NS Girls U7 Dolphins : 2010 NSYSA Indoor Soccer Tournament Champs

This past weekend I was honoured to have coached my daughter’s U7 North Shore Girls Soccer team to their first Soccer Tournament Championship. A weekend full of great moments, it was a joy to watch these girls come together and play as a team, cheer each other on and show a genuine excitement for the game of soccer.

In their first soccer tournament and in their first year playing organized soccer, the girls went undefeated in 4 round-robin games (5-1, 4-1, 6-1 and 3-1) and finished seeded first with a bye into the finals. In the finals they played a spirited game coming back from a 5-6 deficit to win the title 9-6.

I’m a big fan of the game of soccer and all the physical, mental, individual and team benefits this sport delivers—I still play competitively and have for the past 32 years. And win or lose, it was the moments watching these young girls nervous with anticipation before the games and exhausted from running their hearts out after the games; feeling their excitement as they were cheered on by family and friends; and simply seeing them smiling ear to ear all weekend long from having FUN playing soccer that makes this game so great and the weekend with my daughter and her team so special.

It’s exciting to see these girls grow through the game of soccer and I’m looking forward to being there on the sidelines in the many years to come. Great effort Dolphins!

It feels a little like winning a ‘Golden Ticket’ from Willy Wonka, because yesterday I found out I was one of 100 people invited to attend the first TEDxVacouver on November 21st at the Electronic Arts campus in Burnaby. Selection for the event was based on an online application that took at least an hour to fill out and made for some interesting personal refection. In the end well worth it, as I look forward to being in the room with 99 other lucky Vancouverites sharing in interesting discussions…and some ‘pure imagination.’

TED, originally started in 1984 as a yearly conference that brought together leaders from Technology, Entertainment and Design industries =T-E-D. Over the years TED has grown to cover the gamut of thought leaders, educators, entrepreneurs from industries and disciplines of all kinds and from around the world, each speaker sharing their experiences, their insights and their wisdom. TED had become about ‘Ideas Worth Spreading.’ And few years back, through the web, TEDTalks were made available free to millions of curious people everywhere, one talk at a time.

‘TEDx’ events, like Vancouver, are independently organized events by members of the TED community. These events are usually a combination of TEDTalk videos, live speakers and an intimate group there to share in the TED culture and conversation. TEDxVancouver’s theme is ‘Forever Young’ and looks to ‘unleash a youthful, contagious energy; one that breeds creativity, and fosters the exploration and synthesis of new ideas.’ Frameworks for the event are around sustainable development, medical research and interactive entertainment. Speakers for the event are as of yet unknown, but I’m eager to find out more.

I have collected a number of my favorite TEDTALKs over the years and figured I’d take this opportunity to share them. Do you have any to share? If so please send a comment and a link. And I’ll be sure to comment on TEDxVancouver again after the big event.

About Creativity & Play:
Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity
Tim Brown on creativity and play
Stuart Brown says play is more than fun

About Design Thinking:
Yves Behar on designing objects that tell stories
Bjarke Ingels 3 warp speed architecture tales
Tim Brown urges designers to think big
David Kelley on human centered design
Janine Benyus biomimicry in action
David Carson on design

Global Issues:
Nicholas Negroponte on one laptop per child
Ray Anderson on the business logic of sustainability
Al Gore on averting climate crisis
Al Gore new thinking on the climate crisis
Emmanuel Jal the music of a war child

Business Sort Of
Malcolm Gladwell on spaghetti sauce
Dan Pink on motivation
Richard Branson’s life at 30,000 feet

ANOTHER great Society of Graphic Designers of Canada / BC Chapter ‘Design Is Our Business’ breakfast event this morning, this time with business development consultant Blair Enns. Turnout was double from the inaugural September event and the audience continues to be a predominantly senior design group. The content was again valuable, actionable and relevant. More designers need better business thinking supporting their passion for the craft! If you’re serious about a successful design career, I encourage you to get your ass out of bed early and don’t miss another GDC/BC business breakfast!

On that note, I’m finishing up, with the help of some hard working GDC/BC execs the details of our next big event, the second annual Practivism 2. We’ve collected another stellar group of design and change leaders to talk about ‘Design’s Role In Creating Social Change.’ and it’s sure to sell out like last year.

Andréa Pellegrino is a principal at WorldStudio and key in the development of Design Ignites Change and the Urban Forest Project, come listen to her explain the need for a sustainable revenue model to build and grow a viable social cause enterprise. Vancouver and the GDC/BC’s own, Kara Pecknold, talks about her amazing experience working with IDEO’s Human-Centered Design Toolkit in Rawanda. Her story also recently written up in Fact Company. And Nathan Shedroff, a pioneer in Experience Design, Chair of the MBA in Design Strategy program at the California College of the Arts, and author of many, including his most recent ‘Design is the Problem,’ talks about the future and importance of design in solving the worlds problems - ‘but first, we have some reckoning to do with our past…’

The event is Thursday, November 19th, 530 - 1030pm, at the MOV - Museum of Vancouver and tickets are available here. Each talk is 30 minutes followed by a moderated speakers Q&A, cash bar and access to the MOV’s Ravishing Beast exhibit. But hurry, tickets are limited and will go fast, hope to see you there!

I came across a pretty well put together video on You Tube about a so called Social Media revolution, or as Erik Qualman has coined it, and Trademarked it, ‘Socialnomics.’ The video promotes his book by the same name and is out in wide release August 26, 2009.

There are some intriguing statics whipping in and out like; “Years to reach 50 million users: Radio - 38 years, TV - 13 years, Internet - 4 years, iPod - 3 years, Facebook - added 1 million users in less than 9 months”. And regardless of the source and motivation behind those stats, it’s still an intriguing summary of how much, and how fast, ‘communication’ is changing right now. Is it all about ‘Social Media’ per say? If nothing else it serves as a reference of the social media landscape ‘right now’ and something to be looked back on—even in a year from now—how will it have changed? Will it still be called Social Media? Will our newspapers be dead? our radio stations, TV stations, your favorite magazines? R. Murrow, Cronkite, Jennings, Rather… Who will be doing the reporting for the world…maybe you?

And if you’re responsible for managing a brand, one you own or are employed by, you’d better take good care of it! That much is for certain.

And by the way, I already posted this link to my Facebook page and Tweeted about it, and this Blog link will show up on my LinkedIn profile…what Social Media revolution?!

COURAGEOUSb is putting the ‘Projects of Passion’ initiative out there. By applying our COR values, passions and skills to what interests us most COURAGEOUSb is looking for individuals and organizations that believe in something bigger than themselves. With a passion to change the world. And the true courage to make it happen.

Whether you are a For-Profit social interest cause, a Not For Profit, a charitable organization, or a unique individual, the first steps to communicating your unique offering can be a challenge both strategically and financially. The ‘Projects of Passion’ initiative would like to assist in making those first steps happen and happen effectively—more sustainable—short term and long providing you the best chance for success and growth.

Internal strategic services include: defining the COR brand definitions, articulating the COR brand drivers, and establishing the brands ‘unique passion proposition.’ External strategic services include: logo and tagline, stationery collateral, website design and development and marketing support strategies and materials.

Related experience includes; BC Epilepsy Society, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life team ‘Squeezin For A Reason’, the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada and BC Children’s Hospital Hospitality & Restaurants Division.

Are you looking to make a profound impact on the world with your passions and ideas? Are you interested in understanding more about how a solid, well articulated, brand provides a sustainable foundation for those world changing ideas? Lets start talking, go to www.projectsofpassion.com or contact Andy at 604 781 0897 or andy@courageousb.com.

I was asked to talk about ‘courageous brands’ to the brand & creative department at VANOC (Vancouver Olympic Committee) a few weeks ago. After a few words and examples of global brands making a difference, I stopped talking and asked them to explore how they might define their own unique brand identities. I brought out hundreds of Lego blocks and used play to facilitate the generation of ideas.

How often do you consider what you, YOUR brand, represents? How authentic is what you believe in your heart versus what you communicate to the world? Is there alignment? Are you communicating the COR values and characteristic that truly define you, that differentiate you?

And how often do you really let go and play? Remember the days of childish fun, the real honesty of thought, free of self editing and the freedom to create? I encourage you to use play to explore and define your next big hairy audacious goal. You’ll be amazed at the volume of ideas and the clarity and authenticity of your concepts…and it’s fun too. Use found images, paints, Lego, playdough, hell use cookie dough and… Play. Discover. Define. Be.

Following are the creative outcomes from a few of the members of VANOC that courageously offered to share their unique discoveries. Since we didn’t have time to discuss the concepts behind the ideas I offered to post them, with their permission, on my blog and create a bit of a community around this exercise. VANOC members can see what was created, learn a bit more about each other and even exchange comments.

Dr Seuss said it best, “fun is good.”

My Name: Erin Keighley-Wright

My COR Brand Driver(s): Adventure, Nature, Simplicity

My Thoughts On What I Created: I see myself as the tree, standing on the edge of a cliff, not sure what’s next. The door is open to show my willingness to try new, exciting things.

My Name: Lise Carrière

My COR Brand Driver(s): Balance, grounded, always moving and moving forward, never “settle” – achieve all with kindness & generosity. And do it despite fear and no matter what others think.

My Thoughts On What I Created: It’s not what you do or achieve that counts in the end, it’s the impression you leave behind. You can achieve all you want to achieve without causing harm to others, the environment, etc. >> Green base for grounded, height for reaching further, wheels for motion/always moving, flowers for kindness. One leg on wall for balance and courage.

My Name: Leo Obstbaum

My COR Brand Driver(s): unexpected, creativity, discovery, uniqueness

My Thoughts On What I Created: A black ‘L’ shape made by a straight 4 joint Lego and a straight 2 joint Lego. They are shown from the bottom because the way that we always define things is on how we see, on the “topic” side. I like the other side of things, unexpected, discovery, unique. Why black? I’m a designer c’mon!

My Name: Ben

My COR Brand Driver(s):-

My Thoughts On What I Created: I grabbed one handful of Lego and put the pieces together randomly. As a photographer/designer it is sometimes fun to find the beauty in chaos.

My Name: Ali Gardiner

My COR Brand Driver(s): Catalyst, Energizing, Hard Worker/Productive, Team Player, Far-Sighted, Tough (internally)

My Thoughts On What I Created: I chose the happy warrior because I love rising to big challenges. I generally like to maintain perspective and be “big picture” (hence being on the top of tower) but I also enjoy laying the bricks to get to the destination. The Shell sign is symbolic of my love of fueling ideas and people, and the first aid sign is symbolic of my passion for helping others and solving problems.

My Name: Shawn Parkinson

My COR Brand Driver(s): Playful, Creative, Groundbreaking, Caring

My Thoughts On What I Created: A Rocket Powered, Flying Space Car. that is carbon neutral.

My Name: Peta Lewis

My COR Brand Driver(s): honest, progressive, motivated, balanced, creative

My Thoughts On What I Created: Simple yet constantly ‘on the move’ my Lego contains transparent elements, a wide streching ‘wing span’ with a little bit of “personality” on the top, adding character to the otherwise organized and symetrical design.

My Name: Derek Baxter

My COR Brand Driver(s): passionate, persuasive, creative

My Thoughts On What I Created: Can’t sit still and always moving - (wheels) Yet i find a way to at times grind to a hault to re-fuel, relax, and recharge. My head is in the clouds and I never limit my exploration – and dig hard into things (pic).

A few others only provided a photo of their personal metaphors:

Remember when the Doctor made house calls, we had a Milkman delivering to our door and we knew the name of the family that owned the local Hardware store? To be honest I don’t, it was before my day, but I’ve read stories and often imagine such a time.

What makes those stories sound so fantastical? It creates images of relationships, connection, community, and care. What happened to experiences of authentic customer service? A philosophy of service that meant ‘caring for’ versus ‘having to do’ and that lead to smiles from those providing the service to those receiving it. Is it that much to ask for these days?

Customer service is at the heart of every successful brand experience. Back in Those days businesses knew that the customers they had were ‘golden’ and making them happy, feel special, taken care of, was more important that taking their money. And their business grew. And the customers’ loyalty grew. And their business grew. And the customers told their friends that hey needed to be taken care of like they were being taken care of. And their business grew some more.

In an age where everything comes faster, with more bells, whistles and now there’s even ‘an App for that,’ wouldn’t it be nice if you felt taken care of when you went to your favorite retail outlet? You knew the name of the butcher and the lady in the bakery—even if those people are all in the same ‘mega store’ these days. It doesn’t mean that Creating Authentic Relationship Experiences (CARE) can’t still be part of the brand culture does it? And why does it feel like when someone cares or you ‘get great service’ it’s so special? Is it because they exceeded your expectations, or simply exceeded the status quo—which is at an all time low.

Consider the Home Depot or Canadian Tire Self Serve check outs. Is this really customer service? or is it another sign of technology being an excuse for providing less authentic customer services experience? Yes it brings back memories of playing store as a kid, but isn’t it just a novelty right now. Doesn’t someone staff those stations anyway to troubleshoot when your card won’t work or the bar code won’t scan? Are they taking care of you or simply trying to move you along? What about automated phone systems. Again new technology provided a chance to provide better service but for whom? The customer? or the owner of the business? How often do you get prompted through pushing 1 then 3 then 4 then enter your account number, only to get a real person at the end anyway who’s first question is “can I have your account number Sir?” or did you push ‘zero’ long before that point?! And what about shopping online—do those shoes really fit when you try them on-line?

Here’s my latest customer CARE story.

My Apple Laptop melted down last week. I was rather distressed, files lost, the need to spend a silly amount of money to get back to work. In my delirious state, I shopped online at Apple.ca, and soon felt I needed to speak with someone - you can’t do that at Apple.ca (not yet anyway.) The North Shore doesn’t have boutique Apple Stores so there’s a choice of Future Shop and London Drugs. Personally the Future Shop brand experience has failed me time and again, I’ve never gone back. Now I realize London Drugs is a little bit of everything to everyone, one of those mega stores, and I’m a big proponent of ‘focus focus focus’ but not at the expense of customer service. And part of a Wall Mart or London Drugs brand is convenience. In this case they have a computer department and pricing is standardized by Apple, so it wasn’t about price it was about customer service—I just wanted to speak with someone.

His name is Grant, he’s a London Drugs ‘computer specialist,’ he listened to my anxiety and he now knew I needed a laptop today to get back to doing business. He then explained they didn’t have the model I wanted in stock. Just as I began to reaffirm my beliefs around customer service and wonder what Other MAC retailer might help me—save me, he said, “give me a minute I’m going to make a phone call.” I was willing to give him a minute. He needed about 20 seconds, “Andy I can have that model rushed delivered to our store today, it’ll be here in 3 hours, can I do that for you?”

Does your brand CARE? Are you Creating Authentic Relationship Experiences for the customers you have? Are you investing money in technology to hurry the customer through your brand experience, or are you busy spending money trying to market to new ones? Wouldn’t it be less effort, and money, to just care for the ones you have? Creating human connections and making them happier everytime? If it’s authentic they’ll keep coming back—and your busiess will grow. Really it will. And I encourage you to give it a try.

Tops in design, business, brands, the tops of this and that is endless. I have had a few of these list style links bookmarked to share for a while and with June 2009’s Fast Company cover feature “the 100 Most Creative People in Business” I figured it was a good time to post them.

Online or in print, Fast Company has featured a great mix of unique minds making up their Creative Top 100, from the somewhat obscure, to a rock star like Apple’s Jonathan Ive to Tyra Banks…ya Tyra Banks go figure?! So if you’re suffering from heat stroke over the weekend go inside and get inspired, reviewing all of them is sure to kill an afternoon. And GDC take note, here’s a great list of possible speakers for ICOGRADA’s DESIGN WEEK 2010 and GRAPHEX 2010!

Now what about some other Best Of’s and Top 10’s, 100’s, even 500’s…here’s a few. Enjoy.

> Fast Company’s 10 Courageous Few. Leadership drives a brand and these few had the heart to do the right thing.
> InterBrand and BusinessWeek’s Top 100 Brands of 2008
> Treehugger’s Best Of Green has an amazing collection inspiring lists. In Design and Architecture, Business, Fashion, Culture and more.
> Landor’s Greenest Brands of 2008 (US and UK) and a supporting Podcast of The Greenest Brands of 2008
> Time’s Most Influential Design - the Design 100
> Time 100: Leaders and Revolutionaries
> Time’s ALL TIME 100, includes movies, novels, tv shows and albums
Time’s TOP 10 of 2008
> Business Deals > Non-Fiction Books > Best Websites
> Scientific America’s Top 10 Solutions for Climate Change
> MacLife’s Top 10 Apple Influencers of 2009
> CNN’s Top 25 Influential Business Leaders (an ‘05 list)
Rolling Stone’s
> 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
> 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, very cool is Pete Townshend’s write up of #1 Jimi Hendrix.
> MetroLyrics features Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and cool, they provide the lyrics too.
The Simpsons > Top 10 Guest Appearances
> the Chicago Tribune’s Top 10 Simpsons Prank Calls..try it some time.
> FoxSports Top 10 Courageous Moments in Sports History
And there’s no Top list with out David Letterman’s Top Ten List archive.

Do you know any great lists that inspire? …comment and share!

In 1821 Clarissa was born a timid soul but with a courageous pioneering heart. Forty years years later ‘the Angel of the Battlefield’ began her life’s work.

In 1861, now considered ‘calm and resourceful’ Clara, as she wished to be called, was working as a recording clerk in the U.S. Patent Office in Washington, D.C. at the outbreak of the Civil War. Patriotically inspired, immediately she began collecting provisions and medical supplies for the Union Army and appealed to the public for support. But that wasn’t enough. Frustrated with her limited role, passionate about making a difference and ‘undeterred by War Department regulations and prevailing stereotypes’ Clara eventually brought her volunteer services and medical supplies right on to the field of battle.

In 1869 after a visit to Geneva Switzerland and an introduction to the Red Cross, Clara Barton made her lasting impression on the world. Following relentless attempts for Presidential approval that started in 1871, she finally formed the American Red Cross on this day, May 21st, 1881. For the next 20 years under her leadership the volunteer services provided mainly U.S. disaster relief but included Russian famine relief and relief operations in Turkey and Armenia. She also lobbied to pass an amendment to the Geneva Treaty that called for Red Cross support to include victims of natural disasters. Clara was an advocate of education, prison reform, women’s suffrage, civil rights and helped create the First Aid kit. Learn more about Clara at www.redcross.org

Will you be an angel of something? What does your heart keep telling your head to do?

Join the Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life team, ‘Squeezin For A Reason,’ as they present The Main Squeeze - A Cause For Improv! The posters are out, the community articles, radio and tv spots are around the corner and the fun is about to begin. Hurry, visit www.squeezinforareason.com today and get your tickets to a night of hilarious Instant Improv by the award winning Vancouver TheatreSports League.
Thursday, May 21st, at the beautiful Capilano University Theatre in North Vancouver. Doors at 7, show at 8 until 1030pm. Cash bar and raffle in advance, tickets $25 with all proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Relay For Life.

Come out with family and friends and have a good laugh for a great cause!! See you there.