It was bound to happen eventually. It seems I caused a little confusion with a comment I posted on Facebook the other day. I posted the following on Randall Howard’s Facebook page:
A full house is great. I think Angelnet is well positioned to succeed where others have, well, failed. Happy to help if I can.
I was referring, of course, to the recently launched Golden Triangle Angelnet, an organization that brings together active angel investors to listen to pitches by companies seeking seed capital. A friend and colleague, Rob Douglas is the driving force, along with his partner Carl Furtado (also a good friend and colleague). Randall had noted that the previous evening Angelnet had attracted a full house of angel investors, which is a wonderful thing.
So, to be clear, yes, I absolutely support and encourage the work of Angelnet, and also all similar organizations both locally and around the globe. Clearly I’m very passionate about the creation of new companies and the capital sometimes required to do so. I think angel groups, of all forms, can play a tremendous role in facilitating deal flow.
Of course, I’ve been heavily involved in raising seed capital for many different companies, including my own. I’ve also presented to other angel groups, supported other investors as they did the same, researched different angel group models around the globe, and met the principals within several other angel groups. Thus, I’ve formed some opinions.
Two of the largest, and often unspoken, challenges when raising seed capital relate to human relations. First, people invest in people. They invest in people that they know, that they respect, that they trust, and that they like. And second, groups often fall into a trap known as “group think,” whereby one or two outspoken individuals lead the opinions of all others in the group.
So yes, people invest in people. And yet, 95% of those seeking seed capital spend 95% of their time talking about the business and opportunity, and about 5% of their time talking about the people, themselves. Rarely does a potential angel investor get to know much more than surface, boiler plate information about the entrepreneur(s).
In some ways, during a presentation to angel investors, it’s like what Marshall McLuhan said, “the medium is the message.” The presenter, and how he/she conducts his/herself, is the message.
Ideas are a dime a dozen down at the local corner store. Execution is everything. We’ve all heard and understand that most investors will take a mediocre idea executed by a stellar team long before they’d consider a stellar idea executed by a mediocre team.
Several years ago, as I mentored the WLU MBA students that drafted the original business plan for the Accelerator Centre at UW, I met with a gentleman that ran an angel group somewhere in Scandinavia. Unfortunately, I’ve lost touch with him and cannot remember his name. However, what struck me about their model was that it seemed far more like a dating service than a traditional dog-and-pony show, presentation style event.
In this Scandinavian model, they truly focused on helping potential investors get to know the entrepreneurs behind the candidate companies. Social time was extensive. They all sat down over a nice meal. The focus was on human relationships, more so than simply the business idea.
The second major often unspoken challenge is group think. I witnessed this repeatedly within the now-defunct Toronto Angel Group. The company presentation had barely ended, and yet one or two highly negative individuals began dominating the discourse. Others who may have had a very positive opinion on the investment opportunity felt pressured and bullied, and thus kept quiet.
I’ve also witnessed this group think phenomena in other asynchronous presentation settings, such as when a company presents to one particular investor candidate, and then he/she ventures off to discuss they idea with his/her advisors. The advisor meetings are generally one-on-one, with the angel, rather than in a group setting. Nevertheless, group think prevails.
The angel will contact the first advisor and discuss the concept. Invariably, he/she will then mention the opinion of the first advisor to the second advisor, often swaying him/her. The third advisor is further swayed by the opinions of the first two, and so on, and so forth.
Yesterday I met with Rob Douglas and of course Angelnet came up in our conversation. I was VERY encouraged and happy to learn that Rob and his team are well aware of these two angel group challenges and have plans in place to mitigate the effects.
So once again, to clarify, I am delighted that the Golden Triangle Angelnet now exists, and I hope and expect that it will help with seed capital deal flow. I’m very passionate about this topic, and remain committed to helping in any way possible.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
A History of Golf Illustrated by Sir Henry Cotton
I recently read A History of Golf Illustrated by the venerable Sir Henry Cotton, published in 1975. Sam Snead wrote the forward.
As student of our great game, of course I enjoy learning both the history and folklore. Sir Henry, being such a giant in golf, relates many firsthand accounts of his interactions with other greats in the game throughout the mid-20th century.
But he doesn’t start nor stop there. Sir Henry traverses golf from its very humble and hardly recognizable beginnings, through the development of new technologies (such as balls, clubs and footwear), continuing through the first and second world wards, they massive expansion of competitive golf in the post-war years, right up to the date of writing, 1975.
The latter chapters focus on women in golf, the caddie, and technique.
I’m not sure how many golf history books have been published over the years. The total must be close to one thousand or beyond. I’ve only read a few, but thoroughly enjoyed A History of Golf Illustrated.
You can learn more about Sir Henry Cotton on the Golf Europe website here. I’ve also included the biography below.
Sir Henry Cotton (1907 - 1987)
Born Cheshire, England, Cotton is remembered as one of Britain's golf luminaries this century.
Cotton came from an upper middle class background and went to public school . Already this gives us some insight into the man in terms of the social hierarchy and class divisions which existed within British society at the time. At school, he was banned from playing cricket as a punishment and instead started to playing golf. He was a natural and turned professional upon leaving school at 17.
He was the top British golfer of his time and went on to win the Open 3 times. Indeed he was the only British golfer to win between 1914 and 1989. He also played in four Ryder Cup tournaments. Cotton, like Walter Hagen, brought to the game flamboyance and style, "The best is always good enough for me". Indeed he was well known for his penchant for champagne, caviar and tailored clothing.
Cotton found the establishment's poor treatment of professionals unacceptable and campaigned against it. He always insisted on honorary membership of whichever club he was associated with. He also helped to set up the Golf Foundation. However, it is the way in which he conducted himself which helped more than anything else to earn professionals the respect they deserved.
When World War II broke out, he was given a commission in the Royal Air Force. During that time he helped to organise a series of exhibition matches with other professionals in aid of the Red Cross. This earned him an M.B.E. After the war, Cotton retired and became a journalist, writer and course designer. He designed the Penia course in the Algarve, Portugal and spent his last years living there.
In recognition of his contribution to British golf, the R&A awarded him honorary membership in 1968. A few days before he died he was awarded a knighthood.
As student of our great game, of course I enjoy learning both the history and folklore. Sir Henry, being such a giant in golf, relates many firsthand accounts of his interactions with other greats in the game throughout the mid-20th century.
But he doesn’t start nor stop there. Sir Henry traverses golf from its very humble and hardly recognizable beginnings, through the development of new technologies (such as balls, clubs and footwear), continuing through the first and second world wards, they massive expansion of competitive golf in the post-war years, right up to the date of writing, 1975.
The latter chapters focus on women in golf, the caddie, and technique.
I’m not sure how many golf history books have been published over the years. The total must be close to one thousand or beyond. I’ve only read a few, but thoroughly enjoyed A History of Golf Illustrated.
You can learn more about Sir Henry Cotton on the Golf Europe website here. I’ve also included the biography below.
Sir Henry Cotton (1907 - 1987)
Born Cheshire, England, Cotton is remembered as one of Britain's golf luminaries this century.
Cotton came from an upper middle class background and went to public school . Already this gives us some insight into the man in terms of the social hierarchy and class divisions which existed within British society at the time. At school, he was banned from playing cricket as a punishment and instead started to playing golf. He was a natural and turned professional upon leaving school at 17.
He was the top British golfer of his time and went on to win the Open 3 times. Indeed he was the only British golfer to win between 1914 and 1989. He also played in four Ryder Cup tournaments. Cotton, like Walter Hagen, brought to the game flamboyance and style, "The best is always good enough for me". Indeed he was well known for his penchant for champagne, caviar and tailored clothing.
Cotton found the establishment's poor treatment of professionals unacceptable and campaigned against it. He always insisted on honorary membership of whichever club he was associated with. He also helped to set up the Golf Foundation. However, it is the way in which he conducted himself which helped more than anything else to earn professionals the respect they deserved.
When World War II broke out, he was given a commission in the Royal Air Force. During that time he helped to organise a series of exhibition matches with other professionals in aid of the Red Cross. This earned him an M.B.E. After the war, Cotton retired and became a journalist, writer and course designer. He designed the Penia course in the Algarve, Portugal and spent his last years living there.
In recognition of his contribution to British golf, the R&A awarded him honorary membership in 1968. A few days before he died he was awarded a knighthood.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
“Why” Has Its Place in Adding Context and Understanding
We’re all familiar with the famous George Bernard Shaw quote: “You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?”
While I truly love this quote, and believe in all it advocates, there remains arguably much to learn in the question “Why?” For why seeks context. Why seeks clarity. Why offers some homage to the decisions of the past. Why seeks first to understand.
As Stephen Covey wrote, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
Why simply seeks some knowledge of the past. As we continue the quote-fest herein, Dan Sullivan noted that “All progress begins by telling the truth.”
My interest in history, in the past, most certainly grows as I get older. And yet, the way I employ my knowledge of the past – to whatever extent said knowledge exists – also continues to evolve.
There’s the school of thought that follows George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." But another school of thought advocates our ability to make the future whatever we so choose, and by continued focus on the past, we actually increase our chances of repeating it. I tend towards the latter of these two opposing views.
So why all this focus on why? Well, because I had an astounding “why” experience a few days ago. I’ll get back to that later. For now, if we employ “how” for a moment, how might why help us all in our daily lives?
The answer, of course, lies above: context, clarity, understanding, the truth.
For example, when someone does something that disappoints you, angers you, frustrates you, etc., do you ask why he/she/they did so? Do you truly ask why, in an effort to understand?
When someone teaches you something, like a new skill, do you ask why it’s best to perform the skill the way that is taught?
Now to our golf games, where why can be quite powerful!
Do you ask why you don’t consistently hit the ball straight? Do you ask why you don’t consistently make all putts within five feet? When you take a lesson and are taught a new skill, do you ask why?
Don’t get me wrong, I continue to advocate the power of “how” questions as well, such as “How do I learn to hit the ball straight consistently?” But why helps us with context, and knowledge of the past.
I noted above that I recently enjoyed an astounding “why” experience. My father was notorious for not wanting to leave tips. This was most pronounced, and from my perspective also embarrassing, in restaurants. He’d often begrudgingly leave a quarter or two after a meal of $50 or $100. I would often lag behind and discreetly leave more, only to invariably be caught by his watchful eye.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I picked up some of his old Boy Scout books, dusted them off, and asked my mother if I might bring a few back to my Kitchener home to peruse. She agreed of course, and so on Tuesday evening of this week my two boys and I flipped through a couple of these mid-1940’s Boy Scout books.
And what did we find on page 174 of Scouting for Boys, written by Lord Baden-Powell himself, published by C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., in and around 1940?
So there you have it. The point is not whether one agrees with the answer to why, but rather the context and understanding offered when one asks “why.”
While I truly love this quote, and believe in all it advocates, there remains arguably much to learn in the question “Why?” For why seeks context. Why seeks clarity. Why offers some homage to the decisions of the past. Why seeks first to understand.
As Stephen Covey wrote, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
Why simply seeks some knowledge of the past. As we continue the quote-fest herein, Dan Sullivan noted that “All progress begins by telling the truth.”
My interest in history, in the past, most certainly grows as I get older. And yet, the way I employ my knowledge of the past – to whatever extent said knowledge exists – also continues to evolve.
There’s the school of thought that follows George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." But another school of thought advocates our ability to make the future whatever we so choose, and by continued focus on the past, we actually increase our chances of repeating it. I tend towards the latter of these two opposing views.
So why all this focus on why? Well, because I had an astounding “why” experience a few days ago. I’ll get back to that later. For now, if we employ “how” for a moment, how might why help us all in our daily lives?
The answer, of course, lies above: context, clarity, understanding, the truth.
For example, when someone does something that disappoints you, angers you, frustrates you, etc., do you ask why he/she/they did so? Do you truly ask why, in an effort to understand?
When someone teaches you something, like a new skill, do you ask why it’s best to perform the skill the way that is taught?
Now to our golf games, where why can be quite powerful!
Do you ask why you don’t consistently hit the ball straight? Do you ask why you don’t consistently make all putts within five feet? When you take a lesson and are taught a new skill, do you ask why?
Don’t get me wrong, I continue to advocate the power of “how” questions as well, such as “How do I learn to hit the ball straight consistently?” But why helps us with context, and knowledge of the past.
I noted above that I recently enjoyed an astounding “why” experience. My father was notorious for not wanting to leave tips. This was most pronounced, and from my perspective also embarrassing, in restaurants. He’d often begrudgingly leave a quarter or two after a meal of $50 or $100. I would often lag behind and discreetly leave more, only to invariably be caught by his watchful eye.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I picked up some of his old Boy Scout books, dusted them off, and asked my mother if I might bring a few back to my Kitchener home to peruse. She agreed of course, and so on Tuesday evening of this week my two boys and I flipped through a couple of these mid-1940’s Boy Scout books.
And what did we find on page 174 of Scouting for Boys, written by Lord Baden-Powell himself, published by C. Arthur Pearson Ltd., in and around 1940?
Then “tips” are a very bad thing.
Wherever you go, people want to be “tipped” for doing the slightest thing which they ought to do out of common good feeling. A scout will never accept a “tip,” even if it is offered him, unless it is to pay for work done. It is often difficult to refuse, but for a scout it is easy. He has only to say, “Thank you very much, but I am a scout, and our rules don’t allow us to accept anything for doing a good turn.”
“Tips” put you on a wrong footing with everyone.
You cannot work in a friendly way with a man if you are thinking how much “tip” you are going to get out of him, or he is thinking how much he’ll have to “tip” you. And all scout’s work for another ought to be done in a friendly way.
I have had a number of letters of admiration for the scouts in many parts of the country on account of their doing good acts and then declining to be tipped for them. I am very glad to hear it, scouts.
Of course, proper pay that is earned by your works in another thing, and you will be right to accept it.
So there you have it. The point is not whether one agrees with the answer to why, but rather the context and understanding offered when one asks “why.”
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Latest Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo Newsletter
The following update went out, via email, to the many members, future members, shareholders and stakeholders who are involved in Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo. We look forward to opening your incredible indoor golf training center soon!
Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo Update
Hello Fellow Golfers,
We’ve made significant progress in the development of Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo since our last update and we’re excited to share the news.
As noted previously, one of our largest investors has taken longer – much longer – than anticipated to free up the capital for the investment in your golf training center. This investor has once again made fantastic progress since our last update! We’re more confident than ever that we’re not far from construction, finally.
In August, the Waterloo Region Record reported – and we were already well aware – that TriOS College had signed lease for space within Market Square. The leased space does indeed involve some of the space we were intending to occupy. However, clearly there remains a large amount of vacant floor space within the same general area in Market Square. The only implication for Parmasters KW involves a reconfiguration of our space plan to fit a different footprint.
Even as our largest committed investor makes great progress, we’ve opened discussions with several groups across the Waterloo Region and the province to raise the remaining capital from other sources. We’ve worked hard to develop new and innovative strategies to quickly locate and engage with appropriate potential investors. These new approaches are developing very positively.
We made the very simple decision to temporarily close our Temporary Event Center (TEC) at Market Square. We did so in late September. This decision will ease the financial burden on our firm during this period, as we raise the final capital required to build your golf training center. The TEC will re-open when the timing is perfect.
Once again, we urge you to send your fellow golfers to the Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo website – www.parmastersgolf.com/kitchener-waterloo . All interested golfers should register for these regular email updates.
Stephen Southern
Franchise Owner, Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo and Southern Ontario
www.parmastersgolf.com/kitchener-waterloo
shsouthern.blogspot.com
twitter.com/shsouthern
Golf Tip
By Scott Hazledine , PGA Master Professional
Parmasters Co Founder & Director of Instruction
How Dynamic Balancing Helps You Control Your Ball Movement
The two most obvious things to look at when trying to control your ball movement are your grip and release position. You can experiment with a grip change by pronating your left h and , and by supinating your right h and . That is, move your left and right h and s to your right. If you play left h and ed simply reverse this procedure. FYI - I prefer not to experiment with grip changes.
Instead my preference is to experiment with the balance of the golf club. By this I mean when you have completed your swing, point the shaft towards the target. This is how Moe Norman did it. The position of the club head will show your release action by its "vertical" angle from heel to toe to the target.
Here is what you do. Take a full, fast, 100% swing and follow through the entire way. Now bring the club head down pointing to the target, i.e., the shaft is almost horizontal to the ground. Look down the club shaft, and you'll see the relationship between the club face and your target. Imagine that the club head is the large h and on the face of a clock with the twelve o'clock position being skyward, and six o'clock being towards the ground. The toe of the club will be pointing either straight up to the twelve o'clock position or to the right or left of twelve o'clock. More often than not, the toe will be pointing at twelve o'clock or more towards one o'clock if you consistently hit fades.
To hit a draw your balance of the club head must be left of twelve o'clock and towards eleven o'clock, or even left of eleven o'clock. Hold your position with the shaft pointing at the target, and move the club head to a point left of its original position. Now step up to the ball without changing your grip and swing normally. The balance of the golf club will feel quite different in your h and s because the club face will be more closed to your swing path. Your normal swing and release will yield a draw or even a hook. Remember to swing and release as you normally do. The only change you've made is the balance of the club through impact and separation.
You achieve the desired ball flight by turning the balance more and more to the left. Once this happens you will need to adjust your alignment accordingly. I suggest you accomplish this by aligning your shoulders to the right of the target by the amount you want to draw the ball.
If you attempt to manipulate the club by turning your h and s over faster - unless you have world class timing and tempo - it will lead to disaster. I advocate going to a simple single axis grip so you can release the golf club the same way every time, and the club will square up without pronation and supination of your forearms and h and s. This is the simplest and most accurate way to control spin. The balancing of the golf club will produce controlled fades, draws, and dead straight ball flight at will. My stroke video does an admirable job of explaining and demonstrating this principle.
When you watch professionals on TV observe their finish and you'll notice that their club balance is normally at twelve o'clock or slightly towards one. With a few practice sessions the balance of the golf club will not distract you as it does at first.
My nickname when I was playing competitively, "Dial a Shot," comes from my ability to control spin. Balancing the club to a point on the imaginary clock before I swing allows me to release the golf club the same way every time and lets the dynamics of the golf club's balance through impact and separation control spin and ball movement.
Best regards,
Scott Hazledine,
PGA Master Professional
Co Founder & Director of Instruction
Recent Blog Entries
By Stephen Southern
Franchise Owner, Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo and Southern Ontario
shsouthern.blogspot.com
twitter.com/shsouthern
Parmasters’s First Virtual Franchise Owners Conference
Brief Article on Southwest Greens at Parmasters
Kavelman-Fonn Foundation Backs Canadian Amateur Golf Championships
“Stare at the target and glance at the ball”
Parmasters KW and Others Active on Twitter
Golf Quote or Joke
“It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification.” -Bruce McCall
Source: The Quote Garden ( www.quotegarden.com
Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo Update
Hello Fellow Golfers,
We’ve made significant progress in the development of Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo since our last update and we’re excited to share the news.
As noted previously, one of our largest investors has taken longer – much longer – than anticipated to free up the capital for the investment in your golf training center. This investor has once again made fantastic progress since our last update! We’re more confident than ever that we’re not far from construction, finally.
In August, the Waterloo Region Record reported – and we were already well aware – that TriOS College had signed lease for space within Market Square. The leased space does indeed involve some of the space we were intending to occupy. However, clearly there remains a large amount of vacant floor space within the same general area in Market Square. The only implication for Parmasters KW involves a reconfiguration of our space plan to fit a different footprint.
Even as our largest committed investor makes great progress, we’ve opened discussions with several groups across the Waterloo Region and the province to raise the remaining capital from other sources. We’ve worked hard to develop new and innovative strategies to quickly locate and engage with appropriate potential investors. These new approaches are developing very positively.
We made the very simple decision to temporarily close our Temporary Event Center (TEC) at Market Square. We did so in late September. This decision will ease the financial burden on our firm during this period, as we raise the final capital required to build your golf training center. The TEC will re-open when the timing is perfect.
Once again, we urge you to send your fellow golfers to the Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo website – www.parmastersgolf.com/kitchener-waterloo . All interested golfers should register for these regular email updates.
Stephen Southern
Franchise Owner, Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo and Southern Ontario
www.parmastersgolf.com/kitchener-waterloo
shsouthern.blogspot.com
twitter.com/shsouthern
Golf Tip
By Scott Hazledine , PGA Master Professional
Parmasters Co Founder & Director of Instruction
How Dynamic Balancing Helps You Control Your Ball Movement
The two most obvious things to look at when trying to control your ball movement are your grip and release position. You can experiment with a grip change by pronating your left h and , and by supinating your right h and . That is, move your left and right h and s to your right. If you play left h and ed simply reverse this procedure. FYI - I prefer not to experiment with grip changes.
Instead my preference is to experiment with the balance of the golf club. By this I mean when you have completed your swing, point the shaft towards the target. This is how Moe Norman did it. The position of the club head will show your release action by its "vertical" angle from heel to toe to the target.
Here is what you do. Take a full, fast, 100% swing and follow through the entire way. Now bring the club head down pointing to the target, i.e., the shaft is almost horizontal to the ground. Look down the club shaft, and you'll see the relationship between the club face and your target. Imagine that the club head is the large h and on the face of a clock with the twelve o'clock position being skyward, and six o'clock being towards the ground. The toe of the club will be pointing either straight up to the twelve o'clock position or to the right or left of twelve o'clock. More often than not, the toe will be pointing at twelve o'clock or more towards one o'clock if you consistently hit fades.
To hit a draw your balance of the club head must be left of twelve o'clock and towards eleven o'clock, or even left of eleven o'clock. Hold your position with the shaft pointing at the target, and move the club head to a point left of its original position. Now step up to the ball without changing your grip and swing normally. The balance of the golf club will feel quite different in your h and s because the club face will be more closed to your swing path. Your normal swing and release will yield a draw or even a hook. Remember to swing and release as you normally do. The only change you've made is the balance of the club through impact and separation.
You achieve the desired ball flight by turning the balance more and more to the left. Once this happens you will need to adjust your alignment accordingly. I suggest you accomplish this by aligning your shoulders to the right of the target by the amount you want to draw the ball.
If you attempt to manipulate the club by turning your h and s over faster - unless you have world class timing and tempo - it will lead to disaster. I advocate going to a simple single axis grip so you can release the golf club the same way every time, and the club will square up without pronation and supination of your forearms and h and s. This is the simplest and most accurate way to control spin. The balancing of the golf club will produce controlled fades, draws, and dead straight ball flight at will. My stroke video does an admirable job of explaining and demonstrating this principle.
When you watch professionals on TV observe their finish and you'll notice that their club balance is normally at twelve o'clock or slightly towards one. With a few practice sessions the balance of the golf club will not distract you as it does at first.
My nickname when I was playing competitively, "Dial a Shot," comes from my ability to control spin. Balancing the club to a point on the imaginary clock before I swing allows me to release the golf club the same way every time and lets the dynamics of the golf club's balance through impact and separation control spin and ball movement.
Best regards,
Scott Hazledine,
PGA Master Professional
Co Founder & Director of Instruction
Recent Blog Entries
By Stephen Southern
Franchise Owner, Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo and Southern Ontario
shsouthern.blogspot.com
twitter.com/shsouthern
Parmasters’s First Virtual Franchise Owners Conference
Brief Article on Southwest Greens at Parmasters
Kavelman-Fonn Foundation Backs Canadian Amateur Golf Championships
“Stare at the target and glance at the ball”
Parmasters KW and Others Active on Twitter
Golf Quote or Joke
“It's easy to see golf not as a game at all but as some whey-faced, nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister's fever dream of exorcism achieved through ritual and self-mortification.” -Bruce McCall
Source: The Quote Garden ( www.quotegarden.com
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Match by Mark Frost Promises a Great Tale
I started this blog entry earlier this morning but had to leave the office for a breakfast meeting. I met with the principal and a director of a very unique, young company that aspires to compete amongst industry giants. What a fantastic and enviable challenge! We’ll see how this plays out over the next 5-20 years.
Last night I was perusing some golf magazines that have piled up, including Golf Canada – published by our very own Royal Canadian Golf Association – from June of this year. On page 32 I stumbled across a brief review of a book titled The Match. The book was written by Mark Frost, and the review was written by James McCarten.
The Match apparently focuses on “a little-known Cypress Point money tilt – fairway titans Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson [(two towering Texan golf giants)] versus amateur sensations Ken Venturi and Harvie Ward!” It sounds like a fascinating and entertaining read!
You can find the review online here. I’ve also included two images below that show McCarten’s entire review from the Golf Canada website.
On this past Thanksgiving weekend I took my Mother out for a lengthy Sunday afternoon drive – it was a cloudy but remarkable day – to wander until we were lost and view the changing leaf colours. The images below were taken during this jaunt.
Last night I was perusing some golf magazines that have piled up, including Golf Canada – published by our very own Royal Canadian Golf Association – from June of this year. On page 32 I stumbled across a brief review of a book titled The Match. The book was written by Mark Frost, and the review was written by James McCarten.
The Match apparently focuses on “a little-known Cypress Point money tilt – fairway titans Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson [(two towering Texan golf giants)] versus amateur sensations Ken Venturi and Harvie Ward!” It sounds like a fascinating and entertaining read!
You can find the review online here. I’ve also included two images below that show McCarten’s entire review from the Golf Canada website.
On this past Thanksgiving weekend I took my Mother out for a lengthy Sunday afternoon drive – it was a cloudy but remarkable day – to wander until we were lost and view the changing leaf colours. The images below were taken during this jaunt.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Golf Approved for 2016 Olympics
I’m looking forward to the Oktoberfest 5k run on Sunday. I’ve only completed a few 5ks so far this summer, and this will likely be the last for the season. Hopefully I can better my previous best time of some 25 minutes and change.
This past Thanksgiving Monday saw the first and only staging of the famed Peace Street Classic. A great old friend and I, both of us having grown up on Peace Street, get together periodically to contest for the Classic trophy. The historical results are noted towards the bottom of the right hand column of this blog. Despite my clear losing record, and after an extensive frost delay, I did manage to squeak out a 2 and 1 victory at Mill Run, near Uxbridge, ON.
The golf world recently enjoyed some very big news, as our grand game ... er ... I mean our grand sport has been brought into the summer Olympic fold. The world’s best will compete for Olympic gold starting in 2016 in Rio De Janeiro. Golf News Now provided great coverage available here, and included inline below.
Golf Is Approved for 2016 Olympics
October 9, 2009 by GNN
Golf has received final approval from the International Olympic Committee for play starting in 2016 in Rio De Janeiro.
“We are elated that the IOC membership has accepted golf as an Olympic sport and look forward to seeing the world’s best golfers compete for gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” said Ty Votaw, Executive Director of the International Golf Federation Olympic Golf Committee.
“We thank the IOC for its support, and also congratulate rugby sevens for its inclusion in the 2016 Games,” said Votaw in a release.
Golf and rugby sevens were recommended for the Olympic Programme by the IOC Executive Board in August following an extensive review process involving seven sports that were vying to be added to the 2016 Olympic Games.
Although they emerged as the finalists, both sports still required final approval on Friday in Copenhagen by a majority of votes cast by the members of the IOC.
“We strongly believed that golf deserved to be added to the Olympic program and felt that we presented a compelling case to the IOC,” Votaw said.
“We have received unprecedented support from international golf organizations throughout this process, as well as from the world’s top-ranked men and women players, which was critical to our success. We also stressed the universal nature of golf, with 60 million people playing the sport in more than 120 countries.”
Based on player feedback, the IGF has proposed a format of 72-hole individual stroke play for both men and women. In case of a tie for either first, second or third place, a three-hole playoff is recommended to determine the medal winner(s).
The IGF also has recommended an Olympic field of 60 players for the men’s and women’s competitions, using the World Golf Rankings as a method of determining eligibility.
The top-15 world-ranked players would be eligible for the Olympics, regardless of the number of players from a given country.
Beyond the top-15, players would be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top-15.
Current world rankings from both the men’s and women’s games show that at least 30 countries would be represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions, from all continents, under this proposal.
This past Thanksgiving Monday saw the first and only staging of the famed Peace Street Classic. A great old friend and I, both of us having grown up on Peace Street, get together periodically to contest for the Classic trophy. The historical results are noted towards the bottom of the right hand column of this blog. Despite my clear losing record, and after an extensive frost delay, I did manage to squeak out a 2 and 1 victory at Mill Run, near Uxbridge, ON.
The golf world recently enjoyed some very big news, as our grand game ... er ... I mean our grand sport has been brought into the summer Olympic fold. The world’s best will compete for Olympic gold starting in 2016 in Rio De Janeiro. Golf News Now provided great coverage available here, and included inline below.
Golf Is Approved for 2016 Olympics
October 9, 2009 by GNN
Golf has received final approval from the International Olympic Committee for play starting in 2016 in Rio De Janeiro.
“We are elated that the IOC membership has accepted golf as an Olympic sport and look forward to seeing the world’s best golfers compete for gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” said Ty Votaw, Executive Director of the International Golf Federation Olympic Golf Committee.
“We thank the IOC for its support, and also congratulate rugby sevens for its inclusion in the 2016 Games,” said Votaw in a release.
Golf and rugby sevens were recommended for the Olympic Programme by the IOC Executive Board in August following an extensive review process involving seven sports that were vying to be added to the 2016 Olympic Games.
Although they emerged as the finalists, both sports still required final approval on Friday in Copenhagen by a majority of votes cast by the members of the IOC.
“We strongly believed that golf deserved to be added to the Olympic program and felt that we presented a compelling case to the IOC,” Votaw said.
“We have received unprecedented support from international golf organizations throughout this process, as well as from the world’s top-ranked men and women players, which was critical to our success. We also stressed the universal nature of golf, with 60 million people playing the sport in more than 120 countries.”
Based on player feedback, the IGF has proposed a format of 72-hole individual stroke play for both men and women. In case of a tie for either first, second or third place, a three-hole playoff is recommended to determine the medal winner(s).
The IGF also has recommended an Olympic field of 60 players for the men’s and women’s competitions, using the World Golf Rankings as a method of determining eligibility.
The top-15 world-ranked players would be eligible for the Olympics, regardless of the number of players from a given country.
Beyond the top-15, players would be eligible based on the world rankings, with a maximum of two eligible players from each country that does not already have two or more players among the top-15.
Current world rankings from both the men’s and women’s games show that at least 30 countries would be represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions, from all continents, under this proposal.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Spectradigital Corporation Media Release
I’m a director of Spectradigital Corporation. We put out an announcement recently. You can find it here, and also included in line below. This company has such incredible potential!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2009
Contact Information
Ed King
970 207 1112
SpectraDigital Announces HIV/AIDS Initiative with a Brazilian partner
Fort Collins, CO –- SpectraDigital, Inc. of Fort Collins and SpectraDigital Corporation of Canada announced the publication in the September issue of Nature Biotechnology (http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v27/n9/full/nbt0909-806.html) of an article summarizing a partnership model with FK Biotec of Porto Alegre, Brazil (http://www.fkbiotec.com.br), to undertake a joint AIDS/HIV project. FK Biotec is a biotechnology company based in Brazil.
In addition to this Brazilian project, SpectraDigital also has a joint project with Dr. Lawrence Goodridge of CSU that is developing a platform technology for rapid detection of food-borne pathogens. SpectraDigital is also developing a project with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on TB diagnostics, and is seeking research partnerships in Africa on a malaria diagnostic project.
Ed King, President of SpectraDigital, Inc. remarked that the, “Nature Biotechnology article aptly recognizes the efforts of both SpectraDigital and FK Biotec to move forward projects that promise to deliver much needed testing services that are affordable and innovative. The ability to foster partnerships such as these is important in our economic times. Our solutions are aimed at bringing low cost diagnostic tests to resource-challenged areas and low margin industries like agriculture”.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2009
Contact Information
Ed King
970 207 1112
SpectraDigital Announces HIV/AIDS Initiative with a Brazilian partner
Fort Collins, CO –- SpectraDigital, Inc. of Fort Collins and SpectraDigital Corporation of Canada announced the publication in the September issue of Nature Biotechnology (http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/v27/n9/full/nbt0909-806.html) of an article summarizing a partnership model with FK Biotec of Porto Alegre, Brazil (http://www.fkbiotec.com.br), to undertake a joint AIDS/HIV project. FK Biotec is a biotechnology company based in Brazil.
In addition to this Brazilian project, SpectraDigital also has a joint project with Dr. Lawrence Goodridge of CSU that is developing a platform technology for rapid detection of food-borne pathogens. SpectraDigital is also developing a project with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on TB diagnostics, and is seeking research partnerships in Africa on a malaria diagnostic project.
Ed King, President of SpectraDigital, Inc. remarked that the, “Nature Biotechnology article aptly recognizes the efforts of both SpectraDigital and FK Biotec to move forward projects that promise to deliver much needed testing services that are affordable and innovative. The ability to foster partnerships such as these is important in our economic times. Our solutions are aimed at bringing low cost diagnostic tests to resource-challenged areas and low margin industries like agriculture”.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
I've just returned from our annual post-Thanksgiving feast walk. It's become a family tradition, in an effort to help us all feel better following a celebratory and glutinous meal.
There's nothing quite like the enjoyment of a turkey supper with all the fixin's, as they're called!
All the very best to you and yours on this Thanksgiving weekend, and always thereafter.
These wise words by Goethe seem quite fitting:
We must not hope to be mowers,
And to gather the ripe gold ears,
Unless we have first been sowers
And watered the furrows with tears.
It is not just as we take it,
This mystical world of ours,
Life's field will yield as we make it
A harvest of thorns or of flowers.
–Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
There's nothing quite like the enjoyment of a turkey supper with all the fixin's, as they're called!
All the very best to you and yours on this Thanksgiving weekend, and always thereafter.
These wise words by Goethe seem quite fitting:
We must not hope to be mowers,
And to gather the ripe gold ears,
Unless we have first been sowers
And watered the furrows with tears.
It is not just as we take it,
This mystical world of ours,
Life's field will yield as we make it
A harvest of thorns or of flowers.
–Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Friday, October 09, 2009
Parmasters’s Virtual Conference a Wrap
We wrapped up our virtual Parmasters franchise owners conference yesterday afternoon. As always, the group embodies an abundance of enthusiasm, drive, determination and commitment, along with a great mix of expertise, experience and innovation, of course.
In one of the less complex sessions we spoke about time management and effectiveness. One colleague shared the term “switch-tasking.” He didn’t coin the term, and he noted where he’d heard it, but the origin escapes me at the moment. The premise behind this term is quite simply that for the most part, humans are not capable of “multi-tasking.”
(The term multi-tasking originated in the computing world, when computers eventually gained the power necessary to perform two or more minor computing functions at the same time.)
The originator of the term switch-tasking argues apparently that we humans rarely achieve true multi-tasking. Rather, we simply switch back and forth from one largely all-consuming task to another. We “switch.” We don’t truly “multi” (even though that’s not a verb).
Of course, examples were given whereby humans can truly multi-task, specifically if one/more of the tasks is so menial as to not require much mental attention and/or capacity.
Another colleague shared he following formula:
(K + S) x A = S
K = Knowledge
S = Skill
A = Action
And “S”, of course, equals Success.
I’ve seen this before, and sometimes it’s tweaked slightly. But the point remains powerful.
May you all increase your knowledge, your skill, or both, and then amplify that with lots of action. Be well!
In one of the less complex sessions we spoke about time management and effectiveness. One colleague shared the term “switch-tasking.” He didn’t coin the term, and he noted where he’d heard it, but the origin escapes me at the moment. The premise behind this term is quite simply that for the most part, humans are not capable of “multi-tasking.”
(The term multi-tasking originated in the computing world, when computers eventually gained the power necessary to perform two or more minor computing functions at the same time.)
The originator of the term switch-tasking argues apparently that we humans rarely achieve true multi-tasking. Rather, we simply switch back and forth from one largely all-consuming task to another. We “switch.” We don’t truly “multi” (even though that’s not a verb).
Of course, examples were given whereby humans can truly multi-task, specifically if one/more of the tasks is so menial as to not require much mental attention and/or capacity.
Another colleague shared he following formula:
(K + S) x A = S
K = Knowledge
S = Skill
A = Action
And “S”, of course, equals Success.
I’ve seen this before, and sometimes it’s tweaked slightly. But the point remains powerful.
May you all increase your knowledge, your skill, or both, and then amplify that with lots of action. Be well!
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Parmasters’s First Virtual Franchise Owners Conference
It seems autumn hath arrived in southern Ontario. Whilst this season does offer challenges, adjustments and, in some cases, rude awakenings, it remains one of my favourites. All that’s happening around us at the moment, as much of nature transitions from life and growth to preparation for slumber and dormancy, continually dazzles as a great spectacle of this world.
Once again it’s been a busy period for Parmasters KW and Parmasters Golf Training Centers (our franchisor) as well. We’re in the midst of our first virtual franchise owners conference. We had all considered gathering in Memphis, TN, USA this week, just as we gathered in Las Vegas, NV, USA earlier this year, but schedules did not allow for the travel and the time away from other commitments. These conferences involve colleagues from three continents and several countries.
So, instead, we’re all gathering virtually for several hours of meetings daily. Technologies such as Webex, conference calling, Skype, MSN and the like have helped these meetings run surprisingly smoothly, devoid of but a few technical challenges.
Today we take a much-needed break from the conference, but that simply means a relatively full day of local Parmasters KW meetings. Happily I’ll also be enjoying a nice evening out on the town later.
I have a few different outstanding Parmasters KW items that require my attention. I’ve also been working with a Montreal firm that requires some of my time in the next day or two.
Last night I did some wood working with my youngest son. He’s developed an idea for a rather unique Halloween costume, and so we puttered about in the garage last night designing, cutting, shaping and sanding.
As mentioned last week, my eldest son suffered a couple of minor injuries in his team’s season opener. The finger is healing well, but his hip remains a nagging injury. Apparently he can barely jog, and running full out is simply out of the question at the moment, much to the chagrin of his coach who wants to continue to employ him on both sides of the ball. We were hoping he would play this week, as the opponent is a top-rated team.
For now, I’ll leave with a quote. A lady with whom I went to high school included this on her Facebook page last week, with no attribution. I’m not sure if it’s hers, originally, or not.
“Yesterday I was less. Tomorrow I will be more. Today I will be all that I can BE. Enjoy LIFE!!!”
Once again it’s been a busy period for Parmasters KW and Parmasters Golf Training Centers (our franchisor) as well. We’re in the midst of our first virtual franchise owners conference. We had all considered gathering in Memphis, TN, USA this week, just as we gathered in Las Vegas, NV, USA earlier this year, but schedules did not allow for the travel and the time away from other commitments. These conferences involve colleagues from three continents and several countries.
So, instead, we’re all gathering virtually for several hours of meetings daily. Technologies such as Webex, conference calling, Skype, MSN and the like have helped these meetings run surprisingly smoothly, devoid of but a few technical challenges.
Today we take a much-needed break from the conference, but that simply means a relatively full day of local Parmasters KW meetings. Happily I’ll also be enjoying a nice evening out on the town later.
I have a few different outstanding Parmasters KW items that require my attention. I’ve also been working with a Montreal firm that requires some of my time in the next day or two.
Last night I did some wood working with my youngest son. He’s developed an idea for a rather unique Halloween costume, and so we puttered about in the garage last night designing, cutting, shaping and sanding.
As mentioned last week, my eldest son suffered a couple of minor injuries in his team’s season opener. The finger is healing well, but his hip remains a nagging injury. Apparently he can barely jog, and running full out is simply out of the question at the moment, much to the chagrin of his coach who wants to continue to employ him on both sides of the ball. We were hoping he would play this week, as the opponent is a top-rated team.
For now, I’ll leave with a quote. A lady with whom I went to high school included this on her Facebook page last week, with no attribution. I’m not sure if it’s hers, originally, or not.
“Yesterday I was less. Tomorrow I will be more. Today I will be all that I can BE. Enjoy LIFE!!!”
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Attempted Review: Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth
I sit here on this gorgeous fall Saturday in rather a conundrum. You see, I typically dedicate approximately 30 minutes, at most, to each blog entry. That time includes spell checking, including any relevant links, posting, etc. It’s more than just writing time.
Earlier this week I finished reading Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. So it’s now time to post a brief review of Tolle’s latest offering. Therein lays my conundrum.
I’m not certain it’s possible, within the confines of a blog entry, even if I toss my 30 minute allotment to the wind, to do justice to this tome. And so, how do I convey a few thoughts on this work? Will a “few thoughts” do this book justice? No! Do I possess the literary skills to review this book in any way? I’m not sure.
I’ve leafed through the book again, searching in vain for a few excerpts to which I could point and say there, that’s what A New Earth is all about, and that’s why you should read it. For indeed, you should read it! My search came up dry. There are no such excerpts that possibly even aspire to capture the essence of Tolle’s message. Every word, on every page, is important.
But, enough of my procrastination.
A New Earth will either resonate with you, or it won’t. You’ll either be lost in the first chapter or two, or you’ll get it. And there’s nothing wrong with the former, nor anything particularly inspired in the latter. Put simply, you’ll either find yourself ready for this message, or you won’t.
As may now be rather obvious, I do highly, strongly recommend A New Earth. However, I also recommend that you read The Power of Now first. I believe the reading of A New Earth comes through in a much deeper, more meaningful way if building from the foundations of The Power of Now.
In A New Earth, Tolle expands upon his Power of Now message, taking the reader into a much deeper understanding of the awakened state that he believes is possible for all. Tolle delves into wonderful anecdotes to weave his message into everyday circumstance to which the reader can relate.
As the title may suggest, A New Earth also explores the macrocosm of what may be should enlightenment and consciousness spread throughout mankind. While The Power of Now focused on the individual, the microcosm if you will, A New Earth ventures into the realm of society, our species, and indeed this entire, incredible universe.
So here’s the thing. Read the book! If you find yourself lost, put it down for a while, perhaps a year or more. Then go back to it. Repeat until you no longer find yourself lost, until Tolle’s message resonates with you. Thenceforth, enjoy an awakened life!
Now I shall fire off an email to Tolle urging him to tailor his messages to the great game of golf. I suspect the impact on our enjoyment, and our overall average handicap, would be nothing short of startling.
Earlier this week I finished reading Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. So it’s now time to post a brief review of Tolle’s latest offering. Therein lays my conundrum.
I’m not certain it’s possible, within the confines of a blog entry, even if I toss my 30 minute allotment to the wind, to do justice to this tome. And so, how do I convey a few thoughts on this work? Will a “few thoughts” do this book justice? No! Do I possess the literary skills to review this book in any way? I’m not sure.
I’ve leafed through the book again, searching in vain for a few excerpts to which I could point and say there, that’s what A New Earth is all about, and that’s why you should read it. For indeed, you should read it! My search came up dry. There are no such excerpts that possibly even aspire to capture the essence of Tolle’s message. Every word, on every page, is important.
But, enough of my procrastination.
A New Earth will either resonate with you, or it won’t. You’ll either be lost in the first chapter or two, or you’ll get it. And there’s nothing wrong with the former, nor anything particularly inspired in the latter. Put simply, you’ll either find yourself ready for this message, or you won’t.
As may now be rather obvious, I do highly, strongly recommend A New Earth. However, I also recommend that you read The Power of Now first. I believe the reading of A New Earth comes through in a much deeper, more meaningful way if building from the foundations of The Power of Now.
In A New Earth, Tolle expands upon his Power of Now message, taking the reader into a much deeper understanding of the awakened state that he believes is possible for all. Tolle delves into wonderful anecdotes to weave his message into everyday circumstance to which the reader can relate.
As the title may suggest, A New Earth also explores the macrocosm of what may be should enlightenment and consciousness spread throughout mankind. While The Power of Now focused on the individual, the microcosm if you will, A New Earth ventures into the realm of society, our species, and indeed this entire, incredible universe.
So here’s the thing. Read the book! If you find yourself lost, put it down for a while, perhaps a year or more. Then go back to it. Repeat until you no longer find yourself lost, until Tolle’s message resonates with you. Thenceforth, enjoy an awakened life!
Now I shall fire off an email to Tolle urging him to tailor his messages to the great game of golf. I suspect the impact on our enjoyment, and our overall average handicap, would be nothing short of startling.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Football Injuries
I'm sitting in emergency with my eldest son. Looks like his finger is broken. His hip is also bothering him. I'm feeling like the young guy here.
He played football last night and never left the field: tight end on the O line, defensive end on the D line, and also the kick-off and kick-return teams. But maybe now he's paying the price.
For now he's in getting some pictures taken.
He played football last night and never left the field: tight end on the O line, defensive end on the D line, and also the kick-off and kick-return teams. But maybe now he's paying the price.
For now he's in getting some pictures taken.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Great Tip to Make To-Do Lists More Effective
Thank you for your insightful comment Shelagh. I will adopt this technique, perhaps substituting something like “Yes!” (because it’s brief and easier on my BlackBerry) for “Success!”
This reminds me of yet another favoured quote.
“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things ... I am tempted to think ... there are no little things.” -Bruce Barton
I was chatting this morning with the Don Smith. He’s the former Athletic Director at Wilfrid Laurier University (one of my alma maters), and also former coach of the WLU golf team. Thank you to a friend for the connection. Don seems like a true Renaissance man, something to which I aspire.
Ontario Golf Magazine, in their fall issue, and also in their September 24, 2009 email newsletter, issued the results of their “popular biennial ranking of the province’s Top 50 layouts.” You can learn more about their ranking here.
Congratulations to Westmount G. & C. C. which made the list, once again, this time in the fourth spot. Any of you lucky enough to play Westmount, whether regularly, periodically, or only once, will most certainly agree that it ranks amongst the nation’s gems.
This reminds me of yet another favoured quote.
“Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things ... I am tempted to think ... there are no little things.” -Bruce Barton
I was chatting this morning with the Don Smith. He’s the former Athletic Director at Wilfrid Laurier University (one of my alma maters), and also former coach of the WLU golf team. Thank you to a friend for the connection. Don seems like a true Renaissance man, something to which I aspire.
Ontario Golf Magazine, in their fall issue, and also in their September 24, 2009 email newsletter, issued the results of their “popular biennial ranking of the province’s Top 50 layouts.” You can learn more about their ranking here.
Congratulations to Westmount G. & C. C. which made the list, once again, this time in the fourth spot. Any of you lucky enough to play Westmount, whether regularly, periodically, or only once, will most certainly agree that it ranks amongst the nation’s gems.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Recently Made the Switch to a Daily To-Do List
I’ve recently made a change to the way I organize and “intend” my day (each and every day), and it’s been a very positive adjustment.
I’m a very heavy user of Microsoft Outlook and my BlackBerry. (I tend to burn through BlackBerry’s at the rate of about one per year.) In both tools I list all of my outstanding Tasks, my Contacts, my Calendar, email of course, and other miscellaneous notes.
I generally sit down sometime each Sunday and organize my schedule for the coming week. I make sure I have ample time to travel from one meeting to another, I may adjust meetings to reduce travel, etc.
I also take this time each Sunday to review my outstanding Tasks, to ensure the list is accurate and, to the best of my knowledge, complete. All of my Tasks are categorized in two ways. First by the role in my life the Task pertains too (for example, Son, Father, Home Owner, Parmasters KW, S.H. Southern and Associates, etc.), and then also by urgency and importance.
Now for the change I’ve recently made.
In the past, each Sunday, I would allocate time throughout the coming week to tackle each Task. It’s very easy in Outlook to drag and drop a Task onto your Calendar. So, as a hypothetical example, I might allocate 8:00am to 9:00am on the Tuesday to updating the Parmasters KW website. And then I may allocate 9:00am to 10:00am to another Task. Etc.
I’ve now switched to a simple daily to-do list. I’m not sure why, but I’m finding this new (to me) approach both easier to organize (and re-organize as the day progresses), and also more productive.
I’m not sure if it’s the simple joy of crossing an item off my to-do list, or if it’s the fact that I can see my Tasks for the day in one very succinct view, or if there’s some other factor(s) at play. Regardless, the change has been positive, and thus has become habit.
So now, at the close of each day, I simply prepare my to-do list for the next day. Whether doing so on my BlackBerry or in Outlook, it’s quick and simple to drag existing outstanding Tasks onto my daily to-do list.
Oh, in addition, my daily to-do list includes a list of calls that I must place that day, emails I must initiate/send, and other activities.
Now I can revisit my to-do list and cross off the task “Write blog entry.”
Make it a great day!
I’m a very heavy user of Microsoft Outlook and my BlackBerry. (I tend to burn through BlackBerry’s at the rate of about one per year.) In both tools I list all of my outstanding Tasks, my Contacts, my Calendar, email of course, and other miscellaneous notes.
I generally sit down sometime each Sunday and organize my schedule for the coming week. I make sure I have ample time to travel from one meeting to another, I may adjust meetings to reduce travel, etc.
I also take this time each Sunday to review my outstanding Tasks, to ensure the list is accurate and, to the best of my knowledge, complete. All of my Tasks are categorized in two ways. First by the role in my life the Task pertains too (for example, Son, Father, Home Owner, Parmasters KW, S.H. Southern and Associates, etc.), and then also by urgency and importance.
Now for the change I’ve recently made.
In the past, each Sunday, I would allocate time throughout the coming week to tackle each Task. It’s very easy in Outlook to drag and drop a Task onto your Calendar. So, as a hypothetical example, I might allocate 8:00am to 9:00am on the Tuesday to updating the Parmasters KW website. And then I may allocate 9:00am to 10:00am to another Task. Etc.
I’ve now switched to a simple daily to-do list. I’m not sure why, but I’m finding this new (to me) approach both easier to organize (and re-organize as the day progresses), and also more productive.
I’m not sure if it’s the simple joy of crossing an item off my to-do list, or if it’s the fact that I can see my Tasks for the day in one very succinct view, or if there’s some other factor(s) at play. Regardless, the change has been positive, and thus has become habit.
So now, at the close of each day, I simply prepare my to-do list for the next day. Whether doing so on my BlackBerry or in Outlook, it’s quick and simple to drag existing outstanding Tasks onto my daily to-do list.
Oh, in addition, my daily to-do list includes a list of calls that I must place that day, emails I must initiate/send, and other activities.
Now I can revisit my to-do list and cross off the task “Write blog entry.”
Make it a great day!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Brief Article on Southwest Greens at Parmasters
Ah what a beautiful day. Of course, if you’ve read this blog much over the past years, you’ll understand that I do realize that EVERY day is a beautiful day. It’s a gift, as they say, the present.
Yesterday quickly became a day of many meetings, and today shall be of great resemblance.
My Tuesday hockey also starts today. I didn’t get out last year, but shall endeavour to make the most of it and seize the opportunities this year. One can’t make up for lost time, and I’m not even certain time is ever truly lost, but I am looking forward to hitting the ice once again.
I happened upon a brief article on the Parmasters KW short game area, written and offered forth by Peter Turkington of Strategic Communications Solutions on behalf of Parmasters Canada. I covered Southwest Greens in an early blog post here.
Here’s the article.
The chip and putt are two of the most important strokes in golf which only get better with practice. Parmasters Golf Training Centers make it possible to practice these strokes year round in their indoor golf centres.
Just ask players such as Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Mike Weir and they'll tell you that improvement only comes through consistent training and practice. Few ever imagine reaching their playing level, but concede that any improvement would be a step in the right direction.
Whether professional, experienced, casual or new, all golfers agree with the old adage, that "practice makes perfect." And yet, it's actually perfect practice that makes perfect. And that means training in the ideal conditions. What's challenging for the average golfer is finding the time and place to practice year round.
"It's no wonder that professionals putt well when many of them, such as Vijay Singh, have professionally designed golf greens right in their own backyard," says Parmasters Chief Golf Professional and Co-Founder, Scott Hazledine. "To have one of these would be any golfer's dream."
"Having a surface this good to practice on is incredible," says Vijay Singh, 2004 PGA champion. "[It… performs like a tour green."
The putting greens are so realistic and play like real greens that a golfer can play the same stroke that's used on real grass. "We've found that pros and amateurs can greatly improve their putting strokes by being able to rely on consistent putts with a "true roll" from every position on the green," says Weston Weber, founder and owner of Southwest Putting Greens Technologies, Inc.
Over 25 PGA pros own these putting greens, and it is these same, quality greens that Parmasters are installing in each of their 12,000 to 15,000 square-feet golf centres.
Yesterday quickly became a day of many meetings, and today shall be of great resemblance.
My Tuesday hockey also starts today. I didn’t get out last year, but shall endeavour to make the most of it and seize the opportunities this year. One can’t make up for lost time, and I’m not even certain time is ever truly lost, but I am looking forward to hitting the ice once again.
I happened upon a brief article on the Parmasters KW short game area, written and offered forth by Peter Turkington of Strategic Communications Solutions on behalf of Parmasters Canada. I covered Southwest Greens in an early blog post here.
Here’s the article.
The chip and putt are two of the most important strokes in golf which only get better with practice. Parmasters Golf Training Centers make it possible to practice these strokes year round in their indoor golf centres.
Just ask players such as Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Mike Weir and they'll tell you that improvement only comes through consistent training and practice. Few ever imagine reaching their playing level, but concede that any improvement would be a step in the right direction.
Whether professional, experienced, casual or new, all golfers agree with the old adage, that "practice makes perfect." And yet, it's actually perfect practice that makes perfect. And that means training in the ideal conditions. What's challenging for the average golfer is finding the time and place to practice year round.
"It's no wonder that professionals putt well when many of them, such as Vijay Singh, have professionally designed golf greens right in their own backyard," says Parmasters Chief Golf Professional and Co-Founder, Scott Hazledine. "To have one of these would be any golfer's dream."
"Having a surface this good to practice on is incredible," says Vijay Singh, 2004 PGA champion. "[It… performs like a tour green."
The putting greens are so realistic and play like real greens that a golfer can play the same stroke that's used on real grass. "We've found that pros and amateurs can greatly improve their putting strokes by being able to rely on consistent putts with a "true roll" from every position on the green," says Weston Weber, founder and owner of Southwest Putting Greens Technologies, Inc.
Over 25 PGA pros own these putting greens, and it is these same, quality greens that Parmasters are installing in each of their 12,000 to 15,000 square-feet golf centres.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Weekend Full of Productive Meetings
We awoke here in KW this morning to a thunderstorm and a nice rain. The rain will help some plants I’ve been nursing along, and the storm simply provided some enjoyable sounds. Hopefully no damage was done by lightning or wind.
I’m just coming off a very busy weekend, full of meetings and children’s activities. The meetings occurred both within and outside of the region, and all were very productive. The activities with my boys were, of course, most memorable and enjoyable.
I’m blessed with two young lads that impress me and make me increasingly proud each and every day. They’re not perfect, by any means. None of us can claim that distinction. But they make good decisions, they’re kind and thoughtful, and they know how to embrace the fun in life.
Ice hockey season has officially started in my household which of course means an adjustment to the normal routine and schedules. My eldest has also started his high school football season, which I look forward to watching, pacing up and down the sidelines.
We’ve made some good progress with Parmasters KW over the past couple of weeks. Capital remains the primary focus, and indeed the focus of many meetings of late. We know where we’re going, and we know that Parmasters KW will begin construction and open for business as soon as humanly possible.
We’ve also had a few other developments which I’ll elaborate on another time, later this week.
For now, I’ll share a quote, new to me, that happily came my way this week.
“Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances --- to choose one's way." -Viktor Frankel, concentration camp survivor
I’m just coming off a very busy weekend, full of meetings and children’s activities. The meetings occurred both within and outside of the region, and all were very productive. The activities with my boys were, of course, most memorable and enjoyable.
I’m blessed with two young lads that impress me and make me increasingly proud each and every day. They’re not perfect, by any means. None of us can claim that distinction. But they make good decisions, they’re kind and thoughtful, and they know how to embrace the fun in life.
Ice hockey season has officially started in my household which of course means an adjustment to the normal routine and schedules. My eldest has also started his high school football season, which I look forward to watching, pacing up and down the sidelines.
We’ve made some good progress with Parmasters KW over the past couple of weeks. Capital remains the primary focus, and indeed the focus of many meetings of late. We know where we’re going, and we know that Parmasters KW will begin construction and open for business as soon as humanly possible.
We’ve also had a few other developments which I’ll elaborate on another time, later this week.
For now, I’ll share a quote, new to me, that happily came my way this week.
“Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances --- to choose one's way." -Viktor Frankel, concentration camp survivor
Friday, September 25, 2009
A Very Connected World
I’ve been flying a little under the radar this week, largely on a self-imposed quarantine. I’ve been fighting a cold. It hit quite seriously on Sunday and only abated yesterday.
One of the great aspects of this connected world in which we live – even though I and many others would argue that it’s ALWAYS been a very connected world – is the ability to work from just about anywhere. Well, at least in my line of work anyway. So it’s also been a fairly productive week.
And in the interests of some rest to recover, I’ve been devouring Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth. Almost done, and more to come on that another day.
Of course, I had to cancel quite a few meetings this week. I did attend one on Tuesday afternoon, but that was a mistake, and lead to a significant relapse in the cold.
For now I’m off to Hamilton and Oakville for some meetings. I’ll part with one of my favourite quotes.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” -Joseph Campbell
... because we’ve always lived in a very connected world!
One of the great aspects of this connected world in which we live – even though I and many others would argue that it’s ALWAYS been a very connected world – is the ability to work from just about anywhere. Well, at least in my line of work anyway. So it’s also been a fairly productive week.
And in the interests of some rest to recover, I’ve been devouring Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth. Almost done, and more to come on that another day.
Of course, I had to cancel quite a few meetings this week. I did attend one on Tuesday afternoon, but that was a mistake, and lead to a significant relapse in the cold.
For now I’m off to Hamilton and Oakville for some meetings. I’ll part with one of my favourite quotes.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” -Joseph Campbell
... because we’ve always lived in a very connected world!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Entrepreneurship Quote
I'm sitting in the Symposium Cafe as I type, blogging remotely. Lots of meetings today, and an early start.
I've been visited repeatedly by a rather persistent house (aka restaurant) fly. I wonder if he's a messenger of some sort.
I'm waiting for an old friend who will join me shortly. Bill and I met whilst enrolled in the MBA program at Wilfrid Laurier in the mid-1990's.
Last night I worked away on a mammoth bird house project with my two boys. This is no ordinary bird house, as it stands about two feet tall, with a foot print of some three sq. ft.
It's a good experience for the boys as they're learning about planning, materials lists, power tools, etc.
Last night we did the first assembly, putting up four exterior walls and the sun-floor as well. Exciting stuff!
And lastly, I came across this quote the other day and found it both telling and a little tongue-in-cheek.
"Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't." -An entrepreneurship student of Warren G. Tracy
Make it a great day!
I've been visited repeatedly by a rather persistent house (aka restaurant) fly. I wonder if he's a messenger of some sort.
I'm waiting for an old friend who will join me shortly. Bill and I met whilst enrolled in the MBA program at Wilfrid Laurier in the mid-1990's.
Last night I worked away on a mammoth bird house project with my two boys. This is no ordinary bird house, as it stands about two feet tall, with a foot print of some three sq. ft.
It's a good experience for the boys as they're learning about planning, materials lists, power tools, etc.
Last night we did the first assembly, putting up four exterior walls and the sun-floor as well. Exciting stuff!
And lastly, I came across this quote the other day and found it both telling and a little tongue-in-cheek.
"Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won't, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can't." -An entrepreneurship student of Warren G. Tracy
Make it a great day!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Kipling Wrote About Life... and Golf
I was reading a few poems the other night, and it struck me that many of them apply not only to life, but to golf as well.
As I’ve often mentioned, and as many agree, a round of golf forms a wonderfully telling metaphor for life. A season of golf similarly brings forth the ups and downs, the easy times and the tough times, both for you and for your fellow golfers. As we handle the many emotions brought forth during a round/season of golf, so we also navigate life.
And so, as I read “IF” by Joseph Rudyard Kipling, and then re-read it several times, it struck me that he could easily have been writing about the sport we all love, golf.
IF.....
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
By Joseph Rudyard Kipling
As I’ve often mentioned, and as many agree, a round of golf forms a wonderfully telling metaphor for life. A season of golf similarly brings forth the ups and downs, the easy times and the tough times, both for you and for your fellow golfers. As we handle the many emotions brought forth during a round/season of golf, so we also navigate life.
And so, as I read “IF” by Joseph Rudyard Kipling, and then re-read it several times, it struck me that he could easily have been writing about the sport we all love, golf.
IF.....
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
By Joseph Rudyard Kipling
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Parmasters KW To Seek Talks With RCGA and Kavelman-Fonn Foundation
Several of you have rightfully pointed out that we at Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo, and indeed all of Parmasters Canada, should consider involvement in Canada’s national amateur golf championships. Thank you!
As mentioned previously in this blog, both here and here, “Research In Motion (RIM) executive Dennis Kavelman, along with a Peter McCarthy of Toronto’s Roundable Capital Partners, have committed significant funds, along with time and effort, to the betterment of amateur golf competitions across Canada. ... The BlackBerry leader, along with McCarthy, have committed to “help finance a five-year RCGA initiative to elevate Canada’s national amateur championships to ‘best in class.’””
Kavelman’s involvement comes via his Kavelman-Fonn Foundation.
We will indeed seek discussions with the RCGA, Kavelman and McCarthy, to see what role, if any, Parmasters might play in these worthy initiatives.
As mentioned previously in this blog, both here and here, “Research In Motion (RIM) executive Dennis Kavelman, along with a Peter McCarthy of Toronto’s Roundable Capital Partners, have committed significant funds, along with time and effort, to the betterment of amateur golf competitions across Canada. ... The BlackBerry leader, along with McCarthy, have committed to “help finance a five-year RCGA initiative to elevate Canada’s national amateur championships to ‘best in class.’””
Kavelman’s involvement comes via his Kavelman-Fonn Foundation.
We will indeed seek discussions with the RCGA, Kavelman and McCarthy, to see what role, if any, Parmasters might play in these worthy initiatives.
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