Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .
IN OUR WORLD
Due to an unexpected trip I am coming to you from the windy city of Chicago. It pays to keep a bag packed when you are in my business!
This was a really good week of productive work:
- Personal Branding Project: I got a big jump on getting ready for the debut of this program by designing the communication plan. My client has fully committed to making this project its #1 sales priority. When you are involved in a huge “change” initiative, communication is a core element and needs a simple, impactful and CONSISTENT plan. It will become the heartbeat of the project.
- Repeatable Successful Acts: This is my most active strategic platform and almost always begins in presentation mode. The problem with that is that every client wants to allocate a different amount of time to the launch presentation requiring me to have about 6 different length programs. I just finished a 45 minute version.
- Program Revision: Getting stale and lazy can be a real problem in what I do. I know the impact of my presentations, education and application models, so it would be easy to keep doing the same stuff. Hey, it works so stick with it. The problem is that new ideas are springing up all the time and I track them through my “idea journals”. I then go back and add or delete content, or create new programs based around these new ideas. This week I revised both my interpersonal communications and the presentation skills workshops. A new fresh version for each.
Next week I am in the studio with my talented videographer to shoot some short Creative Ventures videos!
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AND ON FACEBOOK – STEPHEN HARVILL!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
I spend most of my time in the business process of “thoughtful reduction”, a methodology of thinking and planning that allows me to simplify complex issues. This discipline has given me a world view that impacts virtually everything I do.
There is a simultaneously love and hate that goes on with the relationship between complexity and simplicity creating an odd and dynamic playing field. When thoughtful reduction is introduced to a client either in presentation or meeting format there is an almost natural engagement that occurs. People intuitively know that a simple, powerful and elegant plan has a strong chance of success than a traditional multi-layered approach to a problem. The big issue is not engagement of the idea; it’s the application of that engagement on a consistent basis that becomes the problem. We are drawn to complexity and the model of more is better.
I am getting ready to introduce a thoughtfully reduced plan for a company wide initiative that will require my client to both think and behave differently. It is no secret to them this will be a HUGE endeavor and will require a level of rugged determination conscious in every aspect of the job. This thinking discipline is evident in a wide range of companies showing huge success in a world of rapid and chaotic change. In fact, the “philosophy” of simplicity the primary weapon in a war of “what the hell do I do next”. Here are a couple of examples:
- ALDI GROCERY STORES: (http://www.aldi.us/index_ENU_HTML.htm ): These simplified stores feature mostly generic brands at super discounted prices. The stores feature clean, wide aisles limited selections that simplify choices.
- FLIP VIDEO RECORDER: (www.theflip.com ) Feeding the insatiable appetite for immediacy that is the cornerstone of YouTube, this ultra compact and simple to use video recorder is the essence of simple. It is revolutionizing the “raw” video market and turning anyone into a camera man.
- ANTS EYE VIEW: (www.antseyeview.com ) my good friend Ben McConnell’s social media and web bases strategy firm has a web site that is a good example of the minimalist movement of simple and clean design.
Your world is waiting for you to learn a new way to think that will bring you applications of brilliance that will drive your business. LEARN to simplify.
ENTERTAINMENT
MOVIES: Green Zone: Matt Damon is one of my favorite actors and this will be a great escape this weekend. By the way, I LOVED Alice in Wonderland!
NetFlix Fans: 13 Days: This is a great dramatized version of the Cuban missile crisis.
TV: Set your DVR to capture Man vs. Food. This is a hilarious show about a guy that takes all those food challenges that restaurants offer – eat a 72 oz. steak in an hour and win a t-shirt type thing. It is on the Travel Network.
BOOKS: Start with Why – Sinek: Good read on taking a new perspective on viewing what your company does.
MUSIC: Laura and I were invited to a charity event this week and we got to see the Pointer Sisters perform. Man, those babe’s are still rockin! This brought an audience of mostly old white folks (me included!) to their feet!!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNypedXSSlo
WEB SITES: Great media stuff.
http://blogof.francescomugnai.com/2009/07/40-exceptionally-well-designed-iphone-app-websites/
SOUTH OF NORMAL
Observations from the Academy Awards:
- My little movie list did great! Eight of my TOP 10 were nominated for some type of Oscar with 6 being in the Best Picture category!
- All documentaries are made about incredibly depressing subjects.
- All non-fiction short story films are made about incredibly depressing subjects.
- People should spend a few moments thinking about what they might say should they win an award for which they are nominated.
- For some reason, I wanted Sandra Bullock to win more than anyone else. I just like her.
- There were 65 jokes made a George Clooney’s expense.
- Where the hell was Jack Nicholson?
Drop me a note with your comments at steve@creativeventures.com
Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.
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