Make the Impossible Possible - not a Dream, a Life!
Posted on April 16, 2008
Several months ago I received an amazing book in the mail from an associate Director of Marketing of Doubleday publishing (I will touch a bit more on this director and my thanks to her a bit latter in the article). I had been told about the book and this director from my friend Chris at Soupornuts and was expecting a copy, so I was not surprised when it arrived in a few days. However the book did surprise and amaze me. Make the Impossible Possible by Bill Strickland simply amazed me. He amazed me with his courage and tenacity, he amazed me with his perseverance and his insight, he with out a doubt touched me with this book. It is not very often that we see true genius, but if you know of Bill Strickland you have.
Bill spent basically his entire life in the inner city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He went through many difficult and trying times, but never lost sight of his dream and passion to make his home better. His dream has touch thousands of people in countless ways. His dream did not do it by taking or giving hand outs or charity, but by providing those in need, hope and options. He provides them with a pathway to success and instills in each and everyone that he has helped that they are worth it, that they are a precious asset to this World. He created one of the World’s top training facilities, which is still going today, and has also managed to create a place that cultivates the mind and soul through music and art at the same time. He found his passion by throwing clay pots and cultivated it into a life long pursuit to make others feel the same way he did sitting at his potter’s wheel.
Bill Strickland created Manchester Bidwell, his job training facility and community arts center, as a refuge and beacon of light for those in need of a pathway out of the inner city of Pittsburgh, but keep it right in the heart of the city for everyone to see. He knew that if everyone could see the potential with in themselves and that they deserved the finer things in life that he could change their lives. The facilities that he have created are first class and some of the best in the country. He only accepts the best for his students and his staff and teachers are no exception.
Okay, enough about the man Bill Strickland. To his book Make the Impossible Possible. The book is the story of Bill’s life from his childhood to present. He lets you know how he was influenced and how he came to be the man he is today. He shows you the journey to creating Manchester Bidwell. He details all the highs and lows, but most amazingly details his heart. His mind, heart, and soul were always in tune with what his dream was and drove him to never give up until he was a success. The book is a very easy read and once you start you will not want to put it down until you are through. I highly recommend the book to everyone, but especially high school students. I can not give the book enough praises as it deserves, but it is a definite must read. If you still have doubts about getting the book, watch the video below and then make your decision.
Bill Strickland, Rebuilding America, one slide show at a time.
Marketing Today
Now that you know about the book and are going to go right out an get it or order it online, I wanted to spend a minute talking about the amazing bit of marketing Ms. Meredith McGinnis of Doubleday has done. This is one of the first times that I have seen a publisher take the path and guidance of Seth Godin. As many of you know I am a huge fan of Seth’s and I have really immersed myself in his books and teachings about marketing. He has stated hundreds of times that marketing is not advertising, but I see very little evidence that many have listened to him. Meredith sure did or has learned it the hard way along the way. She has created a buzz about this book by sending it, free of charge, to bloggers and several "sneezers" (as Seth would say) and I’m sure has received far greater return from this modest investment than a television or print ad. She has had it reviewed by Pick the Brain, I Will Change Your Life, Soupornuts, Adversity University, jut to name a few that I know of. All of these blogs are well read and have a ton of subscribers between them. From the donation of a couple hundred dollars worth of retail she has reached thousands. Those thousands are not just a mass of people either, they are thousands that pay attention and take advice from these bloggers. I have no data, but I bet her return was over 1000%.
Great job Meredith, I just wanted to let you know that I think it was brilliant and give you a thumbs up for great marketing!
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3 Responses to “Make the Impossible Possible - not a Dream, a Life!”
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Brad:
You captured it extremely well the energy and sheer power of Bill Strickland’s book. I loved it so much that I read it twice the same month!
I also laughed, cried and smiled. The writing was exemplary because it was easy to read yet full of vivid images, particularly when he first laid his hands on clay in high school.
I’m also “haunted” (not really but it sounds dramatic, LOL) by the image of the orchid. I remember as a kid I sort of liked plants but lost interest in them until I read Bill’s book. I’ve been on a search for some orchids!
Finally but not least, I wrote Bill an email, hoping to get to meet him in person but haven’t heard back from him. If you know of a way I could reach him directly, that’d be great. Living in Akron, OH puts me within easy reach to Bill’s hometown in Pittsburgh.
Great write up!
Stephen, thank you so much for the kind words. I too was amazed by the picture of the amazing orchid. I am an amateur gardener and love all the amazing flowers and colors that are in nature. That is one of the main reasons I started my weekly “Little Wonders Photo” series.
I loved the book too Brad. Once I started reading it I couldn’t stop.
Also, Meredith is a such a great person to deal with and I too am impressed at the marketing strategy Doubleday is using. She is on maternity leave at the moment, but I believe she will be back in a few months.