Chapter 3: The Stickiness Factor

In this chapter, Gladwell talks about finding something, and idea mainly, that "sticks". This doesn't necessarily mean that it has to be a monumental and life changing discovery, but more that it has to be something that attracts a certain type of person enough to spread to others. He uses childhood television as an example for this phenomenon. Sesame Street was a revolution in the world of children and TV. The common belief before this was that television was detrimental to the growth and development of children. It was, nevertheless, and shock to parents when they found out that television can be educational and beneficial to teaching children basic things like right and wrong, basic mathematics and forming sentences. What was so incredible about this new found knowledge was that it changed the way people viewed something, in this case television for children. Not only did it alter a common belief, but also socially. It created a trend that kept up to this day. More and more children’s television shows have educational aspects to them. I think the point Gladwell was trying to make was that having a great idea is only half the battle. You need to have an idea that has the ability to affect a large group of people in a positive way. If you’re idea cannot “stick” than it is only as great as in your mind. It’s also not only about the idea that you have, but the execution and the advertising you create to get people as excited about it as you are. It’s important to understand, from an entrepreneurial standpoint that you must be able to think for the people you are trying to “speak to”. If they have a set back, you have to solve it. If they have reserves, you must reassure them. You reach a point where the “customers” ideas and feelings become more important than your own and you have to be okay with that.