"Big ideas are so hard to recognise, so fragile, so easy to kill. Don't forget that, all of you, who don't have them."
These are the words of Jock Elliott. Jock was David Ogilvy's right hand man, his account guy, the administrator, the Marine, the protector of ideas. Together, they built Ogilvy into one of the world's best and biggest advertising agencies.
Our world's progress has been and will be dependant on big, challenging, different ideas.
Unfortunately, in our corporate worlds and political worlds, we are risk averse. We are more moved by inertia than the desire for positive change. Too often, we have to be dragged into new ways of thinking by rebels who just won't take no for an answer.
Here are some classic examples of short-sightedness:
"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
- Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943
"The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty-a fad."
- President of the Michigan Savings Bank, advising Henry Ford's lawyer not
to invest in the Ford Motor Company, 1903
"This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us."
- Western Union Internal Memo, 1876
"Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You're crazy."
- Drillers who Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist to his project to drill for oil, 1859
If you are a creator of big ideas, find yourself a Jock to protect you and your thoughts.
If you are in an organization with the opportunity to say yes (anyone can say no), remember the words of Jock. Without his protection, David Ogilvy would never have created one of the world's great companies.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The safe place
I'm 54 years old, and yet, my favorite place in the world is my parents' house. It is safe. Full of love. Memories. Unconditional love.
My Pops is 82. When I can get to Atlanta, I sleep in an old bed in the basement that has the quilts on it that I slept under when I was a kid. He gets excited when I go there. He gets to put clean sheets and towels out. And we get to go eat barbecue together and talk about old times.
Pictures of my grandparents adorn the walls. Pictures of my parents in their younger years are all over. Mom has been gone for 6 years, and nothing has changed. It is still my home. Pops has preserved it.
I realize now that a big part of my job as father and head of the household is to provide that safe place for my kids and grandkids.
An anchor. Where holidays are celebrated. Where engagement parties are held. Where weddings are held. Where you can come after your worst day and feel good, warm and cuddled.
I am blessed to have a safe place in Atlanta. I am saddened to think that one day it won't be there anymore.
But, I am blessed with the opportunity to provide that for my family in Texas.
I wish everyone had such a place.
My Pops is 82. When I can get to Atlanta, I sleep in an old bed in the basement that has the quilts on it that I slept under when I was a kid. He gets excited when I go there. He gets to put clean sheets and towels out. And we get to go eat barbecue together and talk about old times.
Pictures of my grandparents adorn the walls. Pictures of my parents in their younger years are all over. Mom has been gone for 6 years, and nothing has changed. It is still my home. Pops has preserved it.
I realize now that a big part of my job as father and head of the household is to provide that safe place for my kids and grandkids.
An anchor. Where holidays are celebrated. Where engagement parties are held. Where weddings are held. Where you can come after your worst day and feel good, warm and cuddled.
I am blessed to have a safe place in Atlanta. I am saddened to think that one day it won't be there anymore.
But, I am blessed with the opportunity to provide that for my family in Texas.
I wish everyone had such a place.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Mr. President
President Obama, you are to be lauded for changing the course of history.
Your visit to the Middle East and your speech will force the world to think. And hopefully, to act.
You addressed all the elephants in the room that nobody else wants to talk about.
You said the war on the West declared by Islamic extremists is a religious war.
You squarely told the Muslim world that radical Islam is as much or more their issue to solve than ours.
You told the truth about the controversy of the Iraq war.
You talked about the reality of Afghanistan and the Pakistan related issues in dealing with radical Islam.
You are Presidential.
Thank you.
Let's hope your words can now turn into real action and we can all find some peace in this world.
Your visit to the Middle East and your speech will force the world to think. And hopefully, to act.
You addressed all the elephants in the room that nobody else wants to talk about.
You said the war on the West declared by Islamic extremists is a religious war.
You squarely told the Muslim world that radical Islam is as much or more their issue to solve than ours.
You told the truth about the controversy of the Iraq war.
You talked about the reality of Afghanistan and the Pakistan related issues in dealing with radical Islam.
You are Presidential.
Thank you.
Let's hope your words can now turn into real action and we can all find some peace in this world.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
What love looks like
Missy, who was Pete's fiancee, just completed this tribute.
In her words, "I can't paint, but I decided to make a new tribute to Pete...each line has something special on it, including all of his bars :) It might look like a fourth grader did it, but I love it, and I love you all!"
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Mipple buster and range honey
The best thing about living in the country is you live in the country.
It has its own culture, language and common understanding amongst the locals.
Even its own media.
In the country, you may be lucky enough not to have to use one of the big power companies for electricity. You may get your power from the local electric co-op. Which we do.
The co-op is a club. All the users are members. It is non-profit.
And like most good clubs, it has a monthly magazine.
This is what makes the first of the month one of my happier days. That's when the Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative Texas Co-Op Power arrives.
Great stories about rural life. Recipes. Funny photos.
And best of all, the want ads.
Having spent a considerable amount of my life making advertising, I am especially appreciative of the creativity and unique marketing angles used by my fellow co-op members.
Madison Avenue has a few things to learn.
Here are some examples from the just arrived June issue.
LOOKING FOR VANITY with mirror and bench
for granddaughter. Call 903-651-9669.
NEW 12.4-28 8-PLY NYLON TRACTOR TIRE.
Used 12.4-28 4-ply tractor tire. Call (903)814-0207.
92 DODGE. 3/4 TON. Cold A/C and heat, $800.
Acct. under Larry Hutching's (brother),
Whitesboro. Call (903) 267-0469.
PORTABLE STICK WELDER with hood and
leads. Forney model 225 (electric 220) $135.
If no answer, please call back later. Call (972)
832-9300 or (972) 752-5675.
3-POINT SINGLE BOTTOM MIPPLE BUSTER,
$100. Old six plow, Tumble Bug earth mover
and planters for old model Farmall, $75 each.
Call (903) 870-4717.
WWW.RANGEHONEY.COM "Best Dern
Texas Range Honey You Can Get." Call
(972) 567-2542.
If you want the 92 Dodge, better hurry. Word has it Larry Hutchings wants the thing out from under him.
It has its own culture, language and common understanding amongst the locals.
Even its own media.
In the country, you may be lucky enough not to have to use one of the big power companies for electricity. You may get your power from the local electric co-op. Which we do.
The co-op is a club. All the users are members. It is non-profit.
And like most good clubs, it has a monthly magazine.
This is what makes the first of the month one of my happier days. That's when the Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative Texas Co-Op Power arrives.
Great stories about rural life. Recipes. Funny photos.
And best of all, the want ads.
Having spent a considerable amount of my life making advertising, I am especially appreciative of the creativity and unique marketing angles used by my fellow co-op members.
Madison Avenue has a few things to learn.
Here are some examples from the just arrived June issue.
LOOKING FOR VANITY with mirror and bench
for granddaughter. Call 903-651-9669.
NEW 12.4-28 8-PLY NYLON TRACTOR TIRE.
Used 12.4-28 4-ply tractor tire. Call (903)814-0207.
92 DODGE. 3/4 TON. Cold A/C and heat, $800.
Acct. under Larry Hutching's (brother),
Whitesboro. Call (903) 267-0469.
PORTABLE STICK WELDER with hood and
leads. Forney model 225 (electric 220) $135.
If no answer, please call back later. Call (972)
832-9300 or (972) 752-5675.
3-POINT SINGLE BOTTOM MIPPLE BUSTER,
$100. Old six plow, Tumble Bug earth mover
and planters for old model Farmall, $75 each.
Call (903) 870-4717.
WWW.RANGEHONEY.COM "Best Dern
Texas Range Honey You Can Get." Call
(972) 567-2542.
If you want the 92 Dodge, better hurry. Word has it Larry Hutchings wants the thing out from under him.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Plumbing the depths of the soul
Walking my daughter to school is one of the day's highlights.
This morning I put on the official walk-your-kid-to-school uniform of a sweatshirt and a baseball cap. (Unlike 98% of the other parents on this trek, I don't have a blonde ponytail hanging out of the back of my cap and I don't wear Pearl Izumi Spandex pants.)
We got her bike out of the garage and hadn't gone 10 feet when I see a stranger crossing the street grinning at me with his hand out like he wants to shake hands. He is Hispanic and is wearing a dark work uniform.
Having been accosted in this exact spot by some non-friendly's a few months back, I recoiled a bit and got in front of my peanut.
"First?", he asked.
"Excuse me?"
"Your hat. 1st Cav?"
I had no idea which of several hats I had slapped on my head. I had on a hat I bought in Iraq with the crossed sabers of the Cavalry.
"Was that you, sir?", he asked.
"No, it was my son."
"Oh, which unit?"
"Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment."
"Fort Campbell?"
"No, he was in Vilseck, Germany."
"Oh, no way. I opened the new Rose Barracks in 1988. I was there with 1st Armored Division. That gives me chills." I could see the memories rolling over him.
"Is your son still there?"
"No, sir. Unfortunately, he was killed in Iraq 18 months ago."
His head dropped. He looked back up and looked me straight in the eyes. "I am so sorry, sir. Thank you for your son's service."
Then we shook hands.
"And thank you for yours, sir."
He turned and crossed the street with his head lowered. He had seen a ghost. He had crossed paths with another brother-in-arms. They had slept in the same barracks. Eaten at the same mess hall. Trained at Grafenwoehr.
I don't know if I will ever see him again. I hope so.
But I do know who I will call if I have need for a plumber. Peanut and I saw his truck as we made our way to school.
This morning I put on the official walk-your-kid-to-school uniform of a sweatshirt and a baseball cap. (Unlike 98% of the other parents on this trek, I don't have a blonde ponytail hanging out of the back of my cap and I don't wear Pearl Izumi Spandex pants.)
We got her bike out of the garage and hadn't gone 10 feet when I see a stranger crossing the street grinning at me with his hand out like he wants to shake hands. He is Hispanic and is wearing a dark work uniform.
Having been accosted in this exact spot by some non-friendly's a few months back, I recoiled a bit and got in front of my peanut.
"First?", he asked.
"Excuse me?"
"Your hat. 1st Cav?"
I had no idea which of several hats I had slapped on my head. I had on a hat I bought in Iraq with the crossed sabers of the Cavalry.
"Was that you, sir?", he asked.
"No, it was my son."
"Oh, which unit?"
"Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment."
"Fort Campbell?"
"No, he was in Vilseck, Germany."
"Oh, no way. I opened the new Rose Barracks in 1988. I was there with 1st Armored Division. That gives me chills." I could see the memories rolling over him.
"Is your son still there?"
"No, sir. Unfortunately, he was killed in Iraq 18 months ago."
His head dropped. He looked back up and looked me straight in the eyes. "I am so sorry, sir. Thank you for your son's service."
Then we shook hands.
"And thank you for yours, sir."
He turned and crossed the street with his head lowered. He had seen a ghost. He had crossed paths with another brother-in-arms. They had slept in the same barracks. Eaten at the same mess hall. Trained at Grafenwoehr.
I don't know if I will ever see him again. I hope so.
But I do know who I will call if I have need for a plumber. Peanut and I saw his truck as we made our way to school.
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