Re: Changing the Standard

[Chris Blair] "Well that must be a California thing, because that would NEVER happen here in the midwest."

One thing I have learned about human nature, Chris, is that it is boringly consistent. I have traveled a lot in my days and have known people from disparate cultures in a wide range of areas. From this, I have deduced that the old saying that the follies and frailies of man are held in common is quite true.

While I would agree with you that it is a rare thing for a crappy restaurant to succeed -- it is rare here, too (even in California where we are all nuts and have our heads where the sun doesn't shine to escape the unrelenting scorch) -- the point was that determination is more important in some cases (and I would argue, most) than talent.

I have seen talent go unrewarded many times. I have seen dedication take the top of the mountain without much talent to back it up.

That was the point.

And to make it clear, I trump your 25 years in business by a decade and a half, so if we are going to get into experiential comparisons, I have been at it far longer and in far bigger markets with much more focused competition. So if you would like to turn this into a boy's gym wanker contest, then let's have at it.

I will stand by what I said: talent alone is NOT going to build a successful business. Sometimes, dedication wins without much talent to back it.

Life isn't fair.

Go figure...


[Chris Blair] "Hard work and enthusiasm and drive and tenacity pay off in knowledge and experience. These people achieve not only because they work hard, but that hard work makes them good at what they do."

I wish it were that simple. Working hard at your talent is also NOT the answer. I know many musicians that are some of the finest in the world, some that play rock even though they are qualified to play in a symphony orchestra if they so chose. They are skilled. They know their craft. They have honed their talent.

BUT...

They are almost all, terrible marketers and hate to sell themselves. They try to let their talent be their "calling card."

Most have failed.

Why?

Talent is NOT enough. The best reel in the world won't get you seen if you do not push it into people's faces...often. Oh, and then oftener still.

Persistence is more important than talent. That is a law of business. I have seen many artists in this industry fail, as I have been building these kinds of media professionals communities for about 15 years now. (14 years of web-based ones, and a year of local user groups before that.)

If I had $10 for each one that I have seen fail in that time, I could retire.

What's the lesson that I have learned in it all? It is contained in the Power of Artistic Passion issue of the magazine. Does it have all of the answers? No. But when you are fighting for your business life and survival in today's marketplace, some answers are better than the lack of answers that some businesses seem to be trying to fight with.

But that's just my opinion. You are free to yours.

Best regards,

Ron Lindeboom

Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.

Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint Exupéry