowed me to articulate them in turn to people around me. Colonel John Boyd’s OODA loop also resonates with me. However, it doesn’t resonate with everyone. A particular piece of feedback I’ve received about the OODA loop is, ‘It’s too military a mindset for me with it’s talk of opponents and breaking other loops.’ To this I said to the person, “That’s totally ok. There are a number of other frameworks that may resonate with you!”

What’s the bottom line here?

Don’t give up. Your voice may be – will be – the one that resonates with someone. 

Talking and doing consume the same resources

Original image: pixabay

Talking and doing consume the same resources.

I’m listening to “Ego is the Enemy” today on Audible and this nugget jumped out at me (amongst others).

What does this mean?

In the context of the book, the author isn’t saying we should go about our day in silence and just work.

What he’s aiming and elaborates on is that we often fool ourselves into substituting talk for action. If we talk about a thing, our brains are somewhat fooled into thinking we did that thing in part, because the two consume similar resources.

This speaks to me quite profoundly as it mirrors or underscores a question I often ask myself, “Am I doing the busy things or the important things?“

10thHuman: Stress as a mismatch

source unknown

This meme speaks to me and, I suspect, a good number of people.

I would add to this stress is also a mismatch between what you want to be and the demands or expectations of others.

Be you.

Be the best you you can be, in the capacity that brings you peace.

That’s my goal. It manifests for me as being the best dad and human and advocate I can be.

10thHuman: On the value of asking a question

image from pixabay
image from pixabay

I’m reading A More Beautiful Question right now by Warren Berger and came across this insight.

One good question can give rise to several layers of answer, can inspire decades-long searches for solutions, can generate whole new fields of inquiry, and can prompt changes in entrenched thinking. – Stuart Firestein

I suspect Firestein is coming at this from a deep philosphical perspective but this is applicable to our existing businesses, too. For example, from a business perspective, I continually ask myself, How can I add value?

What is your question?

 

Idea: Learning to code

image from pixabay
image from pixabay

Business Insider has a quick read up about the benefits of even an introductory course to coding. I concur.

I think taking a coding course opens up the idea of the synthesis of ideas. It helps you see connections between seemingly or potentially disparate ideas.

If you’re looking for a new career path and into the idea of coding, I would seriously consider learning Unity. I think there will be a huge need for the skill with the coming of Augmented Reality.

The Blog is Dead, Long Live the Blog (or: what blogs do you read?)

file-dec-05-1-29-20-pmFacebook is an incredible tool for connecting to our fellow humans. As a platform, it provides an awesome way to connect to fellow groups and communities. The last time I checked, something on the order of 52% of web sharing is occurring within Facebook.

That’s a staggering statistic.

It’s masking several problems, though, two of which I’d like to elaborate on.

First, the 52% statistic means there is 48% of web traffic Facebook users who rely on this medium alone are not seeing. Personally, I believe this risks building an echo chamber of sorts. Breaking out of the Facebook bubble we’ve built may expose us to alternative sources of information. And I don’t believe that is a bad thing.

Second, Facebook does not, in my humble opinion, lend itself to in depth conversations. This is not to suggest blogs do so, necessarily. However, a blog is a more static platform. I personally find it easier to track conversations in vs. the non linear nature of the way our Facebook feeds us informations.

What are your thoughts?

Please also feel free to share any blogs you frequently read. Personally, I am a Seth Godin fan, as well as find Scott Adams a good read (side note: his content often challenges conventional wisdom).

10thHuman: On the other side of every interaction is a human being…

The effect we have on others-2I’ve blogged previously about the need for authentic, civil communication.

Tonight, I’d expand upon this, maybe step back a bit and ask us all to pause and consider that on the other side of every interaction is a human being.

From a professional perspective, this will absolutely help your business. Consider, please, the last place you visited where the representative of the business didn’t make eye contact, didn’t engage with you, didn’t acknowledge you…is this a place likely to earn your business again?

On the other side of the equation, when you last visited Starbucks or the Apple Store (both known for their customer service), how were you made to feel? Likely, you were made to feel like you belonged, like you were a member of their team or tribe.

From a personal perspective, I think this is a valuable lesson to remember as we interact with our fellow people. We are all part of this tribe called humanity and I believe, if we could just try to see the world through one another’s eyes, we could accomplish wonders.