"let's sit right back and hear a tale . . . a tale of a faithful trip . . . a three hour tour", Yes, who remembers Gilligan's Island TV Show . . . I know many of the readers of this blog have had bad travel days . . . but I had one yesterday that might be an all-time worse.
I had a meeting that I needed to attend for my future opportunities. It was suppose to be a total of about 3 hours (a three hour tour) . . . well, if you had been paying attention to the news, I just so happened to be flying American Airlines, so the following is the chain of events . . .
4:30am I wake up early because I wanted to go for a run
6:25am Check in for my flight online
6:30am I head for the airport for a 8:15am flight
7:10am I arrive at airport to a complete zoo . . . lines that were so long that I thought the entire city of Austin was suppose to fly American Airlines on the same day
NOTE: since I just moved back to the USA, my status for frequent flyer is fairly low on American Airlines (AA), so I had to stay in the longest line
NOTE 2: I really need to attend this meeting since I do need a job soon
11:00am I make it up to the front of the line and discuss my status with the agent, only to find out, every seat on other airlines are totally sold out (as those in the USA know, airlines have been cutting back on flights and are always flying at capacity anyway), however, I was able to get the same flight the next morning. The agent suggests I check in with Southwest Airlines (SWA) because AA can not see flights on SWA.
11:30am I go home and use home computer to search SWA and find out there is a SWA flight out of San Antonio that will at least get me in for the planned dinner with this group, however, the flight is at 2pm and the airport is at least 90 minutes away (driving over speed limit)
1:20pm Make it to San Antonio airport through rain and traffic (I think 50% of all trucks in the USA were on the highway between San Antonio and Austin), but thinking I am still flying AA, park in wrong terminal, run to the other terminal where SWA is located.
NOTE: Good luck, no line to get ticket . . . bad luck, line for security . . . good luck show up at gate at 1:40pm
1:40pm find out that plane is delayed 30 minutes
1:50pm Realize that my connection was only an hour to begin with . . . so now I might miss my next flight
2:20pm Board the plane . . . however, those that dont know SWA, they do not have assigned seats and you board by the order that you check in . . . I boarded 149 out of possible 150 seats on plane.
2:25pm I have to take a seat between two large (seemingly, American Football players) guys whose shoulders were much wider than the seats . . . needless to say, my elbows were implanted into my ribs for the entire 3 hour fly
5:30pm Landed and run to next gate
5:35pm Boarding already happening, but since I was again the last to board get stuck between someone who has been at the bar since noon, and a young lad who played his ipod at the loudest setting possible that even made my hears hurt.
6:40pm Land . . . but realize that I could nto get into the city that I wanted but instead got a flight into a city that is a two hour drive from where I needed to be . . .
9:00pm Made it to the dinner . . . I hope I scored well in persistence?
So, after 14 hours after I started I made my destination versus a scheduled three hour tour.
Anyone want to share there recent mishaps with travel . . .
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Learning New Things
I have been asked to clarify the #12 from the Lessons Learned post . . . so I thought the best way to do that was to go back to the archive and repost the explanation.
I have decided to make an attempt at a triathlon (no, not the ironman, but much shorter one). A
triathlon is three sports in one, swimming (1500 metres), cycling (40K), and running (10K), one after another. I have to be challenged, so this seems like a good one to try (I am getting too old for the marathons). My weak event will be the swimming (of course, most would probably say all three are my weaknesses). So, I asked a veteran triathlon athlete for any suggestions, so he recommended that I get a wet suit, which he had an extra one that was slightly too big (needless to say, the veteran is at least 10cm shorter and 20cm less around the waist than I am). But nice gesture and brought the wet suite home.
Well, we have a swimming pool in the back yard (you know the one that is still leaking and no one can find the leak to fix it). The water is still fairly chilly here. So I decided to try on the wet suite this weekend and jump into the pool. Well, the first thing was getting the damn thing on, has anyone tried to get into a wet suit before? my goodness . . . so I am trying to figure out if it is too small, or I am not the “sharpest tool in the tool chest” if you know what I mean. So, I finally get the thing on (of course it is so tight I am talking at a much higher pitch than normal), my boys were calling me “rubber man” and “penquin man” because I could barely walk in the thing.
Anyway, I roll (yes, roll) myself over the edge of the pool and get in the walk, little did I know why they call this thing a WET SUIT! I about froze for the first few minutes. For those that dont know, the wet suit allows water (i.e., the cold water) penetrate into the wet suite against your body, and the theory is that the water warms up from your body and then keeps you warm against the cold water.
So, this was my adventure, who thinks this is funny. Which brings me to the work related thing about this. We need to do more with our clients on education, because if we just hand something over to them, will they end up really using it in the right way or making assumptions that are totally wrong or misinterpreted. In other words, providing a complete turnkey (not turkey) solution which optimizes the experience for the “client” is important and not have them try it by themselves alone without true context of what is right or not. Don’t make assumption that the user knows what to do, put yourself in their shoes! To my veteran triathlete, thanks but no thanks!
Oh, and by the way, it took approximately 56 minutes and 32 seconds to get the damn thing off of me. Not sure this wet suit will help my time unless I also ride the bike and run (or roll) with it on . . . do you think it might be a little too small?
Since this blog is open source, I can tell you the person who provided me the wet suite (if you did not know) was Sean Luitjens (Mr. Triathlete himself). I have not tried the wet suite on again, nor plan to . . . but hangs in my closet as a reminder that sometimes when you try new things, it does not always work out . . . gosh, I hope this was not an omen for what I am now embarking on . . .
I have decided to make an attempt at a triathlon (no, not the ironman, but much shorter one). A
triathlon is three sports in one, swimming (1500 metres), cycling (40K), and running (10K), one after another. I have to be challenged, so this seems like a good one to try (I am getting too old for the marathons). My weak event will be the swimming (of course, most would probably say all three are my weaknesses). So, I asked a veteran triathlon athlete for any suggestions, so he recommended that I get a wet suit, which he had an extra one that was slightly too big (needless to say, the veteran is at least 10cm shorter and 20cm less around the waist than I am). But nice gesture and brought the wet suite home.
Well, we have a swimming pool in the back yard (you know the one that is still leaking and no one can find the leak to fix it). The water is still fairly chilly here. So I decided to try on the wet suite this weekend and jump into the pool. Well, the first thing was getting the damn thing on, has anyone tried to get into a wet suit before? my goodness . . . so I am trying to figure out if it is too small, or I am not the “sharpest tool in the tool chest” if you know what I mean. So, I finally get the thing on (of course it is so tight I am talking at a much higher pitch than normal), my boys were calling me “rubber man” and “penquin man” because I could barely walk in the thing.
Anyway, I roll (yes, roll) myself over the edge of the pool and get in the walk, little did I know why they call this thing a WET SUIT! I about froze for the first few minutes. For those that dont know, the wet suit allows water (i.e., the cold water) penetrate into the wet suite against your body, and the theory is that the water warms up from your body and then keeps you warm against the cold water.
So, this was my adventure, who thinks this is funny. Which brings me to the work related thing about this. We need to do more with our clients on education, because if we just hand something over to them, will they end up really using it in the right way or making assumptions that are totally wrong or misinterpreted. In other words, providing a complete turnkey (not turkey) solution which optimizes the experience for the “client” is important and not have them try it by themselves alone without true context of what is right or not. Don’t make assumption that the user knows what to do, put yourself in their shoes! To my veteran triathlete, thanks but no thanks!
Oh, and by the way, it took approximately 56 minutes and 32 seconds to get the damn thing off of me. Not sure this wet suit will help my time unless I also ride the bike and run (or roll) with it on . . . do you think it might be a little too small?
Since this blog is open source, I can tell you the person who provided me the wet suite (if you did not know) was Sean Luitjens (Mr. Triathlete himself). I have not tried the wet suite on again, nor plan to . . . but hangs in my closet as a reminder that sometimes when you try new things, it does not always work out . . . gosh, I hope this was not an omen for what I am now embarking on . . .
Monday, April 7, 2008
Lessons Learned
I thought I would repost one of my last postings from the previous blog . . .
Well, by now, everyone should know that I leave in seven days. I still cannot believe. I would like to thank many of you for your well wishes and kind words, I continue to be humbled by your
thoughtfulness. You all are one of a kind.
This blog has been going on for some time and thought I would provide my top twelve lessons learned
from past blogs . . . so here I go . . .
1. Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free (things dont always appear as they are, seek
the truth and you will be better from it)
2. Be passionate about what you do (find your flow), as it wont feel like “work” then
3. Whatever you do, as parent, manager, analyst, sportsman . . . give 100%, you don’t want to wish in
the future you had not given your best!
4. Family Always Before Work
5. Life is Short, Don’t forget to enjoy it
6. Nobody on their death bed, wished they had worked more . . .
7. Make the Best decisions you can given the information you have, inaction will destroy
8. We all make mistakes, just make sure you learn from them
9. The will to win cannot be beat (sometimes just trying is victory)
10. Work hard, play hard
11. Celebrate Wins and Successes, understand losses
12. Dont wear a wet suite, wait until the water is warm enough!
Cheers all . . .
Well, by now, everyone should know that I leave in seven days. I still cannot believe. I would like to thank many of you for your well wishes and kind words, I continue to be humbled by your
thoughtfulness. You all are one of a kind.
This blog has been going on for some time and thought I would provide my top twelve lessons learned
from past blogs . . . so here I go . . .
1. Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free (things dont always appear as they are, seek
the truth and you will be better from it)
2. Be passionate about what you do (find your flow), as it wont feel like “work” then
3. Whatever you do, as parent, manager, analyst, sportsman . . . give 100%, you don’t want to wish in
the future you had not given your best!
4. Family Always Before Work
5. Life is Short, Don’t forget to enjoy it
6. Nobody on their death bed, wished they had worked more . . .
7. Make the Best decisions you can given the information you have, inaction will destroy
8. We all make mistakes, just make sure you learn from them
9. The will to win cannot be beat (sometimes just trying is victory)
10. Work hard, play hard
11. Celebrate Wins and Successes, understand losses
12. Dont wear a wet suite, wait until the water is warm enough!
Cheers all . . .
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Enthusiasm
In a prior blog, I gave a quote that I have carry around with me for many years . . .
"Every person is enthusiastic at times. One person has enthusiasm for thirty minutes; another person has it for thirty days,but it is the person who has it for thirty years who makes a success of life."
You need to be enthusiastic about what you do and even why you do what you do . . .otherwise, you may be missing out on life.
Get excited about positive things. If you are normally calm, find something that will get you "fired up" . . . initiate enthusiasm and the feeling will follow!
You know those around you who are enthusiastic, go ahead and ask them why and how do they get so enthusiastic . . .
Tom Peters (I think most know who he is), said "if you're working in a company that is not ENTHUSIASTIC, energetic, creative, clever, curious, and just plain fun, you've got troubles, serious troubles."
Enthusiasm starts with YOU . . . and one thing about enthusiasm, it's contagious!!!!
"Every person is enthusiastic at times. One person has enthusiasm for thirty minutes; another person has it for thirty days,but it is the person who has it for thirty years who makes a success of life."
You need to be enthusiastic about what you do and even why you do what you do . . .otherwise, you may be missing out on life.
Get excited about positive things. If you are normally calm, find something that will get you "fired up" . . . initiate enthusiasm and the feeling will follow!
You know those around you who are enthusiastic, go ahead and ask them why and how do they get so enthusiastic . . .
Tom Peters (I think most know who he is), said "if you're working in a company that is not ENTHUSIASTIC, energetic, creative, clever, curious, and just plain fun, you've got troubles, serious troubles."
Enthusiasm starts with YOU . . . and one thing about enthusiasm, it's contagious!!!!
Leadership Communications
I cannot say enough that Communications is one of the keys to successful leadership.
"How well we communicate is determined not by how well we say things but how well we are understood" Andrew Grove, CEO, Intel Corporation
This statement is so true. How often have you sat and listened to a "presentation" and after an hour, what did you as the listener, actually remembered? That is why presentation material is key and how it is presented. I know I have sat listening to a leader and end up day-dreaming and missed a whole section of the presentation because it was so monotonous!
So, if you are presenting, use Right Brain messages. Try communicating creatively with stories, pictures, even music to help convey your message and increase retention. Dont be shy, try something new!
That is how you say it, but must state any communication is key. Someone once said, "If you don't give people information, they'll make up something to fill the void". Don't be an information gate keeper . . .
Also, it is so important that you create an environment where withholding bad news is the worse violation of all. Communications is a two-way channels, if you are transparent, people will be more transparent to you!
So. Communcate . . . . Communicate . . . .Communicate
Sometimes you learn from leaders on how not to communicate and you know how you feel in that environment!
"How well we communicate is determined not by how well we say things but how well we are understood" Andrew Grove, CEO, Intel Corporation
This statement is so true. How often have you sat and listened to a "presentation" and after an hour, what did you as the listener, actually remembered? That is why presentation material is key and how it is presented. I know I have sat listening to a leader and end up day-dreaming and missed a whole section of the presentation because it was so monotonous!
So, if you are presenting, use Right Brain messages. Try communicating creatively with stories, pictures, even music to help convey your message and increase retention. Dont be shy, try something new!
That is how you say it, but must state any communication is key. Someone once said, "If you don't give people information, they'll make up something to fill the void". Don't be an information gate keeper . . .
Also, it is so important that you create an environment where withholding bad news is the worse violation of all. Communications is a two-way channels, if you are transparent, people will be more transparent to you!
So. Communcate . . . . Communicate . . . .Communicate
Sometimes you learn from leaders on how not to communicate and you know how you feel in that environment!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
The Brink Theory of Management
Well, that is if anyone cares . . . I would not say it is really a new theory or anything but I read a book many years ago that had a major impact on me and how I manage people and business, and it is one of the drivers why I would like to lead a company. My view is that many companies view people as numbers when talent is the only sustainable competitive advantage that a company has . .. wouldn't you want to keep the most valuable asset happy and motivated?
Here is the book:
The Great Game of Business
by Jack Stack
If you lead people or manage a a product line, I highly recommend it!
This is not your typical consulting-speak management book, you know those books by people who have never led people or managed a business before . . .
The books starts with "The Higher Laws of Business"
1. you get what you give
2. it's easy to stop one guy, but it's pretty hard to stop 100
3. What goes around comes around
4. You do what you gotta do
5. You gotta wanna
6. You can sometimes fool the fans, but you can never fool the players
7. When you raise the bottom, the top rises
8. When people set their own targets, they usually hit them
9 If nobody pays attention, people stop caring
10. As they say in Missouri: S#%t rolls downhill. By which we mean change begins at the top
The books goes into more details into each of these . . .
Those who might be in the know, might understand my desire to Leave my last company and adventure on my own . . . there might be some misalignment with some of these.
I do highly recommend . . . it is true empowerment of those who work so hard to do a good job!
Here is the book:
The Great Game of Business
by Jack Stack
If you lead people or manage a a product line, I highly recommend it!
This is not your typical consulting-speak management book, you know those books by people who have never led people or managed a business before . . .
The books starts with "The Higher Laws of Business"
1. you get what you give
2. it's easy to stop one guy, but it's pretty hard to stop 100
3. What goes around comes around
4. You do what you gotta do
5. You gotta wanna
6. You can sometimes fool the fans, but you can never fool the players
7. When you raise the bottom, the top rises
8. When people set their own targets, they usually hit them
9 If nobody pays attention, people stop caring
10. As they say in Missouri: S#%t rolls downhill. By which we mean change begins at the top
The books goes into more details into each of these . . .
Those who might be in the know, might understand my desire to Leave my last company and adventure on my own . . . there might be some misalignment with some of these.
I do highly recommend . . . it is true empowerment of those who work so hard to do a good job!
First Day of Freedom
Oh my . . . I looked at the mirror today (the first day of not being employed by Mercer since 1994) and I think my hair is turning to its original colour from the grey (okay, yes, the hair that is left, did not notice any more hair . . . .yet, but its only been a day). The pressure is off, I feel I can breathe deep.
I was able to walk my boys to the bus stop this morning. I am going to have lunch with my wife. I will be picking the boys up at the bus stop . . . it is the little things we really miss out on life sometimes that are real special!
I went for a very long run along one of the lakes in Austin this morning. Here were my song selection on my IPOD for this run . . . okay, dont laugh . . .
These are the Days Van Morrison
- It is the now, today . . . live for the moment
Come Sail Away Styx
- Come join aboard ... for a new adventure
If it Makes you Happy Sheryl Crow
- Hey, life is short, make the best of it . . . do what makes you happy
You Cant always get what you want Rolling Stones
- but you can get what you need . . . what is really most important in life?
Son of a Son of a Sailer Jimmy Buffet
- Yes, I lived in many places . .. for first ten years of my life, our home had wheels, yes, lived in a trailer, first and only college educated person in entire line of family (my daughter will graduate in May 2009 and will be number two).
Good Riddance Green Day
- Well . . . . a little Obvious?
Survivor Destiny's Child
- I know, but I like the beat and I will survive any challenges I face. . . all you have to do is believe!
Easy Commodores
- Time for to move on . . .
Green Eyes Coldplay
- This is just a special song to me
This is the Day The Soul Mining
- yes, this day is a definitely a change in my life
'Till I Collapse Eminem
- I will never stop working and fighting for what is right
I was able to walk my boys to the bus stop this morning. I am going to have lunch with my wife. I will be picking the boys up at the bus stop . . . it is the little things we really miss out on life sometimes that are real special!
I went for a very long run along one of the lakes in Austin this morning. Here were my song selection on my IPOD for this run . . . okay, dont laugh . . .
These are the Days Van Morrison
- It is the now, today . . . live for the moment
Come Sail Away Styx
- Come join aboard ... for a new adventure
If it Makes you Happy Sheryl Crow
- Hey, life is short, make the best of it . . . do what makes you happy
You Cant always get what you want Rolling Stones
- but you can get what you need . . . what is really most important in life?
Son of a Son of a Sailer Jimmy Buffet
- Yes, I lived in many places . .. for first ten years of my life, our home had wheels, yes, lived in a trailer, first and only college educated person in entire line of family (my daughter will graduate in May 2009 and will be number two).
Good Riddance Green Day
- Well . . . . a little Obvious?
Survivor Destiny's Child
- I know, but I like the beat and I will survive any challenges I face. . . all you have to do is believe!
Easy Commodores
- Time for to move on . . .
Green Eyes Coldplay
- This is just a special song to me
This is the Day The Soul Mining
- yes, this day is a definitely a change in my life
'Till I Collapse Eminem
- I will never stop working and fighting for what is right
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