Wednesday Words
To Go Where Your VisionPoints, a few inspiration points for you and your business.
The older I get, the more I see a straight path where I want to go. If you’re going to hunt elephants, don’t get off the trail for a rabbit.
—T. Boone Pickens, Texas billionaire investor
Kelly’s corollary: If you see an elephant, remember it’s what you came for. Go for it even if you’re terrified.
Grow and be well,
Kelly Erickson
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17 June 2009, 8:11 am
Ah, but how would I get here every morning if I wasn’t chasing rabbits?
I think following rabbit trails is fine for a break, especially if the view is nice. It’s the rabbit holes you’ve got to watch out for…
Off to bag me some elephants now.
~Graham
17 June 2009, 2:23 pm
Brett’s corollary: If you’re going to hunt elephants, and get off the trail for a rabbit, you’re going to end up with one messed up rabbit. Have you ever seen the size of an elephant gun?
17 June 2009, 3:26 pm
T. Boone Pickens.
Huh.
I’d almost swear you made that name up! (Just like I make my own fake quotes).
I mean…who calls themselves T. BOONE?
17 June 2009, 8:00 pm
@Friar – Actually, the Globe and Mail quoted him today too… How’s that for Kelly catching the Canadian vibe? (Or perhaps it’s the other way around. Yes, that’s more likely.)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/five-thoughts-from-t-boone-pickens/article1186193/
~Graham
17 June 2009, 8:03 pm
“Stay on target, stay on target” The last words of Gold Five from Star Wars.
Moral? Don’t stay on target if there is a guy behind you shooting at you. Turn you butt around and let ‘em have it.
I say slay the competition and steal his customers. It’s easier than going out and getting your own.
Eyeteaguy
Eyeteaguy’s last blog post…Eyeteaguy’s 10 rules to life.
18 June 2009, 7:45 am
@Eyeteaguy
Mmmmm….Strong in you, the Force is.
Resist the Dark Side, you must.
18 June 2009, 8:00 am
Resist the Dark Side?
Honey, I AM the Dark Side.
Sith Lord Eyeteaguy
Eyeteaguy’s last blog post…Eyeteaguy’s 10 rules to life.
18 June 2009, 9:04 am
Graham,
Shh… we don’t call this chasing rabbits, we call this “planning your elephant hunt.”
And thanks for that link—interesting interview, especially his last answer (sad but true for many). I am so glad that Canadians are catching the Kelly vibe.
Brett,
LOL. Instant rabbit nuggets.
Friar,
I thought of that—that’s why I included a description of what does with the quote. It’s certainly a classic southern-sounding name. Memorable, though!
Francis,
That is a very scary yet somewhat reasonable idea. If you can “slay” ‘em, of course you should. This is business, not a tea party, eh?
The dark side has quite a pull.
Regards,
Kelly
18 June 2009, 11:02 am
“If you’re hunting elephants, watch where you step. Those pachyderm patties are lu-lus.”
- Professor F. Meigh.
18 June 2009, 11:29 am
I always hunt rabbits. In fact, every now and then someone will come to me saying “Look, there’s an elephant right over there!” I ignore them. Once in a while an actual elephant has stepped into my trail and asked me to shoot at it, but I just keep walking.
That actually matches Pickens advice. If you know your market is small business, don’t get distracted because somebody from Ford Motor Company calls you. Just tell them the truth: your guns aren’t suitable for anything but rabbits.
Tony Lawrence’s last blog post…You lose one now and then
18 June 2009, 12:31 pm
Friar,
That professor is too smart. You know there’s really a lesson in there if I choose to see it, right? LOL.
Tony,
Then rabbits are your elephants. That’s why Pickens’ advice works—I think he’s not talking about size, just focusing on what you’re really after.
I’m going to check my voicemail to see if FoMoCo’s called yet. ‘Scuse me…
Until later,
Kelly
18 June 2009, 12:52 pm
I’ve just seen too many small businesses kill themselves by hunting big game.
You get that big contract that sucks up all your resources and then what happens when the contract ends? I’ve seen it too many times – I’d rather have two hundred rabbits than one elephant.
Tony Lawrence’s last blog post…You lose one now and then
18 June 2009, 1:24 pm
Tony,
Absolutely!
One super thing about small-business clients (among the many) is that they rave to each other (about you, if you’re worth talking about). So from two hundred rabbits you can wind up with six hundred interested contacts. That just doesn’t happen as readily with the elephants.
I agree, I’d far rather the two hundred rabbits. They’re my “elephants,” too.
Until later,
Kelly
18 June 2009, 1:34 pm
Rabbits are easier to bag, too. You just need to put out snares.
Elephants… you need to fly to Africa, you need a guide, a Land Rover, a large rifle…
18 June 2009, 1:37 pm
“they rave to each other”
Absolutely true. So many phone calls I get begin with “I got your name from…”
Funny thing is that most of the time I don’t recognize the name they give
Now, yeah, I’m forgetful, but it happens a lot. I’m not THAT forgetful. I think sometimes “Joe Smith” is somebody who “knows” me through my website but we’ve never actually had any other interaction. He recommends me based on what he knows from the site. That’s fine too, I guess.
Oddly, I almost never get that with email. I wonder why.
Tony Lawrence’s last blog post…You lose one now and then
19 June 2009, 10:48 am
I love T. Boone. His last book was as highly entertaining as it was no nonsense business. Whether it is rabbits or elephants, he’d be so much fun to have on the hunt. Makes me smile every time I see pure Boonisms.
Focus, breathe and bag whichever one you’re after…
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Grace Notes
19 June 2009, 8:18 pm
Yes, T. Picken Boone was a man.
Yes, a BIIIIIIG Man.
(No, sorry, wait..that was Dan’L).
Friar’s last blog post…Money Well Spent
19 June 2009, 8:51 pm
Sorry, long url: here’s T. Boone and Murdock
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.fastcompany.com/files/imagecache/panoramic_image/files/feature-80-tboone1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/126/a-mighty-wind.html&usg=__mzoX8ip3QIoVmAliADOKYZQcGm4=&h=225&w=575&sz=60&hl=en&start=5&sig2=lIc_k09j5OsMYuMDmo2Sew&um=1&tbnid=pSHPoCP-yNGArM:&tbnh=52&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3DT%2BBoone%2BPickens%2Band%2Bdog%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=JjI8SpjgO9KnmQeomazKDg
Janice Cartier’s last blog post…Grace Notes
22 June 2009, 5:26 pm
Brett,
LOL at snares. Maybe I could kick back a little more often?
I find my rabbits are far too wily for that laid-back approach, though.
Tony,
I wonder if it’s because phone calls seem more intrusive so folks feel the need to explain who sent them, but in email, they’re not worried about mentioning their connection?
Janice,
Thanks for that link. He is great to “listen” to. Lots of accumulated wisdom there.
Later,
Kelly
22 June 2009, 7:23 pm
Do you have to be able to eat the rabbits?
If not, poison. Even the wiliest rabbit has to eat…
Brett Legree’s last blog post…seemingly random thoughts on a rainy tuesday evening.
22 June 2009, 7:49 pm
Bwah ha ha.
What I love is that if I stretch my brain I can still see business metaphors here.
22 June 2009, 8:46 pm
Brett Legree’s last blog post…seemingly random thoughts on a rainy tuesday evening.