I was just going to write about one thing.. but then...

While logging on to write this post, something weird happened...google, the world's largest online search engine, the company that embeds a cookie on your system for 20 years..the company that owns Blogger, didn't know that I had one of their new fancy Gmail accounts.

Here's how it all started, earlier today, I log on to post the various posts below (please see below). Once logged in..I see a fancy little box proclaiming that "as a registered Blogger user" (registered, means that they know everything about me, 'cause I signed up....) "I am eligible to sign up for their new Gmail service (note to reader: THIS IS GOING TO BE MUCH BIGGER THAN HOTMAIL). So, being the geek I am, I sign up.. kyle.couch@gmail.com...

Then, I log back in, and wouldn't you know it... my cookie didn't register, and I was asked again to check out their new service..
ialreadyhaveagmailaccount@gmail.com silly... with all their search capabilities.. you'd think they would already know...

Anyway, on to my original post concept...

Earlier today, I emailed "The most admired" Architectural Firm in North America asking for a back issue of their newsletter... replies to our newsletter (what? you don't get our newsletter?? Want it - it's REALLY good.. send us an email iwantthenewsletter@thebeacongroup.ca) are greeted with an instant reply proclaiming that you will actually get a real, hand typed email response from a live employee of The Beacon Group (more often than not, it's from me...) in MOMENTS!!!

I'm still waiting... how high are your expectations..? I'm willing to bet they're not as high as your customers' expectations... design it into your process...architectually speaking....

Always time for Kool-Aid

If there's one thing I can't pass up in life, it's a kid out front of his house selling lemonade, or Kool-Aid. First of all, that's not me in the picture, although I've always wanted to learn to play the mandolin...

Back to my point. So I have a policy, that if I ever see a kid selling lemonade, I stop, and buy a glass. Always.

I applaud the initiative, the passion, the effort. I love the naivete, the lessons the process teaches, and the pure joy of it all. Nothing makes a kid selling lemonade happier than someone stopping to buy a glass of lemonade. I never did it as a child (that I remember) but I can only imagine the sense of excitement, pride, and accomplishment that they feel when they see that shiny nickel.

Do you, or your employees feel these feelings when your company accomplishes something? Does every transaction bring a wonderful visceral experience? What's preventing that?

Sidebar: One time, my wife and I stopped at a lemonade stand (I will remember this experience my whole life) and upon asking the little girl how much for a glass she promptly replied "Each glass is 25 cents, or free if you don't have any money." How wonderful, how pure. Is your organization just in it for the money? Or because everyone just loves what they do?

Pink Cadillac...

So the other day I'm driving along the highway..and I see the new Cadillac ad for the CTS-V, which, based on the ad, and some checking through Cadillac's website is a 'tricked out', 'super-charged' version of the CTS. Just so you are in the know.. V, as per your Grade 10 Physics class.. V stands for Velocity.. anyway... at the same time, well, around the same time.. I happen to be hooked on a new MTV show.. yes, I'm an intellectual...called Pimp My Ride...

Anyway, the premise of the show is a team of master mechanics from a shop named West Coast Customs rebuild beaten up cars, and make them incredibly cool. It's pretty incredible what they can accomplish, you should check it out.

Regardless, the new CTS-V is probably a cool car. Not my particular cup of tea... but how many designers for Ford, GM, Chrysler, or Toyota, have thought "hmmm... who knows cool cars better than anyone else... who could REALLY help us design a truly cool car... who could really help us push the envelope.." and probably looked for some fresh out of Art School Industrial Design Student, rather than make the trip out to LA to meet with the guys at West Coast Customs.

How many times has your company looked for guidance from a radically different source? What are you waiting for?

Remember when...

Movenpick was new and exciting...?

They're nodding their heads, but ...

Through working at The Beacon Group, I take part in many Leadership Development workshops and meetings of all types. As people are listening to the speaker at these events, many are nodding their heads in agreement, some very vigorously! Even in one-on-one meetings, people will nod their heads and even murmur "umhmm" as you are speaking. As a good communicator you will, of course, be watching body language and all this nodding can give you a pretty good feeling - they understand and agree. This is very dangerous! I think it is worth taking some time to think about one of the critical elements of effective communication - checking for understanding. If you want to make the best use of your valuable time and everyone else's, it is so important to take the time to ensure that your message was understood as you intended it. Don't be fooled by the nodding heads!

It's working, it's really working...

Being a parent, I know they joys of watching my children do new things. New words, expressions, concepts...ideas...

Sometimes, it's just as fulfilling to see it happen in other aspects of your life....

I preach, no, not religion, business. I whine, complain, and cajole people (companies) into opening their eyes to new and exciting ideas. I give them new words, expressions, concepts, and ... ideas....

One of my favourite things to do is pick apart marketing strategies. Having studied psychology, and working in marketing earlier in my career, I like to imagine what the marketer's intent is for a certain campaign. I know the tricks, and love to see if people can actually pull them off... I also like to (I know gag, I'm a geek...blah) come up with instances where the marketing strategy could have gone one step further, and REALLY been effective.. here are my latest two:


Insurance Brokers Association of Canada: Hey, why not ACTUALLY MAKE the blankets that they show in the television commercials. Brokers could give them out to their clients.. why not have them embroidered with the agent's office info.. SOMEONE would leave it out in their living room, and other people would see it...

Labbat Blue: I've got to be careful here.. my last post was about my lack of passion for hockey.. Anyways.. the recent radio spots for Blue mentions that in every case (specially marked case, while supplies last.. blah..) you will find a mini Stanley Cup..great.. now if I can't make it to McDonalds for a mini Cup, I can get a case of Blue.. how original... anyway, the ad also jokes of cases including a mini GOAL SIREN. Now I'm no genius, but THAT'S BRILLIANT!! Imagine in late May, the Leafs, are still in the running, everyone has their windows open (because it's practically summer...) and every time the Leafs score.. you hear these mini SIRENS going off all over the neighbourhood.. reminding everyone to drink more delicious, ice cold Blue... nah, that would never work, mini cups.. that's the winner.. right there...

Any way.. wouldn't you know it.. I have a point..

So this morning, I'm on the subway on my way to work, with my wife, and wouldn't you know it ... she pipes up about the lack of follow through in an ad campaign!! Wow, I almost fell off my seat... Good on ya! I know, you're all dying to hear about her great idea...

TTC: On every TTC vehicle, there are ads proclaiming that by taking the TTC you could save up to $3,900 by not taking your car, and there are plenty of made up scenarios from ski vacations, to hot tubs.. so here's her idea (with a little embeleshing from me...of course...) Why not have a promotion wherein everyone who actually signs up for an annual subscription for a Metro Pass is eligible to win one of the scenarios...their pick... this is genius!! At about $1,200 a year, if over 4 (yes, just 4) people sign up, you've paid off the prize, and increased ridership.

Now, I'm not saying that I caused this all to happen, but, it happened... is it happening where you work? In your life? What did you teach to someone today?

The world's most un-Canadian Post

Ya, I admit it, I'm not a big hockey fan. There, I said it. Hah! Want to know what I'm a fan of? Email me yes@thebeacongroup.ca or give me heck for my views on hockey.. no@thebeacongroup.ca

Worse yet, I can't even believe I'm posting about it.

Anyway, playoffs are here. True to form, everyone and their grandmother is all of a sudden a huge hockey fan. Way to go bandwagon. The strange thing is, half the people who care about hockey at this point in the season, didn't care at all for the whole regular season (like me...). So, if you're a die-hard hockey fan, this must just take the cake.. bandwagon..

So, wouldn't you know it, I actually have a point. Too often, I come across people who tend to rally behind the big projects. The projects that are above and beyond, and tend to come around once a year...kinda like the playoffs.... see I had a point....

As a die-hard, dedicated employee, doesn't that just tick you off..? You get in the trenches day after day, and these glory hounds just waltz in at the last minute, and try to take ownership, or worse yet, they wait for that big assignment, not realizing that day after day there are things that need to be done...perhaps not the most recognized, but nonethelheless, this still need to be done.

It makes most people mad. Who? Your top performers, your starting lineup, your team captains. The exact people you want to step up when you need them.

Therefore, my advice to you: play hard, day in and day out. Double shift your stars, keep your stick on the ice, and most importantly, play the whistle.

There, I'm Canadian again...wahoo. Phewf..

The first piece of trash..

For the longest time I saw the picture on the bus.. blah blah blah... the first piece of litter.. causes people to litter - so don't litter...

So, strangely enough, I was in a shop today buying lunch. It was a sandwich shop (I know, riveting post so far.. get to the point...), and I was buying a sandwich. While waiting, I ordered an espresso, no one else was having one in the whole shop, I swear I'm the only one that knows this shop makes espresso (to the point please)... Wouldn't you know it.. the guy behind me in line (seeing that I have the espresso) orders a sandwich, AND an espresso, AND olives ... next guy,.. same thing.. now I know what you're thinking, wow this guy Kyle is quite the trendsetter... no, what does this have to do with business...

What it has to do with business is this - too many people are too afraid of being the first. First to adopt a new system, sell a new product, speak up in a meeting. However, the power that is released if someone, ANYONE, acts first releases a tidal wave of actions..

So, here's my point.. in the same way good teams designate a Deviant to spark a great debate, designate someone to be the Icebreaker. To make it effective, rotate the position - often, so everyone gets used to it...

Hey, here's a great idea, why don't you be the first to adopt this new wonderful way of approaching things...be brave, be the first to throw out the old...

Now here's what I want y'all to do for me..

Strangely enough, in the next few lines, I'm going to make the impossible happen. I will use Warren Bennis and Jay-Z in the same sentence. (I know, I just did, but just pretend).

So here I am, armpit deep in a new workshop for a client on EQ. Throughout my research, I have been trying to get in touch with my emotions (laugh and I'll... whoops...). I think it will help me be a better executive. Whatever...

So I pick up a copy of Geeks and Geezers, to make sure that I am hitting the right demographic. If you haven't read the book, it is a wonderful study into generational differences in the workplace. Bottom line, my generation is different from my parents' generation. Duh? Anyway, in the book, it talks of how in my parents' generation people admired prominent people, and used them as role models. People like the Prime Minister, TV stars, Astronauts. The book goes on to say that my generation is supposed to model themselves after people we know, like parents, friends, relatives. Real Folks.

Now, I think my family are great people. However, I still have people I admire that go outside that close knit group. Heck I have this picture on my desktop...



In case you don't know me, those aren't my parents. I have idols. We all should have idols. It keeps us all moving towards a goal.

I know.. it sounds like an emotional post.. blah, blah. It's not. I'll call you when I get in touch with mine...

First person to point out that I didn't actually use Warren Bennis and Jay-Z in a sentence wins lunch on me. Flip me an email kyle@thebeacongroup.ca

How to Properly Cough Up a Hairball...

Yes, long time, no post, glad you noticed... I'm back...

Any way, for those who know me, or have at least seen me, I'm ... hmmm... how would you put this....not fully aged. I'm pretty much a kid. I know my stuff, tons and tons, and tons of reading and meetings. So, every now and again something I should know slaps me upside the head.. (Note to all my clients:.... and my boss... I know my stuff, you are in the best hands on the planet, don't worry) So there I am in a meeting and the acronym SOP pops up, over and over...I know I should have asked...however, my mind is racing..what could it probably stand for...Standard Operating Procedures. Well, well, well, neato. I THOUGHT THAT WAS JUST COMMON SENSE!!! There I go getting all naive again... silly me.. So I am then given a list of a single SOP (of which I understand a good company should have about a million...) with a million revisions. CULTURE CRISES!! Why write it down? Why not act it out at every new employee orientation... anyway... what do I know..

So anyway... along with my new 'lingo' for the day.. I happened to be reading the antithesis of this very conundrum... Orbiting the Giant Hairball. What's it about..? Not writing down SOP's, rather, fostering a thriving self-evolving/self-checking culture that moves at pace... check it out. To check it out please see the SOP below:

- Browser must be Internet Explorer, not Netscape Navigator
- You must type using a variety of fingers, as per your Grade 9 typing
- Your must type the www before amazon.ca (not .com)
- You must purchase only this book, regrettably not earning free shipping.
- Invoice must be forwarded to Finance, using a number 10 envelope.
- Thank You.

Silly is WAY better... read it...get into orbit as fast as you can