ntrprnr

Hey gang...

So I talk all the time about how I use my ADHD to my advantage, and usually mention that I started skydiving as a way to keep it in check, and even benefit from it - I've since met a handful of others like us who do the same thing.

Reason I asked is this - I launched a podcast last month called www.fasterthanormal.com, that focuses on the benefits of having ADD/HD, and showcases/interviews brilliant people who have figured out how to turn their ADD/HD into their advantage, like I have.

Wondering if anyone here has been diagnosed, and uses skydiving as a way to medicate, and if so, would want to be a guest on the podcast? We've had several CEOs, celebs, etc., on so far, including the CEO of Docusign, the Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Boston, etc.

Any takers? Shoot me an email - [email protected] - Would love to talk to you and learn your secrets!

And, (self-promotion here,) if you think you have it, or know/love/work with someone who has it, take a listen/subscribe to the podcast. I've been told it's quite helpful. :)

Old McDonald had Tourette's...

E-I-E-I cunt.

Couldn't agree more. Remember when Starbucks got into the "content" game? Ugh. Was like licking a fish.

quade

Companies can have ridiculous amount of success and growth when they first introduce something as revolutionary as the GoPro. However, at some point, market saturation sets in. Further growth has diminishing returns. You can only sell so many action cameras. At some point, pretty much all the people who would want one, has one. Then, competition also starts to catch up further limiting growth.

I'm amazed how often this sort of thing happens.

What GoPro needs is another innovative product line. You can only go so far doing one thing.

http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/gopro-zander-lurie-resigns-lay-off-100-1201679367/

Numbers down, revenue down, layoffs.

I'm taking a bunch of people to see it tomorrow at noon, including some skydivers. Can't wait. :)

Love the different perspective!

HAHAHAHA! :)

I was actually serious - Nice Companies is my third book - and for each one, I go on Amazon the day it's released and buy a few hundred copies at regular price. I call it a donation to the Karma box. When I meet someone who wants to know more about me, when I go to a potential client meeting, and yes, when the book comes up in conversation with people who I consider "closer" than the norm, because we share a common bond, I'm honored to send them a copy - on me.

It's good Karma. My first cat was named Karma. She still looks after me and keeps me humble, despite being gone from this world for a few years now.

So yeah - If you want one, I'm happy to send it. Seriously. No strings. :)

O, I've heard of them. ;(

The whole point I made in the book is that in the end, it's going to come down to employees being happy - only then will customers be happy - and only then will customers who are happy bring new customers - we're moving into an age where advertising and marketing are going to fail - only personal recommendation will be the win.

Anyone who wants a copy - email me - peter at shankman dot com - with your physical address - happy to send you one, no charge. Don't sell it on eBay.

Totally agree - No work-life balance at all back then - But - it wasn't just Apple - every company in that space was following the same suit - and almost every company has since changed - When I worked at AOL in 1995, they ENCOURAGED us to date within the company, because it meant we wouldn't leave early to meet someone for a date. That's what the startup/tech field was back then - and even before.

Apple, like every other tech company (and startup) has evolved - Now, work-life balance is touted as a reason to work for company X over company Y, because they provide a better one. Amazing how things come full circle over time.

While Jobs was no doubt a hardass who demanded perfection, he did have a surprising amount of loyalty in him. Some of the interviews I did showed a man who didn't tolerate anything but the best from his employees, but wasn't a "mean" man. It's easy to confuse the two, but they're intrinsically two different sets of values.

Going on CNN international in six minutes. I'll do it when I get back to my office. :)

You really think I took you seriously? I know I don't post here a lot, but surely you know me better than that. :)

The book is called nice companies finish first, it's a best seller, and I'm awesome. :)

Don't post about my book - Andy gets sand in his vagina. :)

ryoder

From the Amazon summary:

"The era of authoritarian cowboy CEOs like Jack Welch and Lee Iacocca is over. In an age of increasing transparency and access, it just doesn’t pay to be a jerk—to employees, customers, competitors, or anyone else. In Nice Companies Finish First, Shankman, a pioneer in modern PR, marketing, advertising, social media, and customer service, profiles the famously nice executives, entrepreneurs, and companies that are setting the standard for success in this new collaborative world. He explores the new hallmarks of effective leadership, including loyalty, optimism, humility, and a reverence for customer service, and shows how leaders like Jet Blue’s Dave Needleman, Tony Hsieh of Zappos, Steve Jobs of Apple, Ken Chenault of Amex, Indra Nooyi of Pepsi, and the team behind Patagonia harness these traits to build productive, open, and happy workplaces for the benefit of their employees, themselves, and the bottom line."

What???
I've never heard anything good about how he treated people.
Although I do admire what he accomplished with the company.

I edited my previous post for you, Andy. Hope it's more to your liking.

Sad part is that companies like this are actually shooting themselves in the foot, profit-wise, by acting this way.

Edited to say I wrote a book about it but can't mention the name because people below are getting sand in their vaginas thinking that linking to the book is advertising, which in fact I'm pointing out that I did two fucking years of research on the concept of companies being nice vs. not being nice.

"The slap."

http://youtu.be/ninOz5ValUM

It's beyond addictive, for some reason.

I've moved my cats to four apartments. Love them, feed them, accept that everything that's yours is theirs, and you'll have no problems at all. :)

Welcome to the feline club! :)

Hey gang... I'm producing the IMAX premiere of the new Transformers movie, and it's this Wednesday, including a cocktail party before the movie. I've got ten passes to give out. Anyone in the NYC area want them? If so, just shoot me an email - [email protected] - I'd love to meet some new DZ people, and you get to enjoy an awesome movie and free drinks and popcorn. :)

Email me, twardo. I've got space for ya. :)

Hey guys... I've been producing a bunch of one-day business masterminds - six or so hours of working in person with about 30 other entrepreneurs, business owners, and CEOs to figure out how to blow through problems and increase revenue. It's brainstorming specific to each person's industry, solid networking, and even a keynote from me. :)

I've done them already in about fifteen cities - I'm doing one in Houston on the 10th - I've got a about three or so spots left that didn't sell yet, and I know Houston is a big jumper community - so I'm giving back.

If you fit the description here: www.shankminds.com/houston, and you KNOW you can make it (i.e., you won't email me the night before and flake,) I'm happy to invite you for the day as my guest. (i.e., no charge.)

I know I haven't posted here a lot lately, but no doubt a bunch of regulars on here can vouch for me - Remster, Skymama, etc...

If you want to join as my guest in Houston next week, just shoot me an email - [email protected].

Hope to see a few of you there next week. :)

-Peter

Sigh.

JohnMitchell

No, I haven't. But good to hear from you, Peter.

Hi, John! :)

Hey guys... Got a question for you for a book I'm writing. I've got four chapters to go, and of course, it's due tomorrow.

Have you ever experienced an incident in the skydiving world with a product that you bought that then didn't work, and the company from which you bought it wasn't helpful in either getting it fixed or getting you a replacement, but then ANOTHER company heard about your issue and either sent you a free version of THEIR product, or gave you a massive discount or something to win your business?

In other words, ever have a problem with one company, and it was solved by a new company that stole you from the original company? I'm trying to show how in small industries, someone is always listening, and if you're not on your customer service game, you'll lose.

Sorry if that's jumbled... I haven't slept much in the past few days... I probably should have started working on this book when I got the contract six months ago, as opposed to waiting until the last week.

Thanks, guys...

-Peter Shankman - the Skydiver who frequently forgets to go skydiving.

I'm sure this is just because I've already visited the site and the cookies are tracking me (i.e., follow-cookies,) but it's still pretty cool to be reading a random DZ.com post and find an ad with your photo on it.

http://screencast.com/t/FgQB2NGT


-Peter

ADDED BONUS:

Making your own peanut butter allows you to play with the colors and the consistency. For instance...

I made cashew butter that looks surprisingly like baby poop. I have a three-month old. I went and changed her, threw the dirty diaper away, put a clean one on her, took another clean one, spread some cashew butter on it, and called my wife in.

"Honey, this doesn't look or smell right. It's rather light brown... I think something might be..." (scoops finger in, puts wad of "baby poop" in mouth) yeah, this is off...

(Wife screams, runs out of the room, gagging.)

Best baby joke so far.

I do kind of feel bad for my wife that she's married to me, though...