The identity of the messenger is more important than the message itself. In other words, it’s crucial to consider whether the messenger’s identity is reliable. It matters more to others that they know who I am and recognize me than how well I have built relationships and interacted with them. Identity begins with my proclamation, and credibility only emerges when others acknowledge that proclamation. If there is a significant gap between my declaration and how others perceive me, I will need to invest considerable time and money to bridge that gap. Similarly, if there is a significant discrepancy between the message I intend to convey and my declared identity, it also requires a substantial amount of time and money. Consumers are acutely aware of these differences, yet they often remain silent about them. Asking others to share their inner self-assessment is as burdensome as expecting them to reveal their true selves. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Revealing all your attractiveness and skills at once is unwise. This principle is also relevant in business. In marketing, creating “waiting demand” can occur when a superior product model is announced in advance, pressuring customers to postpone their purchases. This phenomenon is known as the “Osborne Effect,” named after the Osborne Computer Company in England, which introduced an excessively innovative computer named Vixen and subsequently went bankrupt the following year because existing products could not be sold. Innovating and guiding your current customers is never a straightforward task. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”