Are you a jumper? Is your company?

A good friend recently tagged me in FB with a link to a NYT Opinion Section video from 2017. The NYT filmed 67 people in Sweden that were paid for a task. The task was to go to the top of a ten meter (33 feet) high platform over a pool and walk to the edge. They would get paid just if they walked to the edge but were asked to jump off as well. You can watch and read about it here if you want. About 70% of them ultimately jumped. Some straight away, some with a fair amount of deliberation and cajoling from below, a few entering agreements with partners standing there with them.  A few went up, started back down, and went back up again. My favorite might be the gentleman who jumped but went down with his hand holding his nose. Did he really think he would be able to keep his hand there when he impacted the water? Sorry, just an engineer talking…..

The exercise is a good metaphor for life, but it is an equal metaphor for business. I have worked with some jumpers, some deep contemplators before jumping, and some “no way” people that go back down the ladder. I have been told I am a jumper. I was a springboard diver in high school and college so yeah, I am a jumper. Even in business I am one to make decisions based on anywhere from gut feel, to calculated risk to slam dunk documented fact. I guess putting everything I have into buying a company in the middle of a recession makes me a jumper.

In business, it is a metaphor for both people and businesses. At PlastiCert we see jumpers working at jumper companies. Jumpers working at “no way” companies, and “no way” people working at “no way” companies. We work with all of them to get them to a place where decisions can get made and action taken. Each program has risk factors, which equates to an equivalent cost factor. The key always comes down to balancing risk and cost ultimately arriving at a reliable and quality product (which are by the way, two different things). Our job is to help you reach that equilibrium and arrive at the quality and reliable product you desire. 

What type are you and your company? Regardless of which, give us a call, we’ll help you get to market!