I remember my dad sharing a 1950’s comic book
story with me…
Not sure where it came from or when it was first published,
but the outline of the story stayed with me and got me to thinking about everything
that is new in technology…
The story goes that at some point in the future a
tyrannical regime had overtaken the world and had such amazing technology and
weapons that they were believed to be invincible.
The good guys – I will call them the Allies – were
trying everything to overcome the regime but their planes and weapons simply
could not get through their advanced defences – they were slowly and surely
being wiped out.
One of the most devastating weapons operated by
the Regime was a radar guided death ray – well
it would be wouldn’t it – this death ray was capable of taking out missiles
and aircraft in mid-air before they had any chance of hitting the target.
One RAF veteran had a bright idea. He had flown
Mosquito aircraft during WW2, and he thought that they could be used again
against this modern weapon system – these planes were now out of date, slow and
cumbersome compared to the supersonic jets that were currently being used – he was
laughed out of the room when he suggested that he lead a squadron of Mosquitoes
to destroy the death ray.
As time went on and the Allies lost more men and
planes – they had no choice by to turn to the Mosquito pilot for help. They salvaged
12 Mosquito aircraft, trained pilots how to fly them and each one of them was
modified to carry a single bomb that could take out the death ray – if they
could get through.
The Mosquito was built of wood, it was light, and
with two Merlin Engines was in its day the fastest aircraft in the world. It
had the ability to fly slowly, and very low leaving a small heat signature.
These planes flew so low and slow that the
defences didn’t see them – they were, in effect, in stealth mode. The regime couldn’t
see them coming. The mission of course was a success, the good guys won and all
was well with the world.
The lesson for me is that sometimes the traditional
ways of doing things are more effective than the new ways – for a variety of
reasons.
- Being unique – no one else is doing it so you will stand out
- Unexpected – there is the benefit of surprise
- Stealth – no one will see you coming.
- Crazy – people will think you are nuts – in a good way.
How can we add the Mosquito Effect to life and business…?
- Stay married to the same person – there is a novelty…
- Meet people face to face not on a Webinar…
- Keep your promises and be on time…
- Turn you mobile ‘phone off in a meeting…
- Write a letter to someone – not an email…
- Stop posting other peoples motivational slogans on Facebook…
- Read books printed on paper…
- Drive a 20 year old car – not a BMW or Mercedes…
- Stop chasing the money…
- Learn a skill that involves making something physical
- Get rid of the TV – completely, no excuses – bin it…
Of course, keep some
of the new technology, but don’t discard the old ways completely – they will
give you an edge…
