Today we are starting a new podcast show and blog on the Today’s Machining World Podcast Network called “Seeking Serendipity.” Click the following links to listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.
As our regular readers and listeners know, we talk a lot about serendipity in Today’s Machining World and on Swarfcast. Serendipity is the concept of being in the right place at the right time. Some people call it being lucky, a Spanish customer of Graff-Pinkert once translated it as “destino.”
But why produce a blog and a podcast about serendipity for a media outlet directed at the precision machining community? Because it’s a concept that applies to the manufacturing business and to living a successful, happy, and interesting life.
“Seeking Serendipity” will often center around my experiences as a used machinery dealer, whose livelihood relies on serendipitous events, such as one we had this week.
A machinery dealer I’m close with in California called me last week to get an opinion on a Tsugami Swiss machine he had in stock. It was a beautiful machine, manufactured in 2016, but we were both a little fuzzy on its demand. I made a mental note, but didn’t think much of it. I didn’t know anyone who wanted that machine, but as I like to say in our business, all it takes is one customer—that one right customer to make a successful deal.
A few days ago, a manufacturer inquired about a machine on Graff-Pinkert’s website, a Tsugami B0205 II manufactured in 2014. We have been trying to sell that machine for a while. I just can’t understand why nobody has bought it yet. But that’s a story for a different blog.
I was excited to call the customer back to discuss the B0205 II. Unfortunately, he wasn’t actually looking for that model. He just contacted us because we had a Tsugami.
The next morning, for some reason the guy’s machine request was lingering in my brain. I suddenly remembered my friend in California who had asked me for advice about that same model the guy was looking for! I called him right away and the machine was still available. I then called the manufacturer I had spoken to the day before. I sent him a quote, and within an hour he wrote back that he would buy the machine!
A whole machinery deal nearly completed in a few hours. In case you’re wondering, deals like this don’t happen everyday, and as I write this, no transaction has been finalized yet.
Why did this deal happen? What did the three parties in this deal do to create this “luck?”
First, I have a good network of people I talk to regularly about machines. This other dealer and I share information often. We have a relationship and have built trust over time. If he didn’t know me, he likely would not have called me the week before to get my opinion about this machine, and there would be no deal.
Secondly, the deal happened because a customer searching for treasure took the initiative to experiment. He contacted me, even though I hadn’t advertised the exact machine he wanted. Perhaps he was thinking that if we had a similar Tsugami to what he was looking for, just maybe, we might have the Tsugami that he actually wanted.
Then, I connected the dots. I listened to the elements manifesting around me and followed my nudges, which led me to bring the machine to the customer.
People in the precision machining industry rely on serendipity constantly. They solve problems for a living. To be successful they have to be present in the moment. They have to notice all the opportunities at their disposal, experiment, and put everything together to make things “work out.”
Honestly, I’m not going to claim to be a serendipity guru yet.
I don’t know exactly how this blog and podcast are going evolve, and I don’t want to sound like I think I know everything. I’m experimenting and following my nudges with the faith that this will work and be great! I want to take people on this journey with me. We will learn new strategies and share them as a community, which of course, is a key ingredient to creating serendipity.
Question: When did you encounter serendipity recently?
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4 Comments
Hi Noah,
Loved the Swarfcast. You keep getting better and better at the podcast game.
I cannot say a serendipitous event pushed me to listen since you had already tried it out on me, but I hone my serendipity aeareness skills everyday. It energizes my brain.
My only reservation is that you will ignite the serendipity awareness of our competitors, but perhaps that will make them eager to call the gurus in the category.
Interesting thought about igniting the Serendipity of our competitors.
I’m not so worried about that. Other dealers do it naturally I believe. This is for everyone!
We have a lot in store to come!
I think it was serendipitous when you urged me to start a podcast and then I heard Altucher, which made me believe I could do it.
Should have listened to you a year or two before when you suggested it. Do you remember that?
I don’t know why I am commenting on here. 😂
Hi Noah,
Thanks for the thought-provoking blog. I would give a slightly different nuance to your definition of ‘serendipity’ or ‘serendipitous.’ For me what is essential is that one is on a journey and unexpected treasure together with surprising adventures are encountered along the way. Literary examples would be Huckleberry Finn, Don Quixote and Lord of the Rings. Also, the journey is not an aimless affair, it has an overarching purpose. It is a quest, something more than a mere journey. This concerns one’s world view. The individual treasures and adventures need to serve an ultimate purpose. This doesn’t prevent them from being enjoyable and challenging, but delivers them from being (in the words of Solomon) mere vanity, a chasing of the wind.
Thanks Peter!
Purpose of course, is essential for meaning in life. As I hope you can tell, it’s what I desire.
One’s life journey does not have to be totally planned out, in my opinion, which I think was exhibited in your literary examples. But, it’s important to try one direction in order to not stand still and do nothing.
What if you are hoping that Serendipity first leads you to the purpose or direction you are craving? What if after you find that direction, Serendipity propels you to the place you want to go, or more importantly, who you want to be?