Have You Talked To Your Belly Button Today?

Earlier this week Fred Turner passed away.  That name may not be as famous as a Hollywood star or politician but Fred had an impact on our lives in one form or another.  Fred Turner was a true visionary who could pick out trends before anyone noticed.  He had what they call “gut” instinct.  I call it having a close relationship with your belly button!  That inner feeling you know you know, what you know is right! You can’t learn it nor explain it…you just know.

In today’s world we are plagued with a disease called Analysis Paralysis.  Ideas have to be tested with focus groups, research consultants, round table discussions, staff meetings, etc. Take a chance on a whim?  Really?  You’ve got to be kidding?  There is too much at risk!  What if it doesn’t work?  We could loose thousands of dollars and the board of directors would go mad!  We have to analysis every nuance of an idea today and that creates paralysis for any organization.

Let me be clear I’m a big believer in research.  I’ve worked for multi-million dollar broadcasting companies where research was critical to our success.  Not doing proper research before making major decisions are foolish.  However, the times when we stepped out of a typical paradigm to try something new…magic happened!

Fred Turner’s gut instinct (belly button) shaped and redefined how America and ultimately the world would dine. Fred started as a fry cook at a small hamburger joint in 1956 who would stay with his boss Ray Kroc until Fred became Chairman and CEO of Kroc’s company called McDonald’s.  Fred oversaw such ideas as the Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets and Egg McMuffin…all ideas he was told would never work!

As we start 2013 make a promise to talk and listen to your belly button (might want to do that in private) you might find a magical world of ideas will open up for you!