Comments on: The Downside of Being Provocative

By: Being Provocative On The Internetz | The Internet Marketing Spot

Being Provocative On The Internetz | The Internet Marketing Spot — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:07:04 +0000

[...] friend Stuart Foster wrote about the downside of being provocative today. If you haven’t read it, you should. Because as more companies decide to engage in social [...]

By: Provocative vs. Genuine - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:24:14 +0000

[...] blog I read suggested, “Being provocative isn’t about being controversial. It’s about being ahead of your time, [...]

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:38:23 +0000

True. But I can't crush that part of me. Therefore I utilize other outlets to pitch the Iphone ideas and try and keep the big picture thinking at work to a minimum.

I don't completely crush it though, I let it slip out from time to time. Otherwise, I'd probably go crazy.

By: kmskala

kmskala — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:27:12 +0000

Stuart, I think a big hurdle – one that I've discussed previously – is the notion of employees focusing too much of their attention on finding the next “big thing”. Everyone wants to be innovative and provacative. They want to come off as edgy. So we find a lot of folks racking their brain trying to come up with the next iPhone.

Instead, it's often the little ideas or the “bad ideas” that find the greatest success. So stop looking at the big picture all the time. Quit trying to be the next Facebook. Focus on foundation.

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:18:57 +0000

That's where I have seen the most growth in myself over the past 6 months. It's one thing to be contrarian and go against the grain. It's another thing entirely to try and run a business off that concept.

Surrounding yourself with great people (and trying to correct your own flaws) is a must. You need to reassess where you are going constantly and seek the input of others to stay on track.

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:12:41 +0000

The trick is this: being able to steer the boat in the direction you want it to go, then stepping back and only directing when it is deemed appropriate. If you can pull that off…you will have a LOT more longevity.

By: startabuzz

startabuzz — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:33:00 +0000

Finding the line between being provocative and effective can be a terrific feat, to be sure. While there will always be naysayers, the trick is to stand firm in your convictions, know what you're talking about, and be able to express your ideas in a way that doesn't make you seem like a total d-bag. going against the grain will always put you in the position of being seen as a boat-rocking pain in the ass, but it's a far better place than never taking control of the oars.

By: Anita Lobo

Anita Lobo — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:29:15 +0000

There's a fine line between being provocative [for the heck of it] and being contrarian! So many creative/ brilliant people end up being the lone gunman. A contrarian approach is also routinely misunderstood and degenerates into 'the world doesn't understand me'.

Many creative entrepreneurs fall into the trap of not 'seeing' their weaknesses. The results are painful.

It seems we've thought ourselves into 'its fashionable to be provocative'.

We've not yet learnt how to deal with 'being' contrarian, by doing things differently ie converting thought to action.

This is a well-thought out post Stuart. Well done.

Cheers

Anita Lobo

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:10:36 +0000

True. You will end up pissing a certain percentage of the population off (while being adored by the other segment). But here is the inherent problem with that: Like it or not…the percentage that hates you usually is in charge of the status quo. Thus, you are going to have to bend and work within the system whether you like it or not.

Creatives don't run America. The accountants do.

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 18:03:10 +0000

Yeah, sustainability is definitely the name of the game here. I've found through personal experience that you can not pull this off alone. Being provocative is fine…as long as you are smart enough to realize you need to surround yourself with people who can cover your ass, believe in what you are doing and encourage you forward.

Without that outside help…you are almost certainly going to fail.