Comments on: Nice Guys Don’t Finish Last

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:52:13 +0000

You perfectly paraphrased Margaret Mead: “If we believe that we can make the world a better place one person at a time, then what better way to activate this than through a blog? You never know where in the world that person may be.” She says “it’s the only way we can make a difference.” And Gandhi adds, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”
Those I read and love all have the ability to do so.

By: Gavin Heaton

Gavin Heaton — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 19:23:58 +0000

Thanks for the kinds words, Lewis. I think Mack has a great point … the bloggers that we come to love, the ones that we come back to post after post, week after week, are those whom we come to know. We come to know them through their blogs and pick up on their thoughfulness, their willingness to share/be generous and their desire to play a part in an amporphous “community”.
If we believe that we can make the world a better place one person at a time, then what better way to activate this than through a blog? You never know where in the world that person may be.

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 15:11:39 +0000

Tim,
You are the best Man! I wish in my younger days we had hooked up for a long bike ride.
David,
Your posts are unique and special.
Valeria,
Passion, renaissance of relationships and productive conversations–doesn’t get better than that.

By: Tim Jackson

Tim Jackson — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:14:25 +0000

Dang it! I was in a meeting with a parts supplier of mine all day yesterday- though we did get a ride in and sushi (of course). I missed out on this entire conversation yesterday! I have to defend my title as Group Hug Guy (first Gavin and now you)!
Seriously, this is an honor to me to be listed with this group. I am a reader of each of these folks, one way or another- either directly through their blogs or through the conversations that happen here and elsewhere. I am truly humbled by sharing space with them- thank you my friend. [Well, except for maybe Paul. He smells funny... ]
It is my belief, as I say so frequently, that having a relationship with my customers is the best way for me to serve them and in turn serve my own selfish desire to stay employed. They tell me what they want and need because they believe I am listening and interested in their feedback. It’s true too.
Anyway, as I ramble on- thank you my friend. I am very honored.

By: David Armano

David Armano — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 12:14:37 +0000

I’ll keep this simple. It feels very nice to be “part of something”.
Good post Lewis.

By: Valeria Maltoni

Valeria Maltoni — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:43:03 +0000

Lewis:
Very kind of you to share the space with all of us. People remain a big differentiating factor.
I’m reading “Designing Interactions” by Bill Moggridge as I’m reading “The Origin of Brands” (I know CK reads this;-) and I’m fascinated to see how the whole technology industry started. The ‘who’s who’ group of people who made things from scratch — those same tools we take for granted today. The sheer passion for doing what they were doing comes through the pages.
Yes, we’re back to the renaissance of relationships and productive conversations. Not that any of us ever left…

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 18:40:37 +0000

Mack,
Several of you recently ran posts about relationship building through blogs. I have known you and the others I mentioned here for only six months, and have personally met Ann and CK.
I feel as if each of you is a confidant, a friend and a peer to whom I can not only share but also outsource word or provide referrals and leads. That is the power of relationship building. When that begins happening, our blogs also serve as a networking tool to grow our businesses. And that is the power of “and” vs “either/or. Although we may not start out blogging as a means to grow our businesses (although that was one of my three goals), the power of “and” means that when we use marketing/communications tools correctly and honorably, they result in multiple returns, such as the gifts of sharing, the gifts of learning, the gifts or relationship building, and the gifts of business growth.

By: Elaine Fogel

Elaine Fogel — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 18:38:12 +0000

Thanks, Lewis. I learn from this group every day. As a latecomer to blogging, I find the experience refreshing and inspirational.

By: Mack Collier

Mack Collier — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:19:40 +0000

Thanks for the mention Lewis, an honor to be included with you so many other bloggers that are smarter than I.
But I think you hit on something important, bloggers you should KNOW. This is what’s go great about blogging, you get to KNOW these wonderful people and you can meet/talk to them and get to know them, and in the process learn so much.

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 17:02:06 +0000

CK,
Having been raised by a tough Mom and a superstar athlete Dad, I got the message late (like yesterday). Clients do want to “be around positive, nice energy.” That is why you are so successful (plus you’re good at what you do).

By: CK

CK — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:43:39 +0000

Lewis–what a kind post and a terrific variety of great blogs for readers to review. In my book (and I think many, many others) the nice guy/gal finishes first. Not sure why ‘nice’ got such a bad wrap. As momma says “it’s nice to be important but far more important to be nice.” (and momma is never wrong ya know . Even in biz, clients often remark how great it is to be around positive, nice energy.
P.S. Thanks for really making my week.

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:12:24 +0000

Thanks all. I think so many of us have so much to offer, and it can be provocative, narrative, educational, informative or any of a variety of ways of expressing ourselves that are available to us. (Man, that’s a clumsy sentence.)
What I struggle with is creating a tone that isn’t arrogant or negative, as much of my writing calls upon me to be a straight-shooter and in print that can be misunderstood.
My point: We (I) need to focus on tone as much as content and understand the reaction it will engender. And since one of my primary objectives is to engage readers, encourage sharing, and elicit other thoughts. I need to understand that objectivity can play better than total subjectivity.
In this post’s case, I tried to use examples of bloggers who offer a variety of styles, hoping that our readers will discover someone they relate to.

By: Toby

Toby — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:19:26 +0000

Lewis – I don’t have a bebe but Max (my Westie) did wag his tail today; however your kind words made my day! Your friendship and generosity of spirit is an inspiration – as your Thursday post dedicated to the people who served our country clearly demonstrates.
Looks like you might be close to claiming Tim’s “King of Group Hug” status

By: Bill Gammell

Bill Gammell — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:11:55 +0000

Lewis,
Thank you for writing “nice guys (and gals) don’t finish last”. I truly believe this as well. A sincere “Thank you” needs to be phrase that is heard much more often in the world, especially in business.

By: Paul McEnany

Paul McEnany — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:00:01 +0000

mmmmm, dixie beer.
Lewis- Thank you so much for the good words. It’s a pleasure to be included in a list of so many incredible bloggers like those guys. Really, great stuff.
Keep up the great work!

By: Cam Beck

Cam Beck — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:53:13 +0000

Lewis – If my baby hadn’t smiled at me this morning, your endorsement would be the highlight of my day. Thank you.
I don’t believe it for a second, mind you, but that won’t stop me from being grateful for your friendship.
Compliments notwithstanding, the timing of your article is appropriate for me. It’s true what you say – that companies need to consider not what they want first, but more about what the consumer wants.
You know – it doesn’t matter how much the market demonstrates this maxim to be true, there will always be people who insist on putting up a dozen barriers to membership on their Website because they want a bunch of consumer data – even though they are not giving anything comparable in return to entice users to supply that data.