I ran into a publishing friend not that long ago. He asked me how I was going to reconcile my upcoming book about meditation with my previous book called Leadership Lessons of the Navy SEALs. "They're just diametrically opposed," he said.
I smiled. "It's a good question, if you only look at the very top layer. But just one or two steps deeper the answer is very simple, really," I replied.
"How many special forces people have you seen waving a banner and charging headlong into the fray?" I asked.
He shrugged.
The answer is none. Groups like the Navy SEALs are the best because they are cool, calm and focused enough to make the right choices when they have to. No matter what is going on around them. They operate the same way you might expect a martial artist to, as they wait for the right moment to strike. The same way a Buddhist remains focused as they continue on their path to enlightenment.
You see, it's all the same under a different name. The reason each reaches their goal is they are aware of the reality of the world around them in the present moment. They have a clear idea of their objective. They focus their efforts, and they are patient enough to wait for their efforts to bear fruit.
Those that maintain their focus and are in control of their senses are the ones that succeed. Those that lose their way or seek a quick fix are the ones who fail. Think about it, the financial mess was due to those that wanted a fast track to wealth. In the military, the ones who run into the fray, firing wilding are doing what is called spray and pray. In self help it's called a quick fix pill. And guess what, none of them work.
So don't be afraid to think before you act. Don't be afraid to meditate. It's just another word for being in the moment. And that helps monks and seals alike.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
The Reality of Not Being Real
Well, she's at it again. And it's still not good. I will say, she is a shrewd marketer of her own brand. But it still seems as if she doesn't think it all the way through. I'm of course talking about Sarah Palin and her attempt to leverage the Rolling Thunder Memorial Day event in Washington D.C.
Great effort on her part to leverage a very meaningful and heartfelt event that enlisted people and veterans respect. But to don dark glasses and a leather jacket while hitching on the back of a bike just undermines her entire effort to be "real."
Everything about it reeks of a staged opportunistic PR gaff. The well primped look, the "heartland of America" theme, even the "One Nation" title for her bus tour. What's missing was her ability to ride a motorcycle, her ability to respect what our service men and women do on a daily basis, and her ability to be real. Or wait a minute, perhaps she is being true to herself. In which case it's sad that she's learned so little about what real American's want from a brand - real, honest goodness.
Great effort on her part to leverage a very meaningful and heartfelt event that enlisted people and veterans respect. But to don dark glasses and a leather jacket while hitching on the back of a bike just undermines her entire effort to be "real."
Everything about it reeks of a staged opportunistic PR gaff. The well primped look, the "heartland of America" theme, even the "One Nation" title for her bus tour. What's missing was her ability to ride a motorcycle, her ability to respect what our service men and women do on a daily basis, and her ability to be real. Or wait a minute, perhaps she is being true to herself. In which case it's sad that she's learned so little about what real American's want from a brand - real, honest goodness.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
IMF Proves Brand Importance Exceeds Experience
This in no way supports nor advocates the ability for a world leader, or anyone else for that matter, to abuse another human being. As a matter of fact, I know little enough about the now-former IMF chief, to comment on anything other than the demise of his personal brand.
As you may know, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was accused of a number of sexual assault charges just a few weeks ago. It devastated his career and his reputation. For the vast majority of people in the world, it is really the first time they even heard his name. If you don't believe me, just ask someone if they know his name. Then ask them what he did as the head of the IMF.
Most will only shrug and say, "I really don't know."
The reason I bring this up is that, as horrific his acts are, they were atrocious enough to warrant his resignation as the head of the International Monetary Fund. His sickness and sociopathic tendencies were bad enough for the world to say, "I really don't care what he did to pull the world out of a global financial crises. I care more about the people of the world."
And to me, that is a good thing. For the first time, in a long, long time, the world is speaking that the human condition is more important than the financial.
It makes me smile to think of it.
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| Pool photo by Emmanuel Dunand |
Most will only shrug and say, "I really don't know."
The reason I bring this up is that, as horrific his acts are, they were atrocious enough to warrant his resignation as the head of the International Monetary Fund. His sickness and sociopathic tendencies were bad enough for the world to say, "I really don't care what he did to pull the world out of a global financial crises. I care more about the people of the world."
And to me, that is a good thing. For the first time, in a long, long time, the world is speaking that the human condition is more important than the financial.
It makes me smile to think of it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Love and Fear
Love and Fear
Both are very powerful reasons to do anything.
The former builds brands and products and businesses that will endure.
The later is a feeble foundation that will collapse with the weight of the world.
Stay true to your mission.
But make sure it is born and built on love, not fear.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
News - viewers and readers dictating what they get
Today, the news is not so much reported as digested. It is why the larger news agencies race to report based on the ratings they think they will receive, rather than on the nature of the story. It is why public relations firms are no longer an outside irritant, but a relied upon source. It is also why more and more people are relying less on traditional media for their news, and turning to independent reporting through blogs, twitter and trusted websites.
It is nobodies fault but a failure to evolve. Newspapers were too focused on the "paper" part of their name, and not enough on the "news." When the idea of a 24 hour television source for the news was put on the table. The old fashioned news rooms laughed at the idea. "there is simply not enough news for 24 hour coverage" they said. In less than a year they were shocked to find that people were perfectly happy with news sound bites rather than lengthy stories.
A dozen or so years later, the television networks got too caught up in the fact that their anchors were stars rather than journalists at heart. Some replaced experienced journalists with flashy anchors. Their audiences, who wanted news a bit fluffier than papers, found they did not want as much fluff as they were now getting. Who knows but perhaps they overshot the mark a bit, which is why there's a bit of a controversy as to where is the line between real news reporting and opinion.
I'm not sure we're going to have to worry about that for long. Because now both newspapers and television outlets, as well as magazines and newsletters are finding that their audiences are leaving them for the words and reporting of bloggers and digital journalists. Why? Because these independent people are the new journalists consumers are more comfortable following. These are the people delivering the news the way their audiences want it. Fast, quick, targeted, with just the right amount of commentary. Does this foretell the changes to come? Smaller, more targeted news outlets run by people who really care about what they are reporting? Is this the re-birth of the Fourth Branch of the government?
I hope so. If it's any indication, just look at the direction most advertisers are moving their media dollars - toward the online bloggers who are influencing their customers the most. If there is one indication of what consumers think of the news, just look at those brands who are putting money where their mouth is. We may not see The New York Times in print or CNN over the airwaves in twenty years. But we will always see our favorite brands.
It is nobodies fault but a failure to evolve. Newspapers were too focused on the "paper" part of their name, and not enough on the "news." When the idea of a 24 hour television source for the news was put on the table. The old fashioned news rooms laughed at the idea. "there is simply not enough news for 24 hour coverage" they said. In less than a year they were shocked to find that people were perfectly happy with news sound bites rather than lengthy stories.
A dozen or so years later, the television networks got too caught up in the fact that their anchors were stars rather than journalists at heart. Some replaced experienced journalists with flashy anchors. Their audiences, who wanted news a bit fluffier than papers, found they did not want as much fluff as they were now getting. Who knows but perhaps they overshot the mark a bit, which is why there's a bit of a controversy as to where is the line between real news reporting and opinion.
I'm not sure we're going to have to worry about that for long. Because now both newspapers and television outlets, as well as magazines and newsletters are finding that their audiences are leaving them for the words and reporting of bloggers and digital journalists. Why? Because these independent people are the new journalists consumers are more comfortable following. These are the people delivering the news the way their audiences want it. Fast, quick, targeted, with just the right amount of commentary. Does this foretell the changes to come? Smaller, more targeted news outlets run by people who really care about what they are reporting? Is this the re-birth of the Fourth Branch of the government?
I hope so. If it's any indication, just look at the direction most advertisers are moving their media dollars - toward the online bloggers who are influencing their customers the most. If there is one indication of what consumers think of the news, just look at those brands who are putting money where their mouth is. We may not see The New York Times in print or CNN over the airwaves in twenty years. But we will always see our favorite brands.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Politics of Hate
With the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords, there has been a new call to end, or at least reduce the vitriol of Washington. Some people seem to think that lowering the anger-based rhetoric is an infringement on our basic freedom of speech. In some ways it is. But there is also a level of responsibility and maturity that goes along with the concept of free speech.
Sarah Palin recorded a statement in which she said, “Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own,” Ms. Palin said in a video posted to her Facebook page. “Especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence that they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.”
What she seems to forget is that when we raise the general level of discourse to include maps with gun sights targeting political leaders, we lower the level of discretion about what is right and what is wrong. I am not targeting Ms. Palin alone, as it comes in from both sides. But if we cannot see that there needs to be some level of acceptance and compassion in our public rhetoric, then we are truly doomed as a country and as a political system.
I agree with Ronald Reagan when he stated that society should not be blamed for the acts of an individual. However, I also agree with him that individuals should take responsibility for their actions. To date, I have yet to see any politicians do so.
If now is not the time? The when?
Sarah Palin recorded a statement in which she said, “Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own,” Ms. Palin said in a video posted to her Facebook page. “Especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence that they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.”
What she seems to forget is that when we raise the general level of discourse to include maps with gun sights targeting political leaders, we lower the level of discretion about what is right and what is wrong. I am not targeting Ms. Palin alone, as it comes in from both sides. But if we cannot see that there needs to be some level of acceptance and compassion in our public rhetoric, then we are truly doomed as a country and as a political system.
I agree with Ronald Reagan when he stated that society should not be blamed for the acts of an individual. However, I also agree with him that individuals should take responsibility for their actions. To date, I have yet to see any politicians do so.
If now is not the time? The when?
Friday, October 1, 2010
iPAD? Print?
Recently I dropped a few emails about a certain morning experience. My "friend" was having tea and saw a spider crawling up a wall. Not being much of a sports section fan, they casually rolled up that section of The New York Times and completed a major Smackdown of their eight-legged adversary. Throwing the paper away they realized, "hmmmmmmm, now there's something I could never do with an iPAD."
So I had to ask a lot of people I know what other things they could come up with. Here's what they came up with, just to show everyone how the print medium is truly not dead.
"You can't shred an iPad and line a hamster cage with it."
"You can't light a BBQ with an iPad, well you can, but the burgers will taste off..."
"Ya can't wrap fish in an iPad."
"You can never get free Yankees tickets from someone selling space on an iPad."
"You can't write a kidnap note by cutting up an iPad."
Please - feel free to add your thoughts on this matter...
Jeff Cannon
Think Cannon
So I had to ask a lot of people I know what other things they could come up with. Here's what they came up with, just to show everyone how the print medium is truly not dead.
"You can't shred an iPad and line a hamster cage with it."
"You can't light a BBQ with an iPad, well you can, but the burgers will taste off..."
"Ya can't wrap fish in an iPad."
"You can never get free Yankees tickets from someone selling space on an iPad."
"You can't write a kidnap note by cutting up an iPad."
Please - feel free to add your thoughts on this matter...
Jeff Cannon
Think Cannon
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