My wife got a new iPod today. Nothing fancy, just a refurbished gen2 iPod shuffle to use at the gym. Apple is well known at this point for their attention to detail and I could wax poetic about their packaging, simple set-up process, etc..but that story has already been written.
Here is what impressed me. Her new iPod is light green (she really likes it which is nice since it was the only color choice). She took it out of the box and plugged it in to the computer. iTunes launched and immediately recognized it as new, so the registration process started automatically. And what do you know, the picture on the registration screen is of a light green gen2 iPod shuffle. That is a little detail that says a lot.
Are you paying attention to those kinds of details? If you are, your customers probablly love you and are telling other people about you. Keep up the good work.
I Can't
When somebody tells you that they can't do something what are they really telling you? Typically they aren't telling you they can't, they are telling you they either don't want to, or are not willing to. There is almost nothing that can't be done. Certainly they may not be equipped to do it right now, but that does not mean it couldn't be done at some point in the future. The difference between can't and can is some combination of time, resources, willingness and priority. So when somebody tells you they can't do something figure out which area they are lacking in: time, resources, willingness or priority and what you can do to help them solve their problem so they can help you solve yours.
Simplicity - Part 2
Things don't become simplified on their own. However, complexity is not the natural opposite of simplicity because things also don't become complex on their own. Left alone most things just become chaotic.
Simplicity - Part 1
I've been reading and thinking a lot about simplicity recently. Here are some quotes to get the conversation started.
Simplicity
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. ~ Charles Mingus
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction. ~ E. F. Schumacker
The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. ~ Hans Hofmann
Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature. ~ Thomas a Kempis
Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves. ~ Edwin Way Teale
Simplicity
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. ~ Charles Mingus
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction. ~ E. F. Schumacker
The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak. ~ Hans Hofmann
Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature. ~ Thomas a Kempis
Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life, and the labors of life reduce themselves. ~ Edwin Way Teale
Preserving your market by giving it away
I received my next book from the Thomas Nelson book review blogger project today (more on the actual book in a future post). What was far more interesting than the book itself were the extras that came with it.
The book was marketed (on the cover, spine and back) as free. Not that the book itself was free but that you as the reader were being given freedom to interact with the content in multiple ways. By buying the book you were given access to four different formats. The actual book, and downloadable files in pdf, ebook (for the Amazon Kindle or Sony eReader) and mp3 formats.
So instead of giving up the sale of the actual book (which has the highest profit margin by far of the four to my understanding) or trying to pit one form of content against the other they instead bundled them together and give them all to you for the same price you would have paid for just the actual book. In order to preserve their highest margin form of content delivery they give away the lowest margin forms and it doesn't actually cost them anything extra because once the electronic forms are created there is no marginal cost for each additional unit distributed.
How could you preserve your market and your profits margin by giving your products away?
The book was marketed (on the cover, spine and back) as free. Not that the book itself was free but that you as the reader were being given freedom to interact with the content in multiple ways. By buying the book you were given access to four different formats. The actual book, and downloadable files in pdf, ebook (for the Amazon Kindle or Sony eReader) and mp3 formats.
So instead of giving up the sale of the actual book (which has the highest profit margin by far of the four to my understanding) or trying to pit one form of content against the other they instead bundled them together and give them all to you for the same price you would have paid for just the actual book. In order to preserve their highest margin form of content delivery they give away the lowest margin forms and it doesn't actually cost them anything extra because once the electronic forms are created there is no marginal cost for each additional unit distributed.
How could you preserve your market and your profits margin by giving your products away?
Lessons from special kids
My wife works at a school for children with alternative learning styles (I love that description). Some days the stories she comes home with are funny, some days they are sad and some days they are inspirational.
A lot of the kids she works with are very concrete thinkers and are honest to a fault. Sometimes their honesty can make you cringe but I wonder if that is just because as adults we have become so conditioned by half truths and outright lies. We could learn something from these kids.
Take grief for example. Most adults dance around the issue. They don't really want to hear the bad stuff so they avoid the difficult questions. Not the kids. A few weeks ago at the Connor's House book fair one of the students picked a book about heaven. When asked why he answered simply 'because that was where Connor was'. Today a different student walked into Deb's office and asked 'Are you sad all the time?' and then followed up with 'Do you cry a lot?'.
They don't always have the best timing, maybe that is OK. We could learn something from them about asking honest questions. We could learn to ignore everything else that is going on once in awhile, be less worried about appropriateness, and be more concerned about how the people around us are really doing with life. That's just one thing these kids could teach us!
A lot of the kids she works with are very concrete thinkers and are honest to a fault. Sometimes their honesty can make you cringe but I wonder if that is just because as adults we have become so conditioned by half truths and outright lies. We could learn something from these kids.
Take grief for example. Most adults dance around the issue. They don't really want to hear the bad stuff so they avoid the difficult questions. Not the kids. A few weeks ago at the Connor's House book fair one of the students picked a book about heaven. When asked why he answered simply 'because that was where Connor was'. Today a different student walked into Deb's office and asked 'Are you sad all the time?' and then followed up with 'Do you cry a lot?'.
They don't always have the best timing, maybe that is OK. We could learn something from them about asking honest questions. We could learn to ignore everything else that is going on once in awhile, be less worried about appropriateness, and be more concerned about how the people around us are really doing with life. That's just one thing these kids could teach us!
Greatest treasures
Simplicity, patience and compassion. When working with others and leading a team, these are your greatest treasures.
Give it time
Methods vs. Principles - Part 2
Once you have recognized that your methods need to change if you are going to stay relevant, here are a couple things to remember:
1. Don't loose sight of your principles (i.e. your vision, mission, goals).
2. Don't design your methods to address today's problems. Design them to address tomorrows. If you design your methods for today's problems, by the time you implement them you will risk already being irrelevant.
1. Don't loose sight of your principles (i.e. your vision, mission, goals).
2. Don't design your methods to address today's problems. Design them to address tomorrows. If you design your methods for today's problems, by the time you implement them you will risk already being irrelevant.
Methods vs. Principles
Methods are many, principles are few. Methods change, principles never do. The problem is, too many leaders and organizations get the two confused. Organizations become irrelevant when they forget the difference and begin treating their methods as if they were principles.
Two Sentences
Too many projects fail because of a lack of focus. You should not start any project until you can describe what you want it to accomplish (i.e. the goal or purpose) in two sentences.
If you are a leader, don't approve any project that cannot be explained to you in two sentences.
Projects that cannot be explained in two sentences will result in some combination of: scope creep, delays, unnecessary features, unmet expectations or abandonment.
Once you have the type of focus that writing something in two sentences requires everything else flows easily. The amount of time and resources you will save by demanding this type of focus from yourself and your organization is unbelievable.
If you are a leader, don't approve any project that cannot be explained to you in two sentences.
Projects that cannot be explained in two sentences will result in some combination of: scope creep, delays, unnecessary features, unmet expectations or abandonment.
Once you have the type of focus that writing something in two sentences requires everything else flows easily. The amount of time and resources you will save by demanding this type of focus from yourself and your organization is unbelievable.
The Week in Review
- The tenth week of training for the Ocean Drive 10 Miler and the Long Branch Half Marathon has passed but I did not exactly finish it. I injured my lower leg and completed less than half of the planned running. I am currently hobbling around and trying to figure out what my plan is going to be. A week ago I was feeling really confident about both races. This week I'm not even sure if I will run in them. Amazing what can change in seven short days.
- Finished The Tipping Point and Freakonomics. I sort of cheated with the Tipping Point and listened to the last 2 sections on audio book during a trip to Philadelphia. They are both worth the read (or listen). If nothing else the last chapter in Freakonomics on names makes the entire book worthwhile.
- I think the music industry is struggling to figure out exactly what their product is anymore. As mentioned last week I bought tickets to a concert for a friend who lives overseas. The band was No Doubt and for each ticket purchased you get a free download of the bands entire studio library (7 albums) plus a few unreleased songs. This fascinates me.
- I think humans have a tendency to over complicate things. This past week I have witnessed way to many unnecessarily complicated processes get implemented.
- I greatly dislike hidden agendas and I like it even less when people try to involve me in theirs.
- I tend to be fairly forthright when asked for my opinion on something. It amazes me how often people really aren't looking for an honest answer and would rather you just agree with them.
Happy Birthday Uncle Al
In high school one of my science teachers had a poster of Albert Einstein on the wall and each day she would tell us to say thank you to Uncle Al for everything he did to advance our understanding of the world around us. So once more, in honor of his birthday..Thank You Uncle Al.
Quotes from Albert Einstein
Quotes from Albert Einstein
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts. (from a sign in his office at Princeton)
I am convinced that He (God) does not play dice.
Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind.
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.
Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.
We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.
The aim (of education) must be the training of independently acting and thinking individuals who, however, can see in the service to the community their highest life achievement.
Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.
Hinder the right things
If you want to motivate your team, board, sponsors, customers, etc (and keep them from becoming disenfranchised). Don't ever hinder their ideas. Hinder their expectations.
Never Do Harm
One of the problems with the American medical system is that the commitment to 'never do harm' has become misunderstood. Never do harm has largely become interpreted to mean 'never give up'.
The commitment to never do harm does not equate to a commitment to sustain life at all costs. In practice the unwavering commitment to sustain life can actually cause harm.
The choice to not sustain a life is not the same as intentionally ending a life.
Choosing not to act cannot be equated with doing harm.
If the medical system wants to be committed to 'never do harm' it needs to expand its focus beyond just sustaining life and work towards enhancing the quality of life.
The commitment to never do harm does not equate to a commitment to sustain life at all costs. In practice the unwavering commitment to sustain life can actually cause harm.
The choice to not sustain a life is not the same as intentionally ending a life.
Choosing not to act cannot be equated with doing harm.
If the medical system wants to be committed to 'never do harm' it needs to expand its focus beyond just sustaining life and work towards enhancing the quality of life.
The Week in Review
- Finished my ninth full week of training for the Ocean Drive 10 Miler and the Long Branch Half Marathon. 25 miles of running and 2 days of biking. One more week of intensive training (Bike on Monday, Intervals on Tuesday, Swim Wednesday, 9 mile tempo run on Thursday and a 13 mile long run on Saturday - it makes me tired to just type it) and then two taper weeks before the Ocean Drive race.
- Still reading The Tipping Point and Freakonomics. They are more similar than I thought they would be and I am confusing them with each other. I think I need to just pick one and finish it then get back to the other.
- The Second Connor's Courageous Kids book fair was a huge success (despite a March snowstorm that shut us down on Monday). Over $4,300 of books will be donated to the two organizations Connor's House supports through this event.
- The person I Interviewed last week to be my new boss decided to take another position so the search goes on.
- I learned that if you live overseas you can't buy tickets through livenation for concerts in the United States. On the surface that may seem like it makes sense but for people that want to go to a concert while in the US for vacation it stinks unless you have a friend (like me) who will get your tickets for you.
- We passed on Connor's beloved wheelchair to another young boy who needed one this week. It was very difficult because it was like losing another piece of him but that was outweighed by being able to help another child in need. You can see pictures of Connor in his wheelchair here.
- If you are shipping books to someone, go to the Post Office and ask for the Book Rate. It is way cheaper (but it is the last option they tell you about at the counter).
A little sad
I was at the library this morning and the following book was on the popular book shelf: How to file for divorce in New Jersey. Even though I know all the statistics about divorce I still found it disturbing to see this book on the popular shelf.
Marriage is so beautiful and wonderful and in my opinion so easy to get right (both people committed to putting their spouses' needs before their own) that I am deeply saddened by how many people get it wrong (please accept my apologies if this offends or upsets you, I am not passing judgment on anyone and I understand there are situations where divorce is the only safe option).
Marriage is so beautiful and wonderful and in my opinion so easy to get right (both people committed to putting their spouses' needs before their own) that I am deeply saddened by how many people get it wrong (please accept my apologies if this offends or upsets you, I am not passing judgment on anyone and I understand there are situations where divorce is the only safe option).
Question the 'Experts'
It is not uncommon to have experts give statistics to support the claims they make. It is also not uncommon for reporters, politicians and others to quote those experts when trying to support their points of views, positions, etc...
One problem, the facts don't always support the experts statistics.
Twice in the past week President Obama has quoted the following statistic: "Every 30 seconds in the United States, someone files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem."
This statistic originally came from a study, conducted by researchers at Harvard’s medical and law schools, based on interviews with 1,771 individuals who filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Of these filers, 931 cited medical causes for their financial woes.
The statistic was then quoted in a 2005 article entitled Sick and Broke written by Elizabeth Warren and published in the Washington Post.
So, if every 30 seconds someone in the US files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem that would mean each year 1,051,200 people would file for bankruptcy for this reason. However, in the 12 months ending June 30, 2008 only 967,831 total people in the United States filed for bankruptcy, which was an increase of 29% over the year before. So according to Harvard, the Washington Post and the President more people are filing for bankruptcy each year in the aftermath of a serious health problem than the total number of people filing for bankruptcy in either of the past 2 years.
It is a good idea to check your facts and statistics, even if they are from the 'experts', before you quote them (especially if you are the President and they can be proved wrong with a calculator and a Google search).
One problem, the facts don't always support the experts statistics.
Twice in the past week President Obama has quoted the following statistic: "Every 30 seconds in the United States, someone files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem."
This statistic originally came from a study, conducted by researchers at Harvard’s medical and law schools, based on interviews with 1,771 individuals who filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Of these filers, 931 cited medical causes for their financial woes.
The statistic was then quoted in a 2005 article entitled Sick and Broke written by Elizabeth Warren and published in the Washington Post.
So, if every 30 seconds someone in the US files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem that would mean each year 1,051,200 people would file for bankruptcy for this reason. However, in the 12 months ending June 30, 2008 only 967,831 total people in the United States filed for bankruptcy, which was an increase of 29% over the year before. So according to Harvard, the Washington Post and the President more people are filing for bankruptcy each year in the aftermath of a serious health problem than the total number of people filing for bankruptcy in either of the past 2 years.
It is a good idea to check your facts and statistics, even if they are from the 'experts', before you quote them (especially if you are the President and they can be proved wrong with a calculator and a Google search).
Reach for the Stars
"When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get one, but you won't come up with a handful of mud either." - Leo Burnett
Two Weeks in Review
- Got to go away for three great days with my beautiful wife last weekend so this week you get a double dose of the week in review.
- Finished my seventh and eighth full weeks of training for the Ocean Drive 10 Miler and the Long Branch Half Marathon. Week eight was a light week which was good. Now the final push begins before the Ocean Drive race. Two more weeks of intensive training (long runs of 11 and 13 miles) and then two tapper weeks before the race.
- Started reading The Tipping Point and Freakonomics while I was away last weekend.
- The Second Connor's Courageous Kids book fair started today and will run through March 3rd. Whether you are close by or far away, click the link and find out how you can be involved in providing resources for children with complex health care needs.
- The Connor's House Awareness Bracelets are now available. I'm really happy with how they came out. Order yours today and show your support while you help spread the word.
- Interviewed someone this week to be my new boss. It is really interesting to turn the interviewing process on its head like that. I'm not really sure if it is a good idea or if it improves the results of the process.
- We got the first draft of the Connor's House incorporation documents back from the lawyer. Not to many issues so we should be starting the filing process in the next couple weeks.
- Had a good introductory meeting yesterday about how to begin marketing Connor's House to corporations and large net worth individuals.
Happy Birthday Connor
My wife can express what today is like far better than I can, so I will just recommend that you read her blog http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/connorscott99.
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