Rothacker Reviews

Connections to the Land

This post is about value.

Dick Richards, author of Come Gather Round, talks about values that are connected to the land.  Dick was discussing Rosa Say's book, Managing With Aloha and how Rosa also feels this connection to the land.  The spirit and richness of both Rosa and Dick's point of views are treasure-laden.

I too had a sense of connection to the land.  I just didn't know it.

How is it that a person can live for nearly a half-century on this planet and not know something about themselves?  Afterall, who else have they had the pleasure of hanging out with for that length of time?  But that's just life, right?  That part's called learning, right?

To learn.  We learn traditionally from school, books, the Internet, tapes, teachers and so on.  Perhaps we'll garner an interesting fact or we'll learn how to use Excel.  Cool, we get excited and file it away...and hope we can decipher our own filing system when we need to.  I know, I know brothers and sisters, I'm feeling your pain.  What happens however,  when we learn something that we've known all along?  Ecstasy.

The experience of eliciting a connection to a reader might be an author's greatest reward.  "Thank you for putting words to this feeling."  "You know, I've always felt this way, I just didn't have words for it."  In my case, I didn't even know I felt that way.  This is my light source, the part about the value.  Remember, this post was about value, right?

If I had never met Rosa, I might not have read her book and I might not have met Dick Richards.  I surely would not have made the connections between my feelings and the land, the land of my experience and memory.  This is value folks, deep and personal value.  It enters my world from community and communication.  Our connections with each other cannot help but to enhance our connections with the land.

Lisa Haneberg

Congratulations Lisa!

Lisa's book High Impact Middle Management: Solutions for Today's Busy Managers was a recent finalist in the USA Book News Best 2005 Book Awards , Business category.  Dan Pink and his last book A Whole New Mind was also a finalist.  That should tell you about the kind of impact Lisa's book has made on the business community! 

I will being doing a review of Lisa's book within the next month.  I can already tell you now that you need to have H.I.M.M. on your bookshelf.  Here is a quick take, a quick morsel:

You can read Lisa's book, take it to work and use it - today!

But wait, there's more.  If you are a manager at any level, you'd do well to visit Lisa's Management Craft  Web site.  See, management isn't just about writing out a schedule, correcting a wayward employee and doing a yearly review - it's so much more.  Lisa sheds a brilliant light on just how much more it can be!

Are you a professional manager or are you still helping to flip burgers?

Writing Lubricant

I've been working on a couple of pieces that I just can't seem to get right.  Write and then go back and hack out a word.  Write and go back and hack out a sentence.  Write and go hack out a paragraph.  Write and hack out a thought.  Write hack out the title.  Write out the meaning.  Write.

Doesn't it always come back to write?  Sometimes though, it's not that easy.  We can pull out the journal and let our pen flow.  Like a Thanksgiving dinner without mashed taters however, something is missing.  We can muster up our willpower and sit down at the boards.  "Okay boys and girls, one of us is walking out of here and one of us isn't."  Author Julia Cameron says not to try and think something up.  Instead, let it come to you.  Write what wants to be written.  At times this works.  Other times you concur, it's safe to rule out stake-out-artist from your dream jobs list.

Here is an idea that came to me this morning.  Well, came after I went looking that is.  The Phantom Professor conducts an online writing workshop .  She offers a lesson and then encourages her readers to do an exercise.  That the wildly talented Phantom Prof does not brandish steel, to me, is her greatest asset.  So, without fear of two-inch spiked metal rulers whacking our backside, we are free to be free. 

Unless you are under a writing deadline, I simply cannot see how embelishing in the Prof's exercises will not somehow free up the stuck bolts in your mind and lubricate your thoughts.

Postscript:  I wrote a poem in Prof's lesson #7.  It's small, quick and the first one I've written in years.  (it's in the comments section)

Danger Quicksand Have a Nice Day

Have you ever worked for the boss from Hades?  Have you ever been shafted at work?  Do you feel like you're going nowhere at work?  Did you ever think of starting up your own business?  David St Lawrence, in his book, Danger Quicksand-Have a Nice Day , answers these questions and many more just like it.

David worked for fifty years in design and marketing for high tech companies.  His experience reaches out from the book and pulls you in.  His experience saddens, gives one hope and coaches.  It saddens because you feel he has gone through many ugly situations.  It gives hope because now he is doing what he enjoys.  It coaches because David leads the reader from identifying sordid workplace situations to methods of coping or improving one's lot.

Here are my take-aways:

• The workplace is changing faster today than it ever did.  As individuals, we must keep our heads out of the sand.  We need to observe and note what is happening.
• We must take advantage of all learning opportunities at our present jobs.  What skills can we improve upon that we will need in the future?
• Continuously build your support network.
• Maintain your integrity - always
• The future might be Me Inc. - prepare for it.

There is much, much more to David's book.  In fact, so much, it must be sipped.  For this reason I recommend keeping your copy on the bookshelf that is with in arm's length.

Quotes from the book:

There is only one long-term solution.  Every job you take should be part of a plan to equip you for full self-employment.  The ideal jobs are those that prepare you for long-term job security as your own boss.

You should get as much experience as you can running projects, handling finances, purchasing, and dealing with customers in a sales and service capacity.  Being your own boss requires all of these skills and more.

Firefox Extension For Bloggers

Sarah Perez, author of Sarahintampa.com, offers up a very handy copying and pasting tip for us Firefox users. 

Sarah's blog was also recognized by the Tampa Bay Times as one of Tampa Bay's best-read blogs. 

Tampa Bay Area Blogs

TampaBay.com has recognized area bloggers both online  and in their print edition.  Upon arriving in the Tampa Bay area, I immediately checked out the local blog scene.  I found Sticks of Fire in my first search.  Sticks author Tommy Duncan, continually provides fresh insight to the Bay area with what the Tampa Bay Times dubs stinging satirical wit.

Connectors

Dwayne, author of  Genuine Curiousity, states that he'd like to develop skills as a Connector.  I am sure there are as many ways to become a connector as there are ways for a politician to deflect a straight question.  Before I tell you what works when it comes to connecting for me, I'd like to reference something that Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point, says about Connectors.

"What makes someone a Connector?  The first-and most obvious-criterion is that Connectors know lots of people.  They are the kinds of people who know everyone."

Malcolm is personally responsible for bringing an awareness to Connectors via his insanely popular book.  I view myself as a Connector.  When I read Malcolm's first criterion here however, I don't see this person as me.  I see this person as some outwardly gregarious fellow who, at a social event, everyone gravitates towards.  You know, like some Barbie or Ken gliding effortlessly through the hall with their minions scratching and clawing each other for a closer place in line.  Me?  I'm standing against the wall, strapped in tighter than a NASCAR driver.  Well, I used to do that anyhow.  Now I just trail along behind Barbie and Ken and pick up the bodies.

"Wow!  You actually got to talk to Barbie?  I see you're wearing a Slacker Manager Rocks tee shirt.  Have you read Bren's The Secret Art of Managing Your Boss yet?  You have, eh.  What did...?

What Works For Me

I love hooking people up with other people who I think can help them...same goes for books, places and stuff.  In order to hook someone up, I must know something about them.  Now here's the easy part. I just encourage folks to talk about themselves.  For me, it's fun too because I love to hear stories.  Once you do this enough, threads of the conversation will start clicking for you.

"You know Dave, I'm having a problem organizing my management system at work.  Heck, what am I saying?  I don't even have a system.  To make matters worse, I'm very process oriented."

Well, I think it took me all of two seconds to send this person Lisa Haneberg's way.  I knew from reading Lisa's book High Impact Middle Management and hanging around her Management Craft blog, that Lisa would be a tremendous resource.

That's about it.  You don't have to be the life of the party.  You should have a genuine concern to learn about others.  And you should have a desire to help others.

Personal and Outdated

I was nineteen years old and working in a grocery store.  One day I was packing groceries for this hot cashier who I had heard just broke up with her boyfriend. 

"So, what kind of music do you like?  What else do you like?"  I was ripping off the questions.

"I like Black Sabbath and beer." 

With that intell I could now hook her up with any one of my buddies.  NOT.

"Oh Yeah?  You doing anything Saturday night?"

I made that connection thirty years ago.  It's stronger today than it ever was!

 

Little Red Book of Selling

In three weeks the universe’s most evil person would knock on his door. He needed to prepare. Bob had read books on the art of war. Great generals said to study your enemy. So, Bob drove down to the local Borders.

“Can I help you with a book selection?” asked Suzy, a future employee of 800-CEO-READ .

 Bob paused and took in the landscape. There was no one wearing plaid pants, no one wearing excessive gold jewelry and no one running off at the mouth. In a hushed and covert tone he said, “I am looking for books written on sales.”

“You got it, follow me!”

Was it just him, or did Suzy give him one of those better not get too close to this guy, he’s got coodies looks?

The very thought of having Mikey the Carpet Guy out to his house for an estimate had him a nervous wreck. Visions of used car salesmen and appliance slick willies accounted for the recent hair loss and sleepless nights. Maybe, just maybe, if he could learn how they manipulated their prospects he could get through this with his dignity in tact.

“Here we go sir. You’ll surely find something on one of the forty-five shelves in this section. Or if you’d like I could make a recommendation.”

Recommendation? Bob became suspicious. Was Suzy’s last name Sandler or Ziglar? Was she an undercover operative?

“No thank you. I’ll just browse.”

Bob’s stomach was in knots. The problem was worse than he had suspected. The vast selection of books caused him to think there was a whole lot more training on sordid and slimy tactics. For the most part, he thought salesmen were born (or forced into this world) naturally and he didn’t expect to find such a vast array of information.

Bob was attracted to different. It didn’t take long for the small red book with red cloth to find him. The Little Red Book of Selling, how clever.

He opened the book and read, “People don’t like to be sold…but they love to buy! Duh! Of course they don’t. Now if he could just find the chapter on deception.

What’s this? Here was the author advising the reader, the salesman, to Kick His Own Ass! Bob thought, this is good and he continued to read.

Next was advice on Getting Prepared. Hmmmm, he thought SOP was to shoot from the hip.

The chapter on Personal Branding made sense. It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you. And, become known as a resource.

There was additional material on networking, asking questions, creativity, testimonials and other stuff. But the chapter that defied logic, defied even being in the book, was on Giving Value. Bob had never met a salesman in his life that gave value! They just wanted your money. He grabbed the book and checked out, not bothering to see if anyone noticed him.

 Bob devoured the book. He wasn’t even a salesman and he thought it would benefit him at work. Afterwards he wondered, if sales people followed this advice maybe more folks would view them as business people who were out to help and not as sleazy pond scum.

 Later in the week, Bob went back to Borders and picked up a copy for Mikey the Carpet Guy.  His war would have to wait for someone else.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David St Lawrence

David St Lawrence is author and master architect of the Ripples Blog.   Ripples is like a diamond.  It took years to form.  In David's case, fifty years in high tech design and marketing.  I hate math, but let's give this a try.  Fifty years of work plus nine equals fifty-nine.  So in conclusion, David began his career working overseas for Phil Knight. 

Readers of Ripples bask in the richness of its formation.  There is practically no other way to reach the mile marker on David's journey, than to walk it one step at a time.  I for one do not have fifty-years to invest.  Because when I am seventy-three I'll be working on running my kids and their kid's lives.  So, the next best thing is to read David's stuff...and learn.

My personal favorite topics that David discusses are:  Micro-Business , Self-Publishing and Doing What You Love.  Another treat you'll enjoy at Ripples is meeting the most interesting people like, Jane Chin. 

If Ripples isn't enough to save your butt many times over, in addition to shaving time and miles off of your own journey, David brings us a second jewel:  Danger Quicksand - Have a Nice Day .  David took the time to write a book about his work experiences and life in the corporate world.  By his own definition, it is a survival guide.  What to watch out for; Who to trust; Prepare for change; Stay current; Keep your eye on the horizon; The ideal job... are all interspersed with crisp stuff on life like integrity and honesty. 

I will focus more on Danger Quicksand - Have a Nice Day in posts to come.

Business Arrogance: The Customer Relationship

I am rereading Sam Walton: Made in America.  Sam had this to say in the early days of Wal-Mart:

Sometimes it was difficult getting the bigger companies - the Procter & Gambles, Eastman Kodaks, whoever - to call on us at all, and when they did they would dictate to us how much they would sell us and at what price.  I don't mind saying that we were the victims of a good bit of arrogance from a lot of vendors in those days.  They didn't need us, and they acted that way. 

I wonder what price was paid ( and still are paying) over the years by P&G and all of the other companies that looked down on Wal-Mart?  Some might say that Wal-Mart themselves exudes business arrogance.  I bet P&G would.  P&G however, is not the customer and that's the difference.

The perception of business arrogance may vary.  If a business doesn't meet a customer's demand to lower a price, it should not arbitrarily be called arrogant.  If it does so without dignity and respect toward the customer - then that is a different story.  A certain amount of dignity and respect can always be offered towards the customer, even if that customer is always trying to take the company down at the knees.  We all recognize the customer from south of Heaven's border, but it is still the right thing to do.

The customer relationship equation can always be broken down to one factor:  Do the right thing.  Being arrogant is never the right thing to do.  It doesn't matter if the customer is Wal-Mart or Joe's Hardware store. 

A most excellent guideline to follow in building solid customer relationships is the value of Ho'ohanohano from Rosa Say's book Managing With Aloha.   Ho'ohanohano says to honor the dignity of others and to conduct yourself with distinction by honoring your own dignity and self-respect.  If one incorporates the value of Ho'ohanohano into their life or business, it is practically impossible to be arrogant.

Postscript:  I realize some might say that P&G hasn't done too bad over the years having Wal-Mart as a customer.  I'd be willing to bet however, if one cuts through all of P&G's Wal-Mart is a wonderful business partner rhetoric, they'd find billions of extra dollars that found their way to Wal-Mart.