Get paid for being clever
By valkerion
@valkerion (1827)
United Kingdom
May 22, 2010 2:51pm CST
Yeap. Was out of discussion making business for a time but only because I had to do my research.
The result of my research is the following: If you are innovative - smart - thing out of the box, then you are going to make a fortune.
I will provide you with two real life situations/examples.
First example
There was a guy somewhere in US. He had a mini-market. All the sudden a Wall-Mart opened next to his shop (at the left side of his shop to be precise).
He told his friends: "hey these guys came next to me. I am for sure out of the business in a month!"
The next week, an IKEA opened next to his shop, at the right side this time. He had a conversation with his friends and told them:
"What the? Forget the one month. I am out of business in a week!! I will sure go bankrupt"
A week after that conversation, one of his friends saw him with a Mercedes SLK. He asked him "hey where the hell are you going with this car?". He replied "I am going to my new house".
"What?" his friend replied, "weren't you supposed to go bankrupt in a week as you said?". The mini-market owner said: "Well, I did a little trick".
What did he do? He named his mini-market "Entrance" 
Second Example
A glue company was trying to make the best glue in the world. A glue that would stick the best and would do it in a second.
After many many tries, they made so many glues, that they even made a glue that didn't even stick at all! All of the stock holders where disappointed and all of the researchers too.
Except one guy. He said "what can I do with a glue that doesn't stick at all?"
This guy was the "inventor" of the Post-It papers (the yellow papers you stick at your refrigerator, computer, etc.)
That's it. Keep it smart. Keep it innovative. Keep it unique. And you will see success in one way or another.
Thanks one again.
Valkerion
Second Example
A glue company was trying to make the best glue in the world. A glue that would stick the best and would do it in a second.
After many many tries, they made so many glues, that they even made a glue that didn't even stick at all! All of the stock holders where disappointed and all of the researchers too.
Except one guy. He said "what can I do with a glue that doesn't stick at all?"
This guy was the "inventor" of the Post-It papers (the yellow papers you stick at your refrigerator, computer, etc.)
That's it. Keep it smart. Keep it innovative. Keep it unique. And you will see success in one way or another.
Thanks one again.
Valkerion3 people like this
13 responses
@chipesterkhan (2925)
• Philippines
23 May 10
This is an excellent discussion and brilliance doesn't always come from geiuses. It comes from people who were put in a situation and made the best out of it.
Life is a gamble with the ultimate payout being a success in whatever field you immerse yourself in.
It's been a long time since you last posted man
2 people like this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
23 May 10
I know it's been a long time sicne I've posted, but you know me: I want to keep it quality!
Indeed, life is gambling and taking the risk to make the step further. It requires guts, but if everything runs smoothly, then you are going to be the happiest man alive!
@chipesterkhan (2925)
• Philippines
24 May 10
true and don't take too long coming up with those quality posts hehehe
i bet people'd still read it if it has a few typos or grammatical errors anyway
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
24 May 10
I always see my spelling errors at the exact moment I press the submit button 
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
22 May 10
LOL! Those are really good examples of people not just accepting defeat but instead looking for ways that they can turn their "mistakes" into successes.
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
22 May 10
Indeed! I was really amazed how the "glue guy" turned the mistake into success. THe problem is that people do not have always the guts to proceed.
Yes they do have an idea, but they just keep it to that. THe point is to take the step and implement your idea.
Of course what stops people, is the risk. The risk that if the idea isn't that good enough they will go bankrupt.
But the numbers say the following: If you just sell your idea you might get a maximum of 1% of the total profit that your idea can generate. There is no one in earth that will give you more than $1000 for an idea, even if it is a very promising one.
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
22 May 10
PS: I really do not know who tagged this conversation as joke and guideline violation, but I am sure he/she didn't read it at all?
2 people like this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
24 May 10
Val, I have absolutely no idea who tagged this discussion like that nor do I understand why he or she would think it was a joke or a guideline violation. I think that it is a good topic, and it has obviously given us a lot to talk about, as you can see from the responses, so perhaps you are right that they just did not read it.
I think that the risk not only of failure but also of going bankrupt is the reason why many people do not pursue their dreams and ideas, especially when the outcome is uncertain, such as starting a new business (even in an area that has already been explored) not to mention the even riskier task of creating a brand new product or service. There are people that are in a rare position where they can safely pursue their ideas, even if it means that they will lose most of their money if it fails, because they either are responsible only for themselves or have financial stability and another source of income to support their family. Unfortunately, especially in these difficult financial times, there are a lot more people that can't afford to even take a minor decrease in pay (let alone lose an entire source of income) because they are barely making ends meet with two incomes.
I think that the risk not only of failure but also of going bankrupt is the reason why many people do not pursue their dreams and ideas, especially when the outcome is uncertain, such as starting a new business (even in an area that has already been explored) not to mention the even riskier task of creating a brand new product or service. There are people that are in a rare position where they can safely pursue their ideas, even if it means that they will lose most of their money if it fails, because they either are responsible only for themselves or have financial stability and another source of income to support their family. Unfortunately, especially in these difficult financial times, there are a lot more people that can't afford to even take a minor decrease in pay (let alone lose an entire source of income) because they are barely making ends meet with two incomes.1 person likes this
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
24 May 10
There are people with all different kinds of skill sets, and the world needs them all. A person can be a genius and have a ton of book-knowledge but be entirely useless when it comes to hands-on type work and vice-versa. Without all types of people with all different skills and knowledge the world would not have a lot of the things that we take for granted on a daily basis. People compliment each other with their skills, knowledge, vision, and personalities, and we all need each other for our society to function well.
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
23 May 10
That's not true. Someone that reads books or has a degree doesn't necessary mean that he is clever than someone that hasn't.
For example, the mini market guy is richer than you. me, and everyone here in myLot.
He hasn't any degree, I think he just made it to high school, but he is a brilliant person.
Do not confuse knowledge with inner wisdom.
1 person likes this
@workingmom50 (3091)
• United States
22 May 10
Once again you have started a discussion that makes people think. I noticed the tags...Maybe they thought the first story was a joke and stopped reading...if they would of read on they would of known these were life examples. And if they were to come back and read the comments...they would see you sparked discussion..not laughs.
Brainstorming is great, I even bounce ideas off of my family...and they go along even if they sometimes don't get it. 
And then there are people like you that make brainstorming fun...talk to you later
And then there are people like you that make brainstorming fun...talk to you later1 person likes this
@workingmom50 (3091)
• United States
23 May 10
Speaking of which...yesterday was Saturday, did you work on it?
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
23 May 10
it was too much of work to be done in a day. Plus I need you for some screenshots of logos etc.1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
23 May 10
You can have many impulses to even make a brainstorming. You remember my idea. I was just sitting there listening to one of my favourite songs. And boom! It's all that simple.
It requires though, people to think and to not have boundaries. There is something else too that we call it "Helicopter view". It's the skill when someone rises above an idea, and sees the idea as a big general picture giving no weight at the details.
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
24 May 10
You are right. People under pressure come up with great ideas. When there is nothing else you can do, you start thinking of ALL the alternatives.
And it's not about thinking only. I saw at a documentary yesterday that a guy lifted a HELICOPTER because his friend was in it and wanted to save him!
I am telling you, we can do more than we can imagine.
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
23 May 10
Indeed the times we live are very hard to survive if we don't keep it smart.
But of course we are not all meant to start our own business. I know many people that have a nice time even if they are just employees at a company.
It's to everyone's dreams!
@vijayanths (7877)
• India
23 May 10
Wow valkerion, that is really very very nice indeed. It is informative and humorous as well. This is perhaps the best way of passing on a good message, thanks.
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
23 May 10
Hello there! Unfortunately for the ones near me (fortunately for me! ) that's the only way I know to present stories. Gestures, fun and doing variations of voices
(fortunately for me! ) that's the only way I know to present stories. Gestures, fun and doing variations of voices 
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
23 May 10
I have great admiration for those who make a lot out of a little.
Here there is a guy who worked in the bar of the local swimming pool each summer years ago. He was in charge of the sandwich and rolls. It was a seasonal job and in the winter he had a hard time finding a similar job. At a certain point he realised that people eat in winter too and if they were not going to the swiming pool they must be going somewhere else.
He now runs a van which he opens up into a mobile snack bar. He does concerts, football matches and whatever is on locally. He parks his wan, sets up a couple of tables with some chairs and people flock to him wherever he is!
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
23 May 10
Hah! That's indeed great!
You see? I wouldn't mind doing this job. Really. I would love to make snacks and feed people etc.
There is a small fast-food over here that makes more than $100 per day, because they simple have the best kebab in town. Someone asked the guy once, if he wants to extend his fast food shop because the near shop was for rent.
He said: "Why would I want to do so? I have my lovely customers, my lovely small easy manageable shop and I have enough money to live"
Simply amazing.
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
24 May 10
I think I have said it again at an older discussion:
My uncle went to Germany with about a dollar in his pocket. Then he started washing dishes at restaurants and gathered enough money to rent a 3x3 shop. He started making tzatziki (a greek sauce thingie, with yoghurt, cucumber and garlic) and sold it to restaurants and to local people.
My aunt now has 3 cars, 2 houses, and he buys a new car every 6 months
@Mythologique (49)
• United States
29 May 10
So, your uncle went to Germany and made money...enough money in fact to then become your aunt? Amazing story. Don't mind me, just poking fun.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
22 May 10
research? i do that all the time. i do think outside the box but am not very adept at making things happen, seeing them through. 
i guess im just not as ambitious as when i was younger. i used to keep on track when younger could think of nothing else till i finished what id started. now sadly my poor brain flits all over the place. thing is, im backward. most people have it the other way around
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
22 May 10
"One of the main principles of a brainstorming session is that no matter what idea you say, it has to be written down" - That is also why they say that there are no dumb ideas when you are brainstorming. In fact, they encourage people to think outside the box. Even if they do not think their idea is practical, they are supposed to just blurt it out, because not only might their idea actually be "doable" but also it might inspire an even better idea.
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
22 May 10
I had a brainstorming session because of an assignment. We had to thing of 100 innovative ideas and at the end through filtering (business planning etc) we had to found one the one, the most innovative, the most profitable.
My head hurt when we finished. We said all kind of crap like "MECHANICAL TIGER!". But really there were some not that good ideas that turned into elite ones.
Now, I am a computer science student and it was the first time I did this. But it was a hell of a fun!
2 people like this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
22 May 10
Well, yeah, spending two nights on finding stuff like that in front of a monitor is some what of a research for me 
Nah, I don't think that you have poor brain. Everyone on this planet is clever. There are things that ignite our ideas though.
One of the main principles of a brainstorming session is that no matter what idea you say, it has to be written down because it might be an impulse for someone else to come up with a better one!
Maybe you don't have impulses! But surely you do have the brains.
And I am not 100% that you are backward. Maybe you are UNIQUE in a way which gives you the upper hand at the end.
Nah, I don't think that you have poor brain. Everyone on this planet is clever. There are things that ignite our ideas though.
One of the main principles of a brainstorming session is that no matter what idea you say, it has to be written down because it might be an impulse for someone else to come up with a better one!
Maybe you don't have impulses! But surely you do have the brains.
And I am not 100% that you are backward. Maybe you are UNIQUE in a way which gives you the upper hand at the end.2 people like this
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
24 May 10
Great Discussion my friend, it makes me think, it is not what life deals you, rather, it his how you deal with life.
A simple change in your mindset, from What is wrong, to what is right can go a long way. Like with the glue, what is wrong about glue that does not stick, not that cat though, he thought, what is right about glue that does not stick...does wonders for your imagination, when you ask what is right, and what makes that right about everything.
The other thing your discussion did was remind me of a similar story I once heard, that I think I will share.
There was once this shoe company that wanted to expand from the states into the Caribbean islands. They sent their best rep out, he got there and noticed that no one was wearing shoes, and he said, well, I might as well go home no one here wears shoes anyways.
Not wanting to lose the new market, they decided to send out an up and coming rep, who upon arrival, noticed that no one was wearing shoes, so he phones up the company and asks for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of stock, because, no body has a pair of shoes.
It is how you think about, and you can train yourself to see the opportunity.
Sincerely and With Appreciation.
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
24 May 10
I would imagine some of the people may want shoes, while others would prefer to go bare foot.
I think the moral is, to not make the assumption, rather to do your investigations. It could be that they never knew they had a need of shoes, and one person could show them all the benefits, or it could be that it is too hot and uncomfortable to be wearing shoes, Who knows.
Asking the islanders would solve your problems, however, I am sure they would all have a different answer.
Cheers.
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
24 May 10
What a great story you got there CJ. Showing how two different people have a different perspective on the same thing.
Who do you think is the right one? The one that said "we don't need shoes because that people do not wear shoes" or the one that said the opposite?
I am pretty confused to be honest, because both have a point. On the other hand, the appropriate would be to ask the inhabitants of the island if they do need shoes. That would answer the question!
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
25 May 10
So, maybe the guy that said "order shoes" wanted to make a need at the inhabitants. He may wanted to pass that need of shoes and tell them "hey you don't wear shoes, look all the benefits!"
If that's the case, who would you rather be? The one that would say "Okay people do not need shoes so I am out of here" or the one that says "I am going to make you need shoes"?
1 person likes this
@juggerogre (1653)
• Philippines
23 May 10
Both are great stories and both are really witty :D Entrance huh? That's really smart thinking. Also the post-it. The man is a genius. We just need to be clever and use our imaginations in a situation where earning seems too impossible. Thank you for sharing it :D
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
23 May 10
The guy with the "entrance" thing was really genius. Hell, he was just a mini-market owner. He didn't have a ton of degrees; he didn't speak 100 different languages. He just kept it smart! Everyone can do it.
@Mythologique (49)
• United States
29 May 10
I love the Wal-Mart example! Hilarious. But, how the heck are post-its sticky if he used a glue that doesn't stick? Wouldn't that just be some nasty liquid? It would be like writing a note on a little yellow piece of paper, spitting on it, and pressing it on the computer screen. Gross and very ineffective.
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
29 May 10
It was actually a glue that barely stick. So that's the reason he decided to make the post-it papers with it!
Lol, spiting and sticking at your monitor? That would be both gross and hazardous :P
@abolystic (79)
• Russian Federation
22 May 10
The same story with Steve Jobs. I've listened to his speech in Stanford University.
He is a great man indeed.
1 person likes this
@valkerion (1827)
• United Kingdom
23 May 10
Hey, you are one lucky guy if you saw Steve Jobs live!! Must be a memory that will never be erased from your mind, right?
