GK
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SILLY STUFF AT AVENUE OF THE GIANTS -or- "WHERE'S YOUR BACK BRACE GENE?"
Ingrid, Louis, Michelle & Gene by a downed Sequoia in 2018. Note afterwards we read the sign that we shouldn't climb on it. One more note: Gene had his back operation in 2022, Louis had his hip operation in 2023. Click on buttons #1-4 to watch the videos..
THE PIRATE CREW
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HAPPY GRANDKIDS
I don’t know you
I don’t know who you are
I don’t know your company
I don’t know your company’s product
I don’t know what your company stands for
I don’t know your company’s customers
I don’t know your company’s record
I don’t know your company’s reputation
Now--what was it you wanted to sell me?
Public service outdoor transit advertising (photo, design, print, post, install) on-time and at a great price for City-State Agencies and Nonprofits
ABOUT GENE's GREAT KOLOR
CEO: Great Kolor Walnut Creek, CA
Business Focus: Assist City/State agencies and Nonprofits with sensible choices in outdoor advertising
What it does: Evolved from local print shop roots, Great Kolor secures low cost (high profile) outdoor ad space and then prints/installs the finished graphics
Source of start-up capital: Self financed
Education background: C.U.N.Y. Brooklyn College graduate with BA in Social Science
Reason for starting business: The company Gene worked at was purchased and closed in 2005. Great Kolor was born two weeks later. The moral of this story? When one door closes (very often) another will open for you.
Most difficult part of decision: Not difficult--in a sink or swim moment, it's good for you to know that swimming is the sensible option
Biggest plus of ownership: The empowerment of being in charge of your own destiny
Biggest drawback: Negative is the flip side of positive. Being in charge puts responsibility squarely on your shoulders. Business is dependent on your state of mind and business successes and failures are owned by you.
Biggest mistake: Summer of 2007 an incorrectly spec'd restaurant window graphic was printed, delivered and couldn't install. Although (at the time) a serious failure it caused a major improvement. Going forward every job begins with a one page agreement. This includes the exact specification, production, turnaround time and price commitment. Next there's a sign-off for final art approval. So before any printing moves forward--we (and client) review & sign-off on art and job specification twice. The results? It's been 15+ years and counting of perfect print projects.
Biggest business strength: Very fortunate that many clients compliment us with glowing endorsements for reliability, quality and dedication to excellent customer service
Biggest business weakness: None. Well okay, maybe outreach time efficiency and new business data management can be improved. Fortunately solid referrals continue to deliver a steady stream of new clients and business
Biggest risk: There really isn’t much risk, Great Kolor is a tight little business
Smartest move: Decision to put resources into organizing a brief and to the point Nonprofit education program. We call it the Not-For-Profit Publicity Workshop. The volunteer venues like ODC Dance, California Historical Society, Mission Cultural Center, SS Jeremiah O'Brien, Robert Cameron’s Environmental Journey in the Metreon were all excellent and feedback from attendees has been terrific
Favorite task: Aligning clients wants and needs with Great Kolor's capabilities
Least favorite task: Having to say no
Source of support in a business crisis: My much better half, St. Michelle
Biggest frustration: Stop and go traffic
Most challenging task: Same as favorite task--aligning capabilities with our clients wants and needs
Key goal yet to achieve: Financial stability. In the early 2000's it was in hand, then the housing bust cleaned our clock. That's okay, lesson learned, we've climbed back and are now better prepared to weather the next storm
Favorite music: Miley Cyrus The Climb Freddie Mercury Somebody To Love IZ Somewhere Over The Rainbow Louie Armstrong Wonderful World Frank Sinatra That's Life
Inducement to sell: I really enjoy doing this so it would be a substantial buyout to induce selling--although an eight figure proposal would definitely cause me to stop, sit and listen
First move with capital windfall: Once around the world trip on boat and train (just me & the Mrs.)
Most admired entrepreneur: Benjamin Franklin
Most interested in meeting: Napoleon Hill and my parents again
Favorite film: The Lion King
Favorite pastimes: Hiking the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range with my sons
Favorite destination: Mt Evans, Colorado
Favorite book: “The Magic of Thinking Big”, written by Dr. David J Schwartz
Stress reducers: Listening to motivational CD’s in the car
Favorite restaurant: Nordstrom’s Café
Five year plan: Take that world vacation
What is on your iPod: Still don’t have one (remarkable - huh ? : )
click here if you want the complete who, what, where, when & how + references: GREAT KOLOR
BEN FRANKLIN AND THE GOLDEN RULE
GOLDEN RULE INDUSTRIES / POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY PROJECT
Background on Ben Franklin's life-long experiment: Over 250 years ago, Ben Franklin realized that even the best attempts at making and sticking with New Year's Resolutions brought unsatisfactory results. In his autobiography Ben describes the brilliantly simple solution: "a week's strict attention to each of the 13 virtues successively." After thirteen weeks he'd begin again (four cycles = 52 weeks) investing 28 days a year into mastering the 13 personal skills. Ben largely credited this one experiment as the principal key to his many successes; including careers as an author, diplomat, philosopher, physicist, printer, publisher, scientist (with 105 inventions); and played a pivotal role in financing (and winning) the Revolutionary War, creating the Postal System, the Public Library: additionally, Ben was the only signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. So, unusual as this appears, Ben's 250-year-old experiment when worked with disciplined attention to thirteen virtues: Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Chastity and Humility, is the greatest gift from wise old Ben to you and me. UPDATED FOR 2020+ Golden Rule, Gratitude, Communication, Now, Peace-Love-Understanding, Encouragement, Appreciation, Health-Happiness, Steadfast Determination, Order, Abundance-Sustainability, Truth, Humility
1. GOLDEN RULE Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Perhaps even better learn what others want and when compatible to your sensibilities - you can do for them that they can't or won't do for themselves. Resolve to overcome obstacles and self-made pitfalls. Be respectful--accept responsibility--do good and be good to your word, working every day to do your very best to live the Golden Rule.
2. GRATITUDE ''The trick is to be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low.'' Richard Carlson ''Smile your best smile at everyone you see. Think about all the things you have to be thankful for … and smile. The world will smile with you.'' Frank Bettger Look at everything with a new sense of awe and appreciation - be grateful for all that you have, taking nothing good for granted and regularly expressing appreciation and gratefulness - compliment with true sincerity.
3. COMMUNICATION ''Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself, avoid trifling conversation.'' Benjamin Franklin Improve your communication skills: Speak softly, peacefully and with assurance. - Let the other person complete his own thoughts and sentences. - Be a considerate, polite and thoughtful listener. - Questions get you further than comments. - Listen more and talk less. Unless it's absolutely necessary: - not tell people when you disagree with them. - Even when you think you're right, don't argue--it's the poorest technique known in human relations. - Never participate in gossip.
4. NOW Really think about this: What most precious resource do you have an abundance of right now, that money can't buy ? The answer: This Moment In Time. This week resolve to make the most of each precious moment: -Focus on living in the present. -Take action now, do something now, just do it and do it now. -Double the amount of enthusiasm that you put into your work & your life. -To become enthusiastic, ACT enthusiastic! -Be on time (or even better - early). -Whenever an idea 'pops' into your mind, immediately write it down; think it through and if it has merit take action on it. -Don't allow technology (24 HOUR NEWS/TV/INTERNET/TEXTING) to allow you the excuse to waste time. -Stay in the moment: the past is in the past; it's gross time inefficiency and mismanagement to agonize over, discuss or think about.
5. PEACE LOVE UNDERSTANDING: DESIDERATA "Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy." MaxEhrmann.com
6. ENCOURAGEMENT "I will speak ill of no man - and speak all the good I know of everybody." Benjamin Franklin "Everybody likes to feel important--not flattery--but honest, sincere appreciation." Frank Bettger "Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn." Harriet Beecher Stowe
7. APPRECIATION Help others feel good about themselves. -Focus on con
gratulating and applauding others. -Be polite. -Don't criticize, tease, interrupt or be rude. -Develop into being a naturally agreeable person. -Respect and honor others. -Compliment with true sincerity.
8. HEALTH & HAPPINESS "Time is wealth, and unlike money when it is gone you cannot replace it." Napoleon Hill "My refusing to eat meat occasioned an inconveniency, and I have been frequently chided for my singularity. But my light repast allows for greater progress, clearness of head and quicker comprehension." Benjamin Franklin Restrict your intake of negative information (TV, radio, newspaper, internet bad news). -Allow yourself some quiet (meditative) time \ short naps are refreshing. -Exercise \ stretch \ walk more. -Good food \ sensible portions \ more water \ less salt. -Keep track of your physical health with annual dentist \ optometrist \ MD check-ups. -Your face is more than just an indicator of your emotions so SMILE to make yourself happy ( try it : ). -Most important and like the song says:''Don't worry, Be Happy!''
9. STEADFAST DETERMINATION ''The great majority of people in the world drift through life, never realizing that their future will be the one they create for themselves. The minority who achieves great success are people who know what they want and have a plan for realizing their objectives. They know what they want and how they are going to get it. Your goals should be specific, they should be measurable, they should have a deadline for their achievement, and they should be divided into manageable pieces. Know exactly what you plan to achieve, when you plan to achieve it and how. Review your progress regularly, correct your course when necessary, and never, never give up." Napoleon Hill Have confidence in your knowledge that the determined tortoise succeeds while the non-directed hare does not. Stay in your own lane. Balance inspiration with persistence, perspiration and patience. Keep your mind's eye aimed directly on your target, and then keep moving to it, until precisely what you want is achieved.
10. ORDER ''Let all your things have their places, let each part of your business have its time.'' Benjamin Franklin "Confidence spreads with success and lack of confidence multiplies with failures. If your confidence falters, turn to what you do best and then take on more challenging tasks." David Niven PhD Practice excellent organization and good record keeping -eliminate self-doubt -do not procrastinate, complete what you begin.
11. ABUNDANCE & SUSTAINABILITY Manage yourself with a mindfulness to sustainability. When you want something, simply ask for it. Aim for financial stability balancing thrift and abundance, giving yourself the ability to: Waste not--want not. Make better choices for yourself. Assist others during their time of need.
12. TRUTH ''Use no hurtful deceit, think innocently and justly and if you speak, speak accordingly.'' Benjamin Franklin Since honesty really is the best policy--do what you say you will do. And when there is a sincere need--be the person that can be counted on.
13. HUMILITY "He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.'' Benjamin Franklin ''If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are.'' Mother Teresa 'It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.'' Mahatma Gandhi Bragging will cause you to lose friends and gain enemies -it's much better to exercise humility. To the best of your ability aim to model your behavior by following the life examples of Gandhi, Mother Teresa and our very wise friend Ben.
click here for: Ben Franklin (& Gene's) Excellent Reading List GK 2001-2076+
Help yourself by being determined and directed, think like a tortoise
KAHN CALENDAR
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