People First, Then Money, Then Things

Financial Solutions Expert Suze Orman has a great saying: "People First, Then Money, Then Things"

Facebook was built on people. Any social media channel or social technology, any and all digital channels that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas, interests, and other forms of expressions through virtual communities and networks is now at the heart of our global cloud based society. 

One cool feature of Facebook is the "memories" feature that shows you what you were doing exactly 1, 2, 5 or even 10 years ago. 

Exactly 10 years ago today, 3/20/2012 we were at my first NYDLA.org event since taking over the reigns. As a non-profit, during a recession, there was "less than $0" in the NYDLA bank account and prospects were not looking good. There were no jobs in tech - even in Cybersecurity. We had nothing to lose. 

We rebooted the NYDLA as a "for profit" trade association. And I tapped into my personal network of relationships, like the NFL. My first official duty as the new CEO of the NYDLA was to host an event at the NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS training facility at GIANTS STADIUM. Hey, if you got the cards - play 'em! 

Things were bad - very bad - in 2012. And then, they got better. Slowly the recession passed. The economy picked up. The country went from saying "there are no jobs to be found in Cybersecurity" to WE ARE HIRING IN CYBERSECURITY!!! 

Taking over a bankrupt entity seems scary, but it is really the opposite. NYDLA.org leadership Hubert Joly tells the story well of bringing Best Buy back from death's door. You should check out our NYDLAcast.com interview, and pick up a copy of his new book for free. 

There was a time when the NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS we terrible. Like, really bad. And then, they became Super Bowl Champions. 

2012 was bad, then things got better. Now in 2022, we are exiting a Global Pandemic, and dealing with high inflation and a war in Ukraine. 

Professional Sports Teams might be the best example of how things cycle from bad to good to bad to good, ongoing. A "Sports Dynasty" is a team or individual that dominates their sport or league for an extended period of time. In the NBA, the 1995-98 Chicago Bulls is considered to be the greatest All-Time dynasty, and had a 72-10 winning season that stood the mark until 2016. And that is why we have The Hall of Fame for every sport. 

The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the world forever. But, the world works in cycles. Good, bad, good, bad. Zoom became "a verb" before COVID ever hit, but now in 2022 the future of work, the future of education, will never be the same. 

Yes, Suze Orman says: "People First, Then Money, Then Things" and I now have my own "things of three" saying: "Knowledge, Technology and Talent" which has become the core philosophy and culture of the NYDLA.

I grew up watching former NFL head coach Bill Parcells who had the famous quote that encapsulates his philosophy about excellence which says, "You are what your record says you are." 

Results speak for themselves. A sports dynasty, a global economy, a pandemic. They cycle of good, to bad, to good, to bad will always be there. Since the cycle of good to bad to good seems to be a constant, it makes sense to have another constant: 

People First. Since everything is going to go from good to bad to good to bad anyway - why not just commit to making people first above all else? 

Make people the constant. Make people the core, the rock that you build everything. Make people the foundation that you build upon to weather the storm. Because, there is always going to be another storm. 

Today, right now, my beloved NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS are not, well, they are not great.

This too shall pass. GO BIG BLUE! 

NFL head coach Bill Parcells