It's all about the relationship. That's a human thing; as a species, we have survived by creating social groups and evolved to maintain them. So naturally we are tuned to social cues and the intricacies of relationships. When I try to understand human behavior, I will often use a common human to human relationship as the framework and continue that metaphor in order to explain it to others. The three major frameworks I find useful are romantic, plutonic and nurturing (parent-child).
Recently, I had a life experience that added a new twist to one of my old metaphors. I've always looked at job hunting through the romantic framework. You see a company you think you might like (attraction) and go on a series of interviews (dating) and eventually decide to break up or get into a committed relationship. As a husband I have never cheated on my spouse and have difficulty relating to those who do, but as an employee seeking a new job I was able to gain insight into this relationship dynamic.
It was time for me to leave and I knew it, the honeymoon was definitely over and I was seeing repeating patterns and felt I was evolving in a direction that was incompatible with my current employer. So like many others in the same situation, I started sprucing up my resumé, building connections and accepting interviews. While my direct supervisors and colleagues suspected it, there was no formal or explicit announcement that I was seeking a new employer. I was cheating... and it felt good. It was refreshing to be focusing on my own needs instead of those of the company. There was a new motivation to improve in my field, competition that didn't exist within the stale corporate environment in which I had settled. There were so many possibilities. Of course, there was also rejection but it didn't have the same sting because I didn't need a new job, I still had the cozy safe relationship with my current company to shield me from desperation. The job I had wasn't fulfilling all my desires, but it was keeping me sheltered and fed. The pace of job hunting while working full time is hectic, juggling all the names and appointments and evaluating the possibilities is a lot of extra work, but at the same time it is exhilarating and energizing, almost addictive. I didn't realize that at the time, I was too busy to reflect on any of this.
So after some searching, I found my match, a company that fits my needs and offers the kind of relationship I'm seeking. We got engaged, I left my former company and moved to a new city. Today we tie the knot. None of this was difficult or unexpected, the hard part was that now I need to stop dating. I had to tell my recruiters and contacts and other prospective employers that, at least for the short term, I am off the market. I want to focus on my new budding romance and build a trusting, strong relationship. Though I'm very happy with my decision and look forward to my new job, it wasn't easy to turn down all those other possibilities, to step away from all that attention. I've never been much of a ladies' man, never really liked the singles scene, but now I understand that itch for something new, the excitement of the chase (and the ego boost of being pursued), the fear of leaving the sure thing for the mysterious and enticing stranger and the pre-wedding cold feet.
Action is Brand
Keith W. Ford shares thoughts on User Experience, Brand Strategy and Culture.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Why People Cheat
Labels:
career,
interviewing,
job hunt
Location:
Seattle, WA
Monday, January 2, 2012
Top 10 Reasons I Left LA
- Animals are not fashion accessories.
- Flip-flops are not always appropriate attire.
- Million dollar homes should have a yard.
- Bankruptcy in state government is scary.
- The sky should not be brown.
- Bald people can't handle that much direct sunlight.
- I'm over 22 years old and I'm OK with that.
- "Fire" is not a season.
- Life is too short to spend in your car.
- Seriously, the sky SHOULD NOT be brown!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Overload
This is just a quick update to say that I haven't abandoned the blog, but just too busy with some real-life transitions to sit down and concentrate on writing. After devoting some serious time to researching, networking and interviewing, we are now in the midst of relocating and finding a home in a new state, to be quickly followed by acclimating to a new job. Several topics have been bouncing around in my head and as soon as the craziness dies down to a normal flow, I look forward to writing again and exchanging ideas with all of you out there in the interwebs.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Dear Netflix...
Photo Credit: Connected World Media |
With all due respect Mr. Hastings, I have to wonder who is the intended audience. Is this message addressed to customers or an engineered PR initiative to placate shareholders? I've received emails from Netflix before with an apology for service hiccups and an immediate remedy in the form of a service credit. But there was no remedy here, only an explanation and the announcement of further separation of the DVD and streaming business units. The timing is curious since this follows an announcement 2 months ago that kicked off one of the worst quarters in Netflix history.
Source: Google Finance |
The pricing model is just the surface, however, the deeper problem here is the loss of identity. Netflix forgot why they exist. In the beginning it was Netflix vs. Blockbuster. One was the establishment that had gradually killed off the mom and pop corner video stores and now dominated the market with a ruthless model of individual rental prices and exorbitant late fees. Then there was Netflix, the underdog, the David to Blockbuster's Goliath, that offered movies delivered to your door for a simple flat subscription rate. It was simplicity and convenience that killed Blockbuster. But what is Netflix without Blockbuster? They need an identity without being dependent on comparison. Better than Blockbuster only works when Blockbuster exists and, for all practical purposes, that is no longer the case. So how do they compare to their new competition in the streaming space? Who are they when compared to Google, Amazon, Apple and Hulu? I think if Netflix were managing their brand properly this wouldn't even be a legitimate question.
Netflix challenges the establishment, the very idea that you should pay for each rental and then be subjected to a deadline with late fees. They offered a simple honest alternative. Why not take on streaming the same way? Challenge the establishment of broadcast media. The model that dictates a schedule of programming with a subscription plan on top of an advertising platform. When I compare them to other companies that offer streaming movies over the internet it just comes down to price and quality, they are never going to beat large companies with diversified revenue streams on that front. However, comparing an honest little company with a simple business model to the establishment of the cable tv industry? Now that is something to rally a loyal following. Why not ask customers to question paying over $100 per month to watch 200 channels full of commercials? Why not empower cable customers to unchain themselves from their couches? The Netflix brand already has clout challenging and defeating a monopolistic empire. That doesn't transfer to building a shiny new technology platform, but it does transfer when you aim to take down a different empire.
I sincerely hope Netflix regains its footing and direction to achieve continued success in their new ventures.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round... and round
Comedy or Tragedy? |
Labels:
congress,
design-thinking,
government,
leadership,
politics,
rant
Thursday, September 1, 2011
What is Your Experience Brand?
Sunday, July 31, 2011
How Toyota Cleaned My House
Procrastination is a common affliction and usually fairly harmless, unless you don't live alone, and your cohabitant feels you should help out around the house, and the stuff you are procrastinating happens to be the household chores. So when this situation reared its ugly head at my house, I decided to reach into my professional toolbox to see what I could find to make routine chores more fun and engaging.
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