Negotiate

Today i attended a negotiation course by Notre Dame. Like most skills there is great benefit it having them refreshed and updated. Additionally they reinforced the importance of preparation and confidence.

The following story was shared in terms of understanding the other party with whom you negotiate, i had heard it before but sill chuckled.

Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather off the California coast for several days. As night fell, the captain noticed the patchy fog and decided to remain on the bridge.
Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing of the bridge reported, "Light. Bearing on the starboard bow".
"Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain asked.
The lookout replied, "Steady, captain," which meant the battleship was on a collision course with the other ship.
The captain called to the signalman, "Signal that ship. You are on a collision course. Advise you alter course 20 degrees."
Back came the answering signal, "Advisable that you change course 20 degrees."
The captain said, "Send another message. I am a senior captain. Change course 20 degrees."
"I am a seaman second class," came the reply, "Change your course at once."
The officer was furious. He spat out, "We are a battleship squadron. Change your course 20 degrees."
The flashing light replied, "I am a lighthouse."
The squadron changed course.

Mother of the Year

I nominated Rindy early in the process, was delighted when she made the semi-finals, and thrilled when she won. Could not be prouder and in candor agree with their assessment, (though perhaps I should have nominated my Mom - who is great in her own as well). But the kids got behind this idea and so we pushed her through and SHE WON !!!

Please enjoy the news release attached - click here.

Some of my favs photo below

KFC Promise Broken

Is it worse to make a promise and break it or never to have made one at all?

I receive an email from my niece of KFCs free grilled chicken offer via Oprah, thought it was interesting but not compelling because after all it was KFC chicken, it is by definition not healthy for you regardless of how tasty the greasy skin might be. Then a woman at work forwarded the offer to me and I reconsidered, reconsidered enough that I down-loaded the coupon but took no action. Subsequently one of my friends at work and I were going to gout for a quick lunch, he commented that he had gone to KFC and had the new sandwich and it was well worth the trip, I followed up with the woman who had used the coupon and she too sang the sandwiches praises – both having used the coupon. Well it turns out they closed the KFC nearest me in Naperville and so the trip wasn’t to be. But wait, Saturday arrives and Mackey has a volleyball tournament in a different part of Naperville, there is a two- hour break around dinner time so I decide to try and find one on Hwy 59 4408 E New York St (which I think technically is Aurora)

I go to KFC with my coupon and the kid at the counter says NO DEAL they will not honor the coupon, then says I can get a rain check if I provide them my mailing address, name, and the original coup; I protest this truly is the ONLY reason I have come and made the effort . They didn’t have heavy traffic in the store – two or three groups was all, and their racks were full of chicken in that already cooked KFC manner. I get the manager Ezequiel Diaz who says he is helpless, he only does what the store tells him to do – no empowerment - no customer advocacy – no treat me like an individual

So back to the question. The preliminary objective of “Unthink” the KFC brand was met. The people I know who were able to taste the new product enjoyed it, the viral effect was phenomenal; however it was ill-conceived. Literally one needs to count one’s chickens before hatching such a scheme. An understanding and preparation to deal with success beyond your imagination needs to be addressed. Social media creates a life of its own and either ignoring it, or not preparing for it and be equally fatal. Store managers and the front lines need training and tools and the ability to react agilely to circumstances.

Don’t ask me me to 'unthink' and then break your promise, I won’t be back.


http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Shopping/Others/100520090805_kfc-oprah_promotion_backfires.html


http://www.buzzfeed.com/eliot/oprahs-kfc-disaster-26q

FaceBook Photos

So Facebook continues to rise in its populartiy and utility. As a social media it becomes increasingly relevant as a tool to reach customrs for a brand and enter into dialogue with cusomters and prospects. As such, OfficeMax is extending the [IN]PLACE System organization concepts to the social media sphere with Free applicationsFriends [IN]PLACE [apps.facebook.com/friendsinplace]Photos [IN]PLACE [apps.facebook.com/photosinplace] that help organize friends and photos for easy access and sharing. Check it out.

Touched By The Temple

The concept is true whether in Plymouth, Medicine Lake, or Naperville; we imported the tradition and had a great first year turn out of around 120. Started with the youth at 6:30am then, a kick-off at the Arlington Chapel,where the youth with a hand-full of adults had activities and took care of the infant & primary age children, while adults attended the temple, followed by reconvening for a photo op (my cell phone wasn't the main camera - just had to capture the moment.)

Reinforced my gratitude for the concepts of Wards, Ward Families, Families, Temples, Peace, The Spirit, and Eternity.

Eternity just isn’t long enough

The Eyes
The Feel
The Touch
The Laugh
The Courage
The Love

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Yard Work

so we rose at 6 am and drove to share in house chores in Watertown. Evan and Rindy helped paint a bedroom and a bathroom; Mackey hung out with Eden; while Blair and i dug weeds and grass, edged, planted bushes, put in edging and mulched in a rain ranging from drizzle to drench. We left around 5pm so Evan could get home in time for a party. parker hung at home working on a school project with a group of guys. Good things - close enough to drive up to Julie & Blair's to help - that our kids are willing to help each other - that parker is motivated enough to do his homework - that Evan has a social life - Life is good

Connections

What a delight to receive an unexpected call from an old friend. Today while watching Parker's rugby game I was called by a long-time friend from out of the blue. Few things are more delightful and enjoyable. You know its a friend when you can pick up a conversation as if you had just spoken yesterday. The challenge to any reader - give someone an unexpected call. Delight someone.

Visiting the Grand Parents

So last weekend we visited the grand parents.

I had a few photos that it took awhile to get posted.

great visit.great parents.great kids. great to see the grand daughter at the pick up point.

Shooting Sports

What an odd scouting outing.

I am NOT an advocate of guns but I am an advocate of boys.

The stake planned and executed a varsity scout shooting sports camp out and I brought our group believing that scouts exposes boys to a host of activities that may develop into passions, hobbies, or careers; they do not necessarily all need to be things I enjoy or endorse. The boys were able to shoot 22s, shot guns and high powered rifles. (The later i really am more opposed to because they are primarily weapons.) { perhaps i should have boycotted the entire affair for as Brigham pointed out i am acting as an enealber} The earplugs were critical to survival.

We had beautiful weather, a great group of guys, and our Stake President gave a great thought / talk Friday night on being men of God and tied in navy Seals and Somali pirates - he had the boys attention.