Streaming 2020 Olympics: Confusion 1, NBC 0

Comcast's NBC Universal, which has been the exclusive broadcaster of the Olympic Games for years, has a ratings problem with the Tokyo Games.  

Here are the two reasons why I believe ratings are down:

1. NBC is not practicing Strategic Simplicity®.  The viewing choices are complex enough to cause people to experience paralysis by analysis.  There are too many options.  Some sports are streaming on Peacock, some are broadcast on NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network, etc.

2. The games are in a very far time zone.  In the old days, you could not learn the results until you watched the rebroadcast during American prime time.  Today, results are available instantly on websites, news feeds and, in many cases, pushed to your devices.  It's hard to be interested in watching a sport when you already know the outcome, particularly if the team/athletes you are rooting for lost.

These problems are not going away, because multiple streaming/broadcast options and instant updates are now part of life.

© 2021 Praveen Puri

Problems With AI

A recent Associated Press article I read in the Chicago Tribune called attention to the AI problems faced by the moderator of a New York gardening group on Facebook.

Facebook's algorithm sometimes flags the word "hoe" as "violating community standards."  

Another post had commenting automatically disabled because of "possible violence, incitement, or hate in multiple comments."  This was because one comment talked about killing Japanese beetles.

The worry for the moderator is that, if there are to many violations, the whole group could get shut down.

The question for businesses: Is your AI and automation helping your customers, or making their life difficult?

© 2021 Praveen Puri

The Customer is Always Half Right

"The customer is always right about what they want. They are rarely right about what they ask you to do. Your job in the sales interview is to reverse engineer what they really want from what they initially asked you to do."

- Jonathan Stark

© 2021 Praveen Puri

10 Ways to Have A Better Conversation

https://www.ted.com/talks/celeste_headlee_10_ways_to_have_a_better_conversation#t-670284

© 2021 Praveen Puri

Anita Roddick Quote On Success

"Be Bold. It's the only place left uncrowded."

- Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop

© 2021 Praveen Puri

Age is Only A Number

Today's WSJ had three stories illustrating that you're never too old for success:

1. Angeline Boulley got the idea for a crime-fighting Native America "Nancy Drew" when she was 18.  She thought being a writer was impractical and went on to a career in civil service.  In her 40's, she started to write the book based on the earlier idea and 10 years later, at the age of 55, she found a publisher and signed a seven figure book deal.  Now, the book was chosen by Reese Witherspoon for her book club, and it's been option for a Netflix series.

2. William Shatner turns 90, but he said "this is the most creative period of my life" and he has a new movie, album, etc coming out.  He said "I can't die now, I've got too much work."

3. There was an article on Eddie Robinson, the oldest living MLB player at 100.  Last year, he misses attending baseball games for the first time since 1945 (when he served in the Navy). He got vaccinated and now he's attending spring training games.  He also hosts a podcast on baseball's golden years.

© 2021 Praveen Puri

Success Advice From Chicago Actor Kevin Miles

Success advice from Chicago actor Kevin Miles:

"Before I decided to move to LA, it was so scary to think about leaving family and memories behind to start over. But I do remember telling myself, right before I bought a ticket: The quicker you jump into the pool, the quicker you can enjoy the water. You will adapt, even when things get hard and difficult. That was the phrase that I said to myself a lot and I still do, to this day. If anything, that’s the phrase I hope anyone that is having a difficult time with their dreams, especially in these times, uses."

© 2021 Praveen Puri