Get Lost and Found By Following Others

It is good to be a leader, but an important quality of a successful leader is to also know when to follow.

Sometimes those who lead in business forget that they are not always in the same position of control in all areas of life. When you are part of any group, there comes a time when you need to "go with the flow" or put others wants, needs and desires ahead of your own.

You do not always have to call all the shots!

I have encountered people who bully their way through all the relationships in their life. They bark orders at all and assume people will jump at their every whim. These people drain the fun out of most situations and alienate as a hobby. The sad part is they often do not know what they are doing.

I have discovered that when I go along with others is when I grow and expand. Instead of taking charge all the time and having to make every decision, I let those around me lead me into new types of situations. If you always cover every selection you live in a monotone world.

While on vacation in Venice, Italy with my family, my young daughters were constantly being taken along to museums, restaurants and other tourist spots. They had their own ideas about what shops to pop into or when to get gelato. We allowed them to do these things (the rule in Italy is "Gelato Everyday, Sometimes TWICE!).

We even invented the "Get Lost Game", where individually with each kid I would allow them to wander the streets of Venice for one hour while I followed. I gave no direction and they could go any which way through the narrow and maze-like streets. It was a wonderful adventure to see them make choices at each bridge, canal, corner and passageway. They felt empowered and together we had a great adventure. At the end of the time, it was up to dad to find the way back to the hotel!

When you follow others you can discover books, movies, restaurants, music, theatre, vacation spots, friends, and many other type of experiences that can be life changing. You never know when something simple will expose you to an internal "WOW".

If you think you are always right, you are most likely mistaken. Take some time to just run with the energy of those people who share in your life, and see where their direction leads you. Get lost from you daily routine and explore new. New experiences await. At the end of the journey you can always find your way back (if you want to!).

Have A Great Day.

thom

Tuesday Night By Gondola

I think that too often people get caught up in the circles of their own life and they forget that the world is not just what they view on a daily basis.

Imagine living in a large city in the United States. You probably commute to work via a car, fighting your way through traffic lights to reach the highway. Once you are on the major thouroughfair, your stop and go tapping on the brakes all the way to the office.

Maybe you pop in at Starbucks for your morning cup of coffee in a to go cup and jump back in the car. Whatever you do, it is your routine and you probably think little about how different a day can be for other people around the world.

Without even touching on the conditions in under developed countries, it is facinating to visit other cities to see that things can be vastly different, and yet amazingly similar.

I live in Austin, Texas - which by all accounts is an fantastic place to live, work and raise a family. The population of the greater Austin area is close to 1.6 million people. Venice, Italy's surrounding area has about the same number of people, and yet these two wonderful cities are so different.

I wish I could explain how taken I am with Venice. It is a city like no other that I have ever seen. The things you see on television and in the movies do not do it justice. Before arriving I was warned by others that Venice in the summer can be hot, overrun with tourists, expensive, smelly and dirty. While all of those things are based in some truth, those who only see that part of the Venician world have missed one of the true wonders of the world.

The city is a metropolis that sprung from the water over 2000 years ago, and has a rich history and architecture like nothing eles I have ever encountered.

A few years ago the U.S. Insurance industry freaked out over "mold" growth in homes. The scare was so large that you could not get insurance on a piece of property is you had ever spilled a glass of water. Meanwhile Venice is surrounded by water and these palaces that line the Grand Canal have survived hundreds of years of a game of give and take with the sea. It makes me laugh at those State Farm guys.

There are no cars in Venice and finding coffee to go is virtually impossible. There are no Starbucks in Italy, and when you want that morning expresso you stand at the bar and drink it with the locals. You smile and talk to those around you who are interested in discovering where you are from and how long you will be visiting their beautiful city. That does not seem to happen in the long lines of an American coffee house.

The talk in the media about how the world hates America seems to be highly overstated (sorry CNN), as everyone I have spoken with has been wildly friendly, and interested in discovering more about Texas. People are just people, and those I have seen (locals and fellow travelers) are trying to have a great day the best they can.

You walk a lot in Venice. You also take the bus, but that bus is a very old large water craft that circles the Grand Canal. There are no cars, or other vehicles, in the main city. The streets are a series of twisting and turning alleys that all look the same, and yet are spectacularly different.

The La Fenice Opera House was burnt to the ground in a raging fire in 1996, and was restored in 2003. Only the facade of the building and a few other back rooms survived, but to tour the new theatre was an amazing testiment to what can be accomplished. The grand theatre looked spectacular, and was true to the design of the 100 year old hall that had stood before. What struck me was the the Italians had the resolve to make it as it was, where it was - and damn, it is incredible. To the the detail of the craftsmanship and know it was created just 5 years ago is inspiring. Even my 11 year old found the theatre a highlight of the trip. Wow.

The pace of life is slower in Venice (in a good way). People are not in a hurry. The locals appreciate that they live in the surroundings of breathtaking beauty. One person told me that his "home city is one of the world's best museums", and he cherished living here.

I cannot seem to get enough of Venice. The camera shutter goes off like telegraph machine as each turn of a corner brings something eye-catching.

We are not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

Have A Great Day.

thom

A CFO Is More Than A Bookkeeper and Other Things That Are On My Mind

I recently heard a seasoned business executive say that the biggest and most crippling mistake that entrepreneurs make is that they do not realize the importance of having the correct experience level in key roles at their company. Too often people hire people quickly to "fill a position", and make decisions based on a gut feeling that they just "like" the person.

Additionally, many entrepreneurs mix up important business terminology and use the verbiage interchangeable. Are marketing, business development, sales, PR and networking all the same thing? Does one skill set mean the person can perform in all five disciplines? Many entrepreneurs think they understand these areas of business (and some do), but often they hit a wall when they are expecting a magic bullet and getting no results.

Things gets worse when it involves the money. Far too many falsely believe that "CFO" is just another word for "bookkeeper". They hire anyone who can add numbers to run their finance department with more of a concern for the individuals salary requirements than they put on expertise.

Think for a minute about these terms: CFO, finance professional, accountant, bookkeeper, controller and CPA. All of these are different, and people whom hold these roles have a variety of levels of experience.

An entrepreneur needs to understand the numbers of his company, and just hiring someone to oversee the finances without being personally engaged is a mistake. Cash is king. Your financials are the lifeblood of the company and for this reason you must find the right person to help model, forecast, and control finances.

I work for an operational accounting firm, and thus I am surrounded by amazingly experienced financial professionals. While I am not a "numbers guy" (I am much more the sales and marketing type), their views have rubbed off on me. I have become educated on the need for understanding and interpreting a company's financials in a business of any size. This is not an area to be entered into lightly.

However, I often witness entrepreneurs who are "winging it" when it comes to the numbers. This is not good. If you run a business and feel light in the numbers arena, then you have to be sure that you become educated not just about how to read your balance sheet and income statement.... but also on what and who you need in your finance department.

Ask a lot of questions of your bankers, lawyers, auditors, and other trusted advisers and they will gladly point you in the right direction to find the guidance you need. Why will they so readily help you? Because they need for your company to succeed in having the right financial oversight in order for you to have long term sustainability (and pay their invoices!!!!).

The company I work for can also help you in these areas, see www.vcfo.com for more information (yes, a commercial in the middle of my blog).

Have A Great Day.

thom

You Know You Are A Catholic

You know you are Catholic:

When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say, "May the Force be with you," and you respond, "and also with you."

*****

The above is credited to Garrison Keillor, and originally sighted Methodists...but it works either way...and it made me laugh.

And then you go to the church hall for donuts!!

Happy Sunday!

thom

Blogging Dirty Tricks

I know this will get me in trouble, but I am posting it anyway!

Friday I got the following email:

Currently, we have your site Some Assembly Required, listed on our blogroll at www.phcconsulting.com/WordPress

We are going to delete those links on the blogroll that do not have a reciprocal link for us.

Please put a link to us and let us know so we can keep you in front of our readership!!!

Thank You!

Yikes. I do not know these people and I NEVER get traffic to my blog from them. I have always hated the concept of maditory link backs on blogrolls. I list many great blogs in my blog roll, but never do I want those writers to feel obligated to link to me. Sure, I love links as much as the next blogger....but this made me so mad that I blogged from my vacation.

It makes if fake if you demand the other to link to you...and if you threatten to delete them, is that not like payolla of some kind? It is just icky.

Have a great day.

thom

More About Big Tent Thinkers

Mississippi School of Law student Tripp Segars sends out regular motivational emails to a massive distrobution list of highly unique, ambitious and forward thinking people whom he has met and added to his ever expanding network of contacts. This week's email found him quoting ...ME! I thought I would share what he had to say about Big Tent Thinkers.

ARE YOU A “BIG TENT THINKER”?
by Tripp Segars

What comes to your mind when you read the title? For me, I reminisce being under the “big tent” at the circus, a really big circus, where there were lots of people laughing, smiling, and thinking about the amazing things unfolding before their eyes. Can you picture such a circus…of course you can! Heck, as short as I am, I could be one of the twenty or so people who jump out of the small car (which used to be a Bug) that they drive into the first ring. Miraculous, huh?

Maybe I have a career in the making!

Now, take a step back and apply those thoughts to our daily lives. Could the car and passengers not represent a person, who has ideas spilling out into the world? What about the “big tent”? Imagine all of those people crammed inside at one time. Thousands of great ideas could come from the people in attendance.

Back in January, a good friend and mentor, Thom Singer, wrote a post on his blog, where he defined “big tent thinkers”. What is a “big tent thinker”? It is “someone who tries to keep an open mind, who is always expanding to accept new thoughts and ideas. They do not pre-judge and work hard to avoid putting everyone into a bucket without exploring all of the options.” (Thom Singer).

He further explains that “as a big tent thinker, you will not agree or embrace every idea that you run across, but you will always look for ways to find a nugget of knowledge of inspiration from everyone or everything.” This is powerful stuff! Does it explain the way you view your interactions with others? Can you take something from every conversation?

Let us expand this view of a “big tent thinker”. If you always have room for people under your big tent, and you should,then perhaps collaboration is something you enjoy…or need to learn. Benjamin F. Fairless responded to a question about a recipe for successful achievement with “just four essential ingredients: choose a career you love, give it the best there is in you, seize your opportunities, and be a member of the team.” Why does he include being a member of a team?

Maybe it is because of the power a team has when focused on the same goals. When you share your goals and dreams with others, success becomes much easier to achieve. Also, your goals may benefit many other people, which both gives them more of an incentive to help and offers you more of an incentive to help others.

By allowing others in on your goals, your big tent may soon turn into a really big tent! Enthusiasm will increase when more people are allowed to give input, see the progression, and be directly involved with your aspirations. Since it is well-known that people achieve success through the help of others, think of your goals as a group effort. “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” (Vince Lombardi).

Let the following questions churn around in your head, as I believe they will help crank out some ideas on how you can utilize the above information: Who is involved with your current goals and could give you fresh input today? What decisions need to be made today regarding your plans and who could participate in those decisions? How often do you include others in your
decisions-making process? Do you share in making your decisions with the people who will be affected by them?

In closing, remember that “the man who gets the most satisfactory results is not always the man with the most brilliant sing mind, but rather the man who can best coordinate the brains and talents of his associates.” (W. Alton Jones). Think of your associates and friends as your entourage that helps you become a better “big tent thinker”.

To be added to Tripp Segars email distribution list, send him your contact info: tsegars@gmail.com

Have A Great Day.

thom

Winners Never Quit, Quitters Never Win

I have written before about how proud I am of my 11-year-old daughter, Jackie, for her four year dedication to martial arts training.

When she was seven, one of her friends wanted to attend a free class to learn about Karate, and Jackie decided it might be fun to check it out. Her friend did not sign up, but Jackie enjoyed the whole concept of martial arts and selected the training as her main extracurricular activity.

It has not always been easy, and at times she has been overwhelmed and exhausted by the physical training. The sparring and grappling with bigger kids was never her favorite part, but she just kept trying her best. She has mastered the weapons and open-hand forms, and exemplifies the heart of discipline as she has continued to reach for her goal.

Since the beginning she has set her focus on achieving the rank of black belt.

Last night was the graduation ceremony at the dojo, which followed last week's five hour exam (she had her "black belt recommended four hour test a few months ago). Jackie, and four others, attained the rank of "First Degree Black Belt".

At the ceremony she was required to break two boards, something that always gives her trepidation, but with a swift kick and another solid chop of her fist she split the wood and was awarded her belt.

The black belt was placed around her waist by Master Jaurez, who has been her teacher during the last four years. He has been tough and demands the best out of his students, but has also been a great role model and has a golden heart. He earns the respect of the students and the parents with his actions.

It has been more than just a "proud papa" moment in watching Jackie achieve this amazing accomplishment. This has been a lesson on dedication. Sure there were times that driving her to the school three to four days a week has been a hassle, but my wife and I have shared her commitment to the program. Many students have come and gone over the past four years, and only a small number have stuck with the training to reach this level. To quote part of their student creed: "Quitters never win, Winners never quit".

It was never fun to see my daughter having to fight older kids (boys), especially when she would get hurt. But learning to fight, box, grapple and defend herself is part of the program. Both Jackie and her parents learned that you are going to have to experience some difficulties and discomfort en route to success. She was not always the best fighter, but she always got on the mat and tried her best. Somewhere along the way she learned to get in there and mix it up very well.

Success brings confidence. No matter where she goes or what she does, Jackie knows that she earned a black belt. This is something not many people will ever do in their lifetime. I hope that when she grows up she will have this experience stored in the corner of her heart and that she can pull out that "Black Belt Attitude" to help her overcome any obstacle.

We all should remember our own achievements and use these memories to help us climb to the next level. You do not need to practice the martial arts to have a "Black Belt Attitude"... just live it.

Have A Great Day

thom