The power of the human connection.
The importance of building valuable relationships.
The revolution in ways of interacting in today’s awesome technology.
These have been the forefront of my mind recently after reading one awesome book by mastermind of this new economy, Gary Vaynerchuck. No matter what is said about Gary from one extreme to another, I am crazy about him. It takes only watching him on stage (my favorite piece by him) once to fall in love and I don’t mean a sexual romantic love. I mean loving another human being and thanking the heavens above for his existence.
Gary exudes passion from his every pore; he is a dynamite in action who lives and breathes his brand and his message and his humanity every day. Keeping up with him alone gives you a headache and you might very well wonder if he is normal. His energy is borderline to hysteria but thanks to his sheer intelligence and his massive and super well-deserved success, you know better than to ever label him as such. He is a hard-working genius who he has figured out the golden nuggets of this new era, and has unraveled the value behind the era of this dizzying social media and this instantaneous world at our finger-tips, and he calls it Thank You Economy.
Reading is the best pastime for the mind! See more book reviews In Print.
Why I loved Thank You Economy
“How everything has changed except human nature.”
That phrase alone makes me love this book. The world turns and technology wakes up with a new makeover every day and we can even revolutionize the way we live work, and play but one thing is the same: human nature. It is the one constant in all the ages. People will always flock to people they like and trust (affiliate). How we do things does not change what we want in the end. This is the core of Gary’s message as he takes us down the history lane to show us how the consumer has now regained a position of influence and power in the game and all without having to resort to mass media, television or the law.
Through case studies of how various businesses use and abuse social media, he debunks assumptions about why smart businesses do not use social media. Bottom line: Use it and use it well; use it to listen, use it to have a conversation, use it to not exert power or influence your brand so much as to show that you care as a business about the happiness of your customers.
Don’t worry, he also draws the line for customers who abuse and for strangers who ask for too much but that is far and few in between. The majority of customers have good intentions and so should we as business owners.
Smart takeaways from Thank You Economy
Why social media is so crucial for a successful business:
- Empower our customers to complain to our face and not behind our back; we can acknowledge and counteract that publicly in kind.
- Learn everything possible from our angry customers. Learn what they ask us not to do and what to do better. Then decide which to use and which to discard but definitely listen and learn.
- Care about our customers. I mean, really care from the bottom of our hearts. Care and show it in such a way that leaves no doubt in their mind about it.
- Play to the emotional center and not to the middle – do not play it safe, you will not be memorable. Go out on a limb and find a way to be original and authentic.
- Don’t make contacts on social media; make connections. Have the right intentions.
- Treat every customer as though they are the most important person in the world. Every single one. Believe this so you can mean it in your actions.
- Use whatever medium your customers and connections use. Go to them. Platform is irrelevant. What matters is that you connect.
- Refuse to become one of those companies or businesses that didn’t think it was worth the effort and couldn’t adapt to the changing times. Yeah, not good.
“It’s not the number of followers… , it’s the strength of your bond with your followers that indicates how much anyone cares about what you have to say.”
Even Tolstoy Gets a Critique From Me
The book gets a lot of praise but I hardly leave any book without suggesting at least one way that it could’ve been made better in my view. I do believe I even had bold suggestions for my favorite book of all time, Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. Of course my specific pleas to Mr. Tolstoy were of an entirely different nature where I told him how I ached to know, in his magic prose and not using my imagination thank you, the details around the most private moments between Vronsky and Anna K., how could he go on about Anna’s little hands for pages on end and not divulge a word about the sweetness of the kisses or the intensity of the lust between these tortured lovers is beyond me but alas, I seriously digress!
So just in case Gary stops by here, as I know he reads every single review of his book on Amazon, I do not want him to feel bad about my constructive critique because I dared criticize even the supreme soul in fiction, Leo Tolstoy. That and because the overall message conveyed in the book still rocked.
What Was Not So Stellar About the Book
It became a bit repetitive. The first few case studies were brilliantly positioned in driving his point home and a great point it was too – all about using social media in innovative and smart ways to build our relationships with our customers and our peers. But I would have loved to get to know more details around Gary’s own approach and what he has done right and wrong and what continues to be his main winning points. I wanted to know his painful mistakes and how he struggled to overcome them. I wanted to know the depth of his worries and fears even in a perfect Thank You Economy and what he does to overcome them.
I guess I wanted to know more.
Perhaps I am asking for too much. After all, every situation is different and what may work for Gary will not necessarily work for all of us. Or perhaps it simply goes to say that the book leaves me wanting more and that is a good thing.
And so does Gary.
“The stars in this business era will be those who are consumed by their work (and happy about it) and have the patience to pursue one small victory at a time.”
Are you going to be a star in this brave new world?
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I am so consumed by my work. It’s my life. Writing and music is my life and my life is music and writing. I believe putting ones heart and soul into my work, and living in my work place the only way to be a star. Shining bright for eternity in the heart of millions!
Hi Jonathan, consumed with your work sounds like a great way to live your life. I did not know you were a composer but I do know that I agree with everything you said here. Thanks so much for sharing and best of luck on all you are doing.
Just like you I’ve recently quit my corporate job to put all of my heart and soul into building a business that I’m hoping will make at least a small difference in the world. And yes, I am absolutely consumed by it right now, I’ve never worked as hard as I do now and I’m loving every minute of it. Connections I’m building with people while I’m building this business are absolutely amazing and so fulfilling and make all the hard work even more worthwhile.
Hi Veronika, lovely to hear we have taken the same path. And I know exactly how you feel and what you mean. No need to explain and in fact, I don’t really have the words to explain how good it all feels. I am very excited for you and have no doubt things will go just how you intend for them to go. Thanks so much for stopping by.
There really is no difference between the “work” me and the “personal” me anymore. When I worked for a corporation, there was a huge divide. But now, I’m just me. And like the other commenters, I’m consumed by my work and ecstatic about it. Yes, yes, yes! I’m going to be a star in this brave new world. LOL!
Thanks for the awesome book tip. It’s going on the list now.
Hugs,
Melody
Hello Melody, my star in this brave new world, I have no doubt about it. I have yet to find an entrepreneur that did not feel this fiery passion. It’s one we share and one that just grows. I am excited for you and keep at it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here.
You had me at the distinction between contact and connection. That is a topic on my mind lately. I realize that I continue to give energy to contacts who do not return my efforts. (Specifically, I am thinking about a couple of friends who, over the years, have become more distant.) I continue to make the effort to stay in touch, but I’m starting to realize this is a drain when the effort is not reciprocated. I had not thought in terms of that distinction–what I am really seeking is connection, not just contact. I know your post is more focused on the business perspective, but it seems that these same points are also applicable in our personal lives.
PS–I will definitely check this guy out! Your description got me very excited about hearing what he has to say.
Hi Galen, oh sigh. I do know about those types of friendships. Here is my (yes, I realize unsolicited) advice: Stop! Let them go. The friendships have run their course and there are few things more sad than the show of friendship that goes un-reciprocateed. I used to think that because I had made the contacts and put the effort into the friendships that now I must go out there and make it work for all eternity. Needless to say, I was an idiot and also had a broken heart and now I am selective in my friendships and far happier. Gary V is amazing. Look up “Do what you love no excuses Gary Vaynerchuck” on Google and watch his Ted talk. Brilliant. And I wish you lots of beautiful new friendships, dear Galen. Thanks for stopping by.
I watched the TED talk–very motivating! And so was your friendship advice. Thanks!
Thrilled to hear it, Galen, especially on the second account. You are very welcome.
Very interesting to learn about Gary Vanerchuck. What does that say about people today? We are still the same. We value real connections. I found this quote from a social media site which I like too. “Seeking ‘traffic’ generates tourists to your blog. Focusing on content and your readers generates residents for your blog.” Thanks Farnoosh. I feel your enthusiasm and energy generated through your posts.
Hi and yes, Gary is awesome. First you hear about him, Sonia? He says people are the same. The caring, trusting, and building relationships is still the same. Great quote you share, Sonia. Thank you, I am so glad the words on the screen have that kinda of power. Nice of you to stop by.
> make contacts on social media; make connections.
I like that distinction. It’s subtle, but it’s the subtle things that count.
Huge distinctions, J.D., and it’s the small stuff that makes the big difference. Indeed.
Hi Farnoosh:
Thanks for your review of the book. I haven’t read it yet, but I did read Crush It! and attended the book release party in Chicago. Even back then, the thing I took home that night was what he said about the “Thank You Economy.” Like you, I have a deep appreciation for Gary V. and the passion with which he lives. It is a great example for all of us.
Kudos to you, like the Toastmaster that you are (or perhaps used to be), for offering some suggestions in your evaluation of this book. I think they are some really great points. Once again, great job!
Hi Tim, a while since I’ve seen you. Welcome back. Oh I am so envious you met Gary – or at least attended an event. I have not read Crush It yet. I must be one of the only 5 people left in America that hasn’t read that book.
since I wanted to pursue other things so badly but thanks all the same for the very kind words and there are many, many book reviews here on the blog in the In Print category (you can click it right under the title).
I used to be a Toastmaster; I didn’t even have time for my corporate job anymore
I had to smile when you talked about loving Gary from the first time you saw him on stage Farnoosh because I know exactly what you mean! He certainly has a certain something about him.
I loved Crush It! and bought TYE on pre-release but to my shame it’s still sitting there waiting for me to dive in. I can’t say for sure what held me back but having read two reviews in the space of half an hour it feels like somebody somewhere is trying to tell me something.
Thanks for the great review. I appreciate the timing.
Hi dear El, how nice of you to stop by. Gary is unbelievably passionate. I adore him. Oh I must, must read Crush It. Don’t worry – you will get around to it. I know how it is with books. You are very welcome and I wish you happy reading, El. Thanks for stopping by.
Farnoosh,
Thanks so much for this review. It gave me a lot of food for thought. I like your emphasis (and Gary’s) on true connection and really believe each customer is the most important person in the world. In that way, they become our friends rather than customer.
Dear Sandra, how lovely to see you and how overdue I must be to see what you have been up to. You of all people know best how to make the true connection with each person. Lucky whoever ends up your customer. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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