Skill Sets and the Self
One of my providers sent me an automated questionnaire. Looked a lot like a quiz. Not the first time I’ve answered something like this, and probably won’t be the last. There is a series of questions, first about the business, and what directions I see it taking, volume, processes, customer retention data points, just exactly what I offer, and fund-raising.
Doubt I’ll do any fundraising, but sure, want to donate?
The survey was business, and business concentration, but I suspect, it was also some marketing, sort of subversive subtext. I answered the questions, and when there was one about future endeavors, I honestly answered that I wasn’t going to try the latest and greatest new thing that will help me expand my business.
I tend to value simplicity, ease of use, simple interface design, and nothing too complex, with no associated upsell. That’s my happy place.
Keep it simple.
The software quizzed me until it got an answer that I wasn’t going to buy any of the proffered services.
Matter of fact, if I can find an easy way to roll the mailing list management “in-house,” I will.
“AI” is the current phrase, and some would suggest the quiz was “AI-driven.” It was merely a tree, and when it got to the portion where my answer was clearly “no,” it didn’t go any further. Less of an AI and more of a marketing device to separate potential buyers from people like me.
Hat tip: my Mailing List.
Skill Sets and the Self
Found a version of this online, thought it was interesting, and I did a quick sketch, then short analysis for myself. Not that I don’t like or understand the process, but the naming conventions didn’t suit me. However, looking at the four-square division, I re-jiggered it to fit my style.
Skill Sets and the Self
The horizontal axis was “everyone can do it,” and “only I can do it.” Top to bottom was “Love” and “hate.” There’s precious little about my job that I don’t like, so “hate” is a strong word. In reality, the only portion I don’t really enjoy is paying taxes, but I think I finally got that part figured out.
Skill Sets and the Self
Skill Sets and the Self
Skill Sets and the Self
The graphic simplifies the division of labor and the allocation of resources, and then, makes it clear how one can play only to his or her strengths instead of pandering too much in areas that aren’t fun, enjoyable, or productive.
- Me? (KramerWetzel.com)
I like to tinker. I like to toy with material, play with it, so to speak, adjust, shift, and most important? I like to understand how things work. Some days, I have to break it to understand how it works. Break it, then put it back together. Not always but some days are like that.
So filling in my squares? Things I don’t like and anyone can do? Proof reading. Not entirely true, but close enough. I have to be careful because I do get a certain joy from some of my proof-reading, like next week’s horoscope.
Things I don’t like and only I can attend? Paperwork and taxes, bookkeeping, essentially.
Things I like and anyone can do? The tinkering with the backend of the websites, the mechanics of the software, to some? Software engineering and design, which is now a field that is much leveled.
What I like that only I can do? Writing the horoscopes.
Skill Sets and the Self
The image from my paper journal, as a reminder? One side, going up, is “love,” and its opposing companion is “dislike.” Across the bottom for the other axis, “infinity,” with a triangle as the alchemical symbol for fire, “me.”
