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Cynthetiq · 04-22-2003, 08:32 AM

I've had the privilege to meet with Tom Freston one on one in the office and at his home, he's a very down to earh private man. He's also an exception as far as CEOs are concerened. He's very interested in the people who work for them and it's very apparent in this article.

excerpt from Wall Street Journal

LESSONS FROM MTV

MTV CEO Tom Freston told The Wall Street Journal's "Boss Talk" how MTV stays tuned in to teens (3/21/00). But remove "teens" and his lessons apply to any business. Freston advises you to:

Do as much consumer research as possible.
Develop a staff and culture inherently interested in what you do.
Encourage ideas from the bottom up by making your business a fun place to work.
Don't follow your market as they grow older. Focus on the next generation.
To encourage ideas from the bottom up, Freston says that he tries to give MTV a "sense of smallness." "The idea is this is still a boutique... where someone can make a difference." About today's teens, Freston says they "travel with two passports." While they are international in their awareness, their local world is increasingly more important.

04-22-2003, 08:32 AM	#17 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	MTV Article #1 I've had the privilege to meet with Tom Freston one on one in the office and at his home, he's a very down to earh private man. He's also an exception as far as CEOs are concerened. He's very interested in the people who work for them and it's very apparent in this article. excerpt from Wall Street Journal LESSONS FROM MTV MTV CEO Tom Freston told The Wall Street Journal's "Boss Talk" how MTV stays tuned in to teens (3/21/00). But remove "teens" and his lessons apply to any business. Freston advises you to: Do as much consumer research as possible. Develop a staff and culture inherently interested in what you do. Encourage ideas from the bottom up by making your business a fun place to work. Don't follow your market as they grow older. Focus on the next generation. To encourage ideas from the bottom up, Freston says that he tries to give MTV a "sense of smallness." "The idea is this is still a boutique... where someone can make a difference." About today's teens, Freston says they "travel with two passports." While they are international in their awareness, their local world is increasingly more important. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!