Creating Synergies

When I think of creating synergies, I think of the countless not for profits in communities all over the world that work tirelessly to ensure relief to those struggling, with health, finance, housing or any of a host of other issues. They work, often, only focusing within their own bubble. If this could change - what might happen then?  How would creating partnerships with other organizations allow each individually to make a greater difference? Synergistic cooperation could multiply the reach and effect each of the organizations already have and ensure the ongoing success of much needed programs.

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What's the problem? 

There is only so much time not profits and service organizations can devote to research on how to stretch their resources. By working synergistically, they could create a larger vibrant interconnected system that would harness all the best of each organization and make greater impact within respective communities. 

People, by nature, are protectionists.  They protect their property, their family, their job.  No one wants to be considered redundant, and so, we create obstacles to efficiency, due to this mindset.  When we can step outside of ourselves and see the benefits to sharing, knowledge, resources, contacts, we will start on a path towards a more fruitful, lasting partnership. 

If your organization, whatever it may be, worked in partnership with other organizations, there wouldn't be, or needn't be duplication of services.  

How to Make the Change?

Most organizations have strategic planning sessions, indeed, I have facilitated some myself, but, they don't usually have a strategic planning session with other organizations.  This type of planning is not unheard of, but, it is rare.  

No one organization can be all things to all people and would fail miserably if they tried, but, by creating partnerships with other like-minded organizations, they would then have the tools developed for referral, so that their clients don't have to try to track down every lead by themselves.  And a bonus to not trying to fill every need is the reduced amount of space and allocation of funds you will need. 

Why Can't We Do it All? 

Every organization is organized around an ideal – a vision.  And, each one would also have a mission.  I have never heard of an organization whose mission read that they would like to be all things to all people.  That would never have entered their minds when creating the organization.  These things grow as a result of need and also of organizations that don’t visit their mission statement often enough.

A few years ago, I was a board member for an organization that had been running a very successful program, however, it was outside their stated vision and mission and it was determined that resources could no longer be allocated for this program.  Not wanting to the leave the community without the program, it was offered to other not for profits, but, there were no takers, leaving the program in peril.  There was bad press, as there would be and really there needn't have been as another not for profit stepped up eventually and saved the program and it fit in better with there mission than the previous organization.  

So, what happened to create the bad press?  The organizations didn't have a joint meeting where the reason for the first organization's decision to step back from the program could be discussed and a solution found.  The first organization may have rationalized that the other organizations wouldn't want to see a successful program fail and would see the benefit in knowing it had run for several years and there would not be the same resource commitment, as if it was brand new.  

A meeting of minds can produce powerful change and ensure your organization can focus on what it is best at doing.  See if you can’t make a synergistic change in your community and let us know how you make out. 

Creating Compliance for Non Profits

Creating compliance with your employees, volunteers and stakeholders can be quite a juggling act. Ensuring the organization meets legislated requirements and that the stated direction isn't compromised on a daily basis can be daunting.  On top of they, when dealing with volunteers there is a certainty that they are doing you a favour by volunteering and no one wants to upset someone who is doing them a favour.  But, you are also running a business, a not for profit business, but a business all the same.  How do you go about creating compliance with your varied volunteers? 

Walkability Factor!

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you may remember that back in October 2013, I wrote a blog entitled Live-able Neighbourhoods. Following the release of that blog, I was contacted by a local grassroots group that is also interested in the viability and sustainability of life within neighbourhoods. I have become involved in one of their projects and while I wholeheartedly support their efforts am unable to commit too much time to their projects. Whatever we can do, individually or as a group, to direct attention back to the extinction of live-able neighbourhoods is commendable.  

Tune in - to People!

Every Christmas we start thinking of the new year and what we will do, what we would like to do and what we would like to accomplish. If I could have one wish for 2015, it would be that we would become more aware of people in all aspects of our lives

When we become so engrossed in our own world, to the exclusion of how, what we do affects others, we run the risk of creating that which we don't want. People who need our attention don't suddenly appear. They have been here all along, but, we've been too preoccupied to see them, let alone attend to their needs. Not everything is going to be so drastic as the following examples, but, the fact is, this does happen. Don't let it happen on your watch.

On the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month - We Will Remember!

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, we will Remember - the fallen, the living and the serving members of our Armed Forces.

Do What Matters - In Your Own Way!

When times get tough,...you know the rest!  You really do become active under given circumstances and sometimes, those circumstances can be stressful and unwelcome!

What is the difference between you and the person next to you? Why do you see things the way you do or perform in a certain way? For most people, it comes down to passion. Using your passion to propel you forward can have favourable and sometimes, not so favourable results. And yes, I have experienced both the highs and lows of some of those actions.

What if You Couldn't Read?

I read - a lot!  I couldn't imagine picking up a newspaper or magazine (printed in English-of course) and not being able to read it.  But, that is the reality for a lot of people. 

They are functionally literate; able to do their job, have rudimentary reading skills and can get by day to day.  Get by - what does that say about their lives?  Every day, they live with the knowledge that they may be found out.   My Great Grandfather was just such a man.

Lives at Risk, Lives Lost

Rehtaeh Parsons

When I was a child, if things got to much to deal with out in the world of school etc., I knew I could get a break from it at home.  Home was a place of refuge - a place that gave you a break from the strain and stress of living among your peers.  It wasn't a place where your enemies could invade.  Those days are gone now for most kids.  In some cases, the digital world has enhanced their lives.  In others, it has not!  This is about the enemy that can storm the gates without you knowing. 

Meet Less -Do More!

A few years ago, I remember reading a report from a friend of mine who had been tasked with attending and reporting back on the results of a provincial meeting.  At the conclusion of her report, she finished by summing up with; "We've had enough meetings, let's get to work on it!" 

I'm sure there are many, in corporations large and small, for profit and not for profit, who feel the same way.  When you can spend up to a quarter of your time either in meetings or preparing for meetings, it can become a colossal time-waster! 

So, what to do?  

Let it Go to Move On!

Sometime, even those who are savvy in the ways of business will make a blunder.  Someone I talked with, who had considerable business acumen, was offered (back in the late 60’s, early 70’s) an opportunity to buy into McDonalds Restaurants.  He didn't; believing it to be a fad and not a long term investment.  Today, he regrets that decision, but, doesn't let it weigh on him.  That is what separates a real business mind from others.  He let it go and moved on.  Sure, he will tell the story to some people, but, only if it serves a purpose.  You don’t have a crystal ball –go with what your inner self is telling you.  Everyone makes mistakes; don’t let them define how you do business.  Worse yet, don’t let them define you!  Letting go, allows you to move on. 

Recently, I had an experience, if I let define me, would have certainly crushed future projects.  I wouldn't have been out in world making new contacts.  And that is exactly what happened.  I made a new contact for something that may be very promising and I didn't have to go looking for it – it came to me.  Had I not let go of the former, I wouldn't have had room or wouldn't have been open to the new!  And the new project could be even more spectacular than the last.  Do I feel I was let down by trusting someone had my best interest at heart as well as their own?  Yes.  Am I going to allow that to keep me from working proactively?  No.  …Weeping endures for the night, but, joy comes in the morning (paraphrase Psalm 30:5).  Grieve what is lost, but be joyful about what is coming. 

Not letting go can rob you of your future.  Someone I know had a promising hockey career.  It was his passion, it possessed him, but, one mistake took it all away.  Years later, he is still grieving that loss and has not had the ability to find the new promise, the new path, the new project.  He essentially robbed himself of his future, by not letting go of his past.  Don’t be one of those.

Yes, you have to weigh the things you do and decide if it’s a good idea or not.  And, you have to decide if you trust those you are going to be working with or not.  Once the decision has been made – get to work.  If you find out that something is not quite as you had expected it to be, or the people you are working with have shown themselves to be less than the trusted colleague you thought; deal with it.  Don’t let it define you.  Don’t let the situation drag you down and stop you from attempting to move forward.   Always remember though, that once someone has shown you who they really are, believe them.  Don’t try and assign a different value set to them.  They are who they are and you can’t change that by trying to believe otherwise. 

So, is this a lesson you have learned in life?  Is it one, you feel you have had more than once?  Changing your way of thinking is not easy.  If you have chosen to trust someone to have your best interests at heart and they have disappointed you, don’t dwell on it.  Analyse it.  See where your thinking may have been flawed and direct your course of action accordingly.  Will you lose a McDonalds type deal along the way – perhaps, but, not learning the lesson can be more costly to your overall peace of mind and your future direction. 

Let it go – make a difference, in your life first, then go out there and make changes in the world.  Do what matters!

A Live-able Neighbourhood?

Are you living in a livable neighbourhood?  By this, I don't mean, is your house in a safe neighbourhood?  No, a liveable neighbourhood is what most of us lived in at one time over 30 years ago.  Unless you were in a rural area, you likely didn't have to drive to actually live in your neighbourhood.

The Help Desk

To realize optimum benefit, at work or in life, look to what will benefit the person next to you.

In terms of work, this would mean really engaging in the company and the people who work there as opposed to the pay cheque and benefits package you receive.

What’s the problem with that if they are getting their work done, you ask? 

Answer this - why do we find it easier to engage with the company than the people? And, if you think that is not the case, think about this - How many times, on the news or in our own community, you've heard people say “he/she was so quiet, kept to themselves” after a tragedy?   

People are social creatures.  Social interaction isn’t just a ‘like to have’, it’s a ‘must have’! And being social creatures we also have the need not just to belong to a given group, but to feel we belong there.  We need to know we have value, beyond the valuation placed on us by our employer. 

Where is Your Place of Reflection?

The call of water is strong with many people. And so it is with me, although you'll never find me in a boat and rarely in the water either.
But, in times of change, in times of sorrow, especially, in times of reflection, I find myself by the water.
How does something, so seemingly innocuous, provide such a powerfully peaceful feeling?
As one who grew up living beside the water, I love the never ending sound it provides, gentle and rhythmic most of the time, loud, angry and crashing at other times. And, there's something for all the senses. You can usually always hear it. You can smell it, see it and touch it. The colours, shades, reflections all provide visual stimulus. Rising or setting suns, rainbows and even clouds can all dramatically change the look of the lake. And, then there are the artificial addition of boats, jet skis, etc. Not my favourites and fortunately something that is not a huge problem in my area. I much prefer to see sailboats, canoes, kayaks etc. on our lake.

Life without Regret

Can you imagine, getting to the end of your life, having done all the things you ever wanted to do?  

Most of us can't.  

The question then becomes, have I always included things I really want to do in my day to day life? Again no?  

There are some who can draw themselves out a very detailed life plan and spend their life fulfilling their plan.  Are these the people who have it all figured out?  

Again, no! 

Figuring it out, isn't what life is all about.  In the end, most people who think they had it all figured out, really, didn't.  So, how are you to know?  How do you know that when you get to the end of your life, you won't be full of regrets?  Purpose! 

I'll tell you about two people, both professionals, both driven, both seemingly having it all figured out.  I'm using their stories here without their permission, so, I will not name them. 

Hacker Who Exposed Steubenville Rape Case Could Spend More Time Behind Bars Than The Rapists | ThinkProgress

Can you imagine, if this happened in your family, would you care how the truth came to light?  Hacker Who Exposed Steubenville Rape Case Could Spend More Time Behind Bars Than The Rapists | ThinkProgress
This person had no stake in the results other than justice - that should not be discounted.  
Do what matters!

Surviving and Thriving, or are You?

There are so many safety measures in place now for children, that the only way I can explain making it to my age without them is, survival!   

We don't want our children to just survive, so, we've created car seats that cradle your newborn and keep them secure until you get where you're going; high chairs and strollers with 5-point safety straps; helmets for them to ride trikes or bikes.  And of course there are various and sundry other safety items that keep them from scraping their knees or elbows in a fall, safety gates for stairs, closer set bars in their cribs, painted without leaded paint.  Yes, children are safer now, physically. 

When we were children, we enjoyed the exploration of our world with some limitations.  Our parents would give us dire warnings about certain aspects and they expected we would abide.  And abide we did, because, the thought of repercussions for non-adherence was greater than our curiosity.  

That did not always prevent us going past the line, but, in general it did.  We weren't given a lot of instructions, but, those we were, we knew were meant to be obeyed. And some instructions came in really handy - my Dad told me to never let an animal know you're afraid of it - which came in extremely useful the day I encountered a pack of dogs who didn't appear to be friendly at all. Quaking in my boots, I stood my ground and walked ever so slowly backwards towards an escape route.  Fortunately, for me, I think they were just as glad I left their property.  Thanks Dad!  

So, now, we're all grown up and have no one to tell us that there could be danger around the next corner, mostly metaphorically speaking.  It's up to each one of us to explore those things that could bring us the success we desire.  We have to stand our ground and forge ahead, quaking and all, towards the vision we have created for ourselves.  Your vision is your end game and unless you're willing to play, you won't get there.  Safety in all things is not an option!  

How do we measure our risk appetite?  Start small if you like, but, start. You're not likely to stumble across success, you have work to do.  Get it done. Risk failure - fail even - but, don't stop.  

Be like Thomas Edison, who found nearly 10,000 ways something wasn't going to work, before, he found the thing that did.  Or, like James Lee Burke, a prolific writer, but, one who was rejected over 100 times before he was published the first time.  What kept them going?  Likely, they had a vision. They knew what they wanted to do, what they could do and they weren't ready to quit. 

Your success is your own.  There is no magic wand; what there is - vision, mission, values.  Put them to work for you and you will succeed.  Adapt along the way, since you may have to follow some different paths before you get to where you're going.  But, don't give up.  If you know where you're going and you're adaptable to the means of getting there.  It can be done!

Success stories are all around you - write your own and go for it!  If you don't believe me, check out this author, who had a near death experience before he really plugged in to the thing that he knew he would do - someday! Don't let your someday slip by you because you're too busy with your day to day.  

http://friesenpress.com/blog/2013/7/22/self-publishing-book-promotions-strategy  

Let 'your day' start today - live positively, enjoy the ride - do what matters!

What Good Historians Do

History is full of stories that could easily put you to sleep.  Historians are story tellers and can tell those stories in a purely dry and fact based manner; or, they can show their love of history and show you aspects of historical characters that will affect how you see them.  Enjoy this session, but, give yourself time, it is lengthy! 

Brain Power

It has been oft reported that we only use approximately 10% of our brain power in our lifetime.  Is that accurate?  Even if it isn't, what if we only use 50% of our brain power in our lifetime? Is that adequate to you? 
The idea that we only use a fraction of our available brain power is distressing, isn't it?  It is to me.  
So, I got to thinking - what do I think about?  Is it relevant?  Is it worth thinking about at all?  For instance, yesterday, as I walked through a giant warehouse chain and watched people shopping in their clothing department, I wanted to become an active advocate against 'sweat shops'. Actually, I have written about it on my Corporate Bits and Bites fb site.  It is anathema to me that people have to die to put clothes on our backs.  Especially, since those very clothes are not necessary, but, a 'fashion statement'.  This is exactly what occured when 'sweat shop' employees (over 1200) died recently in a building collapse.  
Can I be quiet about this?  Should I be quiet about this?  Everyone has seen the same news casts, haven't they?  The answer might be yes to all of those statements, however, I can't get the uneasy feeling that more should be done to draw attention to this than has been done in the past.  
Why are we so enamored with fashion that we refuse to see the conditions of the that production?  
So, what can I or you, do about it?  I'll tell you what I'll do about it - every time I see a violation or hear a new cast about such abuses, I will post it to this site and all of my sites. And, I will not be buying these articles any longer.  Now, what will you do about it?   If you see abuses and it's one of your favourite designers, are you going to boycott or will you hope they have learned their lessen and keep on buying from them?  It's easier when it's someone you don't know - but, what if it was your son or daughter?  Would you want others to pay attention?  I know I would.  
Let me know, are you with us?   

The Leader in You!

Tommy Douglas, the father of medicare in Canada once said,

"Man can now fly in the air like a bird, swim under the ocean like a fish, he can burrow into the ground like a mole. Now if only he could walk the earth like a man, this would be paradise."

  

Mr. Douglas was an immigrant to Canada, born of Scottish parents (1904) in the UK. He was a sickly child who grew up to become a pastor and then a politician.  Now, no one is perfect, even Tommy Douglas, but, when the going got tough, he persevered and today Canadians enjoy basic health care.  What if he had not?

Understanding purpose can make the difference in what you do and why you do it.  

Great leaders are not born, they are created.  Someone may seem like a good leader - charismatic, engaging, until they see a serious challenge arising.  Then, you will see what they are really made of in what they do.  

A great leader will stand fast, engage their team and work to a resolution. A purely political leader will look for the next opportunity that will make him/her look good.  What type of leader are you?  

Doing what matters is not always the easy thing, but, it should always be the only thing!  Others are depending on you.  Be great - do what matters!  

Calculated Risk!

Risk is calculated!  Everyone takes risks, but, some people have a much higher threshold. 

A risk analysis is conducted either consciously or subconsciously every time you make a decision.  Whether you buy a car or a sandwich, you’re taking a risk and mentally assessing that risk.  Most of our risk taking has become a part of automated memory.

A baby takes risks when they learn to walk.  They’re hesitant at first and may only walk holding onto a hand or furniture, but, eventually, they’re little brains figure they’re ready for that first bold step!  They may fall down, but, they don’t quit because the risk of falling is outweighed by the freedom of walking. 

 Should you eat ice cream if you're lactose intolerant?  If you decide you really like double fudge ice cream and you really have to have some, you've made a risk analysis.  You know you're going to 'not feel so well' afterward and you may have to clear your throat all day/night long, but, you do so love your ice cream! 

On the other hand, if you want to go to a certain country and there have been uprisings and unrest, you would probably think more consciously about your choices.  You weigh the pros and cons, consult websites or colleagues and make a more deliberate, calculated decision based on your risk tolerance level. 

You take risks everyday in business too, but, most of it has already been accounted for - you have business insurance, specifically E&O (Errors and Omissions), your staff has been trained to comply with your own policies and any legislated ones. 

Knowing you take risks and that risk taking is a part of life, may prompt more proactive work on that front. Becoming proactive, rather than reactive can go a long way to mitigating risk!