“The challenge with SXSW and events like it is it's so big and overwhel...” — John Hagel III Quote

The challenge with SXSW and events like it is it's so big and overwhelming, it's easy to get lost in the crowd.

Executives will talk about the importance of passion, but what they really mean is finding somebody who will work nights and weekends on their assigned task but predictably and reliably follow orders and just work harder.

At one level, SXSW exemplifies serendipity, because whenever I come, I get these unexpected meetings with people I never knew existed, and you couldn't have planned it. But by making the choice to come to SXSW, I'm increasing the probability of those encounters.

Business needs to move to adopt much more scalable pull platforms. When we talk about pull platforms, often people focus on one level of pull, which is what we call access. It's simply, if I have a need, I can make a request, get the resource or the information I need when needed.

It's tough to get any win in the NBA, but when you're at home it gives you a push to get that win with your crowd behind you.

I try to call the play as quickly as I possibly can and then shut up and let the crowd roar because, to me, the crowd is the most wonderful thing in the whole world when it's making noise.

Katniss Everdeen owes her last name to Bathsheba Everdene, the lead character in 'Far From the Madding Crowd.' The two are very different, but both struggle with knowing their hearts.

I've always loved Newcastle. Even when you're watching their games on television, you can feel the passion of the crowd.