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Archive for January, 2009Two Dinosaurs & a PigFriday, January 30th, 2009
Friday Funnies I love 4 to 6 year old kids as they discover and develop their sense of humor. The grandkids have helped me find great web treasures, such as the series with two dinosaurs and a pig. Can’t see it? Get FlashPlayer, or view at YouTube. GOT ONE TO SHARE? Network Marketing BehavioursThursday, January 29th, 2009
network marketing: global trends BRINGING PROFESSIONALISM TO THE INDUSTRY Two weeks ago, in a blog titled, “People Don’t Dislike Network Marketing, They Dislike Network Marketers”, I noted 10 behaviours I believe need to be addressed for this industry to gain credibility in the economic arena. Over the next weeks, I intend to address each of the 10 items, one at a time.This week I want to talk about the… THE #3 NO-NO – SPAMMING TWITTER… Get Thee Some AdvisorsWednesday, January 28th, 2009
strategic planning: innovation: management:success AN ADVISORY BOARD King Arthur had his Knights of the Round Table. Shouldn’t you have a similar team of sage advisors? Keep in mind that even Tiger Woods has a coach. Most business owners have an aversion towards a formal board of directors and in today’s litigious society, formal board members are harder to entice. But there is an attractive alternative. It’s called an Advisory Board. The informality and flexibility give it it’s power. Here are some suggestions to consider in the formation and continuance of such a group.
When Fear Attracts FearWednesday, January 28th, 2009
law of attraction: responsibility DO YOU FEEL MORE SECURE TODAY, THAN TEN YEARS AGO? In yesterdays blog, Power Elite Struggles for Control, I talked about a new piece of US legislation, growing out of the Homeland Security initiatives on the war on terror, that will exercise greater control over passenger lists of aircraft flying over US airspace. I suggested this is an example of the extremes being used, presumably to make you feel more safe, in this dangerous world of terrorists who could be living right beside you… or lurking around any corner… or even flying overhead! I also used this as an example of “old minds” attempting to deal with new realities, in the same consciousness that created the problems in the first place. Doing this is what Einstein would have referred to as, “Insanity.” ‘HOW LIVING IN A CLIMATE OF FEAR AND SUSPICION…IS MAKING ME LOVING AND CALM…’ Power Elite Struggles For ControlTuesday, January 27th, 2009
corporate mindshift: management
BIG BROTHER CONTROLLING THE SKIES “Canadians Caught in U.S. Rules – Passenger information will be collected for all aircraft that fly over U.S, – even if they don’t land.” Source: newspaper article, Monday, November 24th, dateline Ottawa, by Canadian Press. If it were not so frightening, it would be funny. At best, it certainly is a classic example of how the “old” Power structure phase will go to any lengths to maintain control and create an environment of fear, as they unconsciously sense their reign drawing to a close.(click to enlarge the Enlightened Orgs graph explaining the erosion of the current Phase of Power and Control). NEW FLIGHT REGULATIONS TO BEGIN IN 2009 Big Dreams Push LimitsMonday, January 26th, 2009
A Handy Hand strategic planning: innovation: management:success BIG THRILLS AWAIT THE RISK TAKERS I love stories when big risks garner big rewards. They brighten the spirit, inspire others and dramatize the “possibilities” of life. Some stories like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak creating Apple in their garage are dramatic and impact society in significant ways. Others may be less significant but are still fun to share. I am blessed with some colorful friends and fraternity brothers. One of them is Larry whom I’ll soon be sailing with in St. Lucia along with three other mighty sailing men. Besides being the single best story teller I’ve ever met, Larry lives life large and has an easy going philosophy of life. Here’s a short tale that will give you some idea why he’s simply a joy to be around. If you like this one, don’t worry there are more.  You define the moment or the moment defines you. – Kevin Costner in Tin CupGIVE ME ONE CARD PLEASE Slow MoneyMonday, January 26th, 2009
Will YOU save the planet for me? enlightened orgs: inspiration SLOW AND STEADY Will we sleep better knowing we have made a few million dollars on a “paper” or “security” that is not tied to something tangible and could collapse at any minute? … or will we leave this world pleased we have restored the planet to the beauty and abundance it once held for all? We had the Slow Food industry, as a backlash to unhealthy eating, now Woody Tasch has initiated his Slow Money movement to offset the lust for speedy profits, at any cost. Tasch is our honored CEO of Enlightened Orgs for the work he is doing to bring sensibility to a world made giddy by financial greed. THE MOST POWERFUL SOLUTIONS ARE OFTEN THE SIMPLEST… “Lost”? Try Slicing The Big PictureSunday, January 25th, 2009
music & arts: how entertainment can be a window to our lives LOST RETURNS! This week Lost, and all of its cryptic yet elegant glory, returned to ABC for a 3 hour Season Premiere. If you haven’t watched it before, Lost is a show about a group of people who have crash-landed on an Island in the Pacific Ocean. It doesn’t take long for the survivors to realize they are embarking on an endeavor that will provide them with a renewed sense of self. Over the course of the last 4 seasons, they experience times of happiness, hopelessness and utter confusion. The Best Rube Goldberg Contraption YetFriday, January 23rd, 2009
Friday Funnies Tom Baynham and Ben Tyers completed their Masters degrees in Manufacturing Engineering at Cambridge University, then proceeded to build this. As a longtime fan of Rube Goldberg’s original contraption cartoons in the 1930s and 40s, I would definitely nominate this one as the best I’ve seen to date. Can’t see it? Get FlashPlayer, or view at Daily Motion. GOT ONE TO SHARE? A Week Of OptimismFriday, January 23rd, 2009
Consciousness: inspiration COINCIDENCES There is nothing that delights me more than coincidences. I think they are a little “cosmic goose” telling us there is much more to this “life and universe business” than we ever dare to imagine. It is a higher power having a bit of fun with us, as one would gently and lovingly tease a child. I think they hold metaphorical messages, if we will only take the time and energy to attempt to decode them. I hope the coincidences I have detected this week are a sign that there is… CAUSE FOR HOPE AND OPTIMISM Number 2 Network Marketing “No-No”Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
network marketing: global trends SHIFTING THE IMAGE OF THE INDUSTRY Two weeks ago, in a blog titled, “People Don’t Dislike Network Marketing, They Dislike Network Marketers”, I noted 10 behaviours I believe need to be addressed for our industry to gain credibility in the economic arena. Over the next weeks, I will address each of the 10 items, one at a time. Last week we took on number 1 – “The Big Guy Breathing on the Phone. This week our number 2 behaviour is… SPAMMING SOCIAL NETWORKS... Is Your Style a Good Fit?Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
strategic planning: innovation: management:success How does your management style impact the success of your organization? Is it beneficial or does it hinder performance? Do you realize how significant your management style is to your image, culture and overall achievement? These are powerful questions that require an honest assessment, some time to reflect, a focused insight on the implications and consideration for possible change.
TWELVE QUESTIONS FOR YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE Why Is The Law Of Attraction – A Law? – Chapter 1Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
law of attraction: responsibility CHAPTER 1 WHAT’S THE BUZZ… To help in explaining this Law of Attraction business, and how it actually works, I thought today I would give you the first chapter of my book, “Imagine Your Soul Abundant: Attracting Success, Fulfillment and True Happiness”. I have been studying these concepts for several decades but it was about 10 years ago that I totally immersed myself in understanding there were some things determining success or lack of success, that did not fit into the planning framework I had been taught. I was adept at the traditional strategic planning processes, but I now found myself in a situation where it seemed the best plans and skill sets were not enough to bring about desired results. That is when my mind opened to other possibilities… A Day For Hope and OptimismTuesday, January 20th, 2009
corporate mindshift: management OBAMA INAUGURATION Hope – Optimism Around the world, there will be no shortage of great commentary today as millions of people gather in Washington, or huddle in front of their television sets, to watch the inauguration of Barak Obama. It will be one of those, “Where were you when…” days. COLLECTIVE MINDSHIFT But I want to focus less on the man – and more on the consciousness of the moment. What Is The Level Of Consciousness In Your Organization?Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
corporate mindshift: management EVER WISHED YOU KNEW WHAT “THEY REALLY THOUGHT”? The meeting is over. You just delivered the news of the changes that will need to occur in your business in the near future. All heads are bobbing in agreement. The staff have left the room, but you have a strange feeling in your gut. Somehow, you know things are not going to work out quite as well as everyone in the room seems to be telling you it will. Over the next few years, this scenario will be played out over and over, as business takes the hard decisions to reinvent themselves, in an effort to remain competitive in the current economic environment. WOULD IT HELP TO KNOW?… Understanding the Big Economic Picture – Debt and MoneyMonday, January 19th, 2009
AWARENESS AND ATTENTION ARE OUR STARTING POINTS We mentioned the great program, PopTech, last week. If you haven’t watched it yet, here’s another excellent presentation from the October 2008 conference. Debt-crisis expert Juan Enriquez diagnoses and prescribes a reasonable 10-point remedy to America’s pressing financial ills. Juan calls it a “systemic problem“. Please understand what he means. Only if you do, can you be informed and educate your elected officials who you hired to act on your behalf. For all of our sakes, please listen carefully, then follow up at PopTech. Can’t see it? Get FlashPlayer, or view at PopTech. Do you have your head around what “our” Federal Reserve Bank, mortgage bankers, financial “experts” and insurance executives have done with derivatives? $531 trillion??? BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT MONEY REALLY IS AND HOW IT’S CREATED? This is important. What Are the Canaries In the Economic Coalmine to Watch?Monday, January 19th, 2009
global trends: economy: non-traditional revenues BREATHE DEEPLY Our last post talked about the adult entertainment industry’s request for a government bailout as a canary in the economy’s coal mine – a harbinger of the thinning oxygen of cash flow. But to see one canary doesn’t necessarily give us good direction. What are the other canaries to watch? There are so many. We’ll look at just a few. This week we’ll focus on specific “non-traditional” revenues, forms of value added taxes, or goods and services taxes [Wikipedia] based on your travel, entertainment and gambling activities. In the coming weeks, we’ll observe others. WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT NON-TRADITIONAL REVENUES? Porn Industry Seeks A Federal Bailout – A Canary in the Economic CoalmineMonday, January 19th, 2009
global trends: industry upheavals CANARIES GALORE We all know the story of the coal miners who would take a canary in a cage with them as they entered mine shafts. If the canary died, it indicated oxygen depletion and acted as a warning to the miners to move quickly to avoid their own deaths. The livelihoods of real people and their families are at stake with every loss of a job, but if watch the big picture, we see interesting changes. The adult sex industry has been the bulwark of Internet revenue and growth since nearly the beginning. Now CNN reports that the porn industry is asking for a handout.
FORGET YOUR RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL PERSUASIONS FOR A MOMENT… Ode For Intelligent OptimistsMonday, January 19th, 2009
enlightened organizations: global trends: inspiration: best practices
THINGS AT ODE-TRULY POETIC Ode (from the Ancient Greek) is a form of stately and elaborate lyrical verse[Wikipedia]. Ode magazine is included in our list of Enlightened Organizations for its commitment and success in lyrically focusing on what there is to celebrate in the world! This month Ode magazine honors the heroes whom they call Intelligent Optimists: “Intelligent Optimists, individuals who aren’t famous yet but should be because of the work they’re doing to bring positive change to their communities, their countries and the world. That’s how we got 25 reasons to be optimistic in these challenging times.” AND THE 25 WINNERS ARE…. Optimists Think Outside the BoxSunday, January 18th, 2009
Food for thought strategic planning: innovation: management:success THE DREAMERS AMONG US We all admire and respect the dreamers we run in to. Sometimes we can run into them in unusual ways and in unusual places. Sometimes their impact is profound and sometimes it is more subtle, but almost always it makes us pause and reflect about how a different perspective or vision can alter our world view. I have a story from my college days that takes a lighthearted look at optimism in action. I hope you enjoy it. STRETCH YOUR LIMITS The real voyage of discovery consists not in making new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust |
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Entries
“You can follow me anywhere!”
Who’s Helping You?
Teamwork is essential. It allows you to blame someone else. – Finagle’s Eighth Rule
Fear only “begets” more FEAR!
When will we learn to love?
Honest, open communication is best
Do You Have On The Right Hat ?
A Day for a MindShift
Hustler’s Larry Flint
