Episode #670 - From Serendipity To Strategy with Kevin Maney, Partner at Category Design Advisors
July 18, 2023
In this episode of the Million Dollar Mastermind podcast, Host Larry Weidel is joined by Kevin Maney, a Partner at Category Design Advisors. They discuss the concept of writing as a discipline of thought and the importance of creating a Proof of Value (POV) for your business. Kevin also unveils how he turned serendipity into the intentional pursuit of his goals, which got him the job of Tech Writer and Columnist at USA Today.
In this episode of the Million Dollar Mastermind podcast, Host Larry Weidel is joined by Kevin Maney, a Partner at Category Design Advisors. They discuss the concept of writing as a discipline of thought and the importance of creating a Proof of Value (POV) for your business. Kevin also unveils how he turned serendipity into the intentional pursuit of his goals, which got him the job of Tech Writer and Columnist at USA Today.
Key highlights include:
- Kevin emphasizes the significance of writing and its connection to disciplined thinking. While it's easy to have discussions and generate ideas, it's crucial to express those ideas in writing so that they can be understood and connected by others. Writing a book can transform a person into a better thinker, as it forces them to organize their ideas holistically.
- In the context of category design, when discussing a company's purpose, problem-solving approach, and category definition, the most critical outcome is the creation of a Proof of Value (POV), which is a concise narrative that articulates why a particular problem exists, how it should be solved, and why the company in question is uniquely positioned to address it. The act of writing the POV in precise language ensures that everyone in the company comprehends its core mission, enabling effective communication across various departments.
- Kevin believes that life is often driven by serendipitous moments, but it's crucial to be intentional in how we seize those opportunities. He started his career at a newspaper in Binghamton, then moved to one in Westchester County, which was home to IBM and other tech companies. USA Today was just starting out, and they needed reporters; when they asked Kevin to join, others declined due to the risks. But at twenty-five, he embraced the chance as he had big goals: a national column and a book. Landing at USA Today was serendipitous, but Kevin worked intentionally to become a columnist, gaining a platform to pursue his interests.
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