There is a famous mantra from storied golf teaching professional, Harvey Penick, that he used with his students: “Take dead aim!” This meant to focus on the most specific target possible. To aim small. To not just aim for a fairway or green, but to focus on the most specific spot on the fairway or... Continue Reading →
The Beacon
The businesses that we are drawn to are led by a beacon. They have an ideal that is greater than their product or service, and know how to connect both rationally and emotionally. There is an emerging trend amongst the companies that are "winning" in today's market - they focus as much effort on maximizing their... Continue Reading →
Create Experiences, Not Just Transactions
I have spent a lot of time in my career talking about, and training, how to create “experiences” around a product or service. The product or service that we provide is the “stuff” and is easily to replicate. My shinny new widget can be replicated and sold at a cheaper price at any time, and... Continue Reading →
Writing It Down Makes It Real
As the saying goes, thoughts are just daydreams until they are put into action. We’ve probably all heard the importance of writing goals and objectives down. This process of writing it down makes it “real” and takes it from abstract to concrete. This is the “pre-action” that is required for significant action. If writing down... Continue Reading →
Feedback Is Simply Information…
We had a situation this weekend, not unlike any other weekend, where there was some “feedback” provided on an interaction that occurred at the club. In this event, it was a person presenting their point of view and their judgements on that situation. My first reaction was that of frustration, defensiveness, and anger. This caused... Continue Reading →
Tribal Knowledge
According to Wikipedia, “Tribal knowledge is any information or knowledge that is known within a tribe but often unknown outside of it. A tribe may be a group or subgroup of people that share a common knowledge. With a corporate perspective, Tribal Knowledge or know-how is the collective wisdom of the organization. It is the... Continue Reading →
It’s About What You DO, Not What You FEEL
“I’m committed to my body, but I don’t feel like going to the gym today.” “I’m committed to my business, but I don’t feel like working on that project today.” “I’m committed to my clients/members, but I don’t feel like being hospitable today.” It's easy to do the work when we "feel good." The difference... Continue Reading →
Stay True To Your Concept
I was at a CMAA Business Management Institute Conference in Houston, and the theme was Food & Beverage. We had sessions on Effective Plate Presentations, Kitchen Layout & Renovations, and Pairings Concepts and Events. We went to River Oaks Country Club and had the opportunity to tour their facilities. They do upwards of 6 million... Continue Reading →
Go Down to Go Up
Sydney has been working on her vertical jump for volleyball. She is recognizing that she probably won’t grow to be 6’2” so she has to be able to make her vertical jump a strength in her game. This will require her to do some training in the offseason, but in the short-term there was a... Continue Reading →
Control or Growth?
You can have control, or you can have growth…but you can’t have both! Control [kon troll] To regulate, restrain, correct, or restore to normal. The governing or limitation of certain objects or events. To hold in restraint; check. To reduce or prevent the spread of. To exercise restraint or maintain influence over a situation. Growth... Continue Reading →
GRIT 