Down here for a series of meetings and to get some time with my oldest son, Dylan. 

So much going on that my head is spinning.  I have a major proposal out for a complete organizational restructure and another out to organize and simplify an effort to create a completely new marketing plan.  I have new educational offerings in communication and thinking to customize for two clients and a pro-bono project for a

I love the pace, the challenge of getting things done, the changing types of companies and the great people I get to work with! 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 

Never before have we lived in a time where doing nothing can cause so much trouble.  Even in sinking markets many organizations believe the “hunker down” strategy is the best call.  WRONG!  These times require doing.  Almost every organization I am honored to be involved with is transforming some aspect of their business.  Why?  They are trying to get ready for a business world that will be radically different than their reality today.  A world where the purchase of any item or product will receive a higher level of scrutiny that in the past.  A market that will look first to the relationships it trusts.  A business climate where your story, what separates you, how you provide service will become as important as your service or product. 

The problem with many is that they are frozen in step with their past.  They are “surfing” the market equity they created yesterday.  Now this wave may carry them on a good ride, but just like the oceans energy, it will crash on some business shore leaving them without the NEXT ride (hey, as an ex-surfer I work hard to throw these metaphors in!).  Many simply don’t know what to do.  Don’t be surprised, when you deal only in your environment you often can’t see beyond the walls of what you do.  This is the Creative Ventures Law of “DON’T ASK THE FISH ABOUT THE WATER”.  So, what should you do?  Here is a simple idea: 

• Identify one aspect of your business that has direct contact with the customer.  If you deal with a ton of walk-in business it can be the receptionist, maybe you are in retail and have floor personnel, maybe it’s your sales force.  Pick ONE.
• Draw up an IMPACT LIST.  This is a simple list that compiles every opportunity that one customer contact has to further connect your organization to them.  Can they ask for their contact information, can they gently up-sell, can they develop a more friendly attitude, is there a chance for them to tell the organizational story? 
• Find the areas that you can CHANGE that will increase the REAL impact of the interactions.  That will create a relationship with the customer.

This simple task will start you thinking CHANGE.  It will allow you to begin to see the incredible opportunity that exists in every customer/client contact.  More important, it is a right step in DOING! 

ENTERTAINMENT 

MOVIES:    I received a lot of email from people wanting to know what I thought of the Academy Awards show.  I really liked it.  Here are some quick hits:

• I was really impressed with Hugh Jackman – very talented.
• Loved having past winners come out to speak to each nominated actor.
• I was disappointed when presenters (Ben Stiller) thought the session was about them.  I love a little comedy and show, but heck, it is really about the winner.
• I did not see MILK, but even though I don’t like Sean Penn, I respect his acting chops.  I hoped Mickey Rourke would win.
• Once again my theory of having Nazi’s and a suicide will sway the Academy every time.
• Action movies never get their due.  Maybe a Nazi / Suicide action movie would win?
• Slumdog was a worthy winner.
• How in the hell did they leave out Springsteen’s song, The Wrestler?????
• Overall – really liked it!

NetFlix Fans:  Devil in a Blue Dress:  Great little mystery with Denzel Washington. 

TV:    Not much new going on as I continue the application of capital TV punishment as American Idol is getting a lot of wife play.    

BOOKS:  The Words

MUSIC:   I’ve been working on some Beatles tunes lately and stumbled upon this fantastic McCartney version of Yesterday from the post 9-11 concert for

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

WEB SITES:   This is one of the web sites I have been using for research on a project that

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln.html    

SOUTH OF

I have a session on how to “think value add” when looking at creating client strategies that separate and differentiate you in shrinking markets where your service or product is commoditized.  It’s not about how you think; it’s about how your clients think.  Then tomorrow I am honored to do the keynote and closing address to client sponsored event for over 1000 attendees. 

In the past couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to present using new technology that opened the delivery of my content to worldwide audiences while never leaving

Now these new methods will never replace the impact of being somewhere in person, but they will be a new strategy for economically delivering to distant audiences. 

Next week it’s off to

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 

We live in a world defined by immediacy, where real time has replaced geography in the distribution of ideas, information, culture and impact.  This creates a time unlike any other the world has ever seen.  It challenges the way we think and just as important, the way we act.  It often causes us to loose our focus.  We struggle with where to spend our time so that you can have the greatest impact.   

You read a lot about “customer focused strategies” and the number of organizations that are embarking upon this course of action.  I am involved with three clients looking at new ideas in this arena.   

As you know, I never embark upon any program or strategy that exceeds three steps.  When we can do it two, well, that’s incredible, but when one step can create a strategy, an outcome, it’s the ultimate accomplishment.  Let me share the one step starting point for “customer focused strategies”: 

1. INVOLVE THE CUSTOMER

Yep, that’s it.  I was shocked to attend a planning session where some really smart people were exchanging ideas about value added programs.  When I asked what the customer really wants, what would they find of value, they did not hesitate with strong opinions based on their interactions with a loyal and strong customer base.  When I asked how they really knew that, there was a small hesitation, just enough for me to know they have not really ASKED their customers.  They had not planned a meeting with customers.  They had not really taken to heart the idea of CUSTOMER CENTRIC involving the CUSTOMER in planning. 

You can spend no better energy than focusing on your customers in a tough market, but do it in a strategy of enrollment, where the customer IS the center of the strategy. 

ENTERTAINMENT 

MOVIES:    Nothing out there to take me to the theater! 

NetFlix Fans:  Cannery Row:  This is one of Laura’s absolute favorite films, EVER.  It is now on DVD and tells a combination of stories by John Steinbeck.  It is a wonderful little tale and should be on everyone’s rental list. 

TV:    Thank God for DVR’s as season ending episodes of Monk and Psyche (I was working out last week in

BOOKS:  In Search of the Obvious – By Jack Trout, check this out, a marvelous read. 

MUSIC:   Nanci Griffith and John Prine singing The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness – Just plain fantastic! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KmfjWBulic  

WEB SITES:   Here is a look at how TV and the internet are blending together. 

http://www.usanetwork.com/series/burnnotice/   

SOUTH OF

You’re out there running just to be on the run.John Prine 

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

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

I spent most of my time working on the goal setting process I designed and doing some skill building presentations on communication and core planning skills. 

I am almost done with the second major revision to the Repeatable Successful Acts platform, adding the key element of WHY CLIENTS BUY to the content.  These are repeated habits of BUYERS and I will show how they mesh with the Repeatable Successful Acts of sellers.  This will provide a whole new dimension to the impact of this behavioral data. 

Next week I have two trips, one to San Antonio and then off to

Great projects, wonderful clients and challenging ideas! 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 

A new project has revived a consistent paradox I run into when dealing with organizational culture.  This inconsistency is a strong challenge to the impact I can have on a system.  The first part of the issue is: 

• Don’t Ask A Fish About The Water:  This is one of the Creative Ventures laws and plays a major role in a lot of my projects.  Being outside a system I can find the strengths and flaws that often are not visible to those who are in the system every day.  The system often creates a false sense of reality.  Couple this with a strong knowledge of organizational dynamics and we create real value for our clients.

But then you have the other issue that creates the paradox: 

• The Observer Effect:  Often spoken about in the world of science in the same sentence as the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.  Bottom line is that by observing a system, you alter the behavior of the system.  For example, if during an interview I ask a question of; “how many times do you check for company update bulletins?” the interviewee will assume they should be doing it all the time and answer; “always”, even though they seldom do.  Or you are observing a manufacturing process and those involved know they are being watched and behave differently than their regular actions.

This paradox necessitates a creative solution so that the data accumulated relating to the project has validity. 

I have developed a number of plans and processes I use to mitigate this paradox, but it is never eliminated. 

This is something to think about as you develop new ideas and modify existing systems.   How has the paradox impacted your data? 

ENTERTAINMENT 

MOVIES:    The International – Clive Owen is one of my favorite actors and this thriller looks really good.  I think Laura might be out on this one.  Maybe a case of “Over-Thriller”   

NetFlix Fans:  State and

Man, I love being busy! 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 

I have had the opportunity recently to start a simplification process for a client.  This is one of our most requested services; “Steve, can you simplify this report, Steve, can you create a simple presentation around this data, Steve, can we work around a simple communication cycle or sales process or division report.” 

This need to see past the organizational clutter becomes imperative in chaotic times.  You need to conserve time and energy to focus them around moving forward.  REMEMBER – all reports are about the PAST.   

Inevitably this project will come down to an understanding of systems and patterns.  It seems humans are instinctively drawn to building systems.  When ever a problem pops up, we build a system.  No matter how simple the system starts, it’s naturally grows and with it comes exponential complexity.  We shy away from solutions in favor of systems.  Face it, when things don’t work, we want to DO SOMETHING.  That something usually takes the form of creating a system of perceived connected pieces to insure the thing that didn’t work will work again. 

Here are a few systems hints to help you take a look at the complexity of your world. 

• The Creative Ventures Law of – “Don’t ask a fish about the water”:  If you are in the system, the system tends to become your reality.  Ask someone OUTSIDE the system to help.
• SEE:  On a white board define a map of the system.  Start at the beginning with the very first step.  It might be a phone call, or a log in to an electronic site.  You have to find the beginning.  Then draw a map of the beginning to the end of the system.  This will give you a visual link.
• SIMPLIFY:  Now, that you can see the system, what pieces do not directly support the desired outcome.  This is a hard part, because you will want to protect the system.  People become caught up in “the way things have always been done”.  It’s a form of situational inertia. 

These three steps will begin to give you an understanding of the system and insight into its patterns. 

ENTERTAINMENT 

MOVIES:    PUSH – Another thriller movie making for another great time at the theater.  The fall and winter serious movies (many were very good) are giving away to an early spring of fun action movies and comedies.   

NetFlix Fans:  The Caveman’s Valentine:  This great little mystery has been making the rounds on the movie channels.  It stars Samuel L Jackson as a homeless former piano prodigy who now lives in a

Some day you will need to take a stand.Bruce Springsteen 

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

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