Three Things I learned in Saas, Sports, Tech & Live Events
1. Authenticity as the new currency 2. Be very careful how to cancel meetings 3. Scoreboard! It works at work too
The Three Things I Learned In Saas, Sports, Tech & Live Events:
Authenticity has demolished the status quo. In everything. One word took over the day at our summit conference two weeks back: authenticity. Kenny Smith shared the secret to how Inside The NBA has stayed so relevant for 22 years with a number of stories about honesty and authenticity. There are no scripts and they have freedom to be themselves - he even told a funny story about hazing Shaq in his first week. Ali Kreiger and Ashlyn Harris shared how athletes are empowered to be their whole selves and partnering with companies who support their individuality. And nearly every guest commented on one aspect of the entire event we so carefully hoped would shine through: authenticity. People trying their best to help each other - faults, differences, and everything. Be nice. Be honest. It can work. At least that's what we're trying.
How you cancel on someone matters. For some, the business world is a playground of connections made by wealthy parents or the like. For others, rolodex's are built by cold outreach. As we came up, we were cancelled on over and over. It happens. We didn't "matter" to them (Still don't to many). But the pendulum sometimes swings. There are a number of people who treated us like dirt now trying to sell us their products and services. Some even confused as to why we won't take their calls (remember, they're more important than us). If at any point you decide to cancel on people last minute, no-show a call or blow off the in-person for a phone call, know that bridge is likely burned. I've been as guilty as this as anyone, even though I was advised early to "network down too." Great advice. We have no idea who can help us down the road.
Scoreboard. Back in the LA Kings days I rolled in late one morning and started talking crap online in my fantasy league before getting to work. Little did I know my boss' boss had quietly pulled up a chair behind me. Took me a minute to notice, and the whole pit was watching by the time I did. "Gonna do any work today Knopp?" Busted. But I had a card to play. I pointed to the sales standings on the wall where I was #1 and #1. "Scoreboard. You're at the wrong desk." He laughed (he's a great boss and still a friend). We all screw up. A lot. Amazing how those who put in the work get a lot more understanding. Results matter.