music & arts: mind your music

A GREAT FIND

I had the pleasure of stumbling upon this book two years ago in my local Barnes & Noble. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but this just jumped out and said “pick me”. This book is for anyone who enjoys music, science, learning, great stories, and a pleasant change from everyday reading.

EVER WONDER WHY?…

(more…)

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.

Teamwork is essential. It allows you to blame someone else. – Finagle’s Eighth Rule

(more…)

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…’

(more…)

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

(more…)

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 Cup

GIVE ME ONE CARD PLEASE

(more…)

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.

“The secret of successful managing is to keep the five guys who hate you away from the five guys who haven’t made up their minds.” -Casey Stengel

TWELVE  QUESTIONS FOR YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE

(more…)

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…

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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?…

(more…)

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….

(more…)

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

(more…)

strategic planning: innovation: management:success

ARE YOU READY FOR A HABIT AUDIT?

We all have habits. Some good and some not so good. It’s the same for our organizations. Some foster organizational progress and some detract from it. Are the ingrained habits at your organization working to benefit the company or are they aiding and abetting the competition?

Old habits die hard. That’s why they are called habits. But when habits prevent fresh thinking, become out of date routine patterns, or become mindless repetition, habits can become disruptive.

THE SIX QUESTIONS FOR A HABIT AUDIT?

(more…)

A Balanced Mind
click to enlarge

corporate mindshift: management:global trends

THINGS DON’T CHANGE: PEOPLE CHANGE THINGS

I like the quote from Andy Warhol, “They say time changes things but you actually have to change them yourself.” One of my best life lessons was coming to the realization that when I changed the way I looked at a situation – the situation itself seemed to change - when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change!

EASIER TO SAY, THAN TO DO…

(more…)

Enlightened Organizations: inspiration

Best Western Solar
click for more photos

THE VALUE OF BEING A GOOD CORPORATE CITIZEN

Have you ever wondered about the real environmental commitment of hotels with those little cards telling you they are concerned about the environment,“so please don’t ask us to change your towels or sheets daily”… and then, they fill up the bathroom with little tiny packages of toiletries that get partially used -and then, become landfill?

Well, Greg Salloum, property owner, Best Western Inn, in Kelowna, British Columbia is an exception. This man is sincere and dedicated to his commitment to the environment and has spent the money to prove it.

BUT REALLY HOW MUCH CAN A HOTEL AFFORD TO DO?…

(more…)

Consciousness: true selfishness

TRADITIONAL RESEARCH SAYS RECIPROCITY PAYS OFF

Kellogg School of Management’s Kellog/Insight: Focus on Research has posted an interesting article, When Does One Good Deed Deserve Another? – The calculus of reciprocity.

“Rationality suggests that trust should build slowly and that people should proceed cautiously when building a relationship. But what if you only have one chance to decide whether to trust someone? In that case, caution might be a poor choice… Both experiments showed that reciprocity increased as the money sent increased: sending more increased reciprocity.”

This research is interesting reading, but Judy Berg’s post today, Is The Little White Lie In YOUR Job Description? offers the basis for a totally different viewpoint.

WE LIVE IN THE MOST INTERESTING TIMES POSSIBLE

(more…)

Consciousness: inspiration

BUT IT’S JUST A LITTLE WHITE LIE!

“What do you do if your boss asks you to lie for him or her?”

Nan DeMars, author,“You Want Me to do What?”, says you should tell your boss I will never lie for you. But you also should know that I will never lie to you, either.“www.office-ethics.com.

WHO KNEW WHAT?

With all the scandals we have been exposed to recently in the banking industry, on Wall Street, and in politics, one can’t help but wonder about the subordinates who “had to know”.

…AND WHAT WOULD I DO?

(more…)

Law of Attraction:responsibility: inspiration

WHAT I THINK ABOUT…I BRING ABOUT

“Do you pay attention to your thoughts? Do you control them or do they control you? Where do your thoughts come from? Did you choose that thought – or do you just accept the thoughts someone else dumped on you?”

THINKING IS HARD WORK!

I want to focus on a concept, all too prevalent in our thinking-something that influences our behaviour and dramatically impacts our results-in a less than positive way. It is called DUALITY.

DUALISTIC THINKING…

(more…)

enlightened organizations: global trends: inspiration

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY?…AND, WHATEVER DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH SHOES?

There has been a ground swell on the Internet to send old shoes to the White House showing support for Iraqi anger, following the Iraqi journalist shoe-throwing incident. US President George W. Bush used his finely-honed skills of side-stepping…this time to avoid physical injury. Is it possible the mystery shoes may be a statement to George W. Bush about how the country feels about US foreign policy?

(more…)

management: internal communications

KEEP THE DISCOURSE CIVIL AND PRODUCTIVE

Polarization, whether intentional or unintentional, can acerbate a situation and make a healthy and productive dialogue difficult. Once people feel insulted, they do not make very good listeners. As we are well aware, these are chaotic times. Opinions differ and passions can run extremely deep.

So, how do you get from tension to solution?

(more…)

enlightened organizations: global trends: inspiration: best practices

ACTING ON EPIPHANY

Denise Cerreta’s business model at One World Everyone Eats is more about giving of herself and her business -than taking. She says when she told her first customer, “Just pay me what you think the meal is worth… it was like my heart expanded and I realized my true purpose in life.” (epiphany – wikipedia)

Five years ago, Denise awoke with a new awareness that the patients she had been treating in her acupuncture clinic…“were not sick, they were lonely.” That revelation prompted her to open a daring and innovative restaurant in Salt Lake City.

NO MENU – NO PRICES – NO SET PORTIONS

(more…)