Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .
IN OUR WORLD
I’m back home from week one of the 17 cities in 7 weeks road show. I started the week in Memphis where the Repeatable Successful Acts sales platform was introduced to two different groups of financial services professionals.
I was whisked away from Memphis for a 3 ½ drive to Nashville where I introduced the RSA platform to a completely different group of sales professionals. A quick change of flights got me home from Nashville a day earlier than expected (thank you American Airlines), giving me an extra day to prepare for next week’s trips that take me from Los Angeles to Orange County to Minneapolis!
The Tennessee road show was a fantastic experience with a tremendous level of acceptance for the RSA idea and its integration into existing sales processes. The people were enthusiastic and as I was presenting I was watching an entire crowd frantically scribbling notes.
Though the schedule seems exhausting, it is really built around a unique form of energy that sustains all the rigors of the road. The energy of new ideas and the value found in their application.
I am looking forward to next week!
If you didn’t get the November newsletter and would like a copy, just drop me a note and I’ll get it to you.
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AND ON FACEBOOK – STEPHEN HARVILL!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
I am ever amazed at the cornucopia of new ideas the hit our planet every day. A week ago I had never heard of the following:
- 37Signal’s new program – Highrise that manages customer relationships. I use their Basecamp for collaborative project management, but this new program is a fantastic idea.
- Expensify – a web based app that aims to simplify how office workers submit expenses.
- Workday – a cloud based human resources and payroll app.
This past week I met with a friend who showed me a new internet based program that has the potential to revolutionize how tennis players use strategy to win matches.
The point being, as humans, we are “idea factories” and our ability to push boundaries and bridge problems is unlimited.
I was recently interviewed by an author working on a book about team dynamics and during the conversation she asked me where my ideas come from. That’s a damn big question! I shared with her a simple tool I use – Idea Journals. I am constantly researching in order to keep up with all my clients and the wide variety of industries I have the honor of working with. When you go from financial services to insurance to food services to technology, you had better know what the hell is going on.
I record ideas, observations and key information in my Idea Journal. My walls are filled with these journals that I have accumulated over the years. When I am working on something new like our team platform – THE CURIOUS CLARITY OF TEAMS, I will go to these idea journals to find support material or ideas to enhance a core concept.
It’s a simple process and here are the steps to get you going:
- Find a notebook you like. I recommend one that has ring or spiral binding. Traditional glue binding makes it hard to write on both sides of a page. Make sure it has good paper that can take an ink pen without bleeding to the other side.
- Keep it handy. This means it can’t be too big or it is a pain to haul around. Keep it on your desk and available as a new idea pops into your gray matter.
- Date each time you enter something. This makes it easier to know how current the piece of info is when you go back and do some review.
- Write and sketch so you can read it. I learned that when I hurry and scribble I often can’t figure out what the hell I wrote.
Give it a try and you will find a great home for your ideas.
ENTERTAINMENT
MOVIES: Due Date: Previews of this kind of remake of Planes, Trains and Automobiles make this movie look hilarious! With the Rangers gone and the Cowboys at a dismal 1-6, it means a return to the weekly movies – Yeah!
NetFlix Fans: Toy Story III: No one and I mean NO ONE tells a better story than Pixar. This third edition of the Woody/Buzz adventures is a tear jerker full of emotion and depth of feelings. Yeah, I know, it’s a cartoon (no it’s not, it’s an animated film!).
TV: I spend tons of time in hotel rooms, so my TV watching is probably bigger and wider than the average person. I have told you about the new Sherlock Holmes (FANTASTIC) and that the new season for the USA shows is getting ready to kick off with Psych and Burn Notice, but take a look at the Fox series Human Target. I think you’ll become a fan. Plus, thank goodness House is back on Monday!!!
BOOKS: American Assassin – Flynn: When I travel I read fiction. It’s fun and entertaining. The past few weeks have been a bonanza for me as some of my favorite authors have new books out. Last week I feasted on Lee Childs latest Jack Reacher adventure and this week I am back with one of the toughest guys in fiction – Mitch Rapp.
MUSIC: I have been learning Springsteen’s Blinded By The Light on the guitar and though the cords are simple the damn lyrics are NOT! So I have been using this fantastic version from VH1’s Storytellers as my primer.
WEB SITES: Want to think like Sherlock Holmes? This is a good starting point.
http://www.wilywalnut.com/sherlock.html
SOUTH OF NORMAL
Thankfully, both my son’s were born pre-SpongeBob Square Pants, but there is no denying his impact;
- Good old SpongeBob has $8 billion in merchandise sales.
- He is broadcast in 171 markets.
- There is 70 million monthly viewers.
- SpongeBob had been 31 with 2-11 year olds for 9 straight years.
- His movie made $140 million!
Good old SpongeBob is a power player!
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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