Category: Miscellaneous Thoughts | Page 5

ProCO360 wins BEST COLORADO BUSINESS PODCAST

I’m thrilled with this honor from ColoradoBiz Magazine. It’s not the Golden Globes or the Grammy’s so there’s no speech. If there were, this is what I’d say – it’s basically how I introduce each episode.

“Thank you for this wonderful recognition. I host PROCO360 because I love Colorado – and I love getting to know Colorado’s entrepreneurs and leaders, and sharing my conversations with them, with you. My guests have built very successful businesses while being collaborative, enjoying all that Colorado has to offer, and doing that with talented people who appreciate living in Colorado.” And I’d add this: “It’s amazing – the people I meet doing this show are not just successful, and they are VERY successful – they are really very nice people – they care about our recording session, they care about their people, and they care about Colorado. I love hosting PROCO360. Thanks again for this award.”

Can Colorado’s Brand have a CAUSE?

This is a big question.

It came to me after my interview with Johnny Le Coq, founder and CEO of Fishpond. Patagonia is a products company that supports the environment. Athleta is a products company that supports the advancement of women. Both companies are examples of authentic and effective support for a cause that aligns with customers. Fishpond seems to go further – Fishpond seems to be coming very close to using sales of its products as a mechanism to support river conservation.

Image courtesy of the Fishpond website

Johnny: “Our brand has become a voice for the environment… It’s not what we sell that I’m most proud of – it’s what we stand for.” He means it.

That made me think about Colorado. Can Colorado have a CAUSE that ultimately becomes interwoven with our brand? That’s tough, but I think Colorado’s entrepreneurial community DOES – it STANDS FOR supporting opportunity for those who strive, collaborate, innovate, and mutually appreciate the rich lives that people wish to have in our great state.

BACK TO NORMAL OVER DOGMATIC RESISTENCE

Six months ago as vaccines were in early trials, many people were rebelliously saying, “I’m not going to take a new vaccine!” I’m struck by how the citizens of Israel accept that getting a vaccination is what needs to be done to get on with life for the good of the country and their fellow citizens. I wish that attitude were more universal in Colorado.

people waiting in line for vaccine concept

Still, I always suspected that for many who vowed not to take the vaccine, it would just be a matter of time before the weariness of being susceptible to COVID, the desire to be with family and friends, and a possible requirement to show proof of vaccination to get on a plane or attend a concert would outweigh dogmatic rejection. That’s happened – as many of us are clamoring to be next to roll up our sleeve, it bugs me that for some in line the rejection of science was only overcome by the desire for a more active and convenient life.

Move On To the Next Play

Jason Gay is a sportswriter for the Wall Street Journal. After the Super Bowl, he wrote, “Brady plays within his limits – he doesn’t try to exert his will on the game; he will take the incomplete pass and simply move on to the next play – and maybe that’s really his secret, not the protein shakes or deep-tissue massages.”

Simply move on to the next play – what a statement. It reminds me of my conversation with PROCO360 guest Avrum Emakis of CLMBR. He said,

“What I think is great about the TRUTH is that it always wins… It’s not about selling – it’s about sharing knowledge with people and letting them make a decision.”

American football player Tom Brady for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) takes part in a football training camp in Shanghai, China, 20 June 2017.

I told him his views are sort of like “Zen selling.” Tom Brady is quoted as saying, “I’m pretty calm all the time,” so maybe Brady’s approach to playing quarterback is “Zen football.” Most entrepreneurs are going a mile a minute, scrambling like some great quarterbacks do. In a to-be-released PROCO360 episode with John Street, CEO of Pax8, John says that one way he’s matured in his leadership is that he’s thinking more and listening more. Sure, it’s fun to watch Patrick Mahomes scramble around and he’s awesome – people love him. Many entrepreneurs think scrambling is what’s expected and needed to succeed – and for sure, startups often need to scramble – that’s just the reality. This comparison reminds me that staying thoughtful and focused, at least when on can, is a more mature way to win.

COVID-Coping Products Taken Too Far

This ad for a personal sauna just cracked me up.

I know, COVID has required us to stay home and a lot of us are investing in home–based self-care products. I bought a Peloton bike. It’s awesome, but I could have purchased TEN personal saunas and given them to friends and family. I don’t have a real point here. Sometimes I just have to shake my head at what is marketed to us and wonder, “Who buys that???”

Miscellaneous Thoughts