The secret for any business to be successful

Lou Herbert was the president of Zagrum Company when it first opened for business. Lou was a hard nosed character that had to have things done his way or it didn't get done. He had a very powerful and intimidating presence among his coworkers. Even those high executives in the company feared him. The business had the talent and potential from the leaders it contained but the problem was they weren't able to use those talents. Lou wouldn't allow it. And in doing things his way and by his direction, many of these talented individuals went on to succeed at other companies. Lou was in the box.
Leadership and Self-Deception is a powerful book that illustrates the importance of seeing things how they really are and how visualizing things with a closed perspective is really dangerous to any kind of growth. The book is based on actual experiences that took place in a work environment with fictitious names. It details how people in everyday life are stuck in their own box and making life more difficult for not only themselves, but also those that surround that person.
Tom Callum is a new manager hired on at Zagrum. As a new manager, he is given a lot of responsibility over those under his command. Bud Jefferson, the executive vice president, is very careful about the leadership traits of his managers and thus meets with his new managers after a month or so with the company. Kate Stenarude is the president of the company and possesses the same training enthusiasm as Bud does. Bud and Kate, with later the help of Lou, teach Tom the importance of getting out of the box and succeeded in not only his business career, but also in life.
The message of the book emphasizes a few important ideas in order for people to see people as people. The idea of being in the box begins when people see other people as objects. The premise of the book starts with Tom being hired as a manager in a well respected company. He learns that Bud and Kate want to change his management style. As the lessons go on, Tom realizes that self-deception is a problem with every person that he can think of, including himself. Self-deception is the ability to see that one has a problem but that person resists the suggestion that he/she has a problem. This self-deception then turns into self-betrayal which causes a person to enter in the box. There are some interesting principles about self-betrayal. They are listed here: 1) An act contrary to what I feel I should do for another is called "self-betrayal.", 2) When I betray myself, I begin to see the world in a way that justifies my self-betrayal, 3) When I see a self-justifying world, my view of reality becomes distorted, 4) So-when I betray myself, I enter the box, 5) Over time, certain boxes become characteristics of me, and I carry them with me, 6) By being in the box, I provoke others to be in the box, 7) In the box, we invite mutual mistreatment and obtain mutual justification. We collude in giving each other reason to stay in the box. These all cause selfish feelings that prohibit growth between individuals.
Tom later learns that trying to get out of the box isn't as easy as it may appear. While in the box, things that seem like they would don't actually lead a person to where he/she might want to go. These things are 1) trying to change others, 2) doing my best to "cope" with others, 3) leaving, 4) communicating, 5) implementing new skills or techniques, and 6) changing my behavior. This may seem strange that they don't work. The only way that does work is to cease resisting other people and treating people as people, not objects.
I have read some good books on leadership and books to enhance managerial skills, but this is the best one that I have read so far. It is easy to read and teaches some deep principles for anybody wanting to be a true leader.
Michael Stapley, President and CEO, DMBA said, " The leadership principles in this book have had a greater impact on the quality of leadership in our company than anything we have ever implemented. They have been extraordinarily important in helping make our company a great place to work while at the same time helping us focus on results and increase productivity as never before."

The Arbinger Institute. (2002). Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box. San Francisco, CA:Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

SWOT analysis for 5 websites

For my class this fall I have been asked to do a SWOT analysis for 5 different tourism companies. I chose Knott's Berry Farm, Sandals Resort in the Bahamas, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Hawaii's Tourism Site, and the San Diego Zoo. This is what I came up with.

1) Knott's Berry Farm
Strengths

• Breaks down web options
• Shows attractions
• Shows restaurants
• Good categorization
• Great history of the park
• Informs viewer of the things just outside the park

Weaknesses

• Doesn't show all the attractions
• Limited ride information
• Not as much of an amusement park power anymore
• Doesn't talk about the connecting stores to the park

Opportunities

• Describe why they can compete
• Videos of roller coasters
• Include history of rides
• Give show times online

Threats

• Other amusement parks growing, leaving Knott's Berry Farm behind
• Limited physical space to expand
• Potential guests using money elsewhere due to a lack of attraction

2) Sandals Resort in the Bahamas
Strengths

• Good company brand
• Located in a great spot in the world
• Allows viewing to other Sandals locations
• Information of entertainment

Weaknesses

• Not a real informative website
• Doesn't really catch the viewers attention
• Limited information on the respective property

Opportunities

• Give more information on specific location
• Let people embrace the culture online as best as possible
• Try to share more facts with the viewer

Threats

• Other resorts have better websites
• Cruises may be a better option
• Difficult economy won't draw people to take a risk on somewhere they can't really research
• Very weak website
  

3) Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
Strengths

• Very good overall website
• Great descriptions throughout the website
• Informs the viewer of what to expect before arriving
• Easy to navigate
• Stays updated

Weaknesses

• No menu prices
• Doesn't say when specific locations opened
• More history on all locations

Opportunities

• Keep the website updated constantly
• Learn what the competition is doing and keep a step ahead
• Make individual visits personalized

Threats

• Other restaurants of same caliber may take ideas
• Don't get complaisant
  
• Not growing locations quicker

4) Hawaii's Official Tourism Website
Strengths

• Awesome website
• Plenty of tourism information to all the main attractions
• Great history information of Hawaii
• Makes mention of all parts of the islands
• Easy to navigate
• Helps the inexperienced traveler

Weaknesses

• Has the same setup for every island
• Limited small business advertising
• Talks mostly about major cities

Opportunities

• Talk more about the local parts of the islands more
• Personalize the experience for the viewer a little more
• Illustrate the romantic aspects of Hawaii more
• Explain more about the culture to be expected

Threats

• Locals that make it tough for tourists in certain places
• Not making more mention of the local businesses
• Allowing too much competition between the islands

5) San Diego Zoo
Strengths

• Very descriptive
• Tons of photos and videos
• Easy to navigate the website
• Great information of exhibits
• Conveys a warm, inviting welcome

Weaknesses

• Redundant photos
• Small introductory page
• No stories shared from previous visitors

Opportunities

• Let guests know ahead of time what things they can participate in
• Let people know the time it takes to explore the whole park
• Emphasize that it is the biggest zoo in the country
• Let guests post comments on the website

Threats

• Set standard for other zoos to emulate
• Allow for guests to more easily find their desired events
• Other attractions in San Diego
• Problems from Mexico at the current time

The best overall website out of these five had to be Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I was didn't think that it would be at the beginning to be honest because it is only a restaurant but it made a strong case for being a really good website that gets the point across. It was actually pretty difficult for me to say something negative or constructive about it. Maybe because I tend to try to find the good in whatever I look at. But this one was a difficult because any question that I would have, I would be able to get it answered on the website. Some other websites that I look at, I end up having to either call or email to get the information that could have just as easily been on the website. But this one definitely makes it clear that all the information can be found online. As for the website that would most likely improve tourism spending would have to be the Hawaii Tourism Site however. The Hawaii Tourism site can help anybody interested in a vacation to Hawaii find what they are looking for. It is easy to navigate and explains what can be expected. I think that anybody wanting to know more about Hawaii will not have any issues with its official tourism website.

Sources:
http://www.knotts.com/
http://www.sandals.com/main/bahamian/ba-home.cfm
http://www.ruthschris.com/
http://www.gohawaii.com/
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/

Other Tourism sites visited:
Phoenix Zoo
Elements at the Sanctuary Resort
Jet Blue Airlines
Denver Children's Museum
Chase Field
Four Seasons Resorts
Sheraton Hotels

Random April 1, 09

I haven't written on here in a while and thought that I should do it more often. I love where I work and meet such interesting people from so many different places. I work at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa as an intern right now and shortly will work there as a full-time employee. I feel very fortunate to have that opportunity seeing that the economy is very bad right now. Anyways, I don't have a ton of things to say right now because I'm pretty beat from the day and want to go to bed.

Thoughts to William Cronon

Cronon says, "Although wilderness may seem today to be just one environmental concern among many, it in fact serves as a foundation for a long list of other such concerns that on their face seem quite remote from it. That is why its influence is so pervasive and, potentially, so insidious."
I have to disagree with Cronon. It is true that wilderness should be taken into some concern but that it is evasive and possibly insidious is not something that I would agree with. Wilderness is needed for a chance to find oneself. Sure the trees and foliage we have in our own neighborhoods offer relaxation as a "breath of fresh air." But wilderness in its true setting are necessary for one to cleanse him or herself and dig deep to find what the individual soul is trying to say and teach. How can one be lost in deep thought and meditation when cars fly by on a close busy street? How can the soul inspire when a family member or roommate has music playing at a decibel level enough to cause distraction? How can the soul grow without an opportunity to strengthen itself against temptation and fear. Those are where the victories are won. It is when one pushes him or herself to their capacity that strengthening occurs. And I think that solitude in the wilderness is a necessary means to those self sustaining victories. It's difficult to find oneself constantly surrounded by others.

Civil Disobedience

With regards to civil disobedience, I can't think of one thing that I, personally, would do like what those other people from Earth First! were doing. I believe there are other ways to get the point across. Most of the time I've learned, when you fight like that against something, the other side fights just as much. So it's essentially a lose-lose situation when you really look at it. So the people that enjoy doing that, my hat's off to them but you ain't gonna catch me living in a tree or sabotaging businesses just to prove a point. Things can be dealt with in a better way I feel. So with the question of if I would do something like that for what I believe in, my answer is no. Like I said a sentence ago, there are other ways to come to an agreement with people. And ruining their things doesn't make the situation any better and perhaps can extend the time of the feud. I gave 2 years of my life for what I believe in most in my life. I served a mission for the LDS "Mormon" Church. Sure we quarreled with people about points of doctrine and beliefs, but the reality is that people are going to do what they want to do and what they believe in. And you have to respect that. And if not, then you better learn to because it'll just end up ruining your day. I never wanted to force things on anybody. If they wanted to believe, that was great. If not, they have things to do as did I. No hard feelings and we went our ways. I just think that if you deal with people in the proper way, with respect and a genuine concern, an agreement will eventually be made. And these sorts of acts are probably not the best way to handle such stuations.

Conservation/Preservation

We look at the difference between conservation and preservation and see that they can mean almost the same thing but in reality, they don't. John Muir was the "founder" of the idea of preservation when he opposed the idea of building into national parks or preservation areas. He thinks that they should be left alone and not touched at all...except by a few to appreciate what nature has to offer but to keep it clean. Gifford Pinchot on the other hand thought similarly but not exactly the same. He believed in conservation which means to allow the use of nature resources but not overuse them. Use what is needed and conserve the rest to produce more. To describe a little history between the two, they were once friends fighting for the same cause until the case of Hetch Hetchy. It was up north in California and Pinchot was supporting the idea to build a dam to allow water for the residents in the Bay Area. Muir thought the opposite and desired for the land to stay as it was, untouched. Since that point, the two became enemies so to say and went their different ways. Pinchot went on to work with the government because of his connections and by so doing gained more power and authority. Muir fought until his ultimate death to preserve hetch hetchy but the dam was built and Muir passed away.
So I found an article from the Greenpeace website that has been talking about timber in Alaska and the illegal use of it. Companies that are being subsidized by the U.S. government are lying on their reports to exceed the allotted use of the timber in the northwest. And as a result, animals are becoming extinct and it messing up the ecosystem up there. Not only that, but we, the taxpayers, are covering the costs for these companies to make money. But the issue is the topic of conservation. It's pretty hard to support the idea of preservation as a whole because I believe that we have been given natural resources to use for our survival. So I tend to lean more on conservation when it is used properly. In this case, the companies are using way more than what is necessary. This is causing many problems that the companies are not seeing and creating more animals on the endangered species list. When the animals have no place to go in the forests, they find other places to go like local neighborhoods, etc. That in turn causes problems with humans and so forth. The courts are now starting to take action which can be a good thing if these companies are proven to be doing what they are accused of. So we'll wait to see the outcome.
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/news/greenpeace-sues-to-protect-rar
My opinion is that it needs to be controlled. I don't like to pay for stuff like this while others are getting rich and breaking laws. It is causing tremendous problems for the natives as well as the before mentioned ecosystem that needs to exist. Conservation is necessary to remember for what it really means...use only what is necessary and leave the rest alone. I hope that justice will be found.

Impressions from John Muir

How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!
John Muir

I take this quote more as transcendental and spiritual more than the other concepts we have thus far discussed. When I think of the sun, I think of God, warmth, energy, new life, rejuvenation, a new beginning. I think he really solidifies his depth and respect of nature with this quote. It is a profound statement that links majestic objects together. For some, they perhaps haven't been able to experience a sunrise in a mountainous area. And that is unfortunate and hopefully someday they may have that opportunity to do so. It's amazing to see the sun rise and catch the tip of the tallest peak and slowly work its way down to the base and into the valley. I grew up in Utah in a very mountainous region. My house faced Mount Timpanogos. It is one of the tallest peaks in all of Utah. Snow stays on for almost the whole year with the back of the mountain containing glaciers. It was a comforting feeling waking to gaze at the mountain at times when the sun would shoot through the Provo Canyon and capture the face of the mountain.
I fell in love with mountains growing up because of experiences like that. Friends and I would frequently find ourselves camping in various spots of the mountains in the heat of the summer or the freezing cold winters with snow that sometimes went up to my chest. We would sometimes go up the canyons to friends cabins and enjoy the snow on ATV's and/or snowmobiles. So many great memories and pictures that I'll enjoy my whole life. I noticed my love for them when I was in North Carolina for two years serving an LDS mission. NO MOUNTAINS!!! There were plenty of trees but no mountains. So I convinced myself that on the other side of the trees, there were mountains. It really helped me to feel comfortable. And then the beautiful peaks and straight up surfaces of the Hawaii mountains were nothing short of amazing. I hiked some great places out there with many waterfalls and all sorts of beautiful trees and bushes. No where else do I know of that within an hour can one be in the ocean and then start a hike that shoots up a couple thousand feet. There were some amazing sunrises in Hawaii as well!!