That is pretty slick! Nice implementation.

First!

For some reason when I select the large format avatar setting, the pictures get blurred to the point where there is no point. Hi Res LARGE avatars please for those who want them.

Thanks.

No, I just feel they should be called out for not being the "most transparent administration in history." They overpromised and are underdelivering. I am willing to give them more time, but I am not optimistic.

Don't know why I havent asked for this yet. Me too, please B)

respondingtoopportunity.com
stonefarmer.com

In my opinion, this saying(s) means failure is inevitable in any business. Those who use this saying(s) try to prepare the listener for some level of failure. I don't see a difference in the two sayings mentioned, no matter the context. I think the problem is found in the use of the word "fail" or "failure" in either instance.

Some interpret the word failure/fail in the absolute sense. A better word might be "roadblock" or "speed bump." A roadblock is an obstacle confronting the startup and to the literal among us, may be a better alternative to the word failure. Use of the word failure might condition the entrepreneur to expect absolute failure, whereas the word "roadblock" conditions the entrepreneur to expect obstacles in the road to success.

Looks good over the black background!

I like this idea. However, I don't think Eric wants people throwing caution into the wind.

It comes down to effective decision making and feeling a sense of urgency at all times.

I have found quick decision making is better when there is a quick process attached. For example, having a set of questions (say three) that are geared around strategy/positioning, goals, and budget. If your decision meets the criteria of the questions...more often than not it will be the right decision.

It is kinda like Malcom Gladwell's book "Blink" where he talks about instinctual decision making and how your gut is right more often than not. I have found the method I described in the previous paragraph a good balance between going with your gut feeling and quickly matching what each strategic question is asking as a way to further decrease the chances of being "wrong." Guts are sometimes biased :). On the other side you could say there is great value to being wrong because of the lessons one can accumulate. So, being wrong isn't always bad.

Brad, I would venture a guess that you have your own method and I'd love to hear you talk about it.

I have to admit, I don't know what the "uproar" is about. This is positioning.

I think this is a smart move by Microsoft in bringing up this point: Selection. The main point wasn't necessarily price or specs, it was selection under a certain price point. Price was mentioned, but only as a budget.

For the budget person who wants selection you choose Microsoft. For people who value specs, user experience, and ease of use then Mac is the clear winner in my mind. Even above a certain price point, Microsoft spanks Apple in selection because of licensing

While smart to concentrate on budget and selection I think it is a strategic mistake to continue with the I'm a PC line. Microsoft needs to strike their own chord an there are a lot of elements in this ad they could use.

Microsoft is positioning itself as a value brand and in this economic climate where more buyers are pinching pennies, I think it is smart.

If I am the marketing dept at Microsoft all I am thinking about is selection.

Michael Port's book is called "The Contrarian Effect" if you didn't catch it.