Can you make supernormal profit (money) without being evil?

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by Stan Faryna

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Eminem, Love the way you lie

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Google says point blank, dogmatically, and in bold…

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You can make money without doing evil.

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Does Google’s shutting down Google Reader bear reflection upon the ten things that Google knows to be true?

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Shutting down Google Reader disconnects people, prevents them from sharing, and changes the game on several levels for many stakeholders. But is that evil?

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What is evil?

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Wikipedia doesn’t give an illuminating definition of evil.

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Myself, I have always considered evil as the deprivation of the dignity of a thing – especially a deprivation of the dignity of the human person. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, for example, are universally considered basic to the design and identity of a human being. That which threatens deprivation (or actually deprives us) of our good exercise of this existential property by intention, therefore, is unmistakably evil.

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Murder, theft, lies, supernormal taxes, unjust laws, unbounded ambition, and adultery are conspicuous and patent examples of evil – recognized alike by the ancient shepherd and modern cosmopolitan. Most of us (myself included) participate in evil to some degree – more often than we may want to admit to ourselves. It is unfortunate…

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But as much as is at stake in Google’s shut down of Google Reader – the deprivation of a free service (once provided at Google’s expense) does not appear to be evil. Even if the deprivation causes harm.

Untimely cancellation of a free service or feature is, in fact, the territory and culture of the proverbial free lunch.

The shut down may encourage us, however, to reflect on Google’s motives and brand.

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Googles’ decision, for example, seems to contradict other Google truths. Are these paradoxes a symptom of incompetent management (Kitchen Nightmare) or a conspiracy of brand?

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Focus on the user and all else will follow.

There’s always more information out there.

Great just isn’t good enough.

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Ultimately, if the moral arc of Google’s character is profoundly problematic, perhaps we should consider the alternatives and disempower the capricious, authoritarian throne that Google seems to pursue.

The more important lessons, nonetheless, are clear:

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Users of freeware, beware.

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Don’t build your dream, business, mission-critical process, product or service on freeware.

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If you’re not paying for it, it’s not a tangible asset. At best, it’s a hack (cheat).

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Stan Faryna
14 March 2013
Fairfax, Virginia

Does Design Matter? And other social media DOHs

by Stan Faryna

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Fellow blogger Ralph Dopping asks if design matters when you are buying a toaster. Read it here:

Does Design Matter when you are buying a Toaster?

The higher cost of a well designed product, Ralph suggests, deserves a second chance – even if the price tag stabs you in eye. Because there’s a chance that the functionality of the design may represent benefits (for you) which may or may not be immediately obvious and useful to you.

All of which reminds me of a frequent and recurring conversation that comes up when someone new visits with me in my home office.

The conversation usually begins like this:

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Them: I like this chair. It’s [interesting, cool, and makes a statement]. Where did you get it?

Me: It’s made by Poltrona Frau. The company that does the leather upholstery for Ferrari – among other things. It’s called a Hydra armchair.

Them: FERRARI?! It must be expensive. How much was it? $1,000?

Me: $5,000. Each.

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At which point, the person recognizes that their curiosity about the price was inappropriate.

Or, if they lack tact, they say that they would never spend that kind of money on a chair, that they could never imagine having the kind of money that would allow them to make such a purchase decision as I have made, OR they ask me if it’s the best fucking chair in the world.

My favorite armchairs for sitting, however, are not the Poltrona Fraus. They are also “design” products – leather upholstered, cubic in form, but they cost about $500 each. They were made by a currently bankrupt, no name company in a bad neighborhood of Bucharest. Those well designed arm chairs are in the living room and they have resisted  heavy wear and tear for ten years. And, I suppose, they shall go another ten years. Or longer – if I rehabilitate them.

I once put a Poltrona Frau Hydra armchair in the living room – it did not take kindly to wear and tear. It was yellow and the color of the leather faded on the arms in two years. In three years, the leather began to wear noticeable in places. And, then, that poor thing suffered from the affections of my then toddler son.

Johnny loved the Poltrona Frau – a testament to the proposition that good design, like art, can appeal to all ages regardless of prejudice.

The Poltrona Fraus in my home office, however, serve different purposes. These armchairs inspire and provoke the imagination, they are fire starters to passionate conversations, and they make an authoritative statement. About design, mostly. But, perhaps, the Poltrona Fraus also tell a compelling and interesting story about me, what I know, what I have done, and what I can do.

Perhaps. Function and value should never be overstated.

The question, however, does design matter?, is an important question – especially to those of us interested in a successful online strategy – online presence, online advertising and marketing, websites, blogging, ecommerce, etcetera.

Good design matters. It goes beyond the first impression. It goes beyond the look and feel. It is an end to end matter. Good design, however, is not perfection.

Regardless of your design insight (or lack thereof), your own resources will determine how and when you can apply design solutions to the various present or impending challenges at hand.

Too often, the lack of resources which we (you or I) bring to the design of whatever we are doing – will, unfortunately, overstate the following:

1. who we are not
2. what we have not done, and
3. what we can not do

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That sucks…

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What’s your junk saying about you, your business, your product, or your services?

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Stan Faryna
25 October 2012
Bucharest, Romania

Other quick meditations of online strategy, social media, design and everything else:

Professional brand (yours) and other social media DOHs

Sustainable Failure

The Future of Blogging is Hot Magenta

Professional brand (yours) and other social media DOHs

Professional Brand. And other social media DOHs.

by Stan Faryna

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The consideration of personal brand here reminds me of a question that I often revisit.

What makes a professional brand exciting to me?

And admittedly, I often get to the same chicken and egg conundrum.

Where is the priority? Existing relationships or value proposition.

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This is not either/or – success and results demand both. Seemingly, equally.

Existing relationships can be a powerful indicator of recognized, proven value.

Value proposition invites and sustains connection, interest, and engagement.

When I consider a potential employee’s or business partner’s online presence, I want to see shares, reach, connection, engagement, and contribution (professional and otherwise). Buzz – not so much.

But I also want to see something that sets them apart and represents their intelligence, curiosity, character, collaborative capacity, and, for lack of a better term, humanity.

The later are the best indicators of the real value and resources they can bring to an organization or project(s).

For example, I would hire or work with Jack Steiner in a heart beat – if the results demanded that collaboration. And not just Jack.

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Need a list?

Breakthrough professional insight - is awesome, but breakthrough insights are as rare as Osmium.

Independent thinking - irreverent opinion and skepticism is often mistaken for independent thought; the substance of rain-making, critical, independent thought, however, will never resemble molecular acid.

On the other side of the coin, pink bunnies and strident positivity never proliferate as measurable advantages, added value, or results. In fact, the pink bunnies have an uncanny pattern of trending toward death marches, failure, repeated failure, sustainable failure, and/or a high casualty count.

Creativity – but don’t bring your crayons or the naiveté of the grade school artist to the table. There is no vacant space on my fridge, thanks. If it doesn’t address or solve my (or our) problem, keep it on your fridge and do something better.

Passion – not to be mistaken as a license for licentious self-expression, unending self-defeat, or exhibition of behavioral issues that will get in the way of our collaboration. Be real and, sometimes, be the fool that battles windmills – this will recommend your courage and sincerity. But do not drool.

Vulnerability – as in own up to your mistaken opinions and failures, say your sorry, and give honor to those who deserve your recommendation. As often as you can! But do not paint a self-portrait that suggests you are a ticking time bomb. Or just another zombie.

The later only invites head shots – if you didn’t know. [grin]

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Stan Faryna
22 October 2012
Bucharest, Romania

A Leadership Story: Louis Vuitton and Muhammad Ali

Are you a leader?

by Stan Faryna

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Muhammad Ali

It’s been weeks since I’ve written about the things that travel my heart. Weeks. I just needed a little inspiration. Something beautiful to carry me to words that could float me. Float me like a butterfly and give me a sting. Like a bee.

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Muhammad Ali

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Louis Vuitton’s online feature of Muhammad Ali (aka Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.) was just the thing. Muhammad Ali (nicknamed The Greatest) is an icon – not was. Three-time Heavyweight Boxing Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Ali did not just hit hard in the boxing ring, he hit hard with words. For Civil Rights, Human Rights, and the dignity of the human person.

Oh – Ali threw his Olympic Gold medal into the Ohio river when an American restaurant refused to serve him a meal because he was black.

Muhammad Ali is also the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005). The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor that is bestowed upon a man or woman in the United States of America. This high honor gives recognition to the individual who has made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

It is an honor that you or I, perhaps, shall never receive. In other words, you and I may never compare to The Greatest. Remember that when you think of Ali. And don’t stop trying to be a better you.

See the Louis Vuitton feature on The Greatest here:

http://www.louisvuittonjourneys.com/thegreatest

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Muhammad Ali’s story reminds me that leadership is not just about glory and the epic, fortunes, windfall, and accommodations. It is much more about the service, of what was given, and the sacrifices made to advance a good cause.

I am reminded that leadership demands that we have to stake our resources (personal, financial and otherwise) against the challenges which we face as leaders. And the challenges we must face because someone must do the right thing, set an example, and demonstrate the taller measure of humanity.

Muhammad Ali put his career and honor on the line – when he spoke out against war. He was arrested. He was illegally and unconstitutionally harassed by the United States Federal Government. Yes. That’s right. Any government is capable of doing as much evil as it may do good.

Ali was even on the President’s black list. For all the wrong, ignorant and, yes, prejudicial reasons.

Years later, the United States Supreme Court vindicated Muhammad Ali.

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What good cause do you serve, today? What good cause do I serve?!

What kind of future are you building? Is it a future of we. Or just you?

It is a question that I put to the man in the mirror. Often.

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Stan Faryna
17 August 2012
Bucharest, Romania

Brands are like Tinkerbell: Stop believing in them and they die.

Brands are like Tinkerbell: Stop believing in them and they die.

by Stan Faryna

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Never Never Land

Mark Pesce, an Australian entrpreneur, recently tweeted:

Brands are like Tinkerbell: If you stop believing in them, they die.

Pesce’s tweet reminds me of the ancient proverb about the things that we believe:

Seeing is believing.

That’s what comScore and Pretarget are suggesting. That a parlay on online display ads pays handsomely. Because brands get seen online. Clicks, They are also suggesting, are not the last word in conversion: transaction, interaction, conversation, and/or community. In other words, online measurement and metrics are suspect. Say What?

Who’s calling shenanigans on who!?

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Saint Germain, Sure Thing

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Beyond advertising, social, and IBM. And other digital DOHs.

Beyond advertising, social, and IBM. And other digital DOHs.

by Stan Faryna

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IBM’s 2009 report, Beyond Advertising, was said to be a feast. Download it here. But if it was a feast, it was a feast of leftovers. Think Thanksgiving – or, more precisely, the three day old leftovers of Thanksgiving. And that was in 2009!

The Beauty of Pollination

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Social Savvy: Job number one is making @bdorman264 look good.

by Stan Faryna

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Jack Steiner has inspired me to write yet another blog post. That’s two for this week. If you do social media or just blog and you don’t have a reach of five million, you’d be crazy not to subscribe to TheJackB’s blog.

Jack’s blog post today is a five minute exercise.

Two other bloggers (and Triberrites) also inspire my thoughts in this five minute blog post:

Anthony Iannarino, President and Chief Sales Officer for SOLUTIONS Staffing.

Bill Dorman, Principal at Lanier Upshaw, a full service, independent insurance agency in Lakeland, Florida.

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The Black Eyed Peas, I Gotta Feeling

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Anthony Iannarino writes about how to think about a sale in his blog post, Companies Don’t Make Decisions. People Make Decisions.

Writes Anthony:

… companies don’t make decisions. People acting as their agents make those decisions. People make decisions.

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Anthony makes some excellent points about what those individuals expect from a sales relationship with you. I would like to add another awesome point to Anthony’s list. It is a point made by Bill Dorman – he made this point a few weeks ago in his blog post, Great hair alone won’t make you awesome in social.

Writes Billy:

I have a great team where I work. If you ask anyone on my team what their number one responsibility is, they will reply ‘to make Billy look good’.

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Job number one is making your customer (buyer, reader, fan, follower, friend, etc.) look good. That may include making them look smart, deserving of kudos and promotions, sex, whatever.

Steve Jobs understood this.

A MacBookPro, an iPhone, and an iPad makes the fanboys (and girls) look good. In other words, cool, sexy, and socially saavy.

From a technology standpoint, Apple products have always been lackluster. I have every right to make such a criticism because I have spent over $50,000 on Apple products, licences, etc. in the last seven years. [grin]

Who did you make look good today?

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Stan Faryna
15 April 2012
Bucharest, Romania

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Feedback

If you think that this blog post sucks, let me know in your comment and don’t forget to include a link to YOUR favorite blog post.

If you think this blog post rocks, tell me why it rocks in the comment. “Awesome,””Great post,” etc. works for me. Don’t forget to include a link to YOUR most recent blog post.

Subscribe to this blog if you would enjoy keeping up with my thoughts and commentary. Like it, rate it and share it – if you want to give me some love. Oh yeah – if you have pinsanity, feel free to follow me on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/faryna

Q: Is revenue from online display advertising a dead end for bloggers?

Q: Is revenue from online display advertising a dead end for bloggers?

by Stan Faryna

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Bruce Springstein, Glory Days

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Ron Elwell, CEO of Swoop, an online ad platform, says that engagement has been declining over the last decade.

Engagement rates with display ads are now below .09%.

Why This Blog Post Sucks! And other social media DOHs.

Why This Blog Post Sucks.
by Stan Faryna

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Pink Floyd, Money

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This blog post sucks. Don’t write a blog post like I have done here. There’s no happy place here. That’s going to be your take away.

Engage a person. And other social media dohs! 5 minute therapy.

You’re not alone.

Open your mind. Surely, it’s plain to see…

If you are going to get anything out of this blog post, you’ll need to say it with me:

I’m not alone.

Stop!

Say it with your mouth. If you can do it without disturbing the peace, say it loudly.

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I’m not alone.

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If you are too proud to say with your mouth, you’re never going to get social media. Or life. Or love! That’s just the way it is.

Last chance to save your soul…

I’m not alone.

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Open your heart.

Let love penetrate. Trust me on this for five minutes. Because I don’t want your money. Buy yourself something nice. Or give it to a worthwhile cause.

Here’s some music – if you need a little help. Pump up the volume. You can read on while you listen to the music.

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ATB – You’re Not Alone

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Less than an hour ago, I received a tweet from Jessica Northey:

@Faryna I love your profile pic/avi! it’s gorgeous! also the love the photo on your blog. Is that your son?? he’s sooooo cute!!! xo

I replied:

@JessicaNorthey Jessica: Wow! You know how to engage. I can think of no better first tweet engagement than yours just now.

And I meant exactly what I said. I also followed up with two more tweets:

@JessicaNorthey Here’s a pic of me and my son, Johnny http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=450901373414&set=t.704673414&type=1&theater

@JessicaNorthey Just read your About on fingercandymedia.com. You are amazing. How do you do it all?! Do you sleep? <smile>

This is a beautiful start to engagement. It is an encounter of two hearts – and minds and whole persons. Curiosity, excitement, encouragement… and lots of other good stuff. It’s all there.

How do you engage?

Engagement happens when you understand that you are not alone and you honor the others that share this world with you. Because the ideas, insights, or inspirations shared through social media come from real people. Sometimes.

Engagement can not be counted in the number of tweets, retweets, page views, referrals, shares, likes, etc. Because in true engagement, we don’t know where it ends. It can also transcend time and space.

What about those real people out there? In life as in social media, people are the bottom line as much as you are the bottom line.

Yes, you are the bottom line of amazing. Don’t you forget that!

Stan Faryna
23 June 2011
Bucharest, Romania

If you’d like to connect with me, follow @Faryna and tweet me up on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/faryna

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About Stan Faryna

Mr. Faryna is the founder and co-founder of several technology, design and communication companies in the United States and Europe including Faryna & Associates, Inc., Halo Interactive, and others.

Stan Faryna served as a Global Voices author and translator. Global Voices is a non-profit global citizens’ media project founded at Harvard Law School’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society, a research think-tank focused on the Internet’s impact on society.

His political, scholarly, social and technical opinions have appeared in The Chicago Defender, Jurnalul National, The Washington Times, Sagar, Saptamana Financiara, Social Justice Review, and other publications.

Mr. Faryna also served as editor-in-chief of Black and Right (Praeger Press, 1996), a landmark collection of socio-political essays by important American thinkers including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Copyright

Copyright 1996 to 2012 by Stan Faryna.

Here’s my fair use policy for my content: If you want to share my content with your own audience, you may quote a brief excerpt, if and only if, you provide proper attribution (Source: The unofficial blog of Stan Faryna) with a direct link to the source. Generally speaking, as long as you are not acting as an agent or on behalf of a corporation or institution, I am not interested in any payment for the quotation or use of a complete article. Nevertheless, you may not republish or translate the entire article without my written permission. Send your request for permission via Facebook. Or tweet me up me on Twitter.