Tips for eLearning Designers

Our friends at Langevin Learning Services share some tips that are applicable to anyone designing training courses online or for classroom instruction. Print this out and keep it handy as a “check list”.

• Target content to the experience level of the trainees.
• Base content on job tasks.
• Spend adequate time on-difficult-to learn tasks.
• Break steps down into how-to instructions.
• Ensure structure of course follows structure of job.
• Minimize “nice-to-know” information.
• Spend 1/3 of time on Presentation of content.
• Spend 2/3 of time on Practice and Feedback.
• Review content at regular intervals.
• Design exercises that simulate the tasks.
• Have course validated by technical experts and end users.
• Build principles of adult learning into the course.
• Design course materials to be job aids.
• Use activities that will aid transfer to the job.

Copyright – Langevin Learning Services, Inc.

Microsoft Vista – The “Wow!” Starts?

Monday at 5:45pm EST Microsoft Windows Vista launched officially. At least that was when Steve Ballmer and a visiting group of children pressed the “magic” button that sent people around the globe dancing and displaying the Microsoft Vista and Office 2007 logos.

Webcast In Progress – Please Stand By
If you were one of the thousands of Webcast viewers for the Vista launch party you were treated to the sounds of silence. Yes, audio for the Webcast was less than stellar. Is this also indicative of things to come for Vista? About twelve minutes into the opening by Bill Gates the audio popped on and then fluctuated up and down throughout most of the presentation. Maybe it was the version of Windows Media Player or the webcasting vender out of New York? No offense, but some cues could be taken from the MacWorld LIVE Webcasts.

As Bill spoke, he seemed unfamiliar with the product as he read from the teleprompter. For others it would have been embarrassing, but it did not seem to ruffle Mr. Gates.

The entertainment aspects of Vista looked nice. Tagging photos and linking to the XBox was a natural progression for the OS. Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s CEO, stressed the family and digital lifestyle enhancements of Vista. As Steve talked, he too was hardly audible (even with a set of headphones cranked all the way up).

Later, several partners were paraded out on stage to accept original copies of Vista from Bill and Steve. Kevin Rollins, CEO of Dell, Hector Ruiz, CEO of AMD, and Hisatsugu Nonaka, CEO of Toshiba were amongst the noted recipients.

Finally, at fifty minutes into the Webcast the sound leveled out. Bill, Steve, and a beta-testing family (the Regans, from Germantown, Maryland) launched the “Wow!” of Vista around the world. The band Angels & Airwaves then hit the stage to perform, however, the webcast audio played two Microsoft representatives discussing the nuances of Vista! After several minutes of their banter, a technician must have noticed the discrepancey (oops!) and the Webcast audio for Angels & Airwaves kicked back in.

In the end, a still image of Time Square–which seemed to be the equivalent of “We’re currently experiencing technical difficulties”–displayed in the media player while Angels & Airwaves rocked on with the chorus, “it hurts, it hurts, it hurts…”. Appropriate.

The Bottom Line
Overall, the take-aways from this launch were:
- Vista has new security features
- Vista looks very cool (very Apple)
- Vista allows you to connect to your XBox 360
- Vista now has image tagging
- Windows users all over the world tested Vista and they are thinking, “Wow!” starts now…but the poor Webcast took away the “Wow” for now. Some are asking, “It took 5 years to create this OS?” Hope the usage is not like the actual launch.

For Mac OSX adopters, the real question is, “the ‘Wow!’ starts when?”, because for them, the “Wow!” has been.

The Technorati Challenge

Other bloggers claim that setting up an account with Technorati.com helps to increase traffic to your Blog. Now, since Technorati has been alive and kicking for a while we’re going to put this to the test in what we call the Technorati Challenge.

This test is simulating the typical blogger with some technical expertise. We’ll set up a free account with appropriate tags and then benchmark traffic over the coming weeks. We’ll put weekly posts up with “Technorati Challenge Stats” to let you be the judge of how creating a Technorati Profile may or may not be of benefit you.

Starting Week Average Viewers Per Day = 21

Stay tuned.

The Leadership “Lone Ranger” is Dead

Masked, dressed in grey (that is until color TV came along), and riding a white stallion, the Lone Ranger was feared by all evil-doers. He was the only man that could save the day. If you were on his side you had nothing to fear. If you were not on his side, you were either dead or imprisoned. Regrettably, his time on TV came to an end but his memory lives on.

In today’s business world, “Lone Rangers” abound (and they are still dressed in grey–business suits). At times they are praised as talented independents, determined, and the kind of people who get things done. If you are on their side, you love them. You turn a blind eye to the wake of bodies and the dysfunctional relationships they leave behind. If you are not on their side, you may be in their sights.

A Lone Ranger may start out in an organization as “the golden child”, but after 2-4 years the gold has started to wear off and lead is showing through. The self reliant attitude starts to compromise organizational cohesiveness. There is no inter-departmental teamwork–you’re either on the Lone Ranger’s team or you’re not. And don’t even think about communicating with them. They prefer to keep to their agenda and will give information only if it suits their need.

Can the Lone Ranger Survive?
Today’s business landscape is changing and evolving at the same time. The pace of doing business means thinking globally–that is organizationally as well as internationally. A Lone Ranger cannot be off doing his/her own thing without consideration of the rest of the company. There are immediate and long-term consequences that are devastating. And here’s where a concept foreign to the Lone Ranger comes into play: Teamwork.

Pat Lencioni said it best:

“Teamwork remains the one sustainable competitive advantage that has been largely untapped.”
From Overcoming The Five Dysfunctions of A Team

This means no one person is as good as all of us working together. This principle, though known, often goes unapplied. Teams bring differing perspectives, talents, and skills. Teams breed trust and synergy. Teams share work and accountability. Teams get things done thinking globally. While, Lone Rangers would rather be off on their own, doing their own thing, their own way, and with their own people. This mindset cannot survive.

On December 28, 1999, Clayton Moore, the man who played the Lone Ranger on television died and an era came to a close (rest in peace, Clayton). So too is the fate of today’s business “Lone Ranger”. They are a dying breed and rightly so.

Related Links
- The 10 Commandments for Leadership
- Common Sense Carrots
- You Might Be a Micromanager If…
- The Power Principle
- Common Sense Management 1

Living or Just Existing?

I like thoughtful music. Music where the lyrics ask questions that make me think. Lyrics where the writer wrestles with the realities of life. I also like good music. I mean good in the sense that composition and melody are progressive and original. I have a wide variety of musical tastes and there is not much that I will not listen to–at least once.

One such musical group I have enjoyed over the years is the Canadian “power trio”, Rush. This is a band that has progressed through the decades and have maintained a high level of musical integrity. I was listening to their Grace Under Pressure album (can you say album nowadays?) and the particular song, The Enemy Within. The lyrics are introspective and worth sharing.

Things crawl in the darkness
That imagination spins
Needles at your nerve ends
Crawl like spiders on your skin

Pounding in your temples
And a surge of adrenaline
Every muscle tense–
To fence
The enemy within…

I’m not giving in
To security under pressure
I’m not missing out
On the promise of adventure
I’m not giving up
On impossible dreams–
Experience to extremes–
Experience to extremes–

Suspicious-looking stranger
Flashes you a dangerous grin
Shadows across your window–
Was it only trees in the wind?

Every breath a static charge–
A tongue that tastes like tin
Steely-eyed outside–
To hide
The enemy within…

To you is it movement or is it action?
Is it contact or just reaction?
And you–revolution or just resistance?
Is it living, or just existence?
Yeah, you–it takes a little more persistence
To get up and go the distance…

I’m not giving in
I’m not missing out
I’m not giving up
On impossible dreams–
Experience to extremes–
Experience to extremes–

With all the myriad of issues that we as human-beings wrestle with on a daily basis, have we made a conscious effort to live or are we allowing ourselves to be buffeted by internal and external forces? I like the last portion of the song specifically because it makes me ask this very question.

To you is it movement or is it action?
Is it contact or just reaction?
And you–revolution or just resistance?
Is it living, or just existence?

Stop existing and start living!

Lyrics by Neil Peart. All lyrics © 1984 Core Music Publishing

“Stop The Stresses, Stop The Stresses”

I remember when the desktop revolution started. I was there on the wave with many others. And do you remember the mantra? With the personal computer you can get your work done faster and then have more time for play and relaxing. – NOT! – Just the opposite. The business work quota skyrocketed. Corporate business seemed to respond with, “since you can now get your work done faster (hear the dump truck backing up?), you can obviously handle more work.” And that, by-and-large, has also been the mindset of technology providers–Faster…More…Faster…More…. If you’re in the tech field, you experience this phenomena almost every day.

Then along came FedEx to fan the flames of this business mindset. Get it there faster. From their clunky beginnings, mobile phones have added to the stressful frenzy. And, mobile and wireless technologies continue to grow at an unprecedent rate. Do you sometimes feel chained to your Blackberry?

Faster…More…Faster…More….

Ulcer-Giver or Ulcer-Getter
So what happened to the promise of more time to play, relax, and innovate? Reading this post you might say, “I do play and relax”. Are you a High-D personality type? If you are, read on. If you’re not, then this has already struck a cord with you.

There is a direct corellation to stress and productivity. A little stress can be motivating. Constant stress can be destructive. This hit home the first time I saw a commercial on national television for IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). IBS has become so common place that there are infomercials about it. Talk to doctors and anyone who suffers from it and the major contributing factor is stress. External stress and internal stress. Productivity crawls and/or stalls under the stress placed upon us or that we place upon ourselves.

The lack of productivity is obvious. Many in our work force are medicated. I was shocked to hear of one small organization (200+ employees) where over 50% of the staff was on medication for mood or physical stress related issues.

Principle in Practice
Not only is this common place in the market, but it is affecting the younger generation as well. Take the principle of leadership and it’s affect on corporate culture. You can often tell when you walk into a business if the employees are pressured or enjoying their working environment. This relates directly to the leadership of that enterprise. On a macro-scale you see the same principle at work in countries and on a micro-scale you see this principle at work in families. Our kids see us running around and stressed out and, guess what? They’re running around and getting stressed out too. IBS, IBD, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s, and others are all related to stress and our kids are starting to suffer from it as well.

What’s the Answer?
We need to start asking some tough questions. Start in the home first:
- Do I always have to be busy?
- Do I really need to pack my schedule/my kid’s schedule so full?
- Do I have any room for margin in my life?
- Do I see stress affecting my relationships with my spouse and my children?
- Do I choose to allow little things to stress me out?
- What am I going to do about it?

Then start asking questions at work:
- What is really driving this deadline?
- Do I really need to work over 50 hours a week?
- Do I intentionally create down-time?
- Do I always have to say “yes”?
- What am I going to do about it?
- Have I ever thought of making a “Not-To-Do” list?

In the long-term, our ability to experience peace and to deal with stress in a healthy manner will only come about through an internal transformation. This may not be new information–certainly not anything to “stop the presses” about, but it is essential and, in some instances, life saving. Now that’s worth stopping the stresses.

*NOTE: Also see my post — For Grown Ups Too, Learning Must Be Fun.

Buckhead Diner

By E. Brown

An Atlanta landmark for eating out is the Buckhead Diner. Attracting locals and visitors alike, the Buckhead Diner boasts a well priced menu with portions that will fill you up. You may want to split some of the items. The Diner has undergone several changes in recent years, including the addition of Executive Chef, Joey Riley. A good move.

From the outside, it reminds you of an old 60′s Diner with retro design and neon lights, but once you’re inside the atmosphere is truly a fine dining experience. Waiters in white jackets buzz about the tables of dark stained wood. The menu is creative and delicious American cuisine.

I admit, having lived in Atlanta for over 15 years, I had never been to the Buckhead Diner until last night. Shame on me. The service was fun and the food was…Wow! If you like blue cheese, I recommend the homemade potatoe chips with warm Maytag Blue Cheese as an appetizer. Who would have thought this combination could be so mouth watering?

Everything on the dinner menu looked good to me. I had the Wood Fired Ribeye steak while my wife had the Chervil-scented Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. Next time, I think I’ll have the Crab Cakes too! Not to say the Ribeye was bad, but I like crab and Buckhead Diner serves two patties full of meat with very little breading. Yum.

For dessert, we had the Diner’s classic White Chocolate and Banana Creme pie. We split one piece and were barely able to finish it all.

So don’t wait 15 years, like me, to visit the Buckhead Diner. Make reservations, enjoy looking at the celebrity pictures on the walls, and definitely try the chips, crab cakes, and pie.

*For more on restaurants, food, and recipes, visit the Grub category of WeirdGuy Blog.

Parallels – The Best of Both Worlds

I installed Parallels Desktop and Windows XP on my new Intel-based Mac laptop the other night. I had heard mixed reviews from friends and techno-geeks alike as to the functionality of this program. Well, I am a believer!

I have been completing a project that was spec’d for Windows PC’s and I have needed the quick-switching capabilities of a program like Parallels. What can I say? The program works great! I can easily switch from OSX to XP and back. I can test, download, and surf in XP just as if I were on a Windows-only machine. Having had an HP laptop running Windows XP, I find this runs just as well.

Background
Call it ignorance, but when I first heard about Parallels, I did not know that I would have to purchase the Windows OS as well (I thought it emulated the XP operating system on the Mac). After my initial sticker-shock, I found a great software deal at UberClearance for a full XP Home Edition with SP2. I also purchased some anti-virus and firewall software separately, since Parallels treats the virtual PC as its own unique partition, and I was off and running.

Next, I referenced Dave Taylor’s blog to get myself oriented to installing the software. Aside from some older screen shots, Dave’s advice was on the money. Be sure to install the Tools as well. (FYI – The installation is for Intel-based Macs only)

Final Verdict
Having cut my teeth on the Macintosh computer years ago and then using Windows machines in the corporate environment, I have learned an appreciation for both platforms. Yet, as you can tell by my new purchase, I lean toward the elegance and simplicity of the Apple hardware and software. All that said, if you’re thinking about switching to the Mac or just need access to the best of both worlds, get a copy of Parallels–you won’t regret it.

*NOTE: If you’re thinking about using this software to get some of the “cool” Windows-only games, think again. As of this posting, Parallels does not support DirectX for 3D gaming.

For Grown Ups Too – Learning Must Be Fun

:-( There seems to be this unspoken creed amongst adults in the working world that goes like this, “If you’re having fun at work you must not be working.” The insinuation is, if you are playing, you’re not getting work done, therefore, you’re wasting time. Likewise, the slogan “Work Hard, Play Hard” is often associated with two different environments 1) Work hard while at work 2) Play hard while at home (or on HR related corporate outtings). Why can’t these environments be the same? Why can’t they co-mingle?

The National Institute for Play says:

Corporate attitudes about play-on-the-job vary immensely. But, the knowledge and ethic to support play-based practices that create innovative, problem solving work teams are virtually non-existent in organizations today.

Executives running organizations do not have the information to understand the true nature of play. Even those who have a natural appreciation and temperament for the benefits of play see play and work as separate. Some believe that play is the opposite of work.

When it comes to business we have to be mature and serious. Right? Yet, we’re jealous of the people that “love what they do” and “cannot wait to get up each morning” because they are having fun at work.

Within some entrepreneurial organizations the concept of fun and play are emerging as viable and needed elements in employee development and competitive business growth. This is especially poignant when it comes to training and learning. This is what I call “The Fun Factor” in learning. Below are listed several ways that establishing the catalyst of fun will benefit your life, your team, your work, and your bottom-line.

10 Benefits of the Fun Factor

1. It is pleasurable and consequently opens the learner to additional training.
2. It minimizes defensiveness and a trust relationship is developed with the learner.
3. It stimulates retention because what the learner likes and enjoys, he/she remembers and practices.
4. It captures imagination and stirs the creative and innovative nature within the learner.
5. It engages the learner, gets him/her interacting while not putting them to sleep.
6. It excites and drives the learner to want to know more on a subject or topic.
7. It energizes the learner and shapes departmental and corporate culture.
8. It synergizes as the learner applies “fun approaches” to work.
9. It changes outlook as the learner begins to see life from a positive aspect.
10. It increases mental flexibility helping the learner cope with strenuous situations.

:-)

Related Articles
- The FUN Equation Is Success
- Elliott Maise On Delivering A Keynote
- Online Learning: Retention Is Everyone’s Issue
- World Of Warcraft – Nexus Of NextGen Learning

If this has been helpful , spread the word and “digg it” >>

Information Architecture #1: Seek and You Will Find

You have your templates redesigned, you have your content in place and you’ve launched your “new and improved” Web site. You have had some good traffic but you keep getting emails from users stating they have problems finding what they are looking for on your site.

What is the problem? The site makes sense to you. You know how items and sections are arranged and organized. Why do you continue to get these kinds of emails? Suddenly, you remember having heard someone use the term information architecture. You didn’t know exactly what it meant at the time and therefore discarded it as just another techno buzz-word.

Information Architecture (IA) is one of the more subtle yet profound disciplines in Web site development. At its basic level, IA specifies how users will find content on a site. It defines the organization, navigation, labeling and searching of content. IA can be broken into the following components:
- Information Gathering
- Information Aligning
- Information Editing
- Information Labeling
- Information Mapping (the growth and change of content)

In this post we will discuss the first component of IA: Information Gathering.

For many, you have a lot of content but it is not in a digital format. Converting it is a first step. Whether it be audio, video, graphics, or text, the gathering and converting of this material into a digital medium is crucial.

Some of the content may have to be edited for online usage. Audio and video messages may have to be edited into smaller pieces. You should also critique any audio or video for how it will translate on the Web.
- Are there references to “U.S. only” audiences? Remember that this is the Worldwide Web.
- Are there video shots with panning and zooming? Are there any long shots that will turn into a haze of distorted pixels once the video is compressed?
- Are there images or pictures that need to be created/optimized for the Web?
- Are there text documents that needs to be created?

All these factors need to be considered when gathering information for your site. No piece is too trivial. Gather everything. You will find that during this process it will be a huge benefit for the following reasons:
- Confirms and solidifies your vision, mission, goals and values.
- Creates documents that have long been in the heads of executives, directors, and managers.
- Makes the conceptual, concrete.
- Prepares your organization for a Web-recognized workflow.

Finally, keep an open mind as you gather all your information and potential information. This is the first step and as such every consideration for your Web site should be kept pliable. You may find some presumptions you had about your organization to be erroneous. That is OK. Use these insights to mold and refine your organization for future growth. You certainly do not want to confuse your calling as you see hot-new-Web-technologies on the horizon.

Next week, we will look at the second component of Information Architecture: Information Aligning. We will discuss how and why it is crucial to scrutinize your content and see any patterns that develop in how pieces relate to each other and to your mission.

See you then.

Top 3 Mistakes Non-profits Make on The Web

In my interacting with many Non-profit organizations, I have noticed certain tendencies and assumptions regarding their online brand and outreach. Below are listed the three most common issues I have observed.

1) Not taking the time to understand the medium – The Web/Internet is a growing and changing medium. It has it’s own inherent set of freedoms and limitations. Much like a painter that learns to work in oils or a print designer that learns the limitations of a printing press, Non-profit communicators must learn the Web has it’s own unique environment. The Web is much more than a delivery method – it is an interactive community; a forum for technological advancement; a means of personal expression; a place for business and learning; a resource for encouragement. Not knowing these things nor taking the time to get to know them does more harm than good.

2) Short Sightedness – With all the glitz and glamour that the Web and web-related technology offers it is easy to get pulled off course and mission by the latest innovations. Keep a focused long-term goal and use the Web as one of the means of achieving that goal. Adopt new technologies as they fit into your mission and not the other way around.

3) Follower vs. Leader – Unless Non-profits understand the uniqueness of the Web (and how to leverage that) and have the tenacity to stick to their stated mission they will always follow cultural trends regarding interactive media. As service-oriented organizations, they can take a leadership role in how others think about and use the Web.

Strive to be excellent and innovative in your organization, presentation, content, and delivery. The Web, though no longer in its infancy, is still a powerful and growing environment. Do not short change your online efforts.

Hire the best you can. Do the best you can. Have fun.

Our “Trip Mascot”

Ever wondered how aerodynamic cookies or tacos are? We recently found out. While on a trip to El Paso, TX for a series of video interviews, our camera man decided we needed a “trip mascot”.

Introducing Cookie Man
Our first mascot was a half eaten chocolate chip cookie. He survived the trip from the restaurant back to the hotel. The next morning we found him unwavering atop our van, awaiting the early rays of the sun. Unfortunatwely, Cookie Man never made it to our video shoot that first day. Sadly, somewhere on Highway 10, his remains are being slowly ground into pastry dust.

The Winner is Taco Guy
After the demise of the cookie, we agreed we needed a new trip mascot. Taco Guy made his half-eaten debut being firmly wedged into our van’s luggage rack runner. Taco Guy was a real trooper and survived the remainder of the trip.

It could have been the strategic placement of the rounded shell facing into the wind or the fact that this taco molded to his riding place. Either way, he was a champ and greeted us with every trip we made to and from our video shoots. He made the trip memorable.

So next time you’re on a trip far from home and need a little levity, create a trip mascot to rally around. And, by all means, have FUN!

Give it up for Taco Guy.

Seasons 52

By E. Brown

Migrating up from Florida to Atlanta, Seasons 52 is a smash hit. They pride themselves on seasonally inspired healthy dining. Toward that end Seasons 52 changes its menu with the seasons and prepares all their meals using natural cooking techniques.

There are two locations in the Atlanta area: Buckhead and Perimeter Mall. We went to the Perimeter location with some friends. The food was excellent (try the Edamame whole soybean appetizer sprinkled with Japanese green tea salt), the service was attentive, and the price was very reasonable. If you’re looking for huge portions, this is not the restaurant to go to. Everything was very well portioned and satisfying, but Seasons 52 is not here to stuff you. As they say, “Every item on our seasonally inspired menu contains less than 475 calories, and each meal is nutritionally balanced to include the highest quality lean meats and seafood, good carbs and beneficial oils such as extra virgin olive oil.”

Last but not least, the desserts. They are served in small glasses and provide a variety that should please almost anyone. Our table tried the Carrot Cake, Key Lime pie, Strawberry Mango Cheesecake, and Pecan Pie with Vanilla Bean Mousse.

So if your looking for a fun and unique dining experience, try Seasons 52. We cannot wait to go back and try more of the changing menu items!

*For more on restaurants, food, and recipes, visit the Grub category of WeirdGuy Blog.

Leadership: “Gardeners” Needed

My friend, Dr. Tim Elmore, made some interesting observations. He studied world events and how each generation since the 1950′s have viewed leadership. He recognized how leadership styles have evolved over the years. He then categorized a series of leadership styles based upon his findings. The brief descriptions below were taken from his white paper: A New Kind of Leader.

The Military Commander — (1950′s-1960′s generation) This leaders organizations are run in a top-down fashion. Leaders lead and followers follow. Folks don’t question authority. If someone leaves a staff position, they are considered disloyal. These leaders enjoy leading from their positional authority.

The CEO — (Late 1960′s-1970′s generation) This leader leads by casting vision, in hopes that their followers will buy in and work toward fulfilling the vision. Productivity is the buzzword. While this style is an improvement over the one above, it is still very top-down in nature.

The Entrepreneur — (Late 1970′s-1980′s generation) This leader is pioneering and doesn’t do things the conventional way. They manage “by walking around.” They feel the most critical element is being the first to do it. Innovation is a revered quality. This style enables employees to share ideas that might be implemented and helps them tolerate the fact that the leadership is still a top-down model.

The Coach — (1990′s generation) This style is appealing to Gen-Xer’s, who long for relationships and authenticity. This leader assembles and works with teams. They see themselves as coaches who have players. The leader finds the proper roles for all the players, so they can make significant contributions to the team. Although this style is participatory, it is still top-down in nature.

The Poet/Gardener — (Late 1990′s-today’s generation) This leader combines many of the strengths of the last four styles. Tim calls these leaders poets because they are discerning of the culture and the ideas that emerge from others, not just themselves. They synthesize and extrapolate thoughts; then they come up with the best one, even if it’s not their own. These leaders are attractive to a new workforce who longs to be part of creating the ideas and determining the direction. This leader sees their primary function as gardening/developing their people. They are equippers. They empower. Employees are not “used” by their boss—they are developed. This leader values growth—not just organizationally but for each individual in it. They lead out of shared ownership.

Tim says, “I believe [the poet/gardner] is the attractive leader of today. This isn’t to say all the others will die out. Based on temperament and generation, other styles will remain, and some will do well, because of the strength of the leader’s personality and vision. But the style that the new generation of employees will want is the poet/gardener.”

I agree.

NOTE: No where were these styles more clearly illustrated to me than when I was at a recent leadership conference. All the speakers were either Coaches or Poet/Gardeners, except for one, a Military Commander. To say that this speaker stood out is an understatement. While the organizations of the other speakers were thriving and vertically growing, the Commander’s was maintaining and relatively flat. Tim’s findings hit the nail on the head.

Servant Leadership – No Jackets Required

I typically do not respond to articles, columns, or other media outlets because, generally speaking, I have found that it does little good. However, on this particular occasion I was feeling that a balanced view was needed.

I read a column in the Atlanta business magazine Catalyst that prompted me to respond. The columnist was writing about Servant Leadership. You may have heard the management buzz-phrase before. Did it strike a cord with you? Is it a new idea?

To summarize the article, the author wrote that by applying certain steps and principles, you too, could be a servant leader. To imply that by putting on outward appearances you could feel good about yourself because you, as a leader, were practicing servanthood rubbed me wrong. An inner lifestyle had just been reduced to a management fad.

Too Many Jackets
I likened it to putting on the latest, trendy jacket. “Hmm, today I think I’ll try on the Servant Leadership jacket. After I’ve worn that around for a week or so, I’ll try the Resonant Leadership jacket.” And so it goes from one management trend to the next. Does putting on the jacket truly make you a servant leader or any kind of leader for that matter?

Common Sense
Management is not difficult for those that are naturally gifted in the area. Most of the role of managing is common sense. You’ve experienced it just like I have: There have been those bosses you have admired and would do anything for. Then there have been the bosses you’d like to throw out the window and jump out after them. Those people that are not gifted in management and that lack good sense should not be put in charge of others. If a poor manager showed issues with a little responsibility, why should we heap greater responsibility on them? Common sense says, put people in their areas of strength — you will be glad you did and they will thank you for it as well.

Got Guts?
My litmus test for true Servant Leaders is to ask the employees in an organization their thoughts. They know who in leadership are for real and those who are putting on jackets. You can hide your poor skills for a time but, evetually, you will be found out.

So, can servant leadership be learned? Yes, but it has to become a lifestyle change and, frankly, most of us tend to be self-centered rather than others-centered (I know I do). As leaders, do we have the “guts” to stick to this management style? For those gifted with service, it will come naturally, for others it will be a lifetime of diligence. The real lasting-change needs to come from the inside not the outside.

Don’t let trendy management practices entice you. Use common sense, talk to your employees, work out of your strengths, and commit to serving others…the opposite of what conventional wisdom would say.

Now, there’s a new idea!

**I would love to hear your thoughts on this post. Comment using the link below.**

Comic Life

I had a call for a freelance gig from the BSC of North Carolina. They said they wanted to present their previous year’s work in comics/cartoons to be displayed on a flastscreen TV at their next conference. They had 14 comics they wanted turned around rather quickly and they were providing text and images. I had no idea how much text I was getting or the quality of the images but I knew we would make it work.

I had never heard of Comic Life prior to this job and was skeptical when I was told about it. I downloaded a copy and dove right in AND was I surprised! This software is awesome! It was very intuitive and I was throwing together comics in no time. I love this little program!

With each new comic I would try a little something different. For instance, I wondered if Comic Life would allow me to try PhotoShop alpha channels that would overlap with existing panels, art, and color blends…and…bingo, no worries! Whatever I dreamed of I could do. I even experimented with importing and exporting differing dpi and file formats* — no problem.

Thanks BSC of NC for coming up with a fun project and thank you Plasq for creating such a fun, affordable, and powerful piece of software. I would never have been able to complete this job if it weren’t for you. Here’s a couple screen shots from this project. Keep up the good work Plasq!

Available Now v1.3
The product version I used was Comic Life v1.2.6. Although, now you can purchase (or for registered owners, download for free) version 1.3 from Plasq. New features include: multiple images per panel, multi-tailed speech balloons (this was clunky in the earlier version), new icons (yea! no more having to create them from scratch), a viral “Email this Comic” button, and more. Version 1.3 is compatible with Macintosh G3, G4, and G5 running OSX 10.3.9 or higher. Also, it’s now a Universal version supporting Intel-based Macs.

*I ended up delivering fourteen 150dpi .png files that looked fabulous on the monitors they were going to use at the conference. I tried jpeg’s but the compression softened the images too much.

Apple’s Waning “Wow! Factor”

OK, the announcement of Apple’s iPhone was cool, right? Who doesn’t want to have one? You can go see the photo gallery of Macworld attendees crowding around the exhibit case to get a up-close look at one, but as Emperor Kuzko would say, “no touchy”. I agree, as Steve Jobs said, that this phone will push the mobile phone industry lightyears forward. You will see a rush to market of similar knock-offs like we have seen with the Motorola RAZOR and SLVR.

The iPhone interface will set new standards, and why not? It is truly tactile technology with an amazingly designed UI. Yet, for me and many others, here is where the “Wow-Factor” will wane: price tag, memory, and battery life.

Losing Proposition
Shortly after Steve Jobs re-took the helm of Apple, I attended a laptop focus group. Some of the usual questions were the topic of discussion: What size do you like best? What weight is most comfortable lugging around? What features would you want? How much memory and speed would you need? And…how much are you willing to pay for all this? About a year later, Apple released the 12″ white iBook, and you know what? I bought one. The size, the features, the Mhz, and the price were right. This was followed, not long after, by the 12″ PowerBook. Sweet! It seemed, Apple was learning new lessons and willing to meet the consumer with a better price.

Not so with the iPhone–over $600 (w/ tax) for an 8GB model! I have a 60GB video iPod that is about 2/3 full and I do not have all my photos, or videos, or podcasts on it. Combined, my Blackberry and iPod are comprarable in price to the iPhone, but I am not going to trade in my iPod and phone to lose 52GB.

Although minor in comparison, the battery life is another issue. My iPod gets over 18 hours of battery life while my phone has 4-5 hours talk time. According to Apple, the iPhone has 16 hours music playing and 5 hours talk time.

Is the iPhone a revolutionary new phone? You bet it is. Will there be early adopters? Sure, for those with the disposable income, but what about the average comsumer, like me? We’ll watch from the fence and, like so many other hardware newcomers, we will adopt it after the bugs get worked out and price drops.

Iwao Takamoto (1925-2007)

While news about Apple’s new iPhone was all over the headlines this last week, the death of Iwao Takamoto went by as a footnote in some publications. Yet for many of the Baby Boomer Generation, we cut our Saturday-morning-teeth on the creative genius of Iwao Takamoto. Takamoto is best known for his character designs of such favorites as Scooby Doo and The Jetsons. He was not only an animator but a television producer, film director, and production designer as well.

Takamoto was born in 1925 in Los Angeles, California. During the war and while in the Manzanar internment camp, Iwao learned to draw. In 1947 he was hired by Walt Disney Studios as an assistant animator. He worked on such films as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, and Lady and the Tramp to name a few.

In 1961, Hanna-Barbera brought Takamoto onboard. I remember seeing the award winning Charlotte’s Web in 1973 which he directed. He later became the VP of Creative Design for H-B Studios. But today, it is Scooby Doo that Takamoto is best known for. He said Scooby Doo was designed after talking with a Great Dane breeder. The name was inspired by Frank Sinatra’s final melody in “Strangers in the Night.”

You will be missed Takamoto-san.

For more about Iwao and the classic list of TV shows he worked on, visit imdb.

Atlanta Grub

By E. Brown

It is rare that I run into a native Atlantan. Most people have moved to Atlanta for the warmer climate or because of a job change. A common question then becomes, “Where’s a good place to eat?” That depends on how you define good. Depending on where you come from, you bring a culinary bias. This could be based upon a diverse and experienced palate or an inexperienced palate. Nevertheless, most people know what they like, what they don’t like, and what they are willing to try.

My friend, Justin, and I got into this very discussion not too long ago. He’s a transplant from Florida, where as I am a military brat who lived on the westcoast, the eastcoast, in the midwest, and finally settled here in the south. Justin contended that there were a lot of restaurant chains in Atlanta because folks here would eat just about anything . “They don’t know good food. If this were Florida, a lot of these kinds of restaurants would close down because people there have very discriminating tastes and they like good food and good service” (my paraphrase).

Grub Master
Well, Justin has a point. Yet, there are good and bad restaurants in most every city you visit. How do you find the good ones? As my friend, Melvin, would say, “Talk to a Grub Master.” What is a Grub Master? If you are a person who is constantly being asked about “must eat places”, you are more than likely a Grub Master. People have used your recommendations and see you as a trusted culinary advisor.

So, does Atlanta have too many bland tasting, so-so service restaurants? Sure it does. In an active, sprawling, metropolitan city of 3 million plus, there are a lot of people who like to eat out. A lot of folks like fast and convenient food and so, establishments will exist to meet those needs. However, there are a lot of gems in the Atlanta dining scene as well. And with a little work you can unearth these beauties. Look at Zagat, look in your local newspaper’s Entertainment section, or look to someone you know and trust–your friendly Grub Master.

We’ll explore some must-eat places in the posts to come. Until then…Bon Apetite!

*For more on restaurants, food, and recipes, visit the Grub category of WeirdGuy Blog.

Schipperke

If you’re looking for a great all-around family dog, I have a recommendation–get a Schipperke (pronounced: skipper-key). We dog-sat for a friend over the holidays and they dropped off this wonderful little black dog before heading to Florida for Christmas. Prior to meeting this dog I was not at all familiar with the Schipperke breed. Now, after having spent several weeks with one I whole heartedly endorse this little dog for most anyone.

This particular little guy must have had some Pomeranian in him because his hair was longer than the average Schipperke and his tail curled over his back. Other than that, he seemed typical from what I have learned of the breed.

This dog was so much fun while he visited us. He was great with our kids. He was not a “barker”. With the little training he’d had, he let us know when he need to go out to play or do business. He primarily stayed inside and was very well mannered. He was a perfect and affectionate little gentleman.

Here are some facts about the Schipperke:

• Their name is Flemish for Little Skipper or Little Captain
• They originally served as mascots and ratters on barges
• Their coats are usually black and water-repellent
• They shed very little (except for the shedding season)
• They grow to 11-13″ high and weigh about 18 pounds
• They are active, but not hyper
• They live to about 14-16 years old
• They are great with children

So, if you’re searching for a family pet, don’t overlook this lovable little dog — the Schipperke.

Other Schipperke links: Dog Breed Info Center and 5 Star Dog