Harvey Brody thinking, sans parables and metaphors...

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by unpinkpanther

...these posts mean a LOT to me. And coming on Good Friday, there must be a reason!

Thank you GordonJ

I've always guessed Harvey Brody kinda "reverse-engineers" his goals but the few YouTube videos on "reverse-engineering goals" didn't quite get as granular as you just did.

The examples you gave seem to be for projects similar to what you've done in the past, so you already have an idea of the step-by-step processes involved

Question: How about if you're delving into a completely different field, where you'll certainly need to include RESEARCH into your pre-flight checklist?

How do you know when to STOP researching, to get out of the Square of Knowing and into the Square of Doing?

(OK, I guess that's TWO questions...)

Well, if it is of a monetary nature, you begin at the end, the TRANSACTION.

In non money making fields, what it the target result you want? How will you measure that?

One way is to maybe create a "qual" card. I went to submarine school in New London Conn, and after 8 weeks of study, I didn't know anything, except what the "elephant" looked like, and like the blind men who touched the elephant in different places, came away with different perspectives on what it was...their

hands on research, really didn't help them understand what an elephant was.

When I got to Newport News VA, and actually set foot upon the submarine, did I have some idea about it, and I was given a Qualification Card, where I had to have things signed off by qualified sailors once I learned them.

So, if you can, create a Qual Card for yourself. OR a curriculum. Think of your research as a college of understanding, what would be the 101 Class.

On the submarine, it was the topside, the first thing you stepped on once you crossed the gangplank. So it makes sense to start there.

Say you are researching solar energy, you'd have to DEFINE what it is, and for your research sake, how it will be used and applied. Researching new things and ideas have a elementary school way of learning, you have to know your ABC's first before you can read or write.

What is the lingo, the language or your field of study? Who are the experts? What is available, info wise, where do you find it? What will you do with this research? Again, I favor a BACKWARD CHAINING exercise, going from the end result back to the beginning.

As for the end of research and the DO part...it might appear on the timeline when you do this chain of events. OR, in many cases, when a DEADLINE is set.

If you work for someone and they give you 30 days to do something, then you know how much time you have. Where the dogs come in, is when your result depends upon the action of others, and if they are not connected to the project or are outside, it throws you off. Easiest way not to get used again as a copywriter is to miss a deadline on a project going to roll out on a given date. As an example.

So, is there a TIME limit place on your project? When must it get done? Can you identify the potential time delays (other people?)....it is like going to your roof and seeing the shortest route to the park is down Rottweiller infested Elm St. But you want to avoid that confrontation, you take Oak st. instead.

If you offer an example or two, I might be able to give you a more specific example. Fair enough?

Gordon

[unpinkpanther]

Originally Posted by GordonJ

Well, if it is of a monetary nature, you begin at the end, the TRANSACTION.

Thank you for the very detailed response.

I'm trying to delve into Barter/Trade applying tips I learned from The Chattel Report and BJ Fuller's Barter Secrets.

My expected positive end-result is to have a network of ready buyers so deals get easier to flip/cash-convert.

I must admit: my thinking has not be as structured as you outlined.

- No clear pre-flight checklist
- Not "looking for barking dogs before you encounter them…all this before you take off"

So all I've done so far is send out cold emails based on the "Mr Feldbush Script" on page 39 of The Chattel Report. Good response rate, more like "Yeah, we'll get back to you".

Now I see that I didn't factor follow-up into my plans. So I just let things sit there. My bad.

So NO network of buyers built, which -by my estimation- is a CRUCIAL part of the barter/trade game.

Originally Posted by GordonJ

As for the end of research and the DO part...it might appear on the timeline when you do this chain of events. OR, in many cases, when a DEADLINE is set.

The problem is: maybe I've had a lot of misguided optimism about how things would pan out. I got ZERO response to the suggested ads in the BJ Fuller book, asking for excess inventory. Again, I didn't factor in that ads may bomb and there could be the need to tweak things, brainstorm options...

Please what else do you think I'm missing?

[GordonJ]

Originally Posted by unpinkpanther

Thank you for the very detailed response.

I'm trying to delve into Barter/Trade applying tips I learned from The Chattel Report and BJ Fuller's Barter Secrets.

My expected positive end-result is to have a network of ready buyers so deals get easier to flip/cash-convert.

I must admit: my thinking has not be as structured as you outlined.

- No clear pre-flight checklist
- Not "looking for barking dogs before you encounter them…all this before you take off"

So all I've done so far is send out cold emails based on the "Mr Feldbush Script" on page 39 of The Chattel Report. Good response rate, more like "Yeah, we'll get back to you".

Now I see that I didn't factor follow-up into my plans. So I just let things sit there. My bad.

So NO network of buyers built, which -by my estimation- is a CRUCIAL part of the barter/trade game.



The problem is: maybe I've had a lot of misguided optimism about how things would pan out. I got ZERO response to the suggested ads in the BJ Fuller book, asking for excess inventory. Again, I didn't factor in that ads may bomb and there could be the need to tweak things, brainstorm options...

Please what else do you think I'm missing?

Yea, I'm seeing your "misguided optimism". I can't speak to anything in the BJ Fuller book, unfamiliar to me.

So, first this:

It appears you want to chattel, so how many bike shops, music stores, antique and collectible shops, used appliance stores, have you actually gone into and looked around and introduced yourself to the owner?

I want to keep this thread on the Harvey Brody thinking process. So, some of this answer may not apply.

I don't see a clear view from the rooftop? Only a cloudy or foggy idea. It doesn't seem to be clearly defined. Are you trying to chattel? Barter?

What is the end financial goal here?

So right up front, maybe you have to define what your outcome is going to be. Say, one year from today, what income would you want, and HOW is it going to come to you? What does your work day look like?

There are "networks" and then there are NETWORKS. A network of musical instruments, both supply and demand, could be local high school band directors and music stores. Evergreen and constant, but relatively low profit per transaction.

A network of sellers of heavy equipment or Farm Equipment where the transaction could get into tens of thousands of dollars, albeit fewer sales.

Joe Karbo belonged to a group (network) of BOAT/YACHT enthusiasts where the transaction was 6, 7 and even 8 figures. Fewer transactions still, but only a couple a year puts one in "high Egyptian cotton".

Do you have a current specialty, knowledgeable about anything? If not this is where experts come in, watch some you tube videos of the Pawn Stars, see how they use experts.

Harvey Brody is a pocket watch aficionado, he would know his Patek Philippe from a Timex, not me, but I have a guy right down the street who could tell me and if I made a yard sale or Flea Market discovery (as Harvey did) I'd probably have an instant partner to flip it, see?

I personally wouldn't respond to an email. I want to know who I'm dealing with, I am not surprised email isn't working for you, probably need an active site or Facebook group for someone to look at.

Facebook buy and sell groups are popular, maybe find one in your neck of the woods?

But back to the thinking. What airport or city are you flying too? (Metaphorically).

If for example, you want to build a 10,000 buck a month biz by next year, what would that look like? How many transactions would you need to make? Assuming you'll be doing low, medium and hopefully some High profit deals, what would that look like?

Not sure what kind of research you need to do, use other people's expertise (barter for it or pay em).

Can you sketch out what a month, a year from now, might look like? What would a typical day be? What would you be DOING? Just putting deals together? With who?

So again, your TRANSACTIONS have some of the answers you need. Say you find a few thousand to 5k dollar bikes and want to flip them...the guy you meet TODAY in your hometown, could be the guy next year who makes it happen in a day.

I doubt seriously you'll meet this guy via email. Maybe? But I wouldn't bet on it.

When I wrote, almost 10 years ago now, that Harvey had SUPERIOR THINKING, this is because he spends the time BEFORE he gets involved to figure things out, so when he is ready, he has the answers he needs.

Now most don't want or need to go this deep into something, but his record is hard to beat, thinking takes time, but he has it down pat, and the metaphors he used with Dien, myself and others, is how he is able to make his point.

Had Dien found out about the dogs on Elm street, he may not have sent all those toasters half way round the world. HA!

I think you need to THINK your project through, or take the DO IT route and hope for the best.

No right or wrong, but there is effective effort and there is wheel spinning, and Harvey Brody doesn't get into wheel spinning. Just sayin.

Gordon

[unpinkpanther]

...my wheel spinning is making ME sick!

There is a LOT of thinking to be done, now I have a clear guide

Thank you for highlighting key gaps in my thinking.

I'm grateful

Originally Posted by GordonJ

Yea, I'm seeing your "misguided optimism".

So, first this:

It appears you want to chattel, so how many bike shops, music stores, antique and collectible shops, used appliance stores, have you actually gone into and looked around and introduced yourself to the owner?

I don't see a clear view from the rooftop? Only a cloudy or foggy idea. It doesn't seem to be clearly defined. Are you trying to chattel? Barter?

What is the end financial goal here?

So right up front, maybe you have to define what your outcome is going to be. Say, one year from today, what income would you want, and HOW is it going to come to you? What does your work day look like?

Can you sketch out what a month, a year from now, might look like? What would a typical day be? What would you be DOING? Just putting deals together? With who?...

I think you need to THINK your project through, or take the DO IT route and hope for the best.

No right or wrong, but there is effective effort and there is wheel spinning, and Harvey Brody doesn't get into wheel spinning. Just sayin.

Gordon