The Cow v. Ice Cream

Ok, here it comes again. The run up to the Presidential Elections of 2016 and now we will get bombarded with ads and promises and debates and more ads and analysis and polls, and yada, yada, yada.

Some time ago I read an article about a 3rd grade class that was being taught a civics lesson about the President and how we go about electing one. The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest of what was going on outside of their classroom. So, the teacher decided to have an election for a class president. The children would choose their nominees. Those nominees would make a campaign speech and the class would vote. To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. The class discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have. There were many nominations and from those, tow students, let's call them Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot. The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. Many thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support, were as the teacher had never seen Olivia's mother.

The day arrived when the two were to make their speeches and Jamie went first. He had specific ideas about how to make the class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Every one applauded. He sat down and Olivia came to the podium.

Her speech was concise. She said, "If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream." She sat down.

The class went wild. "Yes! Yes! We want ice cream." She surely could say more. She did not have to. A discussion followed. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? She was not sure. Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it? She did not know. The class really did not care. All they were thinking about was ice cream.

Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a land slide.

So, remember boys and girls, every time a candidate opens their mouth and offers ice cream most of the voting public is going to react like nine-year-olds. They want ice cream and they do not care who has to pay for it. The remainder of the public knows they are going to have to feed the cow, foot the bill, and clean up the mess. So, bottom line, if you are running for President, just promise them ice cream (or whatever the dessert de jour is), and have no answers for anything else, especially about the cow in the room.

Comments

The Moldy Middle

While taking statistics during my quest to get an MBA and while earning my engineering degree, the professors always emphasized the importance of finding the statistical mean of any population by using the Central Mean Theorem (a.k.a the highest point of the Bell Curve). As an engineer, this was essential in order to maximize throughput, minimize cost and waste, and ultimately make a better, faster, cheaper widget. A funny thing happened on the way to the dark side of marketing. I discovered that the only thing in the middle of the road was quite literally dead road kill. I do not know if you remember stores like Bradlees, Ames and Service Merchandise (just to name a few), but they all folded because the environment changed and they were caught trying to service the mythological “average customer.” Part of that change came when Wal-Mart began its juggernaut with the discount department store. Wal-Mart did two things right: 1) Focused on “mobile” consumers, and 2) Fo...

Fortune Cookie of Persistence

There are many things or factors that can determine a person’s success or failure, but one thing that cuts across EVERY successful person I have met or read about or studied is perseverance, persistence, stick-to-itiveness, and determination. As I say, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. The desire and ability to press on has and always will solve the problems of the human race and divide those who achieve from those who might have been." Incredibly, this ONE characteristic is really what makes a true entrepreneur as testimony to these little factoids: Coca-Cola only sold twenty five (25) bottles in its first year of business! They grossed $50.0 and spent $73.96 on merchandising. But they kept on going and never gave up, and nowadays the sell more than one billion bottles per day! Apple Computer co-founder offered the computer design to Hewlett-Packard five times and was rejected by both HP and Atari (the giant at the time) for acquisition. A...

5 Lessons on How to Treat People

Here is a listing of stories that hopefully help you understand how to treat people... the author is unknown.... the wisdom is priceless. 1. First Important Lesson - "Know The Cleaning Lady" During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello." I've never forgotten th...

The Profit Prophet

Search This Blog