A Flute Without Holes / June 21, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Playing a flute without holes is the hardest part.

This is the concluding phrase of one of Zen koans, which, in the student’s opinion, aptly expresses its paradoxical essence. It’s difficult to judge without knowing the koan itself. However, what struck me in this phrase was its literal meaning.

No engineering marvels or modern materials can help if the building’s foundation was flawed. The quality of the seams, diet, and rehabilitation lose their significance if proper disinfection of an open wound wasn’t carried out. Unlike minor oversights, a mistake in the fundamental assumptions nullifies any, even heroic, subsequent efforts. Even if it’s technically possible to mitigate the damage, the cost of such measures skyrockets.

Entrepreneurs wouldn’t be true to themselves if they didn’t act decisively, quickly, and boldly. Thanks to this ability, founders can move mountains that are beyond the comprehension of others. However, this gift becomes a curse in those rare moments when the racecar critically needs a pit stop. “Now is the time to think, not to swing a shovel,” my client said recently.

Sometimes, a pause is necessary to reassess global business goals or find a way out of a dead end. But it’s important to consciously slow down at other “turning points” when seemingly ordinary decisions will have disproportionately significant effects. For example, hiring a C-level manager, negotiating with a private equity fund, agreeing on terms with a major customer, pivoting the business model, and aligning vision with a business partner.

In business, just like in ballistics, a slight change in launch angle dramatically alters the projectile’s trajectory and firing range. Therefore, if you haven’t yet grasped Zen, maybe it’s not worth rushing to pick up a flute without holes just yet.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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No Price — No Value / June 21, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

"Are you ready to serve on a board of directors on a pro bono basis?"

"No," I firmly replied to the recruiter's question.

With one exception, I clarified, it could only be a nonprofit organization whose goals resonate with mine or a company in crisis whose founder, as an individual, interests me.

In all other cases, in my conviction, there will be no benefit to the business without paying for the services of an independent director. Why?

Price is intimately linked to value. Unwillingness to pay signifies the founder's unwillingness to listen to and implement the advice of experts whom he himself invited. The entrepreneur is not yet ready to accept outside help, but is unaware of it. Therefore, his behavior is contradictory - kind of yes, kind of no.

Apparently, the initiative to create a board of directors has become a farce. The entrepreneur took a course in corporate governance or looked at his friends and pondered, "Why am I any worse?" Thus, the board of directors has transformed from a useful tool into a decorative element, a kind of tuning accessory.

Moreover, it is highly likely that the company lacks ambitious goals. After all, the greater the transformation ahead, the greater the sacrifice required to appease the Olympic gods. Attempting to save on the quality of decisions made signifies the founder's lack of understanding of the hierarchy of priorities. There's no point in trying to prove anything here; let reality teach a harsh lesson.

Conclusion: Don't waste your time on those who don't appreciate your advice. There are plenty of founders around who will generously reward you for helping their business achieve a breakthrough.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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True Meaning of Limitations / June 20, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Seeking everything at once without effort, people dig their own graves.

The great danger is that their lives will become monotonous, boring, and empty.

Imagine, if you like, that you are omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.

Every whim of yours is satisfied instantly.

Clearly, what follows is that your existence loses meaning.

"If anything is possible, then nothing is interesting," wrote Herbert Wells.

Any gift becomes a curse if it hasn't been earned by you.

You don't need bliss; you need to overcome obstacles on the path to it.

It's not about creating problems for yourself and then solving them.

It's about consciously selecting the burden you can bear.

In other words, we should be thankful for the limitations imposed by fate.

Maybe we're here because of imperfections, both ours and the world's.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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Mind and Body / June 19, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Some folks believe that the body is simply a "taxi for the brain." The physical shell allegedly restricts their free-spirited nature.

I think this is due to the rise of abstraction in our lives: remote work via Zoom, video games, online dating, and social media "friends."

Constantly fine-tuning their virtual reality to suit their whims, people have come to believe that the physical world is as malleable as clay. But unlike a game or a program, physical reality isn't created for our pleasure and convenience.

Nature, society, and the body abide by objective laws and exist in their own right. So, when naïve intellectuals attempt to bend physical reality to their will, they receive a painful smack on the forehead.

Historically, the efforts of such people to revolutionize society only lead everyone to Dante's inferno, not the Garden of Eden. Excessive concern for nature, or the attempt to correct its "mistakes", leads to an imbalance in the ecosystem, the consequences of which are difficult to assess.

People either mutilate their own bodies whimsically, like Michael Jackson or completely ignore their needs until their body fails to function. However, the mounting scientific evidence supports what religious leaders, thinkers, and mystics knew thousands of years ago:

Consciousness is not confined to the brain; it is distributed throughout the entire body. Thus, not only does the mind influence the body, but the body also influences the mind.

Need a simple example? Download the intriguing app State. Just three minutes of specific breathing patterns can enhance your focus, soothe your mind, or lull you to sleep.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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Beyond Technology / June 18, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

If you're pushing yourself to the limit, it means you've got crappy technique.

That's the advice a wise jiu-jitsu coach gives to an eager beginner.

Firstly, excessive strain is the primary source of injuries.

Secondly, athletes quickly deplete their limited energy resources.

And most importantly, the growth in physical strength has its boundaries.

The body's physiology simply won't allow you to become ten times stronger.

A beginner feels an order of magnitude weaker when fighting a black belt.

Technology is a lever that can have any length.

And an infinitely long lever makes its wielder invincible.

That's why investing in technological development yields the best results.

But there's something that even technology takes a backseat to.

It's your ability to make the right decision among multiple alternatives.

After all, a lever's effectiveness depends on the point of application, doesn't it?

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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The main obstacle in your negotiations / June 17, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

The journalist asked the expert in hostage negotiation: “Which people pose the greatest challenges in negotiations? Perhaps aggressive manipulators who control everyone around them?” The response was: “The most difficult people to deal with are those who don’t know what they want.” Counterintuitive, right?

I remember when the founder of a company approached me, seeking mediation for a conflict with her long-time business partner. She was eager, ready to set a date for our joint session. But she froze when I asked her, “Tell me, what do you ultimately want to achieve?” Surprised, she slowly uttered, “That’s a very interesting question… Honestly, I don’t know.”

Often, parties willingly escalate a conflict, only sobering up when they realize the damage to their business, unexpected court rulings, and astronomical costs of war by attrition. Therefore, the decision to involve a third party for pre-litigation conflict resolution speaks to the maturity of an entrepreneur. However, a mediator only helps both parties satisfy their true interests, which initially they need to make an effort to clarify for themselves.

It’s not always as simple as it seems at first glance. The question of interests intensifies the internal conflict of personal values. What matters more to you — achievements, reputation, money, or relationships? What do you dream of doing in the next few years? What is hindering you now? Sometimes, it’s not about grievances towards a partner but grievances towards oneself.

A well-developed negotiating position significantly increases the likelihood of satisfying your interest. There are times when negotiations lose their meaning because it’s simply not your battle. Or you need to create a series of prerequisites to emerge victorious. But more often, as a result of preliminary contemplation, you become almost indifferent to how specific negotiations will end. After all, you now know your long-term goals with certainty and are aware of alternative ways to achieve them. Now you are an unstoppable force.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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The Insanity of Genius / June 17, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

"Though this be madness, yet there is method in ‘t.

These words from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" resonate with every entrepreneur.

Distinguishing genius from insanity is only possible with time. But until then, the founder's actions may appear to be business suicide.

After all, to create something, one must first destroy something. It requires breaking the mold of thinking within others and oneself.

If the changes are substantial, it feels like a Great Flood. Chaos is an existential threat to the mind, so the source of chaos must be suppressed at any cost.

A disturber of order is labeled a fool or a madman, allowing the life of the community to flow in its usual course. Solitude, incomprehension, and condemnation are the price an entrepreneur must pay for the right to think and create beyond limitations.

When an innovative idea proves successful, the mockers quickly switch their stance from negative to positive. They will attempt to elevate yesterday's "idiot" to the realm of saints.

Founders have a heightened sensitivity to the market's current problem and firmly believe that there is a way to solve it. It's not knowledge, as there is no explicit evidence, but it's not blind faith either because, within themselves, at a visceral level, the solution undeniably exists.

The only thing that prevents entrepreneurs from going mad amidst these contradictions is daily observation of how, through their actions, an empty zero transforms into a fertile one.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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The Double-Edged Sword / June 16, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Every founder and CEO needs to know their superpower.

However, when asked, "Why?" you probably gave the wrong answer.

The first thought is natural: "So I can be more productive."

Sure, it makes sense for an eagle to fly in the sky rather than crawl on the ground.

Personality design determines what comes naturally to us.

But knowing your superpower is important because it is very dangerous for you.

You'll be surprised: "How so? Isn't it a positive part of me?"

The thing is, every phenomenon carries both a positive and a negative sign.

Trying to amplify one polarity activates the other.

Thus, a founder who is open to new ideas risks flying off into space.

A cautious investor ends up with a portfolio of companies with no upside.

And an autonomous CEO eventually hits a glass ceiling.

Therefore, your primary task is to protect yourself from yourself.

It's about balancing the excess/deficiency that a superpower inevitably creates.

Only then a systemic business reinvents itself in time.

The desire for novelty is compensated by a resource that preserves order.

The kite of vision maintains a strong connection with the operational earth.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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To Take or Not To Take? / June 15, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

You don’t have to learn the art of negotiation through expensive courses.

Just observe your kids. Like a mountain stream, they know how to bypass any obstacles and eventually achieve their goals.

Seven years ago, our son and daughter started persuading my wife and me to get a dog. Whenever they had a chance, they would bring up the topic. We were adamantly against it, suspecting that we would end up bearing the weight. In a couple of years, our son would want to study abroad. Our daughter was already occupied with school and extracurricular activities all day long.

Furthermore, each of us had already raised a dog in our youth and vividly remembered the tremendous amount of time and effort spent on walking, training, caring, and so on. Yet, the kids continued to plead with us: “Please, please!”

At some point, a magical transformation occurred. Instead of the usual dilemma, “Should we get a dog or not?” we started seeking answers to the questions, “Which breed is better?” and “What name should we choose for it?”.

That was the turning point. The strategic question of “Why?” was replaced by the tactical question of “How?” Instead of confrontation, parents and children united to achieve a common goal. We chose a puppy of the Australian Cattle Dog breed.

Years have passed. Our daughter studies a lot and dances. Our son got into a university abroad. Of course, only my wife and I take care of the dog’s training, health, and walks. Even though we had a hunch that it would be this way, we didn’t immediately accept this fact. But now Umma is our beloved dog, a daring, affectionate, and cheerful member of our family.

This story holds a valuable lesson. In negotiations, it makes sense to apply the same magic. Replace the dilemma of “Should we move forward or stay still?” with the choice of “Which path should we take?”

So when you’re making a proposal to a client or partner, try offering three options instead of just one. Instead of thinking about whether they should work with you or not, they will decide which method (1, 2, or 3) is best for them.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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Linear vs. Nonlinear Process / June 15, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Want to reach your goals faster? Then stop running.

Yeah, it sounds unusual, but don't rush to dismiss this thought.

Acceleration is only appropriate on straight stretches of road.

By the way, that's why there are no speed limits on some highways.

But in business, it is only trainees and managers who have many highways.

The path of a CEO is more like a goat trail through a snowy ridge.

It happened not because a leader seeks dangerous adventures.

Simply put, there are no treasures where tourists wander in crowds.

The maximum potential lies where no human foot has stepped before.

"That's why the discovery of new lands is the prerogative of founders."

Such an expedition is a nonlinear process where speed is secondary.

When the possibilities are limitless, it's foolish to hurry.

If the asphalt ends, it's important to slow down and look around.

An attempt to run (out of linear habit) will end tragically.

But your vigilance and openness to novelty will be generously rewarded.

Your business is currently being reimagined for the next stage of growth.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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Fix Your Position / June 14, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Having gained a favorable position in the battle, there's no need for you to rush.

Let your opponent worry, fuss, and waste his energy in vain.

For now, you can catch your breath while observing the growth of their despair.

In their attempt to break free, your opponent is sure to present you with a gift.

Your task will be to choose which of his vulnerabilities is easier to attack.

In a strong position, the number of alternatives increases exponentially.

When you consciously pause, space and time work in your favor, offering opportunities from good to best.

Why isn't this insight utilized everywhere by everyone?

Following the saying, people rush to forge the iron while it's hot, overlooking the accessible gold and silver within reach.

In the practice of business therapy, I often observe that entrepreneurs fail to fix their acquired position.

All too often, in both business and battles, individuals achieve a great deal only to eventually lose practically everything.

Even if business turnover is growing, the owner does not become richer.

Sooner or later, the question arises: "What's the point of all this?"

There's a risk of burning out, transferring control, or selling off the business.

In reality, all you need to do is regularly take pauses to assess and wisely manage what you already possess.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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Finder must be found / June 13, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

I'm often asked where I find illustrations for my posts.

The secret is quite simple—they find me.

I apply the same principle when exploring new cities.

In the morning, I set myself a loose goal, like a museum or a coffee shop.

Then, I wander freely, following my curiosity.

If I stumble upon a charming market, a cozy antique shop, or a quiet church, I linger there for a while.

In this way, I collect experiences that have found me.

The intimate side of the city reveals itself, allowing me to see the beauty that is inaccessible to tourists.

In the process, I undergo a transformation, as this chain of "Wow" moments cuts, adds, or clarifies something within me.

I return home with a rich haul of personal memories.

My process of gathering illustrations follows a similar pattern.

Like a bee, I seek nectar, and the pollen naturally sticks to my body.

All that's left is to delve into my saved archives.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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Polarities: a struggle or a dance? / June 12, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

What is more important - discipline or freedom?

Collective or individual? Expansion or control?

In such dilemmas, making a choice once and for all is impossible.

The polarities depend on each other as much as they oppose.

Are you promoting one of them as good? In the end, it will turn into evil.

An excess of collectivism destroys the individual, pushing him into rebellion.

By indulging every whim of the individual, society falls apart at the seams.

Total control grants stability, but without novelty, collapse ensues.

The ultra-high speed of an unguided system is equivalent to zero.

Misunderstanding this dichotomy leads to senseless loss and pain.

People, companies, and countries jump from one extreme to another.

Is there a way out of this vicious cycle at all?

Yes, provided that our minds allow the thought that goes against pride:

Insisting on one thing, we fail to see the fullness of the picture.

In the other polarity, we must find not only the negative but also the positive.

And in our cherished position, acknowledge flaws along with virtues.

Are many willing to turn the laser of analysis inwards rather than outwards?

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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The Art of Boiling / June 11, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

As soon as water starts boiling, it doesn't get any hotter.

Further heating simply turns the liquid into vapor.

So once you reach the boiling point, you're wasting energy.

In any endeavor, it's important to know when a phase transition occurs.

At this point, the system parameters change in leaps and bounds.

Sometimes, this fact is hard for a mind seeking linearity in everything to grasp.

Novice: "If I work out three times a day, I'll become stronger."

Coach: "Not at all. Progress will plateau, and injuries will occur."

Some companies continue to invest in an already expanded bottleneck.

But if the sales process is feeble, why pump up lead generation?

Cutting costs won't help if the product has lost its appeal.

Debt shouldn't be sought until the business model is polished.

Knowing "boiling points" ensures a high return on capital.

Founders' principle: "Good enough. But not less."

One could say that entrepreneurship is the art of moderation.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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Beyond the Obvious / June 10, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

When the downpour has already begun, there is no point in running.

Because of your speed, you will collect raindrops faster.

However, the risk of slipping and sprawling in a puddle will be much higher.

The time to hurry was earlier, when it seemed, "Could there be a storm?"

Now you can relax and walk around quietly and casually.

Firstly, you stand out advantageously from the bewildered crowd.

Secondly, discomfort subsides when willingly embraced.

Thirdly, you can ponder slowly why this happened.

After all, intuition was right, but you habitually discounted its signal.

Yes, the signs were vague, and yes, the forecast didn't promise rain.

As usual, the mind demanded clear forms and solid evidence.

Well, it got everything, soaked clothes won't let it lie.

Writers, hunters, and entrepreneurs trust their gut.

They know the secret — everything explicit was once implicit.

For them, potential is as real as any physical object.

That's why they react when there seems to be nothing to everyone else.

So what distinguishes a founder from a manager? Trusting the gut.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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The Curse of Pride in Business / June 9, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Many religions agree that pride is the source of all sins.

In business, such terms aren't popular, but the essence remains the same.

A person is convinced that the world revolves solely around him (or her).

Everything and everyone around either threatens or contributes to self-elevation.

As a result, we witness the phenomenon of local optimization.

Company resources are mis-spent, mis-allocated and mis-directed.

The CMO forms alliances and hatches plans to defeat the CFO.

The CEO squanders shareholders' profits on ideological initiatives.

While co-founders bicker, their market share is devoured by the competition.

Business withers when local needs overshadow global goals.

Through pride, a person destroys both his surroundings and eventually himself.

The remedy for pride is humility (not to be confused with self-deprecation).

It's a sincere recognition that there is something greater above you.

A smart manager asks the boss to explain the purpose of an order: "Why?".

Instead of trying to push a product, a salesperson clarifies the customer's needs.

Taking care of the business, a mature founder creates a board of directors.

Personal interests are not in conflict, but are part of a global context.

By "forgetting" oneself, a person attains true security.

Besides, now he is in sync with the system's superpower. A paradox.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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The Art of Manoeuvring / June 8, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

How much is the ability to accelerate quickly worth without the ability to brake? Not much, because effective speed equals zero if you crash at the first traffic light.

Yet that's exactly what happens when the market grows steadily for a long time. A whole array of founders and CEOs emerge, having learned only one thing—pressing the gas pedal to the floor.

When it comes to cooling down the market, neither they nor their businesses are prepared. Adjusting the business model, restructuring debt, reducing burn rate—these and other lifesaving actions are not their forte or are decided upon too late.

An experienced biker knows that braking requires a special skill that needs separate training. If you squeeze the rear brake too hard, the motorcycle will skid, and if you hit the front brake, you'll flip over the handlebars headfirst.

Ignorance of the potential of brakes leads to a situation where, when faced with an obstacle, the biker panics, lays the motorcycle on its side, and ends up hitting exactly what they were trying to avoid due to sliding.

However, true mastery is demonstrated when it's necessary to perform a very complex maneuver that requires simultaneous play on all "keys"—gas, brake, and clutch. In motorsport, there is a discipline called gymkhana—a competition for maneuvering through a course with numerous cones at the highest speed. The business equivalent is a prolonged period of high uncertainty when companies can neither move straightforwardly nor come to a stop — it requires non-stop maneuvering.

A company, like a motorcycle in gymkhana, must be "in full stretch," when the leader manages the clash of opposing forces in a way that maintains system stability, deftly navigates dangers, and accelerates when opportunities arise.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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Deeptrue vs Deepfake / June 7, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

In the past, people suffered from numerous hardships, dangers, and illnesses. But they didn't have a more terrifying problem than what we have. Their existence was 100% real, while our lives are relentlessly consumed by fake.

Pseudofacts, voice clones, rewriting of history, concept substitution, and so on. Soon only AI will be able to separate the wheat from the chaff, but who will trust its verdict?

No wonder the use of antidepressants in the United States has quadrupled since 1988. When everything around becomes conditional, the collapse inside a person grows.

I realize that this trend cannot be stopped and it will only continue to escalate. But that's the external world; order in our minds can and should be maintained.

Personally, sports give me hope—jiu-jitsu, walking, and kettlebells. Physical activity cannot be distorted, and it cannot be denied.

Swinging a mace centers the mind better than any antidepressant. Gravity always exerts its influence during a jiu-jitsu scramble. If the news makes your head spin, stand under an icy shower.

Any activity becomes medicine when the consciousness receives direct feedback from the world, without artificial algorithms.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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The Power of Adaptability / June 6, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Give people infinite time, and they'll adapt to anything.

The mind is so flexible that it can eventually digest almost any shock.

But fate throws a challenge and growls, "Change now!"

Thus, the problem lies only in the speed of our transformations.

For some, adaptation will take an hour, while for others, a decade. Why?

Well, some people are more open to novelty based on their psychological type.

Their curiosity overrides paralyzing anxiety.

The question is, what about the rest of us?

Weak adaptability can be compared to an atrophied muscle.

What matters is not its initial strength, but the fact that it exists at all.

Provide a rhythm of exertion and rest, and the volume of muscle fibers will increase.

Creating a rhythm of exertion and rest will increase the volume of muscle fibers.

However, the load must be manageable, and the rest must be complete.

By the way, that's exactly how exposure therapy works for treating severe anxiety disorders (phobias, PTSD, OCD, etc.).

The advantage is that flexibility in one area melts rigidity in others.

Consciously accelerating adaptability is also a form of superpower, isn't it?

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

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Embracing Paradox / June 5, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Business is like a bulldog — if it wheezes and snores, it means it's alive.

Worry only when it suddenly becomes too quiet.

Existence implies dynamics, drama, upheaval, and discomfort.

Conversely, an inanimate object is immediately recognizable by its fixed form.

Just like shed snake skin remains static, a fallen leaf doesn't grow.

In other words, life is not a structure but a function or process.

The process is driven by a contradiction that cannot be definitively resolved.

Polarities not only exist; they are intimately intertwined.

Order and chaos, individuality and society, stability and growth, and so on.

A tilt in any direction inevitably triggers a swing back.

So relying on extremes is utopian and characteristic of novices or fanatics.

So, the mature leader doesn't shy away from contradictions but seeks them out.

A leader understands that the secret to a thriving business lies in paradox.

Creative acts take place at the intersection of contradictions.

Yours sincerely,

-Alexander

You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.

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