Jim Seybert's Fools Box

New Web Site -New RSS feed

2009-02-17T14:38:00.000-08:00

I have taken the big plunge and am moving off Blogger to a WordPress blog, that also incorporates my entire Internet presence.

The plan is to blog much more frequently and to provide regular updates and changes on the web site.

If you've been following the Fool'sBox you will find all the content at http://jimseybert.com/blog-foolsbox and there is a button you can click to get the RSS feed.

Please note - I will not be reading this blogger site, so if you leave a note here, I won't see it.

Leadership Re:Vision - another nice review

2009-02-13T06:26:00.000-08:00

I write because I have to.

There are words and ideas that need to be granted their freedom from wherever they are inside. Most times they escape and find the outside a lonely place with no one to read them me.

Occasionally the words find an audience, and that's a cool thing.

Comments like these are gratifying and humbling because I know without equivocation that the words don't really belong to me.

Leadership Re:Vision - reviews are starting

2009-02-11T15:41:00.000-08:00

One of the coolest things about publishing a book is the ability a writer has to share with people without being in the same room. It's a good feeling to know that the words you wrote are making a difference.

The reviews are starting to come in on Leadership Re:Vision.

Yippee.

New Blog/Website coming

2009-02-10T18:36:00.000-08:00

I have been on a steep learning for the last week, working on a next level Internet presence for the web applications that support my consulting practice. I want a more cohesive web presence, everything in one place. I also wanted something I could update frequently without having to wait for a designer or code writer to fit me in to their schedule.

Wordpress made the most sense. My web hosting service HawkHost includes Wordpress in their service and that cinched the deal. Just a few clicks and I was ready to start learning. My initial trial ended in dismal failure. Wordpress is easy to use ONCE you understand some basics. So, a visit to Barnes & Noble uncovered Scott McNulty's Building a WordPress Blog People Want to Read - and I was off to the race track.

I like WP because although the entire site is a blog, I can set some "permanent" pages that act like pages in a standard website. So my Internet presence is interactive (the blog) and informative (the pages) all in the same place.

The site is almost ready for general public consumption, so I'm doing a bit of a soft launch to readers of this - soon to be moth-balled - Google blog. I would be grateful for any comments or ideas you'd want to pass along. And ask that you not spread the URL around because it's just a beta at the moment.

By the way - Leadership RE:Vision continues to stay active at Amazon. It has been on the Top 100 leadership list for more than a week and in the Top 30 for a couple of those days.

Leadership Re:Vision - price reduction

2009-02-06T19:42:00.000-08:00

Hmm - not sure how they decide, but the discount on Leadership Re:Vision at Amazon just went from 15% to 20%.

It's been in the Top 100 since Monday and in the Top 30 a couple of time (Leadership titles). Friday was an off day, but I'm thinking the weekend should be pretty good.

I had another interview today, on WORDfm in Pittsburgh. I must be some sort of a jinx, because the regular host was again out with the flu. No worries the guest host pair of Sam & Susan were engaging and asked good questions.

Next week, we should start to see some action at retail as more stores receive product and demand begins to grow.

Someone suggested study questions, so they are being posted, as I have time, on my Facebook fan page.

Hello Pittsburgh - Leadership Re:Vision update

2009-02-06T09:02:00.000-08:00

I am prepping for a radio interview this afternoon with John Hall on WORD in Pittsburgh. Tune in around 5:10 EST.

He'll probably ask me something about the Superbowl and any leadership lessons I might share based on my observations. My reply will be something about making sure everyone understands where you want the team to go. If folks in your organization are not crystal clear in the mission, you will have trouble taking them to the finish line.

Leadership Re:Vision has been in the TOP 100 all week for Amazon's leadership titles. Nice.

Good News/Bad News - from my cat's perspective

2009-02-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

My name is FROSTY -

I am the large, all white, neutered male cat who allows Jim and his family to sleep in my house.

This morning Jim put me in the travel carrier and we went on a car ride. "Jim, I don't care for car rides," I told him in my most pathetic voice, but all he did was stick his finger through the holes and tell me it was "going to be OK."

Does he think I'm an idiot? Riding in the travel carrier is NEVER a good thing.

Sure enough, within minutes we were at the place where dogs and birds and horses and all the other dumb animals come to watch us cats tell the doctor how to treat their patients. The place smells like, well, I don't know what it smells like - it just smells.

"Well, let's see what we have here," says the girl in a purple uniform. Doesn't she know a cat from a dog? "What do we have here?" We have a CAT, you twit.

She sticks a cold hard thing in my bottom and looks at my teeth then carries me into another room to see how much I weigh. All this time I am thinking Jim will come to his senses and take me home, but he just smiles and repeats that insipid, "It'll be OK" crap.

Finally, the doctor comes in and I know we're going to get somewhere. He's going to ask me for advice on how to treat some poor sick rabbit or - whoaaaaaaa - "what's that?"

I am flipped upside down with my legs in the air and my privates exposed to everyone, including the twit who doesn't know a cat from a teddy bear. The doctor is sticking a pokey thing in my tummy and drawing out some of me pee. "Yikes - that HURTS."

The embarrassment was worse than the discomfort, but it's over soon and I am alone with Jim in the room. He lets me just sit on his lap and I start to calm down. The doctor comes back and I hear him say, "Well it isn't an infection. So it might be . . ."

Bottom line - and this is the GOOD news - They are switching me to all soft food. A special diet that's supposed to clear out my bladder and urinary tract. Canned food every day !! It's like Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving TWENTY-FOUR-SEVEN.

If a cat has to ride in a travel carrier to the vet and have his privates exposed for a few minutes to get soft food every day I say it's worth it, don't you?

The publishing process

2009-02-04T21:41:00.000-08:00

I was recently asked why I had "used a publisher" for Leadership Re:Vision instead of self-publishing. The suggestion was that bringing a publisher into the mix actually reduced my potential income. And that's understandable. So here are some thoughts:

While there are some excellent books brought to market through the self-pub channel, I rather prefer the Stamp of Approval associated with the vetting process at Tyndale House and other publishers. I tend to love everything I write, but if my proposal successfully navigates the selection process, I know others feel the same.

The contract between me and the publisher forces me to stay focused, resulting in a far better product. Being undisciplined is one of my core competencies and facing a legally imposed deadline for completion keeps me moving ahead. I don't like giving money back.

Distribution and sales are something I have no taste for. Tyndale has warehouse people, ordering and delivery systems, sales people in the field and sales people meeting with larger retailers. There's no way I'd be able to do this.

And the team work. I am really a hermit. Writing for me is a lonely profession. (The photo below is a self-portrait taken at a cabin near Yosemite). When I'm in writing mode, it's me and the book. Stephen King says the books already exist and it's our job to bring them to life. I'm not sure I'd go that far, but the book does become a jealous partner. So, when the writing is finished, it's great to have a whole team of folks ready to take the work and refine it into something people may actually want to exchange money for.

Relationships between authors and publishers are seldom described as love affairs, but I appreciate the value they bring to the table.

Latest update -

Leadership Re:Vision has been a Top 30 Leadership title on Amazon for the past two days. Looking for a third - one day at a time.

The guest host at WMUZ did a fine job with the interview today, despite having been handed the book as he walked into the studio.

Friday afternoon it's WORD-FM in Pittsburgh.

"I screwed up"

2009-02-04T08:18:00.000-08:00

What an interesting thing to hear from a president.

After 16 years and two administrations that either couldn't or wouldn't tell the truth - here's one that steps up and admits mistakes.

We're all hoping we don't hear that phrase too often, but it does paint a different picture of accountability.

Chapter 9 of Leadership RE:Vision is titled Tell The Truth About Bad News and suggests that leaders often sugar-coat reports of bad news to spare people's feelings or to protect morale. The book asks leaders to examine and revise the way they approach truth-telling in their communication.

Here's something you don't see everyday

2009-02-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

Close friends know my favorite place in the universe is Yosemite National Park.

There's a webcam set up at the Tioga Road entrance to the park, which is closed from about November through June each year.

The camera is operated by the Scripps Institute and here is the view it captured around 11:00am Tuesday morning.

Thanks GOD, for such a cool place.

Book promotiom - the story unfolds

2009-02-03T09:13:00.001-08:00

posted whilst driving on a teeny tiny key board

Just had a call that Leadership RE:Vision hit the #27 spot on Amazon's Leadership list.

Top Five Superbowl commercials

2009-02-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

Who won the game ?

Who cares ?

It's the commercials everyone tunes in to see.

My daughter Noelle posted her five favorites and I concur.

Enjoy.

They SAY they're Green, but are they?

2009-02-02T09:04:00.001-08:00

EPM Communication's weekly Datafile had a factoid this morning from Travelocity reporting that 59% of travelers say "knowing a hotel's GREEN rating" would influence where they stay.

Not doubting the research, but my experience has been that hotel staff need to be made aware of the goals.

When given a choice in a hotel, I always re-hang my towel so it won't be replaced and I honestly cannot recall EVER coming back to anything other than a completely fresh supply. Even in the most socially aware hotel brands - Hard Rock, Westin, Hilton.

Good lesson here - in any organization - it is critical that leadership take the time to insure EVERYONE on the team understands the role they play in success. Communicating corporate objectives effectively is one of the topics covered in my new book Leadership Re:Vision.

A long tail connection

2009-02-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

My Google alert that tracks "Jim Seybert" led to a blog by Melissa Sutton, the author of Broken But Not Shattered.

Melissa is a pastor's wife and my One Year Mini for Leaders is one of four books on her blog's current reading list.

The OYML was published in 2007 so it's cool to see the long tail it carries. As a daily-dated devotional, I hope it continues to bless people year after year.

Facebook or LinkedIn ??

2009-01-31T13:58:00.000-08:00

I've noticed a change in my use of LinkedIn since starting with Facebook.

Is it the newness (for me) of Facebook?
Is the interface so much more compelling?

Does LinkedIn function as my "serious" place and Facebook as my alter ego?
I have done more "business" on Facebook than LinkedIn.
But LinkedIn has more contact detail.

LinkedIn has more employment and professional information.
But Facebook allows potential clients/partners to see what makes me tick.

High Fives to the new president

2009-01-30T07:26:00.000-08:00

I've been looking for good examples of Leadership RE:Vision
and President Obama's comments on Wall Street bonuses certainly fit the bill. Leadership Re:Vision is about looking at leadership through a new set of lenses and telling the truth.

The private sector should step up and police itself. Perhaps Mr. Obama can start the conversation toward a revised idea what true leadership involves.

Blogging dilemma

2009-01-29T06:26:00.000-08:00

To post or not to post -
That is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler to daily fill one's post with swill,
Or to wait until one has something substantive to spill.

And who's to say which post has value for others,
And which are nothing more than a bother.

I mean Jerry Seinfeld did an entire TV series on "nothing"
Yoko Ono once published a book that was nothing but blank pages (I bought one).

I do have something to write about. Notes like this in my email are better than gourmet tea:

I met you at the Church Bookstore Conference earlier this month and was lucky enough to get a copy of Leadership RE:Vision... I told you it was the book I was the most excited about... you asked me why and I shared with you that I am from a church where Leadership and Vision are constant topics. I couldn't wait to read your book... and NOW I'm so bummed I'm through it. I purposely slowed down my pace in the final few chapters, only allowing myself one per day. I wanted to savor the first read through fully! Though I am certain each time I read it I will find something new to love and learn from.

This book is absolutely incredible! You really opened my eyes to stuff I was missing or ignoring. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU for a fresh perspective!

Wow - how cool is that? Something I had the pleasure of writing is going to help someone get unstuck.

Where do teens shop for books ? Surprising fact

2009-01-28T07:26:00.000-08:00

Found this surprising factoid in the Youth Markets Alert, published by Ira Mayer at EPM Communications

46% of teen book buyers purchase their books at a chain bookstore, 16% buy books online, and 8% from a mass merchandiser, according to Publishers Weekly.

Seems to go against conventional wisdom that teens do EVERYTHING online.

OMG - I'm becoming one of "them"

2009-01-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

Working in and around the publishing industry since 1994, one of my recurring questions has been, "Can't authors talk about something besides their latest book?"

Hah - I am becoming one of them. Just finished a set of short interviews for Salem that will be clipped together into radio features on 100's of stations around the country. The taping session ran 28 minutes and I must have said the words "leadership revision" 50 times.

I must say the interviewer knew what he was doing. He asked good questions and led me into provocative answers. As with anything in life, the going is easier if you have a good leader and are able to follow him or her without hesitation.

Promoting Leadership Re:Vision - Radio Interviews

2009-01-26T21:18:00.000-08:00

The first of what we hope will be healthy series of radio interviews is scheduled for Tuesday morning on the Salem Radio Network.

Tyndale House has arranged the session. It's a hybrid - somewhat of an advertorial piece on radio. They are taping a phone interview to clip into three radio commercials that will run on Salem stations around the country to promote Leadership Re:Vision.

The folks at Salem told me in an email to keep my answers short - oh yeah. Uh-huh. I guess I can do that, but what are you supposed to wear for a radio interview?

Book promotion continues - Slightly peeved at Staples.com

2009-01-25T08:22:00.000-08:00

I use Staples.com for office necessaries because with a $50 order they'll bring it to my door and the online inventory allows to buy exactly what I need, rather than settling for what I can find in the store.

We're rolling out promotion on Leadership Re:Vision and an important element in the plan involves mailing copies to friends and family. I went online, found the perfect mailing envelope and placed the order. It came to $45 and some change, so I found a box of pencils I needed, added it to the order and hit the $50 level for complimentary shipping.

When the confirmation email arrived, I noticed that the pencils will arrive within a few days, but the envelopes won't get here until Feb 4 - more than a week away. Hmmm. Darn. I wanted to mail those books THIS week and I don't think Staples.com warned me sufficiently about the lengthy wait for my order.

So - if I cancel the envelope order, will I get a box of pencils delivered with a shipping charge that is more than the item itself? Perhaps I'll send them an email or try to contact their customer service people.

Happy Birthday Mac

2009-01-24T11:55:00.000-08:00

Today, January 24, is the 25th anniversary of the Mac.

As one whose personal and professional mantra is helping people think differently, it's only fitting that I give credit where it's due -

This TV spot from Apple still sends goosebumps down my arm.

Sometimes you get exactly what you asked for

2009-01-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

Came home Friday from a grueling day of driving in the rain on LA freeways and didn't feel like cooking supper. Rhonda had a rough week at work - so we decided to use one of the coupons in our dining out book and went to a place that features "home-style cooking."

The food was crap. Over-cooked meatloaf, seasoned with a tablespoon of black pepper per bite. Canned green beans, suspended in a cesspool of stewed tomato and bacon bits. If this actually was the style of cooking in my HOME, I'd run away and join the circus.

Note to self - people go to restaurants to eat "restaurant-style food."

It comes down to adding value. When people interact with you, do they come away better from the connection? Personally, professionally. Do you seek to add to or subtract from the exchanges you encounter along the way?

Do you know your strengths? Are you using them? I will admit that I am a Maximizer and somewhat picky about the food I eat - but the cook at this place should really try another line of work.

Creating buzz for Leadership Re:Vision

2009-01-22T06:03:00.000-08:00

In the continuing series on activities related to promoting my new book:

Had a good lunch meeting yesterday with Ron Johnston and my daughter, Noelle. Ron is a former Apple exec and Web2.0 guru. Noelle really "gets" social networking. We had a lively discussion about all the channels available and necessary to create buzz over the book when it releases a couple of weeks.

There's a mind-numbing labyrinth of touch points that need to be covered, none of which on its own will generate a critical mass of awareness; each adding to an amorphous mosaic that will raise Leadership RE:Visionabove the clutter. None of the promotional channels can stand alone, but none can be ignored.

This is the perfect definition of "buzz" - a difficult to define amount of noise, coming from many sources, all about the same product or idea. Consider the actual occurrence of buzzing - a bee, fly or wasp. When the insect approaches, you don't hear the flapping of each individual wing, but rather the buzz that's created by the sum of the parts.

Buzz over a particular product or service - in my case, the new book - is the sum of awareness caused by the individual networks we'll use to promote it. This blog entry, on its own, will not assure success, but it adds to the chatter - and helps to "create buzz."

Leadership Re:Vision - the promotion begins

2009-01-21T09:55:00.000-08:00

So, after years and years of working to help other people succeed with their books and other projects - I now get the opportunity to try all my "incredible" ideas on my own project.

And now I am wondering (hoping) whether my ideas are all that.

The book releases in a few days/weeks - Unlike the BIG titles, mine will get to the stores whenever it gets there. No specific "release date" when throngs of people line up all night to be the first to buy it.

In fact, if more than two of three people show up at most stores they'll wipe out the supply. On line shoppers will have better luck.

The promotion is beginning - as far as I can tell the first major publicity is a front page story on New Man magazine's online edition, today (Jan 21)

I'll write more as the process continues.

Free Book Promo

2008-12-03T08:41:00.000-08:00

My new book, Leadership Re:Vision will be in stores in January.

If you'd like to preview the complete galley you can access the file here.

Feel free to FWD the link to anyone you think might appreciate it.

I prefer "Mr President"

2008-06-17T16:17:00.000-07:00

We've been watching DVDs of The West Wing, starting with the first season and rolling through.

I've been a huge fan for a couple of reasons:

1) It's just darn good TV - especially the first few seasons.

2) The story represents an ideal I know will never be reality, but one I nonetheless long for.

3) The show's liberal politics are right up my alley.

None of that has anything to do with something I learned during one of our recent weekend marathons.

The role of President Josh Bartlett is played by Martin Sheen, who does an excellent job adding dimension to the character. As you watch the interactivity of Bartlett with his staff you are struck by an odd mix of familiarity and formality.

The staff and the president talk personally and joke about many things, but no one EVER refers to the boss as anything other than Mr President. Not even his closest friends when they are in the President's private quarters.

At some point during the first season, the writers offer an explanation for this:

Sheen's character is met in the Oval Office by an old friend. It's obvious President Bartlett and this person go way back and that they're good friends.

During the conversation the friend turns to Bartlett and asks, "So, what do I call you here in this office?"

To which the president replies, "I prefer, Mr President. Not because I want the recognition but because I need the constant reminder that [all] this is not about me but about the office."

Question - Could we perhaps be too informal in our communication with colleagues and superiors in business?

Resting on one's title or position is a sure recipe for failure, but do we sometimes disrespect the office by being too informal? Hierarchy and org charts serve a purpose by letting people know where the buck stops and starts.

On The West Wing, having no doubt who's in charge gives everyone a sense of security and confidence they wouldn't have otherwise.

I can't wait 'til Monday

2008-06-14T00:13:00.000-07:00

I am going to the Post Office on Monday to ask them to explain a piece of mail I received today.

The package was a cardboard mailing envelope, that had been sent to me by a company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have no idea what was in the package when it was mailed from Grand Rapids, because when it arrived in my mailbox - it was affixed with a label which read:

RECEIVED IN DAMAGED CONDITION (without contents)

The envelope looks like it had been run over by something. Three of the four sides were torn completely apart - and there was nothing inside.

I have no idea who sent me the package, nor have I a clue as to what may have been inside. But I am nearly 100% certain the person mailing it took it to the Post Office in much better condition than what was delivered to me.

The sticker from the USPS sounds like they have no idea what happened to the package - but if it was given to them in one piece, shouldn't they be responsible for the damage? And for the lost content?

You'd think they would at the very least send the mailer a check for the postage. The sender paid the USPS to deliver the contents of the package to me. The PO failed in this and the sender shouldn't have to pay for services not rendered.

Flying into a hurricane

2008-05-30T05:35:00.001-07:00

I've used the term "into the eye of a hurricane" to metaphorically describe situations, but I can now say I've actually done it.

We flew into Managua yesterday on the back-end of Hurricane Alma. The flight from Miami was delayed until the storm passed and we scooted in right at the tail end. The flight wasn't all that rough, despite the ominous clouds all around. Could have been the three Mimosa cocktails I had to calm my nerves.

I'm sure there's a lesson or two from all this and once my head gets used to being here I'll start to process them. Perhaps something about the prudence of waiting for storms to pass before moving ahead - but that goes against my nature so we'll just have to wait and see where this leads.

The value of feedback

2008-05-21T07:34:00.001-07:00

I am working with two clients right now who desperately need and want to fire employees who are clearly not adding value to the equation.

Their dilemma is - they can't pull the trigger because they have failed to provide adequate feedback on the employee's performance.

It has been easier to ignore and "work around" issues but that expediency has led to situations where the employee will actually be shocked to hear they are being let go.

This is a far too common problem.

As difficult as regular performance reviews can be, they are certainly less painful than having to fire someone who does not see it coming.

If you are behind in your staff evaluations, stop what you are doing RIGHT NOW and schedule time to complete this critically important task.

Almost heaven

2008-05-16T04:03:00.000-07:00

In Nashville this week for some Ideation with a client's board of directors. Took a wrong turn and had to double-back on the freeway. The route took me past a DRIVE-THRU BaskinsRobbins ice cream store.

Oh My Goodness - you CAN have your cake AND eat it, too. (Although in this case the cake is ice cream).

Now, if they would build a drive-thru cholesterol checking station, I'd never need to get out of my car.

Very glad this particular store is in Nashville, and that getting to it from my home requires a 4 hour flight. At least at home I have to get out of the car and WALK to the ice cream counter.

Conundrum

2008-05-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

I position myself as a consultant who can help companies think differently. I write and speak about breaking molds, moving away from and beyond whatever status quo you find yourself in.

So - how does someone who preaches the gospel of change build his own brand?

Brand building is all about consistency - how do I show consistency when I am all about change?

The minute I think I've arrived and begin to enjoy some awareness of my personal brand, I'm caught with the dilemma that I need to shake that box and move on to something else.

Amazing Story

2008-05-15T05:40:00.000-07:00

Reading Amazing Grace, the story of William Wilberforce, written by Eric Metaxas.

Two comments:

Wilberforce was an incredible individual - if I could have only half of his passion and dedication to a cause - wow.
Metaxas has a refreshing voice. His sentence structure is intelligent and slightly "old school" yet not stuffy or out-of-touch.

Good read.

Having adequate resources

2008-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

My daughter moved home from university yesterday.

Last time we did this was such a hassle because we had to cram everything into her car and mine. By the time we got the cars loaded, we were both exhausted and facing a 6 hour drive.

This year I found my brain and borrowed a pick-up truck from a friend.

What a difference it was to have the right capacity - we simply loaded the truck and took off.

How often do we try to get by with less than adequate resources?

Postal Logic

2008-05-09T17:36:00.001-07:00

Bought 100 "Forever Stamps" today -

They don't come in rolls, only in sheets of 20. Why?
The clerk told me the reason they were offering them was to "reduce the number of one-cent stamps we need to sell every time the rates go up."
The person in line behind me wasn't sure it was a good idea to buy so many "Forever Stamps" because she "wouldn't use them all before the rates went up."
I wish they had a greater variety of designs from which to chose. Of course, offering no choice does tend to speed things up a bit at the counter.
Are there people buying mega-quantities of these and holding them until postal rates catch up to gasoline?

Pothole repair and resistance to change

2008-05-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

There's a block long stretch of street near my house that has potholes large enough to have their own zip code. I drive the street 2 or 3 times a day and have learned to dodge the clunkers in a zig-zaggy way that reminds me of driving in Nicaragua.

Or I should say the street WAS pocked with potholes.

I noticed this afternoon that someone had filled in the craters with blacktop. The holes are gone and so is my need to weave between them while mentally composing a complaint letter to the City.

I actually miss the the stupid potholes. They had become such an integrated part of my life that I miss them now that they're gone. We are such creatures of habit that even when something we don't like is taken away, we long for its return.

Valiant Attempt Number Two (or Three)

2008-05-08T21:03:00.000-07:00

My last post was nearly seven months ago - in the gap I have finished the manuscript for my second hardback (more in a later post), published a comprehensive update for my Guide to the Christian Market from EPM Communications and penned half a dozen magazine articles.

With all that, the idea of writing a regular blog became less of a priority. I'm not sure if my abandonment of the blog was intentional, but I think my desire was to use the blog as a casual release for random thoughts and it was becoming more of a chore than a pleasure.

So, my renewed effort is going to be a lot less structured and predictable. I'll add a link here and there to connect readers with things they may find interesting but my intended audience for these entries is extremely narcissistic - I am writing this stuff for me.

If you happen along and enjoy reading over my shoulder, that's OK.

Virtual products??

2007-10-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

Cali Lewis at GeekBriefTV asked viewers of her podcast to share their favorite new product of 2007.

I suggested JOTT, but that raises the question:

Is JOTT a product?

Do products need to have physical dimension, or can a service be a product?

My first hardback book

2007-10-10T20:43:00.000-07:00

This is exciting.

My first hardback was released this past week by Tyndale House.

The One Year Mini for Leaders is 365 daily devotions on leadership.

The jacket says the book has "daily, thought-provoking insights" - I hope you agree.

For those following the promotion we ran in August - More than 2,500 people downloaded the entire content of the book and they will be receiving a follow-up email this week with links to various retail and online outlets.

Who wins the "PR Battle" in the Ahmadinejad visit?

2007-09-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

It's all about image.

Seems to me there have been a number of "wins" in the recent flap over the Iranian leader's visit to Columbia University.

NPR reports this morning that Ahmadinejad's comments have earned him bonus points in Iran. But those same comments earned him negative points among American listeners.

Among pure Free Speech advocates, Columbia wins for inviting Ahmadinejad, while the school loses among hard-line Truth advocates, who claim his speech was full of lies.

In any situation, you will win and lose image points. Each is merely one "play" in a game that goes on and on. The important thing to keep in mind is your over all brand promise - determine what you stand for and don't waver from that position.

Seems to me both Columbia and Ahmadinejad did just that.

I would be licking the glass

2007-09-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

Now this must be SOME incredible Scotch -

Tasting For $30,000 Scotch Garners Free Advertising

Two bottles of The Balvenie Cask 191--a single malt Scotch priced at $30,000 per bottle--arrived under Brinks guard at a Toronto liquor store yesterday as part of a publicity stunt. One media specialist valued it as the equivalent of $300,000 in advertising because of the free articles that would presumably be written.

To the palpable delight of organizers, about 25 reporters and drinks critics dutifully showed up with uncommon punctuality to partake of a tutored tasting of the single malt Scotch, led by kilt-clad Balvenie brand ambassador David Mair.

Not only did 25 reporters show up, they arrived ON TIME for the event. Lesson learned: Do something remarkable and people will show up.

Are we running out of ideas?

2007-09-15T12:21:00.001-07:00

I went to NextFest in Los Angeles yesterday and was bored.

This was a collection of the "next" ideas coming down the path and a majority of what was on display consisted of re-purposed existing ideas.

Miniature versions of bigger things;
Smoother running versions of existing machines;
Quieter, louder, brighter, softer;

But very little I would consider new and quite a bit of what I'd consider pointless.

There was a cool bio-engineering display about growing human body parts in labs, and a nifty machine that "prints" 3D objects on a small enough machine that in-home use could be imagined. But even these are not new ideas.

So, are we running out of ideas?

I don't want to think so, but if not, where are the really new things?

Perhaps NextFest should have been called the Almost Ready for Prime Time Fest and I should have been looking for the You Are Not Even Gonna Believe This Fest.

If stuffy old lawyers can change, you can too.

2007-09-13T18:17:00.000-07:00

When you need (or want) to bring about change you can do things differently or do different things

This very traditional Boston law firm is doing things differently.

What are you waiting for?

It's not easy being green

2007-09-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

From the WSJ through MediaPost

Hotels Struggle With The Meaning Of Green
As more hotels try to become more environmentally friendly--in part to satisfy customers who are demanding it--they find themselves cluttered with "green" products and hype--but without many reliable guideposts for what's effective.

So - when you travel, what can hotels you stay at do to support your green-ness? Is it enough to not change bed sheets and towels every morning? How much are you willing to give up to be green in a hotel?

I find that housekeeping will often ignore the towel I have draped over the shower rod and will replace it anyway with a fresh towel.

What will they think of next? No, really - what?

2007-09-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

Saw this piece about comic book episodes being delivered to cell phones and got to wondering, "OK, that's cool. What's next?"

It's like Disneyland - while you're still standing in line for one ride, you start asking, "When we finish this one, where are we going next?"

Thanks to MediaLife:

Now available via cell, the first mobile comic book
Reading a paper comic book is so last month. Just ask Sean Demory and Steven Sanders, authors of “Thunder Road,” the first comic book to be released exclusively on a cell phone in the U.S. It’s offered by uClick, which has about 55,000 readers a month for its GoComics service, launched last year on Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint Nextel. Released last month, “Thunder Road” joins nearly a dozen traditional comic book titles including “Bone” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” being offered via subscription from $3.99 to $4.49 a month. New chapters or issues are uploaded for each title on a weekly basis by the comic’s site. Japanese comics known as manga, some of which got their start on cell phones, can be read on mobile phones through a separate service.

Freeing up disc space

2007-09-03T07:12:00.000-07:00

I am a disc space fanatic - always looking for ways to reduce the amount of stuff on my drives. Must go back to that very first x386 machine with a 20MB hard drive and 2K memory.

Cali Lewis, the gadget maven, has a few tips on great "clean up" tools for Mac and PC users.

Book Promotion Update

2007-08-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

Looks like we're going to end up with more than 2,500 downloads of the PDF when the promotion ends sometime in the wee hours of September 1.

I've tracked dozens of blogs and websites that mention the promotion, and my StatCounter logs indicate we got a significant amount of sneezing, which helped spread the virus even further.

Now, we lay low for about 6 weeks until we're certain the book has arrived at retail and then send a reminder to buy a copy at selected outlets.

Of course, the final reckoning will be how many we SELL, but the promotion has exceeded everyone's expectations and just proves that some of the crazy ideas we've all been talking about actually work.

The scent of a chicken

2007-08-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

Ah, the power of aroma.

Brain scientists know that smell is the most powerful of the senses because it goes straight to the limbic system, the control center of our emotions.

The folks at KFC have launched an amazing promotional campaign, recognizing that the aroma of freshly prepared fried chicken is more than finger-licking' good.

Thanks to MediaPostPublications.com for this. (May require free subscription).

How amazing is JOTT?

2007-08-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

Accidentally hit "redial" after Jotting myself. Didn't realize I'd connected.
Got to my hotel and had received a lengthy email detailing the TRAFFIC REPORT that must have been playing on the radio at the time of my dialing error.

The typist was clearly not familiar with our freeway system in LA, and many of the words were spelled phonetically - 405 became four or five - but the amazing thing is they also included the audio, so if I needed to, I could have deciphered what I had recorded.

And all that for $0.00

BigMac Update

2007-08-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

They used to be messier.

To celebrate the BM's 40th, I went to my local McDonald's for lunch today and ordered the #1 Extra Value Meal - BigMac, Fries, Coke.

Hmm - the sandwich seems to have changed. Somewhat drier than I had remembered. Could it be less Special Sauce? Or perhaps a leaner patty?

Happy Birthday Big Mac(TM)

2007-08-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

The Big Mac turns 40 years old today. (Guess where I'm going for lunch?)

Not really the first triple-decker hamburger sandwich, Bob's Big Boy had a double and triple before Micky D, but certainly one of the most famous food icons of all time.

I think one of the main reasons for its longevity is the catchy "Two all beef patties . . . " jingle.

What do you think? Why has the Big Mac lasted?

And, what lessons could you learn from the history of the Big Mac to help you think differently about what you do?

New Ad Space is Anti-Viral

2007-08-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Look!!
Up in the sky!!
Well, actually on the side of that building . . .

Just when you were finally starting to "get" the whole viral marketing thing, Gene Ely's Media Life posts this update on a 2-year old advertising tactic that's gaining popularity.

New Wine in a New Skin at Chrysler

2007-08-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

I love the fact that Chrysler has gone outside the auto industry to name their new CEO.

Robert Nardelli had been the top dog at Home Depot before being canned there a few months back. His recent trouble at the hardware giant notwithstanding, I'm excited for the possibility of new ideas being infused into the sagging auto industry.

Hiring from inside is a good way to boost morale, but it also perpetuates old ideas. The folks at Chrysler are taking a bold step in rolling out a completely new "model."

Free Book Promo Update

2007-08-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

Never underestimate the reach of an ideavirus.

On July 27, I sent about 800 emails announcing the promo for my new devotional book due for release in October.

Within 24 hours about 200 people had downloaded a copy.

Then, a friend mentioned it on a service that reaches more than 20,000 readers and the download total jumped to more than 1500 in one day. Most of those came directly from my email and his column.

I thought the thing would die down a bit after that, but now we're getting a steady stream of people coming to the promo site through referral emails. There's a strong contingent in New Zealand that I can trace to what looks to be a school administrator's blog.

It's spreading like a virus - an ideavirus.

Freeing Up Your Mind So You Can Think (Differently)

2007-08-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

Once a year, or so, I like to step away from my practice of providing something provocative to ponder and instead introduce you to some sort of new tool or gadget I have found extremely helpful.

This time it's the concept of Life Hacking - Defined by Wikipedia as: any small productivity tool that solves an everyday problem in a clever or non-obvious way.

I've found three such hacks useful in taking care of things I previously thought about more than I needed to. You may have heard of these. If so, skip to the end and read an update on my free book promotion.

Life Hack #1 is the aforementioned Wikipedia. The online free encyclopedia has an ill-deserved reputation because too many people rely on it for what it isn't - a reliable source of factual information. I find it to be great starting point. If I hear a new term on the radio or learn of something I'd like to explore, Wikipedia has already "been there, done that." I have a Wiki widget on my Dashboard and use it frequently.

Life Hack #2 is del.icio.us. (That's a URL, by the way. No dot com, org or net). Most of my consulting assignments involve a good bit of research and del.icio.us allows me to catalog every web page I visit with literally one click of a mouse button. Download a very small application to your Firefox toolbar and you are ready to go. I can access my saved tags from any computer and I've used it to send groups of pertinent URLs to clients for their review.

Life Hack #3 is a fantastic memory enhancer for me, and an effective communication tool for others. With JOTT, I push a speed dial button on my Treo, dictate notes to myself (or anyone else I've previously set-up) and within minutes my voice message is transcribed and emailed to the recipient. It helps me keep track of expenses on the road. I used to have little scraps of paper all over my car from notes I tried to write to myself while whizzing down the freeway. I still have scraps of paper, but there's nothing written on them because the important stuff is already in my IN box.

I am sure there are others. You may have some of your own. The idea is to give your brain more time to do what it was created to do, which is something more than keep bunch of To Do lists up-to-date. If you have one you'd like to share with me, fire it off.

No more 39-cent stamps

2007-08-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

When the Post Office raised 1st class postage to 41-cents a few months back, I bought a stack of 2-cent stamps to extend the usefulness of the 39-cent stamps we still had.

I misjudged and ended up with a few sheets of extra 2-cent stamps and when I went in to the PO today to buy a roll of 41's- I was told they no longer sold the 39-cent version.

So, I have a sheet of 2-cent stamps that are pretty much worth less than the sticky on which they're printed. (Granted the page represents only 40-cents in actual cost).

As I grumbled out of the Post Office about "stupid government agencies" that should "operate more like a real business" I realized that the government doesn't exactly hold a corner on the "ridiculous policies" market.

There are plenty of private commercial businesses with their share of inane decisions. Chances are you have a handful of them in your shop.

Quick Fire Challenge -

2007-07-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

STOP EVERYTHING and take 5 minutes to think about this idea.

Ask yourself (or your colleagues) - "How can we take advantage of this idea?"

Thanks to Gene Ely at MediaLife.

If you need someone to help your team work through ideas like this, my practice specializes in helping companies find new ways to do things.

Review of Pink's "Whole New Mind"

2007-06-04T21:27:00.000-07:00

I was asked to write a review of Dan Pink's A Whole New Mind.

The book (and my review) are worth the time it takes to read.

Starbucks - Alternative Idea

2007-06-01T12:11:00.001-07:00

Not knocking their success, and not ranting about "corporate" coffee.

Just an alternative question:

They position stores close to each other because they presumably don't want people to walk past a competitor.

Is there anyway Starbucks could instead make their stores SO compelling as to give customers a reason to go out of their way to shop?

I'm not sure this would make sense but the resulting discussion could be valuable for other industries.

Understanding The Beatles

2007-06-01T08:42:00.000-07:00

The 40th anniversary of Sgt Pepper is upon us - and I know this means next to nothing to a ton of people born after the Summer of Love. My 20- and 30-something friends roll their eyes when I use Beatles metaphors because to them I am just talking about "another band."

I can understand the feeling and until now had no way of explaining why the Beatles were SUCH a huge deal.

THIS piece does it. If you've ever wondered why the old guy in your office gets a tear in his eye when a Beatles tune comes on the radio, THIS piece may shed some light.

Enjoy - or as Sgt Pepper said, "I hope you will enjoy the show."

Not sure this is good sign

2007-05-30T23:34:00.000-07:00

Well, my first hardcover book is due to be released in September.

Just for giggles, I googled the title and found this on Overstock.com.

Should I be worried that the book is already considered an "overstock" item before it even hits the store?

PS - be watching for a special FREE COPY offer coming to readers of my monthly newsletter - Market Intelligence.

"The" Quintessential Restaurant Experience

2007-05-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

I was born in San Francisco. My dad gripped cable cars when I was a kid. We lived on a very steep hill in China Town. I am San Francisco to the core, complete with a strong parochial view of anything San Franciscan. Just like Tony Bennett, my heart will always be there.

What sets it apart? San Francisco has things no other city can boast. Cable Cars. Golden Gate Bridge. Lombard Street. Sour dough bread. Alcatraz. It is "the" City by the Bay, not merely "a" city by the bay.

I had a chance recently to share a meal with fellow consultant Tom Pryor and a friend of his who were on assignment in San Francisco. I came to town for a client meeting and Tom invited me to join them at McCormick & Kuleto's on North Point in Ghirardelli Square.

The experience was everything I expected. The view was amazing - I could see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge from my table. The service superb and the food delightful - just as it would have been in any one of the other great restaurants along the water and in other parts of The City.

And that raises a question:

If you are a top-flight restaurant in any city,
how do you differentiate yourself from
the other great restaurants in the same zip code?

You expect greatness in a world-class restaurant, regardless of the location. But McCormick & Kuleto's did something that set them apart from their elite crowd.

Tom had made reservations the day before our visit and had provided his telephone number when asked to do so. On the morning after our fantastic dining experience Tom received a phone call from the manager asking about his meal and thanking him for choosing McCormick & Kuleto's over all the other choices he had for the evening.

The folks at McCormick & Kuleto's recognize the commoditization of their industry, and they've taken a unique and very simple step to set themselves apart. They aren't satisfied with being "A" great dining experience. They want to be "THE" great dining experience that calls you the next day to thank you for choosing them.

Exercise

Get your leadership staff together and make a list of all the things you do well.
Then make a list of all the things your competitors do well.
Cross out anything on your list that shows up on their list.
Now, look at the items still on your list and ask, "Could someone else do these if they tried?"
Cross out the items that could be copied.
Are you left with anything?
Now, brainstorm ideas you could do that no one else does? Be careful. The temptation is to do more of the same only bigger, cheaper, louder, stronger, softer, tastier or with more variety.

Note - McCormick & Kuleto's didn't WOW us with their culinary skills or the size of the portions. They did something unexpected and unrelated to their core product.

Are You Protecting Pebbles

2007-05-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

Consider this:

Emeril Lagasse and I purchase the same ingredients at our local grocery store and people flock like wolves to his table, but not mine.
John Steinbeck and I have the exact same 26-letter alphabet from which to construct stories and there are entire shelves of his books in the library, but not mine.
Both football teams walk on the field with an equal amount of time to play; one wins.
Pianos have 88 keys. Whose would you rather listen to? Norah Jones' or mine?

So what?

The basic ingredients to nearly everything are a collection of common commodities. You can distill anything down to sand & gravel, ones & zeros, time & space. Knowledge itself is ubiquitous. We are living in a post-information age when everyone has access to everything.

Philip Evans and Thomas S. Wurster in Blown to Bits: How the New Economics of Information Transforms Strategy (1999-Harvard Business Press) call this the "deconstruction of [traditional] information" channels. They make the point that having information is not nearly as critical as knowing what to do with it.

I'm one of those people who thrive on knowing new stuff. And I don't mind sneezing what I've learned to anyone who'll listen because the knowledge itself isn't worth much more than a pocketful of pebbles. When I pass along knowledge, I haven't given up anything because the real value - the worthwhile intellectual property - exists in my ability to fashion IDEAS from the knowledge I've obtained.

Knowledge, facts, data, ingredients - are ALL over-rated as something to horde.

Holding on to what you KNOW only gains you an advantage among those who lack the ability to execute new ideas based on the pebbles in their pocket.

Besides, these days the ingredients are there for the taking, so why waste energy locking them up? If you don't share what you know, someone else will - and they'll reap the benefit of building relationships while you're building bunkers to protect something that isn't worth much in the first place.

Exercise:

Step one: Make a list of "ingredients" your organization uses to do what you do. Start with physical things, move to intangibles such as data, talent and time, and finish the list with meta-physical elements such as innovation, relationships and passion.

Step two: Make a similar list for your competitors and then cross out everything that shows up on both lists - or that COULD be on both lists with a little effort or a well-timed staffing change.

Step three: The items you crossed out are the "pebbles." These are things you can easily share without giving away what's really valuable - they are commodities because everyone already owns them.

Step four: Make plans to stop hoarding the ingredients and concentrate on developing the nuggets of real value that remain.

Equity VS Ubiquity

2007-04-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

Seth Godin got me to thinking about this issue in a recent post.

Awareness of your product or service isn't the ultimate goal. Knowing WHO you are doesn't count if the potential buyer doesn't know WHAT you can DO for them.

A very wise man once told me that confusion is the mother of indecision.

If they're confused by your message the only choice they can make is to ignore you and go on to someone else. You may have the best product on the market, but if they can't see through the clutter of other crap you're throwing at them - they'll walk.

Top Brands of 2007

2007-04-24T08:18:00.000-07:00

What's in a name?

Google beats Microsoft - because people love Google and tolerate Microsoft.

New vocab term - WILF

2007-04-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

Stands for "What was I looking for" -

Refers to people who get lost while online and wander aimlessly through the net.

"What did you do this afternoon?"
"Oh, I was bored so I wilfed around."
"Yeah? Find anything cool?"
"Actually yes - this blog from a guy named Jim Seybert."

Found it on MediaLife

Keep 'em talking about you -

2007-04-10T07:40:00.000-07:00

Found this on the AAFSmartBrief email this morning

STOP what you're doing right now and ask, "Are people talking about us?"

They better be.

How bad do you stink?

2007-04-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

I recently wrote about the difference between "the" and "a" - encouraging organizations and the individuals who populate them to accentutate their uniqueness.

Here's another good example of that concept from Seth Godin.

As you read this, replace references to the fruit with thoughts of your own situation and ask, "Do we smell bad enough?"

Looking Past Pigment, Language and Gender

2007-04-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

I'm always on the look out for "new ways to do things" and a recent piece in AdAge.com explains the concept of identity marketing where you look past the obvious demographic segments to get a better understanding of messages that will resonate well with your target audience.

User Generated Content in the Soda Wars

2007-04-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

It wasn't that long ago that marketers gave themselves goldstars when a consumer would alter their lifestyle to use the product (leaving the house earlier and driving to Starbucks versus brewing your own coffee at home) -

Now, everywhere you look consumers are altering our products to fit their lifestyles -

Here's the latest -

For you, the question isn't WILL this become an issue for my industry, but rather WHEN will it happen and WHAT will we do to give consumers some input in our process?

Give Your Ideas Time to Ripen On the Vine

2007-04-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

Long-time readers of this monthly newsletter know that I will occasionally write on an idea I have not explored to its ultimate conclusion. I do this because the idea is intriguing and worthy of open consideration, despite its nascent existence.

This is one of those -

I spent the past week leading a client's strategic planning retreat on a tiny island 45 kilometers off the eastern coast of Nicaragua. Little Corn Island is like no place I've ever been. On its 900 square acres there's not one single road, which is OK as there are no motorized vehicles. Bicycles substitute for cars. Wheelbarrows serve as trucks. Electricity is provided by solar panels and generators. Our hotel has one computer, connected to the Internet by satellite. It works when the power is on, which last Tuesday it was not.

At about 8:15 Tuesday morning, the power went out. No computer, no water, no fan. My cell phone had been out of range for two days already.

The lights had gone out previously but they normally came right back on. This time, the hotel said it was a problem with the generator and no one had any idea when it would be repaired.

I found a shady place with a decent breeze, picked up a pencil and did some old-fashioned, hand-powered "analog" word processing.

Over the span of 4 hours, I did by hand - in slow motion - what I had planned to zing out in 30 minutes on my computer. I didn't find something else to do until power was restored, I just did what needed to be done - by hand, at a much slower pace.

And you know what? The end-product was better. It took longer, but it was more intuitive and met the needs of the client in ways that a "digital" effort might not have done.

Vine-ripened tomatoes are immensely superior to their artificially matured "hot house" cousins because chemical reactions that result in the perfect fruit aren't rushed on the vine.

Because things are so automated these days, it is too easy for us to pound thoughts into our keyboards, without really thinking about them. And, just like hot-house tomatoes, our end-product suffers for lack of time to ripen.

So, take a moment to think about this -

What would happen if your company had a "black-out period" when everyone in the place was forced to work in "analog mode" - by hand?

No computer access - turn it off at the server.
No phones - find a way to kill the ringer.
No copier, no musak, nothing electronic.

Tell them to spend the time writing letters, reviewing agendas, thinking through strategies, looking for ways to be more effective (rather than simply more efficient).

As I said at the beginning, this idea hasn't been fully explored, but it certainly has potential.

How often should you do this? I don't have a clue what would work for you, but after this week on Little Corn I am going to try and go "unplugged" for about 4 hours a week. I wish I were the CEO of a big company so I could pull this off and watch what happens on a grand scale.

At your next staff meeting -

Read this to your team and ask:

The Difference Between THE and A

2007-03-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

I am one of those people who can latch on to subtle differences in word meanings. You will often find me in the midst of an argument that includes someone saying, "Isn't this just a matter of semantics?" And, they're usually correct.

MOST semantic disagreements are minor and not worth the effort - but I want to focus on one such distinction that might make for some valuable dialog around your organization.

One of the hottest books in America these days was written by a 50-something Australian divorcee who has attracted the attention of Oprah Winfrey and million of others. Rhonda Byrne titled her book The Secret - a decision that could have a lot to do with its success.

It's a self-help book with some rather unusual suggestions. Want to lose weight? Don't heed your doctor's advice by changing your eating and exercise habits, rather follow Byrne's suggestion and "avoid looking at people who are overweight." [I'm not kidding.]

In a world saturated with advice and how-to books, why has The Secret drawn so much attention?

Donavin Bennes, who buys books for Borders says, "It was an incredibly savvy move to call it 'The Secret.' We all want to be in on a secret. But to present it as THE secret, that was brilliant." [Newsweek - March 5, 2007]

Do you catch the subtle and critical difference?

Byrne's book doesn't promise to be ONE of a number of secrets? It doesn't promise to share a dozen secrets - she claims to have the THE secret.

So?

Do I want to be A consultant who helps people brainstorm, or THE consultant who helps companies do things differently?
Do you want to have A shoe store? Or, would you rather be THE shoe store that caters to busy working moms?
Which airline would you prefer to fly? One of many who travel to New York, or THE airline with the most on-time departures.

There is tremendous value in consideration of the difference between THE and A.

To borrow from Seth Godin - do you want to be a purple cow or just one of the herd?

Navigating the stream

Sometimes you are defined by the products you offer - We are THE computer that runs the Mac operating system.
Sometimes your definition comes from the market you serve - We are THE exercise club that caters to busy moms by providing free child care while they work out.

Bottom line - if you can't come up with a credible THE for your organization, you should probably close up shop before someone else does it for you.

It isn't necessary to have a singular focus - the workout club with a child care area for busy moms, can attract other clients but they are THE place a busy mom can go. Having a multi-focused perspective is a necessary paradox in the 21st century. What you can't afford to go without is something that sets you apart from all the others who do what you do.

At your next staff meeting -

Read this article to the group and ask them about the places they shop and products they use.
Can they define the THE factor for their favorites?
Then, turn it around and challenge them to define that which provides your organization with its own THE.

To PPT or not to PPT

2007-01-29T16:16:00.000-08:00

Lots of blog talk today about the proper use of PowerPoint and Keynote - the ubiquitous presentation applications.

Seth Godin and Mike Hyatt both provided their own list of DOs and DON'Ts and they make good points -

But here's a thought -

Do you REALLY need presentation software?

Last year, I was faced with leading a retreat in a place where it was going to be impossible to use a projector.

OH MY I thought WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?

There's wasn't much I could do besides go to my notes and make the presentation SANS all the pretty graphics and other crap I'd taken so much time to develop.

And you know what? It was one of the best sessions I'd done in a long time.

I'm a good storyteller, so I used words to grab their attention. In a couple of instances I drew on a board to illustrate a point.

Since then, I've done a few more with nothing but my notes (and charming personality) - and the comments are always positive.

"He knows his stuff and doesn't get lost in PowerPoint slides."

My point is this - presentation software has it's place, but if you are a good storyteller and you know your stuff, take a deep breath and jump off the board without a projector to keep you afloat.

Does this twist work?

2007-01-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

The axiom "Less is More" makes sense on many levels.

So, I'm wodering if there are an equal number of situations where the opposite is also true.

Think about this.

Can you name situations when "More is Less" in your life or business?

Fish where the fish aren't

2007-01-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

The biggest fish are seldom swimming with the pack.

If you want average success, drop your hook where everyone else is fishing . . . but the trophy is out there swimming in uncharted waters.

Seth Godin makes a simple observation about the downside of "targeted marketing" in this entry from his blog.

Much Ado About Idol?

2007-01-18T22:20:00.000-08:00

Every commentary from Rosie to Keith was crying about the terrible treatment of a contestant by the judges on American Idol.

It was pretty brutal, but accoring to Toni Fitzgerald, writing for Media Life, the folks watching the show either weren't offended, or their remote controls were broken.

Idol's season opener scored 2 million more viewers than last year and was the second most watched episode, ever.

Will Someone Leave a Note for Our Loved Ones?

2007-01-18T06:58:00.000-08:00

Reading this story about the Dooms Day Clock being pushed ahead two minutes, primarily because of climate change issues, I'm wondering if society isn't in a way committing suicide.

Unhappy thought, but certainly a call to each of us to do what we can invidually to beat the clock.

Mankind will adjust to changes, we always do. But, what if some of the changes are a result of our collective ignorance, indifference or arrogance?

If God put us here to take care of things (read Genesis), how are we doing with the task?

Books I Read Every Year

2007-01-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

There are always new books to read, but I have a short list of titles I re-read every year.

Who Moved My Cheese? - It takes 45 minutes and reminds me that change is not only inevitable, it's necessary.

Purple Cow - It is SO easy to allow my remarkableness to get soft.

Management Methods of Jesus - Hands down, the best of it's kind. Concise. Relevant. Thought provoking.

The Bible - I try to read the entire text every year. Different translations and reading guides.

Marketing Success Through Differentiation of Anything - Ted Levitt's 1980 paper on being different. Makes me proud to do what I do.

iPhone? Eh, tell me something new

2007-01-10T19:27:00.000-08:00

Hmm - full disclosure, I am a huge Mac fan.

So, what I'm about to say is almost blasphemous. What's up with the iPhone?

Oh yeah, it's probably going to be an incredible piece of gear. And given Apple's track record, it'll work a lot better than any similar device brought to market by anyone else.

So, what's the beef?

Well - It strikes me as ironic - Apple is such an innovative company that when they announce something that's going to have a major impact, people just shrug and say, "Oh, we expected something like this from Apple."

Has Apple reached a point where their own innovation is a commodity? If some other firm had rolled out the iPhone, people would be have been amazed and bedazzled. Apple does and folks yawn.

Oh, don't get me wrong. People will still buy the darn thing, because it'll work. But what will Steve Jobs and his team need to do to break the next ho-hum barrier?

Redefining Resolutions

2007-01-03T11:58:00.000-08:00

(Note - this appeared first as a monthly column emailed to subscribers).

The world has been consumed this past week, as it is every year at this time, by the theory and practice of setting resolutions. News broadcasters and print journalists have trotted out their annual story of peoples' desire to change something about themselves or their situation.

"I want to quit smoking, lose weight, be a better person, take more time off, spend more time at work, get organized, be more relaxed."

In a few days, we'll hear and read a series of reports confirming what we already know, the majority of these goals are abandoned before the end of the month.

For a couple of weeks we seem to be obsessed with the idea of changing things. The status quo, that comfort zone of sameness we worship and struggle to maintain all year, is shuffled off to the corner for as long as it takes us to realize that change is difficult. We lay a problem on the table and no matter how resolved we are about fixing it, we either allow the resolution to quietly fade away or announce to ourselves and those who matter that we are no longer in the race.

"I have decided that losing 50 pounds in a year is impossible, so I am going to stop trying."

These active decisions to stop fighting the status quo, or the gradual realization that we've failed, are usually met with a sense of unease. Human beings dislike change, but we like failure even less.

The dilemma of trying to change goes beyond your personal life. If your company is like most, there's a file cabinet somewhere labeled, "Things We've Tried to Change but Can't."

So, is it our destiny to set and fail at resolutions each year? Is this an unalterable path?

Let me suggest a road less taken.

Perhaps all we need do is to pronounce the word differently.

Instead of the conventional pronunciation - res-o-LU-tion - it might help if emphasis were placed on the first syllable, as in RE-solution.

REdesign, REthink, REposition - REsolution.

The whole process of resolving to change might take on new power and meaning if we look for new solutions to old problems. Rather than trying to fix today's problems with yesterday's answers, maybe what we need are RE-solutions.

This is much easier to write about than it is to do, so here's a little exercise I have used with some of my clients to help them begin the process of RE-solving old issues:

The problem with looking for new solutions is that the left side of your brain - the logical side - loves to follow patterns. When you ask it to think of solutions to problems, it goes through its file of "things that solve problems" and comes up with ideas that are, unfortunately, logical. The secret to finding new solutions is to bring the right side of your brain into the picture. I do this by tricking the left side into thinking we're just playing a game.

Have a group of 4-6 people each tear a sheet of paper into 6 sections. On each slip of paper, have each person write a simple noun such as dog, tuna, hammer, kitchen, sky, book and pencil . Put the slips in a hat, bowl or box.
Ask the group to suggest a couple of "problems" that need solutions. They should be somewhat simple things to start with, "My son is always late for school" or "My aunt is always changing her mind at a restaurant."
Choose one of the problems, then pick a slip of paper from the pile and have the group offer up simple solutions using the chosen word as part of their suggestion. The solutions can be silly, in fact, I find that silliness helps. Encourage the group to fire ideas around the table, branching out to derivatives and synonyms of the word and then playing off other suggestions. Keep it going quickly and change to a new word as the momentum sags.
After running this with a few simple problems, try something a bit more complex or more in touch with your corporate reality, perhaps "The staff doesn't seem to be engaged with our new product line."
As with the simple issues, allow suggestions to start out silly and keep the pace up. You're doing this to fool your left brain into thinking it's "just a game." But, if you pay attention, somewhere along the way an idea will float up that can actually lead to a plausible RE-solution of the problem.

As your group becomes more adept with this exercise, you can add adjectives and other types of words to the pile. Some of my clients play similar games every time they get together, as a way of encouraging creativity. If this one strikes your fancy, I'd be happy to suggest others.

Here's to a great new year, filled to the brim with new ideas and successful RE-solutions.

Stop trying to win the election

2007-01-02T08:14:00.000-08:00

Wow - In this post from his blog, Seth Godin writes about elections and what it takes to win them, but read between the lines and hear what he says about the rest of us who aren't running for office.

I confess to being guilty of trying to win the election with a majority of votes. By doing so, I make my product far less remarkable (and valuable) to the minority of companies who actually find value in what I can do for them.

Unless you are running for political office, there's no need to please everyone. Doing so can actually work against you.

Ouch -

2006-12-29T12:27:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Mike Atkinson for sharing this video from YouTube.

We have ALL been in this situation at one time or another. Perhaps you are there RIGHT NOW. If so, use this little video to kick yourself in the butt and make a move.

The ultimate recycling program

2006-10-12T14:46:00.000-07:00

There are significant concerns over all the used electronic gear we dump into the world's landfills, but my cable tv provider seems to have figured out a way to reduce the amount of tech junk it generates -

When you bring in a DVR that doesn't work, they simply stick the defective one on a shelf and grab a "reconditioned" unit from the other end of the pile.

Today, when I asked the Service Rep to give me a "new unit, one that comes in a box" I was told there are "no new DVRs, anywhere."

"You mean I can't get a NEW one, even if I'm willing to pay for it?"

"So, when this one quits working, like the last one did after two weeks, what should I do?"

I wonder how many times I'd need to return a defective unit before I got one I'd already brought in. I wanted SO much to be a fly on the wall so I could watch the Service Rep take the one I had just brought in and place it on top of the stack the minute I was out the door.

Caption Contest

2006-10-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

A friend snapped this photo of me during a seminar in Atlanta.

Have fun.

Can you guess who I'm trying to choke?

Some guys have all the luck

2006-10-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

CBS Sunday Morning ran a segment this week on the singer Ron Stewart.

This guy has always been one of my favorites, but I came away with a fresh appreciation for him after watching the feature.

In a musical career that spans five decades, Rod Stewart is a living example of my axiom that to successfuly navigate change you need to:

Do different things or do thing differently.

The blonde rocker has re-invented himself half a dozen times and has come out each time smelling like a rose.

His latest success - according to CBS, his biggest to date - has been the series of albums he's done covering classic American tunes from the 40s and 50s.

One of Stewarts biggest hits is Some Guys Have All the Luck and Rod Stewart proves he's able to make his own.

A good example to us all.

Cloning Grey?

2006-10-10T06:51:00.000-07:00

Now that Grey's Anatomy has over-taken CSI as the hottest show on TV, will network programmers begin to clone the quirky medical drama as they did with CSI?

Will we soon see Grey's Psychology? Grey's Gastroenterology?

Oh, the possibilities are endless. How about Blue's Anatomy? Green's? White's?

Duct Tape and NASA

2006-07-21T15:39:00.000-07:00

I get a new photo from NASA's historicial files every day.

Here's the latest, a shot of Gus Grissom being helped into his Liberty Bell capsule in July 1961. You'll recall that Grissom's capsule sunk while he was being picked up after splashdown.

Look closely at the hatch - is that DUCT TAPE around the window?

Harsh Realities Set In

2006-07-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

Wow - our nearly 20-year-old daughter came home from her summer job this week with the sad realization that she has a much stronger work ethic than nearly everyone else in the retail store at which she's employed for the summer.

She landed hard when the store manager, someone with a college degree and corporate training, came to unlock the place 35 minutes late - carrying a cup of Starbucks and looking hung-over. The manager tried to brush it off as getting up late, to which my daughter replied, "When you're late, you shouldn't stop for coffee."

I was about 4 years older when the reality hit me and I recall phoning my Dad to ask his advice. He told me the same thing I told my kid - "Don't set your standards by what others do."

In others words -

Don't let the bastards drag you down to their level.

Curious - what would you say (or have your said) to a young worker in a similar situation?

Renew Your Mind

2006-07-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

I may be the last person on the block to have read something, but that's never stopped me from shouting about it - so here goes:

Thanks to Mike Atkinson, I am reading A Whole New Mind by Dan Pink.

Nutshell - a tremendous examination of the difference between right and left brain thinking. Folks on either side of the divide will find value in his ideas.

I would write more, but I want to get back to the book.

Twilight Zone?

2006-07-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Forget fireworks and backyard BBQ parties - my favorite thing about the 4th of July is SciFi Network's annual Twilight Zone marathon. Thanks to TiVo, I have enough Rod Serling to last me until the next video obession takes hold.

Are you addicted? What is it that keeps us glued to the set when Serling's little gems are on?

Is it the excitement of seeing a current "big star" in perhaps their first role? Is it the not-always-subtle jabs at conventional wisdom or societal norms? Perhaps the odd plot twists. Or even the often corny acting.

What ever it is, I can't wait "til next year when I'll watch them all again.

Seems to me that whatever it is that makes Twight Zone "sticky" could be replicated for other products and services. Yes?

Happy Birthday to PodCasting

2006-07-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

Wow - July 5th, 2006 - Just noticed that iTunes is celebrating the FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the podcasts on the iTunes application.

Everyone needs new ideas

2006-07-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

There's a TV spot from VISA that makes my heart flutter everytime it airs because the four companies profiled in the 30-second commercial are all ripe candidates for the type of work I do.

Every organization, regardless of their size and experience, needs a constant flow of new ideas.

Go to the VISA site, and scroll down to find the commercial titled Business Inspiration.

Watch it few times and ask yourself (or your team) two questions:

1) Which of the four companies are we most like?
2) Where could we stand to have some new ideas?

If you can't answer the second one, you're in trouble.

New logo -

2006-07-03T08:31:00.000-07:00

Is anyone left?

2006-07-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

So, it's been about two months since anything was posted here and a month or two of limited postings before that.

Truth is - I have been writing a book and there haven't been any creative juices left at the end of the day.

Now that the manuscript has been delivered (pub date is Spring 2007) I can start directing some of my limited mental capacity back to this blog.

If you are still around - thanks for your patience. Please take a minutes to check out my brand new web site and check in periodically as I start to fill the Fool's Box with the random meanderings of a different mind.

Feels good to be back.

Running Your Own Race

2006-05-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Scott Machado is a triathlete and marathon runner. He writes a periodic newsletter to inform fans of his progress and he gave me permission to share a portion of his latest with you. As you read Scott's description of the race, think about the strategies you use to interact with competitors in your field of endeavor.

Scott writes:

As we reached the turn around, I began to pick up the pace. I began to look to the athletes ahead of me and use them as carrots. I would work to reach the athlete ahead of me and, once I did, look to the next one as my target. One by one, I was catching athletes.

At about mile nine, while still focusing on athletes ahead of me, I found myself with two runners who were able to match my pace. Now it was a race. Many thoughts ran through my mind, "Do I want to engage in this race?" and "This is what you train for and this is why you are here, to race, so go for it."

One of the two athletes began to push forward and the second followed. I dropped back. I was comfortable with this decision and felt that the race was not over. There where two miles left and, if I tried to match their pace at that point, I knew that I would not survive to the end.

My experience seemed to pay off. As I watched the second athlete, I noticed that he would follow the contours of the road instead of run a straight line through the curves. He was doing more work than I! Slowly, I was able to reel him in and finally caught him right before the big hill (the first athlete was far ahead by this point--he was just faster).

This race has a very steep hill about three-quarters of a mile before the finish. As we reached this hill, I let the other athlete go. Again, I was comfortable with this decision. I cannot explain it, but my instinct told me that this guy would try to surge on the hill and pay for it before the finish. I choose a moderate pace up the hill to save myself for the finish. Again, it worked! As the finish line drew near, I slowly drew closer to my competitor and, with about a quarter mile to go, I passed him. I then pushed myself to the brink of vomit to make sure that no more passes would take place and crossed the finish line ahead of him.

Observations

Scott is clearly aware of his own strengths and doesn't allow the other runners to dictate the plan he had before the race began.
He adapted to changes but did not toss out his initial plan when faced with a challenge.
He pours it on at the finish, despite being ahead, to ensure no one else passes him.

Suggestion:

Ask your leadership team to read Scott's story and take some time as a group to discuss similarities between his experience on the course and your approach to competition in the marketplace.

Scott is sponsored by WealthWise, LLC and Running Warehouse.

See you in the future,

Jim

The Beatles, Elvis and Leonardo da Vinci

2006-03-02T10:12:00.000-08:00

Wayne Hastings is a friend of mine, the Bible publisher at Thomas Nelson and a HUGE fan of The Beatles. He and I were emailing some comments back-and-forth recently about a new book on the life of George Harrison. (For those of you "too young" to remember The Beatles, they were the band Paul McCartney was in before WINGS).

Wayne commented on how amazing it was that, despite not having actually released an album in almost 40 years, The Beatles remain an extremely popular brand. As he put it, "Imagine NIKE not releasing a new shoe for 40 years. No one would remember who they were."

That dialog got me to pondering why certain things (brands included) have such a strong hold on us. I think there's more than one reason, not the least of which was the subject of a Market Intelligence issue I wrote back in December of 2002. It's relevance is just as fresh today, as it was then:

- - -

The Beatles, Elvis and Leonardo da Vinci

My wife and I were doing some pre-holiday cleaning this week and came across a long-lost CD of The Beatles Number One Hits.

I couldn’t wait to slip it into the slot of my car stereo and sing along.

"She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah."

It’s been almost 40 years since Capitol Records asked us to "Meet The Beatles" but the songs still resonate with anyone who hears them. My 16-year-old listens to all sorts of "music" but she can sing all the words to "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."

On September 24 of this year (2002), RCA Records released a compilation of Elvis Presley’s No. 1 hits and it became the first Elvis album EVER to debut at Number One in the United States. Quoting the Reuters News Agency – "the King of Rock 'n Rock still rules even 25 years after his death."

The secret of staying power? Four chords, straightforward lyrics and a basic beat.

"I’ll give it a 95, Mr. Clark. It’s got a good beat and you can dance to it."

Ah, the power of simplicity.

So, what does this mean for your organization?

Your customers live in a complex world. The degree to which you provide simple solutions to their needs could be the competitive edge that puts you at the top of their "hit" list. The "better mouse trap" must be easier to understand and operate than the one it’s replacing. If you need to explain it, again and again, you’re wasting their time (and losing their business).

Every organization needs someone who functions as the Vice President of Simplification. Their job should be to ask these questions:

Do our customers understand what we do for them – the first time?
Where do we waste our customer’s time by making things too complicated?
Is there a way to take business from our competitors by simplifying something we do?

Final note – Simple does NOT mean unintelligent or unwise. This month’s inspiration comes from Leonardo da Vinci, who wrote – "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

Go forth and simplify.

I resolve to change my mind

2006-01-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

Reggie McNeal is an "intuitive futurist" and author of The Present Future, a book that looks at significant changes facing protestant churches in North America. While his message ostensibly targets those in church leadership, McNeal is a master at getting people to think differently and I want to share a challenge he recently tossed on my table.

Near the end of an intense two-day seminar, Reggie posed a question he promised would not be easy to answer. He said the question "would not go away" and that we'd be thinking about the answer for a long time.

To a room full of people quite comfortable with new ideas and different directions, he asked:

What [have you] changed your mind about lately?My initial response was something like, "Well, that's easy," and I started to make a mental list of new things I'd recently learned. After all, I'm the guy who helps companies find new ways to do things so this was going to be a snap. I change my mind all the time - or so I thought.

The challenge

Many of us are very good at acquiring new knowledge and applying it - with great benefit - to existing behavior and strategies. We adapt when our environment changes. I've developed a pretty good knack for anticipating change and adjusting before it arrives. My Strength Finder profile describes me as being "more comfortable in the future than the present."

But Reggie's question goes deeper than all that. He didn't ask if I'd applied new knowledge to old ideas, or even new knowledge to new ideas. To rephrase his question:

Have you recently discovered that an assumption you keep, or a belief you hold is based on knowledge that is no longer true?A friend of mine who had, for many years, publicly advocated a controversial practice in his industry recently made a 180-degree turn and is now agreeing with those who criticized his policy. It's a major change and when I wrote to ask what contributed to the decision, he shared some evidence he'd come across convincing him to change his mind. It wasn't a case of "joining the opposition" or "going with the flow." He admitted that his previous position was no longer valid.

So?

You shouldn't be able to come up with a quick answer to McNeal's question. I think he posed it as reminder that success in the future will require you to vigilantly examine your assumptions against current realities. What works today will not work tomorrow and trying to build your successful future with today's ideas is a recipe for failure.

Exercise

I've been told that readers to my longer articles appreciate the two or three questions I pose at the end of each installment. I regret not doing so this time. Instead, I want you to save this article and read it - slowly - each day, for a month. IF you do come across something that might pass for an answer to Reggie's question, drop me a line and share it with me.

Make them stay

2005-12-29T04:33:00.002-08:00

Back in September 2003, I wrote about the Driveway Effect and suggested that story-tellers (marketers) look for ways to engage their customers "just a little bit longer."

I recently had the opportunity to share lunch with a friend at a place in Nashville that takes this concept to the ultimate extreme. My friend invited me to have lunch IN a Harley Davidson dealer's showroom.

Boswell's is one of the oldest Harley shops in the country. The place is packed with gorgeous motorcycles and all the assorted paraphernalia that goes with the Harley lifestyle. What sets them apart is the incredible lunch counter they've shoe-horned into a side room. On any given day, the place is jammed with people waiting for tables. While they wait, friendly sales people engage them in conversation about the bikes.

It is one of the strangest and most organic sales environment I have ever seen. It's different and it just makes sense. I went in expecting a good lunch and came out having spent about 20 minutes talking to a salesman about how cool it would be to own a Harley.

I have no hard evidence, but I'll bet these guys sell bikes to a bunch of first-time owners.

My only suggestion to them would be to find a way to collect names of folks who visit and use that to follow up. They could even hide behind a "Birthday Club" at the lunch counter as a way to establish long-term relationships with potential buyers.

Patriot Act - Chinese Version

2005-12-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

From a column in today's (12/30/2005) New York Times:

but only after agreeing to help the government censor speech on the Web

Yahoo even supplied information that helped the government track and convict a political dissident

emphasis added

Sounds like China's own version of the Patriot Act. Or, is it the other way around?

'scuze me, can I recharge my book in your socket?

2005-12-12T05:40:00.000-08:00

Mike Hyatt, the CEO at Thomas Nelson Publishers has a gloriously foolish post about the future of publishing, as he sees it.

It's a good read, not necessarily because of the specifics realted to publishing, but as an example of the need to plan for the destruction of your successful present in order to build a successful future.

Mike's post

the more precise you are in your prediction of the future, the greater chance you have of being wrong.

Specifics are not the important thing here. I salute him for opening the door to a frank discussion of his industry's tomorrow.