New Web Site -New RSS feed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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?

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

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 ??

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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.