Last week I wrote to you about Perspective; at Shirlaws, we use the word 'Context' to help define and communicate a specific perspective for a business or individual. Just as we make different decisions in a 'personal context' versus a 'business context', so too running a contextual filter like 'friendly', 'profitable', or 'understanding' can help make decisions easier.

Individuals run their own contexts, and there are also different layers of context within a business. When these different filters are out of alignment then decisions take longer to make, and confusion or frustration can creep in.

I take the time to set a context for every meeting I attend, even each email I write. (For instance, immediately after this one you will receive an email about the follow-up Thrive, not Survive events. My context there is 'Registrations'. I want you to come, and bring at least one friend.)

Is your business aligned? Or are you running different Contexts?

Are you in business to make money?

I could use this article to talk about the 5 Mistakes of a Recession - but I won't. Instead, think about how different contexts affect web-businesses like Facebook. They've used a 'Growth' context, and garnered 100 Million free users. They have yet to apply the 'Commercial' context, with scary results. The key quote is from another web-business 37 Signals: "We've found out that having a price is really cool for making profits."

The Context of the Venture Capital Pitch

Context provides clarity and focus. This article looks at start-up companies pitching to investors, who often answer all the wrong questions. If only they took the time to think strategically about WHY they are pitching ... but I'm sure you never rush into a sales / recruitment / marketing meeting?

Context of Bipartisanship?

In the United States of Obamica, the Bipartisanship word is being used a lot ... and applied very little. Much of this article is content (which an amerophile like me enjoys); if you just want the Context part, read paragraph two.

Context 2009: Easy Discipline 

I also set a Context for myself each year. Here is 2009 (last year was Acknowledgement), which may help explain this concept some more.

If you've never failed, you've never lived

A brief video which shows why failure isn't an outcome, just a step in the right direction. Can you see the difference between the 'Fail' and the 'Stepping Stone' contexts when applied to mistakes?

Intranet Joke of the Week

Two cows were standing in a field when one goes, "Mooo."

The other replies, "Damn, I was just about say that."

Until next week,

Jacob Aldridge and the Shirlaws Team

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