This book isn’t for those intimidated by an almost 600-page, hardcover behemoth. I’m honestly one of “those” people, so if it wasn’t on the reading list for the Business Book Club, I wouldn’t have even picked it up.
But I’m glad I did.
Not an Apple-enthusiast, I’ve made it a point to steer clear of anything related to Jobs and his products because it seems like everyone I know gets sucked in after their encounter with any Apple product. Being the frugal maven I am, and knowing how much Apple products cost, I didn’t want to drink the Kool-Aid.
After reading this book, I can now say that I appreciate what goes into every Apple product and the fact that it’s been this way since the beginning.
As I read more about Steve Jobs, this book became quite the page-turner, because his life and behavior read like a soap opera I would be watching on day-time television. He had no tolerance for failure, treated his employees like shi* (his word) and was totally unpredictable. His entire life was a contradiction.
My major takeaways from this book:
Focus
If you can focus on one thing without distractions, anything is possible.
Demand Excellence
Demand nothing but excellence from yourself and those you manage. Although Steve Jobs was insanely delusional with his demands, his team rose to the challenge. I believe there is a better way to inspire others than his methods, however. Accept nothing but the best and deliver nothing but the best – every time.
Have you read Steve Jobs biography? What were your takeaways?
Earlier this month I had the amazing opportunity to participate in Startup Weekend Des Moines. I’ve been told by several people that I should check it out – the stars aligned this year and I was able to go.
“Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skill sets – primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people – to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.”
Each participant attends Startup Weekend with different goals:
Work collaboratively with a team
Develop an idea that turns into a viable business
Network with the brightest minds of Des Moines
I’m an independent professional, so opportunities to collaborate are few and far between, so I thought I’d test the waters – after all, I haven’t had a traditional J-O-B since early 2009.
I also wanted to see if I could generate another income stream. Turning an idea into a business doesn’t mean you’re going to get rich quick – or at all. But there’s always that chance.
I’ve got to say that after 54 hours of intense focus, I’ve realized that almost anything is possible:
Our group, myKitchenGenie (a mobile app that matches what you have in your kitchen with recipes you can make now) took second place out of 16 teams that pitched. We were judged on our business model, customer validation and execution.
I worked on nothing else for those 54 hours. There’s something to be said for being in the zone.
It is possible to work collaboratively and creatively with a team of strangers!
Our group is in discussions on how to work together (6 out of 9 team members live outside Des Moines) to bring this product to market. We’re very excited to move forward with what started out as an idea on a Friday night and ended up being runner-up after a pitch session 54 hours later. Stay tuned!
If your organization does not produce an e-newsletter, start one and send it out on a consistent basis, whether it’s twice per month or once per month. Not only does it give your constituents more information about your business and its culture, but it’s a great form of drip marketing.
I like to use MailChimp to design and send my e-newsletter campaigns. It’s free for up to 2000 email addresses and integrates well with WordPress. An organization can opt-in email addresses that they have acquired over the years. To attract a new audience, allow users the opportunity to opt-in to your e-newsletter by adding a MailChimp widget to the sidebar of your WordPress website. Below is a great video that shows you how:
If you need additional help, just stop by office hours and I can help you for free!
Last month, 54 Iowa communities submitted applications to the Wellmark sponsored Blue Zones Project to be considered among the first demonstration sites. “Blue Zones are areas in the world where people live longer, healthier lives. Demonstration sites are communities in Iowa where Blue Zone principles will be applied with the assistance of national experts and will serve as models to other communities in Iowa.”
Dan Buettner is a National Geographic Explorer who has traveled the globe trying to discover the secret to living longer while still maintaining an active lifestyle later in life. Lifestyle is one of the best chances we all have to live at least a decade longer.
Dan Buettner traveled to Blue Zones in Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Loma Linda, California; and Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. In this book, he reveals the lifestyle secrets of these communities balanced with scientific data which makes for a recipe on how to live longer, fuller lives.
While reading the book, I was most impressed with the meager possessions of the centenarians in Buettner’s study and yet they still maintained one of the most nutritious diets anywhere in the world. I read Americans today who can’t afford fruits and vegetables for their families because money is tight; individuals in Buettner’s study tended their own gardens and ate meat only on special occasions, perhaps twice per year. It might be time to get back to basics.
What do you think? Have you read The Blue Zones? Did you know that Des Moines is one of the communities that has applied to be one of the first demonstration sites in Iowa?
Offering a free 30 minute consultation gives a potential client the chance to get to know the professional they are interested in working with…”kick the wheels”…It also gives the professional a chance to see if the potential client will be someone they would like to work with. Below are a few tips for the potential client to get the most out of this interaction:
Arrive on time
Nothing says “My time is more valuable than yours” than showing up late. It’s a short amount of time together, so make every minute count.
Stick to the 30 minutes
Even if you arrive late, respect the fact that the professional may have an appointment scheduled after yours that they need to get to. This also shows that you respect their time. Even if you show up late, the clock started ticking whether you were there or not.
Stay on task
The point of the meeting is to get to know eachother professionally. There may be a few personal items that flow through the conversation, however, and that’s alright. But I don’t need to hear you recount a 15 minute story from last summer when you were drunk at the Iowa State Fair.
Take look at the professional’s website
Get to know the professional and the services they offer by reviewing their website and online profiles – because you know that they will have done their homework prior to the meeting.
Write down your questions
Come prepared with what you want to learn at the meeting. Ask specific questions. Know what your goals are ahead of time so you get the most out of the meeting.
Follow-up
Thank the professional for their free time via phone, email or social media. This is the perfect time for a follow-up question or two.
Do you offer a free 30-minute consultation? Do you have anything to add to the list?
a Des Moines transplant who has realized the Power of being a Free Agent. Well-versed in many and varied skills, she has a passion for helping organizations and people achieve their potential. Suzanne = wife, traveler, multi-linguist, triathlete and cook.
