“The practice of mindfulness will increase the quality of our learning & also improve the quality of our life.”

Amazon recently recommended a book that I couldn’t resist… Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness With Children.  Plum Village looks like an amazing place… amazing!

I’ve made it through most of the book and find it to be one of those books that you savor and go back to.  The first page sums it up best:

“May this book help you plant the seeds of mindfulness in the garden of your own life & in the lives of the children you nurture. And may you, your family, your school and your community reap a rich harvest of peace, contentment & togetherness.”

I’m not drinking any Kool-Aid or singing Kumbaya or anything, but if you really think about those words, it’s quite tempting.  In all seriousness, the book is great and offers some realistic things (tools, activities, etc.) you can do for yourself and others to really focus and connect with things around you… And, I translate that into success. For me, I find being mindful fuels my drive for whatever it is I’m doing.  And, it inspires me and gives me the kick in the butt I sometimes need to make changes and continuously improve.

Being mindful (aware of the moment) seems very easy, I know.  But, I assure you it’s one of the most difficult things to actually do.  For some, it comes naturally.  For the rest of us, it’s about being too busy or otherwise distracted from truly being in (and appreciating) the moment.

“You cannot transmit wisdom & insight to another person.  The seed is already there.  A good teacher touches the seed, allowing it to wake up, to sprout, and to grow.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Spring semester at HCC starts tonight, and I’m excited as always.  I’ll be teaching Intro to Business, Principles of Marketing & Principles of Management again… each one of them, good times!  My most significant suggestion for doing well in my class is to always be engaged and know what’s going on.  Rather than focusing on the long-term objective of scoring the credit hours, enjoy the moments in class when there’s an opportunity to learn new things.  Here’s to a great semester!

Sidenote: Another great book targeted to kids but great for all ages is Thinking Tools for Kids.  From fishbone diagrams to affinity exercises, this book simplifies key quality and decision making tools with fun examples and useful templates.  

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs

One of the most inspirational speeches I’ve seen includes Jobs’ 2005 commencement at Standford…

And, my all-time favorite quote also comes from Jobs…

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

So, the world will obviously move on without Steve Jobs  (1955-2011) in it, but I hope we don’t soon forget the contributions of a true visionary… someone that really did make a dent in the universe. He was more than iPods and iPads… he just got it.

Straight from the bathroom wall at HCC…

What is the ASQ Futures Study?

“In an effort to anticipate the future of quality, ASQ conducts a Futures Study every three years. The effort began in 1995.” For 2011, ASQ reached out to more than 150 panelists from over 40 countries. “The purpose of identifying the Forces and descriptions is to stimulate discussion about the future of quality and the implications to those who practice quality and those who lead organizations.”

Where can you read more about it?

While this year’s study will not be released until September, Paul Borawski’s blog includes a summary of the key forces for review.

My two cents…

Global Responsibility - Unfortunately, I’ve heard a lot of talk about global responsibility and sustainability over the years, but my expectations of corporate commitment have failed to be realized.  I’ve been talking to organizations about this since 2000 when Pro QC incorporated social audits into the mix using the SA8000 standard. At that time, I also attended a few conferences and was excited by what I saw.  The momentum at the time seemed strong and the organizations represented at the events (Toys R Us, Nike, Eileen Fisher, etc.) were all on board .  But, through the years, I’ve failed to see the momentum really take off.  All talk and no action doesn’t mean much at the end of the day.  My conversations with organizations today regarding Pro QC’s ISO26000 audits has a common theme.  It’s difficult to get past the idea that performing social audits or otherwise ensuring sustainability affects the bottom line and isn’t just something to make you look good to stakeholders.  My wish for the future of quality is that more organizations realize global responsibility isn’t optional.  If we want to continue reaping the rewards of a plentiful existence, the global village must all commit and realize the saliency. It makes sense… business or otherwise.

“What is the use of living, if it be not to strive for noble causes and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?”~Winston Churchill

Consumer Awareness - I look at consumer awareness from a marketing perspective.  And, from that perspective I believe we are doing a much better job of fulfilling consumer wants and needs.  Technology is certainly behind the ability to connect with and listen to consumer.  Competition continues to drive quality and create satisfied consumers.  Here, the future looks bright!

Globalization - To me, globalization is no longer a force.  It’s simply a reality, as it should have been from the start. Opening up borders creates value and opportunity for everyone.  It isn’t something to be feared.  It isn’t something to try and evade.  For the future, I would like to see organizations (and consumers) recognize all of the wonderful things that come from sharing and working together as a global community.  We need to get over the “us vs. them” mentality and understand that we all share the planet and would be best served by maximizing  competitive advantages and reaping rewards at all levels.

“It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity.” ~Kofi Annan

Increasing Rate of Change - One of my MBA professors was known to repeat the mantra… “There are three things you can count on in this world: death, taxes and change.”  And, it’s true… but, a little organization and effective communication can go a long way towards managing at least the change component.  Most people fear change, but we often fear the unexpected or what we don’t undertand.  Organizations need to focus on better communicating change and demonstrating top-down commitment.  Strong leadership can subdue even the most reluctant and apprehensive followers.

“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.” ~Winston Churchill

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” ~Gandhi

Workforce of the Future - While I think the United States offers amazing opportunities for education, I think we fall short on effective strategy for meeting the workforce requirements of the future.  I see other countries making this realization as well, but I don’t think any of us are acting fast enough.  The problem itself isn’t easily simplified because it spans a wider spectrum, I get that.  From preschool to corporate training, the education worldwide has some very real and present dangers to contend with.  Among the most critical is certainly the point where we realize we don’t have enough trained people to fill key roles. So, what do we do?  I’ve mentioned many times before that making education a priority and standing behind it with commitment and action are undeniably necessary.  But, we have a good idea what jobs will be like in the future, so why not put some effort into recruitment and training now?  We need to help our youth assess their natural aptitude and help them along a path to that realization.  The result is win-win.  The individual is engaged in something that peaks an interest and/or comes very easily to them so they have a certain level of job satisfaction in the future.  The organizations seeking people with the skill will have a forecasting resource pool to select from and have a certain level of confidence in each individual’s productivity and overall success.  It really is that simple.  Proving guidance (aptitude evaluation) and support (financial & training opportunities), creates a foundation that stabilizes this overall concern.

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” ~Alan Lakein

Aging Population - I admit to being a little concerned about the aging population.  I fear our system isn’t setup to accommodate their needs.  Without funds allocated to cover the increasing costs of this group, it will be up to my generation and my children’s generation to cover their general welfare when they can no longer work.  And, what happens when we no longer have a meaty talent pool to fill our job requirements? What are we doing to ensure that our youth are properly trained to help pick up the gaps in manpower?  The way we treat our older citizens speaks mountains regarding our society as a whole!

“What this country needs is radicals who will stay that way regardless of the creeping years.”  ~John Fischer

21st Century Quality – The most successful companies incorporate change and transformation into the fabric of their organizations.  I’d like to see the 21st Century of Quality evolve into a time when quality isn’t a separate function but rather one integrated into all activities.

“The future you see is the future you get.” ~Robert Allen

Innovation - Peter Drucker said something I’ve never forgotten… “Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two €”and only two €”basic functions: marketing and innovation. Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs.” Innovation isn’t an option, either now or in the future.  When you look at the most successful companies worldwide, the one thing they all have in common is a focus on innovation. Leaders must be free to take risks in order for an innovation nurturing environment can exist.  A little environmental scanning and a focus on stakeholders over shareholders can open up a world of opportunity.

**If you look at each of these “forces” as a whole, they map out a truly bright future given the assumption that we learn from the information we have available to us now.  I think the make-or-break will be how much today’s organizations are willing to recognize and adapt.   If today’s organizations take action and set an example for future organizations, we’re in good shape!

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”  ~Malcolm X

“Sissy: You really don’t believe in political solutions do you?

The Chink: I believe in political solutions to political problems. But man’s primary problems aren’t political; they’re philosophical. Until humans can solve their philosophical problems, they’re condemned to solve their political problems over and over and over again. It’s a cruel, repetitious bore.

Sissy: Well, then, what are the philosophical solutions?

The Chink: Ha ha ho ho and hee hee. That’s for you to find out. I’ll say this much and no more: there’s got to be poetry. And magic. At every level. If civilization is ever going to be anything but a grandiose pratfall, anything more than a can of deodorizer in the shithouse of existence, then statesmen are going to have to concern themselves with magic and poetry. Bankers are going to have to concern themselves with magic and poetry. Time magazine is going to have to write about magic and poetry. Factory workers and housewives are going to have to get their lives entangled in magic and poetry.

Sissy: Do you think such a thing can ever happen?

The Chink: If you understood poetry and magic, you’d know that it doesn’t matter.”

–Tom Robbins (Even Cowgirls Get the Blues)

**Note that my 1st edition Tom Robbins books are actually listed in my will along with only one or two other items that I deem valuable.  Aside from Vonnegut, I’ve failed to find another fiction writer that can tickle my fancy like Robbins does… One peruse through Still Life With Woodpecker, Jitterbug Perfume, Skinny Legs & All or Half Asleep in Pajamas and it’s hard to deny.

–More Tom Robbins quotes–