Godin Dip

Seth Godin provokes me to thought!

Much like the image of NASA to Harry Stamper (Armageddon), I think stuff up... some mornings that is all I get done. This morning I awoke at 4am with a vision of a book that is simply amazing.

"The Dip" is very thought provoking. To me. At least the abridged Audio version. There is something about sitting on the veranda at Starbucks in the morning sipping great coffee with a great book playing on one's iPod. Something refreshing. Empowering.

How often do you get away, just to think stuff up?

Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey, Publisher
www.ThroughputPress.com

P.S. It is not too late. Try it. Today.

tag: Thinking Stuff Up
(c)Copyright 2007, Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey.
All rights reserved.

Rolling Stone

Like a Rolling Stone
by Dylan

Good stuff... the stuff that launches others to action (like forming a Rock band). As I have mentioned before, I consider "Things have Changed" Dylan's best effort. Ever.

Today, it occurred to me, that it might actually qualify as a sequel to "Like a Rolling Stone." Stranger things have happened!

"I use to care,
but things have changed."

I actually care more today. Looking back over just the last year, life has been an amazing journey... for business as well as personal affairs. Geographically, I found myself back in California on extended biz trips... by the way, what a great group of Toastmasters in Modesto! But I digress...

Then comes Seth Godin's newest book of the month, "The Dip." No, it only seems like he publishes a new book every month. I have the audio book on CD and cannot get past track eight yet. There are a lot of great insights that demand some serious study time to fully understand and apply the lessons. For me, Godin is either right on, or out in left field. The Dip seems right on! So far. More comments once I better understand the message.

One aside is in order. Jack Welch. Yes, of GE fame. I have never understood his success. Or his writings. Godin made it crystal clear (to me, a least). Welch made the decision to be the market leader (first or second, never third or worse) in each market that GE decided to compete. That is profound. Forget the challenges in that biz model for a moment, and consider the ramifications. Godin explains that success is not linear (my words, I think).

In the case of the top flavors of ice cream, consider that vanilla and chocolate are first and second. But did you know that vanilla sells four times as much as number two chocolate? Therefore, who cares about number three!

I am making some changes in my biz models... and spending more time on my vRod. Look for some exciting examples of rolling stones through the dips in the days ahead.

Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey, Jonah
www.ThroughputPress.com

P.S. What is your reaction to "The Dip?"

tag: Throughput Press
(c)Copyright 2007, Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey.
All rights reserved.

Low Country and Coastal Empire

All Licensed Riders Welcome

Looking to explore the east coast of America on a motorcycle? Especially the Low Country of South Carolina or the Coastal Empire of Georgia?

Check out one of the newest meetup dot com groups:

easyCruisers.info

Click here to check out
The Bluffton HHI Motorcycle Cruisers!

Golf on Hilton Head Island

No place like home

I recall my first golf outing out west having moved to Hilton Head Island some years earlier. The course had a great reputation. But I recall remarking out loud as I approached my drive, and spotted my ball, in the fairway (somewhat unusual for me, but I used a 3 Wood off the tee), "we are definitely playing winter rules!"

That means I improved my lie.

I decided not to play golf anywhere else... other than the low country of South Carolina. And maybe Myrtle Beach. So, need a fourth on your next trip to Hilton Head Island?

Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey, Publisher
www.ThroughputPress.com

P.S. We can even talk business. Like moving your company onto the Purple Curve.

P.P.S. As good as the area is for vacationing, it is even better once one moves here.

tag: Hilton Head Island
(c)Copyright 2007, Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey.
All rights reserved.

Meet Luke Short

Professional Gambler Luke Short

Bigger than life... but less than six foot tall.

Rifle in hand.

It took me by surprise as I rode over the top of the hill, and gazed on Luke Short for the first time. Was I in trouble? Who was this rugged individual walking the country side with gun in hand? Looking back across almost 40 years, Luke was to become my best friend.

The adventures we would share might just make a good book. If not a movie (or mini series!).

The stuff that two adventurers do in the travels of life that might not ever get shared with the world at large... after all, the statue of limitations is not the only measure for an enlightened society. Of course, with age comes wisdom (or at least it should!). On horse back near the Ponderosa... later that day, cutting through the walls of snow over eight feet tall on the west side of Lake Tahoe. Memories to be cherished.

That New Year's day poker game in the frigid north country near White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Or racing horses along the Tuscarawas River near Dover, Ohio. Or watching the waves break on the sandy beach in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with Indians giving chase!

What lies ahead?

Only time will tell.

O. Henry
The Dodge City Daily Globe

P.S. Check out Luke's Old West Antique store for some real bargains!

tag: Luke Short
(c)Copyright 1884 O. Henry.
All rights reserved.

Luke Short on Gambling

Ever watch Frequency

Through a similar time warp, Throughput Press acquired this rare interview by O. Henry of the Dodge City Daily Globe of Gambler Luke Short. Circa 1884.

We tracked down a copy of the book at the center of the discussion on the Old West Antiques dot biz web site. Here is the MP3 of the interview.

Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey, Publisher
www.ThroughputPress.com

P.S. It may be the only copy on the market at this time.

tag: Uncle George's Draw Poker
(c)Copyright 2007, Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey.
All rights reserved.

Charts graphs and other lies

"Write the vision,
and make it plain upon tables,
that he may run that readeth it."
-Habakkuk 2:2

One of the components of John Boyd's OODA Loop, is orientation. Charts and graphs are a great help in such matters. The challenge is not to fool one's self by charting the wrong or misleading data... notice that I did not say "information." Eli Goldratt has taught that "data" are the raw or unorganized collection of perhaps almost random facts.

"Information" is the answer to a given query. A small idea that makes a huge difference in prospective! But I digress...

Charts can show trends. A most excellent tool for achieving results. Figure out how to chart the important data concerning operations and activities around your businesses weakest link (and only the weakest link), then create valuable information with the appropriate chart or graph. Sometimes a pie chart. Often a bar chart. Once in a while, a scatter graph.

Then do something!

Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey, Publisher
www.ThroughputPress.com

P.S. Remember that the Purple Curve Effect is a given, once one addresses the weakest link and ONLY the weakest link. Life is too short to waste it on non-events.

tag: Purple Curve Effect
(c)Copyright 2007, Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey.
All rights reserved.