Tag: Life

Gain Knowledge in Amazing Places

Knowledge. Wow!  Some say, “Knowledge is power“.  Ever heard that phrase?

Next question, “Do you believe it’s true”?

I do, mostly.  However, just knowing is not enough for me.

And by the way, you can gain knowledge at parties, the Internet, and simply through experience.

Way more important though, is applying the knowledge.  Ya with me?

On July 4th, at a friends party, I spoke with a retired small business owner.   What got us talking was my question, “Do you run”? He certainly didn’t look 65 to me.  Not even close.

Anyway, I got some great small business tips from him:

  1. Number one, most important – be passionate about what you do
  2. Build long-term relationships;  never burn any bridges
  3. Deliver POS – Positively Outrageous Service

I asked another question, “I’ve heard that you either run your business or it runs you.  What do think of that”?

This led to a final, and critical message –Be prepared to work your life around your business.

In my 35 years paying taxes, I’ve worked in organizations where the leader said, “Run it like it’s your own business”. Heck, I used to try to inspire my direct reports with the exact same message.

It sure looks good on paper doesn’t it?  “Run it like it’s yours”. Until I did the math.

Searching the Internet for validation, I found various studies conclude anywhere from 50% to 80% of start-up businesses disappear within five years, with the majority within two years.

I paused.  Reflected on the significance.  And then acted on this knowledge in a dramatically different way than ever before, 18 months ago.

And to my surprise and delight, it’s made me a significantly better professional speaker.

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Walt Disney & Roy Disney

Walt Disney and Roy Disney.  What a combination.  One of the key things that made them a great team was their differences.

Walt, in my opinion, was the modern-day father of creativity.   Roy, well, perhaps a financial genius. And both were very hard workers.

I think I met their reincarnations last night, on Sanibel Island.

I’ll call them Vince and Dirk.

Two men, both entrepreneurs, formed a small business partnership, and shared with me their incredible vision for their future.

What I love about Vince and Dirk is they represent, to me, seasoned business professionals who are capitalizing on these turbulent times, using technology and creativity, to position themselves for growth.

One watches every penny.  One uses enthusiasm to spawn creativity.  Both hustle and work incredibly hard.

I got excited just listening to their story.

If you told your story to a complete stranger, do you think that stranger would get excited about what you’ve done and what you are about to do?

I sure hope so.  Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

Wonder if Walt Disney Ever…

Wonder if Walt Disney ever jogged?  Or ever went to the gym?  Or swam, walked or biked with any regularity?

I have never read anything that suggests Walt Disney was physically active.

This is one dimension where Walt Disney and jeff noel differ.

Yesterday, to celebrate turning 50, I ran the annual Watermelon 5k, in Winter Park.  There had to be close to 1,500 to 2,000 runners and walkers there.

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) had their annual convention in Orlando and its members participated! For the first time ever the ACB used a fun run/walk to raise funds and encourage their members to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle.

Embrace an active and healthy lifestyle? Hmm….That’s one of the common sense things that everyone can embrace.

Here’s to your health:

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂

JULY 4, 2009

July 4, 2009.   Happy Independence Day!

Started the day running the Watermelon 5k in Winter Park.  Then spent the rest of the day with family and friends .  Now it’s 9:00PM and I’m going to postpone today’s post until tomorrow.

Today, by the way, President Barack Obama’s audio-animatronic figure was unveiled at The Walt Disney World Resort, at the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents.

Carpe PM, jungle jeff:)

This Reminds Me

This reminds me of what vacationing Disney Guests feel like.

My family and I are preparing for my very first Writer’s Retreat combined with an annual summer vacation to our favorite beach get-a-way.

We’ve calculated this is our 23rd visit in the past 21 years.

Same island.  Same accommodations.  Same Ocean.

Different owners.  Different management team.  Different emotions.

We are not sure this experience will be as relaxing as in the past.

Why?

Too much change perhaps.   Too much focus on the bottom line.  Too much heritage lost.

The last one, heritage lost, is the thing that worries me.

Now that our son is almost nine, he has really great memories of this place and looks forward to it even more than we do.  Our first Lab went for 12 years.  Our second Lab, now ten, has been going to this sunny place since he was four months old.

In fact, last October, we took him there, for what we thought was his last weekend on earth.  He obviously, and miraculously, survived – further cementing our emotional attachment to this special place.

We feel like owners.  Seriously.  I’ve never felt this unusual feeling of entitlement.

Because of our loyalty, we could easily daydream that when we arrive, the trumpets will sound as the red carpet awaits us.

This is what I’m absolutely certain Disney’s long-time returning Guests must feel like.

I hope the trumpets blare and the red carpet awaits them and their families.

What a huge responsibility it is to make people feel like Royalty.

What a huge privilege.

Carpe diem, jungle jeff 🙂