Differentiate with Data and Relationships

It will be tougher to generate unique results or insights by looking in the same places and reading the same things as everyone else. Getting out and talking to customers, suppliers, competitors and creditors can be uncomfortable but may tell you a lot more than reading an annual report. Malcolm Gladwell, one of the most prominent writers of our generation, is known for finding valuable insights from the “overlooked and misunderstood”. His disciplined research methods no doubt contributed to his success – spending countless hours reading trade journals, graduate research publications, and old newspaper articles – even, from what I understand, often at the local public library. Be like Malcolm. Turn off the world, and, to the extent resources allow, find out as much of what is true as you can – for yourself.