Extraordinary

My friend, Mark Sanborn, has written an extraordinary book about turning the ordinary extraordinary. The book evolved out of a relationship he developed with a singularly extraordinary postman named Fred. Mark has filled this book with stories about the Freds in this world who turn ordinary experiences into something more, something finer that transcends business and reminds us that we're all in this together and that there is no higher calling than to serve others. Mark published The Fred Factor through a small publisher and then something extraordinary happened, in fact, is happening now. The book resonated with his audiences, with business, with the Chinese for gosh sakes (he's sold 250,000 copies there). A major publisher picked it up, Mark expanded it and it will be rereleased this Spring (2004) by not one but 2 publishing houses.

Being a Fred may soon become the catch phrase for any ordinary individual who offers extraordinary service to those whose lives they touch, whether it's a customer service representative in Idaho, a missionary in Bangledesh or an executive on Wall Street.

I think that the web is a Fred. It is an extraordinary tool that, while perverted and subverted by some, in general offers an extraordinary value to the world. And the web itself is made up of Fred's. Google is a great example. Marketing Sherpa is another one. Mapquest a third and there are literally millions more. Sites that amaze and delight and serve you. Sure they make money, or hope to but they do so in a way that enriches all the participants alike. How about your site? Is it a Fred? Are you?

Respectfully submitted,

tom.gray@gemsolv.com