A number of people want to observe the project but asked if they could do it anonymously. One of these folks was what some readers referred to as "The Snake Guy" because of his candid response to a question I asked him during tough times back in early 2003 (A Reader's Strategy--Act Like a Snake). This time he wanted to know if he could participate the networking project via his cell phone (a.k.a. "this clever iPhone thing"). Although his fame is fading his tendency toward boisterous, strong opinions obviously has not. 

Since he was on the phone I couldn't help but ask him how he would approach the current downturn if he wasn't basically retired. I knew his take would be interesting. This is the brief but useful conversation basically verbatim:

I asked, "So, what would you be doing if you were still actively at the helm?"

"Well, come on Tal, read your own stuff. An enemy in chaos is prone to remarkable stupidity. Look around. A lot of management can't think on their feet anymore under the best of circumstances and many of the guys that still can are freaked out right now. They're managerially paralyzed, worried about how the Board and shareholders will react to good old fashioned decisive CEO behavior. So they are just focused on keeping the ship steady. No unnecessary rocking, thank you very much."

"So, what would you do?"

"Me? Simple. I'd double down. Just double down on where I wanted the company to be."

"You mean as in gambling?"

"That's right. 21."

"But what about pulling in?"

"That's for idiots," he said laughing. I could easily picture his self-assured smile. "Look around. Now is a great time to be daring or even audacious. You're always talking about the competition being The Enemy, well, now is the time to figure out what your competition's got that you want and go for it! Just DO IT! Don't act for today. Act for tomorrow. Don't worry about pissing people off because they're gonna be pissed off no matter what you do. Hey, change is gonna happen anyway. You might as well make it in the direction where you want to go, right?"

"So you would be on the offensive?"

"Damn straight. I'd be buying."

"Buying? Now?" This struck me as contrarian but shouldn't have given the source.

"Sure, nobody is going to be making much money for a while anyway. So making a little less because you bought some assets, well, so ####ing what? Just make sure they're the sort of thing that helps you down the road." He paused then added, "Plus, it shows you're confident."

"Well, brave anyway."

"Of course. But that's a given. You have to be brave. But then good senior managers, hell ALL good managers, have to be. Show me a senior manager that isn't brave and I'll show you a problem."

"A problem to who?"

"Himself. Because if he worked for me he would be looking for a new job."

With that the conversation moved onto (in order): my daughter in Boulder ("You're kidding! She's now in college? Didn't we advise her on how to grow a baby sitting business?"), Gene and Georgetti's steakhouse in Chicago ("I wouldn't say THE best, Tal. But damn close."), Emirates airlines First Class to Dubai ("Actually I've heard there's not much privacy in those new suites but with the right companion it would be fun to try [don't ask...]), Dubai's Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum ("What's with all those islands?") and, of course, president elect Obama ("Well, I'm hoping...").

So, it was an interesting conversation. Take a moment and think about it--maybe this is the time to "double down" not hunker down. But you will have to be brave.

Happy Holidays!

Tal