What do you do when it feels like SARS and Bird Flu met on Tinder and had ugly, mucus lubricated hate sex in your skull?
This SARS and Bird Flu evil spawn – ‘Hulk Flu’, so named as it got angry and smashed up my insides with violent chills, airplane ear pressure pops, a burrowing Echidna in my throat and a constant dull fuzz on my brain when I tried to sucker punch it with anti-biotics.
Sickest I’ve felt in years – immune system seeing stars spinning as it lay dizzy on the canvas, struggling to reach for the ropes before the final bell rings.
And yet . . . and yet – here is the beautiful part.
It is a TRUE BLESSING in a fucked up, bile tasting and whooping-cough disguise.
Why?
Because when you FOCUS on your pain and suffering, it amplifies.
This mutant abomination thinks it can malign my mission?
Not a chance, Freakenstein!
When you stop ‘feeding the mutant’ . . . you can begin to see it for what it really is – a lesson you are meant to learn.
For me the lesson is to rest, recalibrate and take better care of my physical health.
What is helping me most through this dull throbbing madness is a lot of freshly squeezed Orange Juice . . . with every glass of Vitamin C, I feel a little bit better.
Orange Juice and a slathering of light and warmth from the sun.
Simple, wonderful things.
Why do we reach for synthetic chemicals as our default solution, when nature is the oldest, wisest and best apothecary?
MASSIVE VALUE MINDSET: STOP ‘FEEDING THE MUTANT’ AND EMBRACE LEARNING THE LESSONS HIDDEN WITHIN YOUR PAIN.
The Sweeney Todd musical incident in Auckland made me reminisce on my time living in Nepal.
A visit to any barber in Kathmandu would not be complete without a cut-throat shave.
Of course there is a huge trust factor involved – a complete stranger is literally holding a razor close to your throat . . . yet every barber I met over there had ridiculous skill and also great energy.
The first time I was nervous as hell, but after the first amazing experience I was hooked.
It became a ritual . . . every few days I would walk into a barber shop and the barber would usually give me one of those distinctive head-bobbles you experience so often in India and Nepal.
When my turn came, the barber uncurled the razor and placed a fresh blade in the tip. He proceeded slowly and with artistic patience, wiping the blade with a towel on his arm after each brush of the blade.
There would often ensue a drawn out body language debate about ‘no moustache’ . . . as if their default vision of what a man looks like includes a moustache.
You walk out of the shop feeling like a new man…Zen Mani Padme Hum Refreshed! I never once got cut or even nicked by any barber I visited.
You get the safest, closet and by far the best shave of your life . . . for around 60 Rupees = less than a dollar!
I believe there is no better way to pamper yourself for a normal, non metrosexual men than to indulge in a cut-throat shave (No Jersey Shore, real men don’t do Gym, Tan or Laundry!)
Women have day spas, tanning salons, hair dressers, nail salons, make up and beauty salons and so on as places where they can transform into the best versions of themselves – fresh and clean and filled with confidence, even if only for that night.
Yet almost every man won’t get their nails or make up done . . . the only thing they will likely do is go to their local barber shop and get a hair cut. The shame of it is that not enough barber shops offer a cut throat shave service and if they do, it is prohibitively expensive.
Men want to feel sexy too and there is something incredibly powerful about having the closest and best shave of your life – like when you put on your best suit to go to a wedding.
MASSIVE VALUE MARKETING IDEA: Any barber shop who offers a hair cut and cut-throat shave combo as a mens pamper package at a decent price could easily double their current income . . . as long as they don’t go all Sweeney Todd on their customers!
Prison Break actor Wentworth Miller was recently the target of a cruel body shaming meme (posted above).
And his powerful, dignified response taught many people a valuble lesson.
Here is his full response below.
Wentworth Miller March 28 at 4:10pm · Today I found myself the subject of an Internet meme. Not for the first time.
This one, however, stands out from the rest.
In 2010, semi-retired from acting, I was keeping a low-profile for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, I was suicidal.
This is a subject I’ve since written about, spoken about, shared about.
But at the time I suffered in silence. As so many do. The extent of my struggle known to very, very few.
Ashamed and in pain, I considered myself damaged goods. And the voices in my head urged me down the path to self-destruction. Not for the first time.
I’ve struggled with depression since childhood. It’s a battle that’s cost me time, opportunities, relationships, and a thousand sleepless nights.
In 2010, at the lowest point in my adult life, I was looking everywhere for relief/comfort/distraction. And I turned to food. It could have been anything. Drugs. Alcohol. Sex. But eating became the one thing I could look forward to. Count on to get me through. There were stretches when the highlight of my week was a favorite meal and a new episode of TOP CHEF. Sometimes that was enough. Had to be.
And I put on weight. Big f–king deal.
One day, out for a hike in Los Angeles with a friend, we crossed paths with a film crew shooting a reality show. Unbeknownst to me, paparazzi were circling. They took my picture, and the photos were published alongside images of me from another time in my career. “Hunk To Chunk.” “Fit To Flab.” Etc.
My mother has one of those “friends” who’s always the first to bring you bad news. They clipped one of these articles from a popular national magazine and mailed it to her. She called me, concerned.
In 2010, fighting for my mental health, it was the last thing I needed.
Long story short, I survived.
So do those pictures.
I’m glad.
Now, when I see that image of me in my red t-shirt, a rare smile on my face, I am reminded of my struggle. My endurance and my perseverance in the face of all kinds of demons. Some within. Some without.
Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist.
Anyway. Still. Despite.
The first time I saw this meme pop up in my social media feed, I have to admit, it hurt to breathe. But as with everything in life, I get to assign meaning. And the meaning I assign to this/my image is Strength. Healing. Forgiveness.
Of myself and others.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Reach out. Text. Send an email. Pick up the phone. Someone cares. They’re waiting to hear from you. Much love. – W.M. #koalas #inneractivist #prisonbroken www.afsp.org
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
www.activeminds.org
www.thetrevorproject.org
www.iasp.info
www.facebook.com/notes/wentworth-miller/flour-or-wheat/1653559881523614
Now you are probably wondering why I have chosen to post about something unrelated to marketing.
It actually is related, and it is about Massive Value.
This is because we are human beings first, and marketers second.
The lesson here is we don’t ever really know what is going on in another person’s life and so we should try to not judge them.
Depression is the biggest liar, and some people need help to eliminate the lies they can’t help but tell themselves on a daily basis.
And anti-depressants are NOT the answer – often have more deadly side-effects than positive ones (google ‘SSRI side effects’)
The way Wentworth answered this meme was all class, his response was of a higher vibration, defined by love and care for others.
Love is the highest vibration energy we as humans can share together . . . all lower vibration behaviours stem from a lack of love and self respect.
Miller lent his high profile to the fight against a tragic, ugly and unnecessary scourge on the human race – the senseless tragedy of Suicide.
When you face the status quo with higher vibration and massive value truth – people resonate.
They are drawn to you like a moth to a flickering flame . . . they can’t help it.
Wentworth Miller literally DOUBLED his fan base overnight with one powerful post – I am sure this was not his intended goal when posting his response to the meme . . . yet it is not only well deserved, he now has raving fans for life!
It was also great to see The LAD Bible issue Wentworth what I felt was a genuine, sincere apology.
Everyone grew from this experience.
When you act and live as a ‘Massive Value Human Being‘, the world stands up and takes notice.
My full respect to you, Wentworth!
I look forward to reading more of your wise words.
MASSIVE VALUE MANTRA: Become a Massive Value Human Being and Success is Inevitable!
With 198,000+ pre-orders of the Tesla Model 3 in under 72 hours, Elon Musk should be smiling!
COMPANY: TESLA MOTORS
KEY PEOPLE: ELON MUSK (CEO)
MASSIVE VALUE ACHIEVEMENT: 198,000 Pre Orders of the Model 3 – in less than 72 hours!
LESSON: How to leverage your raving fan base
Did you watch the Telsa Model 3 launch?
So many lessons to be learnt from a truly impressive presentation…if you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch it below.
Tesla Motors is a definitive example of how to successfully convert customers into raving fans for life.
On March 31st, Australian TESLA dealers were the first in the world to accept pre-orders for the MODEL 3 . . . and in a similar fashion to all the recent Apple product launch, there were long lines of Tesla fans waiting to put a $1500AUD ‘pre-order deposit’ on the new TESLA MODEL 3 due to be released late 2017/early 2018.
What is most impressive about this is these pre-orders were taken BEFORE the official launch of the TESLA MODEL 3 . . . which means all those who pre-ordered, did so SIGHT UNSEEN!
How did they achieve this?
With a RAVING FANBASE already established.
Only the ‘Cult of Apple’ devotees display similar excitement and devotion to a companies products.
To be a TESLA owner means something very powerful in today’s market.
All the great brands are built around an Ethos, a set of inspiring ideals which often upset the status quo.
TESLA‘s reputation as the ‘Key Player’ in the sustainable transport movement has earned them a lot of fans worldwide, many of whom admire the companies commitment to tackle the big oil companies and C02 Emissions head on.
Yet for many of these fans, the price range of a TESLA Roadster, Model S or Model X has been sadly out of reach.
Until now (or at least until late 2017.)
With the release of the Model 3 at its lower price point of $35,000USD, this is TESLA’s transition from niche luxury car maker to mass market player.
And with 198,000+ ‘pre-order deposits’ taken in the past 72 hours worldwide, the demand for an affordable Electric car is certainly there.
Tesla does have a reputation for missing production deadlines, so it will be interesting how the Model 3 delivery roll out transpires.
If they manage to pull this off, this is a true GAME CHANGER. WORLDWIDE. FOREVER.
With so many innovations in the product and their service model, TESLA drivers can recharge their battery 100% FREE for LIFE at any of the 3600 supercharging stations worldwide (this number of charging stations is set to double in 2016 alone.)
Imagine a world with less C02 pollution, a world where fossil fuels are not wasted, a world where you NEVER HAVE TO PAY FOR PETROL AGAIN!
This is a world I want to live in.
When you watch Elon Musks elegant and powerful presentation about why Tesla is so important, the problem they are solving, their ‘Secret Long Term Master Plan’ and how the Model 3 is the end game in this plan, it would actually take effort for a thinking man or woman NOT TO BE IMPRESSED.
However for me, the most impressive part of the presentation was the reactions of the fans at the end of the presentation.
Met with roaring applause, some TESLA fans were overcome with emotion, screaming ‘YEAH, YOU DID IT!’, thanking Elon Musk with a reverence like he had just presented to the world the cure for Cancer.
Maybe TESLA’s legacy will be akin to curing Cancer, at least the cancer of pollution which is destroying our planet.
TESLA MOTORS is a Massive Value Company because it has a powerful MISSION (to rid the world of its dependence on fossil fuels), an incredible VALUE PROPOSITION (FREE FUEL FOREVER – now at a mass market affordable price) and it has the support of passionate RAVING FANS FOR LIFE.
It doesn’t hurt that its CEO is the only contender to be considered the ‘Real’Life Tony Stark’ (Sorry Sir Richard).
And I must admit, I am tempted to place a ‘pre-order deposit’ for a Silver Model 3.
Did you place a ‘pre-order deposit’ on a Model 3?
Let me know your experiences in the comments below.
Why is Massive Value a concept which is sadly M.I.A. in many businesses today?
Most often, it comes down to a lack of these 3 qualities in their organisation:
*Inspiration
*Innovation
*Generosity
1. INSIPID INSPIRATION
The Cardinal Rule of all Marketing can be summed up in three words: DON’T BE BORING!
If you are sending out an insipid, vanilla, tastes like cardboard message to your audience . . . are you at all surprised they are not responding to it?
Equally important is the ENERGY with which you convey your message.
Next time you are at your local markets, walk around and observe the energy of the vendors . . . most of them will be quiet and reserved, only speaking when spoken to, waiting for customers to approach them.
However, there will often be a charming, outgoing seller who commands attention, interacts with customers with positive energy and always attracts a crowd.
Which vendor do you think will sell more products?
You need to BELIEVE in what you are selling, believe in the value it offers to your customers, that it is a positive experience in their lives.
Passion will close more deals than any clever marketing slogans ever could.
GENUINE BELIEF + POSITIVE ENERGY – BORING/VANILLA = MASSIVE VALUE
2. NO INNOVATION
Business is constantly evolving.
You need to adapt, evolve and pivot your way to success.
And mostly, the adaptation will need to come in the Media which you are using to covey your message.
The internet really has changed the game forever.
Google Adwords and Facebook PPC may have worked in 2014 to generate the majority of your new leads, yet in 2016 Snapchat could be your next big traffic source winner.
All horses eventually go lame.
You need to know where your customers are and how to best communicate with them.
Sometimes all it takes is a little innovation.
And a shitload of A/B Split testing.
INNOVATE + TEST/MEASURE = MASSIVE VALUE
3. GREED
This is where it can get ugly.
The cold hard truth of why most businesses will not survive is because their owners are Greedy Pigs.
A robust, long term sustained business can only grow where its customers are receiving Massive Value.
The simplest way to describe Massive Value is – giving so much more Value than your competitors.
Whether it is Massive Value built into the product (an innovative twist, a unique design, better results) or Massive Value built into your service (expert knowledge, impressive customer service – fast, courteous, reliable)… there is a COST to creating a massive value experience for your customer.
The cost may be in money, in effort or in energy . . . whatever the cost may be – MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOOTING THE BILL, NOT YOUR CUSTOMERS!
Short term, if you give more value to your customers you will bring in less profits.
Long term, your value being so much higher than your competitors, your business becomes the ‘ONLY LOGICAL CHOICE’ (OLC) for your customers.
When you become the OLC, something magical happens.
Not only will these customers stay loyal until the end (as long as you keep up the massive value) . . . they will actually sing your praises at every opportunity to friends, family and peers.
The referrals from these outspoken fans are often the warmest leads you will ever receive.
They have come from a trusted authority who has not been incentivised to sing your praises – they actually can’t help it because they are so impressed!
So stop being a greedy pig and think long term – focus on the Lifetime Value of your Customer (a concept to be discussed in definitive detail soon).
If your thoughts about your customers are: ‘How much money can i make from them?’ – you are asking yourself the wrong question.
The key question is:
‘How can I give my customers more value, such MASSIVE VALUE they will become loyal long-term customers and raving outspoken fans?
In a Massive Value World . . . GREED IS NO LONGER GOOD.
