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What Ron Paul Knows That Your Company Doesn't

August 12, 2008 RSS Feed Print

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GL Hoffman

I am no political commentator, pundit, operative, or shill. Consider me "A-Political." I do vote, but that's about it. (I say this so I do not get spammed to death from one political campaign, party, or candidate. This post is NOT about politics. So spare me, puh-lease.)

But still...

I am a "connection theorist" by habit. I like to see how something works in one area and think of how I would apply that activity to another. You probably do the same—we can connect seemingly unique or disparate activities to make a bigger point. Our daily mantra is: "Can this work over here?"

So, the Ron Paul phenomenon fascinates me. Rather, the intensity of his supporters fascinates me and makes me wonder what he did, or does, to make grown men leave little cards with "Ron Paul" on the tops of urinals or stamp their $1 bills with his name. They are Believers, with a capital B.

How can you develop a Ron Paul-type movement in your own company, where your people are so engaged that they become evangelists for your business?

Here are three ways:

1. Find an enemy. Nothing is more effectively emotional than building a business that is better-faster-cheaper than a competitor. Whereas some companies like to ignore a competitor, others draw strength. Paul does it by going after the perceived weaknesses of both parties. People love to work for an underdog.

2. Make a movement, not another brochure. What is the larger, transcendent goal of your business? On one level, JobDig (my company) sells help-wanted advertising to employers; on another, we are helping people dig their job. It is a noble calling, rather than a for-profit endeavor. Paul has created a movement.

3. Talk that way. If you have watched his YouTube videos, you can see how his supporters talk. It's "I Believe" or "We Believe." The excitement and conviction show through—it is not intellectual; it is emotional. Someone in your company should be able to connect with the emotional needs of your people. But most of us want to retain our "coolness" and won't even try. There is nothing cool about Ron Paul.

G.L. Hoffman is a serial entrepreneur and venture investor/operator/incubator/mentor. Two of his companies have traveled the entire success path from the garage to IPO. Currently, he is chairman of JobDig, and his blog can be found at WhatWouldDadSay.com or at JobDig.com.

Tags:: small business,; Ron Paul,; careers

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I can also add the message he brings is real and genuine. I really haven't ANYONE speak the way he does unless I read my American Revolutionary history. Its like seeing and hearing a modern day Thomas Jefferson speak to us about todays problems and giving us clear ways to get out of it and return to our state of prosperity and liberty.
Then there is the fact that he has consistently predicted likely events such as predicting the Russian attack on Georgia in 2001 on the PBS show "Now" when he was telling us that there was no credible evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac's collapse. Telling us that the Drug War is an unwindable war in the early 80's and so on. The way this man thinks is unreal. Best of all he is giving all Americans the advice they need and the liberty we want.
"Ron Paul cool"? No, I think Dr.Ron Paul is beyond cool he is a great man and a living legend.

Adam of TX 7:53PM September 20, 2008

I'll tell you how it worked. Get a massive informed, intelligent, well-read, group of Americans who actually studied history and know why our country had a Revolution to begin with. Next, make sure this massive group has had their own personal unconstitutional run-ins with the law or have families/friends who've had run-ins with them (mine was due to a fiance being harrassed- with no due process of the law mind you - on a child support arrearage case that was caused by a small county court clerk's office screwing up his records). If they haven't had a run-in, then make sure they know their rights and aer open-minded enough to see what is going on with our current laws and lawmakers. All these disenfranchised people (millions of them) know there is something wrong with this country and our leaders but until now, there hasn't been an individual who was outspoken or bright enough to really pull them together. My respect for Dr. Paul came when I heard he had never taken part in the lucrative Congressional Pension. Congress never asked Americans whether they wanted to give around $70,000 to each member in Congress when they left, no matter how long they served, no matter how poor a job they did. Between that, other unconstitutional laws I had learned about, and the terrible treatment given to my fiance when they wouldn't even give him his right to due process...........that's the type of person who understands what Dr. Paul is talking about. They knew right away that he was telling the truth. And the treatment by the mainstream media and other Republican candidates was a clear indication they wanted him to go hide in a hole somewhere. The question one had to ask was "why". That meant something he was saying was indeed significant. So your article is trying to compare what Dr. Paul did with a company and it really wasn't what he did but a mix of what our govt. has done, the truth finally being told, and the unhappiness of many Americans. Put it together right and there you have it.

Jane of TN 4:33PM September 09, 2008

Trying to compare the freedom movement to the business world is like wiping your buttocks before you defecate. It just doesn't make sense. I scoff at your silly attempt

parc greene of NC 10:55AM September 09, 2008