Stress Can Be Better Managed

Stress Can Be Better Managed

Stress is unavoidable, it’s as much of a fact of life as dentist appointments and traffic. In fact, some have jokingly suggested that the key to managing stress is deodorant – since you’ll never be able to eliminate it.

stress word heat map

The secret sauce to success is learning how to manage stress and reduce panic.

The physical symptoms of stress are often harder to manage, and take longer to control, than the emotional ones. These symptoms can include an increase in adrenaline that causes increased heart and breathing rates. While annoying when it hijacks your nervous symptoms, these hormones are nature’s way of preparing you to face danger and increase your coping abilities.  

Looking to improve your stress management skills? Learn from these pros:

First Time Parents vs. Parents of Multiples: First time parents are a great example of stress run amok. Every move or sound the baby makes incites panic in a new parent until someone intervenes to help calm the situation. By the third child, parents have learned to differentiate between sounds that require an immediate response and those that are simply a part of newborn life.  

Emergency workers, Doctors, and First Responders:  Few people experience more stressful situations than those who have signed up to respond to emergencies. Out of neccessity, they’ve developed the ability to understand what is causing the stress and the skills to manage it quickly and effectively. The calm they show in situations is the result of understanding, training, preparation and experience.

Restaurant workers: My time spent working in restaurants provided an invaluable lesson in stress management.  You experience bursts of work, are expected to deliver perfect meals, and complete the tasks in short periods. I learned that planning, strategic menus that aren’t cluttered with a dozens of options, and protocol for managing the rush periods effectively were the keys to success.

We underestimate the impact of stress because so many of us have found ways to cope. Remote work, virtual school, package delivery, communicating with friends via Zoom, and/or finding other creative ways to connect have really mitigated the underlying tension.

Understanding stress is the first step in managing it.

All of us have experienced some form of drastic change in our lives at some point. Our individual situations vary, but we’re all affected in one way or another:

  • Stress can take shape in many ways. It might cause sadness, confusion, irritability, anger, uneasiness, or suicidal thoughts. Other stress symptoms include reduced concentration, efficiency, or productivity, social withdrawal and isolation, interpersonal problems (lying, defensiveness, inability to communicate, or increased arguing), tension (headaches, jaw clenching, teeth grinding), body pain (muscle spasms, stomach cramps, ulcers), reduced energy (tiredness, weakness, fatigue), and sleeping problems (insomnia, nightmares, sleeping too much).
  • Stress also has many varieties. You can experience pervasive stress as result of circumstances like pressure, financial, or medical concerns. Or you can experience periodic stress in activities like unknown experiences, rushes, and emergencies.
  • Acts that once gave comfort and encouragement (hugs, high-fives, handshakes) are now off limits. It’s not just disconcerting; it very possibly adding to America’s stress levels. As social creatures, we crave human connection and when we are unable to find solace in a hug or vent at the water cooler with friends, it takes a toll on us mentally.

Stress, anxiety, and uncertainty will certainly remain a part of our present and future, but they have also been a part of our past and we’ve always overcome.

Cartoon with Dr telling patient "This is a new stress test; we just put on the news."

Here are some suggestions to help you stay calm and fend off stress proactively and productively:

  • Remember that everyone is struggling and be open-minded, patient, and sharing. Assess and understand the stress, consider alternatives, new paradigms, and slower progress. For example, learn to be happy and accept small wins. 
  • Don’t let pride get in your way. Asking for help, sharing stress, and using available resources are excellent ways to cope.
  • Be kind and helpful to loved ones and strangers alike.
  • Keep things in perspective. (i.e. Shopping may be a bit cumbersome these days but remember that everyone is trying their best and it’s not the clerk’s fault the toilet paper shelf is empty.) Be patient (with yourself and others). We’re all going through a lot—cut yourself some slack and show others the same curtesy. Take deep breaths.
  • Take care of yourself (eat healthy meals, exercise, get some fresh air, meditate, try to keep to a regular sleep schedule). For example, efforts like lunch with colleagues, coffee breaks, and social interaction have reduced in frequency.
  • Open debate, discussion, and even productive arguing have declined as well. While there is much discussion of hate on the internet, there is no discussion of norms among many people that limit opinions, debate, and controversy.

The more you work on your stress management, the more you’ll notice a pattern. We all have a threshold of tolerance, but many of us miss the signs our bodies give us. We ignore (or spot fix) things like tension headaches, chronic pain, and sleep disturbances. Connecting with others, talking about how we’re feeling, finding a healthy physical release (walking, dancing), and helping people have proven time and again to decrease stress and improve mental health.

Dr. Bert Shlensky, president of www.startupconnection.net, offers experience, skills, and a team devoted to developing and executing winning strategies for businesses. This combination has been the key to client success in efforts such as planning, improving profitability, finance, and operations.

The Culture of Demographics

The Culture of Demographics

Picture of a group of people showing great diversity

Everyone talks about demographic statistics like age, race, and geography without giving much attention to the cultural implications that go along with these demographics.

For example, 42% of the current population was born before 1980, making them 45 years or older. That means that about 60% were born after 1980 and have no memory of things like Kennedy’s death, the Vietnam war, The Beatles, using World Book instead of Google, and more. These are two large demographics with completely different sets of lived experiences and – as a result – wildly different worldviews.

I’ll illustrate how this plays out in daily life with two personal examples.

Growing up in the late 1940’s, my parents attached bells to clothes so they could find me when I ran out to play with the neighborhood kids. Today’s parents keep their kids on a much tighter leash — as evidenced by the fact that my neighbor just put up a fence to ensure his toddler would stay in the yard where he could see him.

As a doctoral student in the 1960’s, I researched my Ph.D. thesis at M.I.T. The department of Political Science – which did war research on Vietnam – was next door to our department. Thus, we had bomb scares a few times a week and I was required to haul computer punch cards home every night to ensure they were safe. Do young people today even know what punch cards are? Have they even heard the phrase “do not fold, bend, or mutilate?” Furthermore, people of my generation finished their schooling without laptops, Microsoft Office, or cell phones — a reality that is unfathomable to today’s students.

Comic of woman at the "Healthcare System" desk with a long line of elderly people telling a middle-aged man "I'm sorry, we're bombarded with aging boomers.  Come back in about 20 years"

The most significant demographic consideration today is the nation’s aging population and its impact on economic growth. Contrary to popular opinion, supporting a 2-3% annual economic growth rate requires us to welcome 1-2 million immigrants every year.

While unemployment rates get the most press, it is actually labor shortages that are causing critical economic dilemmas — and this fact directly correlates with immigration.

Currently, a significant share of the about 300,000 jobs created monthly are from immigrants filling some of the over 9 million job openings. This trend is projected to continue for several years, especially with declining birth rates and a declining population in the child-producing ages. Without welcoming immigrants into our country, the lack of available laborers will continue to result in labor shortages and economic struggles.

In contrast, as the population lives longer, many older individuals face critical financial and social challenges. Dementia and Alzheimer’s have become significant dilemmas, especially as financial resources and government benefits decline. Health care needs, safety concerns, and loneliness become significant as friends and relatives pass away. Options for transportation, housing, and entertainment become limited and difficult to execute. A significant number of low-and medium-income seniors experience financial challenges that require them to extend their retirement plan. With increased longevity, even those individuals who have the means to retire want to stay in the workforce longer.

Demographics Chart showing the growth in Hispanic Population in the U.S. from 1970 projected through 2050

Hispanics make up about 20% of the U.S. population, compared to 7% in 1980.  The average age for the Hispanic population is 30, compared to 39 for the total U.S population. This population tends to live in the Southwest. Most have been in this country for more than 10 years, over 80 % speak fluent English, and the average income is $ 59,000.   The bottom line is that the Hispanic population is growing, assimilating, and contributing to the economy. Thus, they expect more and more recognition like native Americans.  

In general, we need to recognize the diversity of the U.S. population. In the sixties, the nuclear family was considered the norm and typically considered of a white husband and wife, two kids, and a dog. Today, our country has diversified and families look different. Sex, race, national origin, sexual preferences, and age all vary dramatically and need to be recognized. Many of the social issues facing today’s society result from not recognizing and embrace diversity.

Demographics are more than just statistics. Specifically, these cultural shifts provide numerous opportunities and challenges. In particular, as our society becomes more complex, the cultural impact of demographics becomes more significant. In particular aging, Hispanic population increased, and diversity are providing numerous opportunities for better decision making.  You must make certain to constantly evaluate relevant demographics and demographic trends as they relate to your business both in the now and in the future. This includes both local and national trends. Demographics can be one of the keys to your business’ success or failure.

Contact me to learn more about how you can research demographics in order to help you market your business more effectively and remove that old elephant from your closet.

Dr. Bert Shlensky, president of Startup Connection, is a graduate of Sloan School of Management at M.I.T. He served as the president of WestPoint Pepperell’s apparel fabrics business & President and CEO of Sure Fit Products. Having provided counseling to over 2,000 clients, he focuses on working with select start up and small businesses.

Rationality Can Be an Opportunity

Rationality Can Be an Opportunity

I dedicate this article in memoriam of Daniel Kahneman, a champion of rationality, who recently passed away at the age of 92.

Daniel Kahneman - led an economics movement to embrace rationality

This piece reflects on his profound influence on our understanding of rationality. Kahneman’s work inspired a critical examination of the economic models that too often claim constancy, only to unravel under real-world conditions. He prompted us to reconsider our assumptions and the very notion of rationality.

Rationality and the Real World

Kahneman, his colleagues, and followers led the movement towards questioning rationality. Many of us have listened to economic arguments that start with “ceturus paribus “(all things being equal) and then proceed with all kinds of formulas that ignore that warning.

Kahneman stimulated us to challenge assumptions and what is perceived as rational thought. In particular, changing data, bias, wrong data, and wrong interpretations can greatly alter analysis. One of the best examples is the pandemic where we didn’t – and still don’t – fully understand or consider the disruptions and their impact. It’s been a stark reminder of how unpredictable variables can render our data and logic incomplete.

The Dynamics of Decision-Making

I argue considering issues like bias, probability, time, and value can greatly enhance the rationality of decisions. We often assume that the information behind probability is correct. Stock advisors’ have been wrong far too often particularly as it relates to stocks that continue to increase. Our sports teams’ probabilities are probably the most common example of overestimating the rationality of outcomes. Our perceptions can significantly affect the probabilities we use. We should consider how biases color our forecasts, often painting an unrealistically rosy picture. It’s a reminder that our self-perception can diverge significantly from how others, such as our supervisors, may assess us.

Time is also a crucial factor in our decisions. A small entrepreneur is frequently worried about short-term returns in order to make a living. Venture capitalists expect short-term losses in order to grow businesses and make huge long-term gains. Similarly, the actual value of a lottery jackpot can significantly diminish when the payout time arrives. Acknowledging the importance of timing can guide more rational decisions.

The Pursuit of Better Data

We need more focus on the nature, quantity, and quality of data. The more data, the more reliability – and the less data, the more variability. We need to assure that the variables we consider to predict success are, in fact, reliable. As we navigate through an ever-changing landscape of social, economic, and political shifts, the need for accurate and comprehensive data becomes increasingly apparent.

Comic with fancy new huge computer labeled "Big Data," and old fashioned computer labeled "Locally Sourced Artisinal Data."

Confidence in the Face of Uncertainty

Confidence, too, plays a vital role in shaping our strategies. Risk is underestimated by worrying about losses more than gains, ignoring outliers, and not following intuition; the success that can follow initial setbacks.

Confidence is greatly affected by understanding the parameters of decisions. Playing cards with your friends is a zero-sum game because the total winnings equal the total losses except for expenses. Investing in the stock market is over the long-term a win-win because history shows it has increased 5-15% annually. Gambling in total is a lose-lose because the house wins a particular percentage on bets. Yet we continue to lose money on an enormous amount of gambling debts.

Failure is often a requirement for success. As Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.

Yet we sometimes fail to recognize its value in the process of achieving success. For example, fear and uncertainty accelerate the concerns about failure. Many studies have shown that we are about twice as likely to avoid losses as pursue gains. For example, we will trade stocks with gains twice as fast as selling stocks with losses despite tax advantages for selling losses. Sports teams consistently take fewer three-point shots, steal fewer bases, and attempt fewer two-point conversions than the odds would dictate.

A key process to mitigate failure is to analyze, test, measure, evaluate and examine alternatives. Why are kids not afraid of failure yet we become more afraid as we age? Just watch kids try things after they fail. I am always impressed with kids who won’t stop riding after they learn to ride a bicycle. It’s this fearlessness in the face of failure provides a valuable lesson in resilience for all of us.

Rationality also includes compromises. We tend to prefer to avoid loses rather than pursue gains. For example, most people will choose to flip a coin to avoid losses rather than do nothing for an equal choice.

Bias and Decision-Making

Bias is a critical issue in disrupting decisions and rationality. In fact, bias is one of the greatest complications when it comes to accuracy in the scientific analysis of decisions. This includes statistical problems like sampling, measurement, and development of information. For example, demographic considerations like aging, ethnic background and geography are not fully considered.

I also believe that social bias can be more impactful than statistical bias. This includes our preconceived perceptions and assumptions. I’m always amazed that many programmed employee selection tools outperform interviews especially in jobs requiring specific skills. Such tests remove things like unconscious age, sex, and racial discrimination. 

Cultural Influences on Rationality

Cultural and environmental influences on bias suggest that our backgrounds can both hinder and facilitate understanding. Shared origins can often lead to more harmonious interactions. For example, dress, demographics, weather, location, and culture all affect perceptions in the decision-making process. These can also be used to your advantage. For instance, whenever I meet someone who is also from the Southside of Chicago, agreement on differences becomes much easier.

Climate Change: A Rational Approach Needed

Climate change represents a glaring example of collective inaction in the face of overwhelming scientific consensus, emphasizing the urgent need to shift toward sustainable practices. For the 10th consecutive month, Earth in March set a new monthly record for global heat — with both air temperatures and the world’s oceans hitting an all-time high for the month, according to European Union climate agency.

A rational strategy fo climate change is needed.

Climate scientists attribute most of the record heat to human-caused climate change from carbon dioxide and methane emissions produced by gas. “The trajectory will not change until concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop rising, which means we must stop burning fossil fuels, stop deforestation, and grow our food more sustainably as quickly as possible. Until then, we expect to break more records.

In summary, the world is far from a place where all factors are equal or decisions purely rational. By deepening our understanding of biases, recognizing the significance of time, scrutinizing probabilities, and demanding better data, we can refine our decision-making process. There is a pressing need to embrace a more nuanced and informed approach to rationality.

Contact us for a FREE evaluation and get an alternative perspective on your business. We’d love to help you identify ways to adapt to current trends. No one has time for BS—so we’ll cut straight to the point and answer any questions you have. Reach us at:

914-632-6977 or BShlensky@startupconnection.net

Dr. Bert Shlensky, President of StartupConnection.net, has an MBA and PhD from the Sloan School of Management at M.I.T. He served as the President of WestPoint Pepperell’s apparel fabrics business & President and CEO of Sure Fit Products. More than 2,000 clients have benefitted from his business acumen over the course of his long career. He now focuses on working with select startups and small businesses. Please visit our website: https://www.startupconnection.net/ for more information.

How to Not be Part of the 90% of Entrepreneurs Who Fail Within 5 Years

How to Not be Part of the 90% of Entrepreneurs Who Fail Within 5 Years

I recently spoke with two aspiring entrepreneurs about launching new businesses. Unfortunately, their chances of success seemed slim because they were more focused on their dreams of wealth than on the essential groundwork needed to thrive. They were simply unwilling to do the thinking, research and planning to be successful. Try not to be part of the 90% of entrepreneurs who fail within 5 years.

how not to be part of the 90 percent of entrepreneurs who fail within 5 years

For example, the first requirement is to simply write things down. Let’s break down what’s crucial: first, you need to document your plans. This doesn’t have to be fancy; goals and strategies. Start with a flexible document that evolves as you progress, focusing on substance over style. If you can’t articulate your plans in writing, you probably haven’t thought them through.

The initial requirement to develop a successful business is to be able to describe it. What is your business concept? What do want to do, why are you different and why will you succeed? This will change as the concept evolves, but you need a framework to develop and evaluate the components of your business. This framework further guides your development and evaluation process as your idea evolves. Entrepreneurs who fail frequently don’t do this.

Consider the key components of the business. Pricing, quality, service, variety, distribution and marketing are just some of the considerations. Your approach will vary greatly depending on whether you’re selling high-ticket items or everyday goods. For example, selling Superbowl tickets for thousands of dollars is quite different from the cheap umbrella salesman who suddenly appears when it rains.

Communicate your unique value proposition to your target audience. This is one of the most difficult tasks of launching a new business. We all get excited about our differences, but does anyone understand them? Do enough customers care about your difference to change their behavior, or are they committed to a “we’ve always done it this way” mentality?

4 keys to a successful startup

Develop, test, measure, and adapt. Business is dynamic, so your approach must be too. Many plans, forecasts, and proposals are done in a static format, with one-dimensional analysis and results. Often, they are flawed because we live in a more dynamic and interactive world. 

For example, branding, marketing, pricing, and operations all must be viewed as an integrated program rather than separate and isolated activities. Similarly, businesses need to have alternatives at the ready, and processes in place to adapt. Mistakes will occur. Remember, Thomas Edison tested thousands of light bulbs before succeeding.

Will you make money? Many entrepreneurs who fail start with the wrong question: How do I raise money? But they haven’t worked out the details of why they need money, what they will do with it, and how they will pay it back.

I suggest an almost opposite approach. Develop your needs, resources, plans and cash flow and then execute programs to raise capital. Some tips to improve this:

  • Develop initial timed estimates that will be continually revised.
  • How much revenue, expenses and profit will you generate over certain periods?
  • What assets do you and associates have and how much can you afford to risk?

When it comes to financing, focus on understanding your needs, resources, and cash flow before seeking capital.

There are a number of tools to reduce investment needs. These include borrowing against cash flow, outsourcing, pledging personal assets, and developing investments as the business progresses. Outsourcing efforts like manufacturing, distribution, services, and rent are particularly recommended to reduce requirements and adjust as the business grows. 

As a rule, most businesses take six months to a year to even start. Consider how long it will take to get off the ground and calculate your startup expenses accordingly. Have you detailed the startup expenses and investment costs to start the business? Those include overall expenses, equipment, salaries, website development, product development, administration, pre-payments (like rent deposits) and more. Remember that upfront marketing, promotions, public relations, and development costs can affect income and cash on hand.

Digital is a critical aspect of almost any entrepreneurial pursuit today. Digital tools are essential in today’s business landscape, so plan to invest in a website and other tech necessities. Digital marketing, like Google ads, frequently has the advantage of both testing and pay as you go. As a result, revenue can occur much earlier than with traditional marketing efforts.  

Can you deliver what you sell? Operations and logistics are frequently viewed as secondary functions that can be outsourced. However, efficient management of inventory and staffing can make or break a business.

Balancing and managing inventory to serve demand and reduce closeouts can be critical to success. Even in service businesses, scheduling staff to meet demand and avoiding time and money wasted can be critical to success. Reducing lead times, improving flexibility, and planning can improve effectiveness and lower costs.

Cartoon - Agenda:  1. First things first 2.  Secondly  3.  Don't forget  4.  Last but not least

Many operations experts have shown that 80% of sales are derived from 20% of offered products or services. Simplicity is key. Entrepreneurs waste time, money, and frequently add confusion by adding too much complexity to their business models. When and if possible, always go to the KIS Method (Keep it Simple).

In summary, success in entrepreneurship requires careful planning, evaluation, and execution. Many failures could have been avoided with better preparation. As my former manager once said, our low success rate wasn’t due to lack of effort; it was because many entrepreneurs were better off keeping their day jobs.

Starting a business is not easy. An entrepreneur needs to understand and express his/her passion. To do so, means to develop a mission statement and a plan. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Starting a business also requires enthusiasm, energy, and persistence to market your business concepts to suppliers, customers, and investors.

For more information download a free copy of my book, Passion & Reality for Business Success.

 Dr. Bert Shlensky, president of Startup Connection, prides himself on his ability to define what is unique about each and every business. He works closely with individuals to develop a personalized approach that targets specific areas of concern and offers solutions based on his 40+ years of experience. His expert team will address your particular needs while working to save you time and money.

You can reach Dr. Shlensky at: 914-632-6977 Or email: bshlensky@startupconnection.net

Misinformation is More Complex than Just Lying

Misinformation is More Complex than Just Lying

When we discuss misinformation, lying is the most common focus. However, there are numerous other types of misinformation. In particular wrong information, missing information, and unavailable information are key challenges that need to be addressed and possible resolutions provided.

We underestimate the importance of simply wrong information in our decision-making. Sources can change, measurements can be incorrect, and suddenly we’re faced with a bunch of errors that inhibit making accurate conclusions and better decisions.

Economic Forecasting, COVID-19 Impact and Embracing Humility

Many economists and forecasters were mostly wrong in forecasting a recession in 2023. While they understood inflation, they ignored the growth in employment, the economy, and consumer spending. Similarly, we are still adapting to the impact of COVID-19 on current analysis. The shifts from 2020 in almost everything from vaccine practices and death rates to how we consume entertainment to remote work must be considered as we’re considering decisions.

Changes in retail, wars, labor battles, politics, etc. are all causing disruptions in our understanding. And because we lack information and experience on issues like electric cars, A.I. and immigration, we’re in the dark and that makes it far more difficult to be able to make the best decisions.

Critical thinking isn’t just about spotting logical fallacies or identifying bias. It’s about fostering an attitude of intellectual humility, a willingness to admit we don’t know everything and to change our minds when presented with new evidence. It’s about creating a habit of asking, “Is this true? What’s the source? Are there alternate viewpoints?”.

Psychological Constraints in Risk Assessment

Cartoon of presenter showing outlandish possible risks.

Certainty and risk both play a big role in misinformation. We need to understand the probability and value of decisions. We need to understand all the information that is available to us – background, probabilities, and parameters – which can greatly impact outcomes.

Figuring out risks, however, can sometimes be tricky, due to several psychological constraints:

  1. People tend to take more risks to win back losses and less risks to follow up on winnings.
  2. Marketers love to push our pain points and focus on our fears.
  3. We overestimate our skills and luck, as shown in the betting industries, where huge profits are made based on countless people believing that they can beat the odds.

Navigating Bias from Statistical to Social Influences

Bias is one of the greatest complications when it comes to making accurate decisions. Professionals usually focus on statistical problems, but things like demographics, measurement, and timing matter as much, if not more. Remember, your data is only as good as your worst input.

But I think social bias – our preconceived ideas about things – is more misleading than statistical bias. Culture and the environment also factor into bias, affecting how we see things. For instance, in presentations, I’ve learned that having food available to the attendees is a hit. I’ve also learned to never be the last speaker. Past experiences and what we want to see can also cloud our judgment more than future expectations.

Misinformation in Setting Parameters, Taboo Topics and Cause-Effect Confusions

Misinformation also messes with understanding our decision parameters. We tend to see decisions as win-lose but flipping that to a “win-win” mindset can be a game-changer. We often miss out on opportunities because we underestimate the chances of everyone coming out on top.

Misinformation is prevalent in topics we tend to avoid discussing – things like religion, sex and I.Q. Santa Claus is one of the only exceptions where it seems proper to include misinformation.

Cause and effect are frequently misused in reaching decisions as well. Figuring out what really causes what, citing wrong connections, and mixing up relationships with causes – those are all common errors.

Trusting Intuition and Debunking “Bubbbe Meise”

No gain without trying and no reward without risk.

Sometimes you must ignore some of the information and just listen to your gut. In Yiddish, there is the word “bubbbe meise” which basically translates to “old wise tales”. This would include things like chicken soup being a cold cure, or the 5 second rule where it’s safe to eat something that’s fallen on the ground if it hasn’t been there for more than 5 seconds, knocking on wood for luck, and numerous unproven folklore we follow.

My favorite is the 60-40 investment rule which has been wrong for over 10 years. We tend to overthink things or we let fear stop us from taking risks, but there is no gain without trying and no reward without risk. If your intuition is telling you something, it’s usually worth listening.

Measurement Challenges: From Gym Scales to Performance Metrics

Measurement is a clear issue in misinformation. For instance, my scale at the gym had me excited because it showed I’d lost 10 pounds over a few months. However, when I went to the doctor, that scale showed only 4 pounds lost.

So how do we improve goal setting and measurement? The first step is to think about it and consider more details and considerations. Long-term versus short-term, quantitative versus qualitative, risk and caution, objective versus subjective all need to be considered in setting goals. We also need to consider the process and complexity of measurement. For example, do you want specific, general or directional results?

Measurement has become similarly complex. How important are results, speed, motivation, innovation, and quality in measuring performance?

For example, I believe automation has improved the speed and efficiency of many customer service processes. However, customer service and satisfaction are frequently sacrificed for that automation. How many times have we been completely frustrated with ineffective electronic customer service efforts?

Promoting Social Responsibility in Fact-Checking

How do we nurture the social responsibility of fact-checking? First, let’s normalize it. Make fact-checking a routine part of how we interact with information. From the news articles we read to the social media posts we share; each piece of information should go through a fact-checking filter.

Similarly, the bandwagon effect can propel us to jump on board with popular yet baseless narratives. Understanding these psychological tendencies is key to unravelling why misinformation can sometimes be so tricky.

Let’s remember that misinformation isn’t just a problem of the information era; it’s a human problem, rooted in our cognition and emotions. By acknowledging this, we can begin to address misinformation in a more holistic way, weaving psychological insights into our strategies to counter false narratives.

Let’s strive to understand not just the ‘what’ of misinformation, but also the ‘why’. After all, knowing our adversary is half the battle won. And in this fight against misinformation, a solid understanding of the human psyche is a weapon we cannot afford to neglect.

Dr. Bert Shlensky earned a PhD from the Sloan School of Management at M.I.T., mentored a few thousand clients at Score and in his own practice, grew Sure Fit products from $50 million to $150 million in sales, including $60 million of direct internet sales, was President of WestPoint Pepperell’s Apparel Fabrics Business and headed the $400 million Culet Shirt Group. Dr. Bert knows what works and can help lead your company to greater profitability and success. For a free initial consult, reach out at bshlenksy@startupconnection.net  or 914-632-6977.