Anecdotally Speaking

Two explorers from the northern hemisphere set out to be the first to reach the South Pole - Roald Amundsen of Norway and Robert Falconer Scott of England. Their expedition planning, team, equipment and transport selections could not have been more different. Shawn and Mark discuss the relevance of this story to: corporate culture, knowing your limitations, hand picking your teams and the impact of clear, singular goals on success. The post 199 – Approach to the south poles apart – Amundsen Scott appeared first on Anecdote.

People from Hartlepool UK are known colloquially as 'monkey hangers' - a moniker that stems from the Napoleonic Wars of the 1800s. But this story is about a larrikin mascot in a monkey suit making mayor and breaking records... Shawn and Mark bring these disparate (but related) stories together to illustrate some business points around seizing the day, fact being stranger than fiction, and judging books by their covers. The post 198 – Mayor in the monkey suit – Stuart Drummond appeared first on Anecdote.

Australian champion swimmer Kieren Perkins barely qualified for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and only just made the final for the 1500 metre event. Shawn and Mark discuss how extraordinary 'turn-arounds', under promising and over delivering, and reduced expectations of self can sometimes lead to world class moments. The post 197 – Atlanta Olympic swim 1996 – Kieren Perkins appeared first on Anecdote.

Michigan University researchers sought to understand the 'stickiness' of stories - does factual or emotionally charged information provided 'after the fact' change how a story is told or re-told? Shawn and Mark discuss how a 'better story' might usurp an prevailing story (sometimes regardless of the truth). The post 196 – Better fire story – Michigan Uni appeared first on Anecdote.

Bird watcher and engineer Eiji Nakatsu sped up and made Japan's bullet trains quieter by studying the kingfisher's beak. Shawn and Mark stick their noses into how a business might use this story to encourage innovation through biomimicry. The post 195 – Bullet train kingfisher nose – Eiji Nakatsu appeared first on Anecdote.

Jeanne Louise Calment lived to 122 years of age (a species record). Who would have thought such an age was achievable? How would you feel, betting against such a long life, and losing on the deal? Shawn and Mark discuss how a business might use this story to illustrate the unexpected nature of planning, and the danger of 'the sure thing'. The post 194 – French reverse mortgage – Jeanne Calment appeared first on Anecdote.

Andrew Loog Oldham at 19 years of age was the Rolling Stones first manager. By suggesting that Keith Richards and Mick Jagger start writing original songs, a 50 year plus collaboration was born (affectionately now known as the 'Strolling Bones' ;>). Shawn and Mark discuss how a business might use this story to explain both the value of copying masters, and encouraging innovation. The post 193 – Rolling Stones songwriting – Andrew Loog Oldham appeared first on Anecdote.

Sir Peter Blake suggested a single focus for New Zealand's Americas Cup challenge - only do those things that make the boat go faster - leading to two trophies. Shawn and Mark discuss how a business might use this story to galvanise a team. The post 192 – Americas Cup speed focus – Peter Blake appeared first on Anecdote.

The quality of a good question can create insight. Join Shawn and Mark as they discuss the life saving simplicity and humble beginnings of the Apgar Test. The post 190 – Infancy of the newborn test – Virginia Apgar appeared first on Anecdote.

Sometime we just have to throw plans out the window as circumstances change. Blistering temperatures in Tunisia caused the simplification of a now iconic fight scene. The post 189 – The last raiders of the lost ark – Harrison Ford – Gary Marshall appeared first on Anecdote.

Can you imagine Sydney Harbour without the Opera House? Well, without 10 years of delays and $90 million in cost overruns the bridge might have been the only feature in the skyline. Join Shawn and Mark for a discussion on podiums, persistence and politics. The post 188 – Sydney Opera House – Jorn Utzon – Ove Arup appeared first on Anecdote.

If it doesn't feel right, maybe it's not? Do the right thing, not the easy thing. We always have the right to choose, so ask questions and resist being made to feel 'incompetent'. Join Shawn, Mark and Anastasia Dedyukhina from Consciously Digital, as they share stories on digital privacy, attention and switching. The post 187-Privacy in the EU – Anastasia Dedyukhina – Consciously Digital appeared first on Anecdote.

The launch of a new product is risky, but to see young people interact with ease can give lots of confidence. In this episode, we discuss this very point with Ursula Llabres product owner at Meta Reality Labs. The post 185 – VR headsets are coming – Ursula Llabres from Meta appeared first on Anecdote.

The beauty and power of persistence. This is the story of Jack Ma told by Vika Abromova, the country head of Mars Poland. It's another business story to tell. The post 186 – Never give up – Jack Ma appeared first on Anecdote.

Opinions aren’t facts. Listen to hear how Surgeon Fiona Wood set the record straight when her son’s partner was told to reconsider her chosen career path. The post 184 – Don’t push your bias onto others – Fiona Wood appeared first on Anecdote.

We grow to love the things we are exposed to again and again. Listen to hear how the mere exposure effect helped the Caillebotte Seven become the famous painters they are today. The post 183 – Show your work as much as possible – The Caillebotte Seven appeared first on Anecdote.

Some of the best ideas will come from your customers. Listen to hear how The Body Shop grew from a side hustle to an international … The post 182 – Listen to your customer – Anita Roddick appeared first on Anecdote.

It’s never too late; if you believe something should be different, try to change it. Listen to hear how Judith Curphey went from retirement to founding and training one of Australia’s most renowned choirs. The post 181 – It’s never too late – Judith Curphey appeared first on Anecdote.

Don’t compare your work to that of others; focus on yourself. Listen to hear how Christine Ha’s vision impairment helped her win the third American season of Masterchef. The post 180 – Focus on your work – Christine Ha appeared first on Anecdote.

If you design for the average, you might find you’re designing for no one. Listen to hear how challenging an assumption held for 30 years transformed aircraft cockpit design. The post 179 – There is no average appeared first on Anecdote.