Tall Americano

The best story wins sometimes, but often it is the story we hear the most that wins. Even more so when we are the ones telling the story to ourselves. 

Do systems exist to serve us or do we exist to serve the system?

How does a company who invents the first digital camera in 1975 fail to thrive in the age of digital cameras, Instagram, and documenting everyday moments? 

....almost always yes

thisisrobclark@gmail.com 

Maybe one of the most fascinating stories in the past several months is how one piece of content from a middle aged man on a skateboard singing Fleetwood Mac and sipping Ocean Spray went viral. Nathan went from living in an RV with no running water to a new vehicle, thousands of dollars in donations from fans, and a merch page for his new found success. 

One piece of content is all it takes to change everything! 

What do most healthy cultures have in common? 

The Emperor's New Clothes is a short fairy tale over 200 years old, but gives us some solid wisdom that still applies today. 

Thinking about a phrase that I keep hearing that drives me crazy and how am I doing the same thing in my own life. 

thisisrobclark@gmail.com

When was the last time you did something for the first time? We need to take the advice we often give kids so we don't lose our creativity and impact. 

We don't like to admit mistakes or weaknesses, but it seems it is the only way we learn and grow. 

Fear is a bad motivator in making decisions. Recently, the fear of missing out cost me $100,000. 

In the early 2000s, Overture and Google competed for the same marketshare, but Overture eventually was acquired by Yahoo and Google became one of the few companies ever worth over one trillion dollars. How did Google win and what lessons can we learn from that story? 

Hard to imagine a group of kindergarten kids beating CEOs, lawyers, and business students in a challenge, but it happened. We have a lot to learn from 6 year olds. 

We don't make our best decisions when based on fear. We need to be smart, but realize that we can't truly live if we are opposed to risk. 

How did Phil Knight react when he lost distribution rights to the Onitsuka Tiger which was selling across the USA? His plan B became a global brand worth billions of dollars. Would we know about Nike if he never lost his good business with the Japanese shoe manufacturer? Can we see the great in front of us? 

We know that feeling of having front row tickets to a concert or maybe imagine what sitting court side might feel like. But how can we create that same all access feeling for people within our networks or friend groups, especially online? 

We aren't surprised that often by technology any longer, but people will always will. When is the last time you surprise someone? Including yourself. 

How much time, research, and money was put into the names and logos of the world's biggest companies like Nike, Amazon, and Apple? We likely spend more time thinking about tonight's supper. 

Although I rarely order new dishes at my favorite restaurants, it is a good idea to try different things, in different places often. Especially in uncertain times. 

Facebook memories tell me that 9 years ago today I asked the question, is K-Swiss in style again. 11 years later, the answer is convincingly yes. But what does that mean for you and me? 

Once heard a quote that history doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes. How can we take a lesson from history in order to take advantage of the time we are living in right now. 

We don't know what the economy is going to look like when we come out of quarantine. Some industries are being hit harder than others and many will be looking for new lines of work. Your job title and previous training isn't the only thing you are qualified to do. 

Phil Knight failed at selling encyclopedias but turned Nike into a billion dollar company selling shoes. What made him really good at selling shoes when he couldn't sell books? And just because you are good at something, doesn't mean that is what you should be doing. 

Collaborations are as popular today as ever before and as we come out of a global crisis, they might be more important than anytime before. But don't simply think about the easy and predictable partnerships, look for ones that might make you nervous.