Malcolm Gladwell’s intriguing view of why some businesses reach "the tipping point" of success and why some don’t…

Photo by author

Being an avid reader of books on success, inspiration and the power of the mind, I’m always on the lookout for new great reads. About a year ago, I heard about the author Malcolm Gladwell. I was speaking with the CEO of a company and he told me about Gladwell, recommending his work. I was intrigued.

When I picked up “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference”, I knew I’d love it after flipping through a few pages.  Within this book, Gladwell addresses the distinguishing factors between companies or people who become successful and continue to grow and thrive, in contrast with those that fall short. He calls the most prominent defining factor “The Tipping Point,” an element he feels is necessary to extraordinary success in life.

While there are many points that he addresses within the book, I’m going to write about the factors that stood out most in my mind. One such powerful point is the concept of “The Law of the Few” which is made up of three types of people: connectors, mavens, and salesman. Gladwell explains that you must have each of these unique individuals working toward your company or cause to reach the tipping point.

Read more in Business
« Can You Really Get Paid to Mail Letters?
Prophecy for You Congress »

The three elements of “The Law of the Few”

“The Law of the Few says that there are exceptional people out there who are capable of starting epidemics. All you have to do is find them. The lesson of stickiness is the same. There is a simple way to package information that, under the right circumstances, can make it irresistible. All you have to do is find it.“

(-Gladwell, pg. 132)

Connectors are people who are a part of many different worlds and have the unique ability to bring all those worlds together. Mavens are people who have not only the social skills and knowledge to start a social epidemic (spreading the word about your industry), but they do it for no other reason than the fact that they like to help others. And, lastly, Salesmen are the people who can create instant rapport and trust with others through an intrinsic charisma that’s simply irresistible to others.

Another factor that’s crucial to giving a company the tipping point edge is a characteristic, Gladwell calls “stickiness”. According to him, the stickiness factor means something is memorable, it doesn’t go away; it grabs the audience’s attention and keeps it. Basically, it’s about staying power. And, companies and people who understand these concepts are that much closer to tipping the scales of success in their favor.

If you take the time to pick up this book, I hope you find it as fascinating as I did.

Joie Schmidt © Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved.

==================================================================

Dreams of the Heart – volume I by Joie Schmidt is available:

  * Volume I: Amazon Kindle, Adobe Reader, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iPad and iBooks

Dreams of the Heart – volume II is available:

  * Volume II: Amazon Kindle, Adobe Reader

———> Stay tuned . . . vol. II will soon be available on iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iPad and iBooks!

(*In memoriam of the tragedy in Japan all proceeds from – volume I – sales will go to the relief efforts until 3/11/12)

==================================================================

For more great reading:

Do you have a story, poem, artwork or photography you’d like to share? Please check out this site to earn limitless income for life: Triond