GenesisInc.TV

I love developing and working with animals.

Consider the hedgehog.

For a creature with a small brain it is very curious - and I mean VERY curious. In fact this little fellow is watching me type right now. I can't help but wonder what he is thinking as he watches me watch him.

He is designed to be able to stand on his hind legs but not walk on them. He feeds himself with bugs and small fruit. I've observed the hedgehog clean his teeth by chewing on a branch.

The statistics on the hedgehog are that it is a very simple creature with very limited intelligence and capacity but he is totally staring at me. I wonder how his line will evolve.

Go hedgehogs -

Paul

I attended the lunchtime workshop that Ellen hosted last week and I must say I was a little surprised. I thought Ellen did a great job talking about teamwork and time management and such, I thought the presentation was colorful and didn't take too long and I thought that the catering provided was appropriate given the scope of the event.

What surprised me was the behavior of the attendees.

When a co-worker puts in the necessary work to justify a catered workshop and then cares enough about the assembly to keep it brief, everyone should be on their best behavior. Getting up to leave after the first sentence and trying to take all the deserts with you is simply not acceptable.

I appreciate the temptation and trust me, I have made the mistake myself - but you have to believe me when I tell you that such behavior is counter productive to the future of catered events at work.

Teamwork begins at the buffet folks. If we co-operate, there will be enough desert for everyone.

When you think about it - wasn't that the point Ellen was trying to make in the first place?

More to come -

Mike

The following is a report on the 'Prioritizing Mission Critical Integrated Solutions Workshop' .

During a lunch period last week, I was asked to present the above workshop. The lunch room became an informal meeting space and while attendance was good I'm not sure everyone wasn't just there to eat lunch. Several expressed regret for bringing their own lunch after seeing the small lunch buffet provided. Our manager Brad popped his head in and offered some encouragement before running off to a meeting with the division head.

I opened the workshop with - "Whether you‘re plotting a long-term strategy or trying to improve performance, critical thinking enables you to cut through the fog of faulty beliefs and misperceptions to make reflective, rather than reflexive, decisions."

Then four of the nine attendees took most of the brownies and made for the exit. I was going to say something but Mike stood up, chastised the unsupportive team members and re-claimed most of the brownies. I was thankful for his enthusiasm.

I immediately went to my overhead projector to support my opening statement with some statistics (The eyes are often better students than the ears). I condensed a 2 hour workshop into a 40 minute lunch break and left time for plenty of questions. Surprisingly there were none which suggests either I did a pretty thorough job, they were already pretty clear on the subject or they were upset for the interruption and figured questions would just prolong the punishment.

Brad contacted me afterwards to thank me for my efforts and suggested that given the success of this gathering, a monthly lunchtime workshop was in order. I said I would do my best.

Ellen

I must congratulate Ellen on her wonderful lunchtime presentation - 'Prioritizing Mission Critical Integrated Solutions'.

I think we are very fortunate to have a team member both knowledgeable in cross-department communications and so able to communicate the needs of each department so clearly. I believe the presentation went so well that I have asked Ellen to present more of these problem solving summits - at the rate of one per month.

I have given Ellen the opportunity to include other members of the Project Development team so don't be surprised if you get tapped to present your specialty.

Again - Thanks Ellen, great job.

Brad out -

I love lunch meetings.

I have portable containers in my desk I keep specifically for lunch meetings.

The subjects of these lunch meetings can be interesting, even fascinating - but usually they are not. So why do I love lunch meetings? Catering.

Fresh salads, 'build your own' sandwiches with cold cuts and cheese and 3 kinds of bread, soda pops, brownies and cookies for desert - I love it. My strategy is to find a seat in the conference room with both access to the table for eating and within reach of the food itself. These seats are rare so it's best to be prompt. Then, once the consumption has begun, start small - one small sandwich, a little salad, eat slow and look modest. Then, when the meeting is in full swing, offer to quietly 'clean up' the plates and utensils of the staff members around you. There are 2 reasons for this, one - you remove from your co-workers the tools to take more booty and two - you have a reason to get up in the middle of a presentation and re-visit the buffet. On your second visit, you can take a proper plate of food and enjoy it.

When the meeting is done, feign interest in the speaker and the subject if only to allow other attendees to wander away and leave the remains of the buffet. At that point, take your containers and fill them to your satisfaction.

I know, right?

You're welcome!
Mike

Hibernation is a great tool.

Consider the life of a creature that spends 8 months a year feeding on everything they can reach or run down only to attain the peak of consumption, grow dizzy from their own bulk, prepare a nest in a cave and take a 4 month nap.

I believe I envy the hibernator.

Paul

Because of the success of the "Photo-Synthesis in new Subterranean Foliage" project between the Project Development Dept. and GI Engineering, I've been asked to host a 'Prioritizing Mission Critical Integrated Solutions Workshop' in the conference room at lunch.

I eagerly accepted the request because department integration is often overlooked as a necessary element of project success. I'm preparing materials and handouts at the moment but fully expect an interactive discussion to drive the lunchtime session.

I will write a full post lunch report and reveal the results.

Best Regards
Ellen

There's a real buzz around the office right now - everybodys excited. Projects are going well, teamwork is paying dividends and the division is growing. I like to make myself available to assist when needed but I have to admit, I most enjoy watching the team when they don't need me.

I'm looking forward to the "Prioritizing Mission Critical Integrated Solutions Workshop". I think everyone is.

Brad out -

I made a pot of coffee this morning because I wanted a cup of coffee and as usual, there was none. Now I understand the rules of the office and I am more than prepared to play by them - if one wants coffee and none is available - one makes coffee. It sounds simple - right?

So in the time it takes to prepare the coffee and actually pour a cup, I went for a stroll through the office. I visited Tuesday and Vince and played with the photocopier a bit only to return to an empty pot of coffee.

So here is my question - how do the coffee hawks know there is a fresh pot of coffee, get to it and empty it before the person who made it? If there are office rules, why are they not observed across the board? If one is owed coffee, how does one collect that debt?

Finally and perhaps most importantly - what does one do with the repressed frustration and anger created when ones good nature is taken advantage of.

Suggestions are welcome -

Mike

At Brads request, Project Managers are now assigned to write a blog.

Suffice it to say that such an activity in the face of such critical deadlines strikes me as counter productive but in the spirit of teamwork I will contribute what I can.

Todays reccomendation: Keep good filing practices.

Thank You
Paul

Hello,
I'm Ellen and I am a Project Manger and Genesis, Inc.

Recently, Brad our department head requested that we participate in a new communications experiment - a group blog. I'm not sure what benefit this will have but I am will to try new things in order to increase product quality.

I'm also told we can discuss any subject (within reason) and we are encouraged to include our feelings, should any arise. Ironically I have a desk piled with things to do from weather assessments to terra firma re-deployment and ocean balancing - and yet I'm not sure what I want to discuss on my blog.

I guess I prefer to let the quality of my work speak for me. I will return to this exercise when I can contribute something useful.

Yours Professionally
Ellen

Hello,

My name is Brad and I am the head of Product Development at Genesis, Inc.. I have several talented professionals working in my department and my job is to give them the means and resources to produce the best possible elements for the 'Site'. My job also includes a 'coaching' element, providing leadership and insight to help the staff reach their potential.

So with all that in mind and in the spirit of good communication, we in the Product Development Department at Genesis, Inc. will start sharing our processes, thoughts and experiences through what is known as a BLOG. Honestly, why it's not called a journal or a diary is beyond me but I'm told that writing a BLOG or BLOGGING is the new craze and I thought it might have some benefit to both our staff and anyone interested in what we do at Genesis, Inc.

I have asked Paul, Ellen and Mike to contribute some thoughts a few times a week, whatever comes to mind and I'm eager to see what they come up with.

Thank you for your interest and remember Genesis, Inc - Six Days, One Universe, No Problem!

Brad

So, how were your holidays?

Uh huh - good - that sounds nice.

Ours? Oh they were great; they seem so long ago now. We celebrated my new job and the Green Card and John is madly in love with a wonderful young woman. We had a lot to be thankful for and so we all did a lot of thanking.

Genesis, Inc.? Well as usual it's been a little crazy. We spent the holidays and January finishing the 'Talkalope' which we have now renamed "Genesis, Inc - The Story of Adam and Eve". The reason for the change was that it felt a little like we were giving too much of the storyline away in the title. Let the audience discover it - was our thinking.

On the heals of that was a gracious invitation to participate at the International Film and Television Summit in Los Angeles at the spectacular InterContinental Hotel on Avenue of the Stars. The dates were Feb. 5, 6, 7 2007 and Genesis, Inc went it. It was great.

The reason behind our invitation was that we are an example of how new media is distributing without the help of networks and legacy media. Of course as soon as 'legacy' media got a heaping helping of Genesis, Inc. - interest in our little project exploded. By 6pm on Tuesday, Feb 6th, I had a pocket full of business cards and had received more than a few winks and finger bangs. We were in LA after all...

John and I have been down this road before but for some reason this time it feels different. I'm not going to mention names or companies but suffice it to say that we will be following up with our interested parties over the next few weeks and should have some exciting news in short order. Or not - either way - GenesisInc.TV continues to grow and we continue to crank out funny new episodes and build audience.

Speaking of which - Genesis, Inc - The Story of Adam and Eve is now complete and you are invited to check it out. In the latest chapter, Mike survives his first encounter with Adam and indeed facilitates the arrival of the next inhabitant at the 'Site'. Everyone does their best and yet, it doesn't go very well - but I'll stop. I don't want to ruin it.

Finally, a big shout out to Jim Conrad. Jim is THE voice-over King and you hear him ALL the time on commercials and promos and documentaries. He's also a long time friend who I was able to spend some time with while I was in LA. After some golf and socializing Cono agreed to be an Angel and lay some significant money down to buy the first share of the company and help us execute the next stage of Genesis, Inc. and GenesisInc.TV. As you probably know when seeking investment, the first money can be the hardest but Cono made it easy and now other potential investors are popping up everywhere. Cheers to you Jim - Perrier and lemon for everyone and the first rounds on me!

Things are happening people - stay tuned!

More to come -

Russ

(Start at the bottom for the beginning of the thread)

Mike: I'll ask just the same, stand by -

Paul: It's SCP 4.0 - I'm guessing you don't need it.

Mike: Okaaaay - It's really cool - But whatever - I better ask Brad about the SPCA

Ellen: I'm out at lunch - and then all day

Paul: No REALLY -

Mike: Relax! I'll show you at lunch -

Paul: I don't want to know!

Ellen: I don't want to know -

Mike: I don't photocopy unless I need to - that's not what the box under my desk is for : - )

Ellen: So all of your projects are pencil sketches and photocopies in a box under your desk?

Mike: Photo copies I guess - I never really thought about it.

Paul: How do you back that up? Or digitize it?..

Mike: All of the ones on my computer. I also just do a lot of sketching -

Ellen: What software have you been using?

Mike: I'm not sure - I think so...

Paul:Do you have Sphere Creation Pro 3.3?

Mike: Should I get it? I think I need it -

Ellen: It's the new Sphere Creation Pro update.

Mike: Hey guys - what's SCP 4.0?

Ellen: Thanks for the heads up -

Paul: I did and I suggest getting the security patch from Vince before you un-install the SCP 3.3 - It got a bit hairy for me...

Ellen: No - I've got to finish my weather pattern update before I can shut down and do a re-install. Probably this aft. - Are you installed?

Paul:I did - it does look great - much better than SCP 3.3. Have you installed it yet?

Ellen: Paul, did you see the new software package? SCP 4.0? It looks GREAT!