Business Hoarding

I’ve been observing and contemplating about how we get attached to “things”, even in business.  I call it Business Hoarding, where you can’t let go of ideas of concepts – even though you know that they aren’t going anywhere.  You try to start too many things without doing your due diligence, and your too slow to “cut bait” on those projects which aren’t a right fit – for one reason or another.   Just because you have 10 projects doesn’t mean that you’re successful.  I’d much rather have one killer project.  Well, maybe two.  And that’s just how easy it is to become a Business Hoarder.

Now just to be crystal clear, this is different than persistence.  There is nothing wrong with pushing through with something in spite of everyone else telling you that you’re crazy, wrong, and just insane.  Of course you want to carefully consider alternative positions.  If your (business) theory is true it should stand the test of criticism.  Assuming that it does, why wouldn’t you do what everyone else says you shouldn’t?

I’ve been working on a short litmus test to help entrepreneurs easily figure out whether to keep moving forward with a project, or to cut bait.

1. Is it unique?
Can you dominate the market, easily?
2. Is it marketable?
Are there people to sell to ?  Will they purchase?
3. Is it profitable?
Can you make money from it?
4. Is it fun?
At the end of the day, you have to love what you’re doing.  if not, why do it ??

This is just my initial list.  I want to keep it short and sweet – but if you have something meaningful to contribute then by all means comment below!

Geolocational Gaff

So this will be a quick rant – but an important one.  More and more websites are using geolocational tools to identify where users are originating from, and to give them specific content based upon their location.

This is great.  BUT, more often than not they force the user to utilize the local version.  Don’t assume that the user only wants a local search.  (This may seem obvious … but apparently it isn’t – otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this post).  Default to the local option, and give the user the option to change to another location.  Who knows, they may be planning ahead.

Whew – glad I got that off my chest 🙂

Delivering Happiness, The Review

Before I start my review, let me say this to everyone who was looking at me awkwardly as I spoke (alright, it was close to a rant) about the new FTC rules around reviews and consideration:  Ha!  It apparently is as important as I was saying, otherwise why would Tony Hsieh have heeded his legal teams advice by asking me to state the following:

  1. I received one or more free copies of his book “Delivering Happiness”, in exchange for my commitment to review it.
  2. My review has not been influenced by the one or more copies of his book that he gave me.

OK – now that the legal jargon is done with (for simplicity sake, I could have just added a #sponsored review and I’m sure you would have gotten the gist, but why not make this an opportunity to promote my other blog post about FTC rule 255?), time to start the review.

In an effort to make the review shorter than the actual book, I’ll bullet point my thoughts:

  • It’s an easy read, written in a friendly, informal manner.  I finished it in about a day.
  • It walks through his business life, from his first company at age five all the way to present day.  His successes, his failures, and how they have influenced his life – both in and out of business.
  • While I don’t subscribe to all Zapposian guidelines on how to live a balanced and fruitful life – I think it is a valuable tool.  Just like everything else, read it, put it into perspective, evaluate it against your own needs, wants, desires, and implement what makes sense for you.
  • To go a little further, I don’t think that the lessons Tony shares are all or nothing.  Just as with his own business career, yours is and will continue to be a learning experience.  Successes and failures.  Happiness and sadness.  Stress and relaxation.  Just remember to focus on what is important, and to surround yourself with others who share the same values as you do.

Tony has asked that I include a link to his book (for your benefit, as well as I’m sure a little search engine optimization value).  http://www.deliveringhappinessbook.com

In short – it’s a great read.  Sometimes we just need a little something to give us focus and direction.  Delivering Happiness delivers that.  (I wonder how many other reviewers are going to use that line.  I intentionally avoided “Delivering Happiness Delivers”. )

Online Shepparding

Technology has made it much to rally the troops behind a cause.  Here’s a great example of how FreeConference.com is getting its users behind their cause – Saving Free Conference.

Step one – FreeConference.com tells you why you need to be concerned about saving free conference calls.

Now fill out your information, and submit …

And now you choose the representatives that you’re going to send your message to (and hope that they return your message … to date, only one has), and approve your message.