Brenda Gurung

Happy Holidays...

2011-12-16T22:17:00.000-08:00

OR, Why I'm thankful.

In leiu of mailing holiday cards, I offer this blog post.

Looking back on this past year, there has been much good, and there is much for which to be thankful:

* Best friends: My beloved is my partner, my confidante, my advisor. He is the one of those who makes me want to be more. And what Thankful List would be complete without mentioning my little goofball and squirrel-chaser, Ginger.

* My residents: I work in senior living. It is daily that my residents remind me to work hard, to laugh, to celebrate, and to cherish.

* Colleagues: The power and impact of great individuals is magnified exponentially when they work together as a team. Sandra is the gold standard – she does everything, and she does all of it well. Tigist, Jacklyn, and MJ lead as great quarterbacks do – in the midst of the action, while seeing the whole field. Milia gives, always – she rarely tires, and she always puts others first. Kim mentors with such a breadth of experience, energy and humor, and she speaks with clarity.

* Sun!: I've lived in lands with little of it, and now I'm so pleased to feel its warm rays again.

* Good films: Some films shatter our perceptions (Inception), others inspire (The Way Back), others cross all borders (Cave of the Yellow Dog, The Great Match), others bring tears of laughter (Elf, Fawlty Towers) and tears of humanity (Up).

* Instant coffee: Most mornings, when I scoop the tablespoon into my cup, I'm reminded of my dear Grandma and Grandpa, who always had a jar of instant decaf near the kitchen table. It's a small sort of libation in their memory.

* Legacy: My parents have many legacies. I am grateful to have received their work ethic, their moral standards, their always-able-to-push-further endurance, and their never-ending love.

So it is in these thoughts of thankfulness that I wish you Happy Holidays!

Manifesto: the practicalities of leadership

2011-11-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

As with a certain CEO's “Black Box” ideas, I've coalesced some of my favorite ingredients to lead a senior living community, some of which are translate-able to other industries. Many thanks to some awesome directors exhibiting these ingredients daily, for being an example to us all. Key points:

Client identification: There is a four-fold client base: residents, their families and loved ones, staff, and community partners.
Making time: One must always make time for any resident or family – never walking past without a greeting and a moment of sincerity and meaning.
Response: As I've addressed in a recent article, responses must be quick – whether email, phone, in-person, text
Compassion: In serving seniors, their families, staff and community partners, the work can never be “a job.” We must always remember the journey and perspective of the resident and their loved ones.
Expertise: Particularly when working with residents with dementia or mental health needs, the team must be coached on best practices, diagnoses and disease processes. Through knowledge, the team is better able to serve residents and families, and the team feels better about their contributions.
Community partners & competitors: We must build relationships. Community partners give a wider sense of client needs, industry trends, and applicable solutions. Competitors – whether direct or indirect – can be (direct or indirect) partners. There have been many occasions in which I have initiated professional relationships with key potential competitors, developing a network of support and expertise.
Invoices: Invoices must be verified for accuracy and receipt of service, and paid quickly – never past due.
Right fit: It is important for all aspects of HR to have the right person in the right position – this must be considered in hiring, coaching, and promotions.
Budget: Whether labor, census, revenue, expenses – budgets must be monitored in real-time and action must be taken thusly to expand or trim based on current conditions.
Open door: Key directors must be accessible and visible for residents, families, staff and community partners. Their doors must be open – whether literally, or figuratively.
Accountability: I'm a staunch proponent of team accountability – out of respect for each employee and the entire team, it is critical to be aware of abilities, successes, tasks completed / not.. The goal is to collaborate - celebrating achievement and coaching for improvement.
Regulations: It goes without saying that key leaders – whether GM, nursing, or marketing – must be knowledgeable about state regulations.

All this boiled down: relationships, expertise, accountability.

homage to CogDog's travel

2011-08-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

A brief reference to Alan Levine's article, Mysterious Sherman Lake, intersecting a couple of my favorite things: travel and maps.

Alan, thanks for being such an inspiration - you're forever creating and thinking, collaborating and acknowledging.

Buyer's remorse

2011-07-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

Or, continued customer service - which do you choose?

So often it seems that organizations spend so much effort to woo a potential client and much less energy to continue courting that same client. Much has been said about the benefits of retaining a loyal customer base: continued sales from that customer base, with increased sales through evangelism and the referral network of happy clients.

So, here are several effective ways to lessen the opportunities for buyer's remorse:

* Be accessible: You absolutely must – especially in this age – be present for your client. If they call, answer; if they email, respond; if they text, get your thumbs moving. And do it quickly – it is insufficient to respond late.

* Surprise and delight: Continue to woo your clients. Know them. Do something special for them, as is appropriate for your business model – whether it's something specifically personal to that individual client, or whether it's a large-scale surprise for your mass client base.

* Know your place: Know and remember how you fit into your clients' lives – are you an integral part of their day-to-day; are you synced to their happiness; are you a scheduled task; or are you one item on a very long to do list?

* Remain consistent: You and your product or service must remain, as you presented during the courtship of your client. Of course you grow and innovate, but there should not be anything that feels like a bait-and-switch.

* Be vigilant: Always, always expect that your competitor is preparing to woo your client away from you.

Generating the seed of Respect

2011-04-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

So last week, I witnessed a conversation that has had me in contemplation: why and how does someone gain respect of their peers or network? The moment of truth in this conversation (for me) was that she said to her colleague, "I feel you don't respect me."

As we've discussed on other occasions, I feel we must each take the responsibility to make things better. The onus is on each of us.

So, some recommendations for generating respect:

* Don't expect. Earn. I guess this is the big question: is respect given or earned? From my perspective, we are so much more likely to be given respect if we work to deserve it.

* Give. There is reciprocity in the universe. In the conversation I'd witnessed, it was clear she'd expected to be respected due to her degree, but the irony was that it appeared a one-sided expectation - expecting respect only for herself. for her degree, but no offer of respect for her colleague for her degree, experience, etc. In fact, she appeared to have negligible knowledge of her colleague.

* Cultivate yourself. Self-study is often beneficial. Is there a hindrance to others giving you respect? Remove it. If you are (or appear to be) immature, lacking in confidence, inexperienced, non-proficient, lax; your likelihood for gaining respect will be less.

* Listen. What are you being told - directly or indirectly? For example, if your peer asks for explanation of your decision, is it a challenge to your professionalism, or is it evidence that you've not clearly communicated?

In short, Be respectable.

Steven Seagal is not down for the count

2011-02-19T00:01:00.001-08:00

Okay, I love Chuck Norris (who doesn't?) - from his battle with Bruce Lee, to Walker Texas Ranger Sundays with my Grandpa, to the famous Google search. And, relatedly, I enjoy giggling about Steven Seagal. Delighted are the tv-movie Sunday afternoons of Glimmer Man or Under Siege. In fact, I recall a film review for Glimmer Man noting that the only thing Buddhist about Seagal's character was his “Buddha-esque figure.”

But then I heard about Seagal's mentorship of MMA fighter (and middleweight champion), Anderson Silva, resulting in a powerhouse front kick knock-out.

And so I'm humbled. I had dismissed Seagal, yet he honed and then shared a skill that rocked the MMA world.

So, what more do others have to offer? Are there other Steven Seagals that we've deemed inconsequential, dried up, without impact, or done?

You're not the boss of me

2010-12-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

... I am.

With the holiday season, I've been thinking about effectiveness at work (of course). You know, for my careers, the measure of success is tied directly to the needs of my clients. Their satisfaction, their delight, their peace of mind. So for me, days off, holidays, and work days are all relative to the needs of my clients.

* Balance: Gosh, I do struggle with work-life balance. In this realm, I take inspiration from those folks who keep work natural - they are available and effective, maintaining a "global" perspective on tasks, goals and clients. The client matters most.

* To do (or honey-do) list: It is not enough to cross tasks off your list. In a new economy, in which we have more to accomplish than is possible, we must stay laser-focused on what matters. The list will be there, always. Choose what you accomplish. See Seth Godin on busy-ness.

* Onus on you: Seth Godin and Chris Brogan (two of my favorites) coincide here, Godin on managing your own self, and Brogan on managing distractions.

* Technology & access: Everything changes. Abide, but do not remain stagnant. You absolutely must predict the future, see the trends, and adapt - for your own success, and for the wow-ing of your clients. See Seth Godin on being difficult to replace.

* ROWE: We'd talked previously about the concept of the Results Only Work Environment.

Update, Dec 28, 10:30 pm:

Just caught Mitch Joel's post on The Myth of Work Life Balance: "There is no such thing as work/life balance. By even saying there is such balance, you're making an internal agreement that work is not a part of a healthy life, and I just don't buy it. "

Support Structures & Comrades

2010-11-09T23:30:00.000-08:00

Common experience + listening ears + best practices = a support structure

There are trials and struggles, successes and great leaps forward. And there is such a power in connecting with those walking a similar journey. We need each other, we seek each other out. We band together under all sorts of connections – work colleagues (whether within or outside of the same organization), survivors of tragedy, visionaries, and other comrades-in-arms.

Reasons we connect, particularly in the difficult times:

* Sanity, or I’m-not-alone: Sometimes, particularly in a stressful scenario, we need a touchstone of reality, of sanity. We need to be reminded that we’re sane, on the right path, or that our perspective is (relatively) clear. We need validation.

* Becoming better: I think, innately, we want to be better. And so, when we face hurdles, obstacles, stumbling blocks, we tend to seek out those who’ve been there before us and who can help.

* Blowing off steam, or bitch-fest: Okay, it’s also the case that sometimes we just need to vent, to verbalize.

My comrades, there are so many of you. I thank you all, and hope that I can be (and hope that I have been) a support to you, as you have to me.

Let us continue on this journey.

Remembrance: Touchstones

2010-09-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

I was close with Grandpa. There are stories I tell to laugh and to remember:

* A bricklayer, Grandpa was a bit particular about dimensions and order. I used to visit Grandpa regularly and once (only once) had offered to clean and fill the ice cube trays. Lordy, the requirements that Grandpa dictated: 3/16 of an inch from the top! (Or something like that.)

* Grandpa and I both enjoyed Walker, Texas Ranger... for different reasons. But each Sunday when we visited, we'd talk about last night's episode.

* Approaching an anniversary for Grandma - was it her birthday? - I suggested that we go out to eat in her honor. "No," Grandpa answered gruffly, then more softly, "well, if you want to."

* Following Grandma's passing, Grandpa maintained the plants she loved: African violets, pothos vine, and Great-grandfather's rose bushes.

* Grandpa used to sharpen his and Grandma's kitchen knives - in fact, he sharpened a butter knife to just a fraction of its original size. When I used to give presentations on multicultural poetry to students, I often referenced Grandpa when discussing Dairin Soto's poem at the conclusion of his days:

"My whole life long
I've sharpened my sword
And now, face to face with death
I unsheathe it, and lo
The blade is broken
Alas."

* Grandpa's toolkit. Grandpa had an awesome shop in the basement of his home in old St Louis. Even when he moved into the nursing home, he took a small box of tools with him, just in case. I love those tools. I keep them in a decorative wooden box in our living room, always close.

Thanks to Alan Levine for his remembrance of his father, Morris Levine. Loved the segment on his dad's wallet.

I love you, Grandpa, and I miss you.

Communicating with loved ones who have dementia

2010-08-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

I work in senior living, assisting families, some of whom include loved ones with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. As this blog regularly discusses communication, I feel this article is apropos:

Communicating with Loved Ones who have Dementia

Redmond Reporter, July 30, 2010

Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia dramatically hinder the lives of those with the disease, exhibiting short-term memory loss, time and place disorientation, and difficulty with language. Some tips to better communicate with loved ones who are suffering from dementia:

* Reminiscence and pleasantries: Often loved ones with dementia may have greater command of old memories from their childhood. Initiate open-ended inquiries, like “Tell me about your mom” or “What was it like growing up on the farm?”

* Creating success: Loved ones with dementia may be aware of the progression of their disease, hyper-aware of what they’re losing – memories, independence. As much as you’re able, initiate conversations that maintain the dignity of your loved one, inviting them to speak in the moment, rather than quizzing them on the recent past. For example, don’t ask “What did you do yesterday?” or “Have you heard from Aunt Nita?” Instead try “Your lunch looks wonderful – are you enjoying it?”

* Take the journey: Your loved one with dementia might drift in to and out of various memories and periods from their life, sometimes intermingling unconnected events. You needn’t re-orient your loved one to reality – simply take the journey with your loved one into their memories. If your 90-year old mother tells you that she needs to prepare tea for her dad, try, “Let’s make a pot of tea together and talk about your dad – he was a plumber, wasn’t he?” and lead your mom back into a pleasant reminiscence.

What Drives Us

2010-06-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

Reading author Daniel Pink’s book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, I have a few ponderings:

* ROWE (Results-Only Work Environment): Yow-za. The idea, particularly as featured through CEO Jeff Gunther of Meddius, emphasizes individual worker autonomy for heightened efficiency. For example, individuals aren’t required to “clock in” for a certain schedule – work can be flexible to meet the obligations of doctor’s appointments, kids’ soccer games, and gardening. The key is the work output, the result – ie, accountability is built into the structure.

Some might view ROWE as a pie-in-the-sky, goodness-inside-each-of-us philosophy. I would advocate for ROWE in a coached environment of worker expertise – that is, workers have knowledge, the organization creates a structure of results that encourages creativity and passion, and workers (whether managers, peers or reports) give feedback to improve.

* Leisure-work: As we know, some famous companies encourage employees to dedicate x amount of time regularly to their own projects for the greater success of the organization. “Work” does indeed take on a different atmosphere when we’re passionate about it. Which makes me think of this:

I love my job, and yet the hours can be long and the day-to-day stressful. I work in senior living, and part of my responsibility is to assist seniors and their families in their search for a senior living solution. Sometimes I partner with families who are in crisis (if Mom has Alzheimer’s and wandered away from home; if Uncle broke his hip and can no longer manage his split-level home), and my flexibility to their timeframe is critical. I choose to be on-call in addition to my full-time schedule, and the results are powerful – families show teary-eyed relief, their loved one is safe, and I know I’ve made a difference for the good.

Self-identification and the US 2010 Census

2010-05-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

[I hesitated for quite some time to post this article because the Census and ethnicity are such big categories – how can I possibly scratch the surface? So, my scratch:]

We’ve talked previously about the critical importance of self-identification. Two of the ten questions (questions 8 and 9) on the US 2010 Census focus ethnicity and “race.”

Question 9 asks for an identification of “race.” Census respondents are indeed able to check multiple boxes, allowing for self-identification of multiple ethnicities; and there are write-in options. The Census Bureau has broken “race” into five categorizations, with varying terms: White, Black, American Indian, Asian, other. (In the interest of space, I’ve noted only the first of varying terms listed.) The incongruity is that these five categorizations leave large holes – namely, how do those of mid-East or Hispanic heritage identify themselves? And again, we’re back to the fundamental question of self-identification versus identification initiated by others.

Question 8 inquires whether the respondent’s ethnicity is Hispanic, Latino or Spanish, with further categorization.

Further perspectives:

* Baratunde Thurston’s YouTube commentary in response to his own appearance on CNN

* NPR’s story on All Things Considered about movements within the Arab-American community whether to self-identify as “white”

* CNN’s Raquel Cepeda inquiring of individuals on the street their thoughts on the census categorizations

* Randy Cordova for Arizona Central on the impact of the census questions for Hispanics [and yes, I did choose Arizona Central for ironic effect, considering recent Arizona legislation]

* President Obama’s self-identification as “”Black, African American or Negro”

Now I must question the census: why such an emphasis on “race” and ethnicity, why not an emphasis on other major self-identifiers? The marketing campaign for the 2010 Census centers around funding for local communities, hospitals, schools and public works / infrastructure projects – the government determines distribution of some financial support based on the number of residents in a community. The choice in data collection leads to the ability to analyze – that is, the census sets the framework for its usability based on the questions it asks, the data it collects. How will the Census Bureau utilize its answers, and what is it missing?

Data vs assumptions

2010-05-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

Mitch Joel is talking numbers in a couple recent posts in Six Pixels of Separation, one on the demographic of Facebook, and another on the qualitative buy-in of social media.

Both posts boiled down to a warning: Don't assume. It's hyper-critical to dig in to data to analyze your client base and reach your demographic.

I'm reminded of Mark Penn's Microtrends, one of my favorite business books about marketable demographic trends.

Great presentations

2010-05-07T22:46:00.000-07:00

Gosh, I do absolutely love presenting - whether workshops, training, mentoring. Love it. There is such a joy and a game in building a relationship with a group of individuals, sharing knowledge and being transformed in the process.

* Six Pixels of Separation: So, delighted with Mitch Joel's recent post, The One Thing You Need to Know for Public Speaking Success. Mitch's emphasis: content is key.

Nearby food - Locally grown, locally raised

2010-05-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

You've heard of the Slow Food movement, the return to more traditional farming practices to encourage healthier food and a more sustainable process.

References:

Community Supported Agriculture: An incredible movement, in which consumers buy a share of a local farm, guaranteed a portion of fresh veggies / fruit / eggs / meat each week. It's great for the farmer because it creates a revenue foundation and buffer; great for the consumer because, well, fresh food weekly.

Local Dirt: Caught a story on NPR's Morning Edition today, which highlighted Local Dirt, a search site to locate fresh farming sellers by distance from a location. (I believe Local Dirt's base is the upper Midwest, and it appears that their reach hasn't spread completely.)

Hopelink's Farmers' Market: A social services non-profit, Hopelink began a farmers' market to provide fresh farm goods to the community, and - get this - WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Coupons are accepted.

Mark Bittman's book, Food Matters: You know I love Mark Bittman's work, and his book, Food Matters, encourages the consumption of more plants - both for personal health and for a smaller carbon footprint.

Missouri and New Zealand dairy farmers: NPR's Marketplace covered a partnership between Missouri and New Zealand dairy farmers resulting in a cost-effective practice of free range grazing, lessening the high cost of disease and contamination when animals are kept in close quarters.

RootFood: How often can I rave about RootFood? Foodies Erin and Michael often share local culinary delights.

Small that's big

2010-04-26T14:35:00.000-07:00

You know I love Ikea. There's something about the usability and efficiency of space (as well as the fashion sense, balanced with our image of utopia). And I'm continually delighted by the space-saving designs featured on Apartment Therapy.

So all this is taken up a couple notches, two-fold:

* Gary Chang's 344 square foot Hong Kong apartment: Wow. Not only a utilization of design to expand and diversify space, but also an embrace of tracks and reflective surfaces.

* Window Farms' quest to design hydroponic gardens efficiently mounted along small urban windows:

How much more can we do with and within small? And how can we redefine small?

Is it Godin's book sales, community or influence?

2010-04-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

You know I love Seth Godin. (In fact, sometimes I skip his blog post because I feel I haven't prepared enough for it.)

In his post, Empty Your Library, he asks owners of his books to give them away, "They're not earning interest unless people are reading them. Ideas that spread, win."

And for me I'm reminded of the power of community, rather than the quick-and-now purchase. Godin is a multi-platform individual - author, speaker, influencer and more. It's not enough to sell a few books - it is enough to foster a dialogue, build community, create evangelists towards some action.

Purchase is indeed necessary in any economy (you also know I love business), but in this day, you cannot simply sell a product / experience - there must be more. Millions versus millions. The game has grown so much larger.

Building community & relationships prior to asking for your benefit

2010-04-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

Thus begins a test run of short updates, in addition to longer blog articles...

Mitch has it right, encouraging a bit of introspection and good karma prior to asking others to promote you and your work online:

Mitch Joel's The Audacity of Asking

Why we love Ikea

2010-03-28T00:18:00.000-07:00

And we totally do.

So what is it about Ikea? I can’t be the only one who reads, re-reads, and re-re-reads (you get the idea) their catalog.

Now, if you don’t know Ikea, the short explanation is that it’s a global store for home furnishings – trendy, bright colors; inexpensive; self-assembly; big on space-conscious designs.

In a nutshell, I think we love Ikea because:

* Sunlight: Virtually every room on Ikea.com and in their catalog is flooded with bright, warm sunlight. It’s almost as if seeing photos of sunlight increases our Vitamin D – that mustn’t be possible, and yet I feel better, warmer looking at the images.

* Space: Ikea emphasizes space-consciousness. Got a 400 square foot studio? Utilize Ikea furnishings that provide storage, fold up, and serve multiple purposes. You’ve got plenty of room for a bed, dining set, and workstation – all without looking cluttered.

* Cost: Of course I can’t breeze past pricing. Ikea is known for their prices. In fact, their adverts feature examples like: This entire living room, for under $200!

* Family: I remember my first pilgrimage to Ikea. Sure, I was stunned by the size, cost and creativity; and then I saw two things: free day care, and a restaurant which also sells Gerber baby food. Ikea makes it easy for families with small children to stay and shop, shop, shop. They strategically eliminate reasons for you to leave without purchasing more.

* Utopia: And here’s the final piece: looking at Ikea adverts, they offer us a life we might wish we had. Most living room photos feature stacks and stacks of intelligent-looking journals and books; comfortable home offices; and kids that are doing creative projects. In short: smart, work, family (and sunlight).

One of my favorite companies, I marvel at Ikea. Thanks, Ingvar!

09/15/2010 blog post update:

Caught this video on facebook. A further evidence of Ikea's sensitivity to the power of utopia:

Breakaway Thanks!

2010-03-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

An update on the previous post about stellar customer service from Ian at Breakaway Lacrosse in Bellevue, WA:

Thanks, Ian!

And, go Stealth!

“Breakaway” Customer Service

2010-02-16T21:56:00.000-08:00

Firstly, I’m hoping my nephew Marcus isn’t reading this post, because I’m writing about a surprise gift we’re sending him.

It’s so much easier to say No. In fact, some in business would advocate herding clients into an efficient stream, re-routing them directly through lines of revenue, rather than flexing to meet the needs (and locales) of the clients themselves. For example, some businesses lessen the opportunities and venues to purchase their product – sometimes creating exclusivity, sometimes creating frustration.

Here’s the story: my nephew, Marcus, is a big lacrosse fan. He plays in high school and hopes to win a college scholarship to continue. He’s committed to the game and loves it. So when Washington state launched its professional lacrosse team, the Washington Stealth, we thought of Marcus, who lives several states away from any pro lacrosse team.

So here’s the business impact: we wanted to surprise Marcus with a Stealth team sweatshirt. After searching online (and oddly, no, you cannot buy team gear on the Stealth site), it appeared that we could acquire something from Breakaway Lacrosse in Bellevue. When I called, Ian at Breakaway Lacrosse explained that they sold Stealth gear prior to games, on location, encouraging us to attend a game. Apologetically, I shared that his passion was not mine and that we simply wanted to support my nephew in his dream.

And here’s the result: Ian took my number, contacted his boss, and made arrangements for his boss to bring a sweatshirt in Marcus’ size to the store for me to purchase. (Did you catch that detail: he made arrangements for his boss to deliver the sweatshirt.) Couldn’t Ian have replied No? Couldn’t he have explained that it was their policy to sell at games only? Couldn’t he have scoffed at my inappreciation for his sport?

Yes, Ian could have… and he didn’t. Instead, he chose to support a fan not present and help a customer near. Many thanks to Ian at Breakaway Sports in Bellevue, WA.

For further reading: reminds me a bit of Heather’s praise of Bella Vision in her article, Building a Loyal Following.

On the QT: Sharing information in confidence

2010-01-17T22:09:00.000-08:00

Off the record. This is just between us. How is it then that so many people know?

I’m continually continually astounded how quickly information travels – and I’m just thinking about the traditional gossip train, rather than our present efficient cyber, socially networked world. One person knows, then everyone knows. How is it we haven’t observed this trend and changed our actions?

A couple suggestions before you share any piece of information: would you be prepared to speak this into a microphone on stage in front of those involved; and if you run for office, would this conversation come back to haunt you?

Which millions matter? Fede Alvarez’s Ataque de Pánico (Panic Attack)

2009-12-19T11:18:00.000-08:00

The story is everywhere, and it’s so cool: Fede Alvarez spends $300 to make a four-minute short film, which is picked up by Hollywood director Sam Raimi (Spiderman, among others) for $30 million.

So which millions matter? Sure, Yahoo is hailing the fairy tale aspect of the money value of the deal.

But what about 3.2 million? At present, that’s the number of You Tube views for Fede’s upload of his film (plus another 500,000 or so of other related uploads). Viral. Hollywood bought a cool film with a substantial existing base of supporters.

* Reminds me of Christina Arbini’s recent article on 1st Turning Point, about the importance of promotion and marketing for pre-published authors.

* Reminds me of 90% of what’s shared by marketing masters Seth Godin and Chris Brogan.

* Reminds me of Boyd Morrison’s success on Kindle and Kindle Forum as a tipping point for selection by publishing giant Simon & Schuster.

* Reminds me of Chris Anderson’s clever free release of his book, Free: The Future of a Radical Price.

The new wave: establish a base, an audience, a constituency first and success follows.

Feedback followup

2009-12-11T21:36:00.000-08:00

As we’d discussed previously, it’s important to take a step back, assess, solicit feedback and consider consequences and what we can do better.

And so I was reminded recently of the human element in feedback and assessment in a couple scenarios:

* Two judges’ comments for the same essay, one with a rating of 51 out of 100, and the other with a rating of 82. The 51 rating criticized everything from the line spacing to the examples illustrated in the essay, to the style of the writing. Conversely, the 82 rating embraced those same examples and seemed enchanted by the style. Ironic, no?

* Two individuals had shared their frustrations with their performance level perceived by their supervisors. One was viewed as poor-quality by one supervisor and hailed as stellar by a new replacement supervisor just a month later – not good enough, then amazing. Another was informed that they were not sufficient caliber for a promotion and, days later, were pushed to apply for that same promotion and hailed as a bench candidate.

And of course there’s the famed account – was it true? – that one of Mozart’s critics complained that his work had “too many notes.”

So, whereas we must regularly solicit feedback, step back and assess; we must also always consider the human element embedded in that same feedback.

Learning styles – are you being stubborn?

2009-11-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

So I was analyzing the scoring and comments from participants of my recent workshop at Write on the Sound, and I was reminded again that there are several (probably many) learning styles. We approach information in our own way, we process communication differently, we are motivated by varying factors.

In short, we're different, and our learning reflects this. Woe to the teacher, mentor or presenter who doesn't take this differentiation into account.

Some learning styles:

* Visual: Exactly as it implies, there are those who need to see what they’re learning, whether examples, diagrams, or even the words themselves. It’s that last part that I find so interesting, that people will sometimes recall seeing the words written, rather than hearing them. Fascinating.

* Kinesthetic: Movers & shakers. Some need to move in order to learn. There was a great piece on this in John Medina's book, Brain Rules. Now, I've not had much success incorporating kinesthetic learning into workshops for young adults and adults because, frankly, participants can feel a bit insecure when they're asked to get up, walk around, or move otherwise during a presentation.

To vault this hurdle, I'm looking at utilizing beach balls or building blocks, so that people can be in some motion while they learn. A similar approach can be made for those artistic learners, that is, those who need to doodle or create in order to solidify their learning.

* Participatory: This is definitely my favorite and the learning style I reference most. Here’s the deal: when individuals are actively involved in their learning, the lesson sticks that much stronger. I love it, absolutely. Just like the don’t-give-a-fish-but-teach-to-fish, this learning style can take some time, and the presenter must be patient, oh but it’s so great.

Some motivations:

* Commitment: This might be tough to hear, but I've got to say it: just because you have something to teach, doesn't mean people are committed to learning it. Have people chosen to be taught by you via some sort of voluntary experience, like a workshop? Or have they been placed under your leadership or in your class? A dramatic difference indeed. Even those who choose you, why did they? Were you the better of two uniteresting options, or is there something in particular they're hoping to take away from your presentation?

* Scenario: I think we've discussed previously: people are multi-faceted, with dreams, disappointments, physical ailments and passions. Someone might come to you (or have been placed under your leadership) in a distracted state - ill, heartbroken, tired. This flows a bit from the previous bullet because sometimes - often? - people are unable to commit a sufficient portion of their brainpower to your leadership.

* Notches in the belt: sometimes the primary goal of individuals is a particular quantity of teachings, rather than learned knowledge. That is, some people "collect" workshops, teachings and mentors like others collect vintage guitars, sexy shoes, and books. Some of us are collectors, which is not to say anything negative - simply, it's a motivation.

So, thank you again to the participants of my Write on the Sound workshop - you were an absolute delight, and it was a pleasure to grow together with you.

Thanks also to Erin Vargo and Heather VanMouwerik - lots of great discussions on presentations and connecting with people.

Chef-ing and Marketing: same minds

2009-11-15T21:45:00.000-08:00

So I've had an epiphany about a chef in my life: Kim Trulson and I have a strikingly similar approach to business and service. At first I was surprised that our respective careers in culinary services and marketing would coincide so smoothly, but now I totally get it.

* Clients: Chefs must keep their client base in mind always, catering to the needs and desires of their clients. A marketer might be skilled, but if they cannot produce the desired results, they've not been successful. A chef might make a glorious filet mignon, but if it's not a match to their client base, it's not a match.

Kim regularly polls her clients and listens to her servers to further innovate in creating her menus. A chef or marketer (with a few celebrity exceptions) cannot get too cocky or arrogant, demanding that their clients recognize their brilliance - the chef or marketer must always be strategic in response to the situation of their clients.

* Deadlines: Chefs have strict schedules (and marketers should). I remember a great interview on NPR about a cooking show on the Pentagon Channel, The Grill Sergeants. One of the Grill Sergeants said something to the effect of, "I have three no-fail missions daily."

Kim builds backwards from her deadline (mealtime) to ensure that each of the courses are prepared and ready, with enough of a cushion to both lessen waste while also being prepared for an influx of unexpected guests. Unfortunately, not enough marketers plan for and execute their deadlines - a great lesson to learn from chefs.

* Fire: Speaking figuratively, chefs and marketers are in a passionate business - their clients and colleagues each have a different vision of "what right looks like," and many adamantly so. Speaking literally, well, chefs are surrounded by fire (and I can't think of a positive scenario in which marketers are… though I’m sure some of you would disagree).

So, there it is - chefs and marketers. I didn't see it before, and now it feels so clear.

Kim, thanks for being such a great colleague - it's an honor to serve alongside you. I learn from you daily and am reminded to be better. Thank you, Kim.

Remind me why you’re in business…

2009-11-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

So I was involved in a fundraiser as a sponsor and wanted to use the opportunity to give away samples from a recently-opened local specialty drink company. I was prepared to make a sizeable purchase and share their collateral (a good offer, by most business standards). All I asked was a donated t-shirt for my prize basket. After a drop-by, a couple calls and no response, I went to another, more established local specialty drink company, who was pleased with the arrangement.

Surprised and disappointed indeed, the ironic piece is that, another sponsor at the fundraiser mentioned to me that he had wanted to partner with the same organization but they’d not responded to his query. Wow. How many times has this drink company turned down business?

So, I’ve been wondering why a business wouldn’t respond to a large-purchasing potential customer:

* Not in the process: If an organization is devoted to their regular-way-of-doing-things, sometimes it’s difficult to budge, even if it leads to more customers and profit.

* The No factor: We all know that it’s so much easier to say No, than to figure out a way to say Yes. Over the years I’ve seen so many potential leaders falter because they’re quick to cross things off their list: no, done, not applicable. Sure, it can be safe and tempting to decline, especially if it’s out of the ordinary, but couldn’t it extraordinary?

* Laziness: Okay, I don’t really mean lazy, but maybe the decision-maker isn’t really committed to the goals of the organization itself. It’s an important obstacle – sometimes we have the wrong people in place, or sometimes we don’t clarify our vision.

Be prepared: Emergency preparedness

2009-10-25T08:37:00.001-07:00

I mean, really, why prepare for an emergency (earthquake, tornado, etc)? It’s like this: why buy car or health insurance? Why keep a 401k or savings account?

I think you get my point: An emergency may not happen (we hope it doesn’t, but we know they do), but it’s better to prepare. My father sometimes says, "I buy insurance, hoping I never have to use it, hoping it’s a financial loss." I feel the same way about emergency preparedness.

Easy preparedness steps:

* Check out 3days3ways.org, a site maintained by King County in Washington State. Their mantra: Make a plan, Build a kit, Get involved.

* CPR / First Aid: 5 or so hours, and you may save a life (or lives). A relatively simple commitment. For my new career in senior living, I recently took a CPR / First Aid Certification class with Megan Maples (wow – she’s great).

* Crash kit: We keep a "crash kit" in our vehicle and in our home: food, first aid supplies, water, flashlights, radio. Easy. And keep that gas tank full (or at least fill it when it lowers to the 1/2 or 1/4 remaining mark). The last few years we’ve had difficult winter storms – one year, we’d lost power for 2-3 days; so batteries, canned food and charged batteries were a great help. And each winter, you hear of someone stuck in a snowstorm, having to survive for hours or days before help arrives.

So, am I being dramatic or extremist? No, I don’t think so. These are simple steps which may save a life, or keep you relatively comfortable in an emergency. Easy.

I love movies in a box in a convenient location: MovieCube!

2009-10-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

MovieCube is, simply, brilliant: a vending machine for $1 movie rentals in convenient locations like grocery stores. Brilliant, no? There’s also Redbox.

My beloved and I love movies (particularly foreign films, good action / effects, and stupid comedies and definitely definitely documentaries), but we don’t like dropping dough. So, while we view most of our movies on loan from our library system, sometimes we’re in a pinch and want a flick, and so to the grocery store for a good deal. It’s efficient, convenient and cheap – I love that someone looked at how many live their lives and saw a way to create a simple business with a big effect.

And I'm not the only one: in researching this post, I discovered an entire fan site devoted to Redbox (though, the fan support appears to advocate sharing coupons for free rentals - not good for Redbox's gross margin).

But, back to another side of business: it appears that MovieCube might be closing many of its locations. There have been reports that MovieCube and Redbox were targeted by established "traditional" movie vendors. Certainly MovieCube pose a large threat: convenience, cost, and less market share for the established. The MovieCube locations I frequent are closing, and - capitalism or no - I'm disappointed to see they didn't make the cut.

Role models & mentors

2009-10-10T10:20:00.000-07:00

Who are your role models and mentors? Who inspires and teaches you?

A few of mine are:

* Miriam Johnson from Hometime, the PBS home improvement show. In a world where there are still gender stereotypes regarding building and construction, Miriam smoothly educates us in decks, tiles, toilets and more. My favorite episodes are those in which she appears 7 months pregnant.

* Cindy Helsley, a District Manager for a large retailer who has a commanding presence and asks the tough questions. Nothing seems to phase her – from personnel issues to business changes.

* Olivia, the pig star of Ian Falconer’s picture books. Olivia is confident, artistic and is rigorous in expressing herself. There’s a great image where Olivia is lifting a couch to search for something – I keep it on my wall to remind myself, “If a pig can lift a sofa, surely I can (insert difficult task here)…”

* My mother, she’s tall and elegant. Now, she probably wouldn’t equate herself this way, but I’ve always thought so. Much more importantly, she’s compassionate. She’s always been a giver, as well as an organizer (she sees a need and does something about it). I’ve always admired my mom.

So, I’m pondering who we choose to admire and emulate, and why. The four I’ve listed here are linked by their characteristics as strong, smart women.

Workshops

2009-10-03T23:13:00.000-07:00

It's always such a delight and honor for me to present workshops at various conferences or gatherings. No, the attraction for me isn't the glory and cheering fans - it's the chance to create a few moments of collaboration with strangers and friends. 40 minutes, an hour, and look what we can create together. Sure, there is always a package of information I'd like to present through a workshop, but for me what's more important, what takes precedence, is discovering what the attendees and participants need to take away. What can we discover together, what can we create together.

So this is what I'm thinking these days as I prepare to present at the Write on the Sound Writers' Conference and Emerald City Writers' Conference.

Looking forward to seeing some of you there.

Blogs recommended at my Write on the Sound Workshop:

Chris Brogan
Seth Godin
Shameless Book Addict
Edyta Szyszlo
Root
Thinhouse
Bellevue Skate Park

Engaging with web 2.0

2009-09-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

Firstly, let me start with an apology – as some of you know, there have been a few big changes in my life the last few months, and so you can see that I have directed my energies in other directions than this blog. Now, back to 2.0…

As with all tools and hobbies, web 2.0 exhibits different incarnations for various users. Today I’m thinking in particular about three types of users:

* Integrated, active: There are those for whom web 2.0 is a natural, organic action of daily life – whether posting their activities, culling information, connecting with their “tribe,” or generating creative output. There are the famed Seth Godin and Chris Brogan, of course, but I’m thinking about people like Miss Erin.

* Conscious, driven: Those who want to create a viral effect for their reputation, product or initiative. Presently I’m (belated) consuming Jeff Howe’s Crowdsourcing: Why the Power of the Crowd is Driving the Future of Business. Maybe these first two users meld – I mean, how do I know whether something is organic or conscious? Maybe it begins as a conscious, strategic choice, and develops into a natural expertise – isn’t that how experts are created? That aside, it is this conscious, driven set that I study most. They approach life and projects like a viral community organizer, creating venues and dialogue for others to participate, develop and change.

* Occasional, and maybe reluctant: Those for whom web 2.0 is an extra act and sometimes an unnatural one. Think “I haven’t updated my facebook profile in weeks,” or “I don’t want to participate in this wiki for work – just let me do my job.” (Thanks to Shameless Book Addict for her post about Team Wikis.)

Guitar Center, I’m begging you!

2009-08-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

My beloved is an avid guitarist who practices guitar for hours and hours weekly (sometimes daily). So sometimes we go to Guitar Center to try other guitars, amps and gear. And there’s no place where I – supportive spouse who has no personal interest in music equipment – can wait, read my book and check email. The only seats provided are stools intended for guitarists to try their gear. So my options are: I can take up space intended for customers, I can sit on the floor or outside if the weather is nice, or I can go someplace else. (I have done all of these, when I’d really rather sit comfortably so that my beloved can feel comfort in taking the time he’d like to explore the store.)

So, Guitar Center, I’m begging you to visit a Starbucks or an Ikea, both known for their atmospheric comfort. I'm still so impressed that Ikea offers free daycare and sells baby food in their restaurant.

Guitar Center, you have created an environment that is non-welcoming to non-musicians who are shopping with someone who is. You have chosen to focus only on your (perceived) core customer to the exclusion of their friends or partners and to the exclusion of a potential new, atypical customer base.

So, please, Guitar Center, make your stores more comfortable for non-musicians – just a few chairs or benches would make a world of difference.

Drinking water from a firehose – web 2.0

2009-08-02T12:31:00.000-07:00

In the new media, information is rampant – do you get swept away, do you manage the flow, or do you dip just a toe?

Leading a workshop at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Annual Conference with Bill Kenower of Author Magazine Online, there were inquiries how to best utilize facebook, twitter and such.

And so, some items we discussed, and others we didn’t:

* Google Reader: For my gmail brethren out there, you may like Google Reader, an application in your gmail account that compiles site subscriptions in one place. (Alan Levine, CogDogBlog, has a great article predicting Google’s future steps in establishing its own social networking medium.) I love Reader because it gathers everything separate from my email or another external site – convenient, nearby, but not globbing up my email.

* Online bookmarking (Digg, del.icio.us): Share your faves online for others to see – a great way to create a tipping point.

* Chris Brogan: So much good advice on managing new media, Brogan deserves his own bullet point. See his Three Changes and Five Tasks.

* Library Thing and Shelfari: Somehow we didn’t talk about these at the writers’ conference – ironic, no? Both are social networks to share beloved books and connect with others. (We did discuss Readergirlz as a great example of a linked, vibrant online book club.)

Shoes or George Orwell?

2009-07-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

Here’s a secret… if you haven’t met me, that is: I love shoes. And so my attentions are torn between Amazon’s purchase of Zappos and their deletion of George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm from Kindles overnight.

First, the shoes:

Amazon has purchased Zappos, the powerful online shoe retailer. Now, I remember discussing with a fashionista-friend her passion for Zappos and my passion for Amazon – great return policies, great selection, easy-to-acquire sizes and (importantly) easy-to-acquire out-of-the-ordinary designs. There have been concerns whether Zappos will retain its zappo-ness, but I myself am simply delighted to see what happens next. With a more closely-knit distribution system and incentive for a stronger gross margin, I’m hoping for more designs, more sizes, less prices.

And now the deletions:

Amazon remotely removed copies of George Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm from customers' Kindles which, as it turns out, Amazon didn’t have the rights to sell. (If you haven’t read Orwell, the great irony is his cautionary alert against large entities controlling individuals through technology.) A great reminder of those privacy policies that we click in order to utilize an online service. And a question sometimes forgotten: do I “own” what I download?

For further reading or listening, see:
* Farhad Manjoo’s commentary on American Public Media’s Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal
* Peter Kafka’s blog, Media Memo, on All Things Digital
* Google News brief on Jeff Bezos’ apology

Rick Steves, Suze Orman – influencers

2009-07-14T20:11:00.000-07:00

I do love the great influencers, those who understand what inspires us to act and think. Of course there are the great military leaders (Napoleon, Sun Tzu, Ghengis Khan, Joan of Arc), the political movers, the business and community leaders, and other public figures.

Travel writer and host Rick Steves and financial coach Suze Orman are great influencers in their spheres. What do I see as their most powerful aspect? Both Rick and Suze alay our fears and empower us to step out.

All throughout Rick’s tv series, you’ll hear his affirmations: you can travel Europe successfully and frugally on your own; there is a commonality among people no matter where we live; and respectful, clear communication (“simple English” with key polite words in the language of the land you’re visiting) will make your travel more enjoyable and more smooth.

And Suze, while she is doling advice about retirement and credit card balances, you will hear her speaking about the fears that bind us – when we fear over our self-worth, our future or our present. I don’t know whether this is a tenet of Suze, but she seems to say that our relationship to money can be a manifestation of other, deeper perspectives we hold.

So it seems that the great influencers – or at least some of them – recognize what inspires us to act and think… and what hinders us therein.

New beginnings

2009-07-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

As I’m sure some of you would imagine, I’ve been thinking a lot about new beginnings, cycles and change these days as I’m transitioning into the next stage of my career.

* Seasons: Just as there are seasons of weather, there are seasons in our lives. And we are so much more than one season – for example, more than a spouse, more than a banker, more than a volunteer. I find it’s easy to take a step into the next season – a bit like that inspiring phrase for difficult circumstances, “This too shall pass.”

Bellevue Botanical Garden

* Space for growth: There is a spiritual principle I’ve always loved, that we must make space for upcoming blessings. In other terms, we might say that we cannot remain in the past, holding on to past glory, past failure.

Granny's back yard - beautiful

* Do-svidanye or do-vstreche: There was a phrase we’d utter in Russian, “We don’t say ‘Goodbye,’ we say ‘Until we meet again.’” There is great comfort in knowing that we needn’t end a relationship simply because our season (our work, our volunteer service, our home) has changed. Goodness, with technology alone, we’re able to remain connected, if we so choose.

Throwing a lasso at a local reindeer festival in Siberia

* Best efforts & fortune telling: I don’t know about you and your skills, but I and those I love are yet unable to predict the future. So, for me it is consolation enough to make the best decisions and plans as I can now and to give myself a measure of grace if and when something unexpected occurs.

View of the Dhaulagiri Mountain range from the village of Jhong, in the Kingdom of Mustang in Nepal

So for me, no, there isn’t great turmoil or fear with a new beginning. Instead, the new beginnings are – when possible – undertaken based on good planning and taken with anticipation for the future. Like Japanese death poems, new beginnings embody a culmination of learning.

Otherness – being successful in an environment where you’re different

2009-07-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

Granted, as I begin this post, I’m thinking about otherness in terms of one’s professional role, rather than their personal identifiers of ethnicity, culture, gender identify and such.

For many years I’d worked in client relations and community outreach within a large operations-oriented retail organization. Many of us were quite successful, but there were those who were not. One of the main reasons for their unsuccess was an inability to convey their impact to the rest of their team. They were so completely focused on their external client that they neglected their internal organizational relationships.

Lessons learned:
* Speak the language of your organization: If the rest of your team always analyzes P&Ls, sales trends and gross margin, you will further alienate yourself if you consistently relate to the emotionally-based impact stories of your work.

* Determine the motivators for your team. If your team is not supportive of your efforts, you need to assess why. Possibly your predecessor was ineffective. Possibly your team doesn’t understand your work and doesn’t want to say anything that will make them look “stupid.” Possibly your team is overwhelmed in their own work and reticent to take on something additional.

* Help. Referencing back to that last clause, so many of us are overwhelmed these days and simply cannot take on another project. So, consider re-designing your work or re-framing your discussions towards the assistance your work provides to the rest of your team.

* Get a goat. You need an advocate, an evangelist … or a goat on your team. You need someone to bounce ideas off, someone “on the inside” who will express their support of your efforts.

Really, it boils down to this: connect with your internal team just as you connect with your clients, donors and constituents.

Favorite travel elements

2009-06-15T17:05:00.001-07:00

To soak in life, like an antique enameled pan with warm water and epson salts for your feet after a long day.

When traveling, whether far-flung or near, there are recurring patterns for my beloved and I:

* Roaming: We always have a rough plan, and leave plenty of room for discovery, for that instantaneous “what’s down this small road?” approach. You know what they say about experiencing the journey rather than focusing only on the destination.

Farm valley near to Ellensburg, WA

* Beauty: Ah, there is beauty everywhere. Sometimes it’s a seascape or a great blue herron hunting. Other times it’s a quiet farm resting on rolling hills, with sheep, cows and horses communing together. And sometimes it’s an old town rediscovering a new life, a new industry. There’s always a story present.

Deer along Blewitt Pass in the North Cascades Mountains in WA

* Animals: I should really mention animals / wildlife in their own bullet point and not just under “Beauty.” We love watching for animals along the way and always feel a bit sad for others when they blow past without seeing what’s right next to them. Whether it’s a family of deer along a loose 55 degree slope, or a community of marmots, or a hawk swooping for the kill, it’s great fun to watch an animal going about their life. We were recently exploring the shores of Lake Chelan and saw a marmot… then, sensing eyes upon us, we realized we were surrounded by them.

Marmot on the shores of Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan, WA

* Food: This is a different one from both of our parents: growing up, we’d always brought sandwiches, juice and snacks with us while traveling. I remember fondly a couple large coolers with 15 cent generic-brand soda, apple juice, and potted meat. And while in Nepal, we took a day trip to Nagarkot and ate a tasty lunch which included fried eggs and cheura, dried flattened rice. But now, my beloved and I will include food in the roaming, usually seeking a local hot spot. Sometimes it’s disastrous, of course, but often it’s wonderful.

Great Blue Heron eating a fish near the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle

* TV / Media: We love to taste local media – whether TV, radio or newspaper – as a quick barometer for the needs, concerns and inhabitants of a community. Similarly, it’s fascinating to observe the marketing efforts to reach that community.

And of course there’s the people. It’s always – always – about the people. We everywhere share divergent and intersecting opinions and knowledge. More than anything, I like to observe, listen, inquire. How else might we perceive?

Servers, clerks and parking attendants – invisible people

2009-06-03T19:56:00.000-07:00

In this society, there are jobs which are taken for granted by many, such as servers, store clerks and parking attendants. And the irony – aside from the fact that each of these individuals are still people and deserve to be treated as such – is that these very individuals have the power to make your few moments in their realm pleasant and effective… or otherwise.

I’m reminded of a few scenes:

* A young woman who had completed her training as a parking attendant only lasted a few days on the job. Each time I saw her, I’d ask how she was doing and how her new work was going. And each time she responded sadly that her customers had been so mean to her that day.

* As a clerk was assisting a customer who demanded a discount though he didn’t have proof of his discount status, he looked down upon her and said, “Look at my title on my business card, and tell me I have time for this.” And there was a similar scenario in which a customer told a bookstore manager that if any of her co-workers had gone to college, they would’ve been able to understand his inquiry. (Incidentally, of course many of her co-workers had completed or were working on their undergrad, and several had completed their masters. Bookstores do tend to attract such employees.)

* Years ago, baristas adjacent to a retail store had shared with me the change in the demeanor of their customers. They’d witness their customers at the retail store, relatively polite to the clerks, shift into nervousness and rudeness when they stopped by to order their latte. The baristas had seen it often enough to assume a pattern having to do with the change in dynamic of the relationship their customers felt towards them.

* In line in a Siberian post office, I was waiting to pick up my mail. Someone had pushed their way in front of me, but I hadn’t been bothered by it. As I approached the window, the postal worker recognized me because I always asked after her health. She ignored the gentleman whose turn it was and who’d pushed his way in front of me, and she ran to grab my mail, excited on my behalf that I’d received letters from loved ones near home. Humorous, no?

Where does this come from? I would guess a couple sources: insecurity and bullying. Whether we’re headed to the theatre trying to find an inexpensive, safe place to park; or trying not to look like an idiot as we place an order at restaurant where we don’t know anything about the food; or whether we’re feeling bad about our job but better about it when we engage with a clerk. Maybe the cruelty comes because we’re feeling bad about ourselves.

So, as I see it, we could approach a solution from two angles, whether magnanimous or self-interested: that people in these invisible positions deserve the same respect as others, and that these same people can make our journey smooth.

A well-known secret: the numbers of business

2009-05-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

Would you like to know something that’s not really a secret? I love business. Pouring through P&L statements, desiccating sales figures, and analyzing data… ah, that’s where it’s at. I tell you, I love it.

It wasn’t always this way. During my tenure in community outreach, events management and client relations I discovered what my mother always intoned: it’s a great game. In fact, Jack Welch, former head of GE, mentions this often in his book, Winning. I’ve spoken much about the human, personal element of business; but let me say also that the numbers element of business is key. Data can help us to see through our emotions and preconceived prejudices. Data can help us to discover missed opportunities. Data can help us to clean up our processes. It’s a great game.

Granted, it seems I spend more time discussing the personal side of business (recognize that phrase from my blog subtitle?), because it’s the step that we most often skip. But we should never leapfrog past the study of business – it’s far too vital. After all, we must first learn how to swing a bat before we can challenge the homerun records.

Dig in:
* During this economic climate, how many more organizations have I heard who are digging in, managing their supply chain more closely to increase efficiencies and reduce cost?

* In preparing a bid for a client, I dug in, also researching an estimated bid from my competitor and discovering a mistake in their calculations. I won the bid, both due to my service and the substantial savings I offered.

* There was a foundation development manager who dug in to the data of their luncheon fundraisers, discovering large donors who’d been lost because their table captain had relocated and the organization itself had not maintained the relationship.

* And conversely, there was the business owner who loved her product but hadn’t dug in to understand the market. She knew her customers who were similar to herself, but she hadn’t conducted a demographic study of those potential customers she was missing. And her business struggled.

When it works well, business encourages – it demands – us to innovate in order to meet the needs of our customers, whether they’re clients, constituents, or partners.

It’s a great game.

Customer service, networking and being “nice”

2009-05-24T23:44:00.000-07:00

So there’s something I’ve witnessed, and you might not want to hear it:

There are far too many of us doing work outside of the service industry who could learn a few lessons from customer service.

Sure, it can be easy to criticize the service standards at the DMV or the post office, but what could you or others in your network do better?

As someone who has worked in various aspects of customer service for 15 years, and as someone who watches those in service regularly, there are a few pieces to note:

* Smile, and say Hello. If you skip any of these, don’t skip this one.
* If it’s appropriate, call people by name and introduce yourself. Granted, the importance of personal names is not a culturally universal value, but this may smooth the road.
* Look for ways to say Yes, rather than reasons to say No. Seth Godin has a great post about this.
* A conversation is more effective than a hard-sell.
* Don’t view the other person as an intrusion or an obstacle from your “real” work.

I guess my point is: it’s not always about you, your bad day, or your To Do list. Incorporate some customer service skills into your non-customer-service work, and I think you’ll be pleased with the results.

Emergency rooms & the work we do

2009-05-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

Let me begin this post that I hope you have few or no associations with middle-of-the-night visits to the hospital emergency room. It can be a dramatic, terrifying time.

But I am glad to say that recently for my beloved and I it was a time of great caring and an efficient medical system. Sometimes illness or pain or injury occurs when your doctor’s office and the clinics are closed. Sometimes we have few options.

And so, recently, my beloved and I found ourselves in the care of Tina and her colleagues at Overlake Hospital. I have to tell you, we were stunned to find far more than medical care but efficiency and a genuine kindness.

All this to remind me that, no matter what our occupation, it’s people whom we affect. How many times – in all those business and leadership texts I love – have I read about polls connecting perceived professional expertise with the level of interaction and perceived caring? That is, doctors are thought to be better when they appear to care about us.

And in other realms: a receptionist or office manager will influence how the organization is viewed by others – whether a business and its clients, a school and its parents, or a government agency and its constituents.

How might this impact the work each of us do? Who are the people we affect, whether it’s part of our direct work or no?

[Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes, I’ve submitted a positive comment card to Overlake about Tina’s customer focus. Did I mention that she was amazing?]

ID & me: ethnicity, religion, and more

2009-05-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

An ongoing conversation among many in my network circles self-identify. It’s interesting how often we in the States talk about diversity – what does that even mean in our lexicon?

In so many conversations, “diversity” is often assumed to be ethnic alone – roughly put, your skin pigment and facial structure. And very often, the diversity discussion tends to rest in the perceived dichotomy of white and non-white, assuming an exclusivity in diversity issues, rather than recognizing that there are stereotypes, prejudice and obstacles between many ethnicities. Simply put, we all have issues.

My deeper argument is that this diversity argument rests too much on ethnicity. There is a duality of diversity: how we identify ourselves, as well as how others identify us. The key is identification. Do I see myself primarily in ethnic terms, or gender, or age, or religion, or economic, or class, or sexual orientation, or some other identifier? And how do you primarily identify me? This is the key discussion.

Some examples:

* Check all that apply: It’s only recently that equal opportunity surveys allow us to check more than one box. That is, someone of mixed / blended ethnicity need not choose one over the other. In literature – our stories that reflect our societal feelings and musings – I’m delighted to see more blended heroes and heroines. See Justina Chen Headley’s Nothing But the Truth and a Few White Lies, with her “hapa” heroine. In fact, Justina is great for identifier themes: her North of Beautiful follows a teen of Asian origin with a cleft lip adopted by a Caucasian American, as well as a teen heroine traditionally beautiful by Caucasian American standards with a substantial port wine stain on her face.

* Second generation: In a society built by immigrants, a never-ending cycle revolves around identification among second-generation young people. How many first-generation immigrants wanted to retain much of their home culture, only to discover their children identifying themselves as “American?”

If I may relate a similar example in novelist Monica Ali (Brick Lane, and her upcoming In the Kitchen). I’m a fan of Monica’s work and was both disappointed and delighted to read the following descriptions:

* Disappointed: Wikipedia refers to Monica as “a British writer of Bangladeshi origin.” Her father is Bangladeshi and her mother British. Is Wikipedia referring to Monica’s birth in Bangladesh, or her blended heritage? And if her blended heritage, then why did they choose one to the exclusion of the both?
* Delighted: Monica was named by Granta and Time magazines as one of the Best of Young British Novelists and “One of the three English writers who are the voice of a generation.” Delighted because these accolades identify her as British, rather than something “other” like Bangladeshi-British.

* It’s all about the Benjamins: Oddly, it’s rare in American society that we discuss economic identifiers of any depth – I wonder whether it’s something in our value system that we refuse to talk about money. The times that we do broach the subject of economic differences, we so often rush to the easy comfort of ethnic discussions instead.

* Clash of identity: We should not assume that all value diversity as part of an ideal society. We must accept that there are many who, as part of their religious, ethnic or class identity, hold strict distinctions regarding acceptable diversity. I see a difficult road ahead as the push for diversity continues, particularly with the convergence of those who identify primarily in religious terms and those who identify primarily through sexual orientation.

So, we must move beyond these discussions based purely on ethnicity, for there are whole worlds inside each of us. What is most important is how we self-identify, and of course the reality of prejudicial obstacles require us to consider how others primarily identify us as well. We must reach deeper.

Life’s lessons through classical poetry

2009-04-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there was a practice in old Japan to write a poem prior to your life’s end, culminating your knowledge?

Two of my favorites, taken from Japanese Death Poems, compiled by Yoel Hoffmann:

My whole life long I’ve sharpened my sword
And now, face to face with death
I unsheathe it, and lo –
The blade is broken –
Alas!

- by Dairin Soto, died in the year 1568 at the age of 89

It lights up
As lightly as it fades:
A firefly.

- by Chine, died in the year 1688 around the age of 28

Over the years, I’ve given many presentations on multicultural poetry, and these two generated quite a bit of discussion.

I often wonder what Dairin Soto would think of my grandfather’s practice of sharpening his own knives – even butter knives would cut steak. In fact, there were a few of Grandpa’s knives that he had for so many years that he’d sharpened them down to a third of their original size. Ironic, no?

For further reading:

Looking for other great classical poetry collections? Some of my favorites:

100 Poems from Tang and Song Dynasties, by my dear friend, Qiu Xiaolong, poet and novelist

Selected Poems of Su Tung-Po, translated by the phenomenal Burton Watson

Hidden Music: Rumi, translated by Maryam Mafi and Azima Melita Kolin

Tao te Ching, by Lao Tzu – I particularly like the illustrated edition translated by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English

Essential Haiku, edited by Robert Haas

Himalayan Voices: An Introduction to Modern Nepali Literature, edited by Michael Hutt – Be forewarned: much of this collection is not translated into English, but it does contain one of Nepal’s greatest poems, Muna Madan. Beautiful. (And yes, translated into English.)

All in a name…

2009-04-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

In traditional American society, a person’s name is a powerful connection to them. Pay attention to names. Remember them. Call someone by name often in conversation or correspondence.

Yet this is not a universal concept: there are many cultures in which the regular use of a person’s name would not be effective – and some in which it would be offensive. In many locales, you are not called by your name but by your familial designation (for example, Auntie or Elder Brother). That said, in the growing diversity of American society, it has been my general experience that a genuine recognition and use of a person’s name is an effective way to lessen barriers and grow true dialogue.

My colleague Erin Vargo, who’s worked in community outreach for years (and runs a great food blog, by the way), and I will often come back to this concept of establishing a connection with others. Erin talks about remembering the birthday of those in her network or the names of their pets. You know, I’d heard that deposed Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich was phenomenal with names – that he’d meet you once and the next time remember you and something about you. Newsweek quotes State Senator Mike Jacobs, "If you've got an animal, he'll know your dog's name and cat's name and the next time he sees you he'll ask how your cat is." I loved author Harry Beckwith’s emphasis on names in his Selling the Invisible.

So then the irony, within this great “melting pot” we hear this story: a Texas state lawmaker during a committee session called for Asian-Americans to adopt names that will be “easier for Americans to deal with.” Representative Betty Brown suggestion came among testimony from a representative from the Organization of Chinese Americans about transliteration of Asian names onto polling records and the confusion caused therein. A few days later Rep Brown did apologize, recognizing the “diversity of Texas.” Interestingly she had once been honored with the Defender of the American Dream Award. (Now, the name of this award reminds me of the melting pot / American Dream, but its criteria focus on less regulation for businesses and less government. The award is given by Americans for Prosperity.)

My beloved, whose given name is of Tibetan origin, Karma, had been given a new name when he began elementary school in a predominantly Hindu Nepali society. In a time of racism and otherness, his parents felt it would be easier for him to “blend in” with a more common name.

Surely, surely, many of our societies have grown to some point of diversity and dialogue that we can accept and speak each others’ names. Isn’t that the smallest step? There are so many deeper conversations we can broach – surely we shouldn’t trip over names.

Regular post-op to ensure growth

2009-03-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

I’m one of those who loves the post-op analysis. It’s great to get feedback, discuss what worked and what didn’t, what were the consequences of our choices, what we can do better next time. It’s a sort of measuring tape.

There are all sorts of post-op analyses:

* Feedback: Anytime I give a presentation, lead a gathering, or host an event, I and my team seek feedback in order to hear the insights of those who took time out of their busy schedule to be a part. A few varieties to collect feedback:

Evaluation: A brief evaluation sheet given at the close of the gathering invites thoughts while everything is fresh.

Poll: Whether informal in person or more formalized, a simple query of why did you come, what did you think, how did you find us, can be a huge help to you and does not present any inconvenience to your participants.

Recap: Asking participants to recap or boil-down what they’ve experienced into a brief statement can alert you to the take-away message that was, in actuality, taken away. A facilitator may think that they relayed the information or experience oh-so-clearly; but if the participants absorbed another message, therein lies the reality of the event.

QA: The Ten-Minute Trainer gives a great suggestion to elicit questions from participants as a barometer of what they’ve learned and what confusion still lingers. It can be as easy as queries scribbled on index cards during a break, with a quick perusal by the facilitator, prepared to address anything necessary immediately following the break.

Every once in a while, we’re also able to initiate feedback from those who chose not to take time out of their schedule – also valuable because we see whether there was a fault in our planning: was our marketing not catchy, was our schedule or venue inconvenient, was there a more attractive competing gathering?

Cautionary note: With any feedback, there is always the human element to be considered. That is, people are people, and sometimes their criticism or praise is less based in substantive reflection and more resulting from a bad day or a repressed memory resurfaced. A couple friends and I were talking last week: Kelli’s advice is to give less weight to the overly, extreme feedback in the positive or negative, relying more on the rest. It’s a sort of bell curve, I guess.

Sample feedback charts - click chart to enlarge image.

This first chart represents feedback on a scale of 1-5 (5 best, 1 worst) - the vast majority of respondents offered ratings of 4 and 5, with a handful of 3's. A rather uniform response.

The second chart represents feedback on a scale of 1-10 (10 best, 1 worst) - with a considerable quantity of 10 ratings, and a handful of 5's as well. Whereas a strong majority of respondents raved, there was a substantial segment who had not been reached. (Incidentally, the single zero rating is a mistake in the chart.)

* Direct communication: You know I’m an advocate of speaking directly. Former GE head Jack Welch and his hugely popular work on leadership, Winning, stress the importance of regular honest, direct performance reviews. Kenneth Blanchard & Spencer Johnson’s One Minute Manager, the twenty-five year hit management title emphasize timely, brief coaching moments.

* Sickness: Maybe this one feels counter-intuitive, but sickness is a wonderful litmus test for how we’re leading our lives. In general I keep a balanced life, and those few times I fall ill remind me to take a step back and look.

So to sum up, conducting a post-op offers a great return on investment (ROI). It’s well worth your time. Take a moment, reflect and grow.

Isn’t all of it a ponzi scheme?

2009-03-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

You know, all in all, I do love a free market economy, when balanced by a culture with a strong work ethic and sufficient regulation to squelch temptation.

With Madoff and Stanford in the news so much these days, I’ve been thinking:

Isn’t all of it a ponzi scheme?

A simplistic explanation of ponzi is diverting money to the next person, while never really paying anyone. So how is that different from our credit-heavy society?

How many of us carry weighty balances on our multiple credit cards? And were we recently surprised when – even though we thought we’d been responsible customers – our credit card company could still choose to raise our APR or lower our credit limit? How many of us save money in order to afford a purchase – whether in full or in payment?

I am reminded of one of my sisters – she and her husband purchased their older suburban home when their firstborn was young. Now that both of their children are in secondary school, the whole family is in that same house. Sure, they could’ve moved to a bigger, newer home; but they chose to stay, putting their money and energies into other initiatives like vacations and college. It is said that many domestic arguments arise from money issues. I wonder, too, how many arguments and tensions were circumvented by my sister and her husband’s financial choices.

Surely this is a global issue, and much of the developed world is indeed facing consequences of a credit-heavy society. And I take a moment to ponder how much of our national debt is held by foreign nations.

Now, let me clarify: I am not advocating a cash-only society. Credit is a part of our world. Whereas our credit-heavy lifestyle has gotten us into this economic crisis, we also appear to have a bit more breathing room because of it. Solutions – ironically, sadly – all seem to revolve around getting the credit flowing again. There is growing talk of a slow money movement, as a way to invest sustainably and more manageably. Had you heard about the dairy farmer asking his customers for $1,000 loans? Brilliant.

While Madoff may stand alone at his trial, we know there had to have been others involved in his ponzi scheme of $65 billion. In fact, in some ways, we and our governments should be standing alongside him.

So what’s the take-away message?

Sure, many of us are scared by these economic times. I hope we will choose to contract our spending and plan ahead a bit more with more visibility to our funds, both now and in the future when times are brighter.

Small steps: takeout & bags

2009-03-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

The green bug has bitten many of us, encouraging us to do our part – however small or great – towards a more healthy environment.

My recent eco-hero is Lauren Kessler & Thinhouse: I cyber-met Lauren through a mutual Facebook friend, and wow. Lauren and her family are embarking on a 1-year journey towards more energy efficient lives, particularly in relationship to their 1920s (?) bungalow. Lauren’s message is simple, do-able, powerful.

But let’s take a step back and recognize this truth: there are many of us who don’t see the need to change our lives in order to better the environment.

So, rather than argue why we should, let me share a few small things my beloved and I do:

* Takeout containers: This one serves both as an eco effort and as cheap entertainment. We always keep 3-4 inexpensive reusable plastic dish containers in our car for when we get takeout / takeaway. (My dirty secret is that this didn’t begin as a way to help the environment – simply I hated how large and awkward those Styrofoam clamshells are.)

The entertainment piece is birthed when we go to a restaurant who isn’t accustomed to people bringing their own takeout dishes. There was a time I heard the chef hollering to the host something along the lines of “What am I supposed to do with this crap-container?!” And recently the confused, slightly offended server who told me, “You know, we have our own containers.”

I don’t know about other cities, but Seattle has been working on a plan to ban Styrofoam takeout containers. Theoretically, I agree; but I am concerned whether the city will be able to convey the message properly to its linguistically-diverse inhabitants and whether there will be an economic hardship for restaurants (Styrofoam is cheap, you know).

Gumbo from Snoqualmie Brewery &Taproom

* Reusable bags: Similarly, we always have 5-6 reusable bags in our vehicle as well. (We are a car-driving family, so we try to keep things handy.) We use them at the grocery store, mall, thrift store, library, wherever. (And for all of us fashionistas, let me reassure you that, in today’s eco-trendy communities, there are all sorts of attractive bags for use. You needn’t look silly, if that’s what you’re worried about.)

Even a year and a half ago, reusable bags weren’t as convenient at the mall. I don’t know whether it was my professional experience, but there certainly appeared to be an are-you-stealing-with-your-big-(cool)-bag? attitude. But that’s less common, now that stores from JC Penney and Macy’s to Target and Ikea all sell their own reusable bags. (Interestingly, I couldn't locate Penney's or Macy's reusable bags on their commerce sites - maybe they only wish to promote purchase of these bags in-store?)

You know, when I lived in Siberia, we had to pay stores for a plastic bag. I don’t recall street vendors having any. Now, certainly this was a cost-savings initiative rather than an ecological one, but still a good reason.

* Recycle: We keep a bin in the kitchen for simple recyclables: paper, bottles, plastics and such.

Things we don’t do:

* Lights: Whereas we do use compact fluorescents (CFL’s), we also keep quite a few lights on during the grey, dreary Seattle winters. Right now we’re surrounded by 5 lights. Feel free to judge, but it helps our mood.

* Compost: Sure, we’d like to compost, but I just haven’t been able / willing to make the leap. We’re in a small apartment (we had plenty of suspicions about the housing market and so waited), though the gardening and home improvement programs I follow tell us that we could still do our part easily enough.

Now, I’m sure you don’t like being told what to do, so I’ll close with this:

We can all do a bit, and we – because our surroundings will be healthier – will be healthier also. It needn’t be a marathon if you don’t want. Just a few small steps would be wonderful.

Blog Update: Feb 18, 2011: deleted hyperlink to Lauren Kessler's blog Thinhouse, which appears to have been removed

Local … redefined

2009-03-07T12:14:00.000-08:00

I don’t know about you, but I’m fascinated how language changes to reflect our societal shifts.

Today’s topic: local. What is it? Who is it for you? What was it previously?

Locavores
Firstly, I think of locavores – a clever concept for eating healthy, more naturally. It’s only in the last couple years that I’d heard of those who choose to eat only foods grown / raised within 100 or so miles of their home.

A Flat World
With the further democratization found in technology, “local” can be a bit moot. I need refer only to YouTube for ample examples:

* Guitarist Cesar Huesca in Hidalgo, Mexico, and Gustavo Guerra in Brazil, each of whom have well over a million views. The guitarist in my life finds inspiration in these two, as well as instruction in technique from numerous other videos available free for view. Amazing.

* Ethnic cooking and recipes: Search for ways to cook virtually anything. For example, Nepali cooking.

* Access: Aren’t able to visit Machu Picchu and want more than travel shows and documentaries? Why not view videos posted by others?

Consumerism
There has been an interesting discussion going on for years encouraging consumers to “buy local.” In my understanding I would sum up the local consumerism movement as a way to benefit your own community, keeping profits nearby. But there are three pieces I have not heard addressed in local consumerism:

* Local workers for organizations based elsewhere: Certainly, profits will go elsewhere, but employee pay may still stay in the community. Workers employed by an outside organization pay their rent, eat at restaurants, donate their time and money – much of this benefiting their community.

* Local infrastructure: In a nutshell, can there be enough local work to support local consumerism? If we’re all looking for work, will we be able to find enough “local” businesses? I guess my deeper query is where the boundaries are for local consumerism – whether we limit to certain products, or also extend to services. Usually I hear local consumerism challenges regarding food, bookstores and toys; but never about appliances or vehicles and, ironically, never about large publishing companies.

* Global expertise & collaboration: Or, more negatively put, isolationism. I’m sure we’re all aware of the dangers of globalization in free market economies, but I don’t hear enough praise of global collaboration. Certainly the Fair Trade movement rose up to counter the abuse of “local” workers in a global economy. So where is the tempering of local consumerism to ensure that we don’t become isolationist?

So with our changing societies, growing (or shrinking) economies and long reach of technology, “local” has taken on new meanings. What is local for you – who is it, and where is it? Where is the local consumerism movement headed, and what ripples will it create?

Further reading on locavores and related discussion:

Plenty: Eating Locally on the 100-mile Diet, Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon
Slow Food Nation: Why our Food Should be Good, Clean and Fair, Carlo Petrini
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, Barbara Kingsolver
In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, Michael Pollan
Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating with More Than 75 Recipes, Mark Bittman

For a cautionary view on our flattening world, peruse The Power of Place: Geography, Destiny & Globalization’s Rough Landscape, Harm Di Blig.

Interview techniques

2009-02-28T21:41:00.000-08:00

Do you like job interviews? I tell you, I love them. In my work I conduct periodic interviews – what a wonderful opportunity to dig into an individual’s skills, philosophy and experience. And there is also the sobering heart-knowledge that many are seeking employment these days.

A few tips I’ve picked up – would you like to hear them? Would love for you to share your recommendations with the bgurung blog community as well.

* Roleplay. There must be someone you trust – ask them to practice-interview you. Be prepared. Bring your A-game.

* Don’t arrive on time. Really. Arrive early (but not too early), and wait patiently.

* Stay on message. Ensure that you convey your key message throughout all your answers and statements. And to spell this out: make sure you have a key message.

* Have clear examples that illustrate your skills and experience. You may be brilliant, but you can’t simply say so. Just like the great writers’ advice: show, don’t tell.

* Connect with the interviewer. Don’t be superficial, of course, but know that it can either help or do nothing. Either way, you’re fine.

* Keep a clear head. Having a bad day? Lost your confidence? Distracted? Put all that aside, and focus on the task at hand: a successful interview.

* Do your research. You probably don’t need to know everything about the position and the organization, but you should know enough.

* Up the ante. Pitch something, bring a proposal, present a portfolio. I’m astounded how often – especially in this cyber, distracted, well-marketed society – interviewees come prepared to only talk. Talk isn’t enough. Individuals accept information and learn in different ways – visual, kinesthetic, auditory, and such. Incorporate different learning styles into your interview style.

* Optional: Pending the work you do and who you are, you may wish to manage the interview yourself. As Seth Godin so poignantly shared: Make it the You Show. The cautionary piece is that managing an interview yourself might be detrimental – you might come off domineering. You’ll have to assess and make that call.

In all this, it’s your responsibility to give a good interview. You’re the one who should care the most about your future. … But you knew I was going to say that.

Woo-hoo! Celebrate!

2009-02-28T11:49:00.000-08:00

You know I appreciate you, my cyber-community. After 4 months, bgurung readers range quite a distance – absolutely delighted.

Thanks to all of you for sharing your time and energy. Know that your comments – suggestions, queries, disagreements – are always welcome… and you can post anonymously, if you like.

Looking forward to our continued dialogue!

yours,
Brenda Gurung

Bullet points

2009-02-26T20:47:00.000-08:00

Let's be realistic: people today are busy. Just because you have something to say, doesn't mean they're committed to hearing or reading it.

I love bullet points:

* Anything that's easily forwarded in an email format (sure, color and bold are nice, but will they remain as your message is forwarded to others?)

* Skim-able: If someone can skim your message and still understand your key points, you're in.

* Poetry and deep prose are indeed beautiful, but they may detract from your message.

* Long paragraphs make it easy to get lost.

It all boils down to this: make it easy for busy, distracted individuals to receive your message.

Know your demographic

2009-02-22T12:29:00.001-08:00

Who is your target demographic? And if you think you don’t have one, you’re missing something.

Let me clarify: whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, non-profit director, author, or salesperson, you have (or should have) a target demographic. Who is it you’re trying to reach (child, donor, reader, client)? It is unwise to broaden your demographic – better to narrow, focus, and effectively reach. Tailor your message and your actions to make a difference for your demographic, and they will respond.

I remember last year leading a writers’ workshop on marketing. When I asked participants about their demographic – their target readers – the room when silent... and my eyes were opened. How will you reach your audience if you don’t know who they are? This is a busy, distracted world we live in. We need understanding, and we need targeted, intentional outreach.

And here’s the beautiful piece:

If you plant enough seeds and build enough of a platform, there’s a tipping point and you’ll reach those beyond your demographic as well. You totally win.

Leadership: more onus

2009-02-19T21:12:00.000-08:00

There is a dichotomy of leadership in that sometimes our reports want us to lead and yet also resent being lead.

In general, those we lead feel a security if we are confident, decisive and involved; but of course this is tempered by the possibly-human nature to be critical of others: our reports will always find some fault in us or our leadership. And that’s all right.

Any leadership requires a thick skin… but not a thick head. That is, we must we able to withstand criticism – founded and unfounded – but we must not become stubborn in our own expertise or rightness. It’s a game of balance, flexibility and quick adjustment.

Have you ever had the pleasure of receiving feedback on a leader both from their supervisor and from their reports? Fascinating, isn’t it? Their supervisor and reports each have a different matrix of success – what right looks like. And difficulty can arrive when both matrixes are divergent, with no intersection.

Now, if you know me, you know that I put the onus on you, the leader, to tailor your message to meet each party’s needs. You impress your supervisor and assist them in their path, while also leading your reports in theirs. And, if done well, through this realistic process, you will get done the real work of the organization. How many times have you witnessed a leader whose first loyalty is to their reports? Lencioni would argue that a leader must first strive for that which is best for the organization. Finding this a bit naïve, I would state that a leader must realistically recognize the dynamics, goals, skills and difficulties of those around them, attending to the needs of their organization while simultaneously directing their own growth.

Let me re-state:

* We, all of us, are individuals with our own goals, skills, pressures and difficulties.

* There is always a greater depth whereby to complete the work before us.

* A leader must direct relationships with their reports as well as their supervisor.

* A leader must direct their own growth.

* And in all this, if done well, a leader will accomplish the effective work.

Photos: My dear friend, Andrei and his sister and myself, trekking on the Lena River in Yakutsk, Siberia.

“Great News” that’s neither great nor accurate

2009-02-15T09:58:00.000-08:00

It was a great story: a woman swims across the Atlantic Ocean (you know, it’s quite large). News outlets from AP & Google to the BBC to The Huffington Post relayed the story.

AP images - Jennifer Figge

Great news… later determined to be inaccurate.

I especially appreciated Yahoo! News’ retraction story: they admitted their own blame (as well as that of other news organizations) while also presenting a more accurate revision. It seems that swimmer Jennifer Figge cut 500 miles off of the route by beginning from the Cape Verde Islands, rather than the African coast itself. More critically, we’re told that she did not swim the entire remaining route – if seas were deemed too treacherous, she waited on her escort ship. Figge’s spokesperson estimated that she’d swam approximately 250 miles, due to treacherous conditions, rather than the 2100 – 2500 miles across the Atlantic.

Undated photo released by David Higdon, friend of Jennifer Figge, upon her arrival in Trinidad

Yahoo! News explained it this way: “This would be like driving cross country with a friend, and getting out of the car every ten miles to run one mile for the entire trip. That'd be an impressive feat, but nobody would ever confuse it with running across the United States.”

BBC article supporting image

I myself had felt a ting of suspicious analysis when I first discovered the initial story: a swimmer took less than a month to swim across the Atlantic Ocean?? But, swayed by hope and that she completed her journey in Trinidad, I accepted the story and went on with my life.

Lessons learned? Always retain your intellect, no matter which impressive news brand (nor how many) is reporting the story.

Lastly, linking this particular scenario of inaccurate news to a couple larger questions:

* Does this further advocate for the continued existence of the traditional newspaper model, as professional reporters dig deeply into research in order to present deep truth in their stories?

The traditional newspaper model no longer reflect the needs of today’s developed Western society. News needs to be faster. It needs to be more populist – with stories from trained individuals, as well as perspectives from “boots on the ground.” And of course the revenue generation of the traditional newspaper model is no longer effective.

* And does this further advocate an absolute suspicion of news bloggers (you know, the supposed Wild West gunslingers of news reporters)?

If anything, this inaccurate news enforces the need to use your intellect when absorbing news from any source. Certainly, there are rogue news bloggers, who are not rigorous in their accuracy standards… and there are similar reporters in all aspects of news.

My recommendation: Keep your intellect intact and present. Peruse many news sources. Be discerning.

Marketing: self-promotion

2009-02-10T21:09:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to my friends at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association (of which I'm such a fan!) and the Northwest Christian Writers Association for their laughter and their honest queries. Recently I shared an evening with NCWA – much fun and insight.

Some of you know that I’m an interactive presenter, rather than a lecturer. I like dialogue. Sure, I’m quite brilliant [insert impish laughter at myself here], but I know it’s so much more effective to relate with participants and to tailor my presentation to their interests and needs.

So, there we were at NCWA, and we kept coming back to this topic of self-promotion. Underlying the discussions was a dislike and mistrust of self-promo. I remember those days, fearful that self-promo equated to pride and arrogance. Sure, it can be, depending upon the intent of the self-promoter.

Why do I advocate for self-promo?

* You yourself are the one who is (or should be) most committed to your art – whatever it is that you do.
* You must take the initiative to create an atmosphere to get things done.
* We’re all so busy these days – we work too hard, we do too much, and we worry a lot. If you indeed have something good to offer, then your self-promo is a service to help us find you.

So, sure, you can be that jerk who’s arrogant, pushy and only talks about themself. But that’s not really self-promo – that’s just an arrogant, pushy, self-absorbed jerk.

Or, you can be yourself, and share your art with those who want or need it. Self-promo. It’s the natural next step.

Incidentally, as a result of many numerous conversations, I’m compiling two new workshops particularly intended for writers - though I would imagine they’ll be of help to non-writers as well.

* Introverts Unite! How many shy authors have I met over the years? So some practical tools and tips for the shy types.

* Blogging, Facebook, Twitter & other New Media: How to be present when you're not even here. Setting up your blog. Having a cyber presence without getting distracted from your writing.

Would love to hear your initial feedback and requests.

Agronomy in the genes

2009-02-07T11:53:00.001-08:00

Green thumb? Yes. Aside from our present north-facing patio, I can grow anything.

There are a couple things in particular that I love about growing plants: the genes and the hope.

It’s in the genes, my grandparents in particular:

* My grandfather who passed away young, whom I never knew. Grandfather had been an agronomist in the Caribbean Islands and Florida. In fact, that’s how he and Granny met – he’d been a boarder in her parents’ home while studying in Trinidad. Last year my dad and I went through Grandfather’s papers, including his 6-page resume and a letter of application for work.

* Granny, who cultivated a small jungle in the yard of her small suburban Florida home. I loved it there. She had orange and mango trees, thick groundcover and small weaving paths from one workstation to another. Her majestic staghorn fern, an air plant, was the size of a large man. This was not a kempt Martha Stewart garden; instead it was more of a balanced naturalness. Granny was not particularly organized and often took refuge in her trees, flowers and jungle – especially as she grew older and her mind became more scattered when faced with organizational tasks.

Granny worked as a crossing guard late in her life - once honored with a parade in her town.

Of Granny's pathways, this was the most formal - most were the width of your foot, trodden by her regular steps.

The gate into the back yard.

Orchids growing in sandy soil.

Fuschia-like flowers.

Fern-like flowering plant.

A smaller staghorn fern, about 2/3 the size of a man.

Two staghorn ferns that Granny was pampering, each approximately 2 1/2 feet wide.

* My other grandmother in a historic St Louis neighborhood, who kept roses and some indoor plants. After she passed away, Grandpa cared for all her plants, because it had been important to Grandma. I remember with quiet laughter though how Grandpa “pruned” Grandma’s pothos vine – Grandpa was a bricklayer and valued square corners and organization, not vines. So he simply pruned the vine into a compact, minimalist plant. After Grandpa passed away, I asked to take this plant, transferred her to a larger pot and gradually watched her stretch her now-long arms and breathe again more deeply.

(Interestingly, in my husband’s homeland of Nepal, the pothos vine is connected to Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. Pothos are grown in homes for luck – and it’s considered good luck to steal a piece to start your own plant growth in your own home.)

And then there’s the hope. Plants give me such hope. I regularly reuse soil and pots. And every summer, there’s at least one plant who sprouts again – one whom I’d thought was lost, who’d died a year or two previously.

Plants give me hope for my dreams. Just maybe, when our dreams appear to be lost, maybe the seeds are below the soil, still growing unseen.

- Brenda Gurung

Corporate Giving, Small-ish

2009-02-03T21:14:00.000-08:00

Let’s talk about corporate giving on a smaller scale.

Of course this is a difficult economy, but even prior to this time there were plenty of corporations with limited resources to give. Often the sponsorships and larger donations are determined at an executive level, possibly with other simpler giving programs at the local level. In addition to these simpler local giving programs, many local workers choose to give other intangible resources such as their time and expertise.

So let me first state that I approve of this system: that is, the executive level determines large partnerships and establishes programming for simpler support at the local level. This is not some big, cold-hearted behemoth – instead, it is an efficient way to run business and to also give, particularly when there are many at the local level, for how would you instruct and monitor that local giving was well-chosen and effective?

I recall leading a workshop for the SOAR Putting the Pieces Together Conference a couple years ago, on effective partnerships between non-profits organizations and businesses. We discussed the dual nature of such partnerships: how a non-profit can create an atmosphere in which a business can be of help, and types of support that a business can give when it does not have funding.

Key points:

* Often a non-profit will request funds only, but could a business offer something else: marketing expertise, volunteers, networking?
* In my eye, it is perfectly acceptable for the business partner to gain something in this relationship, for that’s what it is, a relationship.

In my recent professional experience, there are two particularly successful and effective such partnerships:

* Partner School Adoption Program: A three-year pilot program that I created, the Partner School program was a year-long relationship with a chosen school. Giving was tailored to meet the needs of the particular school, whether PTSA membership, quality supplemental lectures for students, or volunteer support for activities. Lake Hills Elementary was a dream partner, much to the credit of Principal Judy Buckmaster and Wrap Around Project Coordinator Erin Boone. Both Judy and Erin were, first and foremost, appreciative of what I could give. They were clear in their needs and open to new ideas.

Erin Boone, Judy Buckmaster, Brenda Gurung and - of course - the lighthearted Froggy

* Holiday Book Drive: Every year local branches of my organization host a Holiday Book Drive, collecting new books for area youth. Recently I partnered with Christine Ellis and Evergreen Healthcare because we wanted to help sick and hurting kids and we knew that Evergreen was doing great work because we’d partnered on other projects previously. When I first approached Christine, she inquired the scope of this partnership – I would arrange for donations, and all I asked was some form of acknowledgement. We were able to collect almost 900 new books for youth served by Evergreen Healthcare, from infants to teens. And Christine made her organization’s appreciation clear, arranging for a brief photo op and conversation with the CEO, a Vice President and numerous hospital directors. Absolutely perfect, and so so simple.

Bellevue Reporter article, Jan 15, 2009 - Steve Brown, CEO of Evergreen Healthcare, and Brenda Gurung

Let me close with this thought: an organization will wish to put themselves in a position to receive support. There have been a few occasions when I was approached by an organization requesting my assistance and buried in need. In fact, they could not accept volunteers nor networking. They were not self-aware – that is, they didn’t know what expertise they already had in their organization. Their needs were far beyond my scope of ability.

So, if you’re asking for support, have you created an atmosphere and structure to receive, to collaborate, to grow?

- Brenda Gurung

Who is that?

2009-01-31T21:11:00.000-08:00

We are all, each of us, a master of some kingdom, whether large or miniscule, influential or unknown.

So I’m thinking about this from two perspectives:

* You never know who’s across the table or counter from you. There’s the Nobel Laureate married to a member of the writing critique group I love (you know, the group whose meetings I enjoy crashing). There’s the audience attendee with whom I share a mutual Facebook friend, who recognizes me as I’m introducing an event and greets me following. There’s the modest Hong Kong film director who frequented the coffeeshop I love (I only discovered his past when a film crew showed up to interview him).

* But I’m also thinking about the bluster of someone who feels that they have earned more attention or respect than they’re receiving. More than anything, I witness these scenarios with sadness, wondering how we become so insecure.

So in the world of clients, donors, partners and … all those other human beings, I encourage you to remember that there are entire worlds inside each person. Discover, celebrate.

- Brenda Gurung

MMA, Ultimate Fighting – Of course I follow it

2009-01-27T20:12:00.000-08:00

Tell me you’ve heard of the hot trend of Mixed Martial Arts (Ultimate Fighting Championship).

Why do I follow MMA? Firstly, I watch trends – why they’re hot, and the successful marketing behind them.

Secondly, MMA itself carries a bit of the underdog air: long banned from pay-per-view, it was brutal and bloody. Management was ineffective, and money was squandered. It appeared as a vice, a manifestation of the low parts of our psyche and society. But then there was a rebirth: MMA cleaned up its image (relatively speaking).

I am convinced that the main attraction of MMA is secured by a dual root: the glory of the film Fight Club, as well as the championship’s perceived authenticity. MMA feels real. The fighters are ripped but don’t carry the image of steroid-induced performers. There are rules to the sport, but there is a naturalness of skill. You find fighters who have studied and integrated various schools into their skill set. A stunning simplicity housed by incredible ability.

And then there are the stories that hook us: Kimbo Slice, the YouTube sensation street fighter and modern Cinderella (please don’t tell Kimbo that I’ve paralleled him with a bedtime story princess). Kimbo’s videos rank in the millions of viewers. What perfect marketing strategy to arrange a fight between Kimbo and an MMA fighter – a guaranteed, expanding audience. The story goes that Kimbo was intended to battle an older veteran, the idea of a good, “easy” intro to the MMA scene. But the veteran was injured and so, the day of the fight, another fighter was chosen at the last minute: a young guy with spiky, red-dye hair, relatively short.

And it was over quick, humiliatingly. In a matter of seconds, out of a planned 5 minute round. Seth Petruzelli victorious … and elated. The newly-crowned Cinderella.

Sure, there are plenty of trends I don’t follow. MMA is big, and it’ll continue to grow. It’s fascinating.

I know there are many of you who listen to NPR, and you might’ve heard tonight’s broadcast on Marketplace. Wanted to be sure you heard another side to this sport – and from someone whom you might assume to be an unlikely follower.

- Brenda Gurung

What do you mean?

2009-01-24T12:16:00.000-08:00

Am I hearing what you’re saying, or something else?

Do you ever observe two colleagues in conflict, particularly when one is trying to convince the other? It’s eye-opening. Sometimes we forget that our audience is another human being with free will and their own perspective. It’s not enough to simply speak – we must tailor to the situation.

But too often, we’re too emotionally involved. We seek to defend our opinion or authority, rather than to have a true dialogue. I remember witnessing an interaction rife with conflict and passivity: the one assumed their logic was obvious and spoke condescendingly, and the other gave up. There was no dialogue, and you know that there was no resolution.

So, am I hearing what you’re saying, or something else? Am I hearing condescension, or – less emotionally charged – am I simply hearing a different meaning? To protect against misunderstanding, you’ll want to:

* Listen. Really listen, even if you’re speaking.
* Refrain from interrupting, unless it’s necessary for clarification.
* Stay focused – discuss the issue at hand. If other issues come up in the discussion, agree to address them following the conclusion of the present topic.
* Keep the emotion out of it.
* Ask questions.
* Restate what you’re hearing to check for common understanding.
* Listen. It’s important.

Looking for further reading? You might consider Crucial Confrontations, Crucial Conversations and The Influencer. Or, if you’d like something tailored to presentations / teaching, I love The Ten Minute Trainer.

Images:
At the Pacific Northwest Writers Association annual conference in 2007.
Actor Boyd Morrison was gracious to assist me in an impromptu roleplay illustrating a person who isn't listening to the person to whom they're trying to pitch - ironic.
Boyd, you were brilliant.

Introductions:

An attempted polite exit from an overwhelming conversation:

Ineffectively executed:

And the conclusion - Boyd, you were brilliant:

- Brenda Gurung

Behind the counter

2009-01-20T21:48:00.000-08:00

There I was...

in a YMCA lobby, watching life. Once again struck by those who venture out from behind the counter to talk with members and customers. They’re developing relationships, creating a sense of community, strengthening the bottom line.

It reminds me of a friend of ours, a restaurant owner who works the room, chatting with each of his patrons, making this more than a meal. I think of the middle school principal who does not sit in her office all day but talks with kids and guardians in the bus / carpool lines, who is present during recess and lunch, who participates in family nights. And lastly the sales manager at the car dealership – sure, you work with a salesperson, but at some point (or, more likely, at several points) the sales manager will greet you, introduce himself, thank you for coming in.

Particularly for those who lead, this is not a touchy-feely moment. It is a critical, boots-on-the-ground temperature check. Leaders are present to hear and see the “real” day-to-day operations. They coach employees in the moment, they diffuse client displeasure, they share a global perspective, they lead.

There are many leaders-in-title who think their critical role is to be in their office, do the tough work, strategize. But these same may not realize that it is imperative to be visible, to be aware, to be a part of things.

Of course I am not advocating micro-management. Who would? A leader must do large work, and they should never lose sight of the day-to-day arteries running their organization.

- Brenda Gurung

Volunteers in Nepal – followup

2009-01-20T20:50:00.000-08:00

Following the post regarding volunteer service...

Here is a beautiful wooden arched bridge built by aid workers in Mustang:

and the "bridge" that local people choose to use regularly:

Ironic, no?

- Brenda Gurung

Volunteers in Nepal – an awards ceremony in Bellevue

2009-01-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

Recently, my husband and I attended a recognition ceremony for volunteers with the City of Bellevue in celebration of their Presidential Volunteer Awards. Congratulations, Rachel!

The car ride home included a thunderstruck analysis of the impact of effective volunteers and a society which encourages them. And whereby the following examples are rooted in Nepal, the deeper queries are universal. This is as much a world story as it is a Nepali one. Would love your comments and insights.

My husband’s home of his teenage years, Kathmandu, holds a broken infrastructure, employment is difficult to acquire, and corruption soars through the political system. And yet he and I discussed the potential power of a few committed individuals, those who take the personal initiative to make something better without the expectation of remuneration. With a large percentage of the potential urban workforce unable to acquire work, imagine if even 10-20% of those individuals volunteered just a few hours a week.

And of course there’s the foundational value (or lack thereof) of volunteerism within a culture. In the case of Nepal, as well as many communally-oriented (rather than individually-oriented) societies, volunteerism is not encouraged nor valued. Though many interpret communally-oriented societies to be a balanced approach of seeking the good of the society as a whole; in actuality, many of these communally-oriented societies are focused specifically and exclusively on the family unit. All else outside is minor.

This is not a feel-good, what-if-we-all-helped-each-other essay. We are instead thinking of the power of simple, concerted efforts. The critical piece to our observations is the self-determination to act. Work needs to be done. If a city’s infrastructure is unable to do that work, how much better for many self-driven individuals to come together to assist, of their own volition.

But then, the next day after our long discussion, we were stuck: shouldn’t there first be some sort of working infrastructure in order for volunteer efforts to have effect? Kathmandu’s population has grown exponentially in this past decade. Just take one example: there is no garbage collection. Instead, individuals simply take their family garbage and dump it into a pile along a sacred river, now dangerously, horribly polluted. Can volunteers pave roads? Can volunteers improve the water supply? Can volunteers redirect electricity back to the people who need it?

And now, a month later, Nepalnews.com is reporting:

* 16 hours of blackouts, or “load shedding,” in the capital city, Kathmandu. Official reasons site a drop in hydro-electric power due to receding water flow in rivers, though many believe the true origins are corruption and political power-plays. It is said that Nepal’s hydro-electric capabilities should be able to power the entire country but that much of it is sold to India to fatten personal bank accounts of corrupt leaders.

* The resurgence of mountains of stinking, rotting, disease-facilitating garbage in Kathmandu, itself surrounded by celebrated, tourist-sought towering mountains.

We don’t know the next step. What can be done?

What do you think? Can volunteers do any good within a broken infrastructure and political corruption? Is volunteerism actually important? Is volunteerism culturally-specific?

- Brenda Gurung

Favorite leadership / management books

2009-01-09T22:45:00.000-08:00

Here they are, my favorites:

Made to Stick: Powerful. Looks at how we can communicate effectively, respective to our audience and the scenario.

48 Laws of Power: Great analysis of human nature, with wide-ranging illustrative examples. Both of the Greene books might feel pretentious in the first few chapters – they did for me, but then I was hooked.

33 Strategies of War: An effective follow to 48 Laws of Power. For me, 33 Strategies of War offers insight particularly for larger campaigns.

Influencer: Inspiring, with large global examples how to effectively influence behavior change in a community. A nice complement to Made to Stick, which feels to me more individual and more personal.

Microtrends: Eye-opening. An influential pollster looks at trends with significant adherents. In this wired age, micro groups can be quite powerful – recognize and reach out.

The Ten-Minute Trainer: I love love this book. Filled with concrete tools to be a better presenter in this day for modern, distracted, wired audiences. Its basic premise relates to our television society: be sure to break training / presentation segments into bite-sized pieces, re-orienteering often and embracing various learning styles.

Also, all of these books are easily skim-able. I read voraciously and am busy – I like succinct, brilliant concepts. Not too much to ask, is it?

Incidentally, I do find it ironic that there aren’t interactive blogs or websites for these books (or, that the blogs / websites don’t measure up to the books themselves). Maybe that’s all right: maybe it’s sufficient that these are great books.

What do you think about leadership / management – are there those you consult for advice and insight?

- Brenda Gurung

Ani Difranco at the Airport

2008-12-31T16:52:00.000-08:00

I loved that song by Ani Difranco, The Arrivals Gate, about the human emotions of the airport.

I’m here now, watching the welcome-back and the I’ll-miss-you-so-much, the hugs and kisses and the tearful, singsong I-love-you.

There’s parent waiting for their adult son, offering that mutual reserved respect. And the curly-haired, bubbly three year old girl who’s a bit overwhelmed to see her tree-sized father. She stays a couple paces distant, and then falls into a huge bear hug. (And of course I tear up. There are many tears at the airport.) There’s the young couple having a light meal outside security, the gentleman in his military fatigues. And the elderly couple, each carrying one handle of their shared duffle bag.

It’s a beautiful place, the airport. (If it weren’t for the parking fees, I’d probably sit here all afternoon, watching lives.)

Fences – keeping in, keeping out

2008-12-29T22:41:00.000-08:00

Ever since an enlightening conversation with our friend Josh, who’s a fence-maker, I’ve been thinking about fences and other boundaries. It’s as if my eyes are opened, and now I’m seeing fences everywhere. Funny how that happens.

Examples:

* Siberian cemeteries: While doing my grad work in Siberia about 13 years ago, there came a Remembrance Day. One of my host-parents walked and took the bus for 45 minutes across town to the garage where they kept their car. Then we piled in and drove to the cemetery, in which every grave plot was surrounded by a low fence, individually maintained by the family. Each plot was different, much like each apartment home. My host-parents cleaned the plot, and we sat for a small meal and stories.

* Jhong thorns: In the Himalayan kingdom of Mustang in Nepal, there are limited resources for building and energy use. All of the fields are surrounded by fences to keep out the livestock, which could be detrimental to the family and community if the yaks or dzo get into the crops. Rocks are plentiful and so are regularly used for fences, as well as threatening local thorns.

* Sama Center: In Kathmandu there is a community center for Bharagaon , a political unification of 12 villages in Mustang, Nepal. The Sama Center is a beautiful campus of Tibetan architecture with plenty of space for large gatherings and an impressive large red gate reminiscent of structures in Lhasa.

* Kathmandu emu: My husband remembers, as a teenager, going to the zoo in Kathmandu. He laughs, “The zoos in my country are more like the wild forest, no pits and walls like there are here.” He’d been talking with his friends, back to some trees, when an emu walked out and – pow – bit the top of his head. To this day, I think he still has a great dislike of emus, holding a grudge in response to the actions of that one.

As a generality, I like fences, much as I like other boundaries. Boundaries, whether physical or perceived, help us to maintain a respect for each other. Wasn’t it Walt Whitman who wrote, “Good fences make good neighbors” – or was it Robert Frost?

Workshops for Professionals & Youth

2008-12-26T16:52:00.000-08:00

Since 2001, I've been facilitating workshops for adult professionals and youth - in fact, in that time I've presented to more than 6300 individuals. All of my presentations are designed to be a dialogue between participants. It's great fun.

Workshops for Professionals & Youth, tailored for the audience
– References available.

Writing & Marketing
* Dating, Evangelism & Viruses: Marketing Yourself and Your Books
Once you’ve written your book, the hard part is done, right? Maybe not so much. We’ll discuss marketing ideas: reaching your core audience, generating media (including new media), building the hype, and creating effective events.
* Introverts Unite! How many shy authors have I met over the years? So, some practical tools and tips for the shy types.
* Blogging, Facebook, Twitter & New Media: How to be present when you're not even here. Setting up your blog. Having a cyber presence without getting distracted from your writing.
Disclaimer: If you’re looking for a quiet, lecture-oriented exposition, these are not your workshops. We’re going to have fun.

Training Best Practices
The not-so-best-kept secrets to effectively reaching and engaging an audience or classroom. Key tips include: interactivity, testing for comprehension, move it!, don’t be afraid of the flow, and perspective. In a nutshell: One-sided lecture won’t get you far.

Forbidden Himalayan Kingdom
Enter the remote villages of the awe-inspiring high Himalayas, emphasizing the once-forbidden kingdom of Mustang, near the Tibetan border. Personal experience in collaboration with in-depth research. Analysis of a culture in transition, with personal comparisons to participants' own cultures in transition.

Connecting through Storytelling
Stories can draw us together. We’ll cover five key tips to create an atmosphere in which participants stretch themselves and grow. Great for camp directors, children’s storytime hosts, and even bosses.

Presentation Style

Interactive. I don’t believe in boring lectures, preferring instead an active dialogue.
Addressing various learning styles: verbal, visual, kinesthetic.
Maintaining the self-esteem and experience of participants.

Bio
Brenda Gurung has been in the book business for 12 years, most of it spent in community & client outreach, events management and training facilitation. She speaks regularly at conferences, for civic groups and in schools, having presented to more than 6300 since 2001. Brenda’s networks tend to intersect in youth and diversity issues, particularly with respect to marketing and outreach. Following her graduate studies in Siberia, she’s continued her focus on culture and business. “What is it that drives me?, “ Brenda asks, “Life is a great game, and there are whole worlds inside each of us.” Brenda blogs on building communities, the personal side of business, and diversity; with the bgurung blog group on Facebook.

Inclement Weather & Work

2008-12-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

I want to hear from you.

My community – as some of you know – has reached our 5th day of worst-in-50-years snowstorms. I have to tell you, it’s been striking. You know of my time in Siberia and some of you know of the Midwest winters I grew up in; but this article is not really about the weather.

It’s about people. (Isn’t everything really about people?)

So, back to the last few days: with authorities encouraging everyone to stay home and stay off the roads, many have. In fact, you see a sort of childhood reminiscence on the face of many adults, taking their kids in the snow while they’re off work, or while on a break from their telecommuting.

But I’m always struck by those who do still work. Who is it you rely on during these times?

Of course we lean on emergency workers, including police, fire, hospitals, lineworkers, snowplow operators, and others. (Thanks to all of you again and again!) But who else? We rush to the grocery and the gas stations. We flock – why is this? – to retail stores. And I would guess that we also go to movie theatres. It probably goes without saying that we continue to go to coffeeshops – we’re so tied to our mochas, aren’t we? In all this, I cannot think of a single time that a grocery store or gas station wasn’t there for me when I needed them.

I’m in the book business, on the retail side, and before doing my grad work in Siberia, there were other years of retail - 12 years in books alone. In all that time, I’ve never missed work due to weather or road conditions (I’ve barely been late from them as well). This is not particularly a point of bragging but setting a framework for our discussion.

Of my present colleagues, very few live in the community where we work. They commute long distances, even in good weather. One, whose drive is normally 30 minutes and includes two long bridge crossings, traveled for 4 hours in order to open the store. Many waited for hours for busses.

So there are two items which strike me:

* Work ethic: Many in this world believe that work is good. They’re committed to contributing to the greater effort no matter what.

* Why stores?: Many times I've heard frustrated queries from customers why retail stores are closing early. Granted, this is a consumer society, but I don’t know the root of the query: is it the need to purchase, an unawareness of staff, boredom / cabin fever, or something else entirely?

This particular snowstorm is poorly timed for the economy as well: during the height of the holiday shopping season, during an economic recession. We didn’t buy a Christmas tree because we couldn’t get into the lot – in fact, I saw one lot near our home that had closed up early. I haven’t been able to drop off donations because the roads are too treacherous to make an extra stop. So much is affected.

So, what do you think? What stores do you rely on during times like these? What do you think about their workers?

You can post anonymously as well, so please, feel emboldened to be honest.

Maps & their stories

2008-12-14T20:20:00.001-08:00

I like maps – they tell stories.

Now, of course there are many stories through the centuries of imperialists and conquerors drawing their own borders, attempting to acquire lands through some perceived higher right. I don’t foresee us discussing these maps in this article.

Instead, there are a few scenes playing before my mind’s eye:

* St Louis street maps: As part of a survey project in the 1870s (Camille Dry & Richard Compton), maps were drawn of St Louis city streets, with buildings drawn in perspective and horse-drawn carriages in the streets. Years ago, my mom poured through books in an old archive to discover my grandparents’ home, the home of her childhood and of some of my and my siblings’ holiday memories.

* Simple explorations: My dad bequeathed to me a love of driving through the countryside, finding small towns and quiet farmlands. My husband and I, we always leave plenty of room for discovery, for that instantaneous “what’s down this small road?” approach. Ah, there is beauty everywhere. Sometimes it’s a seascape or a great blue heron hunting. And sometimes it’s an old town rediscovering a new life, a new industry.

* Self-researched Mustang: A couple years ago, a main project of mine was to compile a map of Mustang, Nepal (my husband’s tribal land). I’d located historical maps and a few trekking guides but nothing complete. So, utilizing our own travel experiences, the numerous historic texts I’d read, and satellite images, I put everything together. It was a powerful experience, to feel so immersed. My only disappointment was my unsuccessful search for a major local caravanning route in the satellite footage. I’d found many worn paths but kept getting lost in the mountains on this particular route into Tibet, traversed by my husband’s people – from Jhong, more direct than the well-known path along west of the Kali Gandaki gorge.

* Forbidden Mustang: The Kingdom of Mustang has been a part of Nepal since the 1700s. Ethnically, it is part of the lands of the Tibetan peoples – lands that have long exceeded the borders of “Tibet,” in its various incarnations. Through much of the last half of the 20th century, Mustang was closed to outsiders, in part because Tibetan Kham-pa guerilla fighters had chosen to place their bases in Mustang, from which to launch attacks on the Chinese rule of Tibet. In fact, the CIA supported the Kham-pas with finances and training.

Interesting to my husband and I, there is much written on the Kham-pas, but we have found nothing relating the perspectives of the Lo-bas (the people of Mustang). That said, with the limited resources of Mustang, we cannot imagine that the Kham-pas were welcomed by the Lo-bas.

* North of Beautiful: My friend, Justina Chen Headley, will release her newest teen novel in January, North of Beautiful. As with all of Tina’s novels, there is such a layering of characters, details and plots. And in this book, maps play a pivotal role – both in their historic and modern incarnations. You’re amazing, Tina!

* 1950s globe: In 9th grade geography class during our unit on Southeast Asia, I’d forgotten my notes at school and so prepared for my test using my parents’ 1950s globe. Imagine my surprise, when my best friend and I were quizzing each other pre-class. It’s amazing how much can change – whether significantly or superficially – in a few decades.

* Siberia & Sakha Republic: It was while working on my undergrad that I first felt the pull to Siberia, and in particular, to the Sakha Republic. I remember sitting in my dorm room – taking a “break” from studying – staring at my map. How different was my perspective after returning from a winter in Yakutsk, Sakha Republic, working on my Master’s.

What do you see in maps? What stories do they hold for you, or maybe, do they not speak to you at all?

Relativity

2008-12-12T08:55:00.000-08:00

If it doesn’t matter to them, it doesn’t matter.

I’m reminded of a conversation with a salesperson who was frustrated that a particular potential client wanted nothing to do with his services. When asked deeper questions about his client, the salesperson – himself in a service role – couldn’t answer any of them. He was headstrong, refusing to seek the needs of his potential client and seeking only to force his services.

It is indeed possible that you have an amazing, timely product or service. It is indeed possible that your event or workshop will speak to the needs of its attendees. But the reality lies here: your potential clients, attendees or partners absolutely must see the need for what you offer. If it doesn’t matter to them, it doesn’t matter.

Out of print

2008-12-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

In the industry, books go out of print.

You know, it's something I've not understood. To me, an out of print book is simply the next step in many moving cycles. In fact, it’s a reminder of many other cycles in life:

* Old friends on Facebook: Having naturally drifted apart from friends over time, it is special to find them again via social networking. Maybe we reconnect, each as the same people we once knew, though now different, grown.

* Work and new beginnings: In my chosen industry for 12 years, there have been many growths, lessons and mistakes. I still remember a particular obstacle I’d faced 9 years ago, which I had not mastered. But then, 4 years ago, I had the opportunity to try again – new setting, new people, new everything, same obstacle. It was great. I felt blessed for the opportunity.

* The seasons – now living in a land with less clear demarcations of seasons, I miss them terribly. Living in Yakutsk, Siberia, sure it was a harsh winter, but what powerful traditions to welcome the spring: from native Sakha shamanic ceremonies, to the family-fun watching of the ice breaking in the rivers.

* And of course there’s plants. Ah, flora. My grandfather whom I never knew was an agronomist, and my granny could grow anything. Plants give me such a sense of hope. I like to reuse soil, composting a bit along the way. Every year, I’m surprised and inspired to discover what sprouts – whether I planted it, or whether it chose its own destiny. Beautiful.

With the opportunities of used book retailers and libraries, many published works are still well available. For example, my husband and I were able to disect rare collections of royal Nepalese documents in reference to key, as well as mundane, points in the history of the Kingdom of Mustang, his tribal land.

And, with a growing reader base or market, out of print books may be brought back – another cycle, as it were.

My observation has been that, like anything we create, we are linked to our books (craft projects, presentations, home cooked meals, …). Emotionally, we don’t like to see those things go away or end. But I believe, if we’re able to step back, we’ll see some of the various cycles in our lives.

Granted, my comments are distant – I do not have out of print, nor published, works. But I do know – and care about – people, and I do create. We all create.

My thanks to Mitali Perkins, Lorie Ann Grover and Anjali Banerjee, author friends who began a cyber-dialogue about out of print status.

Mitali
http://www.mitaliblog.com/2008/12/heres-to-writing-life.html

Lorie Ann
http://lorieanngrover.blogspot.com/2008/12/thoughts-on-books-going-out-of-print.html

Anjali
http://www.mitaliblog.com/2008/12/heres-to-writing-life.html?showComment=1228437780000#c484779111166448428

Creating the atmosphere to get things done

2008-12-04T22:10:00.000-08:00

The onus is on you. You cannot change people, but you can indeed create an atmosphere conducive to getting things done.

It is absolutely critical to first observe the individuals involved (what are their motives, their goals, what makes them proud, what makes them scared) and to determine what your overall goal is. With this information you can then set the stage.

Now, this is not manipulation. It is instead a true recognition of the individuals involved and what they need in order to accomplish the desired goal.

Certainly there will be idealists among us who expect others to act rationally, consistently, and for the better good. But are we surrounded by those who act rationally, consistently, and for the better good? Probably not. We are instead surrounded by individuals with fears and troubles, who may be focusing on individual goals, who may be good at heart or maybe not. (In fact, if we were to look honestly, we would see the same descriptors in ourselves.)

It is not a sad picture. It is simple a recognition of the reality around us. The key is that you can take the initiative to observe and recognize, then you yourself create an appropriate atmosphere that will allow those participants to accomplish the desired goal.

On being unplugged

2008-11-30T21:04:00.000-08:00

Some friends of mine were queried, how would they react to an “unplugged” year. Inspired, I wish to offer my response as well.

Firstly, I’d like to question the deeper assumptions regarding a wired lifestyle of computers, electricity, cell phones, TV, all of it. There is a definite presence of guilt and critique in the developed West regarding technology. So often, we seem to seek an earlier, simpler utopia. Somehow we think that a remote village offers a pure, calm existence, rather than our driven, competitive rat race.

Instead, I think of two settings:

* The lands where I have traveled: Having lived in the dead-center of Siberia, and having spent time with my husband’s family in the capital and villages of Nepal, my first thoughts go to those who live in these lands. Ani Penjok in the village of Jhong in the high Himalaya near the Tibetan border would absolutely love electricity for heat, rather than her smoky fire. And I know she would relish the opportunity to speak with her beloved nephew, my husband, whom she raised. In her village there is one phone, and only recently was a road completed from the main town 6 hours’ distance by foot to a village across the river gorge.

Ani Penjok's kitchen, smoke soot caking the ceiling.

Ani Penjok on the rooftop, working to dry vegetables for use during the harsh winter.

* My own life: I love – I love – technology. My T-Mobile Wing is of great help to me, with internet access, MS Office, a full keyboard, everything. Google Books allows me to peruse many books from the comfort and speed of my internet connection – making knowledge accessible. My husband, raised by Ani Penjok, now hails You Tube for teaching him to be a better guitarist and to cook the foods of his childhood. We can send our annual holiday greetings via email or blog, donating the money we would’ve spent on cards and postage to charities that serve others in these difficult economies. And recently, with the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, SAJA (the South Asian Journalists Association) quickly developed an interactive news site to compile and report data as it was collected by those nearby to the atrocities. Think for just a moment the power of compiling and sharing information, whether in a crisis, or in times of calm. How much more could we become?

Is it possible for technology itself to hold a moral value? Technology is not bad, nor distracting. It is we, individually, ourselves, who give technology its real value. If we use it to better our lives and others, if we use it to grow and share, to be more efficient – that is the beauty of technology. If we use technology to lead empty, purposeless lives, then the fault lies directly with us.

Many thanks to Farrah for sharing her essay with me.

Favorite DVDs

2008-11-29T15:16:00.000-08:00

Favorite DVDs:

These films make the “favorite” ranking because I’ll watch them over and over, whether concentratedly or while working on projects. They feed my brain, my heart and my funny bone (if that’s possible).

* Cave of the Yellow Dog: A classic retelling of the child / pet friendship story, this film follows a nomadic Mongolian family. Such an honest, touching look at life – so much of this story crosses cultures. (My first best friend was a German Shepherd named Butchie.)

* Story of the Weeping Camel: A gratitude-inspiring observation of camel herders in the Gobi desert trying to initiate the bond between a mother and her newborn calf.

* The Great Match: Every four years much of the world slows to a rhythmic pace in time with the World Cup. This film follows three groups of people who must overcome impressive hurdles to view the Final.

* Keeping Up Appearances: Brilliant BBC comedy about a classist socialite wannabee who inadvertently breaks all the rules of good manners. Very funny.

* Robert Thurman’s lectures on Tibet & Buddhism: Noted expert speaks so comfortably and naturally about the histories of Tibet and of Buddhism. Enjoyable educational.

* Himalaya: Battle between the iconoclast and the traditionalist in the high Himalaya, very near to the home of my husband’s family.

Hoping these films are a delight to you as well.

Elephants: Other people’s long memories

2008-11-23T13:51:00.000-08:00

In following yesterday's post...

Even if you don’t have a long memory, those around you might. It’s well worth being cautious.

Now, don’t assume these long-minded individuals will be vindictive. Certainly, some might. But you should be equally aware: if you hope to work with them, request a favor, or rest on their mercy, you may pay a price, even if you don’t remember your infraction. There will always be consequences.

Elephants: Long memories

2008-11-22T14:22:00.000-08:00

Do you remember every one of my mistakes? I do.

Whereas I do not wallow in my unsuccesses, they are a reference point for my caravanning trek. A board colleague recently shared the concept of a success template, a systems approach to analyze, dissect and rebuild successes. Equally useful is a mistakes template. With the cyclical nature of life, we journey through repeated circumstances, even if the participants, goals or details may be different.

Utilized in another fashion, I am an advocate for consequences (as if consequences need me to validate them!). Intimacy with the consequences of our actions / inactions is a powerful growth tool. When working with my team, I will coach a colleague towards a more beneficial or effective practice but will also require that they personally work to rectify the fallout from their mistakes. It is not a cruelty nor punishment; it is, in fact, a powerful opportunity for them to become better, as well as a deterrent to rebuild that mistake later in another circumstance.

Pain, embarrassment and disappointment are not, in themselves, negative. In a healthy environment, they are a natural result of some actions / inactions. How much better to view them within a larger context of further growth on our caravanning journey? It’s a great trek.

Author Events - Successful Ones

2008-11-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

When I first began in the book business 12 years ago (it’s my anniversary this month!), it was enough to be an author to build interest in an event. Much has changed. People are busy – we’re all busy. If you are an author wanting an event, know that there’s a lot of competition.

A few items to consider:

* Who is your target demographic? Both your larger reader base, as well as those who will attend an event. (There will probably be a blog post about your demographic later – this is a big one.) Does an event suit your book or demographic?

* What is your greatest competition for event attendance? Is it the ballgame, is it the television, or simply an evening spent comfortably at home?

* What is the best locale for your event? Maybe it’s a bookstore or library, or your demographic might be better drawn to a restaurant, museum, park, or office.

* What is the best format for an event? I would recognize three main categories:

- Meet and greet: This is the simplest arrangement and absolutely requires that you be personable, inviting. Chatty, but not too much - like a cocktail party. Set up is in a bookstore / grocery store / etc, with you at a small table to chat with people as they stop by.
Claus Hackenberger (his new book is Search for Light) - Claus is the master of the meet and greet.

- Formal reading, QA & signing: The traditional format, with you speaking about your book and taking questions before a seated audience.

- Party!: I would have to say that this is my strongest recommendation because it creates a community of celebration with many participants. It’s a great answer to those competing forces pulling people away from attending your event. It makes you more. For example, a launch party with a benefit for a local non-profit, complemented by a music performance, with a prize drawing, and anchored by your brief, energetic presentation. Using this Party! format, attendance at most of my events ranges between 60-200 participants (and no, the authors weren’t generally “big names”).

Jane Porter (her newest is Mrs Perfect) - oh, Jane, she's amazing! She's got the business savy, but her real power is that she cares about people and makes them feel appreciated. (Incidentally, Jane is, of course, one of the big names; but you knew that.)

Know that a successful event is hard work. It won’t simply sprout out of nothingness. Done well, it’s great fun and so effective.

Directness of speech

2008-11-14T20:34:00.000-08:00

We are often scared when we needn’t be.

Why is it we are so fearful of speaking directly to another person? I am continually amazed that – regardless of hierarchy or rank – we choose passiveness over direct conversation. It seems that we take an ostrich approach: pretend I don’t hear the negativity or inference, and it must not exist; or, if I’m lucky, it may go away entirely. Maybe we feel more professional or diplomatic when not speaking directly, but let me share with you a quiet secret:

I think that we choose silence and do not address directly because we are scared.

Maybe we fear the consequences of direct speech. Will our directness be interpreted as criticism? Will our directness open the door to directness aimed back at us (you know, like spitting into the wind)? Will our directness demand that we actually take action to make something better? Will our directness result in strained relationships?

I have to say that when I first began to speak directly, my shoulders lightened and there was a sense of freedom. There became an effectiveness of action because, simply, I had access to more information – those with whom I was speaking directly offered more, revealed more, engaged more.

And let me clarify: I’m not referring to directness of speech as free reign towards meanness. Directness is not bullying. On the contrary, it is a recognition of unspoken, non-verbal speech as a way to further and deepen all our conversations. Of course there are those who do not receive direct speech well – maybe because they’re not accustomed, or maybe for larger reasons.

Direct speech, paired with true seeking and true collaboration, is a phenomenal lubricant to the cogs of our lives and of our actions. You should totally try it.

Recipes - 3 of my favorites for a crummy day

2008-11-11T19:55:00.000-08:00

Before we start: Take your time with each step. You know how it is with life – sometimes we can’t rush ahead. And you should know that I myself am a “feeling” rather than a “measuring” cook, so please feel free to adjust sizes to your atmosphere.

***
Chai (“Chini Cha” sweet tea)
Spiced warmth. The perfect start to your day, or the perfect afternoon rest.

Ingredients:
Milk, black tea (6 tea bags are fine, but ½ - ¾ cup of “Red Label” tea from an ethnic grocery is better), 12-15 cardamom (slightly break open the green “husk” so that the inner seed has more strength), 10-15 cloves, 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or several pieces of cinnamon bark), 2-3 pieces fresh ginger sliced approx 2/3 inch square, sugar to taste (1/4 – ½ cup).

Using an approx 2 quart pot, fill it 2/3 with water. Add the spices. Let sit on a medium-low stove until the water decreases and the spices color the water – approx 10-15 minutes. Add 6 tea bags or ½ - ¾ cup of the Red Label tea. Cover. Let sit at the same temperature until the Red Label tea settles (until it “stops rolling”) – approx 15 minutes. Water should reduce to 1/3 of the pot. Add milk to 4/5 of the pot. Add sugar. Let sit – ideally, stirring constantly – until the mixture heats completely, almost to a low boil. Strain spices and tea and serve.

Makes a full pot. Enough for a week or for a group of friends.

For a spicier tea with a little kick, try: fresh ginger, black pepper and red chili (just a pinch) instead of the other spices. I love it this way, but my husband thinks I'm crazy when I make it.

***
Chicken curry
Of course there are a billion-plus ways to make any sort of curry. Here’s a relatively simple, way-tasty recipe.

Ingredients:
4-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 ½ inch pieces, cooking oil, fresh ginger approx 2/3 inch square and 3 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon mustard seeds, 1 tablespoon cumin seeds, 1 – 1 ½ chopped onions (red is best, yellow or white is fine, not sweet), 2 tablespoons cumin, 1 tablespoon coriander, ¾ tablespoon turmeric, 1 tablespoon salt

Ideally, use a low, wide cast iron pan – something that has some weight and will carry the heat.

Warm oil in a medium-low pan. When oil feels hot to your hand held above it, drop mustard and cumin seeds. (Ideally, you’ll hear the immediate sizzle.) Stir periodically. Let the mustard and cumin darken. Add chopped onions (again, sizzle). Stir. As the onions shed some of their water, add fresh minced garlic and ginger. Keep stirring until the mixture cooks down nicely and is dry.

Add cumin, coriander and turmeric. Stir. These spices need unadulterated dry heat to release their flavor in this dish. The turmeric will be distinct – notice for its smell to change.

Add the chicken. Stir and brown. Add salt. Quickly cover – you don’t want the chicken to dry out, so just a quick stir and brown and cover. Wait until the chicken is soft – approx 15-20 minutes. We like ours with a fair amount of curry gravy, but you can cook it down more for a drier dish.

Lift cover. Stir and taste. Best served with rice.

Makes 4-6 servings.

For spicier curry, add chili. For dried red chilis, heat to a darkening along with the mustard and cumin seeds. For chili powder, add with cumin, coriander and turmeric.

***
Bitter gourd or bitter melon – my favorite!!
Warning: it’s called “bitter” for a reason. That said, this is my favorite dish of all! And I’m told that bitter gourd is great for your health. There are two rough varieties of bitter gourd: the South Asian is quite bitter and is darker green with very pointy bumps; whereas the East Asian is milder, lighter green with mellow bumps. I love the South Asian variety, but if this is your first time, you’ll probably want to try the East Asian.

Ingredients:
2-3 bitter gourd sliced into ½ by 1 ½ inch pieces (removing the seeds), ½ - ¾ tablespoon turmeric, ½ tablespoon salt, 2-3 roma tomatoes cut into 6 pieces each, ½ chopped onion (red is best, yellow or white is fine, not sweet), 2 cloves fresh garlic

Similar to the chicken curry, it’s best to use a low, wide cast iron pan – something that has some weight and will carry the heat.

Warm oil in a medium-low pan. When oil feels hot to your hand held above it, drop onions. (Ideally, you’ll hear the immediate sizzle.) Stir. As the onions shed some of their water, add fresh minced garlic. Keep stirring until the mixture cooks down nicely and is dry.

Add turmeric. Stir. Turmeric absolutely needs unadulterated dry heat to release its flavor in this dish. The turmeric will be distinct – notice for its smell to change. If you add the turmeric to wet onions, the final dish will stink a bit and the turmeric will be separate. We want the sense of a long-lived marriage.

Add the bitter gourd and salt. Stir. Cover. Wait until the bitter gourd is soft (but not mushy) – approx 10-15 minutes. The bitterness will lessen with longer cooking. Lift cover. Stir and taste. Best served with rice.

Makes 4-6 small side servings.

Hoping each of these brings you a sense of warmth and a feeling of ease. Not listed in the ingredients is "love," but you knew to include this, didn't you?

Collaboration: A goat for the sheep in your life

2008-11-09T10:48:00.000-08:00

I am told that sheep are cautious animals who will not take a leap of faith, entering an unknown environment. But I am also told that a goat will venture out, and so it is recommended that you have one goat for your sheep because they will follow a goat.

So are we talking about fams? No. This is a concept to get things done, particularly when presenting a proposal or engaging an audience. How many ideas have I seen on the editing room floor because the person advocating for them didn’t bother to develop a goat first? Do you present a fresh, never-heard proposal to your executive team on your own, solo? I don’t recommend it. You need to cultivate interest early, in small one-on-one conversations. Work out the bugs first in quiet so that you may engage the group in a real, substantial discussion of the benefits of your proposal and how to enact it, rather than a discussion why to drop your proposal.

As brilliant as you may be:
1. You haven’t thought of everything, and
2. Whereas you might be able to force acceptance of your proposal on your own, you will not be able to tend the entire flock on your own.

Think a moment about congress: a person doesn’t simply write a bill, get it on the docket and have a real debate on the House / Senate floor. There are many goats, many cultivated quiet conversations prior.

Who is your goat?

Knowing what’s right

2008-11-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

Vs doing what’s right – sometimes we’re simply too busy

I’m not talking about morality. I’m talking about doing work well. I see this most often when working with volunteer or non-profit organizations. Have you seen those individuals in their career job who cannot execute the same task for a charitable purpose?

In the committee or board meeting there is a sense of what can be done, but so often not a sense of what we will be able to accomplish in our limited non-work time.

It was striking for me when I first realized this. I knew I could arrange media attention, or drive attendance, or establish viral marketing. I knew I could do it. But the critical piece is to step back and look at the reality of life and the timeframe for the charitable project.

I cannot stress enough: map out your usable time for this charitable project before you determine what can be done. Results and execution are key to its success.

Wintering in Siberia

2008-11-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

I worked on my Masters in Central Asian Studies in Siberia.

Firstly, I know what you’re thinking, and yes, it was cold. The region where I lived, in the Sakha Republic, has record lows of -100 F. Unknown to some, Siberia also has hot, humid summers. In fact, just before I left Yakutsk the temperature reached 90 F. (Interestingly, I didn’t realize how hot it was and kept wearing my winter coat out of habit, as did many on the streets.)

I studied at Yakutsk State University, my specialization the language, history and culture of the Sakha, the largest ethnic group in Siberia. Locals often told me that I was one of only a handful of westerners who’d come to study their language. While in Yakutsk, I also had the opportunity to work for the Ministry of Education.

A few key scenes:

With friends by bus to a small coal mining town on the edge of the Lena River. We trudged through thigh-deep snow on the frozen river, barely seeing both shores from the middle. We picnicked there.

When one of my Sakha language professors invited me to her home for lunch: a quick walk to her Soviet apartment building, up the stairs, through the large dark door, and then a soup of small, whole river fish served by her young son.

Learning to sing a Sakha folk song with some friends after participating in a reindeer festival. That was the day I rode – and fell off – a reindeer.

Sitting with my host mother in her kitchen at night after helping with the dishes, drinking tea and sharing stories. The kitchen was the warmest place in the house – with temperature and with love.

The coat check ladies at the Natural History Museum concernedly rebuking me that I wasn’t wearing a warm enough coat. They weren’t accustomed to my hiker’s jacket because most everyone wore fur for its warmth and availability.

On Victory Square near a port towards the Lena River, where I used to sit and reflect. The area schoolkids took the first step to introduce themselves, and there were a couple that I talked with often.

In traveling – whether far or near, I like to soak in the place, get a feel for life, not just a feeling for passing through. My time in Siberia was a crucible, and I came out a better person.

personal loyalty in business

2008-10-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

There is an element of emotionalism in any business relationship - that we term it a "relationship" speaks volumes.

I had observed that potential clients want two things: a vendor who knows the product or service, and who cares about their clients as individuals.

But that’s not all: there is sometimes an additional desire that the vendor meet some standard derived personally and individually by the client. That is, it’s the client’s measuring stick. Often – more often than not – I find that a client wants to feel a sense of similitude with their vendor.

It reminds me of those commentaries during these political days about candidates connecting with “Joe Sixpack” or some other pigeon-holed archetype.

The point is: a client usually wants far more than the product or service. The client wants the relationship – whether momentary or long-term.

workshop woes

2008-10-21T21:55:00.000-07:00

We’ve all been there: in a meeting or workshop designed to instruct or inspire, but which falls short.

Some common mistakes:

* Participants are probably busy people, with more on their plate than this workshop. If you're the facilitator who has committed much time and energy, this is an easy one to forget.

* Parcipants should gain some personal benefit - it can't be exclusively focused on the facilitator's or organization’s goals. Consider it a gift to the attendees - like a quality party favor.

* People learn differently and need the freedom to do so - let them move, let them take notes on a whiteboard, let them use their laptop.

* Give participants time to soak in the info and to work it out for themselves. Teaching is not lecturing. Take the journey together.

* It's okay to have fun, laugh. In fact, in most workshops, it's critical. It energizes. It can break down barriers. It's free-ing.

* And circling back to the first couple points: keep to the scheduled duration. For many participants, the planned end-time is a contract – keep it.

Incidentally, I've presented workshops to more than 6000 participants since 2001, of all ages and backgrounds. I love it. I love those moments where we come together, share ideas, discuss, argue and then take that experience back to the rest of our lives. Like a sauna, like a good stretch, like a belly laugh. It's beautiful.

himalayas

2008-10-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Mustang (“Lo”) is a kingdom within the borders of Nepal but strides the Tibetan Plateau, and much of its culture is Tibetan. Mustang commanded key trade routes for centuries and boasts an unbroken line of kings (“Lo-Gyalpo”) from 1440 to present day. The topography is desert-like, with water and trees critically nurtured. Forbidden to outsiders until 1992, Mustang housed the base of the Tibetan resistance to Chinese rule, the Khampa warriors.
And on a personal note, my husband's family is from Mustang.

Photos:
Village of Jhong, in Bharagaon, near Muktinath, in Lower Mustang
Ani Mutik, my husband's aunt, preparing a meal on the fire
Sky burial location - A practice of tending to the dead, some Tibetan buddhists practiced sky burial as a way to return the body of the deceased to the elements.
Me crossing a plank bridge approximately 2 hours below Jhong

Presentation Secrets

2008-10-19T19:10:00.000-07:00

Well, maybe not secrets, but tips...

My overall goal in any presentation is threefold: to gain the attention of attendees, create participation, and to impart some key piece of information.

* Attention-getter: I like to break the rules of a "good" presentation in order to keep attendees on their toes. I love to move among attendees, never using a podium - I want to see their faces, read their body language.

* Create participation: Even if (and when) I'm absolutely brilliant, the info won't stick if attendees don't have a chance to engage in the process. As a presenter who cares about the end result, I must get true barometer readings throughout the program to understand what attendees are absorbing - like reading the wind when sailing.

* Key information: Prior to the presentation, I'll determine the few key concepts that must be absorbed for the program to be a success. Everything else is icing. Too often presenters - knowing their own brilliance - want to impart everything to their audience, which is foolishness.

Best Practices - account management, community outreach, events

2008-10-11T19:47:00.000-07:00

The past 9-10 years, I've been working in client relations / account management, community outreach, and events. There have been many mistakes, of course - and I swear I remember all of them - but there have also been many numerous successes. To boil down a few key points:

Client / Account Management
* A client is, first and foremost, a person. You cannot achieve client loyalty on a purely vendor / product basis. You must dig deep to unearth what it is their need.

* Organization is key. You must be able to submit a complete, professional bid that also keeps an open door for flexibility to meet the client's specific needs and desires.

Community Outreach
* No one is an island. You must collaborate, develop evangelists. This takes time - sure, you could do things more quickly, but if you take a journey with participants, the relationship will be exponentially stronger.

* In seeking collaborators, don't fall for titles - look for those who have the ear of their community, those who are influencers.

Events
* Organization is absolutely critical - you must have thought of every detail and have a contingent plan for every possibility.
* There is a psychology of attendees: if they feel that you and your team are organized, they will relax and enjoy. But, if they sense that you aren't prepared, they will feel the need to protect their interests. So as an example: the earlier you can have the setup completed, the better.

inauguration

2008-10-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

Well, here it is... the first post.

We're starting small, more to come later.