Robots, Mascots, Cookie Cutters & Templates

Yesterday was a day with a revealing nature to the thinking and planning that occurs when there is no more thinking and planning going on. A businessman I know told me of his plans to develop a marketing plan for a real estate development that will be based on templates. In other words, a cookie cutter system. He believes he is putting together what he referrred to as a great 'team of professionals' to aid in the growth of his move with his company. This company is going in brand new territory, untapped directions that have a lot of risk and unknowns. It has an upside of the possibility to make some people a lot of money but at a tremendous lose if it does not go to fruition, which is highly probable in a depressed over inflated real estate market. When this businessman was talking to me he said they are going to put together a 'template' to quickly know if a given subject property would fit into the mold of this development, if it doesn't fit it is a no go. My first reaction was to think this was a great idea, make it quick, efficient, therefore effective. Later reflecting on what he told me, it hit me. THERE ARE NO TEMPLATES or historical references to go by when going new directions. Even websites built with templates are average at best, it is the ones done in wordpad that begin with the true creative, inuitive process. Even after hitting the finish line with a project does not create a 'good' template, only references as guidance. J.Paul Getty said it best when charting new territory, to paraphrase, 'There are certain guide posts enroute to aid the entrepeneur but every step forward is new in every undertaking, venture.' To hear the truth from a billionaire's years of experience is to much to not be brushed over, overlooked and not validated as truth...which can be the only true guidepost. To get back to my businessman, I can see clearly he is so focused on his belief it is simply a matter of developing a cookie cutter system with a so called team of experts, a system a 'dummy could master' that the money will just keep flowing into the bank continually. I have met with some of his so called team of 'experts' and I can assure you everyone has the same look on their face. It's a case of ' show me the money, because I am the expert.' There are very few visionairies, pioneers, highly creative people willing to put themselves on the line with a goal of a greater expanding outward. It is the difference between the Innovator and the Opportunist. The opportunist 'sees' an opportunity, makes it seem easy, predictable, with a short cut to the top, a 'just give me mine as soon as possible, it was my idea, and you guys can share in some of my idea'. Then we want, no expect consumers to buy into our greatness with our cookie cutter pieces which are really only small fragments of a whole, but at a premium price. Then further want people to buy into like a robot, without doing a lot of thinking, because what we have is the 'greatest' thing ever developed. And to do this actually use OTHER PEOPLES MONEY to develop the concept-idea, then charge a large premium to have a piece. The truth is amazing. When we buy something we always are attracted by the balloons and mascotts, and then are willing to pay the 'price' believing we have recieved 'value'. All in the name of 'fresh' 'new', etc. when it is further from the truth than we could imagine.
True innovation and creativity is a rare bird indeed. It is not with the voice of mediocrity amazing things are done in this world. A correction in the real estate market would quickly send these opportunists running back to their kitchens in retreat with no market demand whatsoever, to play with the only 'dough' available to be made- cookie dough...
Until the next weblog...