Possibility Thinking

Doing the Deal!

2010-05-11T15:18:00.001-04:00

Just recently I've had the opportunity... more so the experience to complete a Joint Venture Deal in India.

What I'd like to share with you is the contrast I've felt in awareness, and presence of mind that encompassed the signing of this deal, as opposed to what may be consider normal.

Consideration was given to Date and Time of Day, Location, People who would be present, and Rituals of good luck.

The morning the 25th of April turned into quite the panic to complete the documentation to reflect the ideas and scope agreed upon over the previous few days.... Every imaginable delay occurred as the clock was approaching 12 noon, which would represent a less ideal time for sealing the agreement.

Racing out of the hotels business area, and down the street to meet up with family that has gather for the signing, we all calculated and calibrated our times, ensuring that we would still be successful in executed the agreement prior to noon.... short stop to get photocopies, and we were there...

Deal got signed with minutes remaining on the clock, and formalities ensued... contracts are exchanged, and blessed with incense..... then time stood still. Congratulations, and well wishes were offered, tea was served and the moment was held...

In retrospect, it felt good... In spite of the last minute rush. Its not often that we take the time to recognize and frame significant events in our lives, or business......

Time to hit the Reset Button

2010-01-02T16:16:00.000-05:00

Whew, 2009 is over!! In retrospect, although challenging in many ways, the experiences and learning it provided were priceless..

Its amazing how quickly ones core priorities can change in response to changes in economic freedoms that get imposed upon us...

Fear losing our entitlement to lifestyle, in spite of how good we've got it.

This year I was fortunate enough to visit both India and China........ it truly helps to put perspective on what we call reality.

These countries have alway been relevant for me professionally, as they have always been the adversary for North American manufacturers.... The pressure certainly helped to get our industry motivated to either succeed or close shop, so from one perspective the competition was healthy, but the playing field was not and is definitely not flat.

India and China get blamed for social and environmental inequalities, but these inequalities are overshadowed by cheap prices.

The question I have is whether cheap prices represents a strong value proposition for the global community?

India in particular doesn't appear to be laying the foundation for sustainable growth, infrastructure is not keep pace with the growth and doesn't appear to be a priority.

Does outsourcing to low cost countries add value to the world, or destroy long-term value for short-term gains?

2010 for me will represent a renewed focus on technology, and manufacturing methods that don't rely on cheap labor, but leverage creativity and intelligence to create a preferred future. Products should be manufactured closest to the area of consumption, it is simply illogical to be shipping products around the world through the creation of industry zoning geographically rather than diversification throughout the world. I believe that these diversities within countries and cities will contribute to the development of strong communities.

trust

2009-02-14T00:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was in Bangalore India attending the air show, which in itself was a very interesting experience, but what happened on my way home was truly amazing. I was leaving the show walking toward the street to grab a cab. Walking on what felt like a lonely dusty road.... a car stops and the man asks...

"where are you going?

I reply "catching a cab back to my hotel"

He makes the offer to drive me to my hotel, which is 30km away. Analyzing the situation.... he seems trustable, his young son was also in the car, so I decided to take him up on his offer.

During the ride we get on talking, and comparing backgrounds and what we each do for a living. Turns out he has contacts in India that would be of interest to me professionally. The discussions continue, and he eventually makes the offer to invite me to his house for dinner. I politely refuse, as I was very tired and in need of some sleep, and a little unsure of my surroundings.

So we proceed to my hotel, and as we are saying goodbyes, and exchanging contact information....his son comes out of the car with my camera that I accidently left behind. So we finish off, and he leaves... and thats it.

Now in my experience in North America, we frown upon either asking for a ride and/or offering a ride to a perfect strangers as it would be considered dangerous.

This guy not only offers a ride, when I wasn't even asking, he also offers to invite me to his house for food.

Later that evening he sent out an introduction email to his friend (and myself) in Hyderabad whom I will be meeting next week for business purposes.

I find it totally amazing how much good and potential opportunity has come from his offering, and me accepting a ride.

I believe we could use more of this type of trust in our culture.

Think of the Possibilities!