Executing New Ideas

To cultivate a culture that challenges norms and makes an artistic and commercial impact, enriching lives through engagement and fostering personal success for those who believe in it, here are some insights gained:

**Just because big companies do it doesn’t mean it’s right.**

**TRUTH:** If your organization is genuinely focused on growth and transformation, mimicking competitors or following trendy businesses may not be the best route. Learn from them, but stay committed to your unique vision with passion, urgency, and precision. Understand the leaders in your field, but create your own distinct voice.

**The meaning of local is ever-expanding.**

**TRUTH:** In media, the concept of "local" is broadening. It used to refer strictly to neighborhoods or towns, but now we are entering an era where “local” encompasses national and global perspectives. Communities can grow in various ways.

**Most people are relative Luddites.**

**TRUTH:** Visit a diner or a popular local spot and ask patrons about cloud computing or algorithms—they might be clueless. Keep your explanations simple. In my experience at XM, some believed terms like “terrestrial” and “repeaters” were common language. Tech jargon can be more confusing than street slang or business talk. Communicate clearly with everyday language, which can be challenging in today’s digital landscape.

**Younger doesn’t mean hipper.**

**TRUTH:** The era of James Dean has passed. Sometimes, being younger means lacking maturity or worldly perspective. Authenticity, which transcends age, is what people respect. It’s more about your mindset than your chronological age.

**Denial is a powerful competitive tool.**

**TRUTH:** Let competitors criticize you. Understanding your rivals is far more beneficial than engaging in negative rhetoric or bravado. In today's world, those who criticize often miss the bigger picture. Whether you like or dislike them, grasping their appeal helps you address issues with authority rather than emotion.

**AFDI.**

**TRUTH:** This is crucial. It’s about action, not just discussion. We don’t need a “mission statement”—it’s simply about AFDI. There are plenty of talkers and meeting enthusiasts, but few who actually execute.

**Track records are irrelevant.**

**TRUTH:** Unless you want to hire thinkers who are stuck in their pasts rather than looking toward the future. I doubt Kurzweil thought, “Let’s hire someone from Casio!” Our focus should be on three qualities: high intelligence, low BS tolerance, and strong aptitude.