Friday, October 15, 2010
Ronald Reagan - We Must Fight Speech
This video got me thinking today. Sometimes…we must fight.
I’m not talking about war in this blog, I’m talking about in business, in life. Sometimes, we must fight. Quite frequently it’s easier not to fight. It’s easier to accept. It’s easier to walk away, to settle, and to let something go. However, today Ronald Reagan reminded me that sometimes those are not the right answers; those are not the right decisions.
When something matters to us, when something is important to us, there is a time we need to take a stand and fight for those things. Fight for the things we care about most and are most important to us. We can’t let our own dreams die, without fighting for them to be pursued. When we have something that we have built, whether that is a business or a family, we have to fight with all we have to keep it prosperous and safe.
We have to fight for the things we believe in most, the little things which are actually big things. Clients, family, friendships, dreams, sometimes...we must fight to preserve all of these things.
We have to fight for ourselves. It seems everywhere we look there are people who are defeated. They have allowed themselves to be defeated by others or by themselves. They have lost their strength, their personality, their fight. They have lost some of the greatest things about themselves because they stopped fighting back themselves and others. The most important fight is forgotten: The fight to keep our own head above water.
The challenge lies in two things: Deciding what’s worth fighting for, and then fighting with all you have for those things.
“If we continue to accommodate, continue to back and retreat. Eventually we have to face the final demand, the ultimatum, and what then...Someday when the time comes to deliver the final ultimatum our surrender will be voluntary because by that time we will have been weakened from within, spiritually, morally and economically.”
We must fight.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Nothing Great is Ever Achieved Without Great Risk
Sometimes I think it's hard to decide if something is good enough, if something is right enough, if the timing is quite right, if the effort is worth it, if it will be too much of an investment, if it will succeed, if there's something else that should be done instead, if staying within your comfort zone makes more sense.
I think that often times our doubts, our fears, our uncertainties, our insecurities, hold us back. We talk of all the barriers in front of us before we stop and realize we've created 3/4 of them, and the other fourth are things we can't control or will never know the answer to what they truly hold until we try to break through them.
We close ourselves in, we shut ourselves down, we let our greatest ideas, our strongest passions, our biggest dreams fall to the way side. We miss out. We never know. We wait for the 'right time' and fail to acknowledge time waits for no one.
Then somewhere between all that doubt, uncertainty, waiting, and holding back it becomes..too late. I guess in another breath it's "Never too late" but then again…as much as we don't want to realize it, sometimes it is. Whether the patent was taken, or we suddenly lose our health, there are times when “too late” is the case.
It really seems to me, at the end of the day, none of the greatest things in this world would've happened without great risk:
Benjamin Franklin- 1752 on a stormy day ventures outside, flies a kite into the air with a key attached to it and feels an electric shock go through his body, inventing electricity. How many of you are ready to head outside during a lightning storm and fly a kite with a key attached to it and shock yourself to help change the world forever? RISK.
Chuck Yeager- First person to break the sound barrier in 1947, flying the experimental Bell X-1 at Mach 1 at 45,000 feet. A flying career of more than 60 years and a brigadier general in the United States Army Air Forces.
Neil Armstrong-First person to set foot on the moon in 1966, also one of the first US civilians to go into space. Performed the first manned docking of two spacecraft. Commander of Apollo 11, explored the moon’s surface for 2 ½ hours with Buzz Aldrin all to bring back research about outer space to earth.
Lance Armstrong- Most of us have trouble getting ourselves to go to the gym for 30 minutes a day. Lance Armstrong battled cancer and has gone on to push his body and mind beyond limits other people only dream about. Winning seven consecutive Tour De France’s and coining the phrase “Live Strong” he has now aided in donating millions of dollars to cancer research.
Sir Richard Branson- Set up Virgin Records, eventually expanding to an airline, Virgin Atlantic, pioneer of numerous humanitarian initiatives. Attempted the fasting Atlantic Ocean crossing, First hot air balloon crossing of the Atlantic, attempted to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon, Fastest crossing of the English channel in an amphibious vehicle. This guy never stops taking risk as an entrepreneur and being innovative.
Mother Teresa-Dedicated her life to ministering to the sick, poor, dying and orphaned. At the time of her death Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity were operating 610 missions in 123 countries, helping millions of people. Awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1979.
All of these people took such great risks and all of these risks lead to such amazing, important achievements. Risk and faith are so important in all of the things we do every day. In business, in life, in love, in everything we do. Taking risks on things were unsure of is often the only way we ever truly know the answer to anything. Whether that risk turns into something that goes nowhere or you happen to invent electricity…..the risk was the first step.
The word “risk” sometimes has a really negative connotation because I think often times we associate it with, “failure”, “scary”, “venerable”, and “impulsive.” The truth is, it is possibly ALL those things, but it is also “courageous,” “necessary for change,” “passionate,” “rewarding”, “life changing”, and the one way you’ll really ever have an answer to some of your most important dreams and desires.
So get out there, take a risk, and get your answer. Be electric, break a sound barrier, reach for the moon, live strong, circumnavigate the globe, and help people who need it most.
I think that often times our doubts, our fears, our uncertainties, our insecurities, hold us back. We talk of all the barriers in front of us before we stop and realize we've created 3/4 of them, and the other fourth are things we can't control or will never know the answer to what they truly hold until we try to break through them.
We close ourselves in, we shut ourselves down, we let our greatest ideas, our strongest passions, our biggest dreams fall to the way side. We miss out. We never know. We wait for the 'right time' and fail to acknowledge time waits for no one.
Then somewhere between all that doubt, uncertainty, waiting, and holding back it becomes..too late. I guess in another breath it's "Never too late" but then again…as much as we don't want to realize it, sometimes it is. Whether the patent was taken, or we suddenly lose our health, there are times when “too late” is the case.
It really seems to me, at the end of the day, none of the greatest things in this world would've happened without great risk:
Benjamin Franklin- 1752 on a stormy day ventures outside, flies a kite into the air with a key attached to it and feels an electric shock go through his body, inventing electricity. How many of you are ready to head outside during a lightning storm and fly a kite with a key attached to it and shock yourself to help change the world forever? RISK.
Chuck Yeager- First person to break the sound barrier in 1947, flying the experimental Bell X-1 at Mach 1 at 45,000 feet. A flying career of more than 60 years and a brigadier general in the United States Army Air Forces.
Neil Armstrong-First person to set foot on the moon in 1966, also one of the first US civilians to go into space. Performed the first manned docking of two spacecraft. Commander of Apollo 11, explored the moon’s surface for 2 ½ hours with Buzz Aldrin all to bring back research about outer space to earth.
Lance Armstrong- Most of us have trouble getting ourselves to go to the gym for 30 minutes a day. Lance Armstrong battled cancer and has gone on to push his body and mind beyond limits other people only dream about. Winning seven consecutive Tour De France’s and coining the phrase “Live Strong” he has now aided in donating millions of dollars to cancer research.
Sir Richard Branson- Set up Virgin Records, eventually expanding to an airline, Virgin Atlantic, pioneer of numerous humanitarian initiatives. Attempted the fasting Atlantic Ocean crossing, First hot air balloon crossing of the Atlantic, attempted to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon, Fastest crossing of the English channel in an amphibious vehicle. This guy never stops taking risk as an entrepreneur and being innovative.
Mother Teresa-Dedicated her life to ministering to the sick, poor, dying and orphaned. At the time of her death Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity were operating 610 missions in 123 countries, helping millions of people. Awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1979.
All of these people took such great risks and all of these risks lead to such amazing, important achievements. Risk and faith are so important in all of the things we do every day. In business, in life, in love, in everything we do. Taking risks on things were unsure of is often the only way we ever truly know the answer to anything. Whether that risk turns into something that goes nowhere or you happen to invent electricity…..the risk was the first step.
The word “risk” sometimes has a really negative connotation because I think often times we associate it with, “failure”, “scary”, “venerable”, and “impulsive.” The truth is, it is possibly ALL those things, but it is also “courageous,” “necessary for change,” “passionate,” “rewarding”, “life changing”, and the one way you’ll really ever have an answer to some of your most important dreams and desires.
So get out there, take a risk, and get your answer. Be electric, break a sound barrier, reach for the moon, live strong, circumnavigate the globe, and help people who need it most.
The Way The Flight Attendant Safety Brief Should Be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lqh8e2KYIrU&feature=player_embedded
Why can't all flight attendants do this? I don't know about anyone else but I would be relaxed and in a good mood after this. This isn't amateur hour either; these people have rhythm and are in sync. Not to mention the fact they have up to date and upbeat music. I'm going to have to give Cebu Pacific a WIN for this one.
Why can't all flight attendants do this? I don't know about anyone else but I would be relaxed and in a good mood after this. This isn't amateur hour either; these people have rhythm and are in sync. Not to mention the fact they have up to date and upbeat music. I'm going to have to give Cebu Pacific a WIN for this one.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Southwest To Aquire Airtran-The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
With Southwest recently acquiring AirTran for $1.4 billion, there are now officially only two low cost airlines in serious competition in the US, Southwest and JetBlue. After the current mergers of United-Continental and Delta and Northwest, there are only four legacy carriers left. I’ve heard many different reactions to the Southwest/AirTran acquisition and airline consolidation in general. What will it truly mean the consumer? In my opinion; The good, the bad, and the ugly:
The good:
-AirTran customers will now get better service and be paying fewer fees
-Lower prices for consumers in Southwest’s newer markets
-Legacy airlines will have to be more competitive with pricing now that Southwest has such an expanded market throughout the US
-Americans will always have other transportation options, and will use them if necessary (This one is debatable because as we know, there are many times flying is our ONLY option. This is especially true for corporate travel.)
-Fewer delays and cancellations, due to more rerouting options in some areas.
The bad:
-Higher prices for consumers where Southwest and AirTran used to compete before the acquisition
-The potential of Southwest’s customer service to take a hit if they’ve stretched themselves too far
-Corporate travelers will likely not reap the benefits of this merger as discount airlines are often not used by corporate travelers.
The Ugly:
-For Delta…will likely lose a lot of business in places they share hubs with AirTran, such as Atlanta, Georgia
-For Jetblue…they are Southwest’s main competitor and Southwest’s growth could hurt their revenue share.
-The influence of more airline consolidation in the future creating higher prices and fewer options for consumers
-The airline industry has already changed dramatically over the last 20 years, for the worse….let’s hope we don’t allow continual merging of airlines that are already performing poorly individually. (Luckily, Southwest isn’t one of them!)
What are your thoughts on the acquisition/merging of airlines such as Southwest and AirTran?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Capital Grille, Boston, MA
Disclaimer: My parents owned a restaurant for 18 years; I grew up in the restaurant business and I’m a business major with a marketing concentration. I am definitely someone who critiques almost everything that is happening when I go out to dinner (Or anywhere else for that matter!) it’s in my blood. I notice and can’t stand the bad stuff, but also notice and greatly appreciate the good stuff! Here is a review of an experience where I had the opportunity to notice and greatly appreciate the GREAT stuff!
This weekend I had the pleasure of eating at The Capital Grille in Boston, MA. I had never been to the Captial Grille, but had heard good things about it. My sister and I were taking my mom out to dinner for her birthday. My sister called a few days in advance to make our reservation. While on the phone she was asked if it was for a special occasion and my sister let them know it was my mom’s birthday.
When we arrived, the ambiance of the Capital Grille spoke for itself. It was gorgeous inside, beautiful windows, great table settings, and professional attire worn by ALL staff from the host to wait staff. When we arrived at our table there was a birthday card sitting there from the staff at the Capital Grille. The staff had all signed the card (as you could tell by the different signatures) At the bottom of the card, there was a quote that read, “Good friends, like wine, get better with age.” What a PERFECT quote combining a birthday, the friends and family you are probably dining with, and wine, which you will probably drink in celebration. Surrounding the card on the table were small pieces of birthday confetti; just enough to look classy, but still stand out. This was the first “little thing” I noticed about the restaurant that I hadn’t seen in any other restaurant. The second “little thing,” while technically “big thing” I noticed was the size and layout of the menu. The thing is massive! However, I really liked it. It made it seem important and unique. The first page is the full food menu and inside it is full of all different wines. There must’ve been hundreds! There is no way you’re going there and NOT ordering a glass of wine.
The service: Unbeatable from start to finish. Our server, Paul, was friendly, personable, funny, knowledgeable about the menu, and attentive. I assumed he must’ve worked there for 20 years. The bus staff was just as attentive as our server. At one point our server came over and was clearing our plates. After he was done clearing them and holding them in his arms my mom asked a question about desert. A busser noticed he was holding them while speaking so he came up beside our server and they transferred the dishes from his hands to the bussers hands as if it was a piece of cake. Let’s just say holding that many dishes was impressive, never mind TRANSFERRING them.
The food: Phenomenal. The three of us ordered three dishes to share. We got The “Wedge” salad, Filet Mignon, Filet Oscar, and a side of Sam’s Mashed Potatoes. Everything was cooked perfectly, presented beautifully, perfectly portioned, and very, very good. We couldn’t find one thing we didn’t like. (Which if you know the three Walsh women..that’s not easy!) Notice I used the word “find..” yes, we were LOOKING!
For desert they brought my mom over a piece of complimentary Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with a single candle. Our waiter dropped it off and said, “I won’t sing and that’s your gift” cracked up, and walked away, as my sister and I sang happy birthday to my mom. It was perfect.
My favorite “little thing” came when we got the bill. Think about that for a minute…if anything good can come from the bill...this place must be amazing!! Inside the guest check was our waiter’s business card, with HIS name on it. Brilliant. Business cards for servers. How often do you go to a restaurant and like your server and want to have them again but you can’t remember their name by the end of the meal or the next time you go back? Not at the Capital Grille. Stick that business card in your wallet. PAUL! PAUL! PAUL! And we will be asking for him again! Also, the bill….the Capital Grille is definitely pricey, but when all was said and done I thought our bill was completely reasonable based on our food and experience.
And last but not least, of course because we were so impressed and appreciated our experience, my mom stopped the manager as he was walking by right before we were about to leave. She told him about our great dinner, service, and told him how great of an idea we thought the business cards were. He SAT down at our table with us, immediately gave us his card and had a conversation with us about the philosophy of the Capital Grille, how happy it made him that we appreciated the little things, and also asked us to check out their Facebook page. (Notice they allow YELP reviews on there! That's definitly having confidence they got more good reviews then bad!) Yes, he brought social media into the conversation…I was IN LOVE! Ha-Ha. He basically “sealed the deal.” I told him I would have to write a Facebook “status” about how great our experience was. As I chuckled, he said, “Please do.” And he’s right. So I did. And I took it a step further and wrote this blog. Great customer service, great food, great atmosphere, and “the little things” are so rare these days that when they happen they should be TALKED about, they should be VIRAL! Maybe if everyone made it a point to talk about the good stuff as much as the bad stuff more good stuff would happen! In closing, congrats Capital Grille…you do it RIGHT! I will be back soon!
This weekend I had the pleasure of eating at The Capital Grille in Boston, MA. I had never been to the Captial Grille, but had heard good things about it. My sister and I were taking my mom out to dinner for her birthday. My sister called a few days in advance to make our reservation. While on the phone she was asked if it was for a special occasion and my sister let them know it was my mom’s birthday.
When we arrived, the ambiance of the Capital Grille spoke for itself. It was gorgeous inside, beautiful windows, great table settings, and professional attire worn by ALL staff from the host to wait staff. When we arrived at our table there was a birthday card sitting there from the staff at the Capital Grille. The staff had all signed the card (as you could tell by the different signatures) At the bottom of the card, there was a quote that read, “Good friends, like wine, get better with age.” What a PERFECT quote combining a birthday, the friends and family you are probably dining with, and wine, which you will probably drink in celebration. Surrounding the card on the table were small pieces of birthday confetti; just enough to look classy, but still stand out. This was the first “little thing” I noticed about the restaurant that I hadn’t seen in any other restaurant. The second “little thing,” while technically “big thing” I noticed was the size and layout of the menu. The thing is massive! However, I really liked it. It made it seem important and unique. The first page is the full food menu and inside it is full of all different wines. There must’ve been hundreds! There is no way you’re going there and NOT ordering a glass of wine.
The service: Unbeatable from start to finish. Our server, Paul, was friendly, personable, funny, knowledgeable about the menu, and attentive. I assumed he must’ve worked there for 20 years. The bus staff was just as attentive as our server. At one point our server came over and was clearing our plates. After he was done clearing them and holding them in his arms my mom asked a question about desert. A busser noticed he was holding them while speaking so he came up beside our server and they transferred the dishes from his hands to the bussers hands as if it was a piece of cake. Let’s just say holding that many dishes was impressive, never mind TRANSFERRING them.
The food: Phenomenal. The three of us ordered three dishes to share. We got The “Wedge” salad, Filet Mignon, Filet Oscar, and a side of Sam’s Mashed Potatoes. Everything was cooked perfectly, presented beautifully, perfectly portioned, and very, very good. We couldn’t find one thing we didn’t like. (Which if you know the three Walsh women..that’s not easy!) Notice I used the word “find..” yes, we were LOOKING!
For desert they brought my mom over a piece of complimentary Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with a single candle. Our waiter dropped it off and said, “I won’t sing and that’s your gift” cracked up, and walked away, as my sister and I sang happy birthday to my mom. It was perfect.
My favorite “little thing” came when we got the bill. Think about that for a minute…if anything good can come from the bill...this place must be amazing!! Inside the guest check was our waiter’s business card, with HIS name on it. Brilliant. Business cards for servers. How often do you go to a restaurant and like your server and want to have them again but you can’t remember their name by the end of the meal or the next time you go back? Not at the Capital Grille. Stick that business card in your wallet. PAUL! PAUL! PAUL! And we will be asking for him again! Also, the bill….the Capital Grille is definitely pricey, but when all was said and done I thought our bill was completely reasonable based on our food and experience.
And last but not least, of course because we were so impressed and appreciated our experience, my mom stopped the manager as he was walking by right before we were about to leave. She told him about our great dinner, service, and told him how great of an idea we thought the business cards were. He SAT down at our table with us, immediately gave us his card and had a conversation with us about the philosophy of the Capital Grille, how happy it made him that we appreciated the little things, and also asked us to check out their Facebook page. (Notice they allow YELP reviews on there! That's definitly having confidence they got more good reviews then bad!) Yes, he brought social media into the conversation…I was IN LOVE! Ha-Ha. He basically “sealed the deal.” I told him I would have to write a Facebook “status” about how great our experience was. As I chuckled, he said, “Please do.” And he’s right. So I did. And I took it a step further and wrote this blog. Great customer service, great food, great atmosphere, and “the little things” are so rare these days that when they happen they should be TALKED about, they should be VIRAL! Maybe if everyone made it a point to talk about the good stuff as much as the bad stuff more good stuff would happen! In closing, congrats Capital Grille…you do it RIGHT! I will be back soon!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Hello? Is anyone there?
We wonder why so many people e-mail each other instead of picking up the phone. Here’s one reason:
How many times have you called somewhere recently and you are listening to a recording? Half the time the option you’re looking for isn’t given. The other half of the time when you press the option you feel best suits your needs, it leads you to another recording which doesn’t answer your questions. All the while you’re just praying you get an option which tells you which button to press to speak to a live person. In fact when it gets to the point where it starts telling me my call will be recorded for “quality assurance,” I’m practically jumping out of my seat with joy! At that point I’d give them my fingerprints just to hear a human voice.
Why don’t companies recognize the importance of speaking with a live person? As we know, human interaction is very limited in business today and has been overpowered by technology. However, if someone picks up the phone they most likely are trying to break down that barrier a little and are looking for an answer that couldn’t be found through technology or they are looking to have a conversation that couldn’t be had through e-mail or social media. Please don’t give them a long winded recording.
What a difference hearing someone’s voice makes in today’s world. If Southwest can change the airline industry by innovative changes no other airline has considered; why can’t one big corporate company say: We are DONE with recordings, NO more; you will always get a live person when you call. Maybe it'd be a welcome change and the benefits would outweigh the costs. I know I'd be impressed and a lot happier as a customer.
How do YOU think a live person VS a recording changes a phone call?
http://bit.ly/9FuhM1
How many times have you called somewhere recently and you are listening to a recording? Half the time the option you’re looking for isn’t given. The other half of the time when you press the option you feel best suits your needs, it leads you to another recording which doesn’t answer your questions. All the while you’re just praying you get an option which tells you which button to press to speak to a live person. In fact when it gets to the point where it starts telling me my call will be recorded for “quality assurance,” I’m practically jumping out of my seat with joy! At that point I’d give them my fingerprints just to hear a human voice.
Why don’t companies recognize the importance of speaking with a live person? As we know, human interaction is very limited in business today and has been overpowered by technology. However, if someone picks up the phone they most likely are trying to break down that barrier a little and are looking for an answer that couldn’t be found through technology or they are looking to have a conversation that couldn’t be had through e-mail or social media. Please don’t give them a long winded recording.
What a difference hearing someone’s voice makes in today’s world. If Southwest can change the airline industry by innovative changes no other airline has considered; why can’t one big corporate company say: We are DONE with recordings, NO more; you will always get a live person when you call. Maybe it'd be a welcome change and the benefits would outweigh the costs. I know I'd be impressed and a lot happier as a customer.
How do YOU think a live person VS a recording changes a phone call?
http://bit.ly/9FuhM1
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The Hands of Time
My friend and I were in the car the other day when she told me she had purchased a new watch. She put her wrist out and showed me her lime green watch. The first thing I thought about was how long it has been since I’d seen anyone my age wear a watch. The only watch’s I ever see my friends wear now a days are digital watches they use to keep track of their times running.
Later on in the night I asked my friend what time it was. She glanced down at the watch for a few minutes, looked confused, flashed it towards me and then said, “Whoah, I can’t even tell if it’s 7:45 or 8:45.” She looked for about 60 more seconds and then finally decided the hands on her watch read 8:45.
As she described, it had been so long since she’d looked at the time on a watch, more specifically a watch with hands. This is true for most people. In this day and age, it seems anytime someone is looking for the time they immediately take out their cell phones, read the numbers, and instantly know the time. There is no thinking involved.
We are living an age of instant gratification. When people in their teens and 20’s want something it is given to them immediately through social media and technology. Our minds have to do little work. Whether it’s typing a math problem into a calculator, texting to communicate, writing on someone’s Facebook wall or following a GPS….brain power is no longer as necessary.
Could this age of using our brains less actually hurt us in the future? They say one of the best things you can do for your muscles and body as you get older is lift weights and keep exercising. This is because our bodies need to be continually moving, working, and thinking to keep our body and brain fresh. They say to use your brain as much as possible as you age, because just like working out, it helps keep it in shape.
As much as technology has improved the world, it scares me that it has also hindered it. I really hope that as time goes on we don’t completely lose the value of knowing how to multiply, the value of a face to face conversation, and knowing how to get to a common place if our GPS dies.
Until then, I think I’ll do the simplest thing possible to keep my brain moving…buy a watch.
(http://bit.ly/9K4kuc)
Later on in the night I asked my friend what time it was. She glanced down at the watch for a few minutes, looked confused, flashed it towards me and then said, “Whoah, I can’t even tell if it’s 7:45 or 8:45.” She looked for about 60 more seconds and then finally decided the hands on her watch read 8:45.
As she described, it had been so long since she’d looked at the time on a watch, more specifically a watch with hands. This is true for most people. In this day and age, it seems anytime someone is looking for the time they immediately take out their cell phones, read the numbers, and instantly know the time. There is no thinking involved.
We are living an age of instant gratification. When people in their teens and 20’s want something it is given to them immediately through social media and technology. Our minds have to do little work. Whether it’s typing a math problem into a calculator, texting to communicate, writing on someone’s Facebook wall or following a GPS….brain power is no longer as necessary.
Could this age of using our brains less actually hurt us in the future? They say one of the best things you can do for your muscles and body as you get older is lift weights and keep exercising. This is because our bodies need to be continually moving, working, and thinking to keep our body and brain fresh. They say to use your brain as much as possible as you age, because just like working out, it helps keep it in shape.
As much as technology has improved the world, it scares me that it has also hindered it. I really hope that as time goes on we don’t completely lose the value of knowing how to multiply, the value of a face to face conversation, and knowing how to get to a common place if our GPS dies.
Until then, I think I’ll do the simplest thing possible to keep my brain moving…buy a watch.
(http://bit.ly/9K4kuc)
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