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Are you failing?

December 28, 2012 in Company Culture, Tools with 6 Comments

http://www.dreamstime.com/-image16068887Over the years of connectedness I have made friends with many entrepreneurs and enjoyed the services and products of their startups, films, gadgets and writings. Some of those startups are now thriving businesses or part of larger companies through buy-outs. Some, did not make it.

Yesterday I was doing some end of the year house cleaning on the blog. One thing I had put off was fixing all the broken links that have inevitably show up after writing for 5 years (by the way here is a great tutorial showing how I did that). What I did not expect was to be reminded of those great ideas that just did not make it. Tools like Forecast or Whrrl had gone by the wayside. There were more but these two seemed to sting the most since they were ones I really enjoyed.

I am glad they tried though. I also know the great folks behind them will not stop trying.

I had a great conversation yesterday with a good friend about failure. A trusted mentor had told him recently that if he was not failing at least a couple times a month his business was just not experimenting, risking or trying hard enough.

So, are you failing?

I look forward to trying your beta app, your cool new Kickstarter gadget or reading that blog you have always wanted to start.

Go ahead and leave a link telling me what you are risking to start. I can’t wait to see them. Better yet add it too my open list I created here.

Oh, and for a bonus, Johnny Leckie wrote a really good post last night on a similar topic. Check it out.

Friends or Professionals?

July 17, 2012 in Company Culture, Connecting, Social Networking with 2 Comments

Yesterday I was having dinner with a few people, one of which was Chris Skaggs. He was getting to know my friend, cinematographer Sean Brown. We had just finished a full day shoot for a Kickstarter film. Chris asked me if Sean and I knew each other as professionals or friends? I asked if there was really a difference. Chris replied, “for you there isn’t. But that isn’t normal.”

I am still wondering why that is. Yes, I am one of those super connectors. Every personality I have taken indicates it. I constantly make new friends and connect others. I easily become friends with those I do business with. But why doesn’t everyone? Is it because most people want to keep a dividing wall between work and private life? Is it because they hate their jobs? Do they not want to have leaks between the two?

I have been there before. I understand that. But even in jobs that were not well fitted for me I felt a pull to become close friends with co-workers and clients. Part of it comes down to personality. But I do think there is something deeper going on here.

I think it is ultimately because we all make comfortable establishments against anxiety and change. We do this in all the sectors of our lives. In many ways these structures allow us to be different people in specific situations. It feels safe. Getting to know more people in a deeper way, many of them in our professional lives, destroys those barriers we have so carefully built. People challenge or disrupt comforts or assumptions we have made about ourselves and the world.

So what about you? If you were to survey your friends, professional colleagues, co-workers and clients, would they be the same people or completely different groups? Why or why not?

Disruption

May 21, 2012 in Company Culture, Connecting with 5 Comments

Disruption has always fascinated me. As a kid like many, I loved disaster movies. I think my favorite was The Towering Inferno, a horrible iconic 70’s movie about a skyscraper catching fire and of course loss of life, selfish human behavior and of course heroism. Wow, that movie really seems morbid now in the post 9-11 world. But my point is that disruption is a constant part of our lives and I think it is for the good. I think this is why Lost continues to be so popular. It is ultimately about the disruption of all those characters and the telling of their back stories.

We are constantly provided chances to either embrace or avoid disruption but like a new favorite quote I read recently, “it is better to disrupt oneself before someone else disrupts us.” (please let me know if you know who said this.)

Why am I writing about this topic on a site about connection, communication and influence? I find I have the most to offer when I am daily inviting it into my life. I rarely have significant things to share or contribute on the days I seek out comfort and stability. My posts and communication become about me and not others. I atrophy.

Dangerous IntersectionI am trying to make it a practice to visit a monastery near my house to get in some personal retreats a couple of times a week. They have these great forest trails throughout the nearly two thousand acres of property. On one of my first visits I noticed that many of their road and path intersections are signs saying “dangerous intersection”. As I thought about these signs I realized that yes, there were obvious physical circumstances like blind corners and such on the grounds but most of all I think these signs stated the obvious of a life of constant growth, breakthrough and trial. My wife’s brother has been part of another monastic order for nearly a decade now and he has shared many stories of transformation. Many of them were marked by initial disruption to habits, assumptions and patterns in his life.

Instead of covering this in one post I am going to explore it through at least three. My initial idea is to write about physical, cultural and personal disruption but depending on your comments, those might change. So please share any disruptive stories, advice, and wisdom. I imagine this will be a comical, deepening and interesting exploration.

The Series-

-Disruption and Positive Change
-Disruptive People

Entrepreneur or Employee?

May 1, 2012 in Company Culture, Rants with 17 Comments

It was two years ago this upcoming fall that a mentor challenged me with the statement “you are not acting like an entrepreneur”. It really torqued me because I was still living in an employee mindset. At the time I was a consultant and early founding member of my current company but had not yet left my job of nearly a decade. I had completely changed my career but I was still struggling with the balance of risk vs. comfort, the risk of startup life and the seemingly safe comfort as an employee.

This past week my friends and co-directors at Soma Games and Code-Monkeys were hanging out at our local bookstore. One of us noticed this crazy collection of books on the shelf (see photo). The titles were ironically placed: Automatic Millionaire, Investing for Dummies, At the Bar, Go Down Together and Debt Proof Living. Wow, could there be a funnier group of books to face a team of entrepreneurs? As a team we have seen success, challenge, and at times even faced possible annihilation. The latter two would have broken me two years ago. What has changed for me is state of mind.

I no longer pay much attention to complaints without solutions, watch the clock or live in an anxiety driven day. Yes I still dip into those categories but I quickly realize I have a choice.

I think the greatest thing that has to die continually for me is self-preservation. There is a clip I show when speaking to men that sums it up pretty well. In the true story of E Company in World War II, better known as the Band of Brothers, one of the privates admitted that instead of fighting on D-Day he gathered his parachute and hid till the battle was over. A while later as he is wallowing in his cowardly state on the front line he encounters Lt. Spears. Spears tells him he hid in the ditch not because he was scared but because he thought there was still hope.

I love that scene because it speaks so strongly to our struggle with self preservation and how easily we fall into a victim role. I see it all around me in marriages, schools, businesses and churches. We expect to be hand fed. If things get tough we abandon instead of owning our own roles in the situation. We act like slaves instead of linchpins. We hesitate instead of moving forward in confidence. On our own we all lack dependability. The only dependable thing we have in life is God.

I have chosen to act like an entrepreneur in every area of my life. In my marriage I choose to love with abandon. I own up to my constant struggle between comfort and security. In my business I am assessing my own role in both its successes and failures. I believe this is available to everyone in any situation. Even if we live in slavery we still have control of our outlook and mindset. We always have choices.

No way to compliment

January 20, 2012 in Company Culture, Connecting, Customer Service, Rants, Tools with 4 Comments

This week I had a great customer service experience while arranging for my warranty covered notebook to be repaired. That is not what prompted this post though. The reason I am writing this resulted to from the response the rep gave to a question at the end of our online chat.  I was a happy customer. My computer was going to be fixed and returned free of charge in 7-9 days. The rep had answered all my questions, was polite, and most of all human in their communication. As a result, I wanted to give them a shout out.  I asked how best I could do that via Twitter, Facebook or Google Plus.  The response was frustrating.  They told me that I should expect a survey shortly and I could reflect my satisfaction by filling it out. Ok, wow. I hate filling out surveys.  Likely it will in no way help out the rep that gave me stellar service.

This was not the fault of the rep.  As company leaders we have broken systems. The bigger the company the more broken they are.  What I understood from the end of my chat was that there was no way for a customer to compliment them. The rep had no channel or tool outside of a boring survey to give to a happy customer.  With engagement being the currency of today’s business economy HP appeared bankrupt. Unlike the rep I know that they could have said the following:

Oh, that is great?  Yes we have a Facebook page located at http://www.facebook.com/HP or you can mention this on Twiiter. Our twitter account is https://twitter.com//hp.  We are just starting out on Google Plus but you can engage there as well.

Everyone is learning in this ever changing social space. Customer service reps are the front line heroes.  If you have the power give them some as well.  Hire employees you trust and give them flexibility to engage as well as the training to do it well.

What if Churchill never spoke?

January 5, 2012 in Company Culture, Rants with 0 Comments

Times are rough.  Companies are struggling to make it.  Startups come and go. Wars are being fought all over the world and often the battle wether it be for your life, health or business can seem hopeless.

But the truth is it is not hopeless.  My favorite battle victory stories are the ones where the odds seemed impossible.  But history tells us they were not. In fact all of those battles had a strong leader that lead with resolve, inspiration and hope.

Churchill gave three pivotal speeches during World War II but my favorite has been most commonly referred to as the “We will Fight on the Beaches” given to the House of Commons in Parliament June 4th 1940.  In that speech he had to do three things;  To announce what he deemed a “colossal military disaster” in France and Belgium, make England and the rest of the free world aware of how dire the situation was with Hilters real threat of invading the British Isles, and third (and I would say most importantly) inspire great confidence and resolve in winning the coming battle.  Here is an excerpt from that speech that most inspires me:

We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the new world, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old. (I encourage you to listen to the speech in whole via the Guardian)

So a leaders communication can mean everything to those facing a hard time.  That is why Churchill, and many other historical greats like him chose to speak.   Yes the battle might seem hopeless and doom may be looming but each of us can communicate in our greatest effort a message that will draw forth the best in those around us. So if given the chance, speak truth. Speak confidence in yours and others strength.  Most of all speak hope.

Saying yes

September 2, 2011 in Company Culture, Connecting, Customer Service, Marketing with 8 Comments

When it comes to customer service, saying yes easily sets you apart. Customer connections can be built by being a problem solver.

This summer I was on a short road trip with my family. We had just purchased a car for my wife and were enjoying our first trip. About two hours into our journey we started to hear a vibration noise. Sure enough as we pulled into a rest area another traveler alerted to something dragging under the front of the vehicle. A close inspection revealed that the noise plate screws under the engine had loosened, causing it to drag. While it was not a dangerous situation we still wanted to make sure we could get it fixed before we continued. I decided to drive another 15 miles to the nearest town, since there was no clearance under the vehicle for me to fix it myself.

Call it conditioning or just good marketing, I first thought of the tire sales and service chain Les Schwab. For as long as I can remember they have been known for running out to meet you with a helpful mindset. If they could not fix your roadside issue they would quickly call someone to arrange a solution. Never would they leave you in a bind. They have always been known for their yes, at least they used to be.

As we pulled into the parking lot I knew we were in for a different experience. No one ran out to great us.  Walking into the lobby I got a obligatory look from the woman tending the counter.  As I began to explain my problem the manager standing near by over heard and simply told me there was nothing they could do.  He explained they were too busy and didn’t have the right tools.  He even told me they had no duct tape.  I then gave him another chance and asked if he knew of a shop he could refer. Again he said “no”.  I have heard their service had gone down hill but this was pretty bad.

From where I stood I could see an auto service shop across the street. Knowing I was not going to have help at Les Schwab I decided to give the other business a try.  The shop appeared to be busy as well but the service employee outside said he thought they could help. Going inside I again explained my problem. They were indeed busy and had no one handy to help.  What was great though was the owner handed me a roll of duct tape and said I was welcome to use the parking lot.  As I walked back out to the car the customer service woman ran out and motioned for me to drive around back.  As I pulled around to the back of the shop she guided me to the car lift where I could prop the front up enough to work on the plate.  The car easily now had enough room to secure the plate.  They had succeeded in helping us get back on the road.  It all came down to a simple “yes, we can help”.

I don’t care what your business is, no should be a last resort.  People ask our business all the time for services we don’t offer.  We always direct them to someone who can help.  The simple act of loaning me duct tape guaranteed I will always remember them. I have already told many about their act of kindness. I have spent thousands of dollars at Les Schwab and none at Kelly’s Auto Service. To them it didn’t matter, they just said yes.

Chained Together

August 24, 2011 in Company Culture, Connecting with 0 Comments

This week my wife Kristine was telling me how much she enjoyed the animated film Rio.  It was a cute love story, but I was curious why she liked it so much since she is not greatly fond of children’s movies.  Her response surprised me. “Because they were chained together.“  The two macaws, a female from the jungle and a pet from mini-soda, find themselves linked through all of the adventures with a chain placed on them by their captors. The chain forces them to coordinate walking, climbing and even flying.  They are opposites in every way and only grow in friendship (and eventual love) through trial and effort in aiding each other in survival.

We have been married for almost fifteen years.  We are very different. The chains that bind us are many, and the commitment we have for each other has created in us a similar bond.

Many relationships occur in a similar fashion as the two birds in “Rio”.  We are thrown together as co-workers, clients, or collaborators.  Events can link us.  Our very survival can depend on how we operate.  The outcome is usually surprising.  Is it the forced mutual sacrifice? Is it the fact that we have to slow down and think of someone else?  I find that some of the best connections and the best friends have not been people I have chosen, but the ones I have found myself chained to for a period of time.  And even if we choose relationships, as we do in a marriage, obligations, commitments, and even adversity can strengthen our friendship as we work to overcome them together.

On a similar topic, another post that might interest you is Accountability Partner or Trench Mate: Whatever you call them, you need them.

Dismissing Others

August 22, 2011 in Company Culture, Connecting, Rants with 11 Comments

I hate seeing others dismissed. I find I do it more than I like myself. Often it results from a gap in understanding someone from a different generation group, profession or point of view. No matter the root, it is a quick way to disconnect ourselves from others. And just like any offense, it is easier to avoid wrongs than mend them later. I see a lot off dismissing, being in an industry that is just beginning to be recognized as both an art form and valid storytelling format. Video games are still seen by many as a waste of time even as they quickly gain ground over movies as the most popular form of entertainment.

Roger Ebert caught my attention in his review of Conan the Barbarian on Friday. In describing what he saw as the movie’s pointless nature, he quipped:

“The movie is a series of violent conflicts. People who despair of convincing me to play video games tell me, “Maybe if you could just watch someone else playing one!” I feel as if I now have.“

In one sentence he dismisses a majority of his readers as violence thirsty gamers. Out of curiosity I dug into his review of the original Conan staring Schwarzenegger. In that review he treats the “alienated preadolescent” audience targeted by the makers with respect. He notes the care the filmmakers took with Robert E. Howard’s original tale. Compared with the new review it seems to be that of an honest movie reviewer. Today he come across jaded and bitter. I agree with much of his current review but I fear he may lose many by isolating a whole demographic.

As I watched the crowd that same Friday at the OMSI Game On 2.0 video game history exhibit, I noticed that people of all ages were enjoying themselves. Grandparents were fully present with grandkids, forty something moms were happily playing old and new games with their sons and daughters. Several twenty something couples were there on dates.

Often there will be a temptation to dismiss someone I disagree with or don’t understand. Regardless, even if I honestly do fall on the opposite sides of an issue, I need to remember that the person is still worth my time and respect.

My own personal Eeyore

May 11, 2011 in Company Culture, Connecting, Rants, Social Networking, Twitter with 6 Comments

When I was little I had a stuffed Eeyore. I loved the toy and I felt a real connection to the character. You see, I was a bit of a complainer, even at an early age. I am not sure if I picked this up along the way or if I was born with a melancholy disposition. As I have come to terms with this I think the former is probably the truest. Misery loves company and Eeyore seems to attract plenty of it even if that crowd often thinks we are obnoxious. One day I realized that this was miserable to be around. I began to dive into the reasons I had to complain and go after ways to either change my attitude or my life. We all have due cause to complain about something after all. I realized I could change more than I thought.

Add in social media and platforms for anyone to express themselves through blogs, podcast, YouTube and we have an overexposure of the uglies. It begins with feeling camaraderie with others who are complaining, but then quickly turns in to one big downer. I am not proposing that people should never have an opportunity to share their hurts to find support. However, I am challenging people to turn around and see how others are impacted by your outlook. Who wants to be around someone who constantly is complaining? And yes I have those days that I still sigh a lot (A former co-worker never believed me when I said I was just needing more oxygen those days). But I find I have much better connection with people when I can optimistically take on my day.

This post was first inspired by Gini Dietrich’s post on SpinSucks and by her link to Peter Bergmans post in The Harvard Business Review, both excellent read on the subject.

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