Comments

Tanning world indeed! There is some research out there now that concludes that people crave bright light periodically - and that the tanning scene provides that for some [tradeoffs of course] ...

Posted by Sean at October 7, 2005 11:00 AM

I love the Starbuck's quote:

“The [Starbucks] Fix” Is on …

“We have identified a ‘third place.’ And I really believe that sets us apart. The third place is that place that’s not work or home. It’s the place our customers come for refuge.”

Nancy Orsolini, District Manager

I've seen this before, but passed it off as a retail mindset. It should be a PSF mindset as well. I think that's what Andy Law, et al, did in Creative Company with St. Luke's ad agency.

How great would that be? My office is someone else's refuge.

Posted by Dustin at October 7, 2005 1:59 PM

My favorite quotes:

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, but the one most responsive to change."
------Charles Darwin

"The most successful people are those who are good at plan B." ----James York

I think this says it all when it comes to survival in business, politics and in life in general.

Posted by Ken Wirt at October 8, 2005 1:49 PM

Some thoughts concerning China:
I live in Lithuania, where we have an unofficial religion – basketball. Our men‘s basketball team is well known around the world (we managed to win against the US at the Olympics), and our previous national team coach (Jonas Kazlauskas) is now working for the China‘s national team for a couple of years... And moreover this knowledge transfer to China is already showing good results for them.

Posted by Mantautas at October 9, 2005 4:21 PM

This semester (Im a teacher) I decided to go all the way with Tom's ideas... really try for greatness. While I did not achieve that level,.. I did do the best teaching of my career.. and learned more than Ive ever learned before.

Unfortunately, I was just fired because my boss found my blog... and the bureaucrats weren't too happy with my ideas on education.

The strange thing is, I should feel upset, but I don't. I feel, strangely, proud. Because I finally acted from my heart and principles in service to my students.

And so I agree with Tom more strongly than ever... the satisfaction of trying to do something remarkable cannot be matched or taken away....

Thanks Tom for helping me realize that!

....

Posted by AJ Hoge at October 10, 2005 5:56 AM

AJ, I read your blog--you got fired for THAT? (Now, maybe a little coaching for the profanity was in order, but FIRED?) Unbelievable. Of course, you are familiar with the Asian mind-set, you know--"the nail that sticks up gets hammered down." I'm willing to bet you land on your feet somewhere soon. Keep it up!

Posted by Mike at October 10, 2005 1:17 PM

aj, you've been dooced! you're joining an elite group of folks. not that i'm making light of this, but as mike says, i'm sure you're going to do fine. and thanks for letting us know.

Posted by Erik Hansen at October 10, 2005 3:07 PM

AJ ... unbelievable. Or, rather, all too believable. Consider it a "medal of honor." Getting the boot at McKinsey in '81 was, in retrospect, the very best thing that ever happened to me! Sometimes I wake up with cold sweats thinking about how dessicated my life would have been if I'd hung in there. (And as to the occasionally raw language ... I am sooooo tired of the requirement for PC language, though I admit I reluctantly adhere to it most of the time--one must pick one's battles, none of us carries infinite ammunition for the war against weenies.)

Posted by tom peters at October 10, 2005 6:54 PM

I can see me coming home to my family. Honey, I decided to speak my mind at work and tell it like it is. The good news is that I feel proud and good things are right around the corner. The bad news is I was fired and we have to sell everything. Of course, if you are single and have no responsibility other than yourself then rock on. What will you say in your next interview? I was fired but this time… AJ, you better go into business for yourself.

I am all on board with the “If you’re not willing to be fired for what you believe in then why get up in the morning” mantra. But at the same time, you now have a scar on your CV that will follow you everywhere. You need to understand the game and play it to your advantage not this I am right hear me roar.

Posted by Other Mike at October 11, 2005 6:47 AM

Other Mike: Gratuitous mouthing off because you're pissed about something that didn't go your way ain't the point. Sticking to your moral guns over a long period of time (AJ-world as I read it) is another thing entirely. (And for me, I find employer blog-gagging reprehensible except in extreme cases.) Also, and I know this is easier said than done, I think one should try mightily to avoid a situation where getting the axe over a moral issue leads to the need to "sell everythig." As to the future employer, if you were at your wit's end for good cause and can explain yourself in a compelling fashion, then a worthwhile employer will probably "get it." I'd rather hire someone, in Stephen Covey's terms, who knew North from South and had acted accordingly than someone who'd passively put up with infinite shit for years.

Posted by tom peters at October 11, 2005 11:13 AM

Tom, Erik, Mike,

Thanks for the encouragement... and good points about the profanity... I do get a bit overcharged at times!

However, re: OtherMike, Im not too worried about the resume. In fact, I sent my blog to my ex-employer when I applied (I guess they didnt read it) and plan to send the address with any future applications. Truth be told, Id rather they save me the trouble by screening me out than end up in another 1950s organization.

But I do agree-- I need to go into business for myself!

Posted by AJ Hoge at October 13, 2005 6:02 AM