An Interesting Observation......

A Message by George Carlin: Comedian from the 1970s and 1980s

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider motorways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We have learned how to make a living, but not a life. We have added years to life not life to years. We have been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We have done larger things, but not better things.

We have cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We have conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We have learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable nappies, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share to reflect, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a penny.

Remember to say, ' I love you ' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person may not be there.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Should kindness be set to Music?

      

                                                       

Have you ever noticed that people who say little about themselves, often turn out to be the most Interesting people?

When you get to know more about their lives it can reveal special events and qualities not readily seen.

Such people are secure, unobtrusive, with more depths than they seek to reveal.

There are talkers and doers.

The doers seek no fuss and are motivated by the positive desire to make a difference.

Others want us to know how great they are and so advertise it to everyone.

One makes a kindness and you never get to know - the other blows a trumpet when they appear to do a kindness, just in case we never noticed!

The have Plauqes to their deeds placed everywhere in a desire to feel Immortal and Important.

Perhaps its true that one will be remembered longer - but is there any doubting which has the best approach?

More Importantly - Which are we?

Only one way to measure Customer Satisfaction - Ask!

I used to think I was in a minority when declaring no Interest in Politics but recent evidence suggests a shift towards me!
When I relate that less than 30% of people seem yet to hold some Interest, I wonder how a Business would view a 30% Customer Satisfaction rating!
A few years ago my company saw its satisfaction rating falling from 93% to 91% and the effort to understand and address it was Immediate. It may sound humorous but the real lesson was that customer satisfaction as a yardstick is the only "real" way to know how you are viewed.
Another lesson I see from Politics is that too often it is led by apparent personality rather than qualities in people.
A Business relies on qualities and development of people for long term continuity. Being able to add personality to qualities then produces a good outcome for everyone.
A promise made should always be kept.

Finding Madeline will be an uplifting event...

Have you ever been asked who you would enjoy having Dinner with?
Often the answer is an historic figure, a sports person or celebrity.
For me it would be Kate and Gerry McCann.
I have never met them but feel they are like a best friend who has experienced the worst of life.
For five years i have hoped to hear their daughter Madeline has been found safe and well.
I think they are remarkable people with special qualities that can teach all of us many things.
Their dignity, humility and resilience stand out but their Love of each other and their children has been their greatest strength.
They have been treated with Love and Contempt in equal measure by fellow humans and their wisdom will have been increased through lifes experience.
They are decent, caring and fair minded, living for one thing...the return of Maddy.
The toll on them has been overwhelming but their belief and endurance must surely be rewarded one day.
My admiration is great and my wishes for them are the very best.
If i might wish for one happier ending it would be to see the reunion of this lovely family.
Each day brings renewed possibilities.

Is our Yardstick as good as we think?

Standards in business are a good guide to what success might be achieved.
I met a Company recently who were pleased that they felt they achieved better standards than their competition.
What Interested me was that standards were measured against others.
Its fine if todays standards are as high as twenty years ago.....but suppose the standards today have dropped considerably.
It means we are measuring from a lower standard than previously.
Its better to set our own standards high and measure by this or we might measure by a low common denominator!
Our aim is not to be average but rather, way above average.
Make sure a reliable Yardstick is in place to avoid false measurements.

Which Mould are we formed from?

I never like to put people into categories but at times its hard to Ignore clear evidence.
Test it for yourself as you measure peoples approach to life.
Are they Inclined to match one of these groups clearly?

• Some wait for things to happen
• Some watch what happens
• Some make things happen

Its uncanny how easy it is to spot each one.
The real question now is where do people think we fit?

My favourite kind of Managing Director....



http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-barrow/21/8a0/198

Every so often I bump into someone by chance who makes an Immediate Impression on Me.
It happened this week and it came via Twitter and Linkedin.
Chris Barrow is Managing Director of a highly successful Construction Company in Barnsley with a good history.
Its self evident from His Profile that He has given good service to His Company, learning all the aspects of the Business before becoming the "Man in the Hot Seat".
Its no secret that I like people with a positive approach, not just to Business but also to people and life.
Accomplished people are often serious in their work but good humoured in their approach.
Chris is clearly both and destined to add to His acievements.
Being in the same Town and fully Involved in all aspects "Barnsley", I have no Idea why it took this long to connect!
Chris Has my respect and good wishes for continued success, which He shares with others.
A good Managing Director is not frightened of making key decisions but has a collaborative approach.
Business is not a Democracy but good people "Listen" and then accept personal responsibility to act.
It has been suggested that what I like about Chris is that He seems a mirrored reflection of myself.
If there is any truth in it - I will take it as a compliment.