Tag Archives: expert

Richard Branson A Jumbo Jet and An Inflatable!

Todays piece is about doing stuff that may appear bigger than you can handle; but in reality it is just the perception of what’s possible and not to hold back on going BIG!

You’ll surprise yourself that the perception of crazy …”we can’t do that moments” turn out to be the most successful no matter how wacky. Generating ideas and staying in the flow creates a level of inspiration that can turn out to be highly rewarding.

To coin the collective phrase about brainstorming sessions…”Lets do a mind dump” as I experienced regularly in workshops within the “MAD MEN” – Ad / Media world. This is where a lot of unique creative thinking is borne . Stretching the limits of ones mind to market a brand or product. This activity is now used in all manner of industries to gain advantage over market share in growing economies.

I can draw an analogy of this based on my own experience a few years back. Sounds crazy but …I recall back in early 1990 working on the RayBan Sunglass account and coming up with all sorts of ideas to expand the brand – At the time Richard Branson ” The Smiley One” was making huge endeavours to transform the Airline business and I thought there was a perfect fit with our Aviator line of glasses.

Prior to this Virgin Atlantic had already received a licence to open up the Los Angeles route from Gatwick and the official launch was May that year. We wanted to sell our product within “Duty Free” on airlines and the company had already struck a deal with Virgin. I had this idea of painting a pair of Wayfarers on the nose cone of one of their Aircraft to commemorate the partnership which Richard was very excited about. The launch was going to be a typical Virgin style send off with media reporters, Celebrities, TV networks like MTV attending and Richard wanted to make a mark in demonstrating new horizons for the airline business.

But after many discussions the CAA wouldn’t agree. Too “Over The Top”- they said – it would effect the “aerodynamic stability” was the official line. How the acceptance of the norm has changed over the years – There’s painted branded aircraft everywhere now.

Anyway…. Determined not to be put off by their decision I remembered that Richard loved ballooning as part of his crazy promotional Virgin activities. I thought why not set the scene for a summer beach theme at the check in gate with a Jumbo pair of Inflatable Ray Bans resting on the nose cone of the Jumbo Jet. How crazy is that —— Well after going back to talk with the various “officialdom” …..Imagine my astonishment when it was all approved. “As long as the Pitot tubes are turned off ..(they measure air speed / pressure ) they get very hot when systems are being charged during maintenance so can burn plastic”. they said.

Here are a few picks of the set up in prep before the launch ( me in the foreground) making sure everything would run to clockwork on the day.

And here is Richard Branson joining in with the fun before the inaugural flight.

Never let the initial possibility of “what can’t be” get in the way of “what could be”. Go and fulfill your potential and become an expert in something new.

As Richard would say ” Just Go For It” …

To your success.

Steve

5 Tips to Turn your Success Switch “ON”

You’ll be amazed by how much of a difference just getting out of your own way really makes. Self-Defeating Behavior causes life’s biggest struggle.
Life’s biggest tragedy is waking up at the end of your time only to discover that you havent accomplished what you would have liked to have done. Then realizing that you have done it to yourself and it’s too late to get a second chance. Few things make you feel worse about yourself than engaging in self-defeating behavior and having to live with the consequences. Fortunately, however, few things make you feel better about yourself than overcoming those self-defeating behaviors and replacing them with life-enhancing habits. ie Turning your Success switch “ON”

Overcome those self-defeating behaviors one of which is a major contributor including procrastination, obsession, self-pity, rebellion, and guilt to effectively cope with the challenges that lie ahead.

Over the years, I have heard many excuses for people not getting the success they want or believe they deserve from an opportunity. I have been known to use a few myself here and there.

“The opportunity wasn’t really there.”

“The timing wasn’t right.”

“I just didn’t fit in with those people.

“I’m just not Lucky”

” I don’t have the skills to do this”

“Its’ been done before” ….and on and on and on ……..

It’s not that the excuses weren’t ever valid. It’s just sometimes the excuses come whether or not they are valid. Many people start excusing themselves from incredible opportunities before they have the chance to fully explore the possibilities.

When you find the right opportunity, the one that can take you to a whole other level of success, you want to be able to grab it and run. The last thing you want is to trip over on your own two feet and let it get away or worse, be the immoveable object in the path to success. Here are five tips for getting out of your own way on the road to success.

1. Be disciplined. If you truly want to win the big game, you can’t be sloppy. You are competing against people who train and learn and practice. You need to be in control of your own destiny and that means being in control of your daily activity. Have your priorities figured out. If you don’t know them, you’ll be prone to distraction. If they’re wrong, you’ll get off track. Be able to focus the right amount of thought, energy, and activity on the actions that will get you close to your goal. Learn to focus and dismiss distraction when it’s time to get to work. It’s like exercising a muscle. The more you do it the more it strengthens.

And most importantly, learn how to rest. No one can work all the time without being exhausted. You need time to recharge if you are going to play at your best. Burn out is a poor excuse for failure.

2. Be confident. I have battled my own share of insecurities. When you are blazing new trails, it’s hard to be 100 % assured, but you have the control. I was winging to a friend when I was younger that I wished I were more confident. He looked at me and said: “Steve why don’t you just decide to be confident.” I did and have not looked back since. Nobody is in control of how you feel inside. Confidence comes from preparation and your own decisive state of mind. When I am speaking and presenting, I feel most confident when I have done my research and have practiced my speech at least a dozen times in front of people, my wife , daughter, son etc. Give yourself what you know you need. Whether it is practice, prep time, food, sleep, or funds take away the material excuses so you can move forward without concern.

3. Be bold. Many people just stare on the sidelines waiting for an opportunity to drag them into success. Being timid brings very little value when chasing your dreams. You need to take action and jump two feet in. Be Terrific …Be Bold

However, this does not mean be careless. You have to do your homework and analysis. The most successful people have shown their boldness by waiting while everyone rushes an opportunity too early. Study, prepare and assess, but know when it is time to stop analyzing, theorizing, practicing. Then make the decision to jump in or launch and just do it and do it big. It doesn’t have to be perfect each time. Otherwise your always be waiting.

4. Be gracious. Graciousness is not just about being nice. It’s also about being humble. True success is best served among friends and teammates who share in the glory and accomplishment. Start getting out of your own way by admitting when you’re lost, behind, or overwhelmed. Accept the greatest achievements come from the combined work and thought of many. Invite smart, energetic people into your journey and share the wealth and the credit along the way. Revel in their growth happiness and success, and they will celebrate yours.

5. Be grateful. Every day, I feel blessed. I have had my share of challenges and difficulties throughout my life, more than some, fewer than others. But with those roller coaster times came growth and opportunity. I always seem to find myself further down the success path. Even after complete loss and reinvention I still managed to find opportunities that made it worth getting out of bed and smiling.

Those times of loss make me more sensitive and grateful for the happenings in my life. Be it people who love me, good health, positive cash flow or just the chance to laugh daily, I never forget to share my appreciation with those who support me along the way.

To your success

Steve

The Secret to Innovation – Bad Ideas !

What do I hear you say …what on earth is Steve talking about ..

Hear me out just for a second here. There is a hypothetical soloution for new ideas.
Consider this …. you had meeting after meeting as a team bouncing ideas around the room to solve a problem and getting nowhere fast. Times ticking and you’re all feeling the pinch of the deadline looming on the horizon and the pressure is building. We’ve all been there. We’ve all done the brainstorming and then crash the ultimate in writers block hits you all and there is a general feeling of malaise of where do we go next to come up with a salient point that will stimulate momentum… That feeling of pressure to come up with “the right” idea to move forward has vanished. And you’re all looking at one another with that blank look of dispair.

Well here’s a novel method to get back in the flow. Ask your panel / team / committee to come up with a crazy idea no matter how stupid or far fetched. It could be totally unrelated from the topic of discussion.

About a new type of beer from fig juice / sports shoe , food additive/ new fuel for cars run on sweet wrappers ..anything ..Get it out of your head and exercise those crazy brain muscles. As Tony Robbins has said in many of his seminars to change your mental state you need to move your body your physiology. Well think of it like this.. moving your brain to a different kind of tempo. It’s fun and could become part of a scheduled down time to keep you energised.

This action helps dispel the road blocks in your head and gets you going again.. It’s like a reboot for the brain…

Try it out next time you feel your creative wheels spinning ….take time out to reset your clock.

These are the type of topics I want to discuss to help nurture a new community

To your success

Steve

Why am I Doing This – My Vision?

I want this to be an evolutionary journey of discovery encapsulating ones quest for study, learning, understanding the extent of human potential finding their reason why on planet earth ..what’s it all about ..this blog is about life as we know it and a journal of what goes on in the world around us and may at times be a stream of consciousness on concepts, on new ideas, subjects and shared technological knowledge. So why not come and dive in to a deep pool of yearning strike up a conversation with me and escape your 9 to 5 for a slice of what could be and what difference you could make by taking a different path. Its my bit in helping to the spread the word on what matters to you.
I’m not a scientist or polymath with a bunch of letters after my name …but I’m a great believer of stretching the envelope & thinking outside of the box & becoming an expert based on gathered knowledge & self belief ..I’m passionate about a multitude of subjects… that come across my bow.

To the next.

Steve