Our First "A Skosh on Four Things" Effort

So, we'll start our adventure into the regular posting and blogging with our first four takes. 

We'll try to have a little information on four "takes" (thanks Jim Rome) each day.  One each from the world of media, marketing, and business.  We'll have one wild card as there's more to life than just media, marketing, and business.

Sunday's takes:

Media: Bad strategic planning.

The president of Big Machine Records says that Pandora's business model is not his problem.  Pandora is a great music service.  However, they knew the game when they built their business.  They knew the costs associated with streaming music when they designed their service.  For them to cry now about changing the law or lobbying your representatives shows their lack of planning.  For a company that's supposedly cutting edge, they missed on this part of their plan.  This "uncertainty" about royalties and music fees will also affect the eventual sale price of the firm known as Pandora when it is acquired by a Comcast, Google, or other larger media company.

Marketing: Smartphone Inertia. 

I counted five "smartphones" on my home desk that I no longer use.  All of them have personal information on them.  They are simply gathering dust because I haven't taken the time to erase the info and donate them to a worthy charity (like some of the organizations that get them to members of the Armed Forces).

I saw this piece about what happens when a consumer upgrades.

I'm seeing a smart business opportunity for somebody to open a re-sale store for smartphones.  I know there are places like Gazelle, but that's almost too hard for me based on time constraints.  However, if I could drop by a storefront, make sure that the data was erased from my phone, and walk out with $40 for my old device, I'd do that in a minute.  If you can make it easy, I see a business model.

Business: Upgrade and Topgrade

I'm fascinated with Marissa Mayer. 

Maybe it's her Wisconsin roots and she shares a last name with my wife (who's also from Wisconsin).

Maybe it's her story and her overall intelligence.   

Maybe it's her plain and blunt style of speaking what's on her mind.

I loved her comments about always wondering if she has the best people around her at a conference last week.

It's a tough reality for executives to realize - that there might be somebody better for that position.  If I were in a leadership role for Mayer, I'd make sure that I was "bringing it" to work everyday (and performing).  Her toughness might be a little intimidating for some, it will also lead to her loyalty and her rewards.

Life: Transferable Skills

I'm a big believer in "transferable skills."  Skills that transfer from industry to industry and functional area to functional area.

I found this piece by Jeff McHugh a strong read.

I'm never met McHugh.  I do like his thinking.

That's today's "A Skosh of Four Things."  Thanks for reading and I hope you found something useful.