Starting up

The idea for this post comes from the Rogers Guide when you get a new phone, they have a “Starting Up Guide”.   All those first steps one should do to get moving with the new and amazing and ever changing wireless smart phone.   If you are going to comment on this post, I would suggest comments on learnings from starting up new things, small tips that will increase the adoption of something for a person just starting up.

So what is it like to “Start up” a Dragon Boat? or a SailBoat?   Each of these is running on a form of Free Energy, call it Breakthrough power.   The Paddle and the wind driven sail are not new to our knowledge, and by no means are they free in that you just step onto a Dragon Boat or a Race Sail Boat and off you go.   Somewhere, someone has to make an investment, and set out a process and a system for someone to step in and “start up”.   Oh yah, and the cost of insurance, that is another blog post !!!…   Now of course, for a trial, a test, an easy way to first experience you can step onto a Dragon Boat or a Sail Boat.   See if it is for you.   You can do this with a Wake Board behind a friend or relatives boat, this easy first test, but I will warn you on the wake board, “Be prepared to take a SMACK”.   And when you get the smack, be prespared to grab the tow rope and get right back on the wake, it is worth it.  For most in the boat watching new people wake board it is a teaching opportunity.   And as I learn more and more those who enjoy teaching get their pay back from a student who has small successes with the new adventure and continues to pursue it.

So here’s a good one, “starting up” a relationship.   In the last month being unemployed I have met many new people, and not just from the town of Kelowna, BC where I am out and about.   Some from South Africa, some from Toronto, some from Calgary, some from Saskatchewan, some from the UK.   It seems many from the UK, but  it may just be from my chance meeting opportunities or where I hang out that I have this perception.

So lately with my new yellow business card, “Moving with Intent”, this is the way I have been starting new relationships.   It seems easy and painless.   It provides the other person some info on me, related to at this point what I’m looking for in new employement, “Leadership, Project Management and Business Development”.    These are mostly conversation starters.   And then the conversation either begins or ends.   The card is there for reference and brings the person back to this blog, if they need to explore.  And then maybe a blog post comment or a further encounter out in the world of Kelowna BC.

Starting up new employement, now that is a big topic.   It seems to begin in 2 ways when one is unemployed, one is a job posting in the newspaper or internet.   Or the second way someone has a job, a hidden job, and it is communicated via word of month and various other forms of “network” type communciation to various businesses who role is to “recruit”.   And then the person looking for skills to help their company finds the people who have the skills to help their company.   Seems simple at the core.   And in a balanced supply and demand market place, it is simple.   A person I know went from being unemployed thru restructuring at one company, noticed a new opportunity 3 weeks later after termination and within a week was employeed.   Easy.

“Starting up a New Business”…   another big topic, many have succeeded, a local organization Community Futures runs Entrepreneurial Workshops to assist people and add process to a start up, check out this 24 page resource  for the Self Employment Assessement

In all these examples one needs to begin “Moving with Intent”.   As most know I like the Dragon Boat Examples.   Seems simple, and it is a water sport, and I love the water.  So please bear with the words here, only trial can do it justice.  Also spending time with medal winning dragon boaters and dragon boat teams and coaches.  You have this boat, sitting in the water with 22 people, 20 paddlers a drummer at the front and a steerer, at the back.   Dead Stop.   Waiting.   In a practice the boat is alone, in a race there are other boats, strategically, moving to the start line.   In a race there is a starter boat.   Their role is to line the boats up nose to nose with the start line and have the race start as fairly as possble.   So remember the Dead Stop.   And did you do some math on the weight sitting in the boat?  So as the boats align, the starter says, “Paddlers Ready”, “Attention Please” and then a horn.   So you are the paddler, the piston of the 20 cycliner engine, the horn is the equivalent of “GO”.   Start paddling and get this boat moving.   Lift it out of the water.  Now the key to Dragon Boating, which I suspect is the key to a big business, a small business, a large orchestra, a 4 piece bank, is timing.  One person just doing their own thing on a dragon boat is not efficient.  So the paddler is instructed to “Look up the boat” as far as you can see.  In row one are the Strokes.   They are interconnected with the drummer for pace.  Hope you are still with me, this would be easier if everyone 14-80 years old in Kelowna would give it a try, form a team, practice, practice, practice and go to 3 festivals per year around BC.  What I have written here cannot begin to decribe the energy and excitement that comes after starting up the boat with a 6, 12 ready and reach with power and then paddling to the finish, neck and neck with 20 paddlers right next to you doing the same thing.   Now the next biggest thing after timing, is “Focus in the boat”, the only thing controllable for that 2 minutes 25 seconds or so on 500 m is you paddling.   Deep, timed with the strokes that are clean.   What I mean by clean, I’m not really sure, but if you catch your paddle on a wave of water on the way forward you will come to understand what I mean.    So as we “Start Up” a Dragon Boat, we begin with the end in mind of a strong finish, a gold medal.   Timing is everthing, Focus in the boat.

There is much more to these “Starting up” stories, if you have one put in a comment on this blog post or stop me on the street and share it.

Manufacturing is looking up in Kelowna

With the help of CBD Network Inc in Kelowna, I was able to join an incredible tour of Spider Agile Technology. July 20th 2010.   Now this company is doing it right on the Human Resources and Environmental accountability parts of a successful, profitable business.  If you can believe it the Job title they have for HR is “Director of Happiness”   Start with the use of a beetle eaten wood pergola and xeriscape landscaping out front.   An office using partner company Dirtt Wall panels.    Then an incredible presentation centre with 3 screens, amazing functional chairs, a coffee cafe area that puts Starbucks to shame, water features, and an aquarium with Salmon from the Kingfisher Hatchery…      then the fitness equipment, private trainer, massage, tables you can write on for brainstorming, efficient manufacturing, very little waste, book exchange, incentives to carpool and ride to work, chefs in the cafeteria with a win / win $2 gourmet lunch for all employees.   One of the people asks the tour guide if he is sad to leave the office at the end of the day !!!!!

Things are looking up for Kelowna business.   It is always great to see profitable manufactures who give back to the employees.  Maybe I have been in businesses that turn liquid raw material into cold, hard cash products (www.suncor.com)  in less than a day like black drums into high value energy ($1.08 per litre in Kelowna these days for gasoline) and white drums (www.formashape.com)  into amazing 3D shapes (at least $20 per square foot) for too long.    But the quicker a business can convert low-cost, localized, raw materials into to high value added finished product that has to be a win for CANADA, a win for Kelowna, a win for the business leaders, and a win for the employees.    The definition of Lean manufacturing and Win / Win agreements.    Way to go Spider Agile Technology.    I think someone’s making money on Blueberries and local cherries to the Out of Towner tour buses in Salmon Arm also !!!!   If you are in Salmon Arm this summer check out Demilles Farm Market.

A great fathers day weekend: KGM Bikethon

Mitch, my 12 year old son, started the Father’s Day weekend out in a very special way.   We rode together on the Kelowna Gospel Mission 30 km Bikeathon.    We finished together and were part of the highest donation team FormaShape and Mitch won for highest fund raising youth and due to incredible support from those who know me and the few emails the event recognized me for top fundraiser.

Way to go Barb, Matthew, Audrey, Peggy and Mitch !!!!

 

What a great start to the fathers day weekend.    The river was flowing, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping and the company along the trail was spectacular.   The other corporate Teams from Kelowna Flight Craft created by Mike Rowley, people like Brent King and Craig Burns, the wonderful team from FormaShape, Barb, Audrey, Matthew, Peggy, Mitch.

Very fun…   and special thanks to all those who donated to the incredible Kelowna Gospel Mission cause for transitional housing.

Castanet news article:

Begin news feed:

“Over 100 cyclists laced their way through the Mission Park Greenway Saturday, raising donations for the purchase of a men’s transition home.

The 30K Club Bikeathon, which is in it’s third year, has previously raised money for three other local recovery and transition homes.

Started by the Kelowna Gospel Mission, the 30K club currently operates the Shiloh House, Harmony Home and Destiny House.

Ami Catriona, Kelowna Gospel Mission marketing and communications officer, says last year alone, 165 men and women were able to access proper affordable housing.

“It’s really important that when people are going through a rough patch, they have a stable home. It’s your fundamentals,” Catriona says.

“You’ve got to start with a roof over your head.”

End news feed

How does a boat tip over? Or is it Why?

Just read a great quote, “I’ve noticed that the one’s who do the most…. are not in the habit of boasting about it…..   If one side of a boat gets too far up, out of the water, it’s liable to tip over.  Building myself up and stumbling and falling go together, one leads to the other.”

This sounds like How and Why a boat tips over…

In Dragon Boating, if you want to get vivid memories from people ask them about when a boat went over.  Now as a steerer of 1 season, all you have to do is have the 20 paddlers lean out and the boat is effectively very wide, and if you get some people to brace the boat with paddle out, well, you just doubled the width of the boat.  So it makes sense now How a boat goes over…   just when we are dealing with a country or a company or a team or a family where the boat is about to tip over, one has to ask very seriously, Why?  And then once you have got thru the 5 Why’s of problem resolution follow the old saying, “Not why but how…”

Wars are won by people

While my son turning 12 has demonstrated with his airsoft gun war birthday party and a demo by some great friends on paint ball, men like to shoot at each other   It seems to be hard-wired into our psyche.   So last month I was drawn to buy a magazine called “Patton, in his own words”   And here is an excerpt from a lecture Patton did in 1933: “Wars might be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.  It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.”

Of course Patton and all his troops faced the enemy and shot bullets at them, some very big bullets out of a tank.   Watching 13, 12-year-old boys run around in the orchard this weekend, very intent to shoot each other, it was exciting.   Even when it stared to rain they wanted to keep playing, to take the flag.   Just for the record AirSoft guns shoot 6 mm plastic bullets.  And everyone was outfitted with safety glasses sponsored by FormaShape.  As the old saying goes, “it is all fun and games until someone loses an eye”.  Or is that an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth?

Journals – Found the secret pocket in my Moleskine

My incredible and beautiful wife Carrie gave me the gift of a Moleskine journal for Christmas.    And just yesterday via a friend, Ken, I found the secret pocket in the back for my personal treasures.  Those people at Moleskine think of everything !!!!

This post is about keeping a Journal.  I’ll keep it high level because there is much written on this topic of journalling.  (or maybe not as my spell check says journalling isn’t a word)   For me it has become simple and very inspiring when my Journal is reviewed by me.  I look back on the day before and celebrate something, in writing, or give thanks for the incredible experiences and relationships that appear, usually out of no-where.

One of these out of no-where e-mails came up this week.   The Dale Carnegie District Manager for the Okanagan sent an e-mail to FormaShape, the company I work for.  So I responded and suggested he call Friday.   He did and I explained some of the changes at FormaShape as he had spoken with some people a few years back about Dale Carnegie.  Now here is the degrees of separation, the celebration, this man had taken Dale Carnegie training from the same trainer I had in 1987, 1988.   A gentleman by the name of Desmond Harty.  Wow.  He let me know that Desmond had passed a few years ago, very sad, he was incredible trainer of public speaking and human relations principles.  But Life Goes on.  This man was inspired by Desmond to continue the legacy of training in the Dale Carnegie system.  I was also inspired by Desmond to consider this path.  Desmond was also an incredible relationship builder and business development specialist.   He was always celebrating with people and my life was changed by his natural gifts.

This event drew me to the Dale Carnegie book I have on our bookshelf…   “How to Stop worrying and start living”.   I did a quick skim, as of course with any truly great self help book, in the inner cover, it suggests you review the material monthly.   I think I have fallen behind a bit on the monthly review, in the last 23 years !!!

The point to be made here is that even in the 1940’s when this book was first published, keeping a journal  was a recommended way “to avoid fatigue and keep looking young”.   On page 217 the quote is, “So the next time we have an emotional problem, why don’t we look around for someone to talk to?  I don’t mean, of course, to go around making pests of ourselves by whining and complaining to everyone in sight.  Let’s decide on someone we can trust, and make an appointment.  Maybe a relative, a doctor, a lawyer, a minister, or priest.  Then say to that person, “I want your advice, I have a problem, and I wish you would listen while I put it in words.  You may be able to advise me.  You may see angles to this thing that I can’t see myself.  But even if you can’t, you will help me tremendously if you will just sit and listen while I talk it out”  It then goes on to note some things each of us can do at home, in the moment when there is no kind ear around, “Keep a notebook or scrapbook for “inspirational” reading”, “When a rainy afternoon sends your spirits plunging down, perhaps you can find a recipe in this notebook / journal for dispelling gloom”.

And that book was on the shelf !!!

One last note my beautiful wife Carrie who gave this incredible gift of the Moleskine Journal is now taking her unbelievable talent as an artist and adding art to the fronts of journals.   See her on Face Book by clicking here Carrie Harper

Sorry one last note, another incredible person I first met in 2001 is David Maclean and at a boot camp in 2004, I have a note in my journal that reads, “To help with my forgetfulness”.    And then a note from 2006 which I labeled as my own thought not something I was quoting…  “Life – a long journey that begins with a sunrise and the guidance of God for my next step”.

Reality is always your friend

The inspiration for this post is referenced to Dr Henry Cloud and his book, “integrity, the courage to meet the demands of reality”.   The quotes and insights are from the chapter titled, “In touch with reality”.   Dr Cloud is talking about being honest.

“The premise here is that telling the truth is foundational, but NOT ENOUGH for success in love and life.  A lot of honest, nonfudging people are not reaching their potential, and getting to the levels of performance and success that their brains and talents should be taking them.  AND THE REASON IS NOT THAT THEY ARE LYING, BUT THAT THEY MISS PARTS OF REALITY THAT ARE IMPORTANT IN MAKING THINGS WORK.”

He then writes and this resonated with me, “a grasp of truth is always present and increasing, which requires some specific traits.”    It was the INCREASING word that caught my attention.   Continuous Improvement.  Plan Do Study Act.   Don’t be stuck just trying, Do or not do.   But when in “Study” making sure that the body of knowledge on the subject or task is “increasing”

I have an example from yesterday.  I think it relates, but you can comment if you think it does not portray a reality and a need for honesty between people.  The idea for going for a 1 hour bike ride in Kelowna with 4 or 6 people.  What are the realities, what is the truth of the situaion.  First you need a time to meet, then you need a minimum number of people who can committ the time probably 3 hours, 1 to get ready, get to the meeting spot, 1 hour to ride hard, 1 hour to get home.  Some time allotted for people who are late. You need people who have an intent to ride, like to ride, have a Win / Win while riding.  You need to agree on the speed of the ride and if there are A, B, C levels, where will you stop to discuss the next stage and share the ride experience.  You need a bike in working condition, you need to be able to transport the bike to the start safely, you need clothes to suit the temperature, it was 7 degrees C with a wind, you need to invest in some gloves to keep you hands warm so you can operate the bike, you need pants that will not get caught in the chain, you need air in your bike tires, you may need a pump, you need water, you need to have done some stretching of your cold muscles, you need the proper footware, you need a helmut, you need to have eaten good foods for energy to ride, you need to have gone to the bathroom, you need to have had someone inspect and adjust the brakes on your bike, you need to tie your shoes if they have laces, you need to have done some riding privately to be in a bit of shape and know how to operate a bike, you need a route, you need a leader, you need followers, you need to know hand signals for turning, you need to know the function of your bike especially if you have not riden for a while like which is the front brake and rear brake, you need some rules about drafting if you are going to follow the person ahead closely, you may need to fix a flat, you need your cell phone in case you don’t have the kit to fix a flat, you need to know a little bit about right of way related to cars, you need to stay focussed and present during the ride as conditions change rapidly, you need to know an injury from fatique in your muscles, you need to  know when your aerobics can keep up with the group, you need to know your limits and stay with in it, you need to know if your bike has become inoperable.  This is the last reality that was brought to my attention yesterday, April 3, 2010.

After a very small incident, where I grabbed my right brake to stop with cold hands, I put a bend into my back wheel, which caused a wobble.   We went on a bit further then on inpection and a dash of reality decided to head back and seek repairs.   Always a good idea when the bike is still rolling because Biking, even slowly gets you much further then walking.

So to sum up, “Failure is only Post Poned Success”.   For all of these “realities” and things that need to be in place for an enjoyable ride there is a continuum of possible solutions, take the shoes and pedals, there are simple everyday runners and pedals, there are little straps to hold your feet, and there are cool shoes that “clip” into the pedals.  Some of the shoes with clips don’t make a noise on the ground when you walk.   The reality is that if you want to ride faster and longer you need to be able to PULL up on the peddle, use the full circle of rotation to move the bike.   You can still get there pushing down only but that person is working twice as hard for the same momentum.   So the choice is yours depending on your goal: speed of bike over the race distance or a great work out in a shorter time !!!

Thanks for reading…   I have been riding a spin bike with straps for runners, at iQuest since August 2009, usually 4 days per week.  It has no brakes.  My goal was to get back on a real bike on the road and see what was possible for me to achieve over 18 or so KM as this is the Kal Rats Triathalon distance.   Needless to say I learned alot about road biking on this cool April morning in Kelowna BC.   Thank to those other 3 people who came out for the first “Do” of the 2010 biking season.  Clinton, Mitch and Charlotte.   You three are awesome !!!!

Now to move forward with as Dr Cloud puts it, “Making things work”, and I am meaning the Harper bikes.

“Following my heart” KGM Bikeathon June 19th, 2010

I woke up this morning with some excitement.  After the Ski 2 Sea on April 11, 2010 happens, my son Mitch and I and others are going to be in the Kelowna Gospel Mission 30 K Bikeathon on June 19th, 2010 for the 3rd year.  I was excited because on Wednesday at CBD Network, I mentioned this event, told my story of the last 2 years and how Brent King challenged me to enter and I saw at least one person in the 30 or so there, be interested.   They actually asked me for more information.   For those of you in sales, when a person asked for more info they are somewhat engaged.  All that is needed now is to complete the paperwork!!!!

The other thing about the KGM Bikeathon is that it is EASY.  Sign up, ask a few friends to join your team, ask a few people to sponsor you and voila you come out on June 19 for breakfast, ride your bike down one of the most beautiful trails in the City of Kelowna.   Now that is easy, running a half marathon in under 2 hours is hard !!!!!   For my first entry into a Half Marathon I needed three other people to do a relay in under 2 hours !!!!  I was 22% of the Synergy to complete a half marathon.   What small percentage could you be in the KGM Bikeathon?

By chance I reread my December Post on following my heart and am even more inspired.   Going out in 1 hour to jump on my bike, I guess with some gloves as it is 0 degrees Celcius, and bike down to the Tim Hortons to see my friends.

Also referencing the Corporate Challenge in a post also.   Have a read on how you can be the seed of change in your area of influence, your work pod, with some of your clients, in your company or what is real easy is just come out yourself.

The KBM Bikeathon is going to be an incredible event in 2010.

“Move with Intent”, a relay race team

Four (4) brave souls have banded together to do a relay race. Phil, Clinton, Chris, and David. The team is called, “Move with Intent”.

Campus to Campus Half Marathon, Kelowna BC

Race Day 2010: Sunday, March 28

The race, now in its eighth year of operation, will offer runners new opportunities including an out-and-back course beginning at the KLO Road campus of Okanagan College.

Five water and energy replacement stations will be at the following locations for the half marathon and relay (10 km runners will use station 1 and station 5, which is approximately 8 km into the 10 km race). Portable washrooms will also be available at each of the following water stations:

1. 3.5 Km at the end of Lake Ave.
2. 7.5 Km on Oxford Ave. between Kingsway and Richter
3. 12 Km at the bottom of Knox Mt.
4. 15.5 Km at the end of Lake Ave. (same as station #1)
5. 19 Km at the entrance to Gyro Park

Half Marathon: 8:15 a.m. start
The half marathon will cover 21.1 kms of Kelowna pavement, taking runners along the Abbott corridor into City Park and will turn around atop the first hill on Knox Mountain. Runners will make their way back along the waterfront to Gyro Beach, cross Lakeshore at Richter and finish at the KLO campus.

Relay Race: 8:15 a.m. start
For new runners or those looking for a shorter distance, the Campus-to-Campus offers a relay race that covers the same course as the half marathon and allows up to five runners to participate. Relay teams may not register online, as each member of the team must sign a waiver. Relay team members each receive a race t-shirt.

Relay transition stations are at the following locations:

1. The Sails Fountain – 4.5 Km
2. Corner of Crowley Ave. and Ethel St. – 8.1 Km
3. Entrance to Sutherland Park on Ellis St. near Central Ave. – 12.1 Km
4. Entrance to Strathcona Park at Abbott St. and Stratcone Ave.. – 16.6 Km

In my past, when I met someone who ran I would always ask myself, why do they run? So on the Afternoon of March 28 I will be able to answer that question, watch for the post. It is important to share a few thoughts on the inspiration for entering this race. Chris has run the Vancouver marathon and loves to run, Clinton organizes, plays and coaches Hockey, Soccer, Dragon Boating, volleyball and has done Triathalons, Phil suggested we enter and has been training hard for 2 years, I am David and entering this relay race as “Move with Intent” is very exciting.

If you read this post… come cheer us on Sunday March 28, 2010. Route map, click here.

Know when to fold ’em

So I had $10 American left over from November.   I put it in my wallet and in my last few hours in Las Vegas I decided to put it into a slot machine.   I have been in Las Vegas 4 times for Trade Shows in the last 2 years and have not played once.

Within 2 minutes I had $25 in the machine.   I called Carlo and it sounded like it was time to cash out.    I kept  playing.

Within 1 minute there was $0 in the  machine.    While I’ve been here I heard that President Obama said that we N. Americans should not spend our hard earned money in Las Vegas.   We should be saving for our kids education.    I don’t know if this quote is accurate, but Obama was in Las Vegas today.   I did not go to see him as Security is high…   and I’m “Leaving Las Vegas”.

Without my $10.