Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

 

IN OUR WORLD

 

This was a week of fantastic opportunity and very sad news.

 

First, the good stuff.  I have so many fantastic opportunities on the table that it is hard to figure out what to do!  Since I am a small operation I will find myself in the enviable situation of having to say “no” to a couple of projects.  I am hoping I can reschedule them.  These are exciting chances for me to contribute to major Fortune 100 players as well as a couple of key niche players.  I have worked hard to have an opportunity to choose the most challenging and fulfilling projects that grace my desk!

 

On the sad side of things I lost a friend this week.  It always makes you take notice of the unpredictable nature of our human existence.  It hard to focus on the time we got to share and not feel bad about the future no longer available to us.  Out time together is a fragile thing and as the late Warren Zevon said; “take a minute and enjoy your sandwich.”

 

ANNOUNCEMENT:  On July 15 I will be hosting a full day CREATIVE VENTURES learning experience that will be open to the public.  The day will be devoted to a multimedia, interactive workshop teaching the two core skill sets that everyone needs to be successful – the ability to communicate and the ability to think.  MARK YOUR CALENDAR.  What a great early response, THANKS!  We will find space for any blog reader, but you need to contact Chris Ryan at cryan@paredigm.com or give him a call at 214-697-2700, NOW.

 

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

Everyone is concerned about their customers and rightly so, they are your lifeblood, no matter what business you are in.  The bookstores and internet are filled with ways to get more, to keep those you have and to create relationships that build loyalty.  Heck, I’ve written a lot of them and I know how confusing it is.  The bottom line is; with a limited amount of time and resources, what the hell should I do?  Though each of you have a very specific strategic need and it would be a tremendous disservice to provide a blanket of ideas, a kind of one size fits all, I guess I am going to do it anyway.  Just think about these ideas:

 

• You should find out how any new client came upon your business or service.  Simple ask, “How did you hear about us?”  This simple question will provide you the vital knowledge of where your connections are occurring.  Once you know this, you can do more of it!
• Continue to build buzz.  I know you are doing this already, so just give it a little more energy and focus.  I’ll bet the answer to the “how did you hear about us” will find its connection to your “buzz” factor.  You know the standard pieces, blogs, social networks, newsletters.  Don’t loose focus; these are critical in a connected world.
• Educate your customers.  Did you know the more they know about what you do the more they will engage?  Find fun ways to connect them to your knowledge base.

 

Just a couple of ideas and you can never have enough ideas.

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

MOVIES:  Wanted breaks this weekend.  It is another comic book made into a movie, which puts me right in the front row at the famous Studio Movie Grill.

 

NetFlix Fans:  Raging Bull –   The AFI (American Film Institute) recently released its Top 10 list of movies in 10 genres.  One of them was sport movies and this was #1 in the category.

 

TV:    As a tennis fan, you can forget about anything else gracing my tube except tennis. 

 

BOOKS:  Collapse – by Diamond.  A great read about how we choose to build the cultures we live in.

 

MUSIC:  On August 8^th the great singer/songwriter Pierce Pettis is returning to Dallas to play at a tiny little coffee house that Laura and I love; Uncle Calvin’s.

I am usually selfish about my music venues as they are like little treasures to me, but EVERYONE should see Pierce.  Here is a sample of his work.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0rkAW451bM

 

 

WEB SITES:   People sharing content from all over the web.

 

www.digg.com

 

 

SOUTH OF NORMAL

I read a really interesting article on the 10 Unusual Ways to Save the Planet and felt these two were interesting enough to make the South of Normal address:

• Beam Electricity from Space:  The Japanese plan on launching giant solar panels into space and sending limitless clean energy back to earth.  It would be a 1.5 mile long solar array.  WOW.
• Turn Pig Pee into Plastic:  I kid you not!  There is a chemical produced in pig liver that can be recycled in a variety of ways, from de-icing to bioplastics.

If these are beyond your grasp, leave a small footprint and turn off your lights when you leave the room.

 

“You can’t win any game unless you are ready to win.”

Connie Mack

 

Drop me a note with your comments at creativeventures@nova1.com.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.

 

 

 

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

IN OUR WORLD

I love when my weeks work brings a combination of al three of our lines of business. I had a great presentation, began a HUGE curriculum design project that fits our education category and worked a strategic platform launched in April and getting ready to head into phase II. That is part of our Application category. I had presentation, education and application all in one week!

A ton of energy is going into our July 15 (see below) full day learning experience. The workbook is in full design and will be offered in hard copy and an internet version.

Yesterday Chris Ryan (my business manager- get used to this name as he continues to shake up my universe) arranged a behind the scene’s tour of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium - WAY COOL!

ANNOUNCEMENT: On July 15 I will be hosting a full day CREATIVE VENTURES learning experience that will be open to the public. The day will be devoted to a multimedia, interactive workshop teaching the two core skill sets that everyone needs to be successful – the ability to communicate and the ability to think. MARK YOUR CALENDAR. What a great early response, THANKS! This program is filling up, so to get a seat contact Chris Ryan at cryan@paredigm.com or give him a call at 214-697-2700.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

This week how about a little scatter shooting?

• HEART DISEASE: The sudden death of Meet the Press host, Tim Russert, reminds us of the #1 killer in the US – Heart Disease! Stress, diet, smoking and a lack of exercise cause your ticker to quite. Millions die every year. Sooooo, stop that burger habit, go for a walk, listen to a little Jimmy Buffett and end that smoking thing. Check with one of my great clients, The American Heart Association, for help. Everyone wants one more sunrise, one more kiss, one more song!

• KEEPING YOUR JOB: A recent Harvard study gives the following as the primary reasons bosses’ fire employee’s (I kid you not!)
  • • Cursing and poor language (damn)
    • Being intoxicated on the job (may be the only way some of you can get through the grind)
    • Too many personal phone calls (this includes you text monsters)

• MAKE YOUR BRAIN SMARTER: Try tea not coffee (though this is a much disputed claim – especially by Starbucks). Ask lots of questions to increase your curiosity. Maintain a sense of wonder (find someplace without city lights and look into a starry night to kick start this one). Embrace chaos – enjoy the uncontrollable nature of things. Get visual – we retain 87% of everything we see, so SEE MORE! Slow down. There is space between cause and effect.

• HOW SMART ARE YOU:  Take this quick IQ test and let me know how you did.  I will tell you I got a 26.  Not bad but apparently I will not get into Stanford!        http://www.flashbynight.com/test/

ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIES: The Hulk was very entertaining. The Happening was painfully bad. I am a big Steve Carell fan and Get Smart looks like my weekend choice. The summer is about ENTERTAINMENT.

NetFlix Fans: To Kill a Mockingbird – The AFI (American Film Institute) recently released its Top 10 list of movies in 10 genres. One of them was courtroom dramas and, of course, this movie was number 1, in fact, it may be the number 1 film of all time! I will be highlighting their number 1 selections for the next few weeks.

TV: Who could have imagined that Tiger Woods would provide the most compelling entertainment on the boob tube? Torn ACL and a stress fracture in his leg didn’t stop him from competing for 91 hole and walking over 20 miles in five days. He won the US Open in dramatic fashion. He is the toughest competitor in sports – PERIOD. For you that have never seen my favorite show, HOUSE MD, both Fox and USA are showing repeats all summer.

BOOKS: Learn More, Study Less – by Scott Young . Really interesting take on life long learning.

MUSIC: For those of you who do not know Jake Shimabukuro’s amazing musical talent, I thought I would AGAIN post one of his live videos. This piece is LONG by my standards at 8 minutes, BUT, it will once again completely blow your Friday mind!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mEqEe-PIC8&feature=related

WEB SITES: Getting a little tired at your desk? Try a few minutes here

http://www.bored.com/

SOUTH OF NORMAL

Every once in a while I read something that makes me stop in my tracks and reread it; just to be sure I am not going crazy. Well here is a one weird thing and one interesting thing:

• A fifth foot (yes, foot) washed up on the shore in British Columbia. HUH? A FIFTH foot. Authorities said; “there was no evidence that this foot is related to the other fee.” HUH, I guess this foot must be a random one. Apparently they don’t perceive a pattern here. The medical expert said; “there was no evidence the foot was removed by force.” HUH? WHAT? How in the heck did the foot get separated from the person? Their investigation continues. I have GOT TO KEEP MY EYE ON THIS ONE.
• The great annual ice cream industries report came out and you will be pleased to hear sales are SOARING. Most popular flavor? Back again for its continued dominance (it’s the Tiger Woods of ice cream) – Vanilla. Chocolate follows with butter pecan pulling into third, bumping out strawberry for the bronze. The most fattening ice cream you can eat is Haagen Dazs chocolate peanut butter. Hey, go out and have a scoop of your favorite flavor to celebrate summer!

“I have occasionally regretted my speech, but never my silence?”

Publilius

Drop me a note with your comments at creativeventures@nova1.com.

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

 

IN OUR WORLD

 

WOW, what a hectic week.  I had three major programs, all of which were in Dallas!  Hey, I could get used to that.  Great clients, wonderful interaction and a cutting edge series of topics all without getting on a plane.

 

I have really fallen off the pace on my book.  My wonderful publisher reminded me that this is really important and to get to it.  Literally every presentation, education program or platform application has the classic; “do you have a book?” question, which even further rubs in the fact I have not kept to my writing schedule.  I am thinking of getting away just to kick start the process.

 

Our RSA program (Repeatable Successful Acts) is still growing in momentum like a snowball charging down a snowy slope.  Over half a dozen organizations are already incorporating the information in their primary sales platforms.  It is fantastic when the work you do produces applied value to your clients!

 

Next week I am committing to writing (also jury duty and another home town presentation!).

 

ANNOUNCEMENT:  On July 15 I will be hosting a full day CREATIVE VENTURES learning experience that will be open to the public.  The day will be devoted to a multimedia, interactive workshop teaching the two core skill sets that everyone needs to be successful – the ability to communicate and the ability to think.  MARK YOUR CALENDAR.  What a great early response, THANKS!  This program is filling up, so to get a seat contact Chris Ryan at cryan@paradigm.com or give him a call at 214-697-2700.

 

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

Damn, it is expensive to drive!  Gas prices are rising faster than our Dallas summer temperatures, but despite the pain in the pocket book and the media fascination  with fossil fuel, it is NOT the liquid that drives the world.  The blood of our planet is FRESH WATER. The fact is modern life runs on water.  Here are the startling facts:

 

• 1.1 billion People have no access to safe drinking water.
• Fresh water is the most serious issue on the planet.
• We are not running out of water, in fact we have the same amount as we did a million years ago, about 360 quintillion gallons. 
• The big issue is that 97% of the water we have is in the oceans of our planet.
• Fresh water is simply being used faster than we can replenish it.

 

In following my path way to simplicity, our planetary water issue is a great example of conflict between simple and easy.

 

There are two simple (lacks complexity) but incredibly difficult (requiring effort) steps in helping solve our H20 problems:

 

1. DATA:  We simply don’t have the data on the locations of useable fresh water on the planet to develop a feasible water management system.
2. DELIVERY:  Most fresh water is not located where the people need it and transporting water (due to weight) is really expensive.
3. DESALINIVATION:  We need a less expensive process for gaining salt water access for our fresh water needs.  It is very expensive and energy intensive to take out the salt.

 

The war strategy is simple, find it, deliver it, and make more of it by accessing our 97% ocean reserves.  The process of creating this solution will be incredibly difficult.  Simple vs. Easy.  Removing complexity is the goal.  Creating simple models allows us to understand.  The effort will NEVER be small, but by understanding the issue we can develop the actionable items to make it a reality. 

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

MOVIES:     Last week my youngest son, Colin, was in town and we went and saw the new Adam Sandler movie, Zohan.  OUCH!

Try the new Incredible Hulk movie with the great Edward Norton.  Forget about the disaster of the previous movie, this one will ROCK.

 

NetFlix Fans:  4 Rooms –   OK, this is a really odd and weird little movie with four unconnected stories, each a little stranger than the first. 

 

TV:    Though not a golfer, I am a golf fan, especially the Slams.  This weekend is the US Open and its high drama with a little dimpled ball!

 

BOOKS:  Nothing To Loose – by Lee Child.  Child brings back one of the best figures in action writing with the return of Jack Reacher.  Child was in Dallas on his book release tour and I heard him speak on Monday.  As a student of creativity I am always interested in the process of writing.  He was fantastic and spoke for 30 minutes then answered questions for 45 minutes before signing books.

 

MUSIC:  I was in a store when a classic rock song came on over the store speakers.  I asked the clerk (about 20 years old) if she knew who was singing.  When she said; “I love this song but have no idea who it is”, I thought I would post their tune.  The Kinks are the longest performing rock band in music and their classic LOLA is now muszak!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMsnqQHOwFg

 

 

WEB SITES:   Good site to get you on the road to writing something yourself.

 

http://www.ncistudent.net/StudySkills/WritingSkills/Introduction.htm

 

SOUTH OF NORMAL

It sure is depressing to watch the economic news these days.  The market starts to gain a little momentum and then takes huge hits as oil prices skyrocket and inflation rears its ugly head.  Then another shot from the sub-prime disaster and it’s let’s put our money under our bed!  But the economy is kind of like the weather, you have to see a slightly bigger picture than yesterday to understand things.  Here are a few facts that will really sound South of Normal:

• We are living in the greatest period of prosperity in human history.
• The average economic growth in the US has been positive for the last 25 years and for most of the period the rate of growth has accelerated.
• In 1982 the nations total economic output was $5.1 trillion, last year it was $11.3 trillion (in real 2000 dollars). 
• The average unemployment rate in the 1970’s was nearly 7%.  It has been declining nearly every decade and has remained below 5% since 2003.
• The service sector of the economy has been on fire!  It has grown from $1 trillion in 1982 to $5.5 trillion in 2006.
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average began the 1980’s at 825 and despite its recent declines remains above 12,000.  That’s a 1400% increase.

 

Despite the horrible ups and downs of today’s economic indicators, the big picture shows we live in positive times.

 

“Are you calling my name, down the long road?”

Cliff Eberhart

 

Drop me a note with your comments at creativeventures@nova1.com.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.

 

 

 

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

 

IN OUR WORLD

 

A full week in town,  I had a very distinct and organized plan to get some major projects done, but it’s funny how plans that you think will yield a determined result kind of get lost in the spontaneous nature of a chaotic world. 

 

Chris Ryan, my business manager started lining up work faster than you can blink and BAM – the weeks plan lay in ruin and new ideas full of potential were getting ready to launch.  Sooooo, it was up at 3:00 AM every day to make things happen.  I’m a little tired but full of new energy.

 

Next week I have three major presentations and on Monday night, one of my favorite authors in the world, Lee Child is coming to town! 

 

I have one of those weird jobs where I can’t wait for Monday!

 

ANNOUNCEMENT:  On July 15 I will be hosting a full day CREATIVE VENTURES learning experience that will be open to the public.  The day will be devoted to a multimedia, interactive workshop teaching the two core skill sets that everyone needs to be successful – the ability to communicate and the ability to think.  MARK YOUR CALENDAR.  What a great early response, THANKS!  This program is filling up, so to get a seat contact Chris Ryan at cryan@paradigm.com or give him a call at 214-697-2700.

 

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

The idea of innovation often gets thrown into the development of technology and new ideas, but some of my favorite examples come from the courage to move an existing idea to a new place by a creative surge.

 

The Boisset Family Winery, the 3^rd largest in France, was looking for the opportunity to tap into the continued explosion of wine sales in the United States:

 

• US wine consumption topped 300 million cases in 2007.
• The largest growth is in the 21 – 31 year old demographic with explosive growth in the $12 to $15 per bottle range.
• 70% of all wine is consumed on the same day of the purchase.

 

They were looking for innovative methods to capitalize on casual wine sales.

 

Enter French Rabbit (http://www.frenchrabbit.com/ ) a wine that breaks the existing tradition of a bottled delivery.  They use a special Tetra Pak, basically a cardboard container with a metal finish.  It is one of the most innovative packaging solutions to deliver a specific product to a specific demographic group, plus it’s a huge benefit to the environment.

 

• 40% of the total weight of wine is in the bottle where the Tetra Pak is only 4%.
• To move the same amount of wine in bottles would take 28 trucks where Tetra Paks reduce it to ONE!
• A 1 liter carton gives customers 33% more wine
• The carbon footprint of a Tetra Pak is 10 X smaller than glass.

 

It will be an interesting case study to watch.  Check out the web site.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

MOVIES:     This may surprise you, but I’m not a Sex in the City fan and with Laura involved in a huge Yoga retreat, there is nothing out there that attracts me to the movies this weekend.

 

NetFlix Fans:  High Fidelity –   A clever and quirky little comedy with John Cusack.

 

TV:    Try In Plain Site, the new series from USA on Sunday nights.  All about the witness relocation program.

 

BOOKS:  Sway; The irresistible pull of irrational behavior by Brafman & Brafman.  This book really interests me as I, like you, see irrational behavior all the damn time!  I would love to figure out what those folks are thinking!

 

MUSIC:  I was watching the documentary Don’t Look Back about Bob Dylan’s first tour of England.  There was this scene typical of a musicians jam session.  The British singer Donovan did a nice little song, but then the guitar passed to the 23 year old Dylan and he sang an inspired version of It’s All Over Now Baby Blue and everyone in the room stopped dead in their tracks.  I imagined all of them thought – WOW, Damn, what he is doing is not what I am doing!  Here is the version he delivered that night in concert.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E06SoECIp1U

 

 

WEB SITES:   Looking to keep your innovation chops going.  Check this out!

 

http://futurethinktank.com/?gclid=CIiYqIqn3pMCFRKpxgodLB16WQ

SOUTH OF NORMAL

In the war to save the environment, battles wage on every front.  Wired Magazine (one of my all time favorites) did a really South of Normal article in their June 08 (15^th Anniversary Issue) about the way the media has us thinking about the green movement and some radically different thoughts we need to start paying attention to:

• LIVE IN CITIES:  1 reason, the wonderful wilderness has no mass transit!  The average household can reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% by taking mass transit.
• AIR CONDITIONING IS OK:  That guy chopping wood to keep his mountain cabin warm in the winter is more harmful than the guy keeping his Las Vegas condo cool.  There is an 8 X greater factor of the release of CO2 caused by heating a home than by cooling a home!
• HYBRIDS MIGHT NOT BE THE LONG TERM CAR ANSWER:  Pound for pound making a Prius contributes more carbon to the atmosphere than making a Hummer, due to the nickel battery.  A Prius would have to travel 100k miles to achieve the carbon savings from driving a 1998 Tercel.

This is a really interesting article!

 

“Are you crying like a fire in the sun?”

Bob Dylan

 

Drop me a note with your comments at creativeventures@nova1.com.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.