Tipping Point

As many of us have read this book, I thought I would break down a few things. In order for an idea to tip, there are usually 3 specialized individuals involved in the 'tip'. Connector - someone who takes an idea and spreads it through many different social circles. These people tend to have many different circles that they overlap. Mavens - in depth knowledge on specific subject matters. Brian is a hockey maven. Taylor is a law maven. Salesman - the guy who persuasively sells the idea. The connector connects people to the idea, but the salesman makes it gold.

Ethan - Salesman, with a bit of connector

Brian - I didn't think you fit any of the 3, maybe a bit of a connector and definitely a maven in some situations, i.e. hockey. Instead, as I will illustrate with my points, you are a first user/innovator.

Taylor - not sure you fit any of the 3 specialized people...a maven in some things. It isn't a big deal, everyone is not one of the 3 specialties (Maven, Connector, Salesman)

The reason I bring this up is due to my new found awareness of the Tipping Point idea. This is the idea that all great trends have a point where they 'tip'. They go from being something a few people are into, to a thing everyone wants into.

Example #1: Hockey

Brian is the first user, the innovator. He had been singing the praises of hockey for years, yet the idea hadn't tipped in our group. He had taken many people without any success. When did it change? You know where I'm going...he introduced the sport to me, Ethan. Now I, being a salesman, couldn't help but sell this to his other social circles. Hockey would have never happened for our group without Brian, but same can be said about me. What happened? For Jason Ellis' birthday I paid for him to get skating lessons with me. He brought his brother and we were hanging out with Brandon, so the 4 of us starting skating. This led to the inclusion of Alex (who brought in Patrick), Taylor (who brought Kyle P, who brought Kyle S and Josh), Joey (who brought Jasper, Oliver, John R), John Ellis (Luke)...and the list is still growing (Justin, Steve, Dan Harris)...with many on the fence getting ready to join up. Hockey is in the midst of a growing epidemic amongst our social groups.

Example #2: P90X

Again, Brian is the first user/innovator. He brings the new idea to the group. But again, it starts to grow rapidly with Ethan and Jason. Now, I have 3 or 4 people working out at my house on a regular basis, with others considering. The idea has grown to the following people: Ethan, Adri, Jason, John Ellis, Katie S, Brandon, Matt (my work partner), Jeff Smith. Jason and I joke that if we got commissions on getting people into the stuff we are into, we would be making some serious cash.

Other Possible Examples:

-Inclusion and excitement for the Olympics
-Arrested Development
-Reading Tipping Point (just ask the 4-5 people I have given the book to, funny thing tipping the Tipping Point)

What's Next?