Herding Cats

I am a bit of a multi-tasker. I don’t sit still that much unless it is to sit at the computer where I have multiple windows open and I am working on several things at once.

I have heard people say that one should focus on one thing at a time to accomplish much, but I dare them to try to keep up with me on an average day. I get a lot done. I love to write blogs, emails, newsletters and books and I stay up late into the night creating marketing material. I go to a lot of meetings. I speak at functions. I balance plates on straws while juggling balloons and I put 70,000 km on my car every year as I do it. Why? Because I love it!

I love being with people. Networking is my thing. I totally enjoy meeting different people from different backgrounds and now thanks to Donna Dahl I am actually remembering their names. How awesome is that?

When Craig Chandler first told me that he wanted to get out of running networking clubs he said it was because “it is like herding cats.” I think he meant that it was a lot to do with all of the meetings and all of the people but it made me smile because one of my favorite all time videos is about herding cats. And this is something that may be difficult to some but I am just like that cowboy in the video rounding them up, I am happiest when I am out on the range doing my thing.

There is a lot of work in making a business network run. We are developing material, getting contests in place, preparing the marketing, automating the follow-up systems, shaking hands, coordinating staff, meeting the people, making connections…

But... it’s actually a lot of fun and we are getting a lot done in a short time. I enjoy herding cats.

Always Loyal2U,

Kerry

When In Cowtown...

In business we can always tell a newcomer to the area because they don’t recognize the culture. This last week a colleague of mine was telling me how they just got a job working for a company that has been doing business in Calgary for the last 25 years. This Oil and Gas Corporation has a longstanding reputation in the community and my friend was completely impressed that they gave every employee last Friday off with pay so they could take their families to the Stampede Parade downtown. This is a practice that is not uncommon with businesses in the area. Most will have employees break out the cowboy hats, decorate their establishments or even put on an annual free pancake breakfast. The entire city comes alive when the atmosphere of “The Greatest Show On Earth” spills over into the streets. This year especially with it being the 100 Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede just about everyone will get in on the action.

In contrast another company with over 20 years experience in their industry who recently arrived on the scene did not even acknowledge the festivities. They could not comprehend why people may not be willing to show up to leadership meetings hosted on the weekend. A corporate executive from yet a third company also new to Calgary was heard complaining about the decline in sales during the Stampede week.

Some people just don’t get it do they?

Calgary is Cowtown. If you just don’t understand why, may I recommend a little day trip out of town. In fact, take your kids, take your business partners, or just take yourself out to Bar U Ranch only 62 km south of Calgary and get in on the real picture of why Calgary is Cowtown. This was ranchland. It was wild and rugged and unfenced with some of the largest herds of cattle roaming free across the land for years and years. It was the stuff that legends were made of and heroes were born out of.

So when you see all of the cowboys (real, or playing dress up for a day) realize that this is the heritage of our city and whether your ancestors rode the west on the back of a horse or if they just arrived last year it is appropriate to put on a pair of boots and a hat and join in the fun.

In Calgary the Stampede is about as big as Christmas. So when in Cowtown – make like a cowboy, especially the week of the rodeo.

Always Loyal2U,

Kerry George

ps. For all of my cowboy friends this is about the funniest video I have ever seen. For anyone who has ever tried to herd cattle, cats, or people you are going to absolutely love this!