“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”
– Calvin Coolidge
“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
—Winston Churchill
I had to geekify Christina’s Christmas decorations tonight. One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn’t belong, can you tell which thing is not like the others…
Key Insights from the Entrepreneur and Social Media Pioneer
Gary showed business acumen from childhood, turning various interests into profitable ventures.
The Thank You Economy emphasizes listening over talking, using social media as a genuine feedback channel.
Moving beyond the big box era to a time when business success depends on authentic relationships.
Gary Vaynerchuk is a Belarusian-American entrepreneur, author, speaker, and internet personality. He is known for his work in digital marketing and social media as the chairman of VaynerX and the CEO of VaynerMedia.
After transforming his family’s wine business into one of the first e-commerce platforms for alcohol in the late 1990s, Gary became known for his pioneering use of content marketing and social media. His books include “Crush It!”, “The Thank You Economy,” “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook,” and “AskGaryVee.”
In “The Thank You Economy,” Gary Vaynerchuk argues that the rise of social media has made business personal again. Companies must show they care about their customers by interacting with them directly through social platforms.
The core thesis is that businesses need to return to a time when excellent customer service and authentic relationships were valued above all else. In the digital age, this means genuinely engaging with customers online and creating a culture of appreciation and care.
“We just lived through the big box era, we are going to an era where people go to where there is a relationship.”
— Gary Vaynerchuk
What did I miss from Gary’s talk? Do you agree with his perspectives on business relationships and social listening? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Insights on Building Revolutionary Companies
Jobs recognized the transformative potential of software to create simulated environments and new learning possibilities.
Building a great company culture and structure is more important than any single product.
A leader must consistently reiterate and maintain the company’s vision through countless small reminders.
“One of the things that made Apple great was in its early days it was built from the heart. That is like a bomb run, you don’t change your target when you are on a bomb run.”
— Steve Jobs
Jobs emphasized the importance of celebrating each step toward a distant goal, with leadership consistently reminding the team they’re moving in the right direction.
Jobs believed that a company built with genuine passion and conviction would stay true to its mission, comparing it to a bomber that doesn’t deviate from its target.
Steve Jobs co-founded Apple in 1976 and transformed multiple industries through his visionary leadership. After being forced out of Apple in 1985, he founded NeXT Computer and acquired Pixar before returning to Apple in 1997, where he led the company’s resurgence with iconic products like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
Jobs was known for his unwavering commitment to quality, design excellence, and his ability to see around technological corners. His leadership philosophy centered on maintaining a clear vision, building great teams, and focusing relentlessly on creating products that changed how people interact with technology.
Maintain unwavering focus on your mission despite obstacles.
A great company creates great products, not the other way around.
Consistently remind teams of the ultimate goal during the journey.
Recognize transformative technological trends early.
YouTube: “One of the most amazing catches you will ever see. The plan was for me to launch the frisbee out into the water and for the boat to drive up onto it so the ‘How Ridiculous’ boys can make the catch. However, Derek had other plans giving us the Incredible Speed Boat Catch!
“We find comfort among those who agree with us, growth among those who don’t.”
– Frank A. Clark
