I am sitting at the kitchen table having just finished our family Christmas breakfast … bacon, eggs, potatoes and mimosa (champagne and orange juice). In many ways our Christmas breakfast is a tradition that we enjoy even more than the big dinner we will have later today.

The “laid back”, low stress meal is something we have done for a few years now. We open our gifts first, sit around in our pyjamas and then all chip in to make breakfast. It is a fun time, we take a few pictures (not too many, because of “bed-head”) we laugh a lot and enjoy the giving and receiving amongst ourselves.

Later in the day, when we are all cleaned up and dressed we spend a few hours preparing for the big dinner. Typically we have a few more people for that meal which is enjoyable in a different way, sharing the Christmas spirit with other family members and friends.

The holiday season, whatever your religious belief, is a time to spend with family and friends. It is a time to reflect a little about the good things in life and to be thankful what we have. I paid a visit to Tom Peter’s website this morning and his blog posting lists many of the people that he sends his thanks to. It makes for interesting reading. I would be nervous about listing everyone I wanted to thank, there are so many people to thank that I would hate to miss someone.

So … I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, and gets to enjoy their own traditions, enjoy!

Every now and then we are reminded of how fragile we are and somehow it is events with people we know, as opposed to the scenes of destruction from distant countries that get under our skin.

We see war and mayhem around the world, mass poverty and hunger in many third world countries and we sometimes read about how cheap life can be in some cultures.

The amazing varieties of media bombard us with images and information … but it is when something happens closer to home that we really “feel it”

The older you get the more people you know have serious health issues or even die. When those things happen you feel just a little more vulnerable, think a little more about “the meaning of life” and whether you are living yours the way you really want.

My mom would say, “You can’t put an old head on young shoulders”. Meaning that in our youth we typically need to have our own experiences in order to learn, rather than accepting the wisdom of our elders.

People setting out on their life’s journey today often feel invincible and that there is plenty of time to achieve the things they want. As you get older it feels like time just flies … and if you are a busy person then time is a flash. The only way to take full advantage of this short life is to truly live every minute and to not waste time. It a hard lesson.

This week I found that a close friend, younger than me, has been diagnosed with cancer and starts treatment in the next day or so. He will fight and beat it because he has that depth of character and a positive outlook on life … but his world was turned on its side in the few hours it took to diagnose.

Scenes of death in Zimbabwe from cholera and Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan are hard, evoke sympathy and concern … but it is news that a good friend is battling “the big C” that really gets to me.

This time of year, two years ago I wrote a blog entry that was less than complimentary about my experience using internet shopping. The entry called Internet Shopping … Will it let you down? slammed Virgin Wines who had failed to deliver my holiday order on time, in fact it wasn’t even delivered in time for New Year celebrations. That was 2006 and I had personally sworn off using this service again … but fast forward two years and it is a different story!

Approaching the holiday season in 2008 I am still a fan of Richard Branson AND I am a “born again” believer in Virgin Wines! They DO have their act together, their website is very easy to use, their instructions and expectation setting are very clear … and in the latest case they exceeded my expectations. If a retailer can exceed your expectations then they are definitely doing a good job!

I think that they are a great example of the power of internet shopping, which always held such great promise but in the early incarnations had some hiccups. I use a number of sites regularly these days to order items particularly as gifts to family in the UK, including Amazon’s UK website and even the Marks and Spencer website in the UK. It seems that they are all pretty efficient and easy to use.

So … it is still important to be careful about protecting your personal information, but I have become a big believer in internet shopping and Virgin wines just sealed the deal when they delivered ahead of time, at the busiest time of the year!

We human beings are at the same time complex, but predictable … we have capabilities beyond any man-made device and we can also operate as though we have blinders on.

Some time ago I wrote a blog about expectations which referenced a flight I was taking on Porter Airlines (a company that continues to impress me … rare for ANY airline!)

In the last few days I have had various conversations with people about the capability of my PDA (a Windows device) versus the Blackberry … which invariably comes out as the much more preferred tool. The reality is that our corporate systems do not support blackberry and so we need to use Windows devices. How tough is that? Today people have an EXPECTATION of their PDA which means they expect a Blackberry type of capability and if the quality is slightly below that, then it is just not good enough. Not too long ago we didn’t have PDAs, after that came Palm type devices which did not access mail and calendar remotely until the current generation of PDAs evolved. BUT we EXPECT the best … and anything less becomes disappointing. Is the problem in the device … or in our minds?

Another example … ambitious people (I count myself in here) want to be promoted to more senior positions as they expand their experience and knowledge. There can be different thinking about when they are ready … but when it happens there are expectations on each side. Sometimes the person being promoted does not realise the expectation on management’s side. The promoted employee expects a more interesting position and likely more compensation. Management expects more productivity and they have a much higher expectation of the person’s contribution because they are paying out more money. So … an employee promoted too fast may well find themselves in a tough position!

There are a myriad of examples where expectations are “all in our head” but drive our behaviours and responses to situations.

We EXPECT our partner to remember our birthday … its probably not THAT important in the scheme of things, but failure can lead to significant “fall out”.
We EXPECT the buses to run, and somewhat on-time … failure cause disaster!

We EXPECT a lot of things in life and attach mental significance to those events. Its not a bad thing, but a little flexibility in the EXPECTATION department might actually lead to more self-satisfaction and less stress!

Just a thought for a snowy day in Toronto!

This time of year the Western World is dominated by preparation for “the holidays”. We spend too much money, devote a ton of time, eat too much, drink too much and generally celebrate till we drop!

It is a time of year that many, many people love. A time to be anticipated and then savored!

It is also a tough time of year for others … it could be those who have lost people close to them, those who can’t afford to party, those who have no friends or relatives or those who just need a hand!

For those of us who “have” the means, who go “all out” to satisfy our need for a fun filled holiday I suggest it is also a great time of year to remember the “have nots“! It is a great time of year to give something back. It is a great time of year to get your family involved in giving back. It is a great time of year to start some new holiday season “giving” traditions.

For a family to volunteer time at a shelter, a food bank, a retirement home, a hospital or any number of worthy causes can be a great experience. It does feel good to give, it is also a great way to teach kids and young adults that this time of year is not just about receiving.

Getting involved in company fund raising activities, collecting food for the needy, toys drives and snowsuit funds are all ways to give you that “feel good” experience.

One of my friends has worked with her daughters over the past few years to the point where those girls ask that their birthday presents come in the form of gifts to a charity! What a great way for kids to grow up! They don’t miss out on anything, their lives are very comfortable and the recognise that they are lucky … and they want to help others! Very cool.

Maybe you should give yourself that as a present this year! Give yourself that “feel good” experience by doing something for those who really need a helping hand!

The following is an excerpt from John Izzo’s latest newsletter … as always, a thoughtful and positive piece. You can subscribe to his newsletter at John’s website.
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Since the last time I wrote you the economic news has only grown increasingly grim with auto companies on the brink of collapse and job cuts being announced on a daily basis. I know many of our clients and readers are experiencing tough times and having to make some tough decisions as well. But there may be some upside to all this down news. In fact, there is almost always upside to down times.

Though it may be hard to see beyond the present slowdown, I thought it would be wise to remind you of some of those upsides. One of the upsides is that organizations get lean during down cycles and these times lend the urgency needed to re-think how we do things. If there was ever a time to engage your people in thinking about how to do things smarter and more efficiently this is the time. One of my clients is asking every team throughout the company to look for ideas on how to cut costs and remove unnecessary work. Not only does it give employees an opportunity to help stave off layoffs but these efficiencies will last beyond the slowdown.

Another upside to down times is that market share is often gained during down cycles. There are a number of reasons why this happens. The most obvious one is that some of your competitors go out of business but there are other factors as well. Many companies slash and burn during tough times-cutting R & D, cutting the sales force, letting good talent walk out the door, or having layoffs to effect short term profits. Companies that keep their people engaged, keep service up, and keep talented people, will often grow market share during the downturn and then turn that market share into real gains when the pie grows again. It is the job of leaders to see beyond the short term to get ready for the next up cycle. Find creative ways to keep talent, offer part time flexibility to staff, keep in touch with clients even if they aren’t buying, build relationships with prospects, and serve existing customers with the same spirit as during up times. This may not pay off during the downturn but watch what happens when the cycle turns.

There are also lots of personal upsides to all this down. Often down times lend us perspective. We realize that the things we have been accumulating really weren’t the source of happiness anyway. We stay at home and cook together, we give smaller presents with more thought, and we discover amazing things to do right here in our hometown. For some, the downturn may lead to a time without work and an opportunity to consider a much needed career change. Many a life changing career change has come during a slowdown.

One more thing to remember is that the world hasn’t changed as much as we think it has. The sun came up this morning, its raining here in Vancouver just as it should be this time of year, and the soil is going to rest for the winter getting ready for next year’s harvest. I know this is a tough time but staying hopeful is critical. Yogi Berra, the great New York Yankee once said “when you come to a fork in the road take it.” This time will pass and the cycle will turn again. Even if this time has dealt you a tough blow, you never know the upside that might be on the other side of down.

I wish each of you a holiday season filled with joy.

This time of year our company has three holiday parties … one in each of our three regions. Janis and I typically try to get to at least two of the three parties.

This year we made it to the Central Region party in Toronto last Friday night, which was a great time with everyone having lots of fun. I was not a good role model for decorum and proper behaviour, but I had a blast and haven’t had any complaints … yet!

Tonight we will be at the Eastern region party in Ottawa and I have no doubt we will have fun … that is a part of our work hard and play hard company culture.

Certainly this year everyone has been working particularly hard, in anticipation of a slow start in 2009. Blowing off steam is not only part of our culture and a fun thing to do, but in times like this I think it is a necessary reward for the extra effort everyone is putting in!

I expect tomorrow will start slowly!

I have written a number of blog entries lately about how to succeed through a downturn, what employees need to be doing to keep themselves relevant in a recession etc. There has definitely been a trend of doom and gloom when I go back and look at some of these entries.

So … I consider myself to be a very positive person and there are a few things we must all remember.

1. Keep in mind was is really important in life … our families, our health, our friends and our happiness.
2. ALL tough times come to an end … this too will pass.
3. ALL you can do is your best … if you are giving your best shot at work then go home with an easy mind and forget about it!
4. Everyone around you is feeling the stress too … so do what you can for others. If everybody tried a little harder to lift the spirits of everyone around them then we would all be a little happier.

So …

DO your best at work.
Be extra nice to your family.
Be extra nice to yourself.
Remember that the economy will recover and everything will be just fine.
As the song says … Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Today Ottawa’s bus drivers decided to go on strike!

• A couple of weeks before Christmas.
• The same day as a major snow storm.
• They were offered a 7% pay raise over 3 years plus a $2,000 signing bonus.

The people of Ottawa are left to figure out how to get to work, to school, to their doctor’s appointments, to pick up their kids … the daily stuff of life.

We are exhorted to give up our cars and take public transit because it is good for the environment … and then the OC Transpo Union pull the rug out. Why are people going to buy into public transit as an answer to environmental concerns when it can be taken away at the whim of the unions.

There are literally thousands of jobs being lost across Ontario because of a WORLD-WIDE ECONOMIC CRISIS. Not to mention the jobs lost all over the world. How can this union think this is a reasonable action?

There are many people who would give their right arm for a well paid job, with good benefits, driving a bus. How can these bus drivers think this is a good thing?

This is a union that needs to be taught the facts of life … but clearly they don’t care!

Just a couple of weeks away from the holidays and for many of us our attention has shifted a little. There is a little more partying, a little more attention to those personal errands … picking up presents, catching up with friends etc.

The media continues to tell us that the economy is “tanking”, the Bank of Canada today announced that Canada is entering recession and there are plenty of companies “talking up” the possible impacts on business. Unemployment will rise significantly, many companies will go bankrupt … even some fairly healthy companies. The retail industry is reeling, automakers on the brink of disaster, oil and gas companies cutting back as the price of oil drops, the financial sector still trying to get out from under their earlier bad decisions.

So … are YOU really looking at your situation? Will your company be safe? Will your job be there?

Perhaps even more importantly, are you doing everything you can to help your company to make it through this tough time? If not, then are you ready for the impact?

My message to YOU today is that, if you believe what the “experts” are saying then you need to be doing anything you can to ensure you are OK. That means working a little harder, maybe working a little longer, be a little more “focused” when you are at work. Be the most productive that you can.

If you don’t believe the “experts” then are you willing to take a chance that the are wrong?

It is hard this time of year to “keep the pedal to the metal” but my advice is that is exactly what you need to be doing. We don’t really know that the new year will bring but “easing off” now could spell disaster if the bottom really does fall out of the economy in January! Just think of it as “insurance”!