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> Let's not forget that Elon Musk's real success has been in marketing. He has obviously been highly successful at marketing. But his "real success" has been i

by darawk 4y ago

> Let's not forget that Elon Musk's real success has been in marketing. He has obviously been highly successful at marketing. But his "real success" has been in delivering products like useful electric cars and reusable rockets that didn't previously exist. His marketing skills help with that, but all the marketing in the world isn't going to sell a product that doesn't exist (except in crypto).

Swenrekcah 4y ago
I think those aren’t incompatible views. Undeniably Elon’s success is his tremendous wealth, the basis of which are two very valuable companies that the cofounded and has as CEO marketed brilliantly, if not always honestly. He obviously knows a lot about what people to work with. It is highly unlikely he knows how to build or design almost anything Spacex or Tesla makes. He knows a lot about everything they make of course, and can get more detailed briefings and information on it that anyone, but he didn’t make it. So the wealth and the successful companies are his success sure, but his greatest personal accomplishments are obviously his marketing skills.
- darawk 4y ago
  I don't know how you're measuring "greatest" but I certainly consider his greatest accomplishments to be putting together, betting on, and operating the companies that produced these products. Of course he doesn't know how to build a Tesla batter or a SpaceX rocket himself - probably no one person does. These were very difficult industries, industries that were extremely contrarian to bet on when he did. Making the financial bet alone would be a great accomplishment for any normal person. Peter Thiel is a famous investor for making far less contrarian and far less successful bets without operating anything except Paypal. Musk's bets were far more concentrated, and he chose the personnel, operated the companies, made the strategic decisions, and yes, also marketed them brilliantly. But he only got to flex those marketing muscles because he spent a decade assembling, managing, and financing the teams that built the product in the first place.
  - Swenrekcah 4y ago
    Yes, I agree with that. I guess I’m just trying to reconcile the person that could do that, with the irresponsible and impulsive person he displays publicly for the past few years. Perhaps it’s just that his wealth got the better of him.

by darawk 4y ago

Swenrekcah 4y ago

I think those aren’t incompatible views. Undeniably Elon’s success is his tremendous wealth, the basis of which are two very valuable companies that the cofounded and has as CEO marketed brilliantly, if not always honestly. He obviously knows a lot about what people to work with. It is highly unlikely he knows how to build or design almost anything Spacex or Tesla makes. He knows a lot about everything they make of course, and can get more detailed briefings and information on it that anyone, but he didn’t make it. So the wealth and the successful companies are his success sure, but his greatest personal accomplishments are obviously his marketing skills.

darawk 4y ago
I don't know how you're measuring "greatest" but I certainly consider his greatest accomplishments to be putting together, betting on, and operating the companies that produced these products. Of course he doesn't know how to build a Tesla batter or a SpaceX rocket himself - probably no one person does. These were very difficult industries, industries that were extremely contrarian to bet on when he did. Making the financial bet alone would be a great accomplishment for any normal person. Peter Thiel is a famous investor for making far less contrarian and far less successful bets without operating anything except Paypal. Musk's bets were far more concentrated, and he chose the personnel, operated the companies, made the strategic decisions, and yes, also marketed them brilliantly. But he only got to flex those marketing muscles because he spent a decade assembling, managing, and financing the teams that built the product in the first place.
- Swenrekcah 4y ago
  Yes, I agree with that. I guess I’m just trying to reconcile the person that could do that, with the irresponsible and impulsive person he displays publicly for the past few years. Perhaps it’s just that his wealth got the better of him.