Last night we were out at the 7th annual Fire and Ice Gala for Leadership Waterloo Region. The event is always one of the top events we attend and we look forward to going every year. Earlier this year I had a discussion with two fellow graduates of the program and we talked about what we thought of LWR. The comments were pretty consistent:
"The course didn't provide leadership development, it just exposed me to areas of the community I was alread familiar with"
"I was looking for ways to become a better leader, and it didn't give me that"
"The network was the true value of LWR, not really the courses"
Not the most positive comments regarding a program that I value personally and as a member of Waterloo region. I hold this program near and dear to my heart for a number of reasons, but mostly because it has so much potential to take younger people and make them community leaders. I agree with some of the comments above, as the course did not always develop leadership skills explicitely, but I think that the people who were making those comments forgot a few of the real leadership development skills that were developed. For example, we had a great speaker come in and talk about Emotional Intelligence. If a leader can understand, develop, and exploit the teachings of EI, then they can become a better leader in their business, at home, and in the community. Another area which great leaders are able to is to understand their roles in different situations. Sometimes it's important to mobilize, direct, and lead with a strong voice at the front of the line. Sometimes it is equally important to lead quietly from the back of the line. There were many chances at LWR to learn that skillset, although not always taught explicitly.
So, does Leadership Waterloo Region do a great job in developing leaders? I think they do an OK job, but not a great job. LWR needs to better develop a value proposition to their candidates to draw the right people into the program. It also needs to do a better job explaining what candidates will get out of the program. You will get leadership development opportunities, but you are also going to have times where you will simply learn about your community and areas that need help. Maybe that particular area doesn't motivate you, but it might inspire 5 others in the class to volunteer or lead in a new area.
My recommendations:
1. Is to be much clearer on expectations to candidates on what they will get out of their experience.
2. Spend more time developing and improving leadership characteristics that candidates can apply at their day jobs
3. Continue to grow the power of the alumni.
The last point is difficult to do but LWR and their alumni committee needs to keep trying. For example, we were the only people there from the class of 2005. Too bad.
For those that are interested in learning more about your community and developing leadership skills, consider looking into Leadership Waterloo Region (http://www.leadershipwaterlooregion.org/). If you set your expectations appropriately, and actively participate in the program, you will get tremendous value out of the experience.
Thanks for reading.
Craig
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Scary Dog Owner day
So, last night when I walked my beloved Blaze last night, she was herself. Rolling in the snow, running, pulling, sniffing, etc. Last night when we went to take her up to bed, she could hardly walk. She wouldn't look at us in the eye, she looked 100 years old and in so much pain. It breaks your heart to see your dog in pain. They can't tell you why they are sore, where it hurts, but you just know they feel really bad. Very analogous to having an 8 week old daughter!
This morning when I got up to walk her, she was exactly the same. Her back was hunched over, her right side looked sore, shaking, and she wasn't stable on her feet. We went out for her walk and she was very slow. A few times throughout the walk she would attempt to walk faster, and even run a bit. That only lasted for seconds and then she was back to her slow, uncomfortable walk. She didn't eat her breakfast and just looked terrible.
The other strange thing is that she wouldn't look us in the eye. She hid in the corners behind chairs and stared at the wall. So strange. We booked the vet appointment for this afternoon and went to see what was wrong. I lifted her up to get her in the car and she yelped because she was sore. Once again, heartbreaking. We finally got to the vet and the exam eliminated all the really scary stuff...she wasn't on her death bed thankfully. Ultimately what we believe is that she has a pinched nerve in her back. We got a prescription for anti-inflammatories and pain killers and we were back home.
Blaze still isn't eating and is very uncomfortable, but it is such a relief to know that she is going to be OK. She's here, restricted to the main floor, short walks, and no stairs for the next 2 weeks. Now there is a part of me that says it saves me an hour a day as I don't have to walk her, but I really do enjoy the walks. Overall, it is very good news.
I wasn't ready to let her go.
Thanks for reading.
Craig
This morning when I got up to walk her, she was exactly the same. Her back was hunched over, her right side looked sore, shaking, and she wasn't stable on her feet. We went out for her walk and she was very slow. A few times throughout the walk she would attempt to walk faster, and even run a bit. That only lasted for seconds and then she was back to her slow, uncomfortable walk. She didn't eat her breakfast and just looked terrible.
The other strange thing is that she wouldn't look us in the eye. She hid in the corners behind chairs and stared at the wall. So strange. We booked the vet appointment for this afternoon and went to see what was wrong. I lifted her up to get her in the car and she yelped because she was sore. Once again, heartbreaking. We finally got to the vet and the exam eliminated all the really scary stuff...she wasn't on her death bed thankfully. Ultimately what we believe is that she has a pinched nerve in her back. We got a prescription for anti-inflammatories and pain killers and we were back home.
Blaze still isn't eating and is very uncomfortable, but it is such a relief to know that she is going to be OK. She's here, restricted to the main floor, short walks, and no stairs for the next 2 weeks. Now there is a part of me that says it saves me an hour a day as I don't have to walk her, but I really do enjoy the walks. Overall, it is very good news.
I wasn't ready to let her go.
Thanks for reading.
Craig
Friday, January 22, 2010
Starting again....again!
It has been such a wild ride over the past 8 weeks. I thought when I wasn't working full time I would have a lot of time to write, tweet, and generally get more out of social media. Unfortunately it was the other way around. Because I was at my computer all day and every day when I was working, I had the time and the awareness to write on it. Blogging has never come naturally to me, but I have enjoyed it when I have done it regularly.
A number of readers (it's a small number) have been asking about the rental house we were trying to sell, and what ended up happening with it. Well, my last post lambasted the jerk who was trying to buy my house and the real estate agent who didn't have the stones to stand up to his client. Well, I am releaved to know that next Monday, the house will close and I won't have to worry about it anymore. Selling your first house is always bitter sweet, and this one is just like that. I loved that little old house when I bought it in 2004, and I still believe it has charm and character well beyond the houses that they build now. Regardless of those sentimental thoughts, I will be happy to see the house go and the money in our account!
I am writing the next post shortly which will be all about the challenges I have in picking a next career. It's the most difficult choice I have had in my life, and a very important one, so I am hoping that if I write about it, it will help clarify it.
Thanks for reading.
Craig
A number of readers (it's a small number) have been asking about the rental house we were trying to sell, and what ended up happening with it. Well, my last post lambasted the jerk who was trying to buy my house and the real estate agent who didn't have the stones to stand up to his client. Well, I am releaved to know that next Monday, the house will close and I won't have to worry about it anymore. Selling your first house is always bitter sweet, and this one is just like that. I loved that little old house when I bought it in 2004, and I still believe it has charm and character well beyond the houses that they build now. Regardless of those sentimental thoughts, I will be happy to see the house go and the money in our account!
I am writing the next post shortly which will be all about the challenges I have in picking a next career. It's the most difficult choice I have had in my life, and a very important one, so I am hoping that if I write about it, it will help clarify it.
Thanks for reading.
Craig
Monday, December 7, 2009
Ahhh...Real Estate
OK - Well, it has been a long, long time since I have written in my blog due to a number of very special and important events...so I will go through them over the next number of posts.
I am starting with Real Estate and the value of a "contract". On Sunday, November 29th, we received 2 offers for our house we are selling. One just below asking price, which was the first offer, and a second one just above asking price. Close dates were very similar and conditions were identical. Obviously we took the higher offer from the second person that had brought the offer forward on Sunday evening. Everything seemed fine. 2 simple conditions, home inspection and financing, and we are home free. He was up front early on (through is agent) that financing would not be an issue.
On Tuesday the home inspection was completed and 1 minor issue was stated. We agreed to have it fixed to the satisfaction of the buyer and agreed through email that the condition would be met. Second was the financing. Normally, when financing is done through an institution, documentation and disclosure is an important part of the process. If anyone has dealt with banks in the past, and most have, banks are notorious for over-documenting processes. This is normally a pain in the ass, but for this particular instance, it may be very important, as you will hear shortly.
On Thursday, our buyer's agent emails my agent to say that the deal may not go through, not because of the home inspection, but because of financing. We are extremely frustrated at this point because he was clear early on that financing would most likely not be an issue. When the agent emailed about the financing, my agent rightfully asked for documentation surrounding the denial of financing. The bank would have a paper trail showing that this buyer had been approved or been denied financing, and that we would require that piece of paper to sign a mutual release on the contract. It seemed pretty simple because if he had gotten financing, we would have required documentation proving that he did get financing.
For the next few days, we heard nothing from his agent. No documentation. No responses. No professionalism. So, you wonder who this agent is? http://www.brianbalmer.com/ Take a look at his website. This is not meant to be a slander, but a statement to say that you must follow through on what you say and act in a professional manner to all parties involved. If your client was truly denied financing, prove it, for whatever reason. This agent, Brian Balmer, is not providing my agent with the information we have asked. Simple request.
So, we have decided to push forward on our threat of legal action. This agent has until 5pm today to provide us with information regarding the client's financing with regards to the contract, or we will move forward with legal action. I truly hope is does not get to this, but all the facts will be laid out if it does.
What is the frustration with this? It looks like the contract that this buyer signed to purchase our house is not worth the paper it's printed on. It was a legal document with conditions attached. The buyer has not proven either way whether these conditions have been met. What is the purpose of having an agent and sign these contracts if people can just walk away because they feel like they don't want to provide proof?
My agent has been wonderful and forthcoming in this entire process. Miranda O'Sullivan has been professional and curtious to all parties, and I would recommend her to any and all who ask. Once again, this is not meant to be an advertisement or a ridicule of any agents, but really about the process and the ability for someone to walk away unscathed from a contract.
Please post any comments or stories you have about real estate contract issues. I would love to hear them. I am sure I am not alone.
Thanks for reading.
Craig
I am starting with Real Estate and the value of a "contract". On Sunday, November 29th, we received 2 offers for our house we are selling. One just below asking price, which was the first offer, and a second one just above asking price. Close dates were very similar and conditions were identical. Obviously we took the higher offer from the second person that had brought the offer forward on Sunday evening. Everything seemed fine. 2 simple conditions, home inspection and financing, and we are home free. He was up front early on (through is agent) that financing would not be an issue.
On Tuesday the home inspection was completed and 1 minor issue was stated. We agreed to have it fixed to the satisfaction of the buyer and agreed through email that the condition would be met. Second was the financing. Normally, when financing is done through an institution, documentation and disclosure is an important part of the process. If anyone has dealt with banks in the past, and most have, banks are notorious for over-documenting processes. This is normally a pain in the ass, but for this particular instance, it may be very important, as you will hear shortly.
On Thursday, our buyer's agent emails my agent to say that the deal may not go through, not because of the home inspection, but because of financing. We are extremely frustrated at this point because he was clear early on that financing would most likely not be an issue. When the agent emailed about the financing, my agent rightfully asked for documentation surrounding the denial of financing. The bank would have a paper trail showing that this buyer had been approved or been denied financing, and that we would require that piece of paper to sign a mutual release on the contract. It seemed pretty simple because if he had gotten financing, we would have required documentation proving that he did get financing.
For the next few days, we heard nothing from his agent. No documentation. No responses. No professionalism. So, you wonder who this agent is? http://www.brianbalmer.com/ Take a look at his website. This is not meant to be a slander, but a statement to say that you must follow through on what you say and act in a professional manner to all parties involved. If your client was truly denied financing, prove it, for whatever reason. This agent, Brian Balmer, is not providing my agent with the information we have asked. Simple request.
So, we have decided to push forward on our threat of legal action. This agent has until 5pm today to provide us with information regarding the client's financing with regards to the contract, or we will move forward with legal action. I truly hope is does not get to this, but all the facts will be laid out if it does.
What is the frustration with this? It looks like the contract that this buyer signed to purchase our house is not worth the paper it's printed on. It was a legal document with conditions attached. The buyer has not proven either way whether these conditions have been met. What is the purpose of having an agent and sign these contracts if people can just walk away because they feel like they don't want to provide proof?
My agent has been wonderful and forthcoming in this entire process. Miranda O'Sullivan has been professional and curtious to all parties, and I would recommend her to any and all who ask. Once again, this is not meant to be an advertisement or a ridicule of any agents, but really about the process and the ability for someone to walk away unscathed from a contract.
Please post any comments or stories you have about real estate contract issues. I would love to hear them. I am sure I am not alone.
Thanks for reading.
Craig
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Technology vs. Subject Matter Expertise
My day job is to sell/market/promote mobile technology for home care agencies. I have been here (http://www.medshare.com/) for just over a year now, and I have learned a significant amount about the home care, healthcare, and technology space. This is what I wanted out of my new career and it has been a great learning experience.
One of the great learnings is that sending data reliably over a wireless network is hard. Having two systems talk together reliably and quickly is hard. It makes me realize that the technology and architecture it takes to send email, texts, GPS signals, and other wireless forms of communication, that Research in Motion, Apple, and the Telco's have done is very impressive. Reliable. Secure. Fast. Impressive.
Now to the point of this post. In healthcare, and most likely every other space, there is the technology component of the software and the subject matter expertise. Often the two are not the same, and very rarely are the technology experts also the subject matter experts. It's difficult to be great in both areas. What's more important? I will use our home healthcare space as an example. If the technology works every time, but it's not relevant to the nurses, does it matter? If the work flow on the mobile device is optimal, but only sends information 80% of the time, will nurses adopt it? Can you have both? Yes, and you NEED both. But in order of importance, get the technology stable first, build the workflows second. That's the fundamental lesson here. Stable technology is more important than anything else when you begin.
Entrepreneurs are famous for thinking they know everything. They are usually very smart and often successful, and they have a history of project and business successes. Of course they know what to do, what it is supposed to do, and how it works. But I think as technology gets more complex, and the applications that are being created are getting more complex, it is going to take more than 1 person/1 level of expertise to be successful. Our biggest competitor has the technology figured out, but they don't know the industry that well. We know the industry better than any other software vendor, but the technology is less than reliable. Right now we are struggling and they are winning. When we figure out how to solve the stability issues, nurses, therapists, and personal support workers will be looking forward to our application before our competitors. We have been told that time and time again. I just hope we figure out the technology before our competitor figures out the industry.
Thanks for reading.
Craig
One of the great learnings is that sending data reliably over a wireless network is hard. Having two systems talk together reliably and quickly is hard. It makes me realize that the technology and architecture it takes to send email, texts, GPS signals, and other wireless forms of communication, that Research in Motion, Apple, and the Telco's have done is very impressive. Reliable. Secure. Fast. Impressive.
Now to the point of this post. In healthcare, and most likely every other space, there is the technology component of the software and the subject matter expertise. Often the two are not the same, and very rarely are the technology experts also the subject matter experts. It's difficult to be great in both areas. What's more important? I will use our home healthcare space as an example. If the technology works every time, but it's not relevant to the nurses, does it matter? If the work flow on the mobile device is optimal, but only sends information 80% of the time, will nurses adopt it? Can you have both? Yes, and you NEED both. But in order of importance, get the technology stable first, build the workflows second. That's the fundamental lesson here. Stable technology is more important than anything else when you begin.
Entrepreneurs are famous for thinking they know everything. They are usually very smart and often successful, and they have a history of project and business successes. Of course they know what to do, what it is supposed to do, and how it works. But I think as technology gets more complex, and the applications that are being created are getting more complex, it is going to take more than 1 person/1 level of expertise to be successful. Our biggest competitor has the technology figured out, but they don't know the industry that well. We know the industry better than any other software vendor, but the technology is less than reliable. Right now we are struggling and they are winning. When we figure out how to solve the stability issues, nurses, therapists, and personal support workers will be looking forward to our application before our competitors. We have been told that time and time again. I just hope we figure out the technology before our competitor figures out the industry.
Thanks for reading.
Craig
Friday, November 13, 2009
Random Acts of Kindness
Today is the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation's Random Acts of Kindness day. The goal of the program is to pass on simple acts of kindness to people in the community, have them continue to trend to other people, and eventually, everyone in the community has experienced little acts of kindness.
I encourage everyone, regardless if you are in Waterloo Region or not, to use this day, Friday the 13th, to participate in this day. Ideally, we will create a culture that appreciates giving random acts of kindness, and we won't need a day to promote the idea. Check out The Record for some Random Act of Kindness Day cards to pass along or the KW Community Foundation website for more information.
Simple acts to strangers often have the most impact. For some really cool ideas of how to participate, please take a look at the following websites:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/s/#28ewiF/www.randomactsofgiving.com/?page_id=160/
http://www.kwcf.ca/buildingle/randomacto
Thanks for reading.
I encourage everyone, regardless if you are in Waterloo Region or not, to use this day, Friday the 13th, to participate in this day. Ideally, we will create a culture that appreciates giving random acts of kindness, and we won't need a day to promote the idea. Check out The Record for some Random Act of Kindness Day cards to pass along or the KW Community Foundation website for more information.
Simple acts to strangers often have the most impact. For some really cool ideas of how to participate, please take a look at the following websites:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/s/#28ewiF/www.randomactsofgiving.com/?page_id=160/
http://www.kwcf.ca/buildingle/randomacto
Random acts of kindness are a wonderful way to touch the lives of others and make our world a better place.
Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Spreading yourself too thin or maximizing your potential
As I look at my "to do" list and realize there isn't a hope that I will get everything done, I begin to wonder if I am spreading myself too thin. I currently have 5 life projects on the go, outside of the general eat, sleep, stay fit, etc. I have my full time job, helping a company access very lucrative government grants, building a nursery/preparing the house for our new arrival, building the new kitchen/bathroom in one of the rental houses, and working with a great new group of people developing new mobile applications for enterprise level releases. All of it is very exciting. All of it taps into a different skill set that I have and would like to build.
Malcolm Gladwell says it takes approximately 10,000 hours of focus to become an expert in an area. I have decided that I don't want to be an expert in one area. A well rounded individual who is good at a number of things, great at nothing, is who I am destined to become. I may stumble upon one area in my life that I really want to focus on and try to become an "expert" in, but that chance is slim. This is evident by the number of sports equipment I have at my house. Of course I have the usual running shoes, swimming goggles, and bikes, but there are squash racquets, tennis racquets, badminton racquet, a baseball glove, volleyballs, basketballs and shoes, curling brooms, skis (x-country and downhill), no snowboard yet but one day soon, and probably a few other items that I have lost over the years. Focus is not my forte.
I want to finish this thought right now. I am saying that there is a lot of value in understanding your own personality and embracing your natural tendancies. For me, a variety of experiences drives me to be creative and increase my breadth of knowledge. I have embraced it. For those that are driven by deeply understanding a smaller number of topics, I shall lean on you when I have questions that my shallow depth of knowledge can't answer. Thank you for being you. For me, I am maximizing my potential as an entrepreneur, athlete, spouse, and soon to be father. Now saying that...
A baby might change my perspective very quickly. Thoughts?
Thanks for reading.
Craig
Malcolm Gladwell says it takes approximately 10,000 hours of focus to become an expert in an area. I have decided that I don't want to be an expert in one area. A well rounded individual who is good at a number of things, great at nothing, is who I am destined to become. I may stumble upon one area in my life that I really want to focus on and try to become an "expert" in, but that chance is slim. This is evident by the number of sports equipment I have at my house. Of course I have the usual running shoes, swimming goggles, and bikes, but there are squash racquets, tennis racquets, badminton racquet, a baseball glove, volleyballs, basketballs and shoes, curling brooms, skis (x-country and downhill), no snowboard yet but one day soon, and probably a few other items that I have lost over the years. Focus is not my forte.
I want to finish this thought right now. I am saying that there is a lot of value in understanding your own personality and embracing your natural tendancies. For me, a variety of experiences drives me to be creative and increase my breadth of knowledge. I have embraced it. For those that are driven by deeply understanding a smaller number of topics, I shall lean on you when I have questions that my shallow depth of knowledge can't answer. Thank you for being you. For me, I am maximizing my potential as an entrepreneur, athlete, spouse, and soon to be father. Now saying that...
A baby might change my perspective very quickly. Thoughts?
Thanks for reading.
Craig
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