The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell first interested me when I was considering what exactly it is that makes something “go viral” or what it is when society suddenly changes direction. Obviously viral marketing is something we are keenly interested in with our business where we specialise in making our Customers business opportunities become reality.
The Tipping Point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behaviour crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire.
from The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell
The book is obviously well researched but at the same time an easy read with interesting anecdotal evidence, studies and situations that are easily related to and, therefore, fascinating. I knocked it over in a couple of days.
The Tipping Point discusses trends in the same context as a virus or epidemic. We’re introduced to the world of Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen, concepts like the Stickiness Factor, the power of 150 and the power of Context. We find out why, or more importantly how, crime waves that have rocked a city for a decade suddenly stop, how unfashionable shoes suddenly reemerge as hip, and why teenagers still smoke.
I’m not sure that I’ve come away from reading this with any defined or tangible course of action but, at CogentAds we often discuss what kind of people we need to be in order to succeed, and even more the kind of people we need to employ going forward. Looking at scenarios in the book I’m inspired by some of the personality types, behaviours and subtle approaches marketing people take to identifying niche trends and then, in sometimes unexpected ways, get these trends into the mainstream.
Ultimately the Tipping Point makes it clear that small things can, and do, make a big difference. It’s inspiring and thought provoking. Good for stimulating your business strategy thinking. I recommend reading it.
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Mark Hurd, HP’s Toxic CEO resigns after a sexual harassment investigation.
by Damian Saunders on August 7, 2010 · View Comments
I woke up this morning to hear that Mark Hurd – HP’s Toxic CEO resigns after a sexual harassment investigation.
Guess what Mark – you never did!
I suppose there’s a sense of vindication here, I always believed that Mark Hurd was not only the living contradiction of everything HP’s corporate values stood for, he was also the shining example of everything wrong with corporate America.
I would be jumping for joy if it wasn’t for the very real pain he caused for thousands of people, employees, former employees, families of employees, and local economies.
I’ve written everything I wanted to say about him in the following articles;
So, I’m pleased, really pleased, that he is gone, but, given that his predecessor, Carly Fiorina, was, and still is, an idiot, and, given the seemingly nefarious nature of big Corporate America, things don’t bode well for a successor.
Recommended Reading on this subject
Thanks to our friend at FuckYouMarkHurd.com, I noticed this book [note: affiliate link - I just like how they display ok.] which looks interesting. Sound’s like this could be the closest thing to being a “fly on the wall” witnessing all the shenanigans and sleazy going’s on behind the closed doors of HP’s boardroom over the past decade.
I’m going to enjoy reading this one.
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