I am in the lounge in Quebec city. The city is beautiful. Very European. Too cold to run outside (not that I run much outside anyways). I was here for a YPO event.
Part of what makes all YPO events special is the people. I do not like to be elitist but having entry requirements means the other members are running good size businesses. This means they often share similar challenges. They also act as a natural network that can be used for our mutual good. For example, when my Toronto warehouse closes, we will work hard to find positions to those who do not choose to move. The YPO network is perfect. Many of them are Toronto based and need good people like the ones we have. Win-win.
One of the speakers was Jack Daly. Very accomplished and inspirational guy. If you ever get a chance to hear him speak - do it. He challenged me to re-look at my goals and shared with us how he sets his. He is an accountant so does very detailed tracking on how he is doing on his plan. He admits he is overboard.
I prefer to create habits because I do not particularly like accounting and find too much tracking to be onerous. This said, I do track some and I do check in often on how I am doing on my goals.
He talks a lot about treating people right - something I buy into. He shared many ideas on the creative things he does.
Another speaker was Ellen Schwartz, author of "Lessons from Jacob". This is a story of he dealing with her severely disabled son (blind, mentally challenged, wheelchair confined etc.). Hearing her tips for "maintaining sanity" was great. It also made me realize how lucky I am to have 3 healthy children. It also put any problems I might have into perspective.
Off to fly.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Make my Day
Posting frequency is inversely proportional to busyness.
Sometimes I get an email that makes my day. Usually it is a comment from someone who I have inspired or recognition for something that I have done.
As an entrenpreneur, I consider myself to be self-motivated and generally have been of the opinion that I don't need much feedback but the fact that these simple comments make my day is changing my opinion of that.
It is also something that I am going to be more aware of when I deal with other people because I think I also have the opportunity to make other people's days.
Sometimes I get an email that makes my day. Usually it is a comment from someone who I have inspired or recognition for something that I have done.
As an entrenpreneur, I consider myself to be self-motivated and generally have been of the opinion that I don't need much feedback but the fact that these simple comments make my day is changing my opinion of that.
It is also something that I am going to be more aware of when I deal with other people because I think I also have the opportunity to make other people's days.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Bare Naked Ladies and bottle necks
Last night I was at a Bare Naked Ladies concert in Toronto coutesy of HP. (and mom - its not want you think, they are a fully clothed male band). Thoroughly enjoyed it. Part of my charmed life.
Of course today I was in meetings and catching up on things all day. So for everything there is a price.
I had a short article called "7 secrets of an executive Blogger" in Profit magazine that made it online yesterday. And my article "7 rules to get rich slowly" was published on Stuart Crawfords site.
Thoughts on Bottlenecks
In order for SYNNEX to grow, I need to make sure that I am not a bottleneck. This means allowing other people to make decisions. What I am trying to focus on is culture rather than micro-decision making. I have always been a hands on person so I do find this difficult at times.
I am trying hard to let people make decisions and as long as they are within the right culture, then I don’t have to coach them. I need to coach when decisions are made that are not in the right culture. For example, when the parking lines are painted yellow and I would have preferred white. Why does that make any difference - that is not cultural, I should just smile and be happy that I didn’t have to paint the lines myself. If on the other hand, the bill comes in at $20,000 and it should have been $2,000, that becomes cultural and that needs coaching.
The bottleneck is usually at the top of the bottle. Thinking.
Off for a long run.
Of course today I was in meetings and catching up on things all day. So for everything there is a price.
I had a short article called "7 secrets of an executive Blogger" in Profit magazine that made it online yesterday. And my article "7 rules to get rich slowly" was published on Stuart Crawfords site.
Thoughts on Bottlenecks
In order for SYNNEX to grow, I need to make sure that I am not a bottleneck. This means allowing other people to make decisions. What I am trying to focus on is culture rather than micro-decision making. I have always been a hands on person so I do find this difficult at times.
I am trying hard to let people make decisions and as long as they are within the right culture, then I don’t have to coach them. I need to coach when decisions are made that are not in the right culture. For example, when the parking lines are painted yellow and I would have preferred white. Why does that make any difference - that is not cultural, I should just smile and be happy that I didn’t have to paint the lines myself. If on the other hand, the bill comes in at $20,000 and it should have been $2,000, that becomes cultural and that needs coaching.
The bottleneck is usually at the top of the bottle. Thinking.
Off for a long run.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
On Challenge
I spoke to an MBET class at U of Waterloo today. Always enjoy their energy and questions.
Time Tip for the day.
I have a friend who recently closed down half of his business. Prior to doing that he was concerned that he would not have enough to do, but he said that he made up for it by having by being twice as ineffiecent.
I have often found that if I overchallenge myself and give myself too much to do, I tend to get it done anyways. Perhaps this is the opposite to what he did.
At the same time, much of my greatest value comes from the times when I have a bit of space.
Time Tip for the day.
I have a friend who recently closed down half of his business. Prior to doing that he was concerned that he would not have enough to do, but he said that he made up for it by having by being twice as ineffiecent.
I have often found that if I overchallenge myself and give myself too much to do, I tend to get it done anyways. Perhaps this is the opposite to what he did.
At the same time, much of my greatest value comes from the times when I have a bit of space.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Blog traffic and Customer Service
Blogger forced me to new blogger today. And of course I did not schedule any extra time to deal with "special stuff" like this so I post later than usual. And I have heard of other bloggers having challenges with new blogger so really did not want to switch.
I have noticed that blog traffic continually increases over time and at the same time blog traffic continually decreases over time. Where I notice the difference is when I blog on a topic that people may be searching for. For example, when I mention Stephen Harper, I get a lot of people looking at the blog (no I don’t publish their political comments because I don’t do politics on this blog), or when I mention the “Great Influenza”, I get people who have that in their search alerts.
I am a big advocate of Google Alerts. This allows you to enter any word or phrase and have google send you an email either daily or weekly, or immediately whenever that word is mentioned on the Internet. I am sure that is how a number of people find the blog.
Blog traffic also increases every time I get press in another media or if I do a speaking event etc.
At the same time regular readership tends to drop off over time which is why bloggers need to try to keep the content interesting and edgy.
This can be similar to customers if we are not careful. We go out and do a bunch of promotions that attract a few customers and at the same time, existing customers tend to drop off if they are not looked after.
I read that most customers leave a company simply from a difference, not because the company does anything wrong. Finding new customers costs a lot more than treating the ones you have right in the first place. Appreciation can go a long way.
I have noticed that blog traffic continually increases over time and at the same time blog traffic continually decreases over time. Where I notice the difference is when I blog on a topic that people may be searching for. For example, when I mention Stephen Harper, I get a lot of people looking at the blog (no I don’t publish their political comments because I don’t do politics on this blog), or when I mention the “Great Influenza”, I get people who have that in their search alerts.
I am a big advocate of Google Alerts. This allows you to enter any word or phrase and have google send you an email either daily or weekly, or immediately whenever that word is mentioned on the Internet. I am sure that is how a number of people find the blog.
Blog traffic also increases every time I get press in another media or if I do a speaking event etc.
At the same time regular readership tends to drop off over time which is why bloggers need to try to keep the content interesting and edgy.
This can be similar to customers if we are not careful. We go out and do a bunch of promotions that attract a few customers and at the same time, existing customers tend to drop off if they are not looked after.
I read that most customers leave a company simply from a difference, not because the company does anything wrong. Finding new customers costs a lot more than treating the ones you have right in the first place. Appreciation can go a long way.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Plug in Hybrids
I took the weekend off to spend with my 3 brothers. Mark, Glen and Lyle (sorry - no hot link to Mark since he does not have a blog despite being the one with the journalism degree). We had an awesome time as we always do. Lots of laughs - something I do not do enough.
Glen loaned me a book called "Plug in Hybrids" by Sherry Boschert. Glen reads tons of books on energy, conservation etc. The book was a great read and made a compelling case for hybrid cars (like my Prius) that plug in to recharge. This would allow them to run for perhaps 100 Km or more without the gas engine kicking in. She makes a compelling environmental case.
What she missed was a good chapter on the economics of using electric power from the grid vs. gas. The information was there but it was hard to get at (running an straight electricity from the grid is about half the cost of gas). For environmentalism to become mainstream, I think it needs to be driven by economics.
Perhaps I am too overboard on the time efficiency but she could also use a chapter on the time savings to just plug in at night instead of filling up at a gas station. I never timed how long it takes to fill up but it seems whenever I need gas, I am running late and there is a line up at the pumps. And for that matter, it is usually the coldest day of the year with a good strong wind.
There is a bit of conspiracy theory throughout on GM killing their famous electric car etc.
Bottom line. After I read the book, I would definitely get a plug in hybrid and hope the automakers come up with one soon.
Glen loaned me a book called "Plug in Hybrids" by Sherry Boschert. Glen reads tons of books on energy, conservation etc. The book was a great read and made a compelling case for hybrid cars (like my Prius) that plug in to recharge. This would allow them to run for perhaps 100 Km or more without the gas engine kicking in. She makes a compelling environmental case.
What she missed was a good chapter on the economics of using electric power from the grid vs. gas. The information was there but it was hard to get at (running an straight electricity from the grid is about half the cost of gas). For environmentalism to become mainstream, I think it needs to be driven by economics.
Perhaps I am too overboard on the time efficiency but she could also use a chapter on the time savings to just plug in at night instead of filling up at a gas station. I never timed how long it takes to fill up but it seems whenever I need gas, I am running late and there is a line up at the pumps. And for that matter, it is usually the coldest day of the year with a good strong wind.
There is a bit of conspiracy theory throughout on GM killing their famous electric car etc.
Bottom line. After I read the book, I would definitely get a plug in hybrid and hope the automakers come up with one soon.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Barbershop Marketing
I am in the process of opening a new warehouse in Guelph and require 250 plus employees. Many of the positions would be part-time. Of course because of the magnitude of this, it is top of mind so I tell everyone that I meet that I am looking to hire full and part-time shippers, receivers, dock hands, etc.
I was at the barbers getting my hair cut and mentioned this to my barber who instantly said that he likely knew 25 or 30 people who would be interested in the job.
Most people develop a rapport with their barber or hairstylist over a number of years. Most people repeatedly visit the same stylist. During that time they tend to talk about the weather, politics, and life in general. Rapport develops. This often would include their job prospects, etc. This inspired me to come up with barber/hairstylist marketing for hiring my new warehouse employees.
We are going to the yellow pages and listing the barber shops and hairstylists in the area. We then go to our staff and find out where they get their hair done and try to cross off to make sure we have all basis covered.
I believe that the hairstylist or barber will be more open to ideas that come from someone who they already know. Because our warehouse move is not until July 1st (and it is now still February), everyone will have lots of time to get into the barber or hairstylist between now and then.
I also think they will tend to refer people they like. Likely good people. They would not want to be seen as refering people who are not good.
We are not putting in place any financial incentive for the barbers or hairstylists, although we will invite them to an open house. My experience is that most of them tend to freely share information that they have and like to be, "in the know". Most of them want to add value to their clients.
I suspect this idea will work to provide most of the staff we need. That said, if you know any eager, honest, hard working people - send them my way or in the interest of time management - resumes@synnex.com
I was at the barbers getting my hair cut and mentioned this to my barber who instantly said that he likely knew 25 or 30 people who would be interested in the job.
Most people develop a rapport with their barber or hairstylist over a number of years. Most people repeatedly visit the same stylist. During that time they tend to talk about the weather, politics, and life in general. Rapport develops. This often would include their job prospects, etc. This inspired me to come up with barber/hairstylist marketing for hiring my new warehouse employees.
We are going to the yellow pages and listing the barber shops and hairstylists in the area. We then go to our staff and find out where they get their hair done and try to cross off to make sure we have all basis covered.
I believe that the hairstylist or barber will be more open to ideas that come from someone who they already know. Because our warehouse move is not until July 1st (and it is now still February), everyone will have lots of time to get into the barber or hairstylist between now and then.
I also think they will tend to refer people they like. Likely good people. They would not want to be seen as refering people who are not good.
We are not putting in place any financial incentive for the barbers or hairstylists, although we will invite them to an open house. My experience is that most of them tend to freely share information that they have and like to be, "in the know". Most of them want to add value to their clients.
I suspect this idea will work to provide most of the staff we need. That said, if you know any eager, honest, hard working people - send them my way or in the interest of time management - resumes@synnex.com
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