Not that you asked, but I have some things to say.

I often feel a tinge of guilt for never serving in the US military. My father's service, spanning from Vietnam to Desert Storm, deepens that feeling of guilt. The fact that he never really wanted me to be in the military helps me overcome my guilt a tad. It's complicated. The mandatory service in the Israeli military seems like it could do our population some good, but I'm not sure how good it would be for the overall of our country. Again, complicated. But one thing I can say, without hesitation, is that this weekend is a holiday dedicated to people who have embodied so many of the traits that I hold dear, aspire to, or am shamed to not possess. Some gave all, paying the ultimate price in war. Some, with minimal fear, took the approach of "once more into the breach". Others, drenched in sweat and fear, pushed forward while every cell in their body screamed 'no'. Many surely cowered when surrounded by the chaos of war, but were still there for the fight. A...

Today, in our standard Monday morning sales meeting, the topic of 'attitude' came up. I would wager that over half of ALL sales-team meetings include the idea of attitude. It has become a mantra. But what do they mean by 'having a good attitude' ??? If the reiteration of the term 'attitude' underlies a desired goal, and that goal is to 'have a good one', then how would one define 'a good attitude'? Is it a variable? Does one's chosen field create the definition? Does the meaning differ between a florist and a police officer? "Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? Fuck you! Go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here - CLOSE!" ....these words from Glengary Glen Ross (added for the movie, not a part of the original Mamet play) are a glimpse into an alternate definition of the word 'attitude'. Underlying the tirade from Alec Baldwin's character is one hint towards a different definition of 'attitude...

Today, at the annual Technology Nashville event I was given the opportunity to introduce two key speakers at a breakout session focused on the music industry. I had received information on the two speakers the day before, but didn't really research them. This led to me giving, possibly, the worst introduction ever. I was to intro two people. I assumed their bio's were in the program being handed out. One presenter had a lengthy bio. I read it. Most of it. It sounded like someone reading a bio from a pamphlet. That sound is flat, unprepared, and boring. This was the good part of the introduction. The next person had an extensive and impressive background in the music industry. Several big-name stars were managed by this individual. I didn't know this, because I did not do any research. He was also not in the pamphlet. So I gave the nice folks in attendance his name, and suggested HE tell them a little about his background. If everyone in the room didn't wish some mild pa...

The 1953 ad campaign created by Ogilvy and Mather for Schweppes is credited for the roughly 500% increase in sales that Schweppes experienced over a five year period. 500%......wow. Commander Whitehead, the "Ambassador from Schweppes" was the central figure of this campaign. The Commander was a dashing dandy from the UK, generally in tweed and with a uniquely dignified VanDyke beard. The ads would depict him flirting with lovely damsels, relaxing at a picnic, or gracing a red-carpeted tarmac. His persona was grandiose, charismatic, rakish. He embodied the image of the British Scoundrel, surely at home with a gin-and-tonic in his hand. Happy Hour began for the good Commander whenever the mood might strike. The role of Commander Whitehead was played by one of David Ogilvy's acquaintances (both men being actual Brits). The persona of the Commander was an exaggeration (but only slightly) of Mr. Ogilvy himself. David Ogilvy took the things that set him apart from his New York ...

I am absolutely amazed out how my fair city has rallied around the people impacted by the 2010 Nashville Flood. But if you thought that this blog's title alluded to a gushy homage to the "flood" of support that has descended upon Nashville, you are only half correct. I have an observation to make. Not a critique, not a complaint, just an observation. It's probably going to piss a few of you off. The "flood" I refer to is one of bottled water, specifically the cases of it that can be found at any of the Information Centers, Relief Sites, or scattered about the neighborhoods impacted by the flood. Saturday, May 8th, I helped in the clean up efforts in a Nashville area neighborhood (one seriously impacted). At one point, there were four of us pulled away from the job of ripping out soggy drywall to move cases of water. We moved roughly thirty cases of water, at one house. As we were moving these cases of water, we noticed a large truck with a flat-bed trailer t...

In 1955, the now legendary Ogilvy and Mather advertising firm began their campaign with Dove. "One-quarter cleansing cream" is, to this day, a corporate tag-line for Dove. The company was profitable in its very first year, an extreme rarity in personal-care products. Ogilvy and Mather stress their ad campaign and the Dove tag-line they created as being responsible for such success. Dove's ubiquitous tagline was created when David Ogilvy, the dynamic mind behind Ogilvy and Mather asked the question "Well, may I know the formula?" When the good people at Dove explained the ingredients, Mr. Ogilvy found out that the soap he was hired to advertise was only three-fourths soap. One-fourth of Dove soap was a compound with the generic name of "cleansing cream". Mr. Ogilvy saw this as a major differentiator and helped create a brand that became a household name. His trademark pursuit of an exceptional story to tell for his clients, created an approach that...

There comes a transcendent time in the lives of many people when they are afforded an opportunity to stop, look around, and feel blessed. It's difficult to do every day. This last week, in light of the Nashville flood, it's much easier to count your blessings. Watching my friends and neighbors who have experienced loss of every degree, I find myself wondering "Why them, not me?" There aren't any answers. Over the past few years I have felt more and more need to give. Over the past week I have felt it even more. So I'm just going to say it....if you are a successful member of your community and you aren't trying to give back, you're an asshole. Locally, nationally, globally...pick 2 or 3 causes/charities/foundations and make a difference. Give to the Nashville Flood Relief. www.cfmt.org , www.hon.org , www.nashvilleredcross.org ; these are just a few. Your money, your time, preferably both. But don't stop there. Pick 1 or 2 more and set a goal for t...

My father taught me to never forget the "6 P's"...... "Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance". Failing to plan is planning to fail. But there is a natural human tendency to overplan. I've often heard it called "analysis paralysis". When a project is defined by all analysis and no execution, what exactly is being accomplished? Colin Powell stated (and I am paraphrasing) that in planning, you can never achieve more than 80% assurance. He also states that when you hit that level, any further effort for more assurance is wasted time. In my experience I have seen hundreds of examples where there is no exact answer. The answer is created as action is taken. Often, the things which are unclear to us, are revealed in increments as we move towards a goal. So it seems to me the answer lies in the following three steps: 1. Prepare for your future. Train, study, practice. Keep "sharpening your saw". When a situation comes up, you will only be...