As Gary puts it here, the whole of the data we have in our heads is greater than the sum of its parts. That’s why I prefer reading blog posts. They contain more knowledge and data links per square inch than text books. Many times more. At least the ones I am subscribed to.

No, seriously, if you can say something in two paragraphs, do you really need twenty pages? By using sophisticated words and phrases you don’t look sophisticated to me. It sounds more like gibberish. In high school my sentences were 150 words long. Each. And they were in German, not in my mother tongue. Do you really think that this is what makes you better at what you do? Get yourself together, dude.

People stay in line all the time – for a slice of pizza, for a train ticket, for a free table. For jobs. Staying in line is boring unless there is someone you can talk with.

Applying for a job through an ugly looking “we-will-filter-you” page, hidden under a long and even uglier domain name is even more boring. Drop-down menus, click here, click there. Just great, makes you feel somewhat desperate, knowing that hundreds of others will do the same. What’s more, most of them will press the very same keyboard buttons in the very same sequence and will choose the same options.

What if I want to do something more than that? You don’t want me to?

I don’t watch TV, I don’t see any commercials. I don’t know anything about your product.

In fact, when I go to the grocery shop, I grab the first package of spaghetti that I see and that doesn’t cost too much, but isn’t too cheap either. Actually, that’s true for everything I buy in a grocery shop. And I go there very often – I am young and a large proportion of my budget goes for food.

How are you going to make me buy your product? By letting me try out each and every one on the shelves?

Modesty is said to not sell anymore, simply because it does not make you different. But how different are you when you make a promise that you cannot deliver on? Not very. Actually, you will be like most others on the market.

So, you are bound to either stick to your promise (be honest) or overdeliver (be modest). Or just surprise your customers by offering something no one else does.

The swedes I talked to about SAAB weren’t very enthusiastic. According to them, the swedish auto-making division will be having difficulties again.

Structural changes may be on the way. At the same time, these changes are well-timed and more than welcome. The point is, that the ones, who are passionate about the brand, showed it. In different countries around the world SAAB owners were there and hoped for another outcome of the talks.

Me? I am looking forward to seeing the new 9-5 on the road and to visiting the factory in Trollhätten later this year!

Indeed, it’s an iconic brand. But it has been an iconic brand for a while and deserves more attention. There are ways, for sure. I will be even more proud to wear my white “Guess who’s the new brand manager of SAAB?” t-shirt now. I will do my best to make the wish come true.

Long live SAAB. In fact, I want something else. A well polished, black SAAB 900.

/credits for the picture go to eggsngrits