Fearless Leaders:

Let me continue what I began a few months ago with reactions, observations or comments based upon recent experiences … (Yes, you’ve seen a few before and they still annoythehelloutofme)

• Impersonalized voice messages and “full” mailboxes.  How frigging hard is this?  Take the 10 seconds to record a greeting and activate your mailbox.  Most of the time, missing a message will be inconsequential, BUT what if a long-lost friend is trying to get hold of you or an emergency responder is trying to find a family member?  Get this done!

• Despite social media, the world is NOT black & white; Everything from the political hot-buttons of immigration and abortion to all sorts of interpersonal issues you encounter daily is far more nuanced.  A zero-sum mindset is not only unproductive but can be harmful!  (Note:  There’s a 12-minute YouTube video link in my P.S.  Watch it!  An insightful take on the decline of social interaction.  Very worrisome!)

• From the Netflix streamer Dark Winds – In this show set on “the rez” an infant doesn’t become a human until their first laugh.   Once that happens, there’s a celebration to welcome this new human!  What a cool notion!

• Time = respect.  ‘Nuff said.

• Did you see the recent Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning?  Film critic Manohla Dargis offered this point of view, which I loved whether you enjoyed the movie (s) or not: “One of the sustaining pleasures of the franchise has been its commitment to its own outrageousness!”  Once or thrice in the show you are going to say “Wow!” and wow = good when it comes to entertaining.

• I’m receiving more catalogs!  Mostly luxury men’s apparel.  This makes less than little sense, as most of you know, I am far from a fashion statement.   Each book is expensive. So is the postage and, undoubtedly, the mailing list.  Someone please tell me what are these experienced marketers thinking and is there a lesson I/we should learn?

• And finally (the one I’ve been waiting for)!

Is this a good idea?

As a sales guy, there’s a disappointingly long list (we’re talking ex-clients, genuine prospects, startups, friends and referrals) of people I reach out to who simply don’t respond to emails, phone calls, or, in some cases, letters.  (This again!)  The question is:  SHOULD I OUT THEM?

That might mean publishing the list of names in my December newsletter as a Christmas “gift” (maybe just their initials?) OR contacting their boss (who, in many cases, I know and there are a few I know well) and innocently asking them, “Does So-and-So still work there?”

There are a few readers who will remind me it was my grandfather who said, “…take the high road!”, but my grandfather was in newspaper sales in the 1920’s to 50’s, and the world is a slightly different place nowadays.  I’m wondering if I need to adopt a more aggressive approach and shake things up a bit?

What do you say?  Out Them, or No?  Guide me, oh wise ones!

Hope your summer has been safe and enjoyable with the best yet to come!

All the best,

P.S.   Check out what Derek Thompson has to say and let me know what you think.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsaeFYGbK2M