One of the keys to problem solving is stepping back and analyzing the problem/situation at hand. There are basically two ways we look at problems, from 2ft and from 20,000ft.
A 2ft viewpoint seems to be the view of choice when we embark on any problem solving missions, yet it doesn't always give us the entire picture. Let's illustrate this:
Grab a piece of paper, write "the black ant went over to the yellow ladybug" in the middle of the page, reaching from the left side of the paper over to the right side of the paper.
Now grab another piece of paper roll it up just like a telescope. Sitting down place the piece of paper on your table or desk and look through your telescope. Keeping your telescope fixed on the middle of the page, can you see the whole sentence? Can you tell me where the black ant is going?
Now stand up and look through your telescope, fixed on the middle of your page.
Now you can tell me the whole story of the ant and the ladybug. And a captivating story it is.... :)
When making decisions do you find that people never stand up? Do you find yourself sitting to much?
Successful marketers/business-owners/entrepreneurs will tell you that it is impossible to make a well-informed decision without first standing up and taking a 20,000ft view. How could you? You can't even see all the information!
As investors we can find ourselves getting sucked into sitting too much. Therefore we look at things only from a 2ft vantage point. What is the outcome? Well every once in awhile you might guess that the ant is going to see the ladybug but the rest of the time you don't see that that ant is getting burned by a magnifying glass.
Stand up, it's good for you.
Have a great week!
Matthew George
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Q & A Time
The reason for starting this blog was to add value to those reading it and possibly clarify some questions you might have on certain topics. I love writing about topics that I find interesting and that I think you, the reader, do as well. But I would like to know what you're really looking for answers to.
I would love to hear from you and whats on your mind. It could be about anything: something you have heard on the news or read in the newspaper, or heard someone talking about at work, etc.
Every week I encourage any input you would like to make, but I would like to dedicate this week to allowing you to ask me something that you would like another view point on. Take the week to think about it, it can be anything from simple definitions to the most complicated topic. I will do my best to answer it.
You can leave a comment attached to this blog or send me an email at matthew.george.01@gmail.com or matthew.george@freedom55financial.com
Keep your ears and eyes open and remember asking a question is the easiest way to gain knowledge.
Have a great week!
Matthew George
I would love to hear from you and whats on your mind. It could be about anything: something you have heard on the news or read in the newspaper, or heard someone talking about at work, etc.
Every week I encourage any input you would like to make, but I would like to dedicate this week to allowing you to ask me something that you would like another view point on. Take the week to think about it, it can be anything from simple definitions to the most complicated topic. I will do my best to answer it.
You can leave a comment attached to this blog or send me an email at matthew.george.01@gmail.com or matthew.george@freedom55financial.com
Keep your ears and eyes open and remember asking a question is the easiest way to gain knowledge.
Have a great week!
Matthew George
Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Gift of Love
Short one this week, but powerful.
This is why I do what I do. I have the privilege of being a small part of such humbling experiences everyday. Please watch this video.
Your Gift
Life insurance can protect your family and leave a legacy for your children, but also provides a unique and significant source of personal monetary value to your life.
Ask me how.
Have a great week!
Matthew George
This is why I do what I do. I have the privilege of being a small part of such humbling experiences everyday. Please watch this video.
Your Gift
Life insurance can protect your family and leave a legacy for your children, but also provides a unique and significant source of personal monetary value to your life.
Ask me how.
Have a great week!
Matthew George
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Building a Bridge over the Generation Gap
I had indicated that this blog would have more in it then just topics dealing with explanations on how to find and understand financial success. So I will begin my first post along those lines.
Through my studies in marketing I was introduced to many interesting strategies, theories and principles. I studied many past events in corporations’ lives and created my own solutions to problems presented in in-depth case studies. One of the most intriguing thoughts that I came across in a couple of papers I read was one about how one can better set themselves up for success in the business world. It was based on looking at the daily relationship that the “generations” have with each other in the business world, both internally in a company and externally with customers or partners.
“Generations:” the distinctive gaps that we have in age in our society; you, no doubt, have heard of them. Traditionalists, Baby boomers, Gen-Xs and Gen-Ys are the 4 main generations in today’s workplace. The papers’ basic themes were that to fast track your success, you need to understand that the person you are sitting across from more than likely has a completely different outlook and perception on how to achieve the same form of success than you do. There are different ways of completing the same task and still come to the same outcome: Work styles, control styles, language, tools, processes, habits, etc. vary from person to person, from generation to generation.
Consider these traits where you are a Gen-Y and your boss or team member is a Baby Boomer.
You:
High value on helping others.
Consider getting along with a widely diverse group of people very important.
They:
Grew up in a time of great social change.
Believe in value of self-fulfillment and personal gratification.
An excellent quote from the book Geekes and Gezers: How Era, Values and Defining Moments Shape Leaders by Bennis and Thomas (2002) sums the generation gap up nicely:
"Our youngest leaders matured in the glow of computer screens; our oldest in the shadow of the Depression and World War II. With these two dichotomies of knowledge base, private and government officials need to focus on maintaining a vibrant and competitive edge; understand the organizational culture in the context of utilizing their generational competence; commit to strengthening the relationship between office teams; set up success measures and track progress, and play to the strengths of each generation and embrace generational differences and similarities to build generational competence.”
Would you not agree that if you understand the best way to frame your ideas to get a positive reaction from your team member or boss you’re more likely to find success. The difficulty is found in each individual’s desire to impart their own way of doing things.
Because if it doesn’t work out it always seems to be the other person’s doing. They didn’t understand. They’re out of date. They only care about themselves. It is impossible to work with them, we tell ourselves.
We have to get outside of what we know and understand. This means, for Gen-Ys realizing that this world didn’t start 25 years ago, and for a Gen-X ideas didn’t run dry in 1982 and new processes can still be created.
Each side can bring their positives to the relationship and create the ever so profitable symbiotic relationship by working in harmony. It is the equation to success new and old, experience and enthusiasm, creativity and strategy.
Next time you’re talking to another generation, be that one. You might be amazed at what happens.
But can you see past your own conceded generational traits?
Have a great week!
Matthew George
Through my studies in marketing I was introduced to many interesting strategies, theories and principles. I studied many past events in corporations’ lives and created my own solutions to problems presented in in-depth case studies. One of the most intriguing thoughts that I came across in a couple of papers I read was one about how one can better set themselves up for success in the business world. It was based on looking at the daily relationship that the “generations” have with each other in the business world, both internally in a company and externally with customers or partners.
“Generations:” the distinctive gaps that we have in age in our society; you, no doubt, have heard of them. Traditionalists, Baby boomers, Gen-Xs and Gen-Ys are the 4 main generations in today’s workplace. The papers’ basic themes were that to fast track your success, you need to understand that the person you are sitting across from more than likely has a completely different outlook and perception on how to achieve the same form of success than you do. There are different ways of completing the same task and still come to the same outcome: Work styles, control styles, language, tools, processes, habits, etc. vary from person to person, from generation to generation.
Consider these traits where you are a Gen-Y and your boss or team member is a Baby Boomer.
You:
High value on helping others.
Consider getting along with a widely diverse group of people very important.
They:
Grew up in a time of great social change.
Believe in value of self-fulfillment and personal gratification.
An excellent quote from the book Geekes and Gezers: How Era, Values and Defining Moments Shape Leaders by Bennis and Thomas (2002) sums the generation gap up nicely:
"Our youngest leaders matured in the glow of computer screens; our oldest in the shadow of the Depression and World War II. With these two dichotomies of knowledge base, private and government officials need to focus on maintaining a vibrant and competitive edge; understand the organizational culture in the context of utilizing their generational competence; commit to strengthening the relationship between office teams; set up success measures and track progress, and play to the strengths of each generation and embrace generational differences and similarities to build generational competence.”
Would you not agree that if you understand the best way to frame your ideas to get a positive reaction from your team member or boss you’re more likely to find success. The difficulty is found in each individual’s desire to impart their own way of doing things.
Because if it doesn’t work out it always seems to be the other person’s doing. They didn’t understand. They’re out of date. They only care about themselves. It is impossible to work with them, we tell ourselves.
We have to get outside of what we know and understand. This means, for Gen-Ys realizing that this world didn’t start 25 years ago, and for a Gen-X ideas didn’t run dry in 1982 and new processes can still be created.
Each side can bring their positives to the relationship and create the ever so profitable symbiotic relationship by working in harmony. It is the equation to success new and old, experience and enthusiasm, creativity and strategy.
Next time you’re talking to another generation, be that one. You might be amazed at what happens.
But can you see past your own conceded generational traits?
Have a great week!
Matthew George
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