Once you have been fortunate enough to catch a fish the next step is to remove the hook (and hopefully release the fish.) Sometimes removing the hook is a very simple process and takes no time at all. Other times the hook may be deep in the mouth of the fish. It may be necessary to use a hook remover as pictured above or a similar tool such as a pliers. There are times when the hook is so embedded that you may use other creative techniques. 1) depending on the fish size and the size of the lure, you may just cut the line and leave a small lure inside the fish. 2) You may push the lure out through the gills and then cut the line. This may cause the least amount of tension and damage on the fish.
In business, we overuse terms such as "out of the box" thinking. However, we need to apply creativity to typical business solutions to find viable answers. Just as removing a hook by pushing it our through the gills, there may be business solutions that don't appear so obvious.
© 2011 Jim Lindell, Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc. - Thor's Hammer Blog
If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there'd be a shortage of fishing poles.
Doug Larson
One of the best tools to teach principles to others is through the use of simple stories. Our greatest religious leaders have conveyed concepts of heaven, debt, forgiveness, etc. via everyday examples. This too, is the basis of this new blog category.
Why do people fish? Is it enjoyment? Is it for peace and solitude? Is it to make money? Is it to put food on the table? The insight as to why a person invests their time translates into the eventual outcome of the fishing trip. For example, someone that is interested in peace and solitude may care less if they catch any fish. Someone that needs to feed their family is much more determined to catch fish and indifferent to the "peace and solitude." The practical lesson is that a fisherman must know why they are fishing. A different reason for fishing will lead to a different approach and most likely a different level of success.
The same concept applies to all businesses. Why are you in business? Is it to feed your family? Is it to acquire wealth? Is it a way to invest your time? A business leader must have a vision for the business. This vision also impacts the effort, the investment and most likely the eventual success or failure of the business.
This concept also applies to an employee in the same manner. Why does an employee invest their time with a specific employer? Is it for wages? Is it for future advancement? Is it to obtain knowledge, etc? You can be sure that the employee's vision will translate into different levels of performance as well as different career paths.
Therefore our first lesson from fishing is "Have a worthwhile Vision!"
© 2011 Jim Lindell - Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc. - Thor's Hammer
The way that we interact with one another continues to evolve. We are also at the point that technology is so intertwined with our individual self that we have emotional problems when we are disconnected from the modern daily tools of cell phones, internet, e-mail, etc.
Consider the following from Intersperience's recent press release:
Intersperience research highlights people’s emotional dependency on technology
• 53% of Brits feel ‘upset’ when deprived of internet connection
• 40% of people surveyed feel ‘lonely’ when not able to go online
• Challenge of 24 hours without digital devices described as ‘nightmare’
London, UK, July 22 - A new study into the impact of online and digital technology on people’s lives in the UK found that more than half of the people surveyed felt ‘upset’ at the prospect of being deprived of an internet connection even for a short time.
The extent of people’s ‘digital dependency’ in their everyday lives was revealed by international consumer research specialist Intersperience in a new project entitled ‘Digital Selves.’The project, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of more than 1,000 individuals from age 18 to over 65s, questioned people about their 'digital lives' including their attitudes and use of the internet, smartphones and other connected devices.
The project also involved qualitative research, including challenging participants to get through one full day without using technology. Giving up technology was considered by some to be as hard as quitting smoking or drinking, while one survey participant described it as “like having my hand chopped off” and another called it “My biggest nightmare.”
A significant number of people ‘cheated’ by switching on the television or radio as they did not regard them as ‘technology.’ Others agreed to the challenge but turned their mobile phones to silent, regarding being completely disconnected even for one day as “inconceivable.”
Many participants found it extremely hard to resist the temptation to go online, especially those for whom online communication represents a large part of their social interaction. A total of 40% of people felt ‘lonely’ when not engaging in activities such as social networking, emails, texting or watching their favourite television channels.
Younger people, who tend to be heavier users of social media and text messaging, found giving up technology the most difficult while older people (over-40s) generally coped more easily when cut off from digital connections. Only a minority of those surveyed reacted positively to the prospect of being without an internet connection, with 23% saying they would feel “free.”
Paul Hudson, Chief Executive of Intersperience said: “ Online and digital technology is increasingly pervasive. Our ‘Digital Selves’ research shows how just dominant a role it now assumes, influencing our friendships, the way we communicate, the fabric of our family life, our work lives, our purchasing habits and our dealings with organisations.”
He added: “ We have gathered clear evidence that the UK has fully entered the Digital Age. The resulting stepchange in the way we engage with technology has occurred faster than many of us had anticipated. This has profound implications for society both from a personal and commercial perspective. We are about to embark on a new study looking exclusively at digital engagement in Under-18s which we expect to highlight even more radical developments in the behaviour and attitudes of children and teenagers.”
The State Investigator's report is out and should be read by those interested in Ethical case studies. The implications for us are numerous:
How employees react to measures and goals
How employees give in to peer pressure
How bosses abuse their power
How outsiders (parents) were willing to tolerate unethical behavior if it made their children appear more successful
How brave employees (teachers) stood up against unethical behavior
From the CL Atlanta website:
State investigators on Tuesday released the findings of a probe into the Atlanta Public Schools test-cheating scandal that tarnished the system's once-stellar reputation. Led by former Attorney General Mike Bowers and former DeKalb County District Attorney Bob Wilson, the investigative team interviewed more than 2,000 people and reviewed more than 800,000 documents. Investigators identified 178 principal and teachers who they say were involved in cheating. (Source: http://clatl.com/freshloaf/archives/2011/07/06/atlanta-schools-cheating-investigation-full-report) Note: you can obtain the full report in 3 pdf files from this location as well.
It is important to note in Vol 3 that the investigators highlighted why cheating occurred. They identified 3 primary conditions that led to widespread cheating on the 2009 CRCT (competency tests):
The targets set by the district were often unrealistic, especially given their cumulative effect over the years. Additionally, the administration put unreasonable pressure on teachers and principals to achieve targets;
A culture of fear, intimidation and retaliation spread throughout the district; and,
Dr. Hall and her administration emphasized test results and public praise to the exclusion of integrity and ethics.
"When will we ever learn, When will we ever..... learn" from "Where have all the flowers gone"
© 2011 - Jim Lindell - Thorsten Consulting Group, Inc.
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