Even Kids Get It

Nearly 20 years old, Balaram Stack is not just a surfing phenom out of New York (which is a story in itself), but he also gets it.

When asked about blogs, Balaram says "Way too played out. If it's not funny or Dane surfing, who cares?"

If you're reading my blog you've either happened upon it or you came here to learn about me. And that's intentional. I'm not trying to build an audience or gain followers but instead, I write to let publishers (and some peers) know how I think so they can make a decision about contacting me for potential projects. In fact, my blog acts as much as a filter for me as it does a business card for them (if you don't like the way I think, it's unlikely I'll like working with you). 

But if you're writing to build a brand, cultivate relationships with a community, or any of the myriad other reasons everyone is writing, be sure you listen to Balaram. If it doesn't contribute - if it's not funny, innovative, value-laden (from the readers' perspective) - it's not likely to gain much traction. And then it's just more words littering the internet.

PS Take a moment to learn more about Balaram Stack. You'll be glad you did.

Innovate or Die

In his weekly address on January 29, 2011, the President reiterated that “America will win the future by out-innovating, out educating and out building our competitors.” The challenged faced by America - and American business - is not just to innovate, educate and build/construct, but to shift our mindset from being better than our competitors to becoming effective mentors; allowing our innovation to fuel growth in other nations (and businesses) so they can become better competitors. 

I think this shift serves Americans (and American business) well for a few reasons but primarily because the competition will force us to be smarter and because our help will work to reduce the negative press we as a people get around the world. 

If the opposite of growth is contraction, the alternative to innovating for others is obvious. And who doesn't benefit from the challenge of thinking of others?

Reduce the Resistance

I saw this sign on a stack of wood located in front of our local Food Lion. I rarely buy wood and don't even know what questions I should ask to ensure I'm getting a "great price" but I do know this: it's conveniently located and I've 'heard' its priced appropriately (the sign proves it).


The store manager did something smart here. With no competitive threat in sight, he simply told me I can have this wood without being embarrassed. In fact, as an ignorant buyer of wood, I worked to convince myself this was a good deal; yielding almost no resistance to the proposition.


It's not often that we get to sell without competition. It's probably less often that our customers will sell themselves. But if we can find opportunity to reduce resistance, we may find prospective buyers becoming customers.

You don't know Jack

"Jack" conjures many things: a popular whiskey, a system for your audio, a way to describe theft, a self-absorbed idiot, something said idiot will never know, but in my mind best among them is American icon, Jack LaLanne. 


My first memories of Jack go as far back as kindergarten, when my mom and I would nap to Jack's workout (I know...). He's always stood for good, avoided controversy, and changed the way American's stay fit. 

A few things you might not have known about Jack:

1954 Age 40: Swam the length of the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge underwater with 140 pounds of equipment, including two air tanks… an undisputed world record.

1955 Age 41: Swam, handcuffed, from Alcatraz to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, CA.

1956 Age 42: Set a world record of 1,033 pushups in 23 minutes on “You Asked for It, a TV Show with Art Baker.

1957 Age 43: Swam the treacherous Golden Gate Channel, towing a 2,500-pound cabin cruiser. This involved fighting the cold, swift ocean currents that made the 1 mile swim a 6 ½ mile test of strength and endurance.

1958 Age 44: Maneuvered a paddleboard 30 miles, 9-½ hours non-stop from Farallon Islands to the San Francisco shore.

1959 Age 45: Completed 1,000 pushups and 1,000 chin-ups in 1 hours and 22 minutes. “Happy” is born and The Jack LaLanne Show goes nationwide.

1974 Age 60: Swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf, for a second time handcuffed, shackled and towing a 1,000-pound boat.

1975 Age 61: Swam the length of the Golden Gate Bridge, underwater, for a second time handcuffed, shackled and towing a 1,000-pound boat.

1976 Age 62: Commemorating the “Spirit of ‘76”, swam 1 mile in Long Beach Harbor, handcuffed, shackled and towing 13 boats (representing the 13 original colonies) containing 76 people.

1979 Age 65: Towed 65 boats filled with 6,500-pounds of Lousiana Pacific wood pulp while handcuffed and shackled in Lake Ashinoko, near Tokyo, Japan.

1980 Age 66: Towed 10 boats in North Miami, Florida filled with 77 people for over a mile in less than 1 hour.

1984 Age 70: Handcuffed, shackled and fighting strong winds and currents, towed 70 boats with 70 people from the Queen’s Way Bridge in the Long Beach Harbor to the Queen Mary, 1 ½ miles.

1992 Age 78: Academy of Body Building and Fitness Award.

1994 Age 80: State of California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Lifetime Achievement Award.

1996 Age 82: Dwight D. Eisenhower Fitness Award.

1999 Age 85: Spirit of Muscle Beach Award.

2002 Age 88: Jack receives his very own star on the Hollywood Blvd. Walk of Fame.

2004 Age 90: Jack celebrates his birthday with a major media blitz in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. ESPN Classic runs a 24 Hour marathon of the original Jack LaLanne Shows.

2005 Age 91: Received the Jack Webb Award from the Los Angeles Police Historical Society, the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award, Interglobal’s International Infomercial Award, the Freddie, Medical Media Public Service Award, and he was a Free Spirit honoree at Al Neuharth’s Freedom Forum.

2007 Age 93: Received the Treasures of Los Angeles Award, Lifetime Achievement Award from Muscle Beach, and the Y.M.C.A. Impact Award.

2008 Age 94: Inducted into the California Hall of Fame, Parker Seminars Award, received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities from the Southern California University of Health Sciences, receives the People of Vision Award from the RP International, receives the Heroes Humanity Award, and was inducted into the Gallery of Legends hosted by the World Acrobatics Society.

2009 Age 95: Jack receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Club Industry. Jack LaLanne days were observed in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Lots can be said about Jack, and this was definitely the Jack you'd want to know.

A Grand View

Just turned 51 last week and I have a few observations:

• Being "over the hill" scares me less and less each year. I'm in great shape - possibly the best in my life - and am learning that fitness goes far beyond my body. I'm far more optimistic, energetic, open, and creative than I can remember ever being. But life isn't necessarily any easier...
• In honesty resides tremendous strength. Fitness and age allow me to more openly share who I am - with much less fear.
• I wouldn't trade 51 years for 9, 13, 17, 21 or even 25. There is way too much confusion in youth. I find a certain peace in being who I am and resting in my experience.

The view from 51 is truly grand. And I believe 52 will be even better.

Pet Peeves

Dealing with people who profess a conduct framework built around love, humility and generosity but practice unethical, hurtful, and selfish business is a pet peeve of mine. Lately, I'm running into quite a few of these folks.

I was fortunate to have parents who instilled a good conscience policy and who enforced (as much as they could) an honesty and responsibility code that makes it hard for me to believe I should under-value others. I'm fortunate; but I've also worked hard toward integrating my behavior with my beliefs. I hope to depart this world with few regrets (but know I'll still likely have left many apologies unsaid).

For all their posturing about win-win, client-centered business, "solution" based selling, even "green" business - it really irks me to witness these guy's wringing their hands as they plot their "shrewd" dismantling of their customer's bank account - or equally as bad - their partner's dignity.

The truth is, we're here on this planet for just a very short time. If you're not grown up enough to contribute, maybe you're just not grown up enough to participate. And while I can't moderate everyone's behavior, I can (and will) stand against your participation. Because I'm tired of dealing with bullies and cheats who brag of their concern for their customers - while plotting evil.

I'm just sayin'...

Risky Business

While traveling recently I overheard two different conversations that ended with similar exhortation: 'take that job. In this economy, working for a big company is less risky and you'll want social security when you're ready to retire.'

Really?

How many big companies today aren't challenged with obsolescence? And what about social security beyond the name suggests anything about it is secure?

Time cards and layers of management don't spell safe to me. They reek of dead dreams, lost energy, and wasted time. If you have ideas, partner up with folks that believe success is the fruit of good ideas clearly communicated and smartly acted upon. It's a lot more fun and truly, the less risky alternative.