Reflections . . . on the POSSIBILITIES OF TOMORROW

“Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar you present a new place for new ideas and progress.” – Charles Kettering

To many people, the transition of the new year is an exciting time of reflection, renewal, resolve, and resurgence. Lamentably though, this eager spirit is often quenched within the first weeks of the new year as we get bogged down in old habits and life’s demands. Many then find themselves coasting for the year’s remaining months, resolving to achieve their progress next year.

Why wait?

In the spirit of Charles Kettering’s quote, I resolve to spend quality time within the last five days of each month to 1) reflect on that month’s progress with regard to my goals and objectives, 2) intentionally plan the coming month’s activities to continue to make progress on my goals, and 3) dream and brainstorm the future growth and development of my business.

I invite you to join me on this resolution. Can I count you in? Post a comment and tell us about your resolutions for the coming months and years.

Humor: Meet Murphy's Cousins

Most of us are familiar with Murphy’s law that if something can go wrong, it will. Perhaps in your case, you feel that Murphy is knocking at your door now, if he hasn’t already moved in to your spare bedroom to stay a while. Well, if you thought Murphy was bad, you don’t want to meet his cousins**(if you've recently made the acquaintance of Murphy or one of his cousins, we'd love you to tell us about it by commenting on this post) . . .

Murphy’s Cousin #1: Nothing is as easy as it looks.

Murphy’s Cousin #2: Everything takes longer than you think.

Murphy’s Cousin #3: In any field of scientific endeavor, anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

Murphy’s Cousin #4: If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong.

Murphy’s Cousin #5: If anything just cannot go wrong, it will anyway.

Murphy’s Cousin #6: If you perceive that there are four possible ways to which a procedure can go wrong and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop.

Murphy’s Cousin #7: Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.

Murphy’s Cousin #8: If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.

Murphy’s Cousin #9: Nature always sides with the hidden flaws.

Murphy’s Cousin #10: It is impossible to make anything foolproof, because fools are so ingenious.

*adapted from John Peers’ humorous book “1001 Logical Laws . . .”

Insights: "Opportunity Knocks"

“Opportunity knocks” is a saying all too familiar. What one does with Opportunity is the key. Does one even open the door when Opportunity knocks? Does one open the door and turn her away? Or does one gently usher her in to one’s home, offer her a cup of tea, and begin to foster a relationship?


Of course, not all opportunities that knock at one’s door should be allowed into one’s home. No, indeed, but the door should, in the least, be opened to each. But in that brief moment of interaction on the doorstep one must evaluate Opportunity, one must stare deep into her eyes and peer into the depths of her heart before one turns her away empty-handed or gladly invites her in for tea. For one should not act one way or another, whether that be turning Opportunity away or inviting her in, by her appearance only. No, indeed, for many a misfortunate man has invited Opportunity, seductive as she appeared, into his home not knowing that her heart was one of selfishness, destruction, and pain. The poor man who offers her a cup of tea offers her his very being. For how can he resist her seductive ways, her pursing lips, her winking eye? Through seduction she makes him her slave. He is doomed. Though the man may eventually be rescued from her grip, usually by the aid of others, he is not without wounds, no without pain.

Of course, just the same, Opportunity may be legitimately beautiful in all ways, not just in form and feature, but all the more importantly, beautiful in spirit. If one was to turn her away simply because of her beauty, assuming that all beautiful opportunities were gift-wrapped seduction, one may turn away a great friendship.

Opportunity may also arrive at one’s doorstep modestly dressed, neither in poverty nor pomp. Or one may open the door to Opportunity and find her very strange in appearance, oddly ordained, even perhaps frightening. But one must not turn her away solely for lack of impressive feature or even for her frightening stead. Indeed, some of the most modest or frightening opportunity, through proper attention, has greatly blessed the homeowner who gave her even just a crumb of care.

So, my friend, I entreat you to neither usher in Opportunity nor turn her away without peering first into her heart.

Reflections . . . on PLANNING

"First-rate navigators always have in mind that other people are depending on them and their ability to chart a good course" (John Maxwell, "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership").

As 2008 closes, not only should we be looking back at the past 12 months in evaluation of our performance, results, successes, and shortcomings, but we should also be looking forward to 2009, charting the course for ourselves and, if we are business owners, for our businesses.

In his book, "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership", John Maxwell names one of his "irrefutable" laws "The Law of Navigation," and describes it by saying that "anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course." As I begin to chart my business's course for 2009 and beyond, I'll be implementing John's acrostic PLANAHEAD to aid me in the process, and I encourage you in the same.

Predetermine a course of action.
Lay out your goals.
Adjust your priorities.
Notify key personnel.
Allow time for acceptance.
Head into action.
Expect problems.
Always point to the successes.
Daily review your plan.

Best of luck in 2009!

Insights: "Ideas are Like Rabbits"

Ideas are like captured rabbits. They are all within the pen of your mind. They multiply two ways: 1) by being introduced into the pen by outside sources (i.e. experiences), and 2) by giving birth (i.e. new ideas created through association).
We start life with no rabbits in the pen, but then through external sources (experiences) a few rabbits are dropped over the pen’s fenced walls. Bit by bit, the number of rabbits grows through more outside sources and through giving birth to other rabbits (association of ideas).

So here they are, all of these rabbits within the pen of your mind, that is, your imagination. So many different kinds of rabbits: some big, others small; some brown, others white; some lop-eared, others pointy-eared; some slow, others quick . . . you get the idea. So it is with the creative ideas penned up in our imaginations. So many different kinds of ideas, so many different applications, so many solutions.

And, boy, are they hard to catch! If you chase after these rabbits full steam, you will find it very difficult to catch one. But, by dint of perseverance, you will finally exhaust a rabbit and will soon find it easy to lay hold of the little ball of fluff. So it is with creative ideas; never give up; if it seems to elude you, chase it until it becomes to exhausted to hide anymore. But, you have to be in good enough shape to outlast the rabbit. It is no good if you wear out first. So make sure your mind is highly trained, prepared for the chase.

You will also have a better chance of catching one of these rabbits the more there are in the pen. So it is with creative ideas. Cultivate them. . . seek experiences. . . allow the ideas to give birth to new ideas through association. Soon there will be so many ideas in the pen of your imagination that it will be easy to catch one. The difficult part here is choosing the correct and useful one out of the bunch.

Sometimes, these rabbits are easier to catch if you simply stay still. Sit down, relax, let the rabbits become so comfortable with you that they come to you. So it is with creative ideas. Perhaps you should stop striving so painstakingly after the solution and just relax. Let the ideas come to you. While you are relaxing, why not lure the rabbits to you with a carrot? So it is with ideas. Lure them to you. Bait them. Draw them to you with a nice walk, a warm bath, the sound of running water. Don’t worry, they will come.

Reflections . . . on THANKS

"And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household" (Deuteronomy 26:11, italics mine).

Daily the good LORD humbles me with His perfect provision. He has blessed me immensely, though I deserve not an ounce of His good gifts. So far be it from me to ever fail to give God thanks and properly attribute all the good I have to His gracious hand.

With regard to business, I firmly believe the LORD has blessed me with each and every client. I pray I will always keep this in the forefront of my consciousness, and in so doing, somehow extend the light of Christ to those with whom I work. To all my clients, current and past, I say "Thank you" for your business. It is always an honor to work with you and help your business operate more efficiently. I look forward to continuing to serve you with your data systems' needs.

Case Study: Helping a Local Parents' Magazine

“Landon did a terrific job working with our current FileMaker database and customizing to better serve our needs. He listened to our requests and executed in a timely manner. His customization of FileMaker has already helped our company run more smoothly!" - Susan Gimotty, Publisher, KC Parent Magazine

Obstacle:
Kansas City Parent Magazine desired to further develop and streamline its existing FileMaker Pro database to enhance the capabilities of its sales team and improve its day-to-day operations.

Solution:
Honeycomb owner, Landon Porter, worked closely with KC Parent publishers to target sources of inefficiencies and develop and implement specific solutions to those obstacles.

Analysis:
Serving Kansas City since 1985, Kansas City Parent Magazine is locally owned, written and published, offering a community perspective on issues affecting families in Kansas City. The magazine is distributed in over 725 locations and has over 114,000 readers per month.


For many years, KC Parent has been using a custom built FileMaker Pro database to manage its monthly advertising schedules and clients. Although functional, the database was ripe for some additional features and changes that would allow the sales team to work more effectively and efficiently. Working closely with the publishers and sales team, we developed and implemented several database features and functionalities that would benefit the magazine in its daily operations.

KC Parent Magazine, Susan Gimotty, had this to say: “Landon did a terrific job working with our current FileMaker database and customizing to better serve our needs. He listened to our requests and executed in a timely manner. His customization of FileMaker has already helped our company run more smoothly!"

Whatever your area of business, be certain Honeycomb can develop and implement a fully customized database system that will not only give you your time back, but help make you money.

Reflections . . . on THRIFT

“Wealth is obtained by labour; it is preserved by savings and accumulations; and it is increased by diligence and perseverance . . . [A] large proportion of men do not provide for the future. They do not remember the past. They think only of the present. They preserve nothing. - Samuel Smiles

En lieu of the current financial “crisis” through which our country is trudging, I thought it most appropriate to speak on “thrift”; a concept that nearly has grown extinct from the range of our daily lives, both personal and professional.

The current financial woes are merely the birth pangs of a much more significant and impacting outcome that will soon result; yes, our great country is about to give birth to the child she has nurtured in her womb for the past several decades; a child of destruction nourished on greed, indulgence, and gratification. Gone are the days of saving, of storing away, of patience, having been replaced with the ever-cherished pursuit of status and power. The American “dream” seems more like a nightmare.


I long to see the day when our citizens brush away materialism in favor of social beneficence, when they do more than provide today’s necessities by preserving for the future, when their drive is characterized by integrity, honor and service, instead of greed and foolishness, when they seek to grow their resources through earning, saving, and investing, instead of by debt acquisition. Don't you?

Well, how about you? How is your business? How healthy are is its finances? Is your company pursuing lofty things or lofty ideals? Do you have a solid budget and wise plan for preserving for the future? Come, let us leave the rat race and become the tortoise . . . he wins every time.

Case Study: A Streamlined System for a Moving, Delivery, and Storage Company

"[The new database system] has given us the confidence to go out there and get more business as well as help us manage the customers we currently service! We will definitely be using Landon's services in the future to ‘give us our time back’ in other areas of our business." - Dana Ward, Owner, Marathon Moving and Delivery

Obstacle:
Marathon Moving and Delivery was in need of an automated system to efficiently manage and track its unique business system of moving and storing items between interior designers and customers.

Solution:
A FileMaker Pro database that provides Marathon a streamlined system to manage the complex and complete cycle of receiving, storage, and delivery of items between interior designers and their customers.

Analysis:
Roger and Dana Ward acquired Marathon Moving and Delivery in the fall of 2007. Since that time, they have purposed to become the preferred moving, storage, and delivery company in the Kansas City Metro. When they acquired Marathon, no computerized systems existed to help manage the multiple facets of the business. Soon, they realized that in order to manage and achieve their growth expectations, they would need to develop and implement various operation systems.

Enter Honeycomb.

Working closely with Roger and Dana, Honeycomb owner Landon Porter created a fully customized database system tailored to Marathon’s specific and unique business operations. The new database system streamlines Marathon’s process of receiving, storage, and delivery of designers’ furniture.

Dana Ward had this to say about the new system:

“It has given us the confidence to go out there and get more business as well as help us manage the customers we currently service! We will definitely be using Landon's services in the future to ‘give us our time back’ in other areas of our business.”
Whatever your area of business, be certain Honeycomb can develop and implement a fully customized database system that will not only give you your time back, but help make you money.

Reflections . . . on ORDER

“Order is wealth.” – Samuel Smiles

I would be remiss if I did not provide the greater context surrounding this short, but tremendously powerful statement. I shall let Mr. Smiles expound on his thought:

“Order is most useful in the management of everything. Its maxim is – A place for everything, and everything in its place. Order is wealth; for, whoever properly regulates the use of his income, almost doubles his resources. Disorderly persons are rarely rich; and orderly persons are rarely poor.”

Indeed so it is! But in addition to Mr. Smiles’ statement on the impact of order on personal finance, I believe wholeheartedly the statement stands firm with regard to business. Whatever business properly regulates the use of its resources will most definitely increase its resources. Further, allow me to give a paraphrase of a slightly different hue of the last line . . . “Disorderly business are rarely successful; and orderly businesses are rarely poor.”

Now, REFLECT on your business. How would you rank your business’s level of “order”? And with regard to you, personally? How orderly of a person (a businessperson, a salesman, a marketer, etc.) are you? What systems do you have in place to ensure your business doesn’t just operate, but hums like a well-oiled machine? That your customers are not just serviced, but served well? That people, projects, and ideas aren’t “dropping through the cracks”?

If you find there’s room for growth (which there most likely is), what can you do to improve upon the disorderly?

Reflections . . . on READING

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them.” – Mark Twain

“A man may usually be known by the books he reads, as well as by the company he keeps; for there is a companionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best company, whether it be of books or of men.” – Samuel Smiles

As I reflect on these two powerful statements, one prevailing thought emerges: In our culture in America today, a literary epidemic has appeared . . . not one of not reading good books, as the quotes suggest, but one of not reading any books at all (at least not consistently, as a part of the fabric of our lives).

One poll tells that in 2006, 1 in 4 adults did not read a single book. Other research says that 50% of Americans cannot read above an eighth grade reading level. These numbers are not so much disheartening as they are frightening when we consider the consequences. So, what are consequences? A culture of people who struggle to think for themselves, who lack the ability to express their thoughts logically and effectively, who are myopic in their knowledge and understanding of the world at large.

Might I challenge you to reflect on your own situation? How often do you read, and what is the quality of the literature with which you fill your mind? And might I also encourage you? Take small steps to slowly incorporate reading back into your activities . . . even just 10 minutes a day.

For all you business owners and professionals, I recommend two (of the plethora!) for starters: 1) “The E-myth”, by Michael Gerber, and 2) “Guerilla Marketing” by Jay Conrad Levinson.