Seth says "you're boring"

Seth Godin says "you're boring". I think he's right.

Use caution on your context, time and place for that guidance though. Unfortunately some of the forces and sources to get startups rolling require some of these boring attributes. Boring sometimes translates to conservative. Some of the "boring" stuff helps get companies financed, say, in a down economic time.

One must choose when to be boring and when to be remarkable, and when and how to position the difference.

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Comments

[Chris]

Seth is one sharp cookie, but I beg to differ. And good point about: "One must choose when to be boring and when to be remarkable, and when and how to position the difference."

Seth's comment doesn't ring true with me anymore. I'm sure you are familiar with the book: "The Millionaire Next Door." The bulk of wealth in this country is made by the average Joe running an average and boring business. They don't get the attention, you never read about them, and they don't need public financing. Their millionaire status, however, is no less real and valid.

In this age we live in, is there really a necessity to spend the big bucks to meet Seth's "remarkable" status? Is he going to laugh at the boring "safe" players who are still in business and are profitable? Last time I checked, 99% of the "remarkable" companies that existed in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 are no longer with us. I can now add 2007, 2008, and probably 2009 to that list.

I'll take my boring products and services any day to media hype, buzz, and PR industry approval.

Boring? Doesn't mean we little guys don't try to be at least a little bit remarkable in our own ways to our customers. (Not recognized by Seth.)

There's only one thing I think about when I hear "buzz" about a company: Buzz = Needs cash.