[Speed Gibson,
Wednesday August 17, 2005 at 11:25pm]
Next Big Thing - Week 24
We must be nearing the end of The Next Big Thing. This week's entry, a group effort called the "Business Building Network" or BBN was dreadful. However good and noble their intent, it was tedious, slow-paced radio, like public radio.
As with other entrants, a radio program would give these professional business consultants a great marketing opportunity. But here the audience segment truly interested in this, and from a largely academic point of view, and willing to endure the pedantic format has to be microscopic.
I said academic because they seemed out of touch with real business as I've observed it for nearly 40 years. A caller described a restaurant opportunity, where he would buy out a small failed operation grossing maybe $60,000 a year. As the caller described it, I was amazed to hear the deep analysis being performed, discussion of marketing and so on. I kept asking, "What are you buying? Where's the assets? Why do you even need the existing owners? Where's the beef?" There was no evidence of goodwill, no unique asset like a choice spot or unbreakable, transferable lease.
I must, with respect for their resumes and with regret, hand out an "F".
As with other entrants, a radio program would give these professional business consultants a great marketing opportunity. But here the audience segment truly interested in this, and from a largely academic point of view, and willing to endure the pedantic format has to be microscopic.
I said academic because they seemed out of touch with real business as I've observed it for nearly 40 years. A caller described a restaurant opportunity, where he would buy out a small failed operation grossing maybe $60,000 a year. As the caller described it, I was amazed to hear the deep analysis being performed, discussion of marketing and so on. I kept asking, "What are you buying? Where's the assets? Why do you even need the existing owners? Where's the beef?" There was no evidence of goodwill, no unique asset like a choice spot or unbreakable, transferable lease.
I must, with respect for their resumes and with regret, hand out an "F".
I spoke with Brad Lane via e-mail today. He mentioned that his "playoff" idea is dead. "The Next Big Thing" was not advertised as a "contest" at the outset so therefore KSTP's legal department shot down the idea of a playoff system.
I listened to first 15 minutes of the Week 24 installment and whole heartedly agree with your review. In fact, I was thinking "How does Speed do this week in and week out?" I am certainly glad you have listened so I could compare how people match up with Week 16 (when yours truly got a chance to host!).
By the way, the two Sundays during the State Fair will have "TNBT" on location at the fair!! Wow, what a challenge that would be for any amateur. Not only doing live radio but doing in front of a live audience??!! Should be fun!