I recently did a marathon. I drove 17 hours, from Rio Quente to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to present a cultural intelligence workshop at the United Nations World Urban Forum. When the impossibly white fat and fluffy clouds, which have floated in an endless sea of sky, have given way to an inky … [Read more...] about Christmas in Brazil in March & the road most taken
Are you a sieve or a sponge?
We see what we expect to see. The Heath Brothers, in their fantastic book Made to Stick, talk about our minds being like a sieve as opposed to a sponge - that to remember something it has to be big enough, memorable enough, sticky enough to get caught in the sieve. My sieve got stuck when I … [Read more...] about Are you a sieve or a sponge?
Finding the 'e' in parking
Travel both stretches the mind and the patience. Travel suffuses the spirit with all sorts of possibilities, possibilities that seem effortless and reachable. Creativity catches a ride in your suitcase to your far flung destination and ideas float as freely there as the lizard that my son … [Read more...] about Finding the 'e' in parking
180 degrees of first class
I hurt my back. My physio said not to sit. I was about to board a long-haul, international flight to Brazil. Not a good combo. So, for the first time, I upgraded to first class. Who are the predominant first class fliers? It feels silly even to ask the question. Business folk of course. And … [Read more...] about 180 degrees of first class
Weight loss and business lessons
Today I'm celebrating my two year anniversary of having lost 30 pounds. I learned a lot during my weight loss journey. Mostly I learned it's about common sense prevailing over wishful thinking, reducing the power I have to delude myself and accepting some givens without excuses. I also learned … [Read more...] about Weight loss and business lessons
More business savvy from Arlene Dickinson; don't die at 60 with your millions
Arlene Dickinson is smart, savvy and easy to listen to. She's CEO of Venture Communications, 'one of Canada's largest marketing firms'. At a recent talk she gave, she was asked for her top advice. Here it is, plain and simple. 'Thank god you don't live in Haiti [or more recently earthquake … [Read more...] about More business savvy from Arlene Dickinson; don't die at 60 with your millions
Aim for regrets
A while back I listened as Arlene Dickinson kept a large audience rapt with her business successes and her trials and tribulations. She's the only woman on the wildly successful Dragon's Den, "where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business concepts and products to a panel of Canadian business … [Read more...] about Aim for regrets
Bobsledding – brake or steer? You can't do both
As the sun sets on the biggest celebration Vancouver's ever seen my thoughts are returning to the Olympic bobsled competition I watched recently in Whistler. Run like hell for up to 50 meters, hop in, head down and then, if you're the guy in back, you're only role is to brake. The person whose … [Read more...] about Bobsledding – brake or steer? You can't do both
