Never stop trying....

For the past few years I served on the board of a Las Vegas start-up company that was developing robotic concepts for hotels and casinos. The company worked with faculty from the engineering college at UNLV, leveraging what they learned in the 2015 DARPA robotics challenge. I mention this because people always said what we did in casinos and hotels “wasn’t rocket science”; well, this was. We all know about robots in manufacturing plants and warehouses, but they’re not so common, or intuitive, in hotels.  Sure, there are robotic bartenders and vacuum cleaners, but some things being developed today, using artificial intelligence, point the way for future developments. Such as: robots, with AI interfaces, always being available to listen and respond in multiple languages rather than having to track down employees who can come do the same. These were difficult challenges, and there were both successes and failures along the way: but, like today’s author says, creating great things is supposed to be hard. It was an exciting entrepreneurial effort, producing great ideas just a little ahead of their time. Find your path to truly new, never-been-done-before things today.

Regina E. Dugan (b. 1963): American businesswoman, inventor, technology developer and first female director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) 

Never ignore the truth...

An article in the WSJ recently reported that National Public Radio (NPR) president Jari Mohn will retire after establishing the network as a “podcasting powerhouse”.  I found this interesting in light of the challenges that many organizations are facing with the advent of digital media and changing habits. You primarily get podcasts via smartphone apps, and given the dependence we all have on our smartphones, this seems like a smart transition for this traditional media channel.  That got me thinking about what companies can do to adapt to changing times: NPR conducted customer focus groups and listened to what they heard: ask customers what they like and want, react to their comments, and keep your products relevant. NPR saw the future and didn’t hesitate to adjust accordingly: watch for trends in your business and don’t be afraid to act boldly in pursuit of customer interests and satisfaction. People and businesses that want to do great things don’t wait for new truths to become reality and negatively impact your business: chase after and address these truths if you want to be great today.

Michael Marshall (b. 1965): American R&B singer

Learn from your past....

I’m doing strategic planning and budgeting with a client this week: it’s an exciting opportunity to help them set their focus and efforts. In business, as in life, it’s good to take time to examine your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and to find what you really might be capable of achieving. But maybe the most challenging part of an exercise like this is finding the courage to push whatever line you set just a little bit further, using all that you’ve learned, and testing the bounds of your natural inclinations. Planning like this is all about tomorrow, meaning that all your yesterdays are preludes for what comes next. That’s why being prepared is so important. Take stock, collaborate, choose wisely, act appropriately, and be ready for whatever happens. Be nimble, remain flexible, adjust accordingly, and make the most of what happens. That’s the best way to let yesterday put you and your team in a position to do great work today.

John Wayne (1907 – 1979): American actor and filmmaker

Learn more to become more...

There’s a young single mother at one of my clients whose job didn’t pay enough to support her family. She was happy enough with the work but wanted something that paid more: she enrolled in a dealing school to take advantage of all the gaming jobs in Oklahoma. Last night I saw her dealing blackjack at a Native American casino there and watched as she had a table full of customers laughing and enjoying themselves while playing. Later, on one of her breaks, she told me how much she appreciated the chance to earn more and create a better life for herself and two-year-old son. Most of the world is experiencing record job growth and people everywhere should be encouraged to take advantage of it: there are job training programs for just about everything and those who hope to create better lives for themselves should explore them.  If someone you know wants to improve their lives then encourage them to start by learning more today.

Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling (1775 – 1854): German philosopher

Join with others to do great things....

Last night was Hope for Prisoners 50 Christmasesevent at The Crossing Church in Las Vegas:

50 inmates and their families, some who haven’t been together for Christmas in years; 50 living rooms set up, complete with decorated trees and presents donated for each family; 50 family meals donated by Three Square; 100’s of volunteers including LVMPD officers, Hope graduates and mentors, members of this wonderful and caring Church and so many others; 1000s of donated bicycles and beautifully wrapped gifts; and Countless smiles and tears of joy. 

This event was 1 man’s vision (the crucial ingredient) but it was powerfully supported by the entire Hope for Prisoners’ dedicated team. Everyone there got the holiday spirit, and all were touched by the Grace of God. It was an evening filled with the true meaning and spirit of this holiday season and I was one among many who were moved to tears and nearly speechless at the glory of what we witnessed.  We wait all year for this holiday season and the chance to do something special: give others the gift of your time and love today.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (b. 1947): American retired professional basketball player, NBA MVP, All-Star, member of eight NBA championship teams 

Find the will to win....

Las Vegas continues to evolve as a sport’s town: from Running Rebels of the NCAA to the Golden Knights of the NHL to the soon-to-arrive Raiders of the NFL. We love our teams, and that extends to the use of team metaphors at work.  But how do you sustain the team spirit that portends a group’s success – it’s raison d'ê·tre, that important reason or purpose for its existence. It’s not just the stamina, speed, strength and skill of the people playing … it’s their individual and collective spirit that drives them to be a cohesive and successful unit. This can be achieved thru the adoption and use of strategies related to effective communications, credible rewards and recognition efforts, and basic human character-building programs: in essence, making it achievable because people believe they can. And that ultimately calls for leaders to be good coaches, something that takes organizational focus and individual training.  Turn your leaders into effective coaches to discover and unleash the spirit of your team today.

Ken Doherty (b. 1969): Irish professional snooker player, commentator and radio presenter

Positive thinking matters...

My daughter gave me a Fitbit 5 years ago and I started walking 10,000 steps a day: I believe I’m in fairly good condition. So I was surprised when my knee started hurting and the doctor advised me I had torn something in there: said it wasn’t uncommon “among men my age”.  The knee hurt, but that comment stung. Not that these things don’t happen to all kinds of people – young, old, fit or sedentary, but I didn’t want age-related thoughts to start living between my two ears.  The mind is a funny thing: once we start thinking one way there’s no telling where it might lead, because ultimately, we are what we feel and believe. That’s why I think it’s up to supervisors, mentors, coaches, family, friends, and even doctors, to tell people to think positively.  Thus, I was grateful when the Doctor suggested I follow up this impending surgery with yoga and stretching so my body remains limber enough to do the things I want to do. Put positive thoughts between your own two ears and encourage others to do the same today.

Laird Hamilton (b. 1964): American big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and an occasional fashion and action-sports model