If you’ve honored me with an opportunity to share my work and experience with you, I would be happy to hear from you : )
Obviously Advertising?
nI keep running into a question of using advertising as a default business model for internet startups and I feel that this default needs to be challenged. Yes, advertising is a popular means of generating revenues, yes successful advertising promises high revenues, yes with an advertising revenue source a service can be offered to customers for free and yes it is more often then not an intrusive element that does not respect. Also chew on this: what do you value more – what is given to you for free or what you pay for out of pocket? Do you believe quality comes free of charge?
Posted in AltEco, Business, Featured, outside
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
nZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
I feel that so much has been said about this book… and yet most people I mention it too have either not heard about it or only just recall reading it a long time ago. This book was very helpful and inspiring to me. It can be tough reading but that is easy to overcome – simply browse through the parts that you feel are too much for you. I connected with the book and have read it numerous times and each time I am able to dig in deeper in certain parts.
The book is a personal story, a philosophical discussion, about the trap of seeking and about the inevitable yearning to do so. I like it because it inspired me into believing that the trap is there only because of the limitation of the mind and a simple human choice to ignore that limitation. I like it because it is highly reasonable and at the same time highly spiritual – and the two live in harmony side by side. I like it because it does not provide a solution – but it does demonstrate that seeking, regardless of the difficulties it may cause, is a meaningful and worthy path through life – that there probable are not shortcuts.
I carry with me, from the book, the concept of Quality. I have found this to be a clear (though sometimes inexplainable) point of reference for my choices in life and in guiding others. I have found that when I run into religious (and spiritual) contexts, in which I experience resistance, that by simply replacing the concept of “God” with “Quality” I am quickly able to peal away the distractive qualities and experience the core. It is a word with which people like to associate themselves – so it is an excellent tool of communication and bridging.
If you are interested in delving deeper – the book has a sequel called “Lila”:
Posted in Books, Coming Through, Expanding, inside, Quality, What If
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To CEO or not to CEO?
nI am one of two founders in a new initiative – potentially a startup company. Both of us (as well as the company vision and concept) come from a creative background – we are both (firmly grounded with a good grasp and background in technology and business) artists. One of the core qualities of our lives is a relaxed approach to work – which means that we take the time to make the time to get things done right – and we will not compromise this quality in our lives.
While this is (arguably) all good and well – we feel that our business entity requires an additional energy. A driving day-to-day energy that will fuel the infrastructure processes that support business. Out of respect for our personal choices and to the business we are founding we have decided to seek a third partner – codenamed “The CEO”. A person who’s motivation and energy are suitable for the day-to-day bustle of getting (and keeping) a company up and running. Someone who can provide us with the conditions we need to help her create the conditions she needs to run a successful business.
One of our consultants who is assisting us in business strategy and fund-raising resisted this suggestion. He offered that one of the assurances that investors are looking for is to see that the founders are actively involved and committed to the company – that they are not merely seeking to make a quick-buck and then leave the company to fend for itself. Our counter argument was that this 3rd partner demonstrates a clarity and maturity of the founders that realize the critical role of good management and that are taking measures early in the process to ensure the company infrastructures include this critical facility.
Though this is an interesting conversation that deserves attention – I would like to point out a more subtle aspect. The (unspoken) subtext of the conversation was that when it comes to investors – there is talk of appearances – to make them feel that things are OK. This carries another more subtle (well hidden) subtext – that things as they are (well thought out, well intended, respectful of personal and business needs, etc.) are not OK – that they need to be disguised to appease. This was our wake up call – where the issue was (for the time being) resolved.
We decided to continue our search for “the CEO” – that third partner that will support our personal needs and those of the business. We will give thought to the form of the shape of the partnership and make sure that it is also supportive of personal and business needs of all the stakeholders. We are siding with straightforward truthfulness and honesty!
Posted in AltEco, Business, outside, SweetClarity
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Process vs. Project
nI feel its important to recognize the gross and subtle differences between engaging a project and creating a process within a business operation. Often times the choice is made based on prejudice and/or existing circumstances which dictate a default choice. Maybe we need to give this some thought? Read More
Posted in Business, outside
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Consideration
nI remember all the moral stories I was read and taught as a child – I just realized that I experienced them all (if this was intentional or not – I can only guess) as telling me how to behave properly with the world. They all seemed to involve some level of personal sacrifice – which was of course rewarded with “feeling good about myself” morally. Well I am constantly realizing – that it’s not like that … nor is it the other way around.
I had a breakthrough yesterday – I still don’t feel like talking or writing about the actual event – those who were with me supported and witnessed it. The thing that most echoed in my consciousness, that I do want to share, was the feeling of acting out of complete attention to myself and not out of complete disregard for my surroundings. This is a subtle realization for me!
I feel that the morality I was brought up with (and this has a lot to do with my family history, the cultures I was brought up in, etc.) taught me to sacrifice of myself for others (as others apparently did for me). This never felt quite right – but I had a thorough education so it held up for a long time (as you can tell I am still working with it!). Then at a certain point I made a rather drastic switch – an opposite extremity (which is what you get when you wind up a person to one extreme and then release) – one that centered on myself – my wants and needs. I don’t think I ever truly ignored my surroundings – but I gave clear priority (and still do!) to myself.
As time chiseled away at my harshness I have grown towards a delicate balance between myself and the world around me. I cannot be good/supportive/helpful to those around me unless I have a firm personal base – a grounding from which I can be my best. For me this includes money, a home, people, quiet, solitude and some kind of spiritual engagement (yes money did come first and no the order is of no significance – but you are welcome to analyze it to your heart’s content).
Yesterday I realized that there are two directions of working towards that delicate balance between myself and the world around me.
- One is the path I have been on for many years – pulling away from the bonds of the world around me. I experience this as a struggle – pulling away from something that is pulling me back. It has a subtractive quality – something must be lost for something to be gained. There is a high friction experience of destruction of what is to make space for what may be.
- The second is by working outwards from my core. Though I have been on this path for some years – it is only yesterday that I truly experienced this in my body. This is a process of growth that occurs at my own pace. It is a process in which I grow closer to the world by expanding and adding new layers. It is a pleasant process of exploration.
Though I am not claiming a truth – I know which one feels better for me at this point in my life : )
Thank you Shahar for your own process of inquiry, for sharing your insight and creating the circumstances for my body do its own learning!
Posted in AltEco, Featured, outside, SweetClarity
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The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar
nThe Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice
This is one of the better starting points you can find to gain an initial understanding of Yoga. A YOGA PRACTICE SHOULD ONLY BE TAKEN ON WITH THE GUIDANCE OF A TEACHER – so don’t read the book and hit the mat! The author is a prominent Yoga teacher and also happens to be the son of the Krishnamacharya – the man who brought Yoga back into the light in the 20th century. The book, if you take the time to read it, respectfully offers a comprehensive introduction of the vast system of Yoga. Most importantly it demonstrates how personal a Yoga practice can and should be.
Posted in Books, Coming Through
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The Inmates are Running the Asylum by Alan Cooper
nA fun and inspiring book. A must read for anybody who is involved in the business of digital products – from websites, information systems, custom tailored software applications, hardware products driven by software – which, in our digital age, means practically everyone in business.
The book demonstrates in a simple and entertaining fashion – how software design effects our lives both as users and businesses who’s products are used by people. It offers interesting insights and perspectives on the manufacturing process of software, the people involved in it and their dispositions. You really need to appreciate the tremendous effect good design can have on lifestyle and business success.
Posted in Books, Business, Coming Through, outside
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The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge
nI read this book many years ago (arghh… that would be about 10 years if you insist) and I picked up some nice ideas from it. It explains a concept called “systemic thinking” that is typical of people and organizations. It then points out a short-coming of system thinking and how this can actually threaten organizational existence. The author offers an interesting theory about “organizational learning” that as I remember it claims that organizations must always be working to improvement (learning) otherwise their inherent qualities will turn into failures. Some nice thoughts and inspiring thinking!
Posted in Books, Business, Coming Through, outside
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Sweet Clarity
nSweetClarity is a phrase coined by Shahar & myself early in our collaboration.
Shahar is a performer of improvised/spontaneous art. His work and teaching is rooted in body work. When I first experienced Shahar I experienced relief. I was relived because for the first time (and many since) I was moved and touched by art. Until then my experience of art had been a mediocre one. I could identify a certain degree of esthetics and skill in art (of all kinds) but I was never moved. this led me to believe that I was ignorant – and therefor uncapable of appreciating art. With Shahar I was (and still am) clearly moved. Moved in such a way that I did not have and was not interested in describing my experience in words.
Posted in SweetClarity
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What is Yoga? (part 1 of … as many as it takes)
nYoga is a collection of teachings that claim to offer some understanding of the nature of mind. IT does not offer any clear conclusions – instead it suggests some inspiring models that are best assimilated through experience – the practice of Yoga.
Before I go on let me re-iterate one important detail abotu which Yoga is very clear – it speaks about the MIND not about the body!
Posted in Yoga
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