Articles
My #SeaGiveCamp Experience 2010
Last weekend I participated in Seattle’s first GiveCamp. The general premise is similar to a Startup Weekend, but GiveCamp is for non-profits. We focused on solving one specific challenge they were facing regarding technology.I had the opportunity to work with three teams on three completely different challenges: Hearing Speech and Deafness Center (HSDC), Alliance of Nonprofits, and the Washington Poison Control Center.
HSDC
They came into the weekend with two pressing challenges: understanding…Re-thinking New Year's Resolutions
So here it is, the middle of February, and you have probably given up on any New Year’s resolutions you valiantly made at the start of the year. Or perhaps you haven’t given up on all of them, but you have decided to postpone working on them until you are “not as busy” or “later in the year.”I won’t get started on a rant about New Year’s resolutions, but I do want to connect the concept with changes we consciously make.
A business’s stability and success is dependent upon their ability to adapt a…
Executives' Role Changing
A few notes from Pacific Northwest Chapter of IMC event “Through the Eyes of the Executive Suite.”The purpose of this event was to share experiences of being in an interim executive position within a company. The panel was made up of Bob King (COO), Tim O’Brien (CTO), Janis Machala (CEO), Marty Heimbigner (CFO), and was moderated by a good friend of mine, Barry Otterholt.
While plenty of stories and examples were shared, two topics came up predominately: Leadership and Success factors.
“I don’t b…
Santa’s Secret Exposed: It is Possible to Fly Around the World and Support Local Economies
Child-Safe Spoiler Alert
Dear Kids,
Have you ever wondered how Santa is able to visit every child in the world and sit in the mall for the whole month of December? If you were like me when I was young, then you are sitting there nodding and thinking yes. I have to admit that I “figured out” the whole Santa thing at an age that most parents would say is unfair. But what I didn’t know is what really happened—that took much longer to figure out and was revealed to me at the most unsuspecting time, …
Steve Rennekamp's Win / Win / Win Senario
A good friend of mine, Steve Rennekamp, president of Energy Swing Windows has a great philosophy about culture and brand. He calls it "Creating a Win/Win/Win Scenario." I asked him to share it in an article which is below. Energy Swing Windows is located just outside of Pittsburgh, PA and is the most referred window and door company. They have amazing windows! If you have never seen their product, make sure you tour their facility. You will be blown away.
In a successful company, you build your …
The Validity of Buzz Words
Buzz Words. They are great for generating interest, piquing curiosity, driving SEO and SMO (search engine optimization and social media optimization, respectively), and showing that you know how to follow trends. Sometimes they can even help you close the deal and sign new clients! Great things buzz words are—ooh wait there is another side to this, accountability.
Just using and promoting buzz words does not mean that you are honoring or able to produce the value that they represent, it simply …News Release: ACTION Book Helps Consumers Hire the Right Contractor
Bothell, WA. –A new action book, “Hiring a Contractor,” offers a simple step-by-step guide to help consumers through the process of hiring a contractor. While the action book is task oriented, it also provides easy to understand explanations and examples of why each step is important.
With the increasing number of consumers who complain or have problems with their contractor and good construction companies who struggle to find work, this action book bridges that gap. Within the action book is a c…
With the increasing number of consumers who complain or have problems with their contractor and good construction companies who struggle to find work, this action book bridges that gap. Within the action book is a c…
Woman-Owned, Coachable & Successful
Iris Harrell of Harrell Remodeling wrote one of three forewords for Contractors: Doing it Right Not Just Getting it Done. Here is her's . . . Enjoy!
Knowing the importance of the hard-to-define culture of our company has helped us not only survive, but thrive these last twenty five years. I’ve often wondered why so few books have been written about culture, as in my opinion, it is the key to business success.Business culture is especially critical in the world of residential remodeling. Our ty…
Steve Klein: Is Your Business Really Different?
Steve Klein of The Klein Companies wrote one of three forewords for Contractors: Doing it Right Not Just Getting it Done. Here is his . . . Enjoy!
When author Mel DePaoli decided to write this book her timing could not have been better. Her company Omicle continues to focus on Brand or Culture in American business and whether Brand or Culture is the driving force behind why some companies continue to be successful over time and others just exist or eventually fail?Midway through writing this bo…
The Management / Employee / Customer Gap
Bruno Aziza is perhaps one of my favorite authors. His topics, books and articles are always spot on with great examples and usually from a perspective that you wouldn’t have initially thought of. In one of his articles, Creating A Social Media Strategy he addresses the issue of the gap between management, employees and customers. Here are a few of my favorite points that he made, along with my own comments:
“Before selling an idea or product (any widget, or strategy for example), you must engag…