In touch with nature...

As you know, I am a fan for thinking outside of the box, looking at ways to do things or use things differently. So, when I saw this ad by Toyota which was printed on actual banana leaves that were destined to be destroyed it piqued my interest.

Cool factor, up there, really up there. Green? That remains to be seen. It is hard to say what the costs involved were, were the leaves sprayed with chemicals to keep them green? Was more energy used to deliver because of the perishability? Screen printing isn't typically the most environmentally friendly process. And on and on, and on and on.

Weighing those factors is iffy at best. Arguments can be made in either direction, nonetheless, the ad, quite impressive,  and I applaud them for looking at a waste product differently, turning it into something of value, that takes really thinking outside of the box or paper in this case. Look around you, your clients, if they are creating products, are they byproducts that could be used in new and innovative ways? Can their product actually be used as the medium with which you communicate the message?  

Check out the larger version here 

So Moved?

As I was out for my morning run, shocker I know but I am trying, the sun was rising as I tread up a black dirt road near my home. Pounded flat from the tires years of local farmers and travellers, including myself, shaving a couple of minutes off of their commute. My feet alone have walked that path for as long as I can remember. I have walked this road through all emotional states, in the heights of excitement of a new marriage, pregnancy, careers. Walking it as well in the depths of depression, sadness of lost loved ones whom I had held so dear, and today in the gratitude that my feet had carried me up to the one-mile line, and with the prayer that they would hold out for a few more strides.

Six or so weeks ago, I started the couch-to-5k program, I must say that it has been the most productive investment in my health I have made thus far. Sure, in six weeks I am only on week 4, but in my roughly 30 minute workout, but I ran for 16 minutes and that is more than I have in as long as I can remember. As the audio instructed me that I had finished the running portion of the workout, with a deep breath and much celebration I returned to the "brisk walking pace." Brisk being the operative word, and in this case somewhat of a delusion.

It was at that point, as I was walking that I really began looking at the road, the fields on either side of me. To my left, was the field of corn basking in the first light as the sun rose gently above the textured weaving of their leaves into one. On my right, held a field of wheat, which to my surprise that while still green had already formed heads, a sure sign that harvest is soon approaching.

Living in the moment and the injection of levity into your life are two themes I have come to over and over in the past months. As I gazed upon the wheat field, the vision, likely from a warm and fuzzy cereal commercial, pops into my head of a woman in a long flowing dress strolling through a wheat field. Her hand ever so gently grazing the very tips of the wheat in the field and they bow softly beneath her as she passes. And I think to myself, I don't believe I have ever been that woman in the field, but for today, I am going to go for it anyway.  Granted, I was sweaty, winded and wearing my Nike's and workout clothes, but hey, seize the moment. So I stepped into the field, closed my eyes for a moment, and ventured forward. As I moved the tips of the wheat grazed my fingertips and I felt their softness and the slight prickly caress. Soaking in every aspect of that moment. Then, of course, it was wet and kind of scratchy on the legs and still slightly damp from the morning dew. Here ends the dream sequence. But, it was a reminder to me that sometimes we need to just jump into the field, make that experience happen and truly be in that moment for a while.

Now I could have waited for perfection, the long flowing hair, the dress, the wheat golden and ready for harvest, but this was the moment. What if that day never comes? I recently have been listening to Mike Dooley's "Leveraging the Universe and Engaging the Magic" in which he talks about something that I felt addresses this point. The vision he paints is that of the mother duck. Now, she doesn't wait for all of her ducks to line up in a row. And we use that phrase frequently, "getting my ducks in a row," but in nature (what a perfect model) the mother duck doesn't sit and lecture her ducks, lining them up. That would never happen. She does, however, venture forward and her ducks fall perfectly into line. I see this as very symbolic in life as well. What are you waiting for? Getting your ducks lined up for? Venture forth, seize the moment, and trust that your ducks will fall into line.

Friday is Pie Day!

So, you need a little Friday pickup for your staff? It has been a long week, and you want your staff to leave the office this week without heading directly for Monster.com or anxiously awaiting the Sunday Help Wanted ads to plan their exit strategy.

Why not deem "Friday is Pie Day!" While I didn't come up with this one on my own (snaps to Roger at Concordia) it is something that truly brings smiles to faces and the sugar buzz required to push you through the last day of the week.

You can safely figure 1 pie per 6-8 people (12 if you are stingy or have a very weight conscious office), and should easily be able to find something for $1 to $2 per person. Here are some ways you can shake it up, alternatives and options:

1. Stop off at your local Perkins or favorite bakery or grocery store on your way in to work on Friday, this is the most impromptu method, but will still be appreciated as much. Pick up a couple of different flavors so that everyone is sure to find something they like. Make sure that your office has plates and forks on hand, or pick some up on your way as well. Don't announce in advance, just show up with the goods!
   
   
2. So you don't mind getting a little messy? Make it a team building event. Pick up a couple of pre-made pie crusts on your way home Thursday night, or make your own. Bake them and arrive in the office Friday morning with: the crusts, 2 packages of Jello Banana Cream pudding mix per pie, a small container of milk, a bunch of bananas and some whipped cream. Make sure you have a bowl and spoon for mixing the pudding.
   Watch them as they access the situation, designate banana cutters, pudding mixers and whipped cream toppers. Slice the bananas, place them in the crusts, pour on the pudding, top with whipped cream and garnish with a few reserved  bananas. Allow to set up for 10 minutes or so while you conduct a mini-meeting, or verbally acknowledge individuals who have gone above and beyond this week.
   It is a good exercise to get them working together as a team, delegating, and working for a common goal. Time them to see how long it takes and repeat from time to time seeing if they can beat their last time trial. It is a good analogy for your next crisis situation, when everyone needs to drop what they are working on, pull together, and make something happen. Those situations could be rewarded with pie as well.
   I have seen 3-4 year olds accomplish this task, so I am sure your staff can handle this.
   
   
3. A pie of another name, still tastes as sweet. What about pizza? Stop by Little Caesars ($5), order in, or make your own as a team building exercise. Maybe it becomes potluck if you have an oven or pizza oven in the office. Each person signing up to bring an ingredient or topping and you work together to build the ultimate pizza pie!

Remember, it doesn't have to be fancy, or overly planned, the key is to make it fun and make it happen!