I don’t know about you, but I fly so much that when I finally get on board a plane, stow my roller bag, and get settled in, the last thing I want to do is strike up a conversation with the person in the next seat.
But maybe I should.
In reading an interview with Mark Zuckerberg in Fortune last week, he talked extensively about his highs and lows, as well as his approach to business.
But one of the most interesting insights into the mind of Zuck was that he sets an annual goal for himself. In 2011, it was to learn Mandarin. Last year, he pledged to spend time each day actually programming (writing code).
Turns out this year, Zuckerberg has a very different goal, and it’s worth sharing. He told writer Jessi Hempel his 2013 goal is to meet one new person outside of Facebook each day.
According to Zuckerberg, the idea is to simply get a “broader perspective.” When you spend time with your staff, your co-workers, and others in your business, you lose the POV of the consumer, the person on the street, John and Joan Q. Public.
In the world of Facebook, this has to provide him with important insights about the nature of people, which is, of course, the backbone of his business – connecting with others. You’re not going to learn that by just talking to other Silicon Valley nerds or staring at “big data.”
And isn’t that true of all of us in media? We’re craft and market information and entertainment for people whose changing tastes and habits are very difficult to track. We try to do this with our ongoing focus groups and Listener Advisory Panels, as well as major annual research studies like our Techsurvey9 and Public Radio Tech Survey 5 (in the field as I write this).
But none of that data can replace basic human interaction – especially when it comes to the realization that very few live and breathe over what we do.
I admire Zuckerberg’s goal, and it’s something that I will start aspiring to do moving forward this year. I have a feeling that I’m not the only person who might benefit from the perspective and experience that comes from connecting with a few non-industry types.
Say hello to that person in the next seat.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Radio + Thanksgiving = Gratitude - November 27, 2024
- Is It Quittin’ Time For SiriusXM? - November 26, 2024
- Radio, It Oughta Be A Crime - November 25, 2024
Leave a Reply