365QOD- Day1423

Temporary Social Networks

"You can talk to people near you or you can text them."- a silly choice

I recently read an article which described an interesting concept.  The concept was a temporary local social network.  It made me curious enough to read on.

A hotel chain is experimenting with having a local social network for their guests so that they can learn about each other.   They are hoping to get people to interact and meet each other.  The network also ties the guests to the local businesses and activities.  This way guests can meet and hopefully sample local restaurants and activities.

I thought that this was interesting in that the hotel is trying to get people to meet.  What happened to just opening yourself to meeting others in teh lobby of a hotel?  I guess with smart phones it is a lost art.

Today's question is:
"Are you open to meeting people while out and about?"

365QOD- Day1388

Asynchronous Dialogs

"Kids speak in packets of asynchronous dialogs"- Nick Webb on Eventual millionaire

I remember being in Paris December of 1999.  My girlfriend at that time lived there and communicated to her friends through texting mostly.  I thought that texting was silly and it would never catch up in the US.  I figured it was easier to call and briefly speak than to send messages back and forth.

15 years later I realize that I was wrong and now it seems that we have become a nation of texters.  Texting is more dominant than speaking to others.  I believe this even though I have never seen the data.

The reasons why this type of information exchange is dominant is that people can answer it immediately or when it is convenient for them.  It takes time and adjusts it to suit you instead of the caller.

This change creates opportunities.  What type of app could take advantage of this asynchronous communication?  I do not know but I will be thinking about it.

Today's question is:
"Do you prefer to text most people or do you just call?"

365QOD- Day1187

Management By Walking Around

"Do you want a ride?"- my question to the plant manager

Several years ago I worked in a refinery.  Because of its vast size we used to use little SUVs to get around.  It was that or ride your bike or walk.  (Eventually we went to a bus system)

In winter time I would often pick up anyone walking so that it would make it easier for them. One person that always refused a ride was the plant manager.  I knew him well so his refusal did not surprise me.

I would offer and he will tell me that this was his way of getting exercise and meeting people.  He liked to be able to go on the different units and really see what was going on instead of being reported to.  I admired this.  Interestingly, his immediate staff did the opposite.

After several attempts I joined Dan's club and started walking everywhere in the plant.  He was correct.  You do meet new people and see things from a different perspective.

Today's question is:
"Do you manage by walking around?"

365QOD- Day1158

Crazy Questions

"Q: What type of questions don't get asked early or often enough in innovation projects?
A :  ...Second ones are the crazy questions.  What if we were to subvert all of the assumptions in the field and do something ridiculous?..."- Warren Berger, Inc. article

Are there such things as crazy questions?  I don't think so.  To me they are out the box thinking questions.  These are the ones that lead to innovative solutions instead of just rational solutions.

We have to realize that as much as we don't believe it we approach problem solving with many assumptions built in.  We have already decided what subset of solutions will work and which ones will not.  All we do next is try to lead ourselves to the rational answer that everyone buys in.

But this approach stymies our thinking and limits our toolbox.  It gives us the same solutions to the same problems and never leads us out of the box to better answers.  JUMP OUT OF THE BOX!

Today's question is:
"How might we ask more crazy questions?"

365QOD- Day1156

Beautiful Questions

"Q: What makes a question beautiful?
A : A beautiful question reframes an issue and forces you to look at it in a different way.  It challenges assumptions and is really ambitious.  Often these questions begin with the phrase, 'how might we...' "- Warren Berger Author of A More Beautiful Question  in Inc. magazine interview

As you know by now I love to ask questions.  As a matter of fact today I will pose the 1156th question in this post.  These questions are intended for you and me to pause and think about the answer as it resonates true for us.

This quote gives me some ideas on how to create better more beautiful questions.  It tells me that
1. A beautiful question reframes an issue

it has to reframe it in such a way that you see light where there is none.  It sheds new light on an old issue.

Secondly,
2. A beautiful question forces you to look at it in a different way

than you normally see things.  It should stop you enough to ask yourself why you did not see it that way before.

Lastly,
3. A beautiful question challenges assumptions.

that we all have about how things work.  It might have to stretch our rational minds by pushing it towards irrationality.

Today's question is:
"How might we ask better questions?"

365QOD- Day1087

Your Message

“Turn your mess into a message”- speaker’s advice

The other day I watched a presentation during which the speaker uttered these words.  I loved the urging so much that I wrote it down.  Lastly, I decided to write a post about it.

I believe that this quote is very relevant to me.  I often write about topics of interest to me and sometimes share my growing pains.  But I have never used the words ‘mess’ to describe my pains.

I do believe that all of us have messes.  Some we share and others we try to hide.  But what makes us real to others is when we do share them.  This allows us to make a genuine connection to others by exposing our mess to sell the message that we are trying to pass on.

But be careful!  The message has to be real in order to connect and not appear as an attempt to sell.  In my opinion it has to provide a solution to the mess that people have in common with you.  That is your message for getting them out of the same mess.

Today’s question is:

“What is your mess and your message?”

365QOD- Day1001

Out of Curiosity

"Just out of curiosity, what do you like best about your job?"- Geoffrey James

I could not sleep this morning so I started reading articles on Inc. on line. An article about asking yourself a great question came up.

The question above is a great conversation starter.  It allows the other person to talk about positive aspects of their job.  The opposite could be achieved if you ask about what they hate about their job.

What made me focus on this article is its focus on asking this great question of yourself.  I do believe that it will lift your mood and remind you why you like your job.  But to me that is limiting.

Most people self identify with a job title.  I do not.  As I have written before, I identify with the word cREATOR with a small c.  That word could fit whether I am working as an engineer, manager, blogger, writer, teacher, etc.

I do believe that this is a great question to ask ourself but ask it of different aspects and people that make up your life.  Do not limit its power to just work or encouraging others. Ask it of your relationships, interests, friends, things and if possible let people know why you like what you like.

Today's question is:
"Just out of curiosity, what do you like about your life?"

Day 1148 out of 21000(Refer to post 12 for the meaning)

365QOD- Day997

My Name is

"HELLO, my name is Scott"-Scott Ginsberg's introduction

Imagine walking around with a paper name tag.  Unless you are in a large meeting, most likely a few people will stop you and tell you that you have a nametag on with the expectation that you remove it.
But what if you want it there by design?

Scott had been doing just that for a few years.  This was a strategic move to make him more approachable.  It helped him land a book deal.

This old story from Success magazine made me think about how approachable we are.  By design, I always have my desk in such a way as not to place a barrier between myself and the person entering my office.  To me, this is critical in being approachable.  People want you see you as approachable before they approach you.  So why crate walls?

In my opinion most people are not aware that they are building walls and that translates into being perceived as not approachable.  If you want to be approachable, tear down the walls.  Be the first to extend your hand.  Smile first and say hello. Our wear a name tag.

Today's question is:
"How approachable are you?"

365QOD- Day984

Six Minutes FortySeconds

"How bad can it be to listen to someone for six minutes and forty seconds?" -my question

This morning before I got my day started I read a couple of stories in Inc. magazine.  They approached public presentations from two completely opposite angles.  What helped me note this was that they were right next to each other but they did not reference each other.

The Pacha-Kucha presentation format consists of forcing yourself to only 20 slides with each one lasting 20 seconds.  So in 6:40 you are done talking.  You stop. This forces the presenter to cut their slides down and to cut to the chase quickly.  I can see this turning into just the facts not a lot of fluff presentation.

Second story talked about Moth storytelling.  In this format you personalize the story to pull the listener in.  So this format is more about taking your time and connecting to the audience.

In other words dry facts vs. touchy moving speeches.  So which one is the right format? Both are ways but you need to determine what your audience needa.

I do feel that we all need to train ourselves on being able to do the 6:40.  This will teach us to focus.  But then go out and also learn how to tell that great story that hooks the audience.  So as I said, both are correct.

Today's question is:
"Can you give a great speech in 6:40?"

365QOD- Day972

Start or Stop Talking

"When you approach two peorple talking, you will be acknowledged in one of two ways.  If the feet of their torsos stay in place and they twist only their upper torsos in your direction, they don't really want you to join the conversation.  But if their feet move to include you then you know that you are truly invited to participate."-Carol Kinsley Goman

 I saw this line on the Behance web page and immediately recognized the feelings.  There have been times when I felt uncomfortable stepping into a situation between two petiole.  And there have been times when I got smiles and was warmly welcomed.

I believe that the secret is your smile. If you approach the situation with a great attitude then you are most likely will be welcomed.  If internally you are judging yourself not  worthy of being there then your vibe will keep you out.

The author adds that this is also true for when conversations are over.  A coworker who seems to be paying attention with their upper body angled toward you but their legs and feet are towards the door, is signaling that the conversation is over.

So start paying attention to peoples upper and use body positioning as a way of telling how people feel.

Today's question is:
"How do you know that you are welcomed or done with?"

365QOD- Day964

Do Change

"I sincerily believe that behavior change is identity/belief change"- Buster Benson

Recently a young person I know started smoking.  I was so disappointed.  Unfortunately, overseas kids do not get the same anti smoking propaganda. So their chances of starting and staying a smoker are greater.

So why did he choose to start?  Reviewing the situation around him it was a simple case of bad peer pressure.  He kept seeing his friends smoking and eventually he decided to follow.  Amazing enough was that most of these peers are younger by a year.

He now identifies himself as a smoker.  He does not have to say it out loud. Puffing away says it all. His identity had been changed.

So what are his choices?  He can continue and let the monkey get a better grip on him or change his friends.  Which one will he choose?  As the quote advises,  the identity that he best identifies with will control his behavior.

Today's question is:
"Can you reverse an identity change?"

365QOD- Day957

Using email to sell

"Email is not a way to sell electronically; its a way to start and have a conversation."-Gefferey James Inc. magazine story How To Sell via Email

In post Day956 I mentioned a statistic that only 20% of emails are read.  Today I happen to read a story that takes about how ineffectively people use email to sell.  If the response rate is 10% of the 20% then we are talking to only 2% of the target audience.

The quote provides a solution.  It is all about initiating a conversation.  Initiate a conversation and if the other person is interested they will respond.  As an example the author offers this advice for a good conversation starter:
"prospects name , my company  company name, has a track record helping executives reduce overhead costs and increase cash flow.  We recently worked with, a company known to prospect,   and were able to reduce their cost by 20%. 

If this interests you, I can send you a case study or detailed description of what we do for our clients. 

Your contract information"

If the person reads it they should get the feeling as if they are getting something for nothing.

Today's question is:
"How would you start a conversation through email?"

365QOD- Day956

Just Open It

" The cold reality is that not every email you send is opened. The average open rate is around 20 percent across all industries. That percentage doesn't really tell the complete story either. Unless you really dig into your metrics, it's unclear which 20 percent is opening your emails. It's also likely it's not the same 20 percent opening your emails every time." - Entrepreneur magazine story

I believe that most of us between several personal and work email accounts we all receive anywhere from hundred to two hundred emails per day. I believe this statistic is true.

Recently I wrote a post in which I recommended that the subject line should be used more effectively by making it an action subject line.  Instead of saying x tell the reader what you want done with x.

For example, instead of asking for approval and using the subject line funding request for x, use please read and approve funding request for x.  The reader knows what you expect: to read and to approve.  Your chances of the email being read is higher and you getting the approval is higher than 20%.

Today's question is:
"How do you effectively get your emails read?"

365QOD- Day923

Did you get that?

"When a message is sent up from the lowest levels to senior management, the noise level doubles and the meaning of the message is cut in half as it passes through each level in the organization's corporate hierarchy"-Peter Drucker

Communication is difficult.  The message needs to be created in the senders mind, then translated into words that we feel the other person will understand. 

On the receiving end the person takes what they heard, recreates the message, and then translates it into words that they understood.  Lastly,  feedback is send back to the sender of what was understood.

Team communication stays at the same level so hopefully not much gets missed.  But as the quote suggests a lot gets lost as the message moves up to the next level. So my boss only gets half of my message.  My boss' boss gets half of that or one fourth of what I sent.  Quickly the meaning changes and the intent can be used against the originator. 

So what is the answer?  Stop sending information up?  No.  Have the means for the boss and their boss to have access to the same information so that they can review it for themselves.  Of course that takes time but if the decision is critical then the extra effort is worth it.

Today's question is:
"How do you know that your message got through to your leaders?"

365QOD- Day812

"Build it, they will remain" - bad networking advice

I have been thinking about network building lately.  There are people that constantly meet new people as a part of their job.

As an example, consider real estate agents.  They tend to specialize in an area of a city and get to meet people looking for a place in that area.  The looking process might expose them to the same people several times.  Enough to potentially bulls a friendship.

So what?

Just because you build a network of good people it does not mean that it is very strong.  If you sell these folks a house you have a temporarily gain but might never turn that into a future gain. 

I believe that the network has to be nurtured once it had been created.  To do this a person would have to periodically maintain contact with the network by carrying enough to call and inquire about people's lives outside of the work relationship.  In my opinion 10 percent of one's time needs to be spent on nurturing.

Today's question is:
"How do you nurture your network? "

365QOD- Day765

"The British are coming" - Paul Revere's warning

I recently saw an ad.  It is Paul Revere, a legendary figure, as a person making a cell phone call to warm the other towns that the British are coming. 

I stopped to think about this.  What if phones had existed back then?  What if Paul Revere had called instead of riding through the night?  Would people have prepared to meet the British head on.

I believe the answer is no.  If something is easy to do then it is easy not to do.  The call would not have moved people as a face to face interaction between Paul and the other villagers.

Today's question is:
"Does technology make connecting on a personal level harder?
 

365QOD- Day741

“Everything that needs to be said has already been said.  But, since no one was listening, everything must be said again.”- Angre’ Gide

 

I often worry that a post I am currently writing is one I have already written but can’t remember that I wrote it.  With 741 posts in my blog I can not keep track of them in my mind any more.

I am certain that often I repeat the message but maybe in a slightly different format. Maybe it is middle age? Another way to say this is that I am re-enforcing the message.

I do believe that I do get inspired by same ideas and have to be on guard to expose myself to new thoughts and ideas.  Only with new thoughts and ideas can I replace the old worn out connections in my brain.

Today’s question is:

“How do you know what you have already said?

365QOD- Day673

"It is not about the other person" - Unknown

This is a great reminder.  If we make it about the other person then we have just given away our power to change the situation.  Because if it is about the other person then they have total control.

Maybe we need to remind ourselves that IT IS ABOUT ME!  Not in an ego driven way but firmly asserting that we must have control in order to change the situation.

The unfortunate truth is that we want it to be about the other person.  Then they can be the reason.  The reason for us not getting what we want or need.  Never operate from a position of giving away control.

Today's question is:
"How do you remind yourself that it is about you NOT the other person?"

365QOD- Day606

"Dis-connected" - title of a Sunday Morning story

The story I watched this morning was very informative.  It talked about how with smart phones we are tending to text more and communicate less.  We tend to spend more time looking down at a screen and less time communicating with the people next to us.

The world we live in is changing drastically fast.  The communication models we used before are changing and at times might not serve us.  Who would have thought that Twitter will survive and throve?  I believe that we tend to get information is very small bytes.

If my theory is correct then someone will publish a book one paragraph at a time.  Hum?  Yup, if you can write it in a byte sizes and make those irresistable then you will succeed.  I do believe it will be tough to pull it off.

One other part of the story that was disturbing was that 70% of people could not stop using their smart phone for one day.  One day!  We are addicted and without the phone we will feel disconnected.  So we want to connect to people by disconnecting from them through a device. 

Today's question is:
"Could you do without your smart phone for a day, a week, a month?"

The story can be found at
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57523072/texting-can-we-pull-the-plug-on-our-obsession/?tag=showDoorLeadStoriesAreaMain;SunMoLeadHero

365QOD-Day 411

"Can you believe the weather we are having?"- a persistent question

I was in Chicago last weekend.  A beautiful city that was experiencing 80 degree weather during March instead of the freezing cold snowy days that often occur.

Unknowingly, I must have used it at least ten times.  It was also used by everyone else around me.  No one could ignore the beauty of the weather.

Today's question is:
"Can you stop talking about a great thing?"