Lesson #3: Listen to Your Gut Feeling of Gold
Lesson #3: Listen to Your Gut Feeling of Gold
Hall’s instinct was his hallmark. Despite his young age and his lack of business experience, Hall seemed to have the golden touch. Whatever he did, whatever he touched would become a success. And this despite going against the cautious cries of his advisors in some cases and his brothers in others, which he had a habit of doing.
In the early 1920s, Hall had an idea. He wanted to scrap the phrase “Hall Brothers Company,” which had previously been the company’s trademark on the back of each and every greeting card. Instead, Hall wanted to replace it with “A Hallmark Card” in order to create a more recognizable brand. “Everybody in the place was against it,” Hall said. Still, he went through with the change, and it worked. Today, the Hallmark logo on the back of each card is an instantly recognizable symbol for the company.
Another such internal argument within his company popped up when Hall wanted to establish a budget for advertising. He thought it would help his company reach out to a wider audience. And yet, everybody around him told him that it was a waste of money, that nobody paid attention to advertisements. Still, Hall went through with his plans and advertised. Today, the fact that Hallmark is one of the most recognizable brand names in the industry is a testament to Hall’s determination to advertise.
Still yet another debate engaged the internal ranks of the company when Hall wanted to sponsor a television show. His peers told him that doing so was not within the company’s scope and it would be a waste of money. Hall decided to do it anyway, sponsoring a live production of, “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” 55 years later, that show would become the “Hallmark Hall of Fame” and one of televisions most honoured and enduring series.
Idea after idea, Hall challenged and changed the greeting card industry forever. Colleagues and competitors alike dismissed him for his lack of business acumen, and questioned his abilities to lead a company because of what appeared to be his reckless risk-taking. After all, even changing the phrase on the back of his greeting cards from “Hall Brothers Company” to “A Hallmark Card” was seen as such a monumental and risky change that it was hardly worth doing.
Hall, however, pushed forward with his agenda, refusing to back down in the face of critics. He stuck to his gut, which experience had proven to him time and again could be trusted. He refused to let anybody, no matter how much more business experience than him they had, and no matter how loud they shouted, stop him from doing what he thought was best. After all, it was his company.
Lesson 3 Listen to Your Gut Feeling of Gold
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Maybe it was smarts, or maybe it was pure stubbornness, but when Hall set his mind on doing something, he followed through. And, much to the chagrin of those who invariably advised him against it, it in turn invariable worked.
Hall’s instinct was his hallmark. Despite his young age and his lack of business experience, Hall seemed to have the golden touch. Whatever he did, whatever he touched would become a success. And this despite going against the cautious cries of his advisors in some cases and his brothers in others, which he had a habit of doing.
In the early 1920s, Hall had an idea. He wanted to scrap the phrase “Hall Brothers Company,” which had previously been the company’s trademark on the back of each and every greeting card. Instead, Hall wanted to replace it with “A Hallmark Card” in order to create a more recognizable brand. “Everybody in the place was against it,” Hall said. Still, he went through with the change, and it worked. Today, the Hallmark logo on the back of each card is an instantly recognizable symbol for the company.
Another such internal argument within his company popped up when Hall wanted to establish a budget for advertising. He thought it would help his company reach out to a wider audience. And yet, everybody around him told him that it was a waste of money, that nobody paid attention to advertisements. Still, Hall went through with his plans and advertised. Today, the fact that Hallmark is one of the most recognizable brand names in the industry is a testament to Hall’s determination to advertise.
Still yet another debate engaged the internal ranks of the company when Hall wanted to sponsor a television show. His peers told him that doing so was not within the company’s scope and it would be a waste of money. Hall decided to do it anyway, sponsoring a live production of, “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” 55 years later, that show would become the “Hallmark Hall of Fame” and one of televisions most honoured and enduring series.
Idea after idea, Hall challenged and changed the greeting card industry forever. Colleagues and competitors alike dismissed him for his lack of business acumen, and questioned his abilities to lead a company because of what appeared to be his reckless risk-taking. After all, even changing the phrase on the back of his greeting cards from “Hall Brothers Company” to “A Hallmark Card” was seen as such a monumental and risky change that it was hardly worth doing.
Hall, however, pushed forward with his agenda, refusing to back down in the face of critics. He stuck to his gut, which experience had proven to him time and again could be trusted. He refused to let anybody, no matter how much more business experience than him they had, and no matter how loud they shouted, stop him from doing what he thought was best. After all, it was his company.
Lesson 3 Listen to Your Gut Feeling of Gold
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keep up the good work!
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excellent site.
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