Tag: fail

Against common sense

FabrizioLeave a comment

Sometimes things do not turn out to be as they should have.

And so, a podcast ad by Dashlane that follows the general rule for which you are supposed to leverage the potential of the channel might fall flat. Simply because it is not enough to go on a show that often aims at social media and their negative impact on society to claim that a tool that remembers passwords makes the internet better.

On the other hand, an ad for a fast food chain, that common wisdom would want featuring juicy pictures on steroids, can become incredibly effective when it shows a moldy burger.

Things are almost never as straightforward as they seem. That’s one of the reasons why marketing is extremely difficult and requires continuous attention.

Personal development

FabrizioLeave a comment

If you want your people to develop, participate in trainings, attend events related to their field, network with peers and exchange ideas, just give them a clear budget (time and money) and some broad rules. Then let them choose how to go about it, approve by default and sponsor sessions to share their learnings with the rest of the team.

If you don’t want that instead, give them a process to follow, some paperwork to do and managerial discretion.

Or even better, tell them their development is not at the top of your agenda.

The magic of technology

FabrizioLeave a comment

We got accustomed to thinking that technology, whatever technology, as long as it’s shiny and new, will eventually solve a problem.

As a result, we have lost the ability to focus on the problem – though someone might argue whether this ability has ever been central. If left to itself, technology will not amicably and magically find its way into our lives. There has to be a feedback loop at some point, as early as possible, that matches the capabilities of the technology to actual, and positive, impact in the world. And if the match cannot be done, even after trying hard, it is ok to drop the technology and forget about it.

This inability to take the distance from technology is the reason why we have deepfakes and artifically generated faces. We are often so fascinated from what is possible nowadays that we forget to discuss about the convenience and rightness of what is created.

Technology needs more questioning and groundedness.

Overlooked

FabrizioLeave a comment

One of the most overlooked pains in (growing) organizations is that of great performers promoted into leadership roles.

Accepting that executing and leading require two completely different sets of skills, and accompanying the transition with coaching and mentoring, would save companies a lot of money in the long run.

Alone

FabrizioLeave a comment

The problem with attacking those who don’t see the world as you do, with fostering an environment where outrage is rewarded, with speaking against those on your side who attempt to be moderate, with listening to others in wait for misstep, with glorifying factions and vilifying commonalities.

The problem with all of this is that soon enough you’ll end up being alone. Because when you are there, it is much easier to extend the behaviour to all those that, sooner or later, will disappoint your perspective rather than revert it to welcome different views down the line.

Even though today it might feel different, even if it might feel there are thousands who are on your side. Are you prepared to be alone tomorrow?