How To Identify Broken Business Infrastructure Before It Bombs

You think you are ready to tell the world who you are and what you do.  Articles I've shared here lately about sales funnels, branding and communications have helped you fine-tune your launch. Heads up: you need to understand you aren’t there yet.

Are you ready to respond to demand? What if you have too many inquiries and are overextended? Is there a way out if you have product just sitting in your storeroom because it isn’t moving like you hoped?

The method behind your madness goes well beyond planning. Infrastructure is the typically unseen make-or-break skeleton that lifts you toward success.  You can’t grow if you can’t meet demand, but if you don’t spend valuable time early, your reputation and brand likely will suffer greatly.

Sure, you can spend time and create a coastal restoration infrastructure plan (but watch the live link doesn’t end up saying “ilovepdf” like this one) that names features that need extra support and why, with prioritization of projects.

Or, there could be a third party infrastructure review like our nation recently had completed for homeland security (and really our weaknesses, to show where someone or some entity really missed the ball)  

Somehow, your fabulous design for end-to-end control fails due to reliance on a supposed expert internal opinion that online sales won’t change your business model (because you never saw brick-less stores as a threat).

If you aren’t asking the right questions, you have a self-made obstacle that wasn’t a problem (i.e. the mountain out of a molehill syndrome) instead of solving the consumer’s dilemma.

The best course of action is thinking through your own business model before you launch new options, so search for the obtuse “then a miracle happens” moment in your plan. This is what you need to fix before irate customers show you it’s broken.

• Use tools that make life simple(r) - also known as operations. In days gone by, having a watch was critical for on-time customer delivery. Now, it’s knowing when the shipment is picked, packed, leaves, transports and arrives. Use software systems that track things that need monitored or keep other things secure (literally e-lock/e-key or encryption), but don’t let them run the show alone. Sometimes software is called IP architecture, but it’s still infrastructure to your business. Invest in programs that are customer-facing so your brand’s touch is personalized.
• Have backups of life support systems - call this process management. This may be telephone lines for other area codes (Katrina taught me to always have a backup with another city area code; they get through when power goes out); perhaps it’s having multiple internet services (even in the same location, hiccups don’t run through all routers) or off-site e-storage for files (some states require this if you are a government contractor/supplier)—the point is that one is never enough and it’s easily readied before the crisis that will inevitably come. 
• People power is priceless - the value of humanity. If you don’t have someone to answer that email or take the client call, everything else is meaningless. I suspect not a single person reading this article has always had glowing success with every customer service interaction. Use your own experience with flaws in other businesses to ensure you have backup to help with calls if there’s a snowstorm and staff get stuck (even if it’s a retired neighbor woman with your cell phone to answer the phone to say you’re in a meeting and will call back). Be creative!

No matter what line of business or service, everyone can improve. There is no replacement for smart human to human interaction. Your infrastructure is a significant component of your in-house communication process. Just as with your words, your success depends on the structure’s thoughtfulness and inclusiveness; context and timeframe influence perspectives through all areas of business (as well as government). 

There’s a reason you don’t skip rungs on a ladder. It applies in business functions, too.

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

Four Steps to Beating Your Competition

The economy is growing, so logically there are more people doing business.  More competition is still competition (even if it’s bad competition) — you end up distracted by figments instead of attracted to substance.

In this new year, on this day of “manifesting the best” in each of us, we should each focus on revelations that make us better.  Today’s topic is competition.

This isn’t a B-school SWOT analysis or a social media storyboard.  It’s a fundamental shift in your approach.  Buzzwords like schema, perception, analysis are great only when you take these small details and incorporate them into large game-changing practice.  See the trend about you and your application of knowledge rather than checkboxes or scorecards.

It’s day six of the new year (the fourth business day), and here are the four things you should have already done this week:

• Make sure you understand the industry tomorrow.  There are direct, indirect and substitute types of competitors, but that’s only looking at what exists today.  Don’t look at the gorilla in your sector; instead, look at the tiger cubs.  There are resources focused on VC recipients and patent registrations - use them.  Don't be shocked when a truck you didn’t see overtakes market leaders.  Look beyond the easy answers (like Silicon Valley players falling to hype) to those with a hunger to get ahead (like Syrian girls in new industries).

• Learn how language is shifting, both at companies and by consumers. Though you may read a lot, if you aren’t in the trenches at some point on a regular basis you will lose your communication edge.  Don’t leave it to an agency to tell you what keywords matter!  You should be defining the topics that will resonate in the market that position your brand as the solution.  Trends don’t matter in and of themselves; trending topics occur because there are people looking for solutions to problems. 

• The Internet of Things is still a function of human design.  The electronic web is still fueled for growth by people making decisions.  While cars may drive themselves, they are not free from human monitoring, programming or intervention.  Design is attractive and what draws business.  Consumers may be irrational, but if you figure out a new way to use the box or build a better mousetrap, connecting via the internet remains a tool for consumers rather than a limited decision tool.  Figure out how you use what you know in the next 18 months. 

• Scope and scale are critical to success.  Like the introductory paragraph notes, your business isn’t competing with everything; it’s only taking on those organizations which you identify as worthy of effort.  Typically, this is the big pitfall of new managers and established leaders — emotional decisions to protect turf override common sense.  This isn’t saying ignore a “gut feeling.” Don’t confuse an ocean with loyal customers’ purchasing habits; know who you are before you pick fights with insignificant non-competitors.

It was 2016 when we were reminded to understand who you are before you decided where you are going.  As you finish with the fourth business day of the new year, if you haven’t truthfully considered your strengths and direction, complete a cram session this weekend so you don’t miss out on next week’s deliverables.  

The next few weeks of articles will address core topics for improvements to focus time efficiently and sort through the noise  — stay tuned for more ways to improve the things in your world.

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

The New Groundhog Day

Just 20 days ago, I reminded readers that we were getting an extra second this year. Today, main-stream-media is reminding the world again.

We really need to make use of the gifts given to us this holiday season - whether they are big or small. Adages of ‘use your time wisely’ mean so much more when you literally have more time. 

Set your goals and lead the way - even if it means taking off in a new direction.

“If you want to know the value of one year, just ask a student who failed a course. 

If you want to know the value of one month, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby. 

If you want to know the value of one hour, ask the lovers waiting to meet. 

If you want to know the value of one minute, ask the person who just missed the bus. 

If you want to know the value of one second, ask the person who just escaped death in a car accident. 

And if you want to know the value of one-hundredth of a second, ask the athlete who won a silver medal in the Olympics.” 

- Marc Levy, Et si c'était vrai..., Vous revoir, édition complète 2 en 1

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

The Secret of Getting Ahead

Tomorrow is the day Americans give thanks for the blessings they’ve experienced in the past year.  Change it up this year because it should also be thanks for the blessings that you know are going to come your way.

We don’t move forward by looking behind us, yet many people do this over and over.  Even Thanksgiving is a day where we appreciate what we have already been given!  If you keep focusing on where you’ve been, how will you use what you’ve learned to build a great future?

Take time to invest in all of your tomorrows and think about what makes you happy.  Consider what “tools” you have used from your skills set when you are enjoying life the most.  By honestly identifying and understanding your strengths, you can use every one of your gifts with courage and hope for an abundant future.  

One of the gifts all humans have is the gift of hearing (even if it’s selectively used) - not just in the literal sense, but in perceptive ways, too.  Listen so that that you hear what is not being said in the world.  When we listen, we end up seeing where we fit just a little better in our communities.

The new year is approaching; this week’s articles on facts and revolution focus on preparations based on thinking, not guessing.  Being honest with yourself will ensure you love what you do, even if you have to start building this new part of your life one small step at a time.  

If you don’t take action, you won’t reach success.  If you don’t take action, things remain impossible.  If you don’t take action, you are endangering yourself to being just a follower. 

• If you take action, you will be better tomorrow than you were yesterday.  
• If you take action, you make decisions toward a brighter future. 
• If you take action, your confidence will inspire others.

The secret of getting ahead is getting started *

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

Just the Facts

It’s the end of the year, a time when a lot of businesses ease off the gas pedal - not because they want to give employees a break, but because they are misinformed about consumer behaviors.  This irrational input into a decision matrix loses revenue for companies around the world.

I usually write articles around hot topics to inspire, educate, encourage... helping you sort through the noise and get to the important things in life.  Well, year-end sales certainly fit this model.  If you aren’t engaged in the realities of business instead of off-target perceptions, you won’t do what’s important for customers.

If you knew the facts…

…that the fourth quarter is the new first quarter, you may be more inclined to go running into the new year with a bang on your financial statements…

…and B2B growth occurs as customers surf the internet for next year’s partners, your efforts now to reach out will be rewarded…

…so respectable sales across industries (not just retail sales) can help exceed your company goals by maintaining focus through the end of the year…

… you could keep your target market’s attention with:

• Attention-grabbing branded messaging.  This does not mean it needs to be “crafty” or “slick” — in fact, those things can hurt you.  Just as you are busy, so are they.  Know what your customer wants to hear through some valid market research to save time and headaches if you have to look back and wonder why you missed your 4Q goals.  If fewer companies are looking to be heard through cacophony of holiday ads, your messages are likely to hit the mark.

• Credible claims.  Don’t stretch the truth and don’t claim to be a company that you’re not.  Customers viewpoints are savvy and more educated with direct applications to help them sift through the distractions in life.  Third party endorsements are good only when they will mean something to your customer base; likewise, paid spokespersons are less effective than twenty years ago.  You can improve credibility by “walking the walk” and putting effort into strong brand foundations that help the market see what your company really does.

• Quality delivery.  The days are fading when people wanted “more for less” because they realize paying a little more for quality goes much farther.  In your products you demand excellence, so why not in your messages to customers?  Pushing strategic marketing teams for fast statements without the backbone of the product infrastructure completed is a waste of money.  Let those who are trained to perform do exactly that, and manage your own expectations when you hire superstar people to get the job done right.

By not following tradition, you can capitalize on a bit of the sales revolution by modifying your business plan.  Improve upon past performance and start the new year ahead of the curve.  Begin implementing your business’ revolution today — yesterday was for you, today is for your investments and tomorrow is for your dreams.

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

Are You Telling The Truth?

Typically, we simplify our lives into two main paths, each of us creating a double consciousness for work and home lives.  

Compartmentalizing aspects of living makes it easier for some people to handle the challenges from work and the opportunities with family. But inevitably, the two paths cross. How many families over-schedule children’s after school activities making it seem like elementary school children have back-to-back c-suite meetings, just as one example as how hiding from reality doesn’t bring honest happiness.

There is a tendency in life to pick goals that will make other people proud: your parents that you are a high-level manager; your peers that you make a ton of money; your loved ones that you can give them all the presents they ever wanted.  But what happened to that dream of yours to be anything you wanted to be?  It could have been a poet, a dancer, an actor, a singer; an inventor, a scientist, a mechanic or more.

The truth is this: we can have success on more than one path and take a different route to achieve our goals.  Super-achievers visualize what they want and go for it.  The walk isn’t hard.  But you have to keep taking steps to move forward.

What do you think would happen if you could carve time specifically for dreaming and allowed yourself to follow your true passion? If you went to bed 30 minutes later so you could do an online course in something that interests you… If you woke up 60 minutes earlier to paint a sunrise… if you took a laptop on your lunch break and started writing a book?  What would happen if you started telling the truth to yourself about what makes you happy and where you want to take your career?

Truthfully, you can make time for anything you want. Twenty-four hours in a day is a lot of time to accomplish things if you organize yourself.  Perhaps you may not like your job, but enjoy the money.  So use that cash flow you’ve earned following the Jones’ dream in order to hack back into your dreams and make something better happen for yourself. 

Just because you are doing one thing doesn’t mean you can’t be working toward something you really want out of life.  Ask yourself the hard questions and see if you can tell yourself the truth and act on it - that a little more working for what you really want will bring your greater advantages in the future.

“Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole, clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!”  - Andrew Carnegie

(Quote in image is generally attributed to Maggie Kuhn, Activitst, though the original quote was, "Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind, even if your voice shakes."

Heather M. Hilliard is Principal and Chief Strategist for R. Roan Enterprises, LLC, a professional services consulting firm supporting businesses in pointed areas of expertise as well as with individuals for targeted projects or career development. For more articles like these, visit her posts on LinkedIn or on G+. 

#seizetheday, #makeithappen

Mirage

Mirage - the word comes to English via the French words mirage (from se mirer (to be reflected) and mirus (wonderful) as well as from the Latin mirari, meaning “to wonder at.” There are also clues in etymology that indicate the Arabic mi’raj was of influence; however, the meaning there connotes ascending or climbing.  Misleading images are frequently mistaken for reflections in extreme heat.  Most often, a mirage is the mistaken identification of an oasis (of water) in the middle of a desert.

Have you ever had a dream of something you'd like to do or become, seeing it as a vision set in the future?  Has it seemed like a distant thought, put far out of your mind and only considered on a rainy day?  Well, mirage means a reflection of something wonderful, and you can make it happen if you focus on the future and what lies ahead.

Consider this.  Several years ago, my mother and I went to Ireland with friends.  Renting a car, I began to leave the lot, driving a standard shift vehicle with the wheel on the right side of the car - and while the gear shift and pedal orientation was in the same place, the pedals were also on the right side of the car (of course) and you need to use your left hand to shift gears.

Laughter and caution abundant in the roundabout, I began to adjust the rear-view mirror when it suddenly dislodged in my left hand - the same hand that was needed to shift to third gear and proceed out of the circle on the wrong side of the road with the turn signal indicator God-knows-where (likely to be used by my very busy left hand).  Smartly, I figured out how to shift and hold the mirror while returning to the car rental agency. 

Leaving my mother waiting in the car and strolling into the rental facility, there was a man that appeared to be born at the time of Saint Columba and a younger bloke off to the back.  I told the older gentleman with apologies that the rearview mirror came off as I adjusted it.  Perfectly in time with my last word, he retorted in a friendly way, “Ach, well ye’ve got two others, don’t ya? Throw it in the box and be on your way.”

Glancing at the younger guy as the older one left the office, he shrugged his shoulders, agreed I should just put it in the box (that would be glove box) and to enjoy the island.  Ah yes, don’t we all know why the Irish saved civilization - with their common sense!  Smart advice to not worry about your rear view mirror.

When you focus on what's ahead of you, it's easier to get farther, to reach higher, to make bigger dreams come true.  That's what I recently did, and as of today, I am a published author.  Crime, history and political mysteries have found a new home (available in hardback on Amazon and BN or ebooks everywhere), all wrapped up in a fictional tale.

Keep focused on the future ahead of you, not what lies behind you or who is trying to keep up with you.  Take the wheel and get to your dream destination.

Negotiate a better salary - three tips and tricks

Nobody cares about you, honey - it’s all about the business.

You have to standup for yourself.  When passing into the “you’re hired” phase, many so-called experts tell you to highlight your good qualities when trying to get a better deal.  Wrong.  

With more than seven billion people in the world, the odds of someone else having those experiences and skills - even in a small town or a particular industry - I’d make a call to Vegas and wager money against you.

However, notice where I focused that last sentence - on the numbers.  It’s about numbers that work in your favor.  You need to show the new business that you know how to count. So what numbers should be important to you and why? 

Here are three tips on how to negotiate a better package from a new employer.

Problem one is all about that base.  Thanks, Megan Trainor.  The base is the focus, not the treble or other benefits.  That comes later...

Problem One: You are offered a lower base salary than you want.

Answer One: Look at the average base salary for that position in the city or region.  Then, also research the average years of people in same position.

Option One Part A: The base salary offered is lower.

Solution One Part A: You counter with knowledge of the industry by providing the average salary in a given area and incorporate the years on the job of the person in the role (if it is the same or less than yours).  Hard for a company to justify how they value you less than someone that’s average - and you don’t even have to explain how you’re better than just “average.” Use salary.com, glassdoor.com, payscale.com… you get the drift.  Compare a few, too, as Salary uses numbers from industry but Glassdoor uses employee self-reporting.

Option One Part B: The base salary offered is higher.

Solution One Part B: Don’t necessarily negotiate the base until after you review what’s next (but know you’ll likely take the offer and just want to see how to sweeten it).

Problem two is they better recognize.  Thanks, Honey Boo-Boo.  They need to recognize your work contributions...

Problem Two: You are offered either a lower merit bonus or no merit - or worse yet, a “team” bonus.

Answer Two: Refer back to Answer One. 

Option Two Part A: They offer a low or no bonus structure. 

Solution Two Part A: A bit longer explanation as bonus payments are more complicated… Review how their base salary offering compares to the average base in your profession for your job for your region for your years of experience.  If no merit is offered (or an older-model cost of living set increase), leverage it with the Solution One and a combination of your own past reviews (if they were good) to show your contributions.  Give them facts about your sales exceeding target, your patient satisfaction survey results, your student evaluations - whatever it takes for third party data to show them what they are getting.  Don’t say how great you are - third party acts are WAY BETTER and more successful. After all, you have nothing to say if the response is “no” if you just told them you are wonderful, but with metrics you can still have a second round of discussion.

Option Two Part B: They offer a  “team effort” bonus structure.

Solution Two Part B: Again longer explanation, but for a different reason than Part A. This is generally a no-win bonus as almost every job today has some system that, regardless of what you call it, is manipulated to cover cost of living increases.  Kind of like threatening with a big stick but forgetting a carrot.  These merit structures can’t be altered and this one stinks as it depends on other people not screwing up your money. However, your past performance ratings can influence a bigger base… meaning that the 3% they may say was awarded last year will be larger on a salary that’s $3,000 higher than the original offer.  Combined with the Solution One Part A, you can get a larger base salary (which means better matching for retirement, too).  Combine this personal initial agreement increase based on your past performance with Solution One Part B, you again get a larger base salary.  Refer back to point one - it’s all about the base and guaranteed money.

Problem three is what about me. Thanks, Kardashians.  The “selfie” here though is your bank account and portfolio...

Problem Three: The benefits structure seems lower - fewer days off than what you have now or less of a retirement match than what you have today.

Answer Three: A variation of Answer One - it’s all about where you start the count.

Option Three Part A: If you are leaving a company that gave you additional days vacation after your years of loyalty, tell the new employer.  State your current paid days off, sick time, or PTO.  Speak their language.

Solution Three Part A: This is a give-away for them.  The starting "days off" package is nearly always negotiable.  If you have experience in the industry - especially at a direct competitor - this is a good area to let them know they are not as generous as where you currently work.  You don’t need them (though you may want them) - they need you and is the last thing you review.  With the above steps, they should already be paying you appropriately at this point anyway, so putting extra “V”s in the system is easy. By gaining your experience and not a starter position that would only earn the intro rate, you can leverage what you know and how long you did it somewhere else as a reward, too.  But don’t let this be the deal breaker if you’ve already handled One and Two.

Option Three Part B: The new company doesn’t match as high of a percentage for retirement or takes longer to vest their contributions to your program.

Solution Three Part B: As this set-up is extremely unlikely to change, reframe it; let them know how the math works out against you, making their offer seem cheap (don’t say that literally).  Pretend you couldn’t get a better base for the sake of math here. Both jobs are annual $100,000, but the new job offered only 3%of salary match instead of 6% match of you current employer. The new job is actually paying you $3,000 less a year - over ten years, that’s $30,000 they don’t give you (forget the investment interest).  And I didn’t even do the “harder” math of raises, promotions, or that merit bonus - so it becomes more than $30,000! Effectively, this puts your negotiation back at Option One Part A - so you need to get this loss back into your base and you can tell them this component of your request to raise the base is so you can replace the decrease to your retirement contribution at the new company. 

There’s a lot of talk about underemployment in the supposed economic recovery from the 2008 recession in addition to gender pay-gaps in certain fields and other job trending information.  Any reason for the reduction in overall wages, sluggish increase in pay, or effective results lowering by age (younger or older) or gender - people aren’t sure how to get what they think they deserve for their skills.  They don’t want to lose a chance… but will regret taking a position if they didn’t try to get what they think they deserve. If you are professional during the negotiation, it only bodes well as they know you know your business and are willing to invest in your best project - yourself.

Going back to the beginning of this article - if you don’t look out for yourself, no one else will.  Have a cheerleader to remind you how great you are, but talk numbers when you are looking to take something from them to the bank.

The Most Important List

When you’re young, you think about your future, actually taking steps to practice being in that role: you dress up and play as a doctor, as a princess, as a knight, as a soldier.  Playtime (and practice) helps build skills - remember that book “All I really I need to know I learned in Kindergarten?”

You probably remember that book's “top ten” list (people love lists):
1. Share everything.
2. Play fair.
3. Don't hit people.
4. Put thngs back where you found them.
5. Clean up your own mess.
6. Don't take things that aren't yours.
7. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
8. Wash your hands before you eat.
9. Flush.
10. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

We subconsciously use lists all the time. For instance, when you buy things for yourself, family or friends, is “speed” at the top of that list, such as how fast you can get the task completed? Speed isn’t important unless you are buying a Porsche or you forgot to make a list and are running late for the birthday party.  I bet your list centers on quality when thinking of others.

If the above is your “kindergarten" list, what’s your "grown up" list? Do you even have a list? You should.  How will you know if you are exceeding your goals if there’s no ‘list'? 

Work forces you to accomplish things on a list.  You make a grocery list (it may or may not get used). There’s a house chores list.  These are little things and you take time to make a stupid list - what about the big things?

The most important list is the one that inspires you every day - to do the right thing, to be a good person, to sleep well at night.  The best lists are the ones that uplift and remind you of who you are, who was that little person that’s now a big person and can change the world.

To help you get started, you can pick ten things that are meaningful to you and how you want to live your life - then find inspiration.  

Here’s my list, and while I need to focus on them all everyday, it’s important to start… start with a list, and start remembering what is important.

1. Intent: It doesn’t matter what you say you believe - it only matters what you do. - Robert Fulghum 

2. Learning: Live as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever. - Mahatma Ghandi

3. Attitude: I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.  - Jimmy Dean

4. Achievement: Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. - Francis of Assisi

5. Faith: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. - Jesus Christ

6: Reward: Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. - Vince Lombardi

7. Dream: There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. - Nelson Mandela

8. Companionship: The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best. - Epictetus

9. Patience: In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher. - Dalai Lama

10: Service: Silence is Prayer; Prayer is Faith; Faith is Love; Love is Service; the Fruit of Service is Peace. - Mother Teresa

You can’t drive forward when you are looking in the rear view mirror.  

Look to the horizon as we enter the new spring season this weekend and blossom into who you really were born to be!

Don't Get Too Comfortable

"He who dies with the most toys wins."  Many people look to collect the most creature comforts and make themselves a very cushy life.  How we appear to others on the outside means a whole heck-of-a-lot to many, many people.  Our bank accounts and assets define success to this group.  Some people just want to scratch the surface and create a calm, peaceful life - and that works for them.

But, what about who you are on the inside?  Your inner self shines through to everything that you do.  There are people who want to do more than scratch the surface.  They ask questions, hold people to higher standards (perhaps the legal standards), and work to make their community a better place.  It's not easy, and it sure isn't comfortable.

There are many controversial people in the limelight that are being defined by others - Caitlyn Jenner (gender), Rachel Dolezal (race), and even the Pope (religion): topics etiquette says not to discuss at cocktail parties.  Whether you agree with them and their perspectives or not, they are taking a huge step away from comfort and created conversations about values.

Stand up and be tall - and try to be as tall figuratively as this super star in the story below.  He hasn't been in a major spotlight for himself for decades, but has always looked at what is the right thing to do.  We should all be conscious and mindful of the right things - comfort in the soul isn't always comfort on a couch, but you sure do sleep better at night!

http://www.npr.org/2015/11/01/453739566/kareem-abdul-jabbar-if-its-time-to-speak-up-you-have-to-speak-up

Start Giving to Yourself First

There’s been a lot of talk lately about GenXers saving more income than Baby Boomers for retirement, as well as the lack of participation in 401k plans or other means of saving.  But what people aren’t talking about is the ideological differences that may be driving these differences.

Tom Brokaw wrote a book, The Greatest Generation.  The nomenclature derives from a sociocultural definition - meaning, a consciousness among people in a cohort - in addition to a geographical place and era.  Even back in the 1920s, people were seeing the problems with divisions of generations - just ask Karl Mannheim.  

The defining of a non-related group of people by sheer cultural or historical circumstances eradicates individualism and creativity.  A member of any given generation has to be nearly as tough as nails to stand out from a crowd.  Subculture is overlooked and tensions are falsely created or, more typically, emphasized because “they” don’t understand “us”.  [Remind anyone of “movements” lately because people aren’t seen for who they are? Yet, I digress…]

When considering “Baby Boomers”, they emerged post-war as they rejected traditional values or wanted near wholesale redefining of rhetoric. Though there is “generational ownership” debate with the early versus later boomers, all are still focused on the post-war American spirit, and the ironic surge of power in the concept that “we defeated everyone”. So should not come as any surprise that this cohort didn’t save like their parents, didn’t have companies with lifetime employment like their parents, didn’t think anyone could bring them down (because their parents won, so would they).

Conversely, the Me Generation/ GenX, were the children of the ‘revolutionaries’ and  denounced the America that the Greatest Generation helped create (and from which they were prospering).  They have the highest education levels, which should be no surprise being a personal-achievement-oriented group.  This particular cohort bleeds into the GenY group, who have been described by some as narcissistic (i.e. what’s best for me).  It is no surprise, then, that they look out for their retirement welfare first, sometimes at the detriment of other important milestones in life.

But this all gets back to the generalizations of cohorts, and throwing the baby out with the bathwater.  While we may not like the sense of entitlement that Millennials have (because too often, perhaps, we are cleaning up the mess they leave) or the personal Me-focus of GenX (because teamwork produces better results in a relay race), as with all other things, we can benchmark the good and adopt portions.  Looking out for yourself, for your financial future rather than the good of the whole community to your own detriment is important.  Perhaps philanthropic endeavors gear back a bit until you have more saved for yourself in the long days ahead.  Or consider what this article says about how you choose to invest.

After all, when we plan for disasters, just as the flight attendants say - put on your own oxygen mask before attempting to help others.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/250194

Remember Whose You Are

Many musicians are known by the instruments they play.  Keith Richards' 1950s Fender Telecaster named "Micawber".  Joseph Bell's 1713 Stradivari that is only known as "he".  Coltrane's saxophone, Gillespie's trumpet.  The great musicians are often only half of an intimate duo.  They helped create an instrument's brand and future generations try to live up to that name.  When it's good, it's really good.

And the next line of that poem goes along like "and when he's bad, he's very very bad."  Back in the day, kids knew if they did something out of line, that a neighbor would call their parents and before they got home, there was already a lecture coming.  Parents were highly involved, neighbors had an "eye out" for the wee ones in the community.

There was no doubt in years past where you belonged and your home.  If you got that lecture when stepping out of line, there was little doubt that you would be reminded that you were a reflection on your parents.  You were reminded that when you were out and about, you needed to "remember whose you are."  You are a direct reflection on your family name and on God (or your family's deity).

Take some time to read this article, to have your eyes open.  Make your life better.  Have your priorities right.  Remember Whose You Are - live up to your name.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/pearls-before-breakfast-can-one-of-the-nations-great-musicians-cut-through-the-fog-of-a-dc-rush-hour-lets-find-out/2014/09/23/8a6d46da-4331-11e4-b47c-f5889e061e5f_story.html

Ready for Winter?

This is the time of year that squirrels begin hoarding food for the winter.  Chubby little cheeks full of seeds and nuts, running back to their homes so they know they'll be prepared for the future months to come.  Cute and smart!

People can take a lesson from squirrels.  While the economy hasn't been stellar in many years, we should adjust our living styles so that we can prepare for a winter ahead, too.

Framing things in the hopeful context leads to more success than thinking about things in the deprivation lingo. Instead of thinking: "I won't go on a vacation if I save $X per paycheck for a rainy day", try dreaming: "I'm saving for a great relaxing getaway instead some smaller half-way weekend trips."

Goals of losing weight, eating healthier, exercising or walking more are much more successful not only if you do them with a friend, but also you vision the future good that comes from your moves.

Finding that you can be home ten more minutes in the morning with family instead of leaving early for an expensive cup of coffee, or walking in your neighborhood rather than using a gym membership can help you not spend money on things you don't need and let you spend more valuable time on your family and friends.  It's all about what matters most - not whoever has the most toys.

Need some tips to help take a human-approach to the squirrel's smart move?  Try this http://www.businessinsider.com/tricks-real-people-use-to-be-better-with-money-2015-8

What Is Your Legacy?

We spend a lot of time considering how others see us and what other people think about us.  Honestly, if this describes you - then you are going about life all wrong.

Esse Quam Videri.  To be rather than to seem.

My high school motto had the classes think often about how we wanted to be.  You didn't want to just seem kind - you wanted to be kind.  You didn't want to just seem intelligent; you needed on a granular personal level to be intelligent.   

Genuine people seem exactly as they are.  You can only seem genuine if you are genuine.  And if you are focused on the good things in life, that reflects outward from you, and is kind of contagious. Instead of misery attracting company, energy and inspiration will attract enthusiasm and happiness.  Let your experiences and sharing be absorbed and then reflected by others.

When people discover things about you, what do you want them to discover? Don't automatically think about what you want to hide.  Think about the true you, the center of who you are - the goodness, the creativeness, the inspiration.  People are initially attracted by how you may seem, but rapidly unwrap the layers to find out what really makes you tick.

In the office, that happens sometimes sooner than people may realize.  Being together 40 hours a week is a lot of awake time!  Items in your workspace reveal more than you probably ever considered. The pieces of life you share in stories also shows your true self.  

Be thoughtful, but not over-planned.  Be considerate, but not condescending.  Be honest, but not brutal.  

An epitaph was the original tweet, limited to the sum of someone's life work engraved boldly on a tombstone.  Bleak considering how people tend to put off thinking about funerals and such, spending much more time living in the moment.  How you lived your life, though, can be an inspiration.

Every day of your life is a step toward your legacy.  Live it with intension and passion.

No Excuses

People stand out when they challenge the status quo. It could be an engineer that thinks about the solution to a traffic pattern in a different manner or a store clerk that notices foot patterns during a shift that brings more revenue with a shift in product placement.  People have a great tendency to put things in boxes and think that's the only place something should be, that people should be.  If people try to "move that cheese", for instance, the engineer may be scorned for wasting time on traffic patterns because that isn't "her box"... the clerk may be scolded for wasting time people watching when he has assignments to fold clothes or dust. As a result of the majority of people not wanting their boat rocked, people to stay in their assigned lane because society encourages (and sadly rewards) that type of behavior.


But, what happens when someone goes beyond expectations?  At one point in history, instincts kept us alive.  If we take time to listen closely, there is still a bell within us that can alert that something is just not right.  It doesn't have to be life threatening, merely a situation or solution isn't the best it can be.  If your instinct tells you something, put your brain to work.  You can be the one outlier that discovers great things - or as in this story, corrects a false assumption that had been perpetuated for eons.  Don't let a "container define your story".  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/alexander-the-great-father-tomb_55afec52e4b0a9b948536a84