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

Business Presentation Skills For Everyone

Many times business professionals are asked to give presentations as part of promoting their product or services. Everyday in cities all over the world there are organizations that host breakfast and lunchtime seminars that feature local executives who stand up and pontificate about their company, philosophy and areas of expertise.

Meanwhile, often times audience members would rather be boiled in hot oil than have to listen to these well meaning, but under prepared speakers. While much of the information is great, it is very often presented by people who have spent no time on preparing to give a presentation.

When you are asked to "give" a presentation you need to remember that you are "giving" something to your audience. You are presenting a gift of your time, knowledge and experience, and nobody wants to give or receive a sub-standard gift. Therefore you owe it to your audience, and yourself, to properly prepare your talk and fine tune your presentation skills.

Here are eight steps to creating and presenting a better speech:

1. Never start with a joke, unless you are a professional comedian. At some point in time we have all heard to "lighten up" the audience with joke or funny story for the opening of a presentation. However, unless you are an accomplished humorist, most jokes fall flat or appear canned. Instead start your talk with a strong statement about your topic and jump right into to the subject matter.

2. Avoid too many words on your PowerPoint. Many people cram large amounts of information onto each slide. Your PowerPoint is there to help you remember what to talk about, not for the audience to read. The best power points have very few words on each slides, or sometimes just photos (no words) to illustrate a point and create a visual bond with the audience.

3. Tell Stories. You audience appreciates all of your research, facts, statistics and graphs. But even in a technical presentation if the speaker does not tell personal stories about the information, the the listener will feel cheated. People like to hear your personal experiences that lead you to being a subject expert.

4. Make your presentation interactive. Ask questions of your audience and accept Q&A throughout the presentation. Nothing is worse than the speaker shutting down an audience member who raises their hand by telling them to save questions for the end.

5. Avoid standing in one place or behind a lectern. You want to be free to move around while speaking, and if you are stuck in one spot during your presentation the audience will quickly become bored. Your movement around the stage allows you to be more engaged with the audience. Mix it up.

6. Own your own remote control for advancing your PowerPoint. These "clickers" cost about fifteen dollars and will save your life. Many speakers expect the event planners to have one or assume the devise will work and have charged batteries. Needing to rely on someone to advance your slides and repetitively saying "go to the next slide" can kill your presentation.

7. Practice your presentation in advance, especially the opening and the close. Know what key points need to be made in the middle, and be confident in all statements that you make. Nothing is better than a confident speaker who is in control of their language.

8. Give the audience more than they expected. Why do you think Oprah likes to give away cars and other prizes to her studio audience? People love it when you leave them with either a free white paper, or other token of information. If you cannot give everyone something, conduct a drawing so that some of audience members win a free book or other item.

Giving good presentations will help you succeed. Take your speaking skills seriously.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Do The Right Thing

While this embedded video clip from ESPN is six minutes long, it is one heck of a story about cool people doing the right thing. Invest a few moments to watch this if you have not already heard about this lesson in character.

This story about sportsmanship, competition, and compassion will bring a tear to your eye. Would your team mates, co-workers, bosses, children, friends or employees do the same thing as the girls on the Central Washington Women's Softball Team? Would you?

Having the character to step up and do the right thing at the right time is what we should all hope for in life.

In a world overrun with competition and "ME, ME, ME" attitudes, this short video will give you inspiration and make you smile all week long.

Have A Great Monday.

thom

Ding Dong, Everyone Is Calling

Alas, the networking quandary of our modern time-

Can we really reach anyone on the planet and get their attention and schedule an appointment? Is establishing contact and networking welcomed in any or all situations? Does everyone even want to know us? Do they care?

And what if the other person is a celebrity, politician or leader of a major corporation? Can we get on their calendar for a cup of coffee? Or are there just too many of us for them to give the average Joe a second thought?

Once we lived in a world where people never imagined directly pitching an idea to the CEO of a public company. They lived in the clouds, others walked on the street. The two could never meet. It would be blasphemy.

Now we live in a transparently social media dominated society where many live the concepts of John Guare's Six Degrees of Separation. In fact, the internet has made it less than six degrees, with many feeling just one degree separates us from the next person, assuming that once we can email, we can access.

However, just because we can reach out to a person does not mean they will pick up the phone (or email, or facebook nudge, or twitter, etc....).

So what can someone do, shy of dressing up in a chicken suit and waiting outside a VIP's office, to gain the attention of an individual with whom they wish to connect? While sharing a mutual contact or being "LinkedIn" to their college roommate is optimal, it is not always the case.

While one cannot expect the CEO of a public company to answer his own email from strangers (or do we expect this?), there is now a societal assumption of accessibility. The whole social media / social networking movement has brought a new sense of familiarity, and company executives need know this perception is now reality.

People now demand and expect feedback, but executives cannot spend their whole day networking or answering questions from the public. Yet having someone else ghost write a blog, answer emails, communicate on twitter, or other fake touch points with the outside world will quickly go stale. People see through actions that are not genuine.

There needs to be a balance between the old and the new ways of communication, and nothing plays better than truthfulness.

People want to have contact with the decision makers, even at large public companies.

The cool and hip companies are engaged with their customers. Experiential marketing and social commerce technology are all the rage. Or are they?

Millions of dollars are being spent to appear to be listening and having conversations, but my experience is that corporate America has not morphed into "one of the kids on the block". They are building consumer focused communities, but are still measuring everything on yesterday's metrics. These trains are not on the same track and this is causing an unsettling disconnect.

Can corporations find a way to be successful in this new fast changing world that is driven by online conversations with those who expect dialogs and intimate responses? Is it fair to expect these company executives to constantly be paying attention to both the instant feedback while still meeting the demands of Wall Street?

The sheer mass of people wanting access make it impossible to have true connections. Everyone is calling, and nobody can have real communications. Technology can make it seem intimate, but I think soon people will come to detest much of the phony aspects of social online interactions.

And with the oversight of the social media components often being delegated way below the C-Suite, sometimes to very young employees, the risk is always there that the responses could be dismissive, or otherwise shortsighted.... leaving those trying to communicate with the company with a bad taste in their mouth. Leaders who get burned by having others talk for them will put a halt to the progress and retire to the old school quickly. They will either pull the plug or micromanage everything into bureaucracy.

The demand for access is growing, but there is not time to be available for all who call. Executives at many companies are already overwhelmed and confused. Some organizations are doing a good job at handling their online presence and interactive persona's, but it is still so new. Time will tell.

Have A Great Day.

thom

More On Positive Energy - Carry A Patch Kit

My last post stirred up some interesting conversations with people in the last few days. It seems that it is common for people to feel overwhelmed, stressed out and blah. Everyone has a longing to have
that inner spark that gets them going and many friends who read this blog commented on felling the need to re-energize their "Chi".


I was touched by how many people seem interested in finding that inner power that can help them strive to accomplish their goals. Folks want to be zoomed up about their life...but just do not feel they are currently living at that level. Even people who from the outside seem to be on fire, don't always have it going on inside.


Some call this power God / religion, others "Chi", life force, or flow... and there are those who have no name for it at all, but they know "it" is out there.

Personally I have been aware of connecting with my own energy ever since I wrote the post on Sunday. It is interesting to me that when one focuses on personal energy, you realize that you do have control. I have witnessed many people in the last few days who allow circumstances to derail them. They just crater when things do not go their way. Emotions fly and nobody wins. Meanwhile others are confident in themselves and respond, not react, to those unexpected bumps in the road.

Yesterday someone I know mentioned that she enjoys what she does for a living and that makes dealing with the unpleasant parts of her career manageable. Her love of what she does keeps her going. I thought a lot about what she said, and I agree. I also like where I work and the people around me... and this makes me want to make an impact and keeps my head in the game.

I see how people who feel misaligned can just let all their personal power be drained from them without even knowing it. Like a slow leak in a tire, eventually all the air goes away. FLAT.

For a cyclist on a bike can't ride very far on a flat, thus you need to carry a patch kit and pump with you at all times, or risk sitting on the side of the road all alone.

Hmmmmm, I like that analogy.

Think about your life. What (or whom) can help you get back on your bike? Identify your "patch kit" before you need it, and keep it nearby. Be thoughtful of how to stay positive and keep your energy fine tuned on success. Be "Chi".

Have A Great Day.

thom

Create Your Own Positive Energy

While watching my daughter go through her blackbelt testing I was amazed by the positive energy that was created. The Master began the session by stating that the Chi, the life force, the flow of energy that he puts into their training was absent from the room, and that the blackbelt candidates would have to create this themselves. They would need to reach deep inside their souls, encourage each other and work together to make it through the four to five hour exam.

It was hard for the students in the beginning, as their exam was grueling... but as the time went by, they all seemed to gain more strength, not less as they worked out at a very demanding level hour after hour. They created the Chi and it helped them all succeed.

Even when we are not being put to the test for a major life accomplishment, like a blackbelt in the martial arts, we should still want to have this kind of energy in our life. We have all experienced people whom have the ability to "suck the life" out of a group, and we also know people who energize all those they encounter. Thus, I hope you do not dismiss this post as some sort of touchy-feely pontification, but instead look at how personal positive energy can impact all you do.

Surrounding ourselves with positive people who share our goals makes everyday much more exciting. In a company, if people just show up and go through the motions, it can make days long and painful. But when we are all in sync and looking to succeed, everyone has more fun, and more success follows.

Hoping for personal positive energy will not make it happen. You must seek out ways to attract and create your own Chi.

Eight Ideas To Help Find Personal Energy:

1. Be Focused / Visualize Success

Know why you get out of bed each day. Have a plan for how you intend to reach your goals, and do not allow the "buzz" of distractions to knock you off course. See in your mind what success looks like and when you get knocked down, get back up and back on course. Nothing can give you power like a clear and focused plan to achieve.

2. Surround Yourself With Great People

Human beings are social creatures. We long to connect and interact with other people and instinctively react to each other. If you surround yourself with those who emit positive energy, you will find that you become re-charged. The converse is also true, those who are in a negative place all the time will bring you down. Seek out people whom find the positive in others, not those who gossip or degrade. Be part of a team that has goals and celebrates the accomplishments of everyone. Your energy is a mirror of those closest to you.

3. Avoid Worry

Bad things do sometimes happen. Yep. But do not spend your time engulfed in worry about what COULD go wrong. Be cautious and do not take ridiculous risks (some risk is good) that will cause problems, and then go on about your life. If something bad does happen, you will need to deal with it at that moment, but never allow you mind to wander and waste your time on things that will most likely never occur. Worrying will deplete your energy.

4. Physical Activity

Be engaged in some form of regular physical activity. This not only allows you to condition your body and build stamina, but it also helps your mind stay focused. Conditioning your muscles helps you create more energy. Ever hear the expression "the more you do, the more you can do"? It is true.

5. Know What Others Expect From You

When you work closely with others it does not make you a mind reader. People all have expectations of others, but if these are not clearly stated and understood, then problems will arise. Take the time to ask the people in your life what they expect from you so that your actions are leading you toward success. Mis-directed efforts send your energy into the sewer.

6. Be Grateful

All opportunities come from people. Nobody achieves much alone on an island, but sometimes individuals forget that their success comes from working together with other people. We need to take the time to be grateful for our achievements and the assistance of those people in our life who helped contribute. Take the time to not only say thank you to people, but also to contemplate all the good that surrounds you. Positive energy seems to be drawn to those who are grateful. I have found the more I acknowledge my thankfulness into the universe, the more good things happen.

7. Serve Others

There are few things as energizing as making a difference in the life of another person. Find ways to put your own needs and desires aside from time to time and do for others. Have what many call a "servant's heart" and be a force for good in the lives of your family, friends, co-workers, and strangers. Those people whom I know who do for others are the ones who have the highest level of contentment in their lives. Money and material things aside, there is a richness in the personal energy that comes from doing something good.

8. Enjoy Everything

Everything in the world is made up of the positive energy we seek. If you just take a minute to enjoy the beauty in all around you, a discovery of life's force energy is eminent. We get distracted by deadlines, responsibilities, misunderstandings, and all the standard BS that clouds our minds. But even in the negative things there is a lesson to be learned, and a silver lining. Look for the positive energy that is sometimes masked. Find joy in everything you do. You choose how you react to all you encounter, so stop blaming others, and begin to live within the flow of Chi.

Have A Great Day

thom

A Letter to Me

I am not really a country fan, thus I can tell you I had never heard of Brad Paisley before.

This morning the radio kicked on with his song called "Letter to Me", where he contemplates having the chance to send his younger self a note about how well life works out.

The song is visual and for anyone who remembers the difficulties of being a teen. The words speak out with amazing mental pictures of those things that seemed so important, but fade into just being part of your history.

Paisley has the video posted on YouTube, but has disabled the ability for me to embed it in my blog, so you will have to CLICK HERE if you care to hear the song. It is worth the five minutes, as it will make you think about your own life and see your personal triumphs and people who shaped you along your path.

I love the concept of being able to write a letter to myself, and send it to me at seventeen. I wonder if I would have the foresight to listen to the 42 year old Thom Singer. I hope that I would, but I know that I was stubborn, cocky and a dreamer (not unlike now)... and I am not sure that even advice from my future could help me map out an easier way. I know that you have to stumble in your own time to reach your goals.

What would you tell yourself? I can think of lots of things, but Brad Paisley hits most of it right on the button. I like this part of the song:

"You’ve got so much up ahead
You’ll make new friends
You should see your kids and wife
And I’d end by saying have no fear
These are nowhere near the best years of your life"

OH, and buy stock in Microsoft and Dell!

Have a great day

thom

Hey Kids, Camp Counselors Say "Start Your Day With Sugar and Carbs!"

This morning I had a business meeting at a local Starbucks in South Austin, when two buses pulled up out front and dozens of kids ages 7-14 rolled into the coffee house. My friend and I were amazed to see the line of kids roll in on their way to day camp (counselors had tee shirts on that proclaimed the camp's name....but I have decided NOT to post it here).

Fortunately we already had our morning cups of coffee in hand when the tidal wave of kids rolled in, as several morning commuters ran back to their cars: sans coffee! However we were caught off guard that part of the camp's curriculum would include a stop at Starbucks for large Frappaccinos and baked goods.

Very little kids had giant sugar filled drinks (many could barely carry their goodies) with whipped topping and large cookies or doughnuts as they re-boarded their buses.

A glance at the camp's website proclaims: "We realize how important an active summer is to all children and encouraging physical activity is our mission at Camp {name withheld}!" Apparently that activity needs to be fueled by high doses of processed sugar and carbs to get the day rolling.

A visit to the Starbuck's website will show you that a Venti Chocolate Creme Frappaccino and a scone is over 112o calories. I am assuming that these young kids did not order caffeinated drinks, but actually I guess some of those Fappaccinos were probably also full of coffee shots under the mountain of whip cream.

Now don't get me wrong - I am not the nutrition police. Heaven knows I bring my kids to Starbucks or other places to get treats. Although usually not at 8:00 AM. AND when I send them to camp, I do not expect them starting their day with a stop at Starbucks for $7 worth of useless calories.

Anyway, my business friend and I had a good laugh over it, and we both know what local day camp NOT to utilize for our kids "active" summer fun.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Get ON Your Soapbox

About a month ago I had the chance to meet first-time author Kimberlie Dykeman at the Bootstrap Publishing Sub-Group Lunch. The group brings together small gatherings of authors and would-be authors to discuss a variety of options on how to get a book published, and more importantly, how to promote the finished product (writing a book is hard, promoting a book is 1000 times more difficult!).

Kimberlie is one of those BIG personalities that you come across who lights up the room, and someone you do not forget quickly. Interestingly we have been in the same orbit since we met, as our paths have crossed half a dozen times.

Last night my kids and I attended her book launch party at BookPeople. Her new book, Pure Soapbox, is a series of 65 quotes (one shy of my lucky number/favorite number, 66) that are coupled with her "cleansing jolt of perspective, motivation and humor."

Quotes books are not new, but Kimberlie has taken the genre to a new level by kicking the reader in the pants with her interpretations and fresh insights on how people can tackle life and better strive for grasping their individual brass rings.

My 11-year-old daughter asked why were were going to the book signing, and I told her that when someone you know accomplishes something big, you celebrate their achievement. A packed house of Kimberlie's friends, family, clients and others packed the top floor of the book store and toasted her success of getting her book out into the world.

I read much of the book and find it full of nuggets of encouragement. My favorite quote also appears on the back cover, and is from an anonymous source:

"Having a dream that you don't pursue is like buying an ice cream cone and watching it melt all over your hand". - anonymous

In one of her shortest soapboxes she simply asks the reader "what shall it be? Chocolate or vanilla?...or a stack of napkins?". I know that people want the delicious treats in life, but far too often let their dreams melt away. Kimberlie is showing everyone, by example, how to embrace your life.

This is a good book to put on your nightstand and read one Soapbox each morning to help you seize the day. Carpe diem!

Here is my personal quote, maybe #66 in the next edition of her book. I would welcome her Soapboxian Quip expanding on my favorite line:

"All Opportunities Come From People" - Thom Singer

Have A Great Day.

thom

Some Thoughts On Being Present, Having an Impact, and Gratitude

This morning I had breakfast with a good friend who always inspires me about career, community service, friendships, priorities and passion for life.

Eugene Sepulveda is the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas, as well as an active community leader and servant. I have known Eugene for nearly ten years and over that decade I am continuously amazed that he can do so much for his job/foundation, community, friends & family, and still make time to sit down for an hour and be engaged in conversation.

When you talk with him, you instinctively understand that he is present in the conversation, and that he wants to see those around him succeed. His eyes tell the story that his mind is searching for ways to connect the dots and help others. Eugene is always willing to make suggestions and introductions that can bring people along on their personal path to success. He is a perfect example of a "Big Tent Thinker", who knows that there is always room for more good folks under his big top....and he wants those people to know each other.

This is an amazing trait - to be present with those you are talking and be in the moment while simultaneously looking to be of assistance. We all live in a busy world and there are enough responsibilities and pressures swirling around each of us to choke an elephant. Many people hide behind being "busy" and get nothing done.... however those who are the most "busy" never seem to have that excuse. They just do.

If you read Eugene's blog, Community Matters, you wonder when he has time to sleep. He is always somewhere, doing something, with other amazing people who are making Austin and the world a better place.

I had scheduled our breakfast to say "Thank You", as Eugene was very persuasive in convincing me to apply for the 2008 Leadership Austin Class, and he wrote my letter of recommendation for the program. Those who read this blog regularly know that my year-long experience in Leadership Austin was amazing, and I wanted to properly show my gratitude.

I am a big believer that when you express appreciation, the good flows back to you. Today was a great example, as his ideas, suggestions and advice for my career/job, community service and my author / speaking career were priceless. I was inspired because I think he understood my goals to achieve in all three areas, and it is good to feel understood and supported by your friends.

So I hope those who read here gain from this post two insights:

1. Become the type of person who is present in conversations and find ways to be the conduit for other people to clarify their own path toward success. When you do this, you will have influence. My friend has much influence in many arenas, and I know it is, in part, because of this ability he has to relate in such an easy manner.

2. Say "thank you" to those who make an impact in your life, and they will be impactful again. You cannot just receive without letting the giver know their actions mattered, or you run the risk of them never knowing they made a difference. What a loss for someone to not know their actions were a catalyst.

Have A Great Day.

thom

People Are More Than Avatars and Personas

Look around you at all the people. Everyone has their own set of problems, issues, concerns, and other B.S. that they do not tell you about, and thus, you never know what thoughts and emotions other people carry around in their minds. Yet we often don't think about this.

Even close friends and loved ones often do not know about sadness, worry, lost desires or frustrations. Society teaches early on that most folks are not that concerned with the bad stuff, so people tend to keep it to themselves. Someone who always leads with their problems finds themselves alone quickly, so they put up facades and greet people by saying things are "fine". It becomes a habit.

Yet, even when we are dealing with negative things, other people can have positive impacts on our lives. As human beings we have the amazing ability to bring joy to other people and to allow them to bring joy to our worlds. When people really care and connect, all the other stuff seems to matter less. We desire to matter to others and they too want our compassion and concern. But most erect walls around their minds and live in solitude. Even when people are connected, they still often do not share.

It is weird to think about, but this is true of most people. People rarely open their souls to those around them. They do not expose their inner self.

If you relate to the words you read here, then find your own way to join the ranks of those who want to dig deeper and cultivate stronger relationships. To do this you need to ask more questions of those around you. Discover their motivation and become a catalyst to help others move toward their desires. You also need to be more forthcoming about yourself with those around you, especially when they are inquisitive. To get others to share, you need to expose your heart as well.

I am actively trying to do this, and it is hard. When you ask questions, people can sometimes be suspicious or evasive in their answers. It is not easy to know what others need. You have to be willing to assist whenever the opportunity arrives. . But if you ask enough questions you will discover more about each person you encounter.

In today's superficial world of social online media, people tend to hide behind avatars and persona's. While Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter and other internet communications can speed up getting to know people, they can also lead you astray. We see what people want us to see and accept this as being a deep connection.

I have made many connections with people both in person and online, but when I think about it, only a select few do I really know....and those same few know me at the level of my soul. Yet when we bond with others at this level it is special, so expanding your inner circle can have a real impact on your future.

Look at everyone you encounter today and ask them something that will show you a glimpse of who they are inside. Never settle for the facade.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Geoffrey Moore - Provocation-Based Selling

The Austin chapter of TEXCHANGE hosted technology industry legend and author Geoffrey Moore at their June meeting earlier this week. Moore, who is best known for his best seller Crossing The Chasm, shared with the audience his views on "Provocation-Based Selling".

300 people filled the hall to hear the guru tell the audience that in a down market they need to be prepared to steal market share from the competition. When you are selling disruptive technologies there is no budget allocation for your new product. Prospective customers could love your technology, but when there is no money, then you have to help them create budget before you can sell them anything.

Fear or greed is what will motivate buyers. You need to show them the cost of doing nothing, as disruptive products compete with the status quo. This is no "Glengarry / Glen Ross", where you can sit around awaiting someone to give you the "good leads" from their drawer, but in provocation-based selling you must have to get teh meeting with an executive who did not expect to meet with you in the first place.

To get these meetings you need to rely on referrals. Look to connect the dots and find the people who can and will take your message straight to the top. This is what we talk about all the time on The Some Assembly Required Blog! It is having evangelists that will lead you to creating opportunities where none existed.

Once in the door, the reality is that you must know all you can up front about the customers situation. Doing due diligence is not and option, as the seller must be account specific in all they discuss, and be forthright in addressing all taboo subjects that others avoid.

I enjoyed Mr. Moore's presentation, but was disappointed when he abruptly cut the Q&A short. He only took three questions from the audience and then was gone. I know the TEXCHANGE crowd, and expect that those in the peanut gallery were full of desire to dig deeper into the wisdom of this guy. I imagine that there could have been much more lively discussion about his theories and we would have welcomed his continuation of the presentation for a few moments longer. Oh well.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Generation Z-Squared

Jason Alba at the JibberJobber Blog had a post about all the whining of Generation Y. I have written about this before, and think that with each new crop of young whipper-snappers, the older folks complain that they just don't have the work ethics of their forefathers.


Here is my reply to Jason:


Jason-


Good post, but I do not think that this generation is any different than those that have come before. Sure, the technology has changed so fast that they get to be “cutting edge” coming out of college (there is a big shift now when your better tech equipment is at home than at the office. Think about that, when we all started working the best stuff was at work!), but “cutting edge” only takes you so far.

We all come out of school wanting to live large. We feel we have earned it, and look around at our “bubble” of our college and think we are so far ahead of everyone else. But a few years later the real world kicks in. Marriage, children, mortgages, college funds, retirement savings, aging parents, health care, the cost of random stuff, work pressures, bosses, employees, etc…. (the list is long).


What the young idealist discovers is that you have to make it all work, and to do that means that you have to show up at work on time, and work hard, and build alliances, etc… The lone ranger, do what I want mentality takes a back seat to the real world of responsibilities.

Look at the baby boomers when they were this age …”Don’t trust anyone over 30″ was their mantra. Now they are all pushing retirement in the next few years and they have a different outlook than they did as teens and young twenty somethings. Sure, they long for the idealistic days of the Summer of Love,…..but they have kids to put through college and parents to care for and busy careers, etc….

My guess is that in 20 years there will be a new crop of idealistic kids and journalists hungry for anything to write will lump them in as Generation Z-Squared and people will complain about their work ethic. Meanwhile, Generation Y will be living in the real world and wondering what hit them.


Have A Great Day


thom

You Cannot Phone In The Power Of Business Relationships

Is you network working? If not maybe you are not making it a priority when you are in the trenches.

Many people invest hours in meeting people but never cultivate relationships that lead to business referrals. Establishing real partners is what networking is all about. Hiring a PR firm can get your name in the paper, but you need more than just press coverage, you need people to develop positive feelings about you and your company. To succeed with a powerful business network you must show up and make people a priority.

A network does not happen by accident. It takes time and effort to create and cultivate personal connections to people. It is easy to rationalize away the importance of networking, especially when you are busy and have lots of other life responsibilities. You can't phone it in, you have to be there with people if you want them to know you.

Take this morning for example. I have a very busy day scheduled and will leave my house at 7:00 AM and not return to my family until almost 10:00 PM. That is a long day by any standards. My first meeting of the day is a networking leads group that I belong to with some very impressive business professionals. The meeting is at 8:00 AM, and then I am scheduled to go give a training presentation to a law firm, then back to work to finish a big project, and my day will conclude with a MAJOR networking event and dinner. There is no down time in my day, and skipping the morning meeting seemed like a reasonable idea.

However, it is by participation in this networking group that I forge my bond with the other members. Sure, they would understand my opting out of today's gathering because I am busy, but it would not benefit me or my company if I was not present. I need to be there or I am not doing my job properly

This is the type of thing you need to do when looking at your busy scheduled.... do not just remove the networking meetings because you can. Instead look at these types of gatherings as equally important to all other items on your calendar, because they are. The other people who participate are counting on you to be in the room.

At this meeting someone could make a referral or think to introduce me to someone important. To not attend could mean I miss an opportunity. I think people miss chances all the time because they are not present. They forget that all opportunities come from people, and thus do not make others a top priority.

So alas, I will eat some breakfast and attack my long, long day with gusto. I hope you do the same!!!

Have A Great Day.

thom

Still More On Being Respectful

I often check the StatCounter.com results for my blog to discover what topics bring people to The Some Assembly Required Blog.

Interestingly, one of the most popular Google Searches that yields traffic is "being respectful of others". When you search this term, my blog post from April 2007 titled "On Being More Respectful" is the #1 site that pops up. This always makes me ponder what causes people the need to search for this concept. Is it that difficult to understand?

However, as I go about life I regularly encounter people who have no concept of how to properly treat other people. These baboons seem to act as if they are the Kings and Queens of the planet; entitled to belittle and take advantage of anyone who they choose.

If you have found this post because you are questioning how to be more respectful, the first thing is to call you parents and demand a full refund. This stuff should be taught early. However it is apparent that many miss this lesson. While at breakfast yesterday at a local IHOP a little girl of about three-year-old approached my daughter and tried to take a piece of her gum. The mother chastised the kid by telling her it was not appropriate to just take things from a stranger, but instead she should ask for a piece. WHAT? My kid was polite and gave the toddler a stick of Orbitz, but is it really appropriate to teach your child to approach strangers in a restaurant and ask for their personal stuff? YIKES. But it takes all kinds.

This type of entitlement is what makes it hard for folks to be respectful. You have to honor others (and their stuff) in order to act in a respectful manner.

This is not be difficult. Here are a few tips that can help anyone (even those who already know about being respectful) to treat others in the correct way:

1. Don't be jealous. Celebrate the success of others rather than coveting their victories. Just because someone else achieves something, it does not mean you lose. Create your own wins, don't worry yourself other theirs.

2. Do not argue over everything. Sometimes people have a need to be right at all cost and they will harass friends, family and everyone over facts and fiction. Those who are overly passionate about politics are often this way. They are so sure that their candidate or position is "best" that they cannot see the other person's point of view. Look at how you talk about such issues, and this will give you a good handle on how you treat others when in a debate. If you need to prove you are right, even if it offends people, then you might be the folks who are Googling "how to treat people with respect". You don't ALWAYS need to show up the next guy!

3. Show appreciation. All opportunities come from people. If you really think about what is good in your life, you can trace it back to somebody giving you a chance. Reach out to those people who impact you life (now or in the past) and say "thank you". When you make it a habit to give credit to others for your success, you will find you are more humble, and thus...more respectful. It is hard not to be respectful when you know you can't make it by yourself!

4. Be consistent. Do not let your busy schedule or a looming deadline allow you to justify treating others poorly. Always treat people with respect no matter what is going on, and it becomes easy. Too many in our busy society look at stress as an acceptable excuse for being a jerk. Nope, no excuses.

5. Laugh at yourself. We all make mistakes and everyone has quirks. Do not create self imposed standards of perfection or you will never get there. Those who are perfectionists have little tolerance for others and often blame those around them for all sorts of things. Best to be honest about your own short-comings and to laugh about them. Admitting your own faults usually makes you less judgmental about others.

Have A Great Day.

thom

You Know You Work For A Great Company When They Serve Spice Cake!

Last week I missed the birthday celebration at work for three of us who were celebrating early June birthdays. There had been a lot of joking leading up to the big day as to what would be served for dessert at the lunch, as each of us had a different idea of the ideal cake flavor.


Gwen wanted apple pie (really, for you birthday?), Kathleen wanted a whale shaped ice cream cake (Fudgie the Whale??) and I wanted spice cake.


Alas, at the last minute I had to fly to California for my aunt's funeral and to help my father out with some other issues.... and the birthday fun at work went on without me. Yep, they had both pie and an ice cream whale!


Today my co-workers surprised me with belated birthday fun, complete with HOMEMADE spice cake cup-cakes. As it turns out, no bakery in Northwest Austin makes cakes in the worlds best flavor: spice cake! They had called around to a variety of sources only to be treated like some sort of cake hunting lepers.


The HEB Bakery actually responded to the question of "do you make spice cake cakes?" with the interesting answer of "No, but we do make lemon cream cakes". Huh? Ummmm RANDOM.


My very cool co-worker Kathleen (who is also a June 8th birthday, but is younger than me...as she will point out) whipped up homemade cupcakes for the occasion.


Now that is a sign that you work in a great place. I always have known that vcfo was a great place to work, but the spice cake incident has taken it to a new level of good vibes. Not only did they not let my birthday pass unnoticed due to a family emergency taking me out of town, but someone went to the trouble to make my favorite flavor of cake by hand since it was not easily purchased.


Oh, and they were delicious!


Have A Great Day.


thom

How Much Do You Transmit vs. How Much Do You Receive?

When you are meeting with people, be cautious of how much you talk vs. how much you listen. Everyone likes to hear their own voice and share their opinions, so you must give people their chance to sing.

I am a talker, so I personally struggle with this one. When I was in 2nd grade I was constantly in trouble with the teacher for talking too much in class. (The funny thing is the teacher never told me that one can have a career as a professional speaker and be paid to talk. But talking to an audience is different than having one-on-one conversations). Elementary school teachers don't want kids talking out of turn, so many people learn to just sit quietly while others are talking. This makes it easy to have one way conversations, even though neither party desires this type of chat.

I come from a big Irish family where telling stories was a normal part of the family gatherings. As the youngest of 26 grandchildren, I honed the ability to spin a tale early at my grandparents table. I have fond memories of listening to my aunts, uncles and cousins make the whole crowd laugh with how they shared life's anecdotes.

Being able to speak is a valuable skill, but so is knowing when to listen.

A couple of years ago I met someone for the first time and talked too much during our meeting. This person was offended and told some mutual friends about his impressions of me..... in a very unfavorable light. I have a different memory of our time together, and thought he was very guarded (almost rude) and that he did not seem to want to talk with me. I thought him to be selfish in his demeanor and felt if I did not speak, we would just have stared at each other over our lattes.

I gained two valuable lessons from this:

1. If you are more of a talker, be conscious of asking questions and actively listening to other people.

2. If you are more introverted, be conscious of not letting another person dominate your conversation. Take charge.

While different people have different ways of communicating, and some are more verbose and others more quiet. Both parties need to take responsibility for a conversation and work in sync to be sure there is ample give and take. I have always been sad about the first impression I made on this person, and continue to work to improve in this area.

I openly share that I struggle with this because when we admit to our short-falls, we often find new ways to improve. I now try to make sure I ask at least three to five questions of people I talk with. Even if I talk more than I should, by inquiring about them, I bring them into the conversation and make myself listen.

Make sure you find a way to balance out how much you transmit to others and how much you receive from them in conversation. It is when the other person is talking that we learn the valuable nuggets of information that allow us to help them achieve their goals. When we help others, we win too. So you need to listen better in order to succeed.

Have A Great Day

thom

The 2008 Central Texas ACG Outstanding Corporate Growth & Emerging Company Awards

The Central Texas Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth continues to skyrocket as one of the regions top networking and business organizations. Today the ACG hosted their annual awards luncheon and over 150 local executives attended the event at the Four Seasons that honored some of the areas top growth oriented companies.

The Finalists were:

Emerging Companies - revenues up to $25 million

Burrows Manufacturing
People Admin
Sweet Leaf Tea

Outstanding Corporate Growth - revenues between $25 - $100 million

Argyle Security
Austin Ribbon & Computer
Ginny's Printing

Outstanding Corporate Growth - revenues greater than $100 million

American Campus Communities
ArthoCare
netSpend

And the winners are:

PeopleAdmin, Argyle Security and ArthoCare

Founded in 1954, the Association for Corporate Growth, Inc. (www.acg.org) is the premier global association for professionals involved in corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. Today ACG stands at 11,000 members from corporations, private equity, finance, and professional service firms representing Fortune 500, Fortune1000, FTSE 100, and mid-market companies in 53 chapters in North America and Europe. Leaders in corporations, private equity, finance, and professional service firms focused on building value in their organizations belong to ACG. They recognize the multiple benefits of networking within an influential community of executives growing public and private companies worldwide.

Have A Great Day

thom

Come See Me Speak on Thursday, June 12th

There is still time to register (or just show up at the door) for tomorrow's "NETWORKING ON FIRE" luncheon at Cool River (on Palmer in Northwest Austin). 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM.

http://nof.eventbrite.com/


I am the speaker and will be talking about networking and building a personal brand in your business community. If you are feeling lucky, I will be giving away a copy of my book to two lucky winners (one copy of "Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Grow and Keep Your Business Relationships" and once copy of "The ABC's of Networking").


Hope to see some friendly faces in the audience!!


thom

Voluneteer, but don't think your involvement means you "own" the organization

Being involved on the board of a business or charitable organization it is a great way to boost your visibility in the business community. It also helps promote the common good. Shoot, it is often fun and educational at the same time!

While it is common that organizations do not put direct competitors on the same board, your participation does not mean that you "own" the group where you volunteer. Sure, you might have an exclusive to serve on the board (which is fine), but you cannot and should not think that your position will eliminate your competition from participating in events or from ending up as a speaker for the group's meetings if they are well suited for giving such a presentation.

I recently heard of a local business professional who had a fit when one of his competitors was the presenter at a meeting of an organization where he volunteers. He felt that the programs committee should have asked him to speak or skipped having his industry represented at all on the panel discussion.

I have also been passed over for speaking opportunities and told that while the organization thought I was a great speaker who could benefit the group, they did not want to make my competitor mad by giving me the publicity.

With this philosophy, nobody should ever be asked to speak at any event, as somewhere they have a competitor who might be bent out of shape!!!

I see many groups tip toe around whom they can have as panelists for fear of offending someone else, rather than looking for the best speakers possible. When organizations have great programs, they have better attendance. The big name company, individual or topic makes or breaks the success of a meeting. I think organizations should seek out the most qualified speakers they can and not worry so much about what individual member or volunteer might think.

Mr. Spock said it best at the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan; "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".

While I hate to see my competition on a panel where one of my team could have been featured, at the end of the day, the world is not a zero sum game. There are lots of chances for everyone who is qualified to have their time at the podium. Sure it hurts egos, and you can wish it was you on stage....but for the love of Pete.... do not run around complaining about it. Your membership in a group or your volunteer hours does not equal ownership of an organization. Maybe your competitor was just a better choice for that presentation!!!

Remember that if you complain about the publicity the organization ("your" organization) gives the competitor...those who hear your whining will provide you with LOTS of "word of mouth marketing" (the bad kind) when they tell others all about your tirade. Best to seek out your own speaking opportunities than to try to stop your competitors from having the spotlight (or complaining when they do).

I was recently very impressed when an executive that I know recommended that her direct competitor be included in a local program / presentation. She was involved in the planning, but a set of circumstances came up that made sense for the CEO of another company in her industry to share the platform. In this unique case she knew it was the "right" thing to do to be inclusive. Sure, it meant some stage time for the competition, but she did not let that impact her desire to make sure the event was executed properly (I am purposely being vague, as I was told of this situation in confidence).

I am involved in several business organizations and I do prefer to see that my company would have the limelight and PR from my involvement. However, on those occasions when my competitors are in the spotlight, you wont hear me complain (although I still want to).

I am confident that my firm will outshine all others in the long run.

A note to organizations and planners.... do not give your sponsors and volunteers the impression that their time and money can buy your integrity. News organizations have a wall between editorial and advertising to protect their credibility. Once you sell yourself for the money or time, you will forever cheapen your value to everyone. Yes, there are times when exclusive sponsorships make sense, as those whose dollars support the event want something in return for their sponsorship, but beware of how far you are willing let their money dictate your actions. It is a fine line.

Can sponsorships buy speakers slots, yep...it happens all the time. But be sure that it is clear to your audience, or you run the risk of looking cheap. If your group offers exclusivity to your sponsors but does not make that clear, then those who find out will think less of your organization.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Networking Lessons From The Life of Hillary Rodham Clinton

Networking lessons from Hillary Rodham Clinton


Building your reputation does not happen by accident. If you just go out and do stuff without any regards to how you are perceived you end up with the Hillary Clinton of the early days of her husband's administration. Her early reputation was defined by how she handled the health care reform issue. Health care reform was and is one of the most important problems facing our nation. Because she gave no thought to how her actions would cause others to react (aka the Republicans), her project was doomed. Opportunity lost for Hillary and for the country. Had she found a way to work all those in Washington, we might have a better program today. Make sure that you don't have a "who cares what they think" attitude, because what others think does matter if you want to establish yourself and win for the common good. Find a way to make sure that everyone involved has a voice at the table and you will prosper.


Tap into the network of those around you. There would have never been a Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign if there had not been a Bill Clinton Presidency. This is not to undermine Mrs. Clinton's qualifications as a lawyer, U.S. Senator, and an expert politician, but if she had not been first lady, someone else would have lost their party's nomination to Barak Obama. Networking is not just about you, it is about all those around you. What makes a network powerful is the strength it gains when people come together. In her defence, there probably would never have been a Bill Clinton Presidency if there had not been a Hillary Clinton as his wife and political advisor,....so what goes around comes around!!! When building your network, look beyond just those you know, but see who is in their network, then bond together to forge sucess.


Build on your past successes. Hillary did not graduate from law school and then stage a successful run for president the next day. Instead she had a successful career as an attorney and as the first lady of Arkansas. From there she established a strong reputation as a "new kind of first lady", and took her popularity to win the senate seat from New York. She parlayed it all into a historic campaign for the White House. Make sure that you continue to advance your career and tackle new opportunities when they present themselves. Use each victory as the foundation for the next adventure.


Do not allow a failure to derail your future. While her historic campaign for the White House is now reaching the end, I doubt this is the last that we will hear from Mrs. Clinton. She knows how to rise again from the ashes and will take the experience from the 2008 Campaign and do something else that will make her supporters say "WOW" (and her critics cringe). When you make a mistake or have a set back, just pick yourself up and try something new. Keep going if you want to succeed.


Do not expect your friends to support you in everything you do. Many people who served in Bill Clinton's administration decided to support Barak Obama for the Democratic Nomination. This surprised many people who thought that the FOB's (Friends of Bill) would automatically be Hillary supporters. But the reality is that even your close friends will not always agree with you or show up to support you in every venture. That is okay. I think that if the Clinton's had foreseen the possibility of people like Bill Richardson and others not supporting Hillary, that they could have done a better job of shoring up the ranks amongst those they assumed were on board. Never assume you know how people will vote when given the chance.


Life is not about popularity. Hillary's campaign loves to point out that she won the "popular vote". So what. It is the delegate count that matters. You can create your own rules and your own math all day long, but if it is not how the game is played...then who cares. I thought that we learned this lesson from Al Gore. Think about networking the same way. It is not about how many people you have as "friends" on Facebook or LinkedIn, it is about how many of those people will really make a difference in your life. Quality of those in your life is more important than quantity.


Stay true to yourself or people will notice. While campaigning it was often noted that Hillary would change the accent in her voice to mirror the region of the country where she was speaking. I am not sure if this was on purpose, or is she just did this by accident, ... but by appearing to shift herself to fit each situation it made many question her credibility. When networking, just be yourself. Not everyone will like you, and that is okay.


Know when to go home. Hillary came very close to not making a graceful exit from the race. Had she chosen to take the fight to the August convention she would have been giving a great gift to John McCain. Petty bickering over "super delegates" would have weakened Obama's shot at victory. The facts were clear for weeks that the party was over on her bid for the top office in the land. Bummer for her I am sure, but not worth derailing the Democrat's shot. When you are building a network and a professional reputation you have to remember that not everything is about you. Sometimes you have to step aside and let the other person have the brass ring.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Enjoy Today

There is a famous poem called "The Dash" (by Linda Ellis) that is often read at funerals that reminds us that the important part of a person's life is not the dates of their birth or their death, but instead the real value of a lifetime is all that is done on the days in between. It is that dash that shows up between the dates on the tombstone where all the amazing stuff happens.

The dates are like the pieces of bread in a sandwich, while the really good part is the meat in the middle.

If you are reading this right now, you are living in the meaty part of your life. How cool is that!!!

Whether young or old, building a career or riding high on your successes, this is the only today that you will ever have. It is important to plan for the future and have goals for tomorrow.....and it is wonderful to reflect on your personal history.... but we can only live in the moment.

No matter what you are doing right now, relish it. Sure, sometimes our days are stressful and frustrating, but that is just part of the journey. Do not allow the grind of life to overshadow the joy that exists in our families, careers, friends, communities and beyond.

This post is just a friendly reminder to encourage you to do something amazing with your day. Even if that something is small and seems insignificant, a million small things add up to unparalleled achievements.

Start small. Give a smile to those who pass you in the street. Then build from there and never look back. Fill up your sandwich with as much of the good stuff as you can possibly muster.

When you are old and nearing the end, how do you want others to remember how you spent your day? Your actions on this day are what sculpts your legacy.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Succeed as a PHD

My friend Henry Yoshida, who works for Merrill Lynch, told me a great story about an "old school" insurance agency owner who he knew many years ago.

When Henry was young and just getting started in business he asked this seasoned professional what was the secret to his insurance agency's success. The gray-haired cantankerous old fellow told Henry that his business had grown because he only hired "PHD's".

Ahhh, not what you think. This guy only hired people who were "Poor, Hungry and Determined". With these three attributes, his employees all worked harder than the average person.....and with all that hard work synced up in one agency, they beat the competition time after time.

I shared this story with one of Austin's top entrepreneurs who told me that his experience was in parallel. He said that people with young families to support always seem to show up on time and work harder, because they have too much to lose if they slack off. The small number of "trust-fund kids" he ever hired at his companies always were failures. They did not need the money, and did not have that spark in their soul that is needed when times get difficult.

Joe DiMaggio once said; "A ball player's got to be kept hungry to become a big leaguer. That's why no boy from a rich family ever made the big leagues." It takes internal drive to meet your personal best.

Even though I am getting older, I am still a PHD in my heart. I still need the money and I am hungry and determined to achieve all that I am capable. I hope no matter how well I do in life that I never lose that spark to knock it out of the park on some level.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Instantly Be A Resource

As soon as you meet someone try to find a way to help them succeed.

Don't run back to your office and expect your phone to ring with them doing favors for you if you are not taking it upon yourself to make an impact on their life.

Explore your network and make introductions and be an instant resource.

thom

Reality Check

Part of "Figuring Things Out" in life is realizing that you are not in control of everything. We try hard to create a feeling of control, but in the end, there are things that happen where we cannot manipulate the outcome that remind us of how small we are in the universe.

Sometimes these are minor events and then there are those incidents that hit you hard.

This week has been difficult; my dad is in the hospital, my favorite aunt passed away and one of my best friends was hit by a drunk driver (he is okay).

WAMMO. I live 2000 miles away, and feel helpless.

My father is my greatest hero. He is a regular guy who lives a regular life, but has lived his 93 years with a clear picture of his moral conviction and dedication to his friends and family. I can think of nobody who I more want to emulate. From my point of view he discovered how to live life with little stress and high levels of contentment.

My aunt was a fun lady who often took care of me when I was a little kid. What I remember most was how she would humor me when I was three-year-old by setting an extra place at the table for my two imaginary friends, Chucky and Margo, and would always have "real" peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on a plate for them.

My friend was minding his own business at 3:30 PM when his car was hit at 65 MPH by a drunk. While he and his passengers have only minor injuries, it was still too close for comfort.

I share this on my blog not because the events of this week have helped me "figure things out", but instead as a reminder of how easily distracting real life can be sometimes for everyone. We set goals and head down the path only to be forced to face a reality check.

The good news is that the bumps in the road of life tend to make us stronger and help us develop our character. We also learn much good about the people around us who seem to make the tough times easier with a smile, a hug, a prayer, etc....

As I look at all the things on my calendar that I should be doing this week, they suddenly do not seem as important as being with my dad, honoring my aunt Catherine at her memorial service and catching up with an old friend.

Have A Great Day.

thom