Marketing in India…

I’ll be heading to Delhi in a few weeks to deliver a marketing training session.

I’m very excited (since you know I love travelling and marketing) and am doing my best to figure out how to make sure the concepts “land” with an Indian audience.

As part of my prep, I watched a fantastic presentation on the difference between Western and Indian mythology and how that affects business.

Wanted to share it.

I actually think that some of my ideas will resonate better with an Indian than with a Western audience.

Airplanes and National Identity

Image via Wikipedia

I once took a class in International RElations where the prof said that the “single most dramatic impact on the history of international relations” was the invention of the jet airliner.

I thought about that yesterday when Tonka asked me about which languages were spoken in Switzerland (she had a friend who just moved there.)

I explained: German, French, Italian, and Romansch.

Then she asked “why?”

I explained some of the history of the people who lived there.

As the conversation continued, it evolved to cover the languages and people who live there now….and we started to speculate on what this meant for the future of national identity.

It’s been noted before, but it’s really amazing to think about the massive leaps in technology that have occurred in the past 50 years…and the dramatic impact they have on the concept of the nation-state based on a set of people with a common language in a defined geographic area.

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• Differences in Swiss German - Helvetisms (brighthub.com)

The Sensitizing of America?

While flipping through the channels last night, I came across a new show on Fox called “More to Love.”

Kind of like the Bachelor in its “search for romance” theme, all of the contestants, however, were “plus-sized women.”

I have to say that I got kind of emotional as I heard their stories of being judged based on their weight. Never having gone on a date or had a boyfriend.

It was really moving.

I was kind of glad to see that a show was focused on helping give these woman a human side and that dating isn’t all about supermodels.

Interestingly enough, the next show I saw was called “Dating in the Dark.”

I only watched for 3 minutes, but the whole idea was that “love could be blind” and that people would interact without actually seeing each other.

Or maybe all of the other reality shows are tired and old by now?

Is America Really Worth It?

After reading about the events at Walmart in NY where a man was killed by a Black Friday mob looking for a deal (and seeing this video), my initial reaction was:

If this is the state of American culture, why bother preserving it?

I know (hope) that was knee-jerk, but man...what does this say about our overly materialistic society.

A taste of the world to come...

Usually, I blog with the reader in mind, but this one is just for me.

You're welcome to read along, of course.

There's a saying about the Jewish sabbath that it is M'ayn Olam HaBa, literally "from the world to come" (as in heaven, afterlife, etc.).

Many simply say "a taste/foreshadowing of the World to Come."

Today was one of those days for me.

Took Tonka and Paco to synagogue with me, where I read Torah. Had a great time as I pushed them in the stroller (great workout!) through the park and they laughed with each other.

Afterwards, I turned them loose on a new playground at an elementary school.

Sat outside (just gorgeous weather) on the bench (thanks, Dad!) reading while the two of them sprayed water on the pavement and our cars.

After lunch and a nap, we were off to one of our closest friend's birthday dessert party. Then, took the three of them (2 in the stroller, one in the Bjorn) to the baby naming for the daughter of some other close friends.

I must have walked 3.5 miles today pushing 70 lbs of weight (my calves are hurting!)

For someone who loves socializing, it was just a tremendous set of opportunities.

And, after coming back home, I took the girls to see some friends staying a few houses down, where we had a 30 minute chat.

Of all of today's images, the one I love the most is seeing Paco/Tonka running and laughing across the basketball court at the playground.

The weather was idyllic. The kids, for the most part, were well behaved. We saw so many wonderful friends and had such great conversations. Ate well. Just feel like we truly lived today.

If this is what the "world to come," is like, it'll be worth it.

Holocaust Survivor and a Dose of Perspective...

I read Torah every few weeks at a local synagogue (not the one I usually attend).

This morning, while I rolled Tonka in the stroller, I was feeling a bit low, given my rough week.

When I arrived, I saw that the entire service was being led by the synagogue youth group. They were doing a fine job, but I definitely thought, "whoa, I'm feeling down, but whatever is going on with me, puberty is far worse!"

But, that's not the story I want to tell...

The real story is that in the middle of the service the Rabbi calls up one of his congregants, Nessie Godin, to announce her upcoming 80th birthday.

Nessie is somewhat well known in the DC Jewish community for her Holocaust-memorial related activities. She also happens to be the grandmother of one my high school classmates.

The Rabbi turns to the congregation and says:

"Some of you may know that Nessie is a Holocaust survivor and I bet there were times when she never thought she would make it to 80 years old."

Then, Nessie begins speaking. She's got an authentic, eastern European accent that added to the moment.

"You know, I look around today and I see all of these beautiful children leading the service and showing how much they love their religion. And it makes me really feel like we had a victory over Hitler."

My job of reading Torah wasn't done yet, but I was choked up. The woman in the 2nd row was crying. Just one of those moments to keep it real.

Appreciating America...

Everyone's got their beef with America/Americans. If I have one, it's people taking for granted the freedoms we enjoy.

I've told the story of my time in Berlin when I was 14 that had a profound impact on my life, but I particularly enjoy talking with immigrants to American (especially those from former Communist countries).

They DO NOT take liberty and freedom for granted because they know what it is like to live without it.

My old friend from the Snickelways days, Mike Petrov, brings his family of 6 to Washington, DC every year (not an easy job, to be sure) to help instill in them a pride/appreciation for America.

I hadn't seen Mike in 8 years or so, but we picked up right where we left off, talking technology.

Plus, I had the chance to pontificate about how he should think about the marketing of his company (if you need a reliable IT firm in NYC, he's your guy...who wouldn't trust a former boxer in the Russian army to get the job done?!)

Anyway, always great to reconnect with old friends and, in this case, to appreciate what we've got through the eyes of someone who cherishes it. Thanks, Mike!

Travel thoughts...

It's funny when you think about something and then it happens.

On the way to the airport this morning, talking to my cabbie (writing this on the plane so no link), I was reviewing some of the trips I've taken for work over the past few weeks.

• Seattle (twice)
• Fargo, ND
• St. Louis
• Austin, TX

On my way out of Fargo, I made a point of saying that I wanted to run into the Roger Maris museum (one of the town's big/few attractions). I saw some of the eyes roll among my colleagues..."why such a big deal?" they must have been thinking.

The reason why is that you need to make your travel memorable and the way to do that is through connecting with the local people and taking advantage of the unique, local experiences.

As you might imagine, I'm a big plane-talker, so when I run into some solid seat companions, I feel blessed. It's not unusual for me to meet someone on a plane and still be in touch w/them years later (right Carol? :-)

Well, today, I had the good fortune to meet Molly and Dino, two Australians taking a month-long trip through the US.

Aussies are almost always affable folks and we've had a good chat about their perceptions of American culture. Plus, I got to share some of my passion for US history and sports with them.

Love to expand my frame of reference and perspective (and welcome new members to FOJ as well!)

They are headed to Las Vegas, LA, and SF in the next two weeks, so if any of you want to help out two travelers (who are afraid of driving in the US-particularly in LA (Jan 20-24), let me know!)

Updated: big call out to Dan who's offered to be an LA host/guide for them! Love it.

MeatFest...

The culture of carniphilia in my community has been documented before.

And this weekend, I attended what has, I believe, become the third component to the "Kemp Mill Carnivore's Triple Crown."

Jared Minsk is the originator (as far as I know) of the "Shalom Busser."

(This is a cute play on words. Busser is hebrew/yiddish for meat. Shalom is Hello/Welcome [at least in this context], but it's real genius is that it plays on the concept of the Shalom Zachar.)

Anyhow, Jared regaled his guests with a solid cholent, beer-batter double fried meatballs (aka heart-attack on a plate) and some nice and spicy Jambalaya.

Where I take pride in the development of this third component of the Triple Crown is how Jared has worked me in my role as self-appointed marketing consultant.

We worked on branding (focusing on the name), positioning (consistent time of year), consistency, and repetition.

I think he nailed it. Well done, Jared.

Note: The other two are Gadi's Monday Night Football (opening and closing night) and Mosh's 4th of July BarBQ.

New Year's Brunch...

Our New Year's Eve celebration consisted of...going to bed by 11pm.

Hey, our kids don't know it's New Year's Day. They aren't going to sleep in, so why be exhausted?

Instead ,we rang it in with style with a sumptuous brunch at the Guggenheim home.

Some Jewish authorities say that celebrating a secular 'holiday' like New Year's isn't appropriate.

Our host, however, cited his mother, quoting a Chassidic rabbi who said:

"If people are wishing each other Mazal(good luck), why wouldn't we join in?"

Auld Lang Syne, baby!

Movie: Stomp the Yard

Taking advantage of our night without kids, the nameless one and I watched the movie "Stomp the Yard."

I figured with her love of dancing, it would go over well.

And the dancing is great in the movie, as is the portrayal of some of the aspects of Black Fraternity life.

The plot, however, was a bit predictable in its twists and turns. Which wasn't horrific, but made for less suspense than I normally would have liked.

I'll give it a B.

Cabbie and Polygamy...

I've had the same cabdriver for the last 3 rides. He's an immigrant from Mali and we've talked on a lot of topics.

Immigration, sports (he likes the Eagles), women, marriage, fatherhood (#3 is coming next week), religion (he's Muslim and I felt a bit anxious telling him that I didn't view Mohammed as the last prophet--this after he told me that Christians are "wrong"), and more.

I like his attitude and we have good banter.

You know I like talking to cabbies. Plus, having my own driver makes me feel special (kind of like my own waitress). Masstige, right?

Anyway, I ask him today:

"So, how many kids to do you want to have?"

"Five."

"OK, and your wife is on board with that?"

"No, this one (#3) is her last one."

"So how are you going to get #4 and #5?"

"I'm going to have a 2nd wife."

"So, since having two wives is illegal in this country [unless you are Mormon in remote Utah/Arizona!], how do you plan on doing that?"

"I am going to have a 2nd wife back in Mali."

"And how are you going to convince your first wife that this is a good idea?"

"I don't have to. When we got married, she signed a document saying it would be ok if I had a 2nd wife."

"Wow. Impressive. So, do you know who the 2nd wife is going to be?"

"Yes, here's a picture of her. Her name is Fatima."

"Do you have a picture of your first wife?"

"Uh, no."

It turns out that the 2nd wife agrees to be totally subservient to the first wife.

The first wife (and her kids) get all of the inheritance from the husband. In Mali, it's ok to have up to four wives. Some guys make a mistake, he says, because they are so "in love" with their first wives that they don't get the clause in the marriage document allowing them future wives, so "they are stuck later, when they realize they want one."

Such a fascinating world we live in.

What's Your Style?

Was finishing up a workout and came across a show on HGTV called Find Your Style.

With my efforts to become more right-brained, I took the "What's Your Design Style" Quiz.

Good news: My style is Hip.

What's yours?

Would be curious how varied/similar the blog readers are in design style?