On putting others at ease…

Originally uploaded by Eric Lorette

“I love you to bits,” began the important man in suspenders.  He was clutching an expensive pen with both hands, here on a visit from the heart of the agency empire and staring nervously at the cup of Southeast Asian tap water before him.  ”There’s just one thing that’s been bothering m… lots of people.”
“What’s that?”
“You never take notes in meetings.”
“Notes.”
“I’ve never seen anyone not take copious notes in meetings. It sends the wrong kind of message. It’s says that you don’t think what I say holds value. Like there’s nothing for you to learn from my… a global marketing “guru’s” 10 years of experience in this industry…” I did a quick search for a hidden camera and wondered if this entire job was some kind of elaborate prank by my previous employer.
“I’m not the only one talking about it. Oh no…”, he was now fiddling with his suspenders like some kind of colonial sheriff confronting a tribesman.
“You do realize that I have Attention Deficit Disorder,” I said.
“Oh god I’m sorry…”
“When I take notes, I can’t concentrate.”
“Oh dear, I’m really sorry. I guess it’s just your style. You might want to announce this at the start of all meetings so you don’t offend anyone.”
“I’ll write that down.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to.”

In my notebook, I wrote: “Wanker.”

Robotic Seal Brings Compassion To Societies With Diminished Social Skills

Science has finally found a way to manage society’s lack of interest in caring for the elderly (see cnn coverage here).  With a spiraling economy yielding a shortage of people with the time and energy to speak loudly and repeat everything they say, the breakthrough couldn’t have come at a better time.  Having skimmed the research supporting the impact of this breakthrough on a vast aging population, I paraphrase it thusly: “our study, composed of a robust sample of 14 elderly, shows brain waves increasing whenever Paro is around.  With the cost of caring an elderly or mentally ill person being very high, we propose replacing that human care with a robotic seal.”  People seem to be buying this argument.  According to CNN “Denmark is purchasing 1000 of them for its elderly”.

Singapore Supermarket Promises Killer Whale Show in 2016

The new supermarket by our house is 50% market, 50% sea world. I think we’ll be having fish every night just just so I can visit the shark tank and the morays. Singapore, I love you.
For the gullible ones, the title of this entry is a lie intended to make you smile.  Sorry to complicate things.

Safer waters for loose lips…

 

I’ve been resolving some technical issues back stage, but we’re now officially back. Here’s what you’ve missed:

I finally parted ways with an employer who tried to convince me that the SWOT analysis was their proprietary tool.
C was accepted to the Ph.D program in strategy at INSEAD that same day (possibly as a result).
I incorporated a proper business, signed a great innovation project, and decided there’s no reason to take another job just yet.
Spent a week in London with a great client, ran an interesting session, caught up with some but not all of my favorite London people, and got excited about Jean’s new book which you can pre-order here.
Spent the past week in Japan celebrating C’s birthday, her new adventure in academia, and her in general.
Wish these two characters could have made it for the cherry blossoms.
Landed in Singapore Sunday morning and haven’t been this happy to be home in a while.
Dying to turn my first project into a sparkly gem.
Keen to be more than just a “____________”, but to be a bit less labeled and a lot more fulfilled.

It’s a bit of a ramble, but it’s an update for you.  More to come.

Viva la oportunidad!