Would you rather listen to only your three favorite songs or listen to only 100 randomly assigned songs for a year

What Matters Is the Response

Did you know…

… that today is Bob Hope Entertains the Troops Day? On this day in 1948, Bob Hope began his long tradition of annual Christmas tours when he agreed to entertain U.S. airmen in Alaska. Hope’s mildly irreverent humor, teamed with his variety troupe’s beautiful women, provided a welcome respite for the U.S. forces, a reminder, in Hope’s words, “of what they were fighting for.”

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Today’s Inspirational Quote:

“Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back.”

— Oscar Wilde

It takes courage to speak up when needed, but it also takes courage to listen.
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. (Winston Churchill)
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When a problem arises it is not a sign to stop, it’s merely a sign to change your plans slightly.
Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines. (Robert H. Schuller)

“Top 15 Things Money Can’t BuyTime. Happiness. Inner Peace. Integrity. Love. Character. Manners. Health. Respect. Morals. Trust. Patience. Class. Common sense. Dignity.”
– Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Onwards and forwards forever.
Whispers in the wind.
Dignity, pride, honor.
True and sure.
Whispers in the wind.
Freedom restored.
In spirit and truth.
Beacon in the darkness, light of hope.
The first, the true.
Love, friendship and brotherhood.

• La curiosidad mató al gato. – Curiosity killed the cat.

Literal Meaning/use: We say this whenever we want to discourage a person from indulging in excessive interest in other people’s business, for instance our own.

WORD OF THE DAY

SchwagSHwagPart of speech: nounOrigin: Unknown, 1990s

1Products given away free, typically for promotional purposes.

Examples of Schwag in a sentence “The indie band’s schwag featured an image of the lead singer’s dog.” “Jane loved showing up to events early so she could get schwag.”

Guests, hosts and landlords

The landlord acts like he owns the place, because he does. The landlord makes the rules and has the power to enforce them.

The host acts on behalf of those that are being served. “Gracious” is the goal.

And guests realize that they’re in a fortunate position and try not to abuse it.

As Dave Winer has pointed out, the web has no owner. We’re all guests, except when we have a chance to be a host. Acting like a landlord is counter to what makes the whole thing work.

The same might be true for the places you hang out as well.

https://psyche.co/ideas/immersive-art-opens-a-window-on-the-mystery-of-other-minds?utm_source=Aeon+Newsletter&utm_campaign=561778d2a4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_12_21_2020_11_48&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_411a82e59d-561778d2a4-70852355

https://aeon.co/videos/simple-objects-make-for-epic-art-installations-of-sound-and-movement?utm_source=Aeon+Newsletter&utm_campaign=561778d2a4-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_12_21_2020_11_48&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_411a82e59d-561778d2a4-70852355

https://mailchi.mp/atlasobscura.com/wwii-escape-maps-but-make-it-fashion?e=f2c730f812

https://mailchi.mp/atlasobscura.com/this-black-spot-offers-clues-to-an-explorers-last-moments?e=f2c730f812

“There’s no use doing a kindness if you do it a day too late.” via Today’s Quote https://ift.tt/372jZ8i

“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” via Funny Quote of the Day https://ift.tt/2OQBcxa

WORD OF THE DAY

Deputedə-PYOOTPart of speech: verbOrigin: Late Middle English, unknown

1Appoint or instruct (someone) to perform a task for which one is responsible.

2Delegate (authority or a task).

Examples of Depute in a sentence “The dean decided to depute the review process to the department head.” “He deputed the responsibility of answering emails to the secretary.”

Did it do what it was supposed to do?

That’s not often the same as, “I did my best.”

Quality has a very specific definition: Did it meet the customer’s requirements?

Any experience, product or deliverable that meets that spec is deemed to have met the quality standard. If it doesn’t, it’s not of quality.

And so we need to begin with, “who’s it for?” because the customer might not be who we think it is.

“Was it a good wedding?” might mean, “did the host feel fully seen, empowered and celebrated?” or it might mean, “did you have fun?” or it might mean twenty other things.

The second question goes along with that, which is, “what’s it for?” This product or experience, what did the customer hire it to do? Again, being clear about this is the only way to improve what we’re doing.

Only after we answer these two questions can we dig into how to be more clear about what we’re offering and to whom, along with how we can make our work more effective and efficient.

[And then it gets complicated…]

What if there’s more than one “who”? What if instead of trying to please one customer, you have a variety of customers? Or if there are internal constituents, or non-paying entities who have a say in it?

What if you try to do it again? Which elements could be improved? Become more efficient? Have less impact on the workforce or the environment? Become more reliable?

And what if the organization is more than just a few people? Where do processes, supply chain management and systems come into play?

But we still have to begin at the beginning. Who’s it for and what’s it for?