Week of June 9, 2008

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!

 

 

 

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

 

 

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.