Gumby Is My Main Man

by Richard Laermer, Guest Author

Ah yes, it was a long, long time ago. In the 1950s and 60s, the green Gumby and his pal Pokey were TV fixtures as they joyfully lived the adventures kids dreamt of: going to the moon, jumping in and out of books’ fanciful tales, hanging out with people from far-off lands. Because Gumby was a Claymation™ creation, he was eminently flexible and had a special knack for getting in to, out of, and through fantastic and often-danger-filled escapades.

Gumby lives on in us.

Gumby’s power is much more than flexibility. Gumby is more than ever becoming key to success in whatever world you tool around in. The next time a colleague, friend or Aunt Bertha asks how you triumph in the face of unbelievable odds, tell them “Gumby.” If she runs off looking for the latest gadget code named for our little green hero, let her go. If on the other hand she asks what do you mean…?

Gumby is attitude. Snarky is so darn fashionable, as popular culture lauds Gawker and its cadre of follower blogs that pride themselves on carefully-crafted sarcasm and forever cynicism. Gumby is confident, ambitious and willing to get the job done—that’s the scintilla of “real Gumby.” Gumby is optimistic and focuses on solutions—not problems. You call it like it is … and then you are willing to get how others see it.

Gumby is action. Lazy is easy. Action is often strenuous and sometimes exhausting, but those who have Gumby (or saw him on TV) know that taking the effortless path rarely gets you where you need to be. Identifying nascent trends, for example, requires vigorous analysis of information from multiple sources, searching beyond your comfort zone.

Gumby is results. Ultimately, Gumby the flexible character was all about getting the job done—and well in a timely fashion—effectively using all tools available. Gone are the days when tasks came with a “when you can get to it” deadline. If you’re lucky enough to remember the office euphoria when IBM introduced Correcting Selectric then your head probably spins at the plethora of tools available to business folks in our day. These tools can help or hinder, and Gumby is knowing how to use them to deliver results that measurably impact a bottom line, whatever your department.

Gumby learns. In each of his escapades, Gumby learned from those around him. He sought information and explanation, and had fun doing it. Today, we’re bombarded by data from more sources than we can count, and those who embrace Gumby invest the energy to constantly expand their wealth of knowledge.

Those who have Gumby, participate. They do not sit idly by and watch from the sidelines, these are those who jump in and use wit and intellect to get ANY job done. They overcome the most troublesome glitches and find innovative solutions. Gumby isn’t yes-or-no; it’s how and why.

Ask anyone from the Air Force who will tell you without blinking that on day two, someone told them no matter what, “Remember that nothing is a problem.”

In the military they say it best: Semper Gumby!

I’m Richard Laermer of RLM PR. I write books. My latest is coauthored with Mark Simmons and called “Punk Marketing”. This is excerpted from something I am finishing titled “2011.” See it in bookstores. In four months. Or read lots of it online, then buy it.