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Week of September 29, 2008

Home / Blog / Week of September 29, 2008

October 4, 2008 By Stephen Harvill Leave a Comment

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

 

IN OUR WORLD

 

Yes, I know I am late in  posting and thanks for all the emails wondering what happened, including the one from New Zealand (apparently I’m big “down under), but maybe you will give me a break when you see what my schedule has been like.

 

What a crazy week.  I am in beautiful San Francisco (my favorite city in America to visit) where today I will be finishing a marathon week by holding a full day education session on Presentation Skills.  Here is a taste of my insanity:

 

  • Sunday – Flew to Los Angeles for a Monday morning meeting.
  • Monday – Full day meeting then catch a flight that put me back in Dallas at Midnight.
  • Tuesday – Full day planning session with a client.
  • Thursday – 8:00 AM keynote presentation, 9:30 AM jump in limo to get me to DFW Airport to catch a 10:30 AM flight to San Francisco (pray that flight leaves on time), arrive San Francisco at 12:40 PM, jump in limo to whisk me to the venue for a 2:30 PM keynote presentation, 6:00 PM client event (cruise on the bay).
  • Now it’s Friday and I have an all day seminar!

 

Ah, the glory of fame!

 

The October Newsletter is out.  Let me know if you need a copy.

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

 

 

The past two weeks have exposed me to a wide variety of clients in just as wide a range of businesses and I continue to discover a major issue in the obvious lack of adequate planning that goes into projects.  Now I am not advocating thinking issues to death, but it appears in these uncertain times desperation is driving decision making.  Speed is taking the lead over thinking.  A FIRE, AIM. READY mentality is dominating the business playing field.

 

Planning is one of the most essential skill sets you can bring to any issue.  It involves strategy, momentum and thinking.   Here are a few hints to get started:

 

  • SEE THE ISSUE:  In order for the brain to get its arms around an issue, it needs to see the issue.  Invest in whiteboards and flipcharts.  Write out the issue and all your ideas.  This allows a high level of engagement.
  • IT’S REALLY IN PIECES:  To plan properly you have to see a project as a sum of pieces.  By dividing, you can see the BIG PICTURE and know what the path of impact is.
  • DELEGATE AND DEVELOP ACCOUNTABILITY:  Once the path of action is embarked upon make sure the work load is carried by the right people.  Though teams can make things happen, accountability is all about ONE person.  Team leaders become the lynch pin for the projects success.  There is always ONE go to person.
  • THE THREE:  For you regular readers you know what’s coming – Yep, NEVER have a piece of the plan that is more than three parts.  The rule of Elegant Simplicity is always in play – NEVER MORE THAN THREE!

 

Plan and discover success!

 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

MOVIES:  Miracle at St. Annes:   Though not a huge Spike Lee fan his last film INSIDE MAN, was a huge hit with me and it made me want to head out to the theater to see this one!

 

NetFlix Fans:  IRON MAN –   This is my second favorite movie of the year!

 

TV:    Since the road has been my home I’ve been watching a few of the shows which I have found pretty cool.  Try The 11th Hour a great new science/cop show and the new season of Life with the return of a quirky detective.  I wish I could tell you when these were on, but I have been in so many time zones I have no idea!

 

BOOKS:  Iconoclast– by Berns.  I know I have recommended it before, but it bears another shot for you who didn’t pull the trigger.

 

MUSIC:   The great Earl Klugh, whose music has helped through the stress of the road!

 

 

WEB SITES:   Inspired by Earl Klugh and want to learn the guitar?  Try this web site:                                      

 

 

http://www.mahalo.com/How_to_Play_Guitar_for_Newbies  

 

SOUTH OF NORMAL

Investors fear rages higher – International airfare soars – Asian markets tumble

Sound familiar?  Geez, if you allow the media to dictate your view of the world, the line at the edge of cliff will simply get longer and longer.

Book mark this site.  It will even out  your perspective!

 

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

 

 

Aint no use to sit and wonder why babe

It don’t matter any how.

Bob Dylan

 

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