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Fonk for Thoughts: Guy Kawasaki
US "empower-er of entrepreneurs" Guy Kawasaki is one of the individuals responsible for the success of the Macintosh computer. What are his Fonks for Thoughts?
Photo Guy Kawasaki: "Don't let the bozos grind you down." BlogFonk: Who is Guy Kawasaki? And where are you from? Kawasaki: I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. I moved to California to attend college and have never looked back. I've been an evangelist for Macintosh, entrepreneur, venture capitalist, investment banker, author, and speaker. This sure sounds like I can't hold down a job. BlogFonk: Do you love your work? Why (not)? Kawasaki: A seemingly simple question for which there is no simple answer. In a perfect world, I would just hang out with my family and place hockey. But this isn't a perfect world, so I work as a venture capitalist, write books, and make speeches. This "work" isn't so bad, so don't shed any tears for me; I have a pretty great life. When I die, I want to be remembered as a great husband, father, and empower-er of entrepreneurs. BlogFonk: What is your book "The Art Of The Start" about? Kawasaki: About USD 25.00. Seriously, it's for anyone starting anything. 
BlogFonk: What are the latest important developments you've noticed in your business? Kawasaki: What new developments? In venture capital, writing, or speaking? There are few developments in these businesses. Entrepreneurs create the new stuff, not VCs, writers, or speakers. Our job is to spot them and empower them. Maybe you have mistaken me for a creative type. I'm not creative. I just work like a dog. If people think writing is about releasing the creative muse with a fountain pen on a windswept beach while sipping cappuccinos, they're on drugs. Writing is about editing, and editing is about grinding it out. Speaking is the same. Speaking is about repetition and polishing, working on a speech and giving it dozens of times until it sounds spontaneous. BlogFonk: Is there difference in mentality of creative professionals in the countries you've worked? Kawasaki: "Creative professionals"? Isn't that an oxymoron? The creative people that I've worked with from countries all over the world are more similar than they are different: energetic, energized, trying to change the world, and picky about aesthetics. They use Macintoshes. This is true whether they're in London, Shanghai, or Palo Alto. The "professionals" are also similar, but in less desirable ways. BlogFonk: Which work for a client are you most proud of? Kawasaki: I am second-most proud when someone reads my books or hears me speak and then goes out and changes the world. I am most proud when someone compliments me about my kids. BlogFonk: If you'd be given the chance to do something over again, what would that be? Kawasaki: I should have taken up hockey at six, not forty eight. Unfortunately, "winter in Hawaii" is also an oxymoron. BlogFonk: Finally, what is your motto, your "Fonk for Thoughts" (inspriration to be creative)? Kawasaki: Don't let the bozos grind you down. Because the bozos will try to grind you down, they'll tell you that you can't do something, that something won't work, or that something isn't needed. The only thing worse than a bozo is a person who listens to a bozo. |
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posted by BlogFonk: Friday, November 26, 2004 [#] Erms Suripatty