Outliers: Why Some People Succeed and Some Don't
by Malcolm Gladwell
I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever recommended a book before it has even gone on sale, but I am such a fan of Malcolm Gladwell that I'm willing to take the risk. His new book, Outliers, searches for reasons why some people succeed while others fall short. What better topic to go with this month's Notions article!
Here is an exerpt from the Amazon.com review:
Challenging our cherished belief of the "self-made man," he makes the democratic assertion that superstars don't arise out of nowhere, propelled by genius and talent: "they are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot."
Examining the lives of outliers from Mozart to Bill Gates, he builds a convincing case for how successful people rise on a tide of advantages, "some deserved, some not, some earned, some just plain lucky."
Outliers can be enjoyed for its bits of trivia, like why most pro hockey players were born in January, how many hours of practice it takes to master a skill, why the descendents of Jewish immigrant garment workers became the most powerful lawyers in New York, how a pilots' culture impacts their crash record, how a centuries-old culture of rice farming helps Asian kids master math.
But there's more to it than that. Throughout all of these examples--and in more that delve into the social benefits of lighter skin color, and the reasons for school achievement gaps--Gladwell invites conversations about the complex ways privilege manifests in our culture. He leaves us pondering the gifts of our own history, and how the world could benefit if more of our kids were granted the opportunities to fulfill their remarkable potential. |
Pinstripe Selects Stop Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT) and Others For 2008-09 Pro Bono Clients
Pinstripe Marketing selected Stop Pet Overpopulation Together (SPOT) as its annual public service campaign, offering pro bono marketing services for 2008-09.
Each year, Pinstripe selects a local charity to assist them with a variety of marketing services. Based on their needs, Pinstripe may offer design services, advertising, brochures, newsletter development, web site design, public relations and more.
"We are so thrilled that SPOT was selected by the talented team at Pinstripe to help us communicate with our clients, donors and volunteers," said executive director Pamela Borres. "We have made so much progress, but we know with some professional marketing assistance we can really make a greater impact on the community."
SPOT is a non-profit spay/neuter hotline and voucher program that provides education on pet over-population solutions to the Tampa Bay community. Last year they distributed 6,000 vouchers for discounted spay/neuter procedures and 2/3 of them were redeemed in Pinellas County. SPOT plans to open their first clinic in February of 2009. For additional information on SPOT please visit www.SPOTusa.org or call (727) 545-3463 for more details.
Pinstripe will also complete an "adopt a cat" campaign for SPCA Tampa Bay and a revised brochure for Community Law Program.
Reichl Named St. Pete Young Professional of the Year
 Pinstripe Marketing president, Ginger Reichl, won the 2008 St. Pete Young Professionals Leadership in Minority Owned Business Award.
Ginger was recognized for the growth of Pinstripe Marketing, a WBENC-certified woman-owned business, and for her leadership in several professional and civic organizations including the Leadership St. Pete Alumni Association, Junior League of St. Petersburg, American Marketing Association, Legal Marketing Association, and the Tampa Bay Advertising Federation.
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Congratulations! Despite dire warnings of economic collapse — and possibly the end of civilization as we know it — you’ve decided not to head for the hills with a rifle and a trusty old pack mule. You’re going to stay in business, perhaps expecting the current down business cycle to follow the script of every previous downturn and turn up again in a few months. 
