Guiding Vision

View from the 6th Floor

The theme for the Photohunt given on Saturday, September 27th was “view.” So today I’m posting a view out the window of our 6th floor office space.  We just moved in about a month ago.  Here’s the little city park that’s across the street from us:

Then I actually went to the park to get a ground level close up of the horse sculptures.  These are part of a city wide project sponsored by Leadership Wichita Falls.

Here’s the other side of the pony.  This painting shows many of the recognizable buildings in our downtown area, including the big blue “skyscraper” near the top center.  That’s our building.

Companies who Care, Customer Loyalty

I wrote about my first impressions of Blog World while still at the event  It’s been non-stop busy since then, so I’m working on catching up with work, blogging and my sleep.

One session that was standing room only was called “Creating Customer Loyalty” and featured one of my favorite business leaders, Tony Hsieh (pronounced “Shay”) CEO of Zappos.com. The panelists talked about how companies are using online tools such as blogs and twitter to interact with customers.  Here are some of the notable quotes from that seminar:

“Being involved in the internet is the only way to retain customers.” ~ Frank Eliason, Comcast

[The internet and social media] “are changing expectations, changing the whole service model.” ~ Brian Solis

“Some companies say they care, we really do.” ~  Tony Hsieh, Zappos

There were many other good points to this seminar… though I was using the old fashioned paper and pen to take notes as my laptop had died by the last session of the day.

Southwest Airlines, who had a big booth at the conference, has been well known for years for its focus on the customer experience.  I’ve only flown Southwest a couple of times but now that we’re as close to Oklahoma City as DFW, I’ll have to try to book with them in the future.  At least they won’t charge me $15 per bag like American.

Anyway, on Sunday afternoon they showed some videos that their “blog-o-spondents” created over the weekend.  I just saw Abigail’s video (which was great) before I realized that I was missing the free snacks in the back of the hall.  They had scheduled sessions from 11-12 and 12:15-1:15 so by the time you got out it was starvation mode.  Unlike PubCon, which Tracie and I went to last year, Blog World did not include lunches with your conference registration.  On Saturday there was nothing at all, except overpriced pizza at the deli which I declined.  At least on Sunday there was lots of free Jones Soda to go with the chips ‘n dip.  I also met some neat people hanging out waiting for the next sessions to start.  So overall it was a great afternoon.

The Soundtrack for Today Began With the Letter P

When I jump on the computer in the morning I often crank up the music.  I have tons of songs that I’ve ripped from my CD’s or downloaded from eMusic.  I use Windows Media Player or when I’m on the go I’ve got my Sansa Clip.  (iPods are overpriced and overrated IMO).  Back in the day we had “jam boxes.” Yes I’m a child of the ’80s.

Speaking of which the soundtrack for today began with Prince.  Since I’m now not just on my own but actually in a real office I put on headphones.  Of course that does not stop me from dancing or occasionally singing along… to the amusement of my office mates.

What’s the soundtrack of your day?

Dream Like Disney

Today’s quote is one of my favorites.  It comes to us from Walt Disney, a man who had a remarkable idea, that went way beyond a little cartoon mouse.  His vision for an entertainment empire to bring together children and families formed the foundation for a company that today brings in an estimated annual revenue of $35 billion.

In 1959 Disney decided to build a much larger version of the successful Disneyland park.  With land totaling over 27,000 acres, he met with resistance from land owners and government agencies alike.  There were probably many people who didn’t believe that the park would ever happen.  But it did. Unfortunately Disney did not live to see the grand opening day in 1971.

His dream lives on and each new generation discovers the magic of Disney for themselves.

I dream, I test my dreams against my beliefs, I dare to take risks, and I execute my vision to make those dreams come true.

~ Walt Disney (1901 - 1966)

Are you a lifelong learner?

A couple of months ago I completed a certification course in Nonprofit Management.  Now lo and behold my face is in the newspaper holding my shiny new certificate.  The program is sponsored by the Non Profit Management Center of Wichita Falls, The Priddy Foundation, the Center for Nonprofit Management in Dallas and MSU, our local university.

The program brings in some of the best experts and trainers for one intensive class per month.  While taking this course I was extremely impressed by the presentations, the material presented and everything about it.  We were showered with great resources, including a free book at each session.  Plus all of our handouts went into a big 3 ring binder.

One of the greatest benefits of the course was learning the material alongside other non profit managers.  Everyone could share their own experiences - ideas that worked for them as well as questions.  There was a variety of ages and causes represented in the classes.  There was also a wide range of experience - some people who had worked in non profits for many years, others who were only a year or two out of college, and others who were exploring a change from the business world.  While many of the attendees were full time staff there were also volunteers and board members too.  I believe in the program so much that I’m sending two of my team members, Tracie and Liz, to the introductory class later this month.

I really enjoy going to these kind of trainings, seminars and conferences.  I guess you can say I’m a seminar junkie.  I take pages and pages of notes and keep a separate list of “action items” that I need to implement when I get home.  Of course many of those on the list don’t get done right away.  Some not at all.  But many months or years later I can flip through the book and may just find the perfect idea and the time is finally right to take action.

So what about you? Are you a lifelong learner?

The real meaning of world wide web

One of my favorite things about blogging and running a website is the connections that I’ve made with people all over the world.  In the past five years I have spoken via email and phone with people on every continent except Antarctica.  (Heck there may even be some shivering scientist on the south pole reading this site right now, who knows?)

Last week I wrote a post on Step by Step Fundraising called The New Community: Citizen Web that explored how technology is really bringing people closer together.

(Thanks to Tracie for letting me know about the Today Show video!)

Difficulties are ahead…

Before you begin a thing, remind yourself that difficulties and delays quite impossible to foresee are ahead. If you could see them clearly, naturally you could do a great deal to get rid of them but you can’t. You can only see one thing clearly and that is your goal. Form a mental vision of that and cling to it through thick and thin.

~ Kathleen Norris

Norris brings us this insightful wisdom about change.  When I begin something new I have to remind myself, change is not easy.  Even good changes are difficult.  As she says, obstacles lie ahead.  Challenges that are impossible to foresee.  But by creating a compelling vision of the goal the road can become easier to bear.

Moving our company into its new offices has been a change and a challenge.  Working with new freelancers and staff takes some extra time to get everyone up to speed and trained.  But I know where we are going will bring great rewards for everyone involved.

How can you maintain your vision even as unforeseen challenges arise?