Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .
IN OUR WORLD
Two projects hit my bandwidth this week.
Earlier this year I developed a new program around the idea of FRAMING; your ability to expand your contributions to your company by increasing your knowledge of new business ideas happening outside of your industry. I have been writing this program for a long time and recently had the chance to give it a test run to a large group of insurance agents. My ever present agent, Chris Ryan, used that opportunity to invite some guests who were considering using my ideas to help their companies find new strategies. Well, the FRAMING idea took off and on Monday I presented the FRAMING idea and its application in a customized two hour program to an elite group of retail leaders.
Today I am coming to you from my new home away from home, Minneapolis. I now have 3 clients here.
On Wednesday I had dinner with people from a new division of my current client who were interested in the application of my educational curriculum and it looks like I might have a new division to work with. Then yesterday I taught Interpersonal Communication skills as the second part of a three part skill enhancement program I designed for sales leaders. Last month I taught THINKING and next month will finish with PLANNING skills.
My pipeline continues to fill with really interesting projects.
I remain honored to be able to share, teach and apply my ideas. Thanks for allowing me to have the best job on the planet!
HEY, YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER –CREATIVEVENTURE
AND ON FACEBOOK – STEPHEN HARVILL!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Once again the economies hits the slow, stop and reverse buttons as everyone continues to look for reasons to amp up the fear factor. OUCH. Despite the trepidation about everything from the impact of the Euro to the decline in consumer spending, companies are still looking at tomorrow, only it’s a very unpredictable and volatile tomorrow.
My new PR person, Darren Horowitz, has been setting up a bunch of interviews for me with publications ranging from the leading business magazine in Canada to the huge internet version of Inc. Magazine. Through these interviews I get a sense of what the business community is thinking. Here are a few “things you should know.”
- IDEAS, IDEAS and IDEAS: Everything from Results Oriented Work Environments (ROWE) where when and how many hours you work becomes insignificant and instead you are judged by the outcome of your work to new internet strategies, companies are actually looking at new ways to do things. This is good news as it shows a future based thinking.
- SKILLS, SKILLS and SKILLS: When fearful of tomorrow look for things you can impact today. Forget about macro issues and look to control those things you CAN control. Companies are picking up investments in training and not just industry specific training, but moving core skill sets of their teams forward. Communication and thinking are the foundation skills I teach and I am seeing a huge bump in education spending. Make your team better to make your client relationships better!
- VALUE, VALUE and VALUE: Companies are asking; what can I do to further becoming the primary customer choice in my field?” This is a critical strategy question and is becoming foundational in business planning. My ONE LEVEL ABOVE (OLA) strategy is perfectly fitted to this strategy as I am taking more and more clients on the mapping process of all of their client experiences. The goal is to discover areas where ONLY ONE NEW SERVICE LEVEL will hugely impact the way a client views their value relationship.
I know the negative aspect of the business folks, but I am actually in the trenches involved in retail, food and beverage, technology, insurance, financial services, pharmaceuticals and though the forward steps are very small, they create motion in the right direction.
ENTERTAINMENT
MOVIES: Takers: This looks kind of interesting and might, just maybe get my theater dollar. A group of criminals gets together every once in a while to plan perfect bank robberies.
NetFlix Fans: Harry Brown: This is a wonderful little British revenge film with the ever present Michael Caine as the man who seeks some justice after his friend is murdered.
TV: Apple is pretty close to allowing Fox to rent its TV shows for .99 on iTunes Keep your eyes out for the new TNT series FALLEN SKIES, produced by Steven Spielberg. It is a sci-fi show about a small group of resistance fighters taking on aliens that have taken over earth. Hey, it’s Spielberg.
BOOKS: Multipliers – McKeown: This is a really interesting about how the smartest person in the room is really the person that knows how to capitalize on the talents of the people in the room. This turns them into production champions.
MUSIC: I’ve been listening to a lot of Van Morrison and those covering his songs. There are tons of covers of Into the Mystic and I love Gary and Marketa’s version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlftisKf8Mc
WEB SITES: Does sci-fi stuff work with real science??
http://www.howstuffworks.com/sci-fi.htm#mkcpgn=kaw1
SOUTH OF NORMAL
This week marks the 200th anniversary of the can. Yep, the can. You know that cylindrical container that houses everything from you chicken noodle soup to your beer. When you think about it the can is one of the huge inventions of our time yet due to its overwhelming commonality it is relegated to the same significance as the fork.
To adequately judge its impact just open you cupboards and pantries. Take a peek in your fridge. Take a walk through a supermarket and you will discover that the can is a BIG player.
There are countless great moments in history for the can ranging from its impact on preserving fruit and veggies to its revolutionary change in the soft drink industry, but clearly the 1978 epic event of Delta Tau Chi fraternity member, John Blutarsky crushing bear cans on his head would have to be at the top of the list.
So, lift a can in a toast to the can.
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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