tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-299973772024-03-13T02:31:04.648-07:00Innovative BusinessThoughts about making business and professionals in them more creative, more relevant, and more profitable.Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.comBlogger293125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-25162736138248127582012-11-12T22:46:00.003-08:002012-11-12T22:46:55.605-08:00Top 3 Reasons to Neglect a BlogIt is a very common blog post now-a-days...folks bemoaning and apologizing for not updating their blog. I could publish the same sentiment. It has literally been ages (in dog years, it would be "eras") since I have posted, but I have very good reasons.<br />
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1. I've been incredibly busy. Work, family, life, and a host of other things. Same as you. Okay, no news there.<br />
2. I have more regularly been posting shorter thoughts and bursts of inspiration on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jenniferdavis" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jenniferbdavis" target="_blank">FaceBook</a>. Professionally, I have been more active on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbdavis" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>. For those who really want to follow me, you should find me there.<br />
3. I have been a guest blogger on <a href="http://blog.runco.com/" target="_blank">Runco</a>, <a href="http://blog.planar.com/" target="_blank">Planar</a>, <a href="http://blog.infocommblog.org/allvoices/blogger-bios" target="_blank">InfoComm All Voices</a>, and even recently on <a href="http://electronicdesign.com/article/components/transparent-displays-move-scifi-digital-signage-74384" target="_blank">Electronic Design</a>. You can follow me there as well.<br />
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I look forward to connecting with you and promise to give this blog (and some of my recent reading, conference curriclum and business learnings) some attention here in the coming months.Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-66111312711594494762011-07-24T14:12:00.000-07:002011-07-24T14:22:36.216-07:00Three Reasons Why IP Protection is False AssuranceAll entrepreneurs consider their ideas sacred and most dream of offering them "hard protection" with with patents. The truth of the matter is, however, that most ideas benefit from sharing, not protection. So, here are my top three reasons why<br /><br /><strong>3. IP protection is expensive</strong><br />If you have ever looked into this, you know how expensive it can be to apply for a patent and only years later can you know the outcome of that investment. And if your concept is complex (and not obvious) you will need to likely file for multiple patents to protect the various aspects of the idea in specificity enough for the patent office. If you are lucky enough to be issued a patent, that is only the tip of ice berg in terms of cost. If you actually want to defend a claim against your IP, you can expect to pay 5 to 10 to 100 times more than you paid for the patent filing. If you intend to create a business (not just a licenseable patent portfolio), and you have invested that same cash in marketing, partnerships, or prototypes you would have been ahead.<br /><br /><strong>2. You should give the world a chance to help </strong><br />An idea you keep to yourself is something that others can't help you with. The more people you tell, the more people you can get thinking about your problems and offering solutions. The more people you tell, the more likely it is that the resources you need (ie, engineering help, marketing advice, an introduction to the buyer at a key reseller, etc) will materialize. You can't get the help you need, while fearing infringement.<br /><br /><strong>1. An idea isn't enough</strong><br />And the number one reason that IP protection is a false assurance...because the idea isn't enough to make a successful business. As anyone will tell you, there is a HUGE gap between an idea and its successful implementation. Most often than not, the idea itself changes wildly once implementation begins and feedback from customers rolls in (see #2). The key is to begin implementation as soon as possible and identify the steps necessary for commercial success. <br /><br />In short, seeking IP protection can hurt a small business more than it can help. If you want to bring something to market, bring it to market. Be the first to promote it and the first to be successful. Anyone copying your idea and wanting to build a successful business will have to catch you first.Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-35478913830521130432011-01-01T12:49:00.001-08:002011-01-01T12:59:44.843-08:00Cartoon-inspired necklaces<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA3KQrLgSd1KI9nO_zNtJMgFCQf3TriS-OWKkNTHiOMKLVJq5P1nPI_A-IUILll370LS0wsCkUZ08oR3U0CmdEfbuQgx8vxzVWgnbeiYgYUBcyH1SAMtgNubXtNup9QVZsaJx/s1600/Necklace+1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 170px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 257px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557323233964298642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA3KQrLgSd1KI9nO_zNtJMgFCQf3TriS-OWKkNTHiOMKLVJq5P1nPI_A-IUILll370LS0wsCkUZ08oR3U0CmdEfbuQgx8vxzVWgnbeiYgYUBcyH1SAMtgNubXtNup9QVZsaJx/s320/Necklace+1.JPG" /></a> Over this holiday week, I had a chance to do something really fun: fused glass jewelry art. We started at a glass studio (thanks, Teresa!) and ended up at home working with my very talented sister, <a href="http://www.rebeccahull.com/">Rebecca Hull</a>, to finish off the designs. These feature the motifs that are common in my doodles.<br /><br />This first one uses transluscent glass with bits of colored glass (amusingly called "frit") and some copper wire that oxidized into a rich deep purple color. It was Becca's idea (surprise, surprise) to put two mounts on the pendant. Very interesting!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c1KOSYOIN0FPCU5XkdVkTqRiBNUnU9gb0uAyA5BPv9zFHV4cPzpxea6PdFBs69C4RKt9EoiY84pk0AEGqmWfdur6gWGTedQvFbNuiKfEL-EY1LMa76sgzjGyNFQH5qgrojBz/s1600/necklace+2.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 186px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557324252835639410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0c1KOSYOIN0FPCU5XkdVkTqRiBNUnU9gb0uAyA5BPv9zFHV4cPzpxea6PdFBs69C4RKt9EoiY84pk0AEGqmWfdur6gWGTedQvFbNuiKfEL-EY1LMa76sgzjGyNFQH5qgrojBz/s320/necklace+2.JPG" /></a><br /><p>The second looked like a tree with graphic flowers and leaves before it fused, but afterwards it looked very "under the sea" with crackled glass elements catching the light and little bubbles under the glass. Becca finished it off with curly-cue wire - just my style!<br /></p><br />I have stacks-and-stacks of cartoons to post, but until I get them scanned, I can post doodles around my neck!Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-23956236633045834102010-05-27T19:58:00.000-07:002010-05-27T20:03:10.114-07:00Made by HandI have been obsessed lately with the idea of designing clothes. It is strange really, because I really lack the patience and meticulousness (is that even a word?) to be a seamstress or tailor. But still I dream of the designing. Of effortless creation (like you see when you watch Project Runway or the shows on HGTV).<br /><br />Then I saw this post from <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/05/made-by-hand.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+typepad%2Fsethsmainblog+%28Seth%27s+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher">Seth </a>and was really stuck by this quote:<br /><blockquote>"Tweaking, making and building are human acts, ones that are very easy to forget about as we sign up to become cogs in the giant machinery of consumption and production."</blockquote><br />How true! I get to build a bit at work, if you count PowerPoint presentations, but nothing really beats making and building something that is real. It is a very human desire and capability - and one that, in my impatience, I should make sure I don't lose.Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-51231158466784247862009-12-09T22:49:00.000-08:002009-12-09T22:53:19.506-08:00They Don't Call them Forecasts For Nothing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6EFEVC6vNh2aEVmyDJGEiuKmMWAOc_uTXl3T3zw0mRlL2kFg3JJ3Sr74TXaCUAoV-utZqi26qhJWQW-f3bNsixLMtWoAhMyzBYYepfzKBaPC-FwjSF00EY2VZKdlh55JMS_c/s1600-h/realitynumbers.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413495991497615554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6EFEVC6vNh2aEVmyDJGEiuKmMWAOc_uTXl3T3zw0mRlL2kFg3JJ3Sr74TXaCUAoV-utZqi26qhJWQW-f3bNsixLMtWoAhMyzBYYepfzKBaPC-FwjSF00EY2VZKdlh55JMS_c/s400/realitynumbers.jpg" /></a><br /><div>There was a great blog post by 37Signals (actually several through the years) on the fallacy of forecasts and I have been happy to add my own two-cents to that concept in <a href="http://jenniferbdavis.blogspot.com/search?q=forecast">previous posts</a>. Just when we have convinced ourselves that our forecasts are based on the right assumptions and are the perfect blend of optimism and conservatism, then....reality happens and delivers numbers of her own. </div><div> </div><div>If the business world put as much energy into early indication (actual data from real sources that would validate assumptions or establish trends) as we did into forecast exercises, I wonder if we'd immediately begin making better decisions? I suspect so.</div>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-11756458568442877272009-12-09T22:40:00.000-08:002009-12-09T22:48:57.987-08:00Hiring and Human Nature<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyYRpDoaGUIhENp6SmXICYBzaeSUvN-8rJd0te1WkCPyc7cR6c9zq5DZ0mnsHbzZlOX-5knUetJ038KfuL_Sms_HSQo1bc_uTTqHfvX5wUzg8tnx6ZBa18iIEUi9irsSO2fln/s1600-h/great+minds.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413493800206143634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyYRpDoaGUIhENp6SmXICYBzaeSUvN-8rJd0te1WkCPyc7cR6c9zq5DZ0mnsHbzZlOX-5knUetJ038KfuL_Sms_HSQo1bc_uTTqHfvX5wUzg8tnx6ZBa18iIEUi9irsSO2fln/s400/great+minds.jpg" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>There is a common phrase that is said (and I have certainly used hundreds of times myself) that upon reflection is a lie: "Great minds think alike." And its corrolary: "Fools seldom differ."</div><div> </div><div>The truth is that great minds are composed of all sorts of different natural styles, curiousities, backgrounds, talents, and thought processes. This, of course, leads to wonderful innovation in so many parts of our lives and industries. If we all thought (verb) alike, then our thoughts (noun) would be too similar to generate anything new or inspirational.</div><div> </div><div>However, it is human nature to rate ones' own abilities above average and then to seek like-minded (both in the verb and noun) individuals to associate with. This is never more evident than in the hiring process, where so often hiring managers hire people exactly like themselves, rather than hiring those who complement their skills or abilities and will challenge them to think in new ways. Diversity of thought is just as important (and certainly harder to judge from afar) than diversity of race, religion, or lifestyle. These people who think differently than ourselves, can cause us to be better business people, better strategist, better implementers, better managers, and possibly, better people.</div><div> </div><div>This is a challenge for us all. We have to forget idioms (no matter how common they might be) and a little bit of our own tendencies, in order to benefit from great minds.</div>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-10126883720487411902009-12-09T22:34:00.001-08:002009-12-09T22:40:26.546-08:00The Trap of Being Competitive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgOxn0e_WUcsUNpLoUeT87p4C0Kf66OJwVkiPGHIYZ2cPFq8pw_6QrnYeGBXzmm1eOm-f1165gmI90WAztGfb2rhuUM_8vB7Hbpqu1L1hOM9KySZomw_bxIdm15UElTO0VxeA/s1600-h/Competitive+product.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413492133683509074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgOxn0e_WUcsUNpLoUeT87p4C0Kf66OJwVkiPGHIYZ2cPFq8pw_6QrnYeGBXzmm1eOm-f1165gmI90WAztGfb2rhuUM_8vB7Hbpqu1L1hOM9KySZomw_bxIdm15UElTO0VxeA/s400/Competitive+product.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It is a frequent request from sales teams: create products that are more competitively priced or competitively featured. It sounds good and this kind of request has send product marketing and engineering teams off to create me-too products for centuries. The trouble is that is hardly ever works out as well as one would hope.<br /><br />See, when you set out to make a competitive product, you have actually given up the one thing that might just be the key to your success: the ability to set the criteria for which products are judged and buying decisions are made. You have let your competition decide what is important and make you play catch up.<br /><br />If you have the creativity and capability, it is much more fun (and probably more successful) to do something your competition isn't doing. Create a new product category. Solve a new problem in a new way. Sell to new customers in a new way. Go after a <a href="http://www.blueoceanstrategy.com/boo/book.html">Blue Ocean</a> or a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Purple-Cow-New-Transform-Remarkable/dp/1591843170/permissionmarket">Purple Cow</a>, as the authors's suggest. Do something to set the pace and decide the rules of the game and then get your competition chasing you (or better yet, dismissing you as an outlier and you can be successful without them even noticing).Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-75741544186337727372009-12-09T22:32:00.000-08:002009-12-09T22:33:58.239-08:00The 3 Secrets of Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEn6O5TlBOf5nXtR5vafvsKPUaopdKCvmEd__BXxgri8rRRsmsmzuPv5cIWObLC5iZAP7PWKKOpkFboEcL75b2EvZCWWNNNFuaKlO9fLtx5FHgukO-ZfBszyoh4G7C_fWMT8d/s1600-h/formulaforlife.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413491656010838210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEn6O5TlBOf5nXtR5vafvsKPUaopdKCvmEd__BXxgri8rRRsmsmzuPv5cIWObLC5iZAP7PWKKOpkFboEcL75b2EvZCWWNNNFuaKlO9fLtx5FHgukO-ZfBszyoh4G7C_fWMT8d/s400/formulaforlife.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Okay, I confess, I don't know the secret of life. I have a suspicion that it has something to do with not seeking the secret (doing) and becoming a better person. <br /><br />Something to think about as we ponder new year's resolutions here in a few weeks.Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-8290084970776902942009-12-09T22:28:00.000-08:002009-12-09T22:32:03.698-08:00Doing the Wrong Things Right<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0Q51S8ECQZy8Cj0X8AZjJY17gGggQTTRcFNcivuyeNcV3ZULkei_unuDBa8Y7m-PABKsqaJN_xFEh8my2V6MjYhjz8WlEM_yE_Lf9z6XwMXGh1t2qwdMS8Zeu-OyD1RzuHL1/s1600-h/WrongThingsBetter.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413490616432390258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0Q51S8ECQZy8Cj0X8AZjJY17gGggQTTRcFNcivuyeNcV3ZULkei_unuDBa8Y7m-PABKsqaJN_xFEh8my2V6MjYhjz8WlEM_yE_Lf9z6XwMXGh1t2qwdMS8Zeu-OyD1RzuHL1/s400/WrongThingsBetter.jpg" /></a> I read a great <a href="http://www.danpink.com/archives/2009/11/quote-of-the-day-right-and-wrong">blog post by Dan Pink</a> on this topic and thought it would make a great cartoon. This might be a good one to print out and put by your computer or where decisions are made or priorities are set. Watch against activity that feels good and right, but doesn't clearly lead to results or value that your customers perceive.Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-17729510240529219652009-12-09T22:27:00.001-08:002009-12-09T22:27:58.193-08:00Maybe this doesn't happen to you<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78cftPD1Iy2CTelGKBB2r9muXhf9u7X1V3WmelcFbyhBzQJ0ysD2_zd13NgZROSB9ORK3C8IhvT1aLsI5fyQzFjaTEBJBl5ttA9_q51KtvAQR1dcmig1KBuDBilpximfDH70P/s1600-h/bootup.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413490378324546930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78cftPD1Iy2CTelGKBB2r9muXhf9u7X1V3WmelcFbyhBzQJ0ysD2_zd13NgZROSB9ORK3C8IhvT1aLsI5fyQzFjaTEBJBl5ttA9_q51KtvAQR1dcmig1KBuDBilpximfDH70P/s400/bootup.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-92177992158363703942009-11-14T11:31:00.000-08:002009-11-14T11:40:53.166-08:00How Times FliesI judged a capstone business plan presentation today at the Oregon Graduate Institute today and met someone who has read this blog (thanks!). Made me marvel how time has flown by since my last post. <br /><br />There has been a new school year, new opportunities and projects on the professional front, and no shortage of fun things to work on (this blog, apparently not being one of them). Since August, I have gotten a promotion, traveled domestically and internationally, launched over a dozen new products that I am excited about, wrote no fewer than 6 new songs, and have been enjoying being a wife, mom, and friend. I am blessed. I hope the past few months have been positively eventful for you as well.<br /><br />I have a few more doodles to post and some thoughts to document here, but before all of that, I wanted to wish you all a happy Fall and say I haven't forgotten about you and the fun times we have had together exploring ideas of innovation on this blog. Okay, the fun that I have had. :)<br /><br />I have heard of people spending the whole month of November (Thanksgiving month) documenting the things they are grateful for and counting their blessings. I count this blog and the folks who read and comment on it among my blessings.<br /><br />P.S. If you don't want to wait for blog posts, you can always follow me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jenniferdavis">Twitter </a>or if we actually know each other (in the real world) on Facebook or <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbdavis">LinkedIn</a>.Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-40807023642467800352009-08-17T22:46:00.001-07:002009-08-17T22:46:34.842-07:00Every Day is New<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_8ctQlKR7AmyZEIgotCGxqMSUnYzAlKp-nT5VS7ruILgacdXTwxP1LMYPCrvTj82uZ1cT8K8cIFJhtz6VHNwqzd4Uff6dqS31NARdE0VpYIMsV3EAKQ4Enj3DPYiWhTrasRg/s1600-h/Every+day+is+new.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 228px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371176086099333922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_8ctQlKR7AmyZEIgotCGxqMSUnYzAlKp-nT5VS7ruILgacdXTwxP1LMYPCrvTj82uZ1cT8K8cIFJhtz6VHNwqzd4Uff6dqS31NARdE0VpYIMsV3EAKQ4Enj3DPYiWhTrasRg/s400/Every+day+is+new.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-27378667515737409312009-08-17T22:38:00.000-07:002009-08-17T22:44:14.147-07:00Inspiration in Another FormI have been working on a new praise and worship song that includes these lines. I heard them first at a worship session lead by <a href="http://hungryworshipper.com/">Kathryn Scott</a> recently and thought they were very powerful and worthy of memorializing not only in song, but in a little cartoon. Hopefully the song turns out half as meaningful as these words have been to me. If not, then you can print out this drawing, keep it at your desk, on your fridge, or your bathroom mirror as a reminder.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgs7mEeCVnZxpe6tMRAO7FguvBWAqiiEVIab9TNmOX-8Nut9gdsOHirqGcAwiqTcEbmnrns77qMOg6BOt0pG5kAoGwqu9LnI5qq19nRDcbhNwLbTlH9ldvhukpd1jeCJhtcmA/s1600-h/Father+is+the+King.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371174866277914050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgs7mEeCVnZxpe6tMRAO7FguvBWAqiiEVIab9TNmOX-8Nut9gdsOHirqGcAwiqTcEbmnrns77qMOg6BOt0pG5kAoGwqu9LnI5qq19nRDcbhNwLbTlH9ldvhukpd1jeCJhtcmA/s400/Father+is+the+King.jpg" /></a>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-42106850966406776992009-08-17T22:35:00.000-07:002009-08-17T22:36:40.628-07:00The Power of Focus and Perspective<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql9PGB0BVYY_eIduwJZjp06g7gXNFh8FBjEIuAosT4XIkAla45GqoHbq8M0GiRxUezmahk0PAsYa0YZivk81YUnKCm1_4iaw6-vQJZXIZ6CLqUxq5JVv7welyStXPSTwb4JSZ/s1600-h/Focus+and+light.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371173460939560162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql9PGB0BVYY_eIduwJZjp06g7gXNFh8FBjEIuAosT4XIkAla45GqoHbq8M0GiRxUezmahk0PAsYa0YZivk81YUnKCm1_4iaw6-vQJZXIZ6CLqUxq5JVv7welyStXPSTwb4JSZ/s400/Focus+and+light.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-47680600214442372612009-08-17T22:31:00.000-07:002009-08-17T22:34:16.874-07:00The Shock of RealityA colleague of mine said this the other day (in the context of some technical issue he was dealing with) and I thought it good advice for other areas of life as well. Sometimes you have to pick your battles and some are just not worth fighting. Other ones, are worth overcoming the impossible for.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbGJLtjrMKCSYslB2x5fkNU50i0-Stgg23JgquoBFxh2VIRH-qR06MD0AgPkS_Jdq10UCOX-LwTFJkLq5XAg7dDL59Jy2MnNhdtNIHSzGx-nVstEFCV4cGXgWsvycANvk1tUH/s1600-h/Impossibility.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371172720515407506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbGJLtjrMKCSYslB2x5fkNU50i0-Stgg23JgquoBFxh2VIRH-qR06MD0AgPkS_Jdq10UCOX-LwTFJkLq5XAg7dDL59Jy2MnNhdtNIHSzGx-nVstEFCV4cGXgWsvycANvk1tUH/s400/Impossibility.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11cgVuhK2ggeswbsmvtv4igBBKk4aQTMtlqiVk2TZnCzfRO88EK1nLVdhb6PnSzWmb4rin-NQdFiFyU370qP-2WnUtLHKCRoNox9wxMij7OEaadPxjrAI026yw39s1ZKGBDTR/s1600-h/Impossibility.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div></div>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-64699312473258827012009-08-17T22:26:00.001-07:002009-08-17T22:28:18.508-07:00Complexity<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoO8vwwmuoFNTbjjuKnpvxMIrUN_7kF8PZNE-1JL4trIw_bGYOVJeFZVXQSsmzAPLjomFaetfi-Bv1oHrDIKaEA2irKmaBQxEnEW3fk2296TD8vpnqO3K6RfgyKZBXgAG_V4R/s1600-h/Complexity.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371171273898982194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoO8vwwmuoFNTbjjuKnpvxMIrUN_7kF8PZNE-1JL4trIw_bGYOVJeFZVXQSsmzAPLjomFaetfi-Bv1oHrDIKaEA2irKmaBQxEnEW3fk2296TD8vpnqO3K6RfgyKZBXgAG_V4R/s400/Complexity.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Seems to me there are two kinds of businesses: one which relies on reducing complexity and costs and delivering a simple proposition to customers and the second while relies on charging a premium for delivering something unique, special, or otherwise differentiated. The role of the business leader is to pick one.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-9188037812003892392009-07-12T23:08:00.000-07:002009-07-12T23:09:22.299-07:00Courage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwNShjiqHcebW7WpogCRFiR0F08-d6un4C3xGIM-9M7mfQbBb9CbQM1V219hKij0LhyaVhIf4J5YGMAX2D-xRnRm_48BM5rMB6XPg_yZZCR0rW3utWnXn8qyZzUvUgPsDUG-m/s1600-h/Act+brave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwNShjiqHcebW7WpogCRFiR0F08-d6un4C3xGIM-9M7mfQbBb9CbQM1V219hKij0LhyaVhIf4J5YGMAX2D-xRnRm_48BM5rMB6XPg_yZZCR0rW3utWnXn8qyZzUvUgPsDUG-m/s400/Act+brave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357822843550136514" border="0" /></a>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-42925197110544860012009-07-12T22:59:00.000-07:002009-07-12T23:04:11.448-07:00Long Live Potential<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aqg8BIRJ9H44HgtB5uLsDSJTeKVUPMF3MsBLQ7XcVaowysvnmOud6iyXCcDJ-5CvkQqEHkro6qWutMVBtnpYfX-PwAxqEPIn3VBaPcAWs5A9m89XrowsUKc9j74z3IEtTFt3/s1600-h/Potential+when+you%27re+15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aqg8BIRJ9H44HgtB5uLsDSJTeKVUPMF3MsBLQ7XcVaowysvnmOud6iyXCcDJ-5CvkQqEHkro6qWutMVBtnpYfX-PwAxqEPIn3VBaPcAWs5A9m89XrowsUKc9j74z3IEtTFt3/s400/Potential+when+you%27re+15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357821449681788786" border="0" /></a><br />This quote, along with so many other great ones, can be found a <a href="http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/unconventional-ideas/">Chris Guillebeau's blog</a>.Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-22148678454077449542009-07-12T22:55:00.000-07:002009-07-12T22:57:36.072-07:00Being Bolder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEqInSj2ZHQluTEsCdqaVJM9gUHyAKR7T-RBSexHvqfe6RNP-dzCOLcCX8k9vWrlCBBjwkL8mbU1LfAjlPF-HOEgOYRfschXYNWN9vDFoiZ-x-VkyJlgR_HxOTOadtfr-j8Yv/s1600-h/Being+bolder.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEqInSj2ZHQluTEsCdqaVJM9gUHyAKR7T-RBSexHvqfe6RNP-dzCOLcCX8k9vWrlCBBjwkL8mbU1LfAjlPF-HOEgOYRfschXYNWN9vDFoiZ-x-VkyJlgR_HxOTOadtfr-j8Yv/s400/Being+bolder.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357819687373027618" border="0" /></a><br />What's the worst thing that could happen? It probably isn't as bad as you think (or as likely).Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-23526539163008642302009-06-30T21:51:00.000-07:002009-06-30T21:52:26.840-07:00Judiciously Judge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhrFqJIORCs3X87gC0-niDKnmGIz8WKe-UXHHzS6BjunKMxsLUhaTpYgu-eN_hdfNK5MfxLuQq3B_VGdEYECf0A-oabo4Uu76t5L0XppZdf_WvOk02MxEBebI-XCgILMX9gYx/s1600-h/Desperation.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnhrFqJIORCs3X87gC0-niDKnmGIz8WKe-UXHHzS6BjunKMxsLUhaTpYgu-eN_hdfNK5MfxLuQq3B_VGdEYECf0A-oabo4Uu76t5L0XppZdf_WvOk02MxEBebI-XCgILMX9gYx/s400/Desperation.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353350004866603314" border="0" /></a>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-85114809095277998482009-06-30T21:45:00.000-07:002009-06-30T21:48:54.222-07:00Adventure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVBoflGCudOwQduX-XkhM-Ugxgv3rv288Yr5MQoFHuMbmhddoWNRxhQMyHPPFUMYlTRVnhcu2zoucS5e_12J7zP4ajW7VCwFSplTwPQotMgroXV6oab_j7YTEXEVLO0agte24/s1600-h/Pick+an+adventure.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVBoflGCudOwQduX-XkhM-Ugxgv3rv288Yr5MQoFHuMbmhddoWNRxhQMyHPPFUMYlTRVnhcu2zoucS5e_12J7zP4ajW7VCwFSplTwPQotMgroXV6oab_j7YTEXEVLO0agte24/s400/Pick+an+adventure.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353349102637561698" border="0" /></a>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-84276562342407418312009-06-30T21:43:00.000-07:002009-06-30T21:45:34.437-07:00Paint a PictureI find the leadership is really about storytelling. First, having the skills to survey the landscape, recognize the patterns, and choose an appropriate path and second, and perhaps even more important, the ability to paint that picture for those that you may lead. To make them see themselves as part of the story. To paint a picture for others to see begins with framing a scene and then showing it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyGF9JbfiQODYYO4fLhoe0J1iOCk48GhzJV3U52Pge5YszABb2Y5yfJsedDq3rE3TTatTeaH2rND6IHcW4_NMtJi41FVbsC0yvQSPyvZdy0Wc0lMafaHkEASwg9aDdeiGD8vs/s1600-h/Paint+a+picture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyGF9JbfiQODYYO4fLhoe0J1iOCk48GhzJV3U52Pge5YszABb2Y5yfJsedDq3rE3TTatTeaH2rND6IHcW4_NMtJi41FVbsC0yvQSPyvZdy0Wc0lMafaHkEASwg9aDdeiGD8vs/s400/Paint+a+picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353348038977663346" border="0" /></a>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-87851031976748001252009-06-29T22:37:00.001-07:002009-06-29T22:41:38.801-07:00Gung-Ho AttitudeAnother phrase I have never really understood was "gung-ho attitude," but that didn't keep me from loving this line from one of my son's Star Wars, The Clone Wars books.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_MNSeNNUSf-IyqZG4xM5HojvK9Vn-tDKgBo9SzsvuvyMzXnlUJnWmH4rT3q0NgHQslo9MAdBduN0T_8X8BLsGsEAa0rMnSeBrwI40I90NFFTxaOwU322BWrHAXeHmfchx6H-/s1600-h/gung-ho+attitude.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_MNSeNNUSf-IyqZG4xM5HojvK9Vn-tDKgBo9SzsvuvyMzXnlUJnWmH4rT3q0NgHQslo9MAdBduN0T_8X8BLsGsEAa0rMnSeBrwI40I90NFFTxaOwU322BWrHAXeHmfchx6H-/s400/gung-ho+attitude.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352990834861400274" border="0" /></a>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-62792784995961788532009-06-29T22:34:00.001-07:002009-06-29T22:34:52.593-07:00What does it mean to be "happy as a clam?"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI-S-Mrbdi4k3lCQZVR_DgR6k2oFdogrARZST9cNPuiygJl_17Ytrd9lL5ibNoq45rfPU15iKeZel_dH7ernKLSQHPLPupCTDz84_fFAJQPZ9LcJZSfcoUaP0B0qLdXkThJ3z/s1600-h/Clam+happiness.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI-S-Mrbdi4k3lCQZVR_DgR6k2oFdogrARZST9cNPuiygJl_17Ytrd9lL5ibNoq45rfPU15iKeZel_dH7ernKLSQHPLPupCTDz84_fFAJQPZ9LcJZSfcoUaP0B0qLdXkThJ3z/s400/Clam+happiness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352989885542884658" border="0" /></a>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29997377.post-92065582264593728882009-06-29T22:32:00.001-07:002009-06-29T22:34:15.467-07:00Mission or Adventure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68kDQS7YM_0JtZ0PfoXwg1ubPtztGJr3gR0csn647eye_H2VRwAlK_S3HrrjSpnZopslQAgPmiieug7v7i5hGB6DViH0ihT7jCFyoY7a_ZNIBrYLHZ2o56HUhT-KiZy1T18FM/s1600-h/Mission+or+adventure.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68kDQS7YM_0JtZ0PfoXwg1ubPtztGJr3gR0csn647eye_H2VRwAlK_S3HrrjSpnZopslQAgPmiieug7v7i5hGB6DViH0ihT7jCFyoY7a_ZNIBrYLHZ2o56HUhT-KiZy1T18FM/s400/Mission+or+adventure.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352989429325495042" border="0" /></a>Jennifer B. Davishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16846438361297691021noreply@blogger.com0