Here's The Thing

Getting more from work

Seth Godin had this post this morning. It's about getting more from school, work, whatever.

It's an interesting thing to mull as an employer. People often think that their employer has a plan for them. And while we might well have some sort of a plan, it's not nearly as fleshed out as it could ( maybe should) be.

So what's the best way to get more from work? More fulfillment, more experience, or - the real currency of the new economy - more learning experiences?

Initiative.

Initiative is really the only way. Even the best, most well-meaning employer can only give so many opportunities. And in the absence of initiative, I feel like instead of giving someone an opportunity, I am loading them up with work. Because I just don't know the difference. Maybe you're excited to help with the newsletter - or maybe you think it's a drag. Maybe you are dying to grow the company and be a leader! Or maybe you're looking for more family time. And without initiative... well, I have to be a really good mind-reader. And I think I am about as good at that as any employer. Which is to say - marginal.

So how does one go from waiting, to taking? I think it's pretty easy actually. You walk into your employer's office, and say "I have an idea."

Then you volunteer to help make that idea a reality. That's the hard part.

I am so powerful

Well, not really. But the blogosphere is!

Sony changes their mind for the better.

Perhaps Sony could invert the message they are sending?

So, when you buy a new computer, it invariably comes preloaded with trial software, promotional stuff, and generally a whole host of speed-sucking, annoying software pre-installed. This is fondly known as "crapware."

Sony, in their infinite wisdom, has decided to charge you for the luxury of buying a computer that comes free of such detritus.

This is just going to piss people off. When I saw it I shook my head. And I thought, well, that this would be the end of my post. Bad Sony.

But that's not really fair or realistic. Sony is in business to make money, just like everyone else. And they get paid to preinstall that software. Trail software is a legitimate, if annoying, revenue source.

But the tactic still sucks, and will create bad feelings toward Sony, because the psychology works like this: That is my computer. I am paying $1500 for it. I don't want you loading it up with paid advertising that I am going to spend precious time uninstalling. How dare you charge me extra to send me my computer the way I want it?!?

So how could they accomplish their goal and not patently piss people off? Create a discount instead of a charge. Knock $50 off of the price of my new laptop if I allow Sony to preinstall the software. Now it feels like a choice - $50 dollars for my time. Now I kind of appreciate Sony for giving me the option.

Who cares? The net result is the same, right? Not really.

It's not logical I suppose, but "give me the salt,'" and "please pass the salt" invite very different relationships.

Ripple [hearts] baristas

Looking for something to do on Thursday nights? Wanna see something you probably haven't seen before?

Come on out to Octane on Thursday night at 9:00 and watch a barista throwdown. What the hell is a barista throwdown?

Well, this is what baristas do for fun. They have latte art competitions. With rules. Money goes into a hat, winner takes all. It's hard to explain why it would be cool. But it is. So cool that Ripple is the Platinum Sponsor ( the Platinum Sponsor I say!) Here's a video of an impromptu one last Friday.

octane latte art throwdown from chemically imbalanced on Vimeo.

See an art form you probably didn't know existed, have a few beers, and watch the future rock stars, artists, and scientists of this century making the most of their college job.

Please, PLEASE let this catch on

I would give huge bonus consideration points to anyone using this for their resume.

Failing with grace

Michael Hyatt today wrote a great post about failure, how to get past it, and how to learn from it. Wisdom nugget of choice:

Once you acknowledge failure, you take away it’s power. You can then begin to turn it into something positive.