Introduction of New Themes for HFA Blog

Along with the existing HFA-blog themes I am adding the following:

'Clarity of Purpose' is to follow the Marcus Buckingham inspired aspect that a leader's 'One Thing' more important than any other is to provide clarity of purpose. This series will be to provide clarification of intentions, products, expectations, goals and objectives.

'Illuminatus' or articles of illumination are meant to raise awareness of interesting or important issues.

'Prosperitas' theme is to guide creativity to achieve prosperity for HFA collaborators.

Why the Latin influence in these themes? Well, after completing two books on Leonardo Da Vinci the idea of wide-ranging creativity is very attractive. Of course I would like to focus that creativity on being successful with meaningful ideas and work. He seemed more about creativity for creativities sake. Our goal, no unfinished work that has market potential.

I am looking for contributors to the MyHomeField blog within these themes or other ideas that fit within the HFA approach. Contact me with your ideas and interests. All the best!

Purpose of HFA Blog

I have been thinking about what visitors to this site might wonder about the purpose of these postings. It is fairly personal, at least for now but the title is for a "budding new company." Truth is, there is quite a bit of both. This is a launch, not quite a company launch or a product launch, but an idea launch.

The idea? The creation of an interactive on-line community of peers. That is where the Home Field Advantage name comes from. At least the 'advantage' part. Much of this is headed toward my long range vision that I call "the competitive advantage" but I don't want to give too much of that away yet. I would rather picque the interest of creative collaborators or angel investors wanting to be part of crafting the future.

Idealistic you say? Yes, and ambitious. My goal, to be successful. Of course that is very broad, purposefully so.

As to the HFA Blogsite. This is what I plan to do. I have sevefral recurring themse of entries as you might be able to see. 'Tales from the Train'are thoughts and sharing while I am riding to and from NYC on my daily commute. These may be exercises in creative writing, observational entries, or business topics. I write these on my Blackberry and submit to the blog via email. At least they are extemporaneous.

Next comes 'Mindful Musings' which are directed to specific topics. The intention of this theme is to muse about things within the profession of manager, leader, and entrepenneur. Sometimes philosophical topics intrude but maybe that is OK.

The other recurring themes include 'Photos of Life', pictures captured from my cell phone and transmitted as close to real time as possible via photo transmission method. Also there are 'Creative Images' and 'Quotes of the Day'.

What about input from viewers? Sure! All I ask is that you not be rude nor crude. People are certainly entitled to their opinions and the free exercise of speech. I will exercise my right to determine what remains on this site for me and my friends to view. Please pass this site by if your contribution to the world is vandalism.

My idea is that this an online community will form and we can then decide to take this private or by invitation. Please provide your ideas within the context of what HomeFieldAdvantage is all about.

Drop me an email if you visit the site and may return someday. Enjoy the day...

Quote of the Day - Jan 28, 2007

"Stuffed deer heads on walls are bad enough, but it's worse when they are wearing dark glasses and have streamers in their antlers because then you know they were enjoying themselves at a party when they were shot." -- Ellen DeGeneres

Trenton-bound Train

Trenton-bound train coming in to Hamilton Station, New Jersey, as I am heading into the city on Sunday.

I have to get a photo of the new double-decker rail cars that NJT is sporting. Still only one running so I get it about once a week. A sweet ride compared to these old dogs.

Low Library at Columbia University

Low Library serves as the administrative headquarters for the University. It sits at the north end of the quadrangle just north of 116th Street equidistant between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.

Tales from the Train - Jan 26

Getting ready to roll on the 7:03 from Penn Station on a bitter cold Friday night. It's been a long, tough week but has gone mostly well. This the second week PG and I can see ahead to a time when we won't even remember.

There were a number of late Friday afternoon issues that could have been resolved through more communication and better follow-through by the transition team members. I will try to affect a change at the weekly meeting on Monday. Being adaptable and agile seem to be keys.

I will be training in to work again on Sunday as I need a day of rest. I like the situation of working for HFA while on the train and then doing my Columbia work when I arrive. Seems a fair split of my time.

Of course I will start to get spring fever in March so I better make sure things are working smoothly by then. Well, not much of value to write today so I'll close. Enjoy the weekend and stay warm.

Happy Birthday to Vincent

Happy birthday to me! I am 3 years old on Jan. 25th.

Quote of the Day - Jan 25, 2007

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

~Nelson Mandela

Mindful Musings - Strategic Plan for Life

The topic of my executive coaching session tonight was strategic plan for my career. I had to admit that I didn't have any idea as how to do strategic planning where my career is concerned. I truly wonder if it is the strategic planning part that seems difficult or the feeling that any plan I make will be thwarted by a cruel fate?

I do think I need to put some effort into strategic planning for my career so that I have something to be working toward. It may be nice to go sailing on a favorable wind but who knows where that will take me?

Maybe I can work out some of the details of the strategic planning method "Swim Lanes to the Future" by modeling my career goals as the strategic plan. That would achieve two important things although something a little simpler to plan than my career goals might be adviseable.

For more information about "Swim Lanes to the Future" send an inquiry. That's all for now.

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Basecamp is strong on collaboration and ease of use even if it is weaker on project planning methodology. The to-do lists and milestone features are good and the ability to post information and manage collaborative work are great.

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Let us know about your experiences and ideas. Happy Camping. David Etherton

Mindful Musings - Jan 23

Mindful Musings, January 23rd - Reading

Since I began commuting to NYC in the fall of 2005 I spend much of my train time reading books. I was always an avid (or rabid) reader at least since I taught myself to read at age 3. In the later part of my life my reading time had been reduced to a couple of pages at night before bed. I was convinced that the back and forth eye movement too closely simulated REM sleep and so made me drop off no matter how interesting or stimulating the book. As a result I was only able to finish a couple of books per year.

With 2 hours of train time and another 40 minutes on the subway, I have been devouring books at the rate of about one per week. Frequently I will also take my book to lunch, whether at Roto Roli or a local Cafe so I can experience a little time away. I had begun with the best sellers from business and leadership. The Tipping Point, Blink, Execution, Good to Great, Blue Ocean Strategy, and others. I would like to see the list of the top 20 as I probably have read 15 of them.

Easily the best are the three books by Marcus Buckingham (with co-authors for the first two). First, Break All the Rules followed by Now, Discover Your Strengths gave insights into managing and self understanding that began a transformation in my thinking. MB's third book, The One Thing You Need to Know is a landmark book. After reading that I brought some of the ideas to my work team, namely the emphasis of Clarity of Purpose and the four questions: Who do we serve? What are our strengths? How do we keep score? and What actions can we take today? I recommend that book for every manager/leader if you only will read one book this year.

I will also add to my favorite read list the book by John Naisbit, Mindset. Afterall, a guy who rote the book Megatrends that sold 9 million copies must have something important to say. His comparison of USA, EU, China and India are worth the effort to read.

After the business books I also went for literature that I had neglected in my earlier life. Most notable are the books by Ayn Rand including Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead. I love the fact I heard that people when polled consider Howard Roark as one of the top four arhitects even though he was fictitious. He really came alive in Ayn's writing. I also read several books of poetry but I must admit that poetry is a mystery to me. Maybe I am too left-brained to really get it. It fascinates me but I will leave that topic to another musing.

Of course my favorite genre remains Science Fiction and I have recently been re-reading the Hyperion series of four novels by Dan Simmons. I have to rate Simmons as the best author writing these days as he also does other genres including horror and general fiction. He is as creative as they come and his writing is poetic prose. I have to also give a nod to Peter Hamilton. He is the most wildly creative and imaginative writer and I read his recent two-part novel, (find out name) and Judas Unchained.

I will have to see where my future reading takes me. I have to admit that I have to bring the books up closer to me without my glasses as my arms are not long enough with them. I still have the wish and desire to write and to create, maybe someday soon I will put fingertips to keyboard again...

Enjoy the day, above anything else, create.

Tales from the Train - Jan 22

Tales from the train - January 22nd, 2007

I am sitting on the 6:03 train getting ready to leave Penn Station in New York. The train has just begun rolling, the conductor has just come by to look at my ticket, and I have just finished reading my current book, 'Endymion' by Dan Simmons. Next will be 'the Rise of Endymion' which complete the four part 'Hyperion' work. Good and creative stuff!

I realize I owe the readers of this blog more information about the train fatality yesterday. It turned out that someone had committed suicide by stepping out into the tracks in front of my train. I did hear the body move under the train and that is a very grisly thought. The NJ Transit dispatched another train and we were on our way within an hour of the accident. The photos from the blog earlier are from my cell phone camera.

How to make this blog useful to the people I would like to reach for Home Field Advantage? Well, I guess I am starting with keeping myself interested and then may reach out to others as collaborators. Co-creators. Co-inventors. Participants in creating something that has yet to exist.

When the train hit that poor person I was working in the HFA Basecamp site as well as was listening to a Podcast called "the Accidental Creative." I found this on iTunes as one of the offerings of free podcasts. All about how to be a better creative talent of whatever artistic endeavor.

Home Field Advantage is starting to take shape with an initial set of product ideas as well as with plans for the formation of a company. Home Field Advantage, LLC is about to be born. Pretty exciting stuff.

Of course it would be exciting to get that first check for something produced and bought. Entrepreneurship can be lots of fun. I just hope it is not a distraction or substitute for something important or meaningful.

Well, I will close this installment of 'Tales' to rest my mind a bit and to let it float into the air. There is always too much to do or to even think about so no sense in trying to get it all done or thought today.

The final line in my recent book seems appropriate... 'I wish you sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.'

Quote of the Day - Jan 23, 2007

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke

My Office

My office in 201 Philosophy Hall

Roto Roli on Amsterdam Avenue

One of my favorite lunch places. I suggest the Chicken Frankie. Kind of like a burrito but tastier.

Dolphin Smile logo - the enigmatic smile

Dawn over Morningside Heights

Dawn over Morningside Heights as I walk across the Columbia University campus from Broadway to Amsterdam at 116th Street.

Location of death on Northeast Corridor

This is the location of the death that happened on the NJ Transit Northeast Corridor line before noon on Sunday, Jan. 21. The suicide happened near Metropark Station.

Train involved in the accident

Death by train.

Death on the Train

Instead of my usual 'Tales from the Train' I am writing this installment from a NJ Transit train on the Northeast Corridor around Metropark. We were tooling along and I head something hit and bounce along the undercarriage of the train that I am in. The train horn blew a sustained tone as the train came to a stop in several hundred feet. We have just been informed that there was a fatality and we are awaiting transfer to another train.

Got to go now. More later.