Comments on: The Bullfighter’s Cape http://thenewbig.com/2007/04/07/the-bullfighters-cape/ Small pieces of the new big world Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:11:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: crawford http://thenewbig.com/2007/04/07/the-bullfighters-cape/#comment-63 crawford Tue, 10 Apr 2007 13:33:28 +0000 http://thenewbig.com/2007/04/07/the-bullfighters-cape/#comment-63 Yup, yup...all of the above have and should and forever will contribute to the story. Ultimately, it's that dynamic co-authoring that distinguishes a brand from a commodity. The one quibblebitch I'd have is with your conclusion that "...at the end of the day it’s the story told by the top leadership that will matter," I'd say just the opposite is true. The half or third of the story filled in by the consumer will ultimately matter most because they hold the demand purse strings. Demand shifts, loyalty is hard won and easily lost. Bill and Co can say all they want. Blue meanies can pop up and spout phrases. But does the consumer co-author complete the sentence? That's what matters most to me as a brand storyteller. More coffee. Yup, yup…all of the above have and should and forever will contribute to the story. Ultimately, it’s that dynamic co-authoring that distinguishes a brand from a commodity. The one quibblebitch I’d have is with your conclusion that ”...at the end of the day it’s the story told by the top leadership that will matter,” I’d say just the opposite is true. The half or third of the story filled in by the consumer will ultimately matter most because they hold the demand purse strings. Demand shifts, loyalty is hard won and easily lost. Bill and Co can say all they want. Blue meanies can pop up and spout phrases. But does the consumer co-author complete the sentence? That’s what matters most to me as a brand storyteller.

More coffee.

]]> By: Stuart http://thenewbig.com/2007/04/07/the-bullfighters-cape/#comment-60 Stuart Sun, 08 Apr 2007 23:19:03 +0000 http://thenewbig.com/2007/04/07/the-bullfighters-cape/#comment-60 Leif - Thanks, man. I truly believe we need the Microsofts and Googles and Amazons to thrive in order to keep this tech community growing. Steve - Thanks for stopping by. I agree with you on both points. I think Ray Ozzie is in the best position to effect lasting and meaningful change at Microsoft. I also agree that you need to fight as hard as you can to change attitudes from where you are... if only for your own sanity. Smart leaders will listen to you. I wish you all the success in the world. Leif – Thanks, man. I truly believe we need the Microsofts and Googles and Amazons to thrive in order to keep this tech community growing.

Steve – Thanks for stopping by. I agree with you on both points. I think Ray Ozzie is in the best position to effect lasting and meaningful change at Microsoft. I also agree that you need to fight as hard as you can to change attitudes from where you are… if only for your own sanity. Smart leaders will listen to you. I wish you all the success in the world.

]]> By: steve clayton http://thenewbig.com/2007/04/07/the-bullfighters-cape/#comment-59 steve clayton Sun, 08 Apr 2007 22:59:24 +0000 http://thenewbig.com/2007/04/07/the-bullfighters-cape/#comment-59 Stuart, thanks for the commentary. Your perspective is thought provoking and my immediate response is that I agree with you. It's the guys at the top that set the tone which is quite worrying. However, two things give me cause for optimism. 1) Ozzie. Check out http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1698 for some remarkable humility and frankness. 2) The minions could (and should) change the opinions of the leaders. If we can't then people will leave - like Scoble did - but I'm prepared to keep trying for a while. There is life outside of Redmond :) thanks again Steve Stuart, thanks for the commentary. Your perspective is thought provoking and my immediate response is that I agree with you. It’s the guys at the top that set the tone which is quite worrying. However, two things give me cause for optimism.

1) Ozzie. Check out http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1698 for some remarkable humility and frankness.

2) The minions could (and should) change the opinions of the leaders. If we can’t then people will leave – like Scoble did – but I’m prepared to keep trying for a while. There is life outside of Redmond :)

thanks again

Steve

]]> By: leif hansen http://thenewbig.com/2007/04/07/the-bullfighters-cape/#comment-58 leif hansen Sun, 08 Apr 2007 16:55:19 +0000 http://thenewbig.com/2007/04/07/the-bullfighters-cape/#comment-58 Great post Stuart, I was touched and a little 'convicted' when you wrote <i>"Personally, I prefer using the Macintosh platform, but I also live in Seattle and care about the tech community here. So I want Microsoft to be successful because I want my friends to be employed and happy, and because big innovative companies bring human and technical resources to the area that wouldn’t otherwise be here."</i> That was a good check for me and my recent Mac conversion zeal. -Leif www.wonderosity.com Great post Stuart, I was touched and a little ‘convicted’ when you wrote “Personally, I prefer using the Macintosh platform, but I also live in Seattle and care about the tech community here. So I want Microsoft to be successful because I want my friends to be employed and happy, and because big innovative companies bring human and technical resources to the area that wouldn’t otherwise be here.” That was a good check for me and my recent Mac conversion zeal.
-Leif
http://www.wonderosity.com

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