James Davies

Ignorant and Inexperienced

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:15:03 +1100

Everybody has to learn at some point, but when starting out there’s a tendency to shy away from new opportunities for fear of showing inexperience. Freeman Dyson, 88-years strong and still changing the world, says you need to embrace your ignorance:

Advice to people at the beginning of their careers: do not imagine that you have to know everything before you can do anything. My own best work was done when I was most ignorant. Grab every opportunity to take responsibility and do things for which you are unqualified.

Okay.

(via Behind Companies)

Make Yourself Redundant

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:05:12 +1100

Make Yourself Redundant:

To make yourself indispensable, Rob Ousbey says you should make yourself redundant. And I think he’s right - if you can improve the processes used in your role, you free yourself up to think about higher level priorities.

If you’re just doing, and not improving, then what’s your long term value?

Panic on the streets of London

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 22:32:09 +1000

Panic on the streets of London:

The news media seem to be struggling to uncover the motives behind London’s riots (perhaps in fear of copy-cats), but sheltering-Londoner Penny Red has this profound account that tells of the deeper meaning:

People riot because they have spent their whole lives being told that they are good for nothing, and they realise that together they can do anything – literally, anything at all. People to whom respect has never been shown riot because they feel they have little reason to show respect themselves, and it spreads like fire on a warm summer night. And now people have lost their homes, and the country is tearing itself apart.

For all that I complain about Australian politics, I feel intensely privileged to live in a country that is proud of its identity. I hope London finds the inner strength to pull through.

"It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique."

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:32:59 +1000

“It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique.”

- Conan O’Brien, being surprisingly pensive in his otherwise-comedic address to Dartmouth’s graduating class. Well worth your 23-minutes.

Innovation is Understanding Humans

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:05:17 +1000

Innovation is Understanding Humans:

New York venture capitalist Charlie O’Donnell gives a short course in innovation, hidden in which is this small nugget:

Entrepreneurs are, to their own disadvantage, punting on the understanding of human behavior they need to design products for the masses.

The nugget is that real innovations are based on an understanding of people and society (not necessarily “the market”) rather than an understand of technology. Innovations fail because they are usually intended to solve a funding problem, rather than contributing value to the lives of real people.

Balancing for the Good Life

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 22:20:57 +1000

Balancing for the Good Life:

Pete and Laura Wakeman of Great Harvest Bread Co. work 1,000 hours per year - roughly 20 hours per week. If, as I am, you’re struggling to get the work-life balance right, this is an interesting perspective that will make you think about your priorities. (But it’s not a solution that will work for everybody).

I didn’t realise this article was over 10 years old until I was done reading. With the added pressures of always-on internet and social media, I wonder how the Wakeman’s are doing it today?

(via Curved White).

Sun, 29 May 2011 20:39:49 +1000

(via Curved White).

Emerging economies are presenting challenges to firms who are...

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:11:21 +1100

Emerging economies are presenting challenges to firms who are stuck in their old ways - the profit-centre is moving towards the fringes. Is the mass market dying, perhaps? I don’t think so, but the notion of pleasing everybody seems to be fading away. You can’t peddle to the lowest common denominator anymore.

(An oldie but a goodie from Steve Sammartino).

"Life's too short for the wrong job"

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:58:25 +1100

"Life's too short for the wrong job":

Thoughtful and funny advertising campaign for a German career website. I think a lot of people feel like this but are never brave enough to do anything about it.

Photo

Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:01:40 +1100

The Secret Room The New York Times takes a look inside...

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:12:10 +1100

The Secret Room

The New York Times takes a look inside Pixar’s studios, and it’s even more amazing than you might have thought. My favourite part is how Steve Jobs’ designed the building for spontaneous conversations. Small detail, massive result.

You want to work here.

Growing is Forever Mesmerising short film by Jesse Rosten.

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:34:45 +1100

Growing is Forever

Mesmerising short film by Jesse Rosten.

Press On

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:10:00 +1100

Press On:

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.”

Update: Get Action.

Things Real People Don’t Say About Advertising A real...

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 19:37:12 +1100

Things Real People Don’t Say About Advertising

A real treat for anyone who has ever studied advertising or sat through a buzzword-flooded planning meeting. Keep it simple, because most of the time your customers aren’t as complicated as they seem.

"We did not inherit the world from our parents. We are borrowing it from our children."

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 21:15:25 +1100

“We did not inherit the world from our parents. We are borrowing it from our children.”

- Unknown.

A tour-guide presented me this perspective as he took us through the township of Imizamo Yethu in South Africa. Sadly I did not catch his name, but he was a generous social worker who spent hours of time with the children in his community based on this perspective.

I feel an enormous sense of responsibility whenever I recall these words.

Perspectives of Poverty

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 18:42:16 +1100

Perspectives of Poverty:

Fascinating photography project from Duncan McNicholl. Sick of non-profits using pitiful images to extract donations, he visited typical households in rural Africa and took two photos - one “wochena” (dressed to kill), and one “wosachena’ (dressed very poorly). It’s quite discomforting to see how easily someone can be dehumanised.

“NGOs come to the village here to take pictures of people. At church, at the market, on the road, at meetings. Only people who are dressed poorly.”

At The Simunye Project, we’re strongly against using guilt as a fundraising tool, not only because it’s manipulative, but because of this huge potential to misrepresent.

"If I’d asked my customers what they wanted, they’d have said a faster horse."

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:56:00 +1100

“If I’d asked my customers what they wanted, they’d have said a faster horse.”

- Henry Ford.

But if you interpret this as an excuse to ignore your customers, you’re doing it wrong.

Brilliantly sarcastic campaign from Subaru to launch their 2011...

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:22:31 +1100

Brilliantly sarcastic campaign from Subaru to launch their 2011 Legacy. Be sure to check out the companion site which is just as beige, and just as awesome.

Two Marketers Walk Into a Bar

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:47:00 +1100

There are two kinds of marketers.

The first kind shows up to work and has her first conversation with her boss. “What do you want me to sell?” she asks. She takes it to her customers and says, “this is what you’re going to buy.”

The second kind shows up to work and has her first conversation with her market. “Who are you? Why are you here? What turns you on?” she asks. She builds a deep, insightful understanding of the market and tells her boss, “this is what we’re going to make.” She takes it to her customers and says, “this is what we created for you.”

Make something meaningful and make the sale.

The tag on my new (favourite) t-shirt: “This will be your...

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 12:51:11 +1100

The tag on my new (favourite) t-shirt:

“This will be your new favourite t-shirt. If you’re rich, buy one for every day of the week. If you’re not, wash it or just spray with cologne.”

Makes me smile every time I put it on.