Everything I need to know, I learned from “Outliers”

Well, sort of…

Once again, Malcolm Gladwell has produced a wonderful thought-provoking book that really, in my mind, stretches the imagination to a million possibilities.  The one thing that I took away from his book was the concept that true “Outliers”, whether they have the brains or the skills or the experiences required to succeed, they also must have the opportunity.  

The same holds true in many ways in the media relations world.  Organizations may have great products, great people and a fantastic cause, but until they have the opportunity to tell a story – many remain unheard.  I’m saying it again: Look around you.  Pay attention.  Look for opportunity.  

A few weeks ago, a reporter sent me a few emails, she was looking for HR or administrator-type folk to comment on 3 potential media opportunities.  Now granted it wasn’t TIME Magazine…but they were opportunities nonetheless.  Here’s an example of what the reporter was looking for. “Taking away PERKS because of recession: How do employers decide which perks to keep and which to lose as well as how to renege on company perks (soft benefits like concierge services or free coffee, not dental or vision coverage) without losing employees and crushing morale.”

I sent the email around to some of my friends (whom I’m not trying to “call out” here), and guess what, NOBODY responded.   And for the life of me, I can’t figure this out.  I sent this to business owners, I sent this to administrators, I sent this to people who run companies.  Were they all being shy?  An opportunity – whether you might be slightly off the reporter’s requested “angle” is still worth exploring.  Regardless of the fact that it wasn’t a huge, million-subscriber publication, it presented an opportunity: to tell a story, to increase awareness, to increase organizational visibility, to increase Web presence, to become an idea guru.  *SIGH*

In the absence of news, look around, there are opportunities – and they might be staring you right in the face!  

Meantime, if you haven’t read the book, I strongly encourage it – businesspeople, parents, teachers, role-models.