Wal-Mart Employee killed in crowd

This is absolutely absurd.

MacHeist Bundle alternatives courtesy of lifehacker

I've been looking around for some new shortcuts / app alternatives as I've recently become frustrated with my lack of file organization. I looked into the MacHeist Bundle, but I've always been hesitant to pay for apps since they primarily appeal to people who can't function without their machines and out of them, one must be knowledgeable enough to fix the kinks and release a free version.

A lifehack post back in April of 2008 features directly comparable [free] alternatives to nine of the twelve apps found in the bundle.

Fun : )

Walking through the steps.

I got my hair done this afternoon at a salon whose name I won't mention because it's largely irrelevant. At two different times during the styling process, Jane (stylist) had to check with her superior in order to approve the outcome we had decided on: once before, and once after. This process is likely an effort to uphold the high standards of the salon, which I think is not a bad idea. However, the input that Jane's superior provided turned this potentially positive idea into nothing more than micro-management. A simplified version was something to the effect of:

Stylist: "Okay. I'm ready to cut."
Manager: "Alright, go ahead."

My point is not that you should cut out the pieces of your standard operating procedure, but that as a manager you should check yourself, often, to be sure that those pieces are played out in order to reach the ultimate goal (i.e. - happy clients with new haircuts) and not merely as a way of walking through the steps.


bk

What does it take to be a 'Change Agent'?

Today I was fortunate enough to be an audience member for a Monty L. Hipp speech. Although there were a multitude of points made, I spent the afternoon tossing around in my head the dynamics of a 'change agent' as Monty stressed the importance of the role in everyday life. I found some interesting literature on the subject, but this blog entry from Dennis Stevenson of Original Thinking is my favorite:

* A change agent lives in the future, not the present. Regardless of what is going on today, a change agent has a vision of what could or should be and uses that as the governing sense of action. To a certain extent, a change agent is dissatisfied with what they see around them, in favor of a much better vision of the future. Without this future drive, the change agent can lose their way.

* A change agent is fueled by passion, and inspires passion in others, Change is hard work. It takes a lot of energy. Don't underestimate this. I like to think about the amount of energy it takes to boil water. From 212 degree water to 212 degree steam takes a lot more energy than heating water from 211 degrees to 212 degrees. In my experience, without passion, it is very difficult indeed to muster up enough energy to assault the fortress of status quo that seems to otherwise carry the day.

* A change agent has a strong ability to self-motivate. There will be many days where everyone around does not understand and will not offer props. The change agent needs to find it within themselves to get up every day and come to work and risk being misunderstood and misappreciated, knowing that the real validation may be far in the future and may be claimed by someone else.

* A change agent must understand people. at the end of the day, change is about people. If you change everything but the people, I doubt you'll be effective as a change agent. Change will really "stick" when people embrace it. Therefore, change is part sales, part counseling and part encouragement. It's all about people.

A change agent, in my opinion, seems to be no more than a title for the best of the best in leadership roles -- a highly effective, motivated, and absolutely genuine leader.

Not a bad goal.

bk

some excerpts from seth godin's Tribes Q&A

The Tribes Q&A ebook can be downloaded here.

On starting out:

Start small. Get up every morning and initiate something. Hand your neighbor his paper and say good morning. Pay the toll for the driver behind you. Post a comment to the wall of someone you do not know. Invite someone you do not know to lunch, then to an event. That is initiating. That habit will grow in you until you cannot imagine not initiating. It will become your mantra, your passion, your message.

On overcoming the fear to lead:

You do not really need to “overcome” fear to lead. Leaders do not have the absence of fear. They have decided that the tribe is more important than their fear. They just decide to do it and then they do it.

The Tribes Q&A is sort of like the read-along footnotes you wish you had. And it's free.

bk

irony

This ad was in the Westword today -- ironic that the ad creator is encouraging you to skip out on furthering your education using a grammatical error ('with out' is not two words).

Terrible photo quality courtesy of my BB cam.

the big switch.

It may just be tunnel-vision, but it seems like everyone is either a) switching from a PC to a Mac or, b) talking about the possibility of switching from a PC to a Mac.

It's a good thing Belkin offers its Switch to Mac cable. This useful little piece allows you not only to transfer files (which is always a hassle unless you have piles of jumps or the physical and mental ability to bridge your machines) but the Migration assistant also allows you to seamlessly transfer personal settings from your broken-in hardware to the new one. It's sort of like when wireless companies first began to offer contact transferring services, only add gobbs of functionality and $35 to the price tag.

redesigning logos

Photo: Function

This is a pretty good look at 50 major players and their attempt at a logo update.

Link

Found on Function.

well put.

"There are four ways to make a million dollars. Luck. Patient effort. Skill. Risk."

-Seth Godin

happy birthday ryan

Ryan D. Kowalewski -- I wish I could tell you happy birthday today..."happy birthday" anyway.

the great coffee race

VS
I love the races: McDonald's vs. Starbucks.

Though neither of them offer egg whites w/ salsa on their breakfast menus, so they've got a ways to go before I personally consider them a breakfast spot worth frequenting.

I'm also not very into slogans -- I typically find them fairly idiotic and appealing to the masses usually can be translated into something dumbed-down -- but the billboard I saw this morning for the McCafe was actually entertaining. Accompanied by some other info was the slogan, "A shot of reality." I sort of love that.

mccain is a raiders fan

This is the banner that flew over INVESCO Field during the Broncos game this weekend, Nov. 2nd. The chartered jet was paid for by a group called ProgressNow.

I think it's pretty hilarious.