Grateful for the Opportunity

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As I reflect on this past Easter Weekend with friends and family, and I look to the incredible opportunities that lay ahead, I feel deeply grateful for the experiences and opportunities I have had. Gratitude is absolutely one of the key components to happiness and success. As an entreprenuer and or business manager, this simple characteristic can produce vibrant success across the gambit of personal and operational challenges one faces.

I have heard it said that a strong seed can grow wherever it is planted. I believe the ability to be grateful wherever you are planted can develop an energy and hope to grow bigger and stronger and reach new heights and fertile soil…

I was digging through some past files (pardon the pun) and found a speech I had given a couple of years ago just before graduation from College. I thought I might share it, as I feel it still applies today…

Gratitude As Expressed Through The Sincerity of Service:
Speech at Hinckley Scholarship Banquet

Gratitude—Gratefulness, appreciation, thankfulness, acknowledgement, recognition, obligation, beholdenness—Gratidude. Although often used to near cliché commonness, this simple word holds a profound place in the awesome and infinite web of God’s perfect plan.

There have been times where gratitude for the immediate benefits of what I received have been easily seen and reciprocated with deep gratitude. A clear memory of just such an instance occurred about 2 weeks after arriving in the Bangkok Thailand mission. It was a warm Bangkok night and my companion and I were on our way home for planning and district prayer. Although in country only two weeks, my companion let me lead the way home as we peddled alongside the 8 lane Pohonyotin highway that ran past our house. Street 37 was about 5 feet across and the alley of buildings that lined it went plush to the sidewalk. Like clockwork I crossed the narrow street just as a speeding Toyota was rushed to the corner to meet me. My bike was quickly pulled under by the little car and I was sent spinning like a top into the broad street beside me. On perhaps my third or fourth whirling revolution I spun around just in time to greet the bright headlights of Mercedes bus. Although the exact proceedings are still a little unclear, the collision left me in the gutter about 30-35 feet from the point of impact—Where my bike and shoes were. Although my bike and clothes were pretty tattered from the ordeal, dozens of wide-eyed spectators looked with surprise as my companion and I walked off with nothing but some scratches, some bruises, and a bent tire to show for it. How grateful I was for my calling and for my life and for the protection proffered by Our Father In Heaven to his servants.

Time and time again I have been the recipient of the benefit from others, often oblivious or maybe incoherent to the work and sacrifice their actions mandate. Being the 4th of 13 children, you can imagine how much work and virtuous energy might have gone into the raising of our family. Growing up was a wondrous experience. Some trade marks of my growing up experience include station wagons, picnics, snow caves, family talent shows, cushion forts, and cushion fights, secret deliveries and more. So many incredible things that I often took for granted. My parents would read to us from the finest that literature had to offer. My dad would take us to do service in our ward and neighborhoods, and my mother would often be found writing scripture quotes or hanging pictures of our favorite book of Mormon prophets around our rooms.

For all of the principles that my parents taught, I had an uncanny ability to provide them with opportunity for real life application. I recall a cool summer’s night when I was about 13 years old. My older brothers were parking our 1969 Chevrolet impala into the garage. I could see they were a little nervous at its broad dimensions and narrow fit, so I eagerly volunteered to try it out for myself. Confident I could accomplish the simple task, I slipped behind the wheel and started the car. Directing me from in front, I was barely able to see my brothers over the dashboard. I began edging forward into the garage. As the car started to pick up speed, I got a little nervous and stomped for the break. Unfortunately I hit the ready gas pedal, and the ancient car lunged forward into the garage. My brothers cleared out of the way as I drove headlong into the back my family’s house. The silence of that solemn moment was piercing. I could not believe it. Having been amply warned by my dad about the “no rough housing, no balls in the house and other rules that had been established to inhibit my domestic destruction, I was sure that I was done for on this one. I was sure I would never get a license, and I figured I would be lucky if I ever even got ungrounded by the time I was 16. I ran to my room hoping to go to sleep and so I wouldn’t have to think about my impending doom. After hours of restlessness, I finally met up with my dad. I wasn’t really sure what to say. I had been crying so much I didn’t really have any energy left, I was just waiting for my sentencing. I remember my dad looking directly at me and telling me how grateful he was that I was okay and that no one was hurt. He told me pretty frankly that there were plenty of smarter and better things I could be doing with my time, but what was done was done and now it needed fixed. As my punishment I was given the opportunity to help him rebuild the small section of our house. With some creativity and a lot of hard work, we were able to patch up accident scene. In fact today, that portion wall is probably one of the strongest parts of the house. More importantly, it has become a monumental reminder to me of the patience and sacrifice of my parents.

I, like all of us am in debt to the myriad of loving family members, friends, mentors, leaders and strangers, whose obedience and sacrifice have created opportunities for us to grow and progress. The benefits we receive from others are often so abundant and so integral they become nearly indistinguishable in our lives. It has been said that a fish is sometimes the last one to recognize the water. If we were to try to trace and distinguish our gratitude, we find that it quickly grows and multiplies to nearly everything around us. This include not only those who influence us, but also those who influence those who influence us. The eternal concept of this exponential debt reaches its apex as we identify the infinite sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ and his endless atonement. How great is that weight and mercy which so fully he proffers us. That already incomprehensible obedience and sacrifice, then coupled with the thousands and millions of saints who have suffered and sacrificed to carry on his work, provides such a priceless opportunity for us. How can it be valued? How can it be repaid?

Our debt is directly unpayable. We could never directly compensate for that we which we have received. And yet there is a way in which we can help, in which we can perpetuate and contribute that plan of redemption that Our Father has prepared. This active gratitude is identified in the savior’s words, “Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” I once heard this scripture referred to as the constitution of Pure Religion. Our service to others is a sincere expression of our gratitude to our savior. Likewise although we may not be able to directly repay the sacrifice of family, friends and mentors with any traditional compensation. We do have the opportunity apply the principles and love we have gained from them and share them with others to improve their lives.

Just last week I received a letter from Miguel and Javier. They are leaders of the small village of TeoXya, Guatemala, a beautiful place with a population of about 500 hundred families. They recently embarked on a venture to introduce the principles of hope, and success through education and activism in their village. With some young men soon to be the first graduates ever to come from TeoXya and no real jobs available, many villagers are skeptical of the value of education and thus have little hope in its success. Determined to prove this value, Miguel and Javier developed plans for a domestic pork and egg operation. We first met Javier and Miguel last summer, we had the special opportunity to share our life experiences and perspectives about success, leadership and personal and national development. We also had the special opportunity to consult with them on their business model. Upon first look at their business model it was clear to see that there were some simple principles that had been overlooked and would almost surely mean failure for their program. In a few brief hours we were able to share with them a few of the skills and insights that have been passed on to us from other mentors and business experiences. After an effective training session and a slight paradigm shift, they were able to build a model that provided long term perspective and sustainability. With wide, eager eyes, Miguel looked up at me and expressed his excitement. He felt something like this could be replicated and in the future he hoped to perfect the model share it with the surrounding villages.

Since then I have received many emails from Miguel and Javier, (their first emails ever) and they have expressed the success of the programs and the education and hope they are gaining from it. There is still a long way to go, but they feel strengthened and confident that someday their village will meet with great success. Their gratitude is so beautiful, so sincere. Their gratitude is not just for me or my friends or my family or the organization with which we were operating. No. Their gratitude is for all those who were instruments to directly or indirectly influence us to influence their village. Their gratitude is a reflection of the hope and excitement of their village and is even now being expressed through their hard work and sacrifice to see the success of the youth and growing leaders of their village.

How grateful I am for Ira Nathanial and his wife, and their examples of obedience and sacrifice that paved the way for Edwin and his wife. Indeed how grateful we all are for Hinckley family and the role they play in blessing and benefiting the lives of countless people. How many lives have been touched by their guidance, love and financial support? It is a truly inspiring example of pure religion and gratitude within gods Plan.

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Cheesecake Factory: Chicken Madeira Delicious

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During a recent business trip to vegas, I took the welcomed opportunity to eat at one of my favorite restaurants, The Cheesecake Factory.

Their chicken madeira is truly a cullinary marvel. The texture and flavor are satisfying to the last morsel.

Unfortunately, The Cheesecake Factory is all corporate owned. I called their corporate office to see for myself. If they ever change their mind however, I would love opening a franchise in Salt Lake City. We do have some good restaurants, but a few more couldn’t hurt.

Managing Security Challenges in Southeast Asia

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To start a success business in Asia or to bring an existing business to Asia requires a very good grasp of the culture you are working with. Culture is more than just the language they speak, or the clothes they wear. (Those are perhaps the least important things to grasp). Understanding history, religion, customs and manners can speak worlds regarding your intent and your hope. As an international studies major in college, I had a great opportunity to study global systems. One that I found extremely interesting was the multi-demensional integration issues of Southeast Asia. Especially as it pertained to global security.

The broad definitions and encompassing pressures that accompany the War Against Terrorism has left very little room for any nations of the globe to remain neutral, “Fence Sitters.” The necessity for international-interdependent communication and diplomacy has increased pressures for regions throughout the world to create a more unified and cooperative security network. This is especially true for the countries of Southeast Asia, as scattered terrorist cells flourish among elusive jungles and uncoordinated government efforts to stop them.

Efforts to coordinate regional security are not new for the countries of Southeast Asia. Emerging from the alliances of the Cold War, several Track I and Track II diplomacy efforts have been developed. These “official” and “secondary” efforts have developed into significant entities that currently shape significant policy making within the region. As coordination between this diplomacy develops, military spending and action have also escalated in the area, resulting in direct and sometimes semantically indirect cooperation from U.S. forces.

Although Southeast Asian terrorist groups are largely “home grown” and not necessarily part of an international terrorist network, the risks of drug trafficking, scattered attacks and information dissemination remain a sizeable and significant front in the War Against Terrorism. By orchestrating an appropriate balance between Track I and Track II diplomacy and cooperative military action, Southeast Asian nations will be able to develop and strengthen their infrastructure to eliminate the terrorist groups and poor policies that currently exist.

TRACK I DIPLOMACY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

ASEAN emerged from the Cold War looking for a new basis from which to develop international security measures. Bilateral treaties with the U.S. and the Five-Power Defense arrangement that existed in Asia were inadequate to meet the growing needs of “non-military” issues, such as transnational crime, environmental hazards and illegal population movement. Moreover, a number of different international defense issues such as maritime policy and nuclear weapon development remained largely unresolved. (p. 6) The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was developed to bridge this gap and provide a forum of resolution for these complex matters.

Complexities within the ASEAN-Northeast Asian relationship have been largely serviced by the diplomacy of the ARF. Although ASEAN states remain the host and directing voice of all ARF meetings, the neutral ground provided by the ARF has allowed China, Japan and Korea an opportunity to voice concerns and provide helpful transparency regarding their actions. Although China has been suspicious and slow to accept full legitimacy of the ARF, a number of additional countries have stepped up to join the ranks, bringing global membership to twenty three countries, thus creating the most comprehensive security forum in the world. (p. 9)

Like ASEAN, decisions within the ARF are made by consensus and therefore can take a considerable amount of time to bring about resolution. Fear that countries will be pressured into making policy has also inhibited members from taking official minutes or having public hearings. This results in a very weak direct impact of the ARF on policy development.

TRACK II DIPLOMACY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

The original ASEAN countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand had a number of Track II institutions already in place before the formation of the ASEAN alliance. It was clear early on however, that the ASEAN and ARF alliance was unable to handle a large number of security issues and a more developed Track II involvement would be useful. This diplomacy surfaced under the identity of the ASEAN Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS), which drew from the region’s top academics, businesses, journalists, past politicians and other specialists. Regular meetings and international involvement lead the development and unification of a number of different Track II institutions to form the Councils for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP). Formed in 1993, CSCAP constitutes the broadest Track II security organization in the world (p.11).

CSCAP meetings are based on national delegations with no guarantee of continuity. Funding must be fronted by the nations interested in the discussion at hand. Direct results from the conferences are often identifiable, thought nearly always subtle.

THE FUTURE OF TRACK I AND TRACK II DIPLOMACY INTEGRATION

As the Track II counterpart to the ARF, CSCAP often debates regarding how much of its agenda should lead or follow the ARF. Much of the information generated or collected from CSCAP meetings is supplemented material for the ARF and other Track I diplomacy entities. Although CSCAP and ARF often take different approaches to their proposed security solutions, the existing preventive diplomacy maintains a unified call for non coercion and both find numerous ways to cooperate and develop together. Cooperating key leaders among the ARF and CSCAP have achieved several significant milestones and show ever increasing signs of achieving even greater and more significant achievements to come.

Although CSCAP and ARF both work hard to avoid any involvement in domestic affairs, it becomes increasing difficult to separate international from domestic, when so many unkempt and disruptive internal issues spill out into other countries.
Although difficult to separate, the important and almost inescapable role of Track I and Track II diplomacy in domestic/international issues is especially transparent in the current fight against terrorism taking place in Southeast Asia. The added component of military and police force bring an ever increasing importance to the diplomacy that Track I and Track II entities such as ARF and CSCAP can offer.

THE CURRENT SITUATION REGARDING THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

As the War Against Terrorism continues throughout the globe, Southeast Asia has become a significant battle front. Southeast Asian terrorists groups are, for the most part, domestic threats, although scattered attacks and embryonic efforts at intelligence sharing within the region has begun. The reaction by Southeast Asian states to the U.S. War Against Terrorism ranges from enthusiastic endorsement to quiet backing. Specific concern lies with the domestic and political sensibilities of the Muslim members of the ASEAN nations. Malaysia and Indonesia are slow to fully support U.S. efforts, with Indonesia specifically refusing to incarcerate or even recognize known terrorist groups and activities.

The broad and varying rubric of terrorism allows ample room for adaptation and opportunity for each nation. Many Southeast Asian countries have fully embraced the war against terror, seizing the opportunity to weaken the ruling party’s opposition under the name of global cooperation and cleansing of terrorism.

MULTI-LATERAL COOPERATION

The broad and complex factors involved in the War Against Terrorism are far too complicated and elusive to be tackled by any single country. Bilateral action with the U.S. and multi-lateral action with countries of the region, are sensitive but necessary steps.

Countries such as the Philippines have embraced cooperation with the U.S. by providing military space and joint training operations. In an effort to limit the shadow cast by U.S. forces, joint training such as Balikatan 02 provides the Philippine military with U.S. leadership and training without officially exercising direct military force. Similar programs are enjoyed by Thailand and Singapore through the Cobra Gold joint training program.

Arguably the most significant influence however, lies in the ability of the region to coordinate intelligence operations and security policies. Current political and social infrastructures are unable to handle to the logistics of a full-scale, unified-multi-lateral security system. It is important that existing structures are strengthened and in some cases, rebuilt to meet the critical need. Organizations such as the ARF and CSCAP, which have stepped up the level of involvement since the September 11th attacks, will continue to play a key role in the development of these international security measures.

CONCLUSION

Coordinated efforts between ARF and CSCAP have made slow, but significant progress in the development of regional defense policy. Although Southeast Asian terrorist groups are largely “home grown” and not necessarily part of an international terrorist network, the risk of drug trafficking, scattered attacks and information dissemination remain sizeable and a significant front in the War Against Terrorism. Efforts of the US government to achieve a limited level of involvement in military and policing operations in Southeast Asia with programs such as Cobra Gold and Balikatan 02, have also made a significant marked progress in the development of international security. While current infrastructure and systems of many Southeast Asian countries remain a breeding ground for terrorist activity and security failures, some improvement has been seen. The role of Track I and Track II diplomacy is increasingly important as peaceful and stable solutions regarding international security in Southeast Asia are approached. By orchestrating an appropriate balance between Track I and Track II diplomacy and cooperative military action, Southeast Asian nations will be able to develop and strengthen their infrastructure to eliminate the terrorist groups and poor policies that currently exist.

Bookwise… Really a wise decision?

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I love books. I love reading. I love my family. I also love good economics.

Put all of those together, and you don’t have to look very far to see that Bookwise might be a fun club to join, but by its very nature, it is not a career-wise decision if this is going to be your home based business.

Here are some of the Economics:

First of all, the auto-ship is relatively small. While this seems great to get in, it is not great for making money.

Second, your customer/membership pool gets eaten up pretty fast. Really, after your friends and family, how many people are going to jump into a $35/month book club? Also remember, to make it worth your time, you’re going to need to have a big down line.

Thirdly, alternatives and competition are plentiful. It’s books. Readers digest, barnes and nobles, amazon, etc. Nearly all of the services offered by your Bookwise Membership can be found at your local library or community bookstore.

Fourthly, opportunity cost. If you are involved in other Network Marketing pursuits, remember that focus is really the key to make things work. Be aware that book clubs and additional commitments are a great way to lose focus. Just make sure that as a business pursuit, its financial benefit outways your focus lost.

There is a fun little charity aspect to their company. 1 dollar out of every 40 spent will go to a charity.

While I’m confident those dollars will be useful to those charities, imagine all of the money you could donate if you bought less expensive books or took more advantage of your community library or bookstore services?

What’s my personal opinion about Bookwise? I love books. I love reading. As a hobby and social venue, I endorse it as a great opportunity to meet other people and share ideas.

As a business pursuit however, it doesn’t strike me as a very wise decision. Please though, share your thoughts.

If… I could be…

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Be it business, academia, relationships, politics, spirituality or life in general. I do believe that integrity is the bottom line.

In our subjective world however, where black and white seem to stream together into blurry greys, I find I often need an objective metric to pull things together again.

Rudyard Kipling identified a number of traits that help to define integral character. This little poem has become a big, self-diagnostic test for me. I thought I might share it for anyone out there who might likewise benefit from its content.

Enjoy!

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

–Rudyard Kipling

Geico and All State Insurance

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Geico has great commercials. Their Small House and Cave Man commercials were always great attention getters.

Anywho, about 6 months ago, I went ahead and figured I would take the Geico challenge and see if I could really save a bundle of money…

It just so happens that by switching over to Geico (From Farmers) I saved a couple hundred bucks.

But the real test came just before Thanksgiving, I was cut off on the freeway and got into a little fender-bender. Nothing too serious. But really their service has pulled through and I really appreciate how attentive they can be for being such a large company.

I’ve also heard that All-State is really good. Which has proven to be the case in another little accident where an all-state insurer swiped our bumper. They were extremely responsive and very willing to work with my schedule to assess the damage and cut the checks.

Very nice. So far both companies have my full endorsement.

Both great companies, although Geico has a much better commercial ad campaign :).

Call for Social Entrepreneurs Plans

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I have always been fascinated by business models which successfully integrate profitable business practices that measurably improve society.

Worldwide Book Drive doesn’t quite fit the criteria for this socially responsible business plan competition primarily because we don’t have any graduate students on the team. It is of course a minor technicality which could certainly be remedied, but not realistically before the deadline in less than 24 hours. .. That is… At least the cost doesn’t outweigh the benefit at this point.

I’m interested to see how things turn out with the Global Social Venture Competition. Should be fun to see who wins…

i is for (l)Itigation.

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The world sighs as Apple shows a significant increase in stock value with the release of their new iphone. Interestingly enough, Cisco has side swiped them with a litigation for trademark infingement.

Here’s an article that tells more about the whole iphone debate…

It’s a toughy because there are a number of other people who have been operating with the same product name. Who really gets it? If only there were a biblical solution to find the true mother of the iphone baby…

Alas only time will tell. In the mean time however, it is certainly great publicity for any and all iphones out there.

Multilevel Marketing Companies in China: The Full Report

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For the past few days I’ve been posting excerps from my Honors Undergraduate Thesis. Things have been changing very quickly in China recently, especially for MLM.

Often considered a cult by the Chinese Government, (like the Falun Gong), the Chinese government is departamentally trying to deal with the 10 Billion dollar industry in China.

In the meantime, MLM companies are doing what they can to catch up with Amway and take advantage of the situation before anything else changes.

If anyone is interested in my full thesis and references, let me know. I’d be happy to see what I can do to make that available.