BLOG, What BLOG?

One year... Plus a bit…ago I started this BLOG. The title reflected my jolt into the world of unemployment and entrepreneurial enterprising, once again. I was not bitter at the time, but shaken by the approach and the lack of respect. Certainly a firm of 65 years would maintain a sense of dignity for someone they heavily recruited, paid less than what he was making at his prior employment and built an educational division out of shambles into a strong and once again notable competitor. No I was not bitter... I relied on great friends, buddies in and out of the industry, and those supporters left behind. If it were not for my family support it would have been very dismal. It is great to have grown children that are smart, developed in their own strengths and willing to combat disappointments, and strong shoulders to lean on. I owe more to my wife than anyone, a supporter, a cheerleader and what sacrifices she has made, just having me around the house more often.  I was not bitter and I’m still not…in fact, I want to thank them!

Exciting things have happened! Sometimes I pinch myself just to make sure I have not fallen asleep and it is all part of dream. I have traveled, but not nearly the same as in the previous three years. In fact I have had weeks that I have stayed home. I have strengthened my association with so many great firms and people. I have been very successful in writing winning proposals and participated in great interviews. Not all of them have turned into projects, but because of it, this year I will be part of projects in Reno, San Jose, Novato, Pasadena, Chico, and the Fresno area. Most importantly, I have worked with some great friends, met some new friends, and have been part of creating some great planning and programing documents. I certainly would not put the changes I have helped to push through at school districts and colleges at the end of my accomplishment list. In fact, they should be near the top. I have helped author long term facility plans that will help kids learn, teachers teach and to make facilities a greater community asset.

I have been so busy that this BLOG has not had an entry since March!  

Last year I posted about being personally ready for 2013. I had a few goals; continue to build the business through strong relationships; strengthen my knowledge base; work with people that have the same motivation as I do; and most importantly I want to be totally connected to my family. I wanted to finish the year with a strong ambition to start 2014! I think I have accomplished all of these goals!

I have learned…
A project win is an accumulation of a number of factors, with the most important one being a strong team attitude. This attitude is not necessarily project specific, but more industry specific. This kind of attitude needs to have a strong knowledge base, a confidence without being arrogant and a continuous listening and learning demeanor. A firm that has a team, office or a solid base that is supported by a confident attitude is going to be known in the industry before they approach a project and definitely before they enter an interview. You need to know and respect the attitudes of your competition. When I attend a pre-proposal meeting and a number of firms attend, I listen to the presenter, but I also pay close attention to my competitors. I'm interested in their mannerisms, there overall appearance, and most of all, their entire attitude. I'm not typically one to ask questions as I find it more interesting to listen to others, how they come across, how the "client" may perceive them and their questions. At the end of the session I wait to see who talks to the client, how long they talk and if I'm interested in what they are asking, I may make my way to the same client representative to stand alongside and listen to what they have to ask or say, even if it is small talk. This all contributes to how an approach is written for a proposal, the sub-consultant selection, the uniqueness of the team and the attributes that can win a spot to interview and most importantly be selected. To win at an interview, you need to know your client, know the project, and know the stakeholders, the decision makers. The more comfortable you make the stakeholders the more likely you will win the project.

I have, over the course of my 40 years, learned a number of great things. I continue to be amazed at the opportunity of learning that I have, and I welcome the thought that tomorrow brings on another great chance to learn more about a project, a client, or an issue that can be solved to make a campus or a facility more effective and more efficient, and a great place for students to learn and teachers to teach.

I believe I exist because of my attitude!

One year ago I did not quite, I did not give in, and I continued my quest to listen, to learn and to react to the student, to the teacher and to the community. Yes I have an attitude, a great attitude that obviously shows in what I do. I'm fortunate for friends, family and the ability to listen and learn.

So, now that I have successfully moved on, do I need to change the BLOG, to “moved” on? Or does it remain moving on? Early on one of my readers stated that I should not change the name, as it continues to fit a number of important issues. I love the idea that moving on can mean continued learning. A friend of ours farther recently passed on. He was 96. A long and great life. But, when he turned 90, he began to communicate with his family via text messages. He sent them to his daughter and sons and then to his grandkids.

He had to learn this skill, even though he was well beyond what we may consider the learning age. We only stop learning if we don’t want to learn, but every day, there are opportunities and how can anyone pass them by? Even though technology is a pain, on any given day, so many new things that come to market through the use of technology and I find that using technology keeps my mind alert and functional.

I love what I do, I have enjoyed this last year, and I look forward to whatever I have left. For those of you that remain behind, where ever you are, break away at the first opportunity! There are so many more things to do than being part of a non-learning, non-progressive, non-communicative environment. In 1984 faced with a bad economy, my job coming to an end at the firm I had been with for 10 years and no prospects, my wife said to me, you are good and talented, trust in how really great you are, how creative and imaginative with great ideas and most of all your listening ability, and stop being humble and get out there into the larger world and make a difference. Unfortunately it took me nearly 12 more years before I learned she was right.  If nothing else in the year 2014 it is time to get out, begin learning and enjoying! Do great things in 2014 for yourself and for great clients!