Speak Out or Get Out
Feb 23, 2010
I have made a career out of speaking my mind – and saying things that are not always viewed as popular. I’ve never done it simply to hear myself speak. Rather, my hope is to always trigger and provoke other peoples’ points of view, especially if they differ from my own. I never run from challenge. Instead I run to it. Why? I have always believed that the best business ideas and solutions come from working through points of conflict, not simply finding the greatest common point of agreement.
If more leaders felt – and acted – this way, I believe our world would have made more progress, and we would not be in the position we are in. This would be true in business, in politics and even in our personal lives. That is why I surround myself with the team I have. I make them better, and they make me better. That is why we always make progress.
I don’t think the rules should be any different on this blog. I don’t need to write a blog to hear my opinions. I write to trigger yours. You clearly did not subscribe to this blog to get my iTunes playlist or my Oscar picks. What gets under your skin? What might you disagree with? What truths do you think I need to hear?
Listen up: Leave your questions on my blog; leave your questions on my Twitter page (@JZspeaks) using the new hashtag #askjz. Every Wednesday, I’ll answer your questions. Nothing is off limits – business, politics, advertising, money – you name it. You may not like my response and I may not like yours, but I promise you I can take it. Can you?
If you can’t, I would suggest you check out the next showing of Avatar, download a nice John Mayer song, and leave this blog to the people with more of a backbone that aren’t afraid to go at it.
After your short video announcing a “Social Media Tidal Wave” on YouTube I wonder (not that it gets under my skin really) what your response to Jonathan Salem Baskin’s recent AdAge article on social media is?
http://adage.com/cmostrategy/article?article_id=142243.
I agree that social media will experience significant growth this year but how do you respond to Baskin’s (more accurately Edelman’s) contentention (ok study actually) that consumers don’t trust their “friends” as brand experts?
http://adage.com/article?article_id=141972
If the trend is toward NOT trusting the people we engage on these platforms how will advertisers and marketers adjust “the conversation” and will it even still be relevant? How much longer will it be until consumers confidence in the voices of brands in the social media spaces erodes as well?
You’ve always espoused selling a brand while simultaneously driving traffic and sales, so where does the Social media space fit in the Brandtailing pyramid? As I said, none of this is “under my skin” but as we all learn, absorbing the daily evolution of this exciting new form of communication with our customers, I am very curious to hear your opinion on Baskin’s perspective and the Edelman study. I have a hunch you will actually agree with them.
There, I’ve spoken out and I am not getting out so bring the knowledge JZ. I’ve never stopped listening.
Jordon, give us your business perspective on the US debt issue. I hear our total assets (banks, Stocks, property, etc) is 50 Trillion…and our debt (with obligations moving forward that are unfunded) exceed this amount? Can foreigners just up and buy all the stock in our companies? Cheers
Thanks for your question, Jim. I answer select questions every Wednesday on my blog – stay tuned. In the meantime, keep reading!
Thanks for your question, Ed. I answer select questions every Wednesday on my blog – stay tuned. In the meantime, keep reading!
I am in for this. Thanks for the light you bring to people’s lives everyday.
Economics can hardly predict prosperity in the future and politics can hardly be trusted to guaranty a better future (referring to current events in the US and all over the world). What is the best strategy for individuals to keep a good prospect of their own future, which will certainly count for the overall prosperity of a nation?
Thanks for your question, Pat. I answer select questions every Wednesday on my blog – stay tuned. In the meantime, keep reading!