Rothacker Reviews

Tampa: WFTS ABC Action News

Can you tell when someone is genuine?  Can you tell when they really care?  Do you think a handful of employees can create a positive impression about the company that they work for?  Do you think: When I think about this company, I think about a company that is trying to make a real difference for the people they serve.

A couple of weeks ago along with my wife Rosemary and her mom Mary, I had the privilege of witnessing a live ABC Action News broadcast.  I was so consumed with the reason that we were there and the incredible talent of Deanna Marinello along with the support of her brother Miles and dad Victor, that I almost let a very important story slip by.  But I didn't, thanks to Deiah Riley, Lissette Campos and Wendy Ryan.

A few days later we watched the ABC Action News special Taking Action Against Domestic Violence, hosted by Deiah, Lissette and Wendy.  The grace, dignity and respect in which these three women handled the subject of domestic violence took my breath away.  Rosemary had worked with Lissette in the past on behalf of the All Children's Hospital Tampa Guild and I got to meet Lissette that day in the studio.  So I sent Lissette a note to tell her how I felt about their program.  She mentioned that Joe was also involved.  It was at this precise moment when the collective experience of ABC Action News exploded into a rainbow of meaning, understanding and hospitality!

Back to the story that began to unfold in the studio.  The anchors that day were Dan Shaffer and Deiah Riley, the meteorologist was Stephanie Roberts, Lissette orchestrated Positively Tampa Bay, the cameraman was Tom Gagnier, the teleprompter was Jude Chaison, their boss Charlie Paul and floor director Joe Papadopoulos.  Also in the studio watching the broadcast was a group of kids and their chaperone's from the Canella News Network.

Every single one of the folks from ABC made us feel welcome to be there.  In between working the camera, Tom made sure the on air guests had water and was scrambling around for extra chairs.  During commercials, Joe would talk to everyone (particularly the kids) and let us know what was going on.  This was most impressive as Joe obviously had duties to perform during those commercials.  Following the segment, the crew had a quick debriefing meeting amongst themselves and then held a Q & A session led by Charlie for the kids ( it was open to us as well).  Dan, Deiah, Joe and Charlie graciously and with patience, fielded questions.  The crew was clearly out of time but Charlie fielded one more question from an energetic little guy.  Charlie's kind gesture broadcasted volumes about these folks and their culture.

During the course of events that afternoon in the studio, Miles Marinello leaned over to Rosemary and pointed toward floor director Joe.  He said, "that guy right there is the star of the show!"  I had actually come to the same conclusion on my own.  And when Lissette told me how involved Joe was with the Domestive Violence show, it just all made sense.

But that's not all.  Linda Hurtado and Jackie Calloway were guest judges for the Tampa Bay's Premier Iron Chef Challenge and I had the good fortune to not only meet them but watch them take care of a few business matters (a news report from the event).

Perhaps it is not fair to on air folks.  We can sense that they care and are involved in their stories, but creepy little doubts of, oh they are just acting can whisper into our ears.  I know that not only the on air folks but all of the folks I met from WFTS are genuine.  I know they care.  I know they are hospitable.  And now because of them I have a most favorable and respectful opinion of WFTS ABC Action News in Tampa! 

Do they make a difference to the people who they serve?  They did to Rosemary, Mary, the Marinello's, to me, and they most certainly made a difference to the kids in the studio that day!

A Smokin' Hot Piece of Brain Candy

Egads!  If this doesn't elicit a hot smokin' visual, I'm not sure anything else could.

Although this artwork is breathtaking, I'm talkin' bout the artwork of Scott Ginsberg.  Go here for that artwork.  I'm thinking if Dale Carnegie were still around today, this is the kind of stuff that he would be writing about.

For an explanation of my post's title, please go to point 6 on Scott, the Name Tag Guy's post.

Do you know what at times, I am uncontrollably guilty of?  Picture Number Five, the robot from Short Circuit:

 

Need input.  Need input.  Need input.

I blast around to every little corner of the Universe looking for more.  More information, more knowledge, more wisdom.

I have some advice for you David.  Take a deep breath, and then exhale.  Relax.  Scott Ginsberg has just what you need...well, except for that mountain retreat with that huge window that overlooks the valley where you could take a journal and quietly address this bright and articulate young man's thirty points.  Seriously David, this isn't rocket science.  Scott tells you what you need to do. 

Listen man, I have an idea for you.  This will require discretion, courage and valor.  Perhaps you could work for folks like Scott and Dan Schwabel?  We both know how much you admire this generation! Perhaps you could infiltrate organizations over run with old coots like youself and teach them about folks like Scott and Dan?

Brain Candy photo from ruk777 on Flickr

Number Five from ygnacioduran on Flickr

1000 Journals Project

The 1000 Journals Project is a story about creativity, collaboration, freedom of expression, expression of the soul and beauty.  The 1000 Journals Project is a book written by Someguy.  Or perhaps it is a collection of creativity, collaboration, freedom of expression, expression of the soul and beauty, assembled by Someguy in book form, encased in stunning cover art by Linda Zacks.  The 1000 Journals Project is a physical movement started by Someguy in 2000.

Well Dave, that's about as clear as a London morning.

The Project - Here is Someguy's description.

The Book - Here is Someguy's book.

I bought the book back in March.  I'll use the book for a few pages and then set it back on the shelf to brew.  It wasn't until recently that I realized there was an accompanying Web site.  It is Someguy's words on creativity on the site that hold me spellbound.  Listen up:

If you ask a kindergarten class how many of them are artists, they'll all raise their hands. Ask the same question of 6th graders, and maybe one third will respond. Ask high school grads, and few will admit to it. (explained in Orbiting the Giant Hairball)

What happens to us growing up? We begin to fear criticism, and tend to keep our creativity to ourselves. Many people keep journals, of writing or sketching, but not many share them with people. (when was the last time a friend invited you to read their diary?) You will not be judged here. And you will have company. This is for you. For everyone.

Stop my soul in time and orbit my conscious with utter amazement!  Someguy gives folks a chance to liberate themselves from the crust of adulthood...to peal back to a time when their souls poured forth, unimpeded from the fear-filter imposed by society. 

Dave's 1000 Parent Project - If you are a parent of a child between K-6, or knows of someone who is, commit to the following: I will celebrate and encourage my child's uniqueness.  I will nurture not criticize.  I will prepare her to deal with society's cold shoulder and her teacher's indifference.  She will step into the world as a warrior.  She will protect others who aren't as strong.  She will respect other's opinions but not be swayed unless her spirit agrees.  She will walk tall and proud into the world as a child of creativity.  She will live and let live and those who cross her path will breath deep her energy.

The gentleman who wrote the following words is an artist.  He survived the critics.  His mind is a mind that wasn't swayed. 

The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense.
Take what you have gathered from coincidence.
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets.
This sky, too, is folding under you
And its all over now, baby blue.

r

Good Vibrations

At some point over the last few years I lost the desire to camp out at the local post office in sweet anticipation of my next Fast Company magazine.  I cannot wax lyrical articulation as to why.  I can only say that maybe, just maybe, they lost a little bit of their soul.

A Westerly wind blew into my life a couple of years ago and gently nudged me into the prevailing trade winds of Design.  I've read many books on the subject and subscribe to at least four different design magazines.  An appreciation for design has allowed for a finer appreciation of culture and deeper tie-ins to the art of communication.  The ability to look through a different lens at one's favorite subjects is most exhilarating!

Sailing at sea with my four design magazines, I always seem to notice when other design magazines float by.  It was about a year ago when I picked up Good.  Aesthetically, it has off the chart design appeal.  I love it.  But it is Good's content that has me remembering Fast Company's good old days.  Creators say Good is for people who give a damn.  They say it's an entertaining magazine about things that matter.  I agree.  Troll through their Website a bit and you'll get a feel.

When one subscribes to Good, one-hundred percent of that payment goes to one of its twelve nonprofit partners.  My proceeds go to Room to Read. 

"Perhaps, sir, you will someday come back with books."

While visiting a remote mountainous area in Nepal, John Wood, founder of Room to Read, came upon a school in horrific condition.  It did however, have a library.  The problem - it contained fewer than twenty books. 

John did go back...with books.  Room to Read grew from the seeds of John's gestures.

We construct force fields to survive the daily onslaught of advertising overload.  (unless, like me, you crave the stuff. I'll explain this sickness in a future post).  Sometimes however, a message pierces your armor and lodges in your heart.  The second that I heard about John's mission was the second right before Room to Read's message landed in my heart.  There will most definitely be some sort of dave-involvement with this organization in the future!

Thanks for coming into my life Good!

Remarkable Leadership

Remarkable Leadership by Kevin Eikenberry

Do you work for a living?  Buy Remarkable Leadership now!  Next.

"Jeepers Dave, we're not sure we got our money's worth with that review."

"Let me get this straight, you're paying me for this review?"

"Well, errr, uhhh..........no, but could you tell us a little more?"

Dave is a softy, he relents.

After reading Remarkable Leadership the first time, I closed the book and the first word that popped into my mind was prolific.  Remarkable Leadership is not just a book, it is a work.  Kevin focuses on thirteen core competencies.  They constitute Remarkable Leadership.  Each competency gets a chapter and Kevin weaves within each chapter components that entice you to participate.

"Participate Dave?"

Yes.  Kevin begins each chapter with a self-assessment.  This technique sets the stage for the book to become a conversation.  Then he provides in depth content on topics like continuous learning.  Kevin sculpts out each chapter with:

• Skill areas
• Your now steps
• Bonus Bytes
• Your Remarkable Principles
• Remarkable Resources

Bonus Bytes and Remarkable Resources direct you to an accompanying Web site that is packed with extra information.

If you are a teacher, mentor, manager, boss, coach, executive or otherwise bigwig, this book is for you NO QUESTIONS ASKED!  Jack Welch could benefit from reading Remarkable Leadership. 

"Daaaaave, we're feelin' a twist in the road ahead"

Do you know why Jack Welch could benefit from reading Kevin's book?  Because he isn't a bigwig anymore.  If you work, you need this book as much or even more than your manager does!!  Two reasons:

1. By understanding how your manager is trying to lead you, you'll become more effective.
2. You can become more effective.

Do you know that little guy who is dressed in white and sits on your shoulder?

"Now Dave, keep it together.  Don't loose it buddy."

Well, he kept asking me one question as I read the book.  He said, "Dave, what if you dropped the word leadership?"   I knew exactly what he meant.  I had the same thought myself.

"Your toast."

If  you approach reading Remarkable Leadership with the intent to become more effective, you will.   Nearly everything that Kevin talks about, can be instructive learning for every working person out there.  For instance, Kevin devotes time to the act of Listening.  Now, as much as you hope they would, do you think only leaders could benefit from advice on listening?  How about learning, dealing with change, communicating, telling stories, building relationships, networking, customer service, building values, creativity, innovation, collaboration, teamwork, problem solving, making decisions, responsibility, accountability, projects, processes and goal achievement?? 

"Dave!  You rebounded son!!"

Remarkable Leadership is a prolific book.  I would bind it with good, hearty stock, cover it in leather and cherish it for a lifetime.  But that's just me.

Remarkable Leadership was Smoked-n-Signed.

You, Inc. The Art of Selling Yourself

You, Inc. by Harry and Christine Beckwith

How can I tell you what I think with brevity and crystal clear clarity?  How can I make it interesting enough so you will tell others?  How can I get you to come back?

I think deeply about the above questions.  Personally however, I have a huge problem.  Picture yourself wanting to build a new home.  The most important part of a home is its foundation and basic structure.  This is where you need to start.  But your mind cannot choose a foundation so it drifts toward the floor plan and interior design.  Both important components but each will not amount to a hill of beans without the correct foundation.  And so it is with me.  My mind drifts toward bright and engaging communication, when it should be thinking about foundation.  What is your core idea dave?  What is that word that when people speak, associate it with you? 

I thought I might have a bit of fun here with this idea.  So I am going to list my fellow JJLN authors and then list the first word or phrase that comes to mind about them.  For the authors that I do not know that well I am going to visit their Web site and insert the first thing that comes to mind.  I encourage my colleagues to copy and past this list and then create their own associations.  Even if you are not a JJLN author, feel free to contribute.  Heck, add more names if you choose.

Angela Maiers - education, teach, passion.

April Groves - internal spiritual intelligence.

Ariane Benefit - organized.

Benjamin Bach - learning, networking, sharing, improving.

Blaine Collins - relationships, networking.

Chris Owen - Aussie, pink, relationships.

Dan Ward - intellectual, radical.

David Zinger - positive life outlook, educator, learning.

Dean Boyer - teacher, educator, learning.

Dwayne Melancon - sharing, growing, evolving, relationships, spirit.

EM Sky - spiritual, openness, giving, smart.

Greg Balanko-Dickson - biz coach, vast resources, teaching, learning.

Joanna Young - wordsmith, writing, giving, caring, clarity.

John Richardson - productivity, leadership.

Karen Wallace - serenity, learning, giving.

Kevin Eikenberry - relate, learn-from-life, positive, energy.

Phil Gerbyshak - relationship geek, networker-on-steroids, smile, learner.

Rosa Say - management coach, writer, value-anchored, managing with aloha, sister.

Steve Sherlock - learner, hitchhiker, observer-of-life, caring, sharing.

Terry Starbucker - women, uber-positive-life-outlook, leadership, caring, smart.

Tim Draayer - personal development, networker.

Tim Milburn - graphic artist, college-leadership, giving, sharing, learning.

Toni Howard - coach, caring.

Ok, I got a little carried away.  I couldn't list just one thing that came to mind about these folks.  These are my perceptions.  And one perception I must expand upon before it is taken out of context.  Terry Starbucker - women.  To begin with, Terry is one of my most favorite writers.  His insight into business and life is as crystal clear as Rocky Mountain water.  Add in the essence-of-Terry, the glass-half-full philosophy of life, and we're talkin' life after service company exec here.  Here's the women connection (and it ain't deep); I've noticed that more women link to Terry's site than other business-life writers.

"dave, I thought you were going to review Harry and Christine's book here?"

The Beckwiths weave life tales and experiences around advice that navigates us through the narrow and shallow channels of business. 

You are the CEO of you.  If you have established a core idea for your Web site or are on the journey of discovering one, you'll need a copy of You, Inc., to help clarify your communications.  And, if you want to create a word or phrase that you'd like folks to associate with you, do so.  Then repeat that word before and after you read each of Harry and Christine's two hundred and seventy six chapters and you'll be on your way!

Design: Do You Love Your City?

Ben lived in a rather small city of 15,000 people.  He spoke of it as wonderfully designed.  He liked the large streets that made up a perfect grid.  Ben cared about where he lived.  So when the unpaved streets became muddy and wreaked havoc on the merchants, he worked to get the community involved and the streets paved.  But dried mud on the paved streets was also a problem.  So Ben created and distributed a pamphlet that stated the advantages of hiring a street sweeper.  A few days later when he canvassed the neighborhoods, Ben discovered unanimous support.

About this time the townspeople wanted to light their city.  Ben took note of John Clifton's house.  John simply kept a lit lamp outside of his front door at night.  Ben and John purchased a few lamps from overseas.  Ben noticed a flaw in the oil lamp's design.  There were no provisions to draw air from the bottom which would prevent a buildup of smoke and soot.  Ben redesigned the lamp to allow air to move freely through the lamp. 

Wisdom quickly became a byproduct of Ben's life.  He used the street paving and lamp stories to tell folks about happiness and attention to small matters.  He said that dust (or soot) blown into the eyes of a single person or merchant was not much of a problem.  But when dust was blown into the eyes of an entire city, it could shut down the city.  A simple plan to sweep the streets or a small design change to the lamps were examples of paying attention to seemingly small matters.  Ben said human happiness is not so much a result of lucky events that rarely come our way.  Rather, happiness is more often a result of the little advantages that accumulate every day.

He went on to say that if you want to make the world a better place, do something as basic as teaching a poor young man how to shave himself and keep his razor in good shape.  In doing this, you may contribute more to his happiness in life than by giving him a lump sum of money.  He said, money easily gained is often foolishly spent and latter regretted, but a good skill pays dividends for a lifetime.

A few small incidents from Ben's life here demonstrate a remarkable ability to market, to be creative, to design, to pursue happiness and to teach. 

Ben was a pretty smart guy and yes, Benjamin Franklin loved Philadelphia, his city.  Do you love yours?

This story of Benjamin Franklin can be found in Benjamin Franklin by Blaine McCormick.

Independents Hall: Co-working and Beyond

Here is a link to one of the best About pages I've ever seen.  Alex Hillman explains what co-working is, what  Independents Hall is, how it originated, who is involved, where they are going and what has inspired them.  Masterfully succinct.

My first reaction to Independents Hall was, "young, hip, freelance-type-computer-dudes gathered together in a cave grooving with a pict."  For the sake of accurate disclosure, that truly was my very first thought, but only for a second.  Then I thought this is a brilliant idea and fruits of the cross pollinating type of atmosphere have yet to even be imagined. 

Then, at the fifteen second interval of my thinking, I thought of my dad...

My dad is seventy-seven years old and has been a Wally-Mart Greeter for twelve years.  Prior to that he spent forty years in large grocery store management and worked in that business for over fifty years.  He is a gold mine of retail store management.  Early on at Wally-Mart he tried to offer advice but got the what-does-that-old-man know vibes.  So he shut it down and did something for the very first time in his life.  He punched in and he punched out - with no value given in between other than to hand out carts and to be friendly.

How many folks are out there in our workforce today like my dad?  Walking gold mines just waiting to be harvested.

So, at the forty-second interval I thought, wouldn't it be cool if some old dudes could hang out with some young dudes at places like Independents Hall?

I've had this story in the stable for over a month.  After reading Lost Knowledge by Dave Simanoff of the Tampa Tribune I had to open the barn door and let it out.

One Laptop Per Child

I wonder if...

If folks who are...

Are passionate...

About:

• Helping children
• Sharing knowledge
• Learning
• Collaborating with others
• Writing

I wonder if...

If there wouldn't be a way for these folks to collaborate and help children obtain and share knowledge?

Once upon a time there was a woman who touched the lives of a few people around the world.  Intention gave way to design which gave way to action.  Appreciation bore the strokes of pen down upon her manifesto as it traveled across the planet.   It eventually arrived at her door step.  It touched all involved.

Here lies intent in search of design in search of action in search of touching all involved.

OLPC

Dinosaur Tipping

The dinosaur stood in the middle of the road - fast asleep...

"Hey Jimmy, do you think you could read my book?  And if you like it, could you write about it at our forum?"

"Sure thing Billy."

Jimmy began to read Billy's book, which was really a marketing program in the form of a story.  Within ten minutes he knew that it was more different than anything he'd seen in his industry.  He devoured the book and wrote a passionate review.  In fact, Jimmy's review was so strong, those riding the status-quo scooter could feel Jimmy grab them by the ears and shout, "wake up!"

Later, Billy called Jimmy and told him how he sold fifteen of the one-hundred and thirty dollar books and had leads for twenty more immediately following the review.  Billy was so happy and thankful that he could hardly contain himself.  Jimmy, eight-hundred miles away in a quiet basement, began to cry after hanging up with Billy.

It wasn't so much Billy's thanks.  It was the emotion that surrounded it.  Jimmy knew he'd made a difference in Billy's business and life...and tipped a dinosaur from his path.

Karen Wallace, at Joyful Jubilant Learning, talks about the ability to make a difference in the lives of others and whether or not you believe that you can.   Karen bares her inner self in eloquent and beautiful fashion to demonstrate her own learning journey.

Note to Karen:

Karen,

The above story is true.  Jimmy told me so.  He also said that for the rest of his life, whether or not he receives such an emotion packed response again, he knows that he has the ability to make a difference in people's lives.

I cannot imagine that participant in your class not delivering his feedback without some emotion.  Allow yourself to feel that emotion.  And allow it to tenderly take hold of your heart and tickle tears from your eyes.  You can make a difference in the lives of others and tip dinosaurs from their path.