Book Recommendation: A Key Management Tool: Feedback

Here's a new tool for those of you who are focused on business management, dealing with information that I believe is absolutely vital if you're going to run a tight, effective shop: feedback.

Feedback Revolution is a "lively, focused and thoughtful examination of a part of us we could all improve." That's from a blurb I wrote for the back of the book and I can tell you it's true.

The book was written by business guru Peter McLaughlin (with ghost help from my friend Keith Ferrell, who has written nearly 20 books).

McLaughlin deals with both business and sports clients and has learned that expressed approval or disapproval of job performance can make a huge difference. It's something I've always believed strongly was vital to successful management.

Error in Paper's Web Results Could Linger

Most famous political reporting boner of them all.

I note this morning that the local daily in Roanoke correctly has Terry McAuliffe winning the Virginia governor's race, but on the same screen, it has totals for Mark Obenchain and E.W. Jackson in their races for Attorney General and Lt. Governor, but no totals for their Democratic opponents, implying the Republicans won their races. (UPDATE: The page at 7:45 a.m. was incorrect. By 10 a.m. it had been fixed. The link to the error no longer works, so I removed it.)

That, of course, is not true (as of 7:45). Ralph Northam is the new Lt. Governor and Mark Herring has the lead in the Attorney General's race by a handful of votes. A runoff will likely be necessary in the Herring-Obenchain race, but the absentee ballots have not been counted yet, so anything could happen.

The point, however, is that media--especially in November, 2013--needs to get it right on its website. My guess is--and I haven't seen the paper version of the paper--that it got everything right up until it went to press. But a huge chunk of us no longer subscribe to the hard copy and we get our news from the web. I got my election news from the state election board (here). That's where media gets its state and local results. It's up to date and it's official, whether or not it's right.

What the daily is reporting on the web are Obenchain's and Jackson's vote totals, but not the vote totals of the Democrats, leaving the impression that the Repubs won. I hesitate to throw stones in this glass house today, as one who got cut by glass the last time I did that. Still, an error like this in a race this close, carrying this much importance will resonate for a long time.

The high profile of the web--and its permanence--is undeniable and it is growing. The web is where emphasis must be placed by media wishing to survive in a climate that is dismissing publications almost daily.

Rather Not Invited to CBS' JFK Killing Anniversary Show

Dan Rather: "... not a good idea."

I see (here) where Dan Rather is not going to be part of CBS News' 50th Anniversary coverage of the shooting of JFK.

That would be like omitting Walter Cronkite from a show on the first moon landing, leaving Peter Arnett out of a discussion of the first Gulf War, or trashing Edward R. Murrow in a review of WWII in Europe or the McCarthy hearings.

CBS is pissed at Rather for suing it over ditching him (with little justification) and is being both professionally small and journalistically unethical about it. Bob Schieffer will narrate the show. He will be embarrassed.

Says Rather: "Setting my feelings aside about it, this is not a good idea to say we want to change the historical record so we're going to airbrush this guy out because we don't like him. They may want to control the way the public thinks about my record, but I'm pretty sure they have not been able to do that."

(Lawrence Young had this response on Facebook that I found interesting: "Everything that goes around comes around. Rather plotted and schemed for five years to make sure that Walter Cronkite was forced into retirement at 65 and he of course positioned himself as Cronkite's successor. 

"Once Rather was crowned as anchor and managing editor he made sure that Cronkite was frozen out at CBS. Cronkite would have been the logical choice to anchor CBS's coverage of the 50th anniversary of D Day. Rather made sure that didn't happen. Rather was a very insecure individual who became a big problem for CBS management. 

"The Sixty Minutes Air National Guard story was the beginning of the end. And then there was "What's The Frequency Kenneth?" After Rather "retired" Schieffer became interim anchor. Ratings actually went up and Shieffer's casual low key delivery of the news won him a lot of fans. 

"Schieffer has more than proven his 'Journalistic integrity' in his many years at CBS. Face The Nation is all the proof you need.")

I completely agree about Bob Schieffer.
 

For Writers Only: Here Are Some Contests for You

Hey, writers! If you have something you believe is worthwhile (poetry to fiction to non-fiction) and you want to see just how good it is, here's an outlet for you.

This is a list of quite a few writing contests you can enter, most requiring an entry fee, some having cash prizes for first place.

I know these things are important to some of you, so go to it.

(Graphic: graspingforthewind.com)

One Last Poll and It's Unanimous

(Source: Huffingtonpost)

Here's the First Book from My Photo Collection

For some time, I have intended to gather a bunch of photos taken over the last 35 or so years and put them in a book. There are good ones in my collection that have sat in dark spaces for years and needed to see the light. Now, I've* done it.

I spent two full days recently digging up bones among old photos, negatives and digital files and came up with about 120 photos for a 42-page hardback book titled DSmith photo. The technology available today for publishing, printing and photography is simply beyond what was imagined even five years ago and certainly a parallel universe to the 1970s, '80s, '90s ... This books is possible now (for a total cost to me of about $35 a copy, great for Christmas gifts) because I know something about design, photo quality and publishing. Fact is, however, that you can do a perfectly presentable book with no knowledge of any of that--save for the fact that your pictures need to be 300dpi (high resolution).

This book was put together through Shutterfly, which I like, but there are other fine printers who will do a nice job, as well. My friends Paul and Bea Clements use a Mac program to do nice books and Leah uses something else that I'm not totally familiar with.

Now's your chance. Get to it.

(*Actually, I did everything but take the cover photo of me. Leah did that. Thanks, Leah.)

Here's what 'DSmith photos' looks like inside (above and below).

The 'Skins Need To Get the Hat Right

The Washington Redskins are wearing an updated version of a uniform that is basically 80 years old in today's game against San Diego.

They are not wearing the leather-looking helmet today that they wore with last year's throwback version. That would have been more appropriate, but instead, they're wearing the burgundy hat with the current logo on it.

I would like to propose the shirt and pants as a permanent uni with this helmet, from 1961, as the new headgear.

I love the colors, especially the faux khaki pants. The helmet has a feather running along the top and if the 'Skins keep their nickname or even change it to something a little more palatable (the Red Clouds, after the famous chief), the hat would be great.

This would constitute the best looking uniform in sports (something the 'Skins had in 1961).

Tough Day of Trying On Clothes at GWLtd.

Here's Madeline at Goodwill Industries playing "model backstage," one of her favorite games. She rushes through the clothing aisles, grabbing pretty dresses and shoes--regardless of size--and hits the try-on booths. Mads loves accessories, as well, and her posing is ... well ... you decide.

Coming to an Understanding with Maddie

Maddie walks a log.

I was sitting across the table from favorite grandgirl Madeline yesterday at lunch in the Roanoke City Market Building and mentioned that Leah and I were going hiking in a bit. "Can I go, Pampa," she asked, excited.

I had to think about it. The last three times I took her on exercise outings (a walk, bike ride and kayak trip), she gave out very early in the process and pretty much complained until I finally had to take her home.

I'm not patient with fussy children (or fussy adults, for that matter) and I didn't behave well with my disappointment. This little girl (she's 8) is such a delight when she is comfortable and happy, but she can be a trial when she's not.

So, we made a pinky promise: she wouldn't complain; she would finish the hike; we would take frequent breaks for water (her requirement). She kept her promise all the way up and all the way back, stopping frequently to walk the length of fallen tree trunks, asking questions constantly, skipping (I don't know what it is that makes little girls skip, but it's affecting) and making dried leaf noises.

When we got home, after dropping her off, I emptied the little red bag I'd given her to carry her water bottle. Leaves, tiny flowers, rocks, twigs, leaf beans and all manner of woods tumbled out. I laughed out loud.

Madeline was an absolute delight, proving yet again that the problem with her behavior often has more to do with me and the way I respond than with her.

Maddie and I walk on the windy crest of the ridge.

Photo of the Day: Oz Learns a New Skill

So Maddie is pushing Oz in his buggy on the way to City Market Building today for lunch and Oz gets tired of riding. He wants to help push. They get inside and he takes over. Oz loves this buggy thingy as almost every child at 2 has and he's tearing around inside the Market Building, running into people, into tables, knocking over plants, laughing out loud and screaming when his mother takes away the buggy and sits him in timeout.

He was actually getting pretty good at driving before the constabulary busted him. My guess is that he's not finished.

Photo Essay: Climbing the Ridge on a Gorgeous Day

Maddie and Leah on top of the ridge overlooking Carvins Cove.

The reds and yellows were beautiful.

I don't know what these are, but they're lovely.

Maddie finds a comfy log.

Posing in front of the rocks at the top of the hike.

Leah looking pretty.

Mads loves the rocks.

Maddie and Pampa walking along the ridge.

The view of Carvins Cove is breathtaking.

Looking back toward Roanoke from the return trip.

Maddie finds a comfy log.

The wind and the color on top were both brisk.

Maddie, Leah and I took advantage of one of those lovely Indian Summer days to climb the ridge on the mountain overlooking Carvins Cove. Maddie had to promise--pinky promise--that she'd do the whole hike and she came through like a champ.

Here's what some of it looked like.

It's Time To Give Thought to Roanoke River Development

The parking lot in question is the dark green square in the center of the drawing.

Now that we have determined that Lucas Thornton is not going to plow up the ballfields at Wasena Park in order to build condos (see previous post), the question is, "What kind of river development is appropriate in this section of Roanoke?"

My thought is that Thornton's preliminary plan is not a good one, though on the surface it sounds just fine if you're a young professional looking for an attractive apartment. The plan would take the main parking lot adjacent to the ballfields for multi-family cottages, preserving some of the space for green. It would be a nice idea somewhere else, but this park is needed as-is and it certainly doesn't need less parking. The neighbors would agree with that.

A better idea, presented by former Roanoke vice mayor Bill Carder on my Facebook page, is to develop some of the former Victory Stadium property, which is in the middle of a lot of change near the Carilion complex and the new Bern Ewert development. Former councilman Alfred Dowe made the self-same proposal a few years ago. He would have combined a commercial and residential complex along the river and had green behind it. You could even throw in a kayak/canoe/bike livery.

This is the area being discussed for development.

Lucas Thornton has an excellent record of ethical renovation and the Wasena project is only in the "thinking about it" stage. This younger crowd of developers and emerging leaders has its own idea of what is best for our Valley, some of it differing significantly from the preservationist mode I prefer. 

I don't think they are greedy and I know they are not without integrity. Their mentors are Ed Walker and John Garland, among others, and that says a lot good about them. 

Rivers running through cities are prime spots for careful and thoughtful development and the Roanoke River is no different. 

I believe it would be of considerable significance to make the entire length of the river through the Roanoke Valley navigable before it can reach its full potential and that would be quite expensive, requiring the rebuilding of at least one bridge and several other barriers that clog the river. 

This river has been abused and misused for almost the entire time people have been settled here and it's neigh time that stopped. If it were navigable, you'd see a very different river and attractive growth along its course.

My guess is that any plan for the Wasena plots will come up short either at the Planning Commission or City Council stages and that there may even be caveats in the original Fishburn gift to the city preventing this development. Lucas Thornton should not give up on his idea of river development, though. He just needs to think it through and find a better spot.

Photo Essay: Fall in the City (Roanoke)

Bridge to Thomas Park decked out in its fall finery.

Roanoke River fisherman casts (he caught a trout with this cast).

Tree trunks frame fall color in Smith Park.

Roanoke River meanders through Smith/Wasena Parks.

One of the true joys of living in Roanoke, Virginia, US of A, is that you don't have to leave the city to find the country. Here are photos of a system of parks in the very center of the city. I walked there this a.m. and bring you this lively fall break.

A Plan To Build Housing in Wasena Park?

(Update: Since we posed this question early this afternoon, both WEBJ7 and the local daily have put reporters on the story. They report that Developer Lucas Thornton is in the very early stages of looking at the area for possible housing development. WDBJ says, "Thornton envisions [possibly] putting [up] bungalow-like urban living space in that area. But, as a Roanoke native, he says his plans don't involve changing the natural landscape. "We are interested in the parking lot that adjoins those two blocks but in no way the park. We have no desire do to anything that would negatively or detrimentally impact the Wasena Park. We think it's a huge amenity in the neighborhood and the city." The photo above adjoins the parking lot to the right.)

I was stopped in Wasena Park a little while ago by a woman I have known for some time. She lives at the edge of the park, fronting it, and she had an urgent look on her face when she approached me. She handed me a flyer that said "SAVE WASENA PARK from Developer Lucas L. Thornton of Hist-Ree Partners LLC."

Seems she went to a community meeting earlier this week where she says Thornton, a young developer with an impeccable reputation (often compared to Ed Walker), spoke of his desire to put up rental housing on the lots behind softball fields near Wasena Bridge. That is across the street from my pal's house and she's pretty upset.

I have not been able to get any details on this and I invite anybody who knows more than I do to share what they know. If the intent is to put up multi-story, multi-family housing in a busy public park that has a greenway and a river running through it, then I'd love to hear the justification. If this is baseless or has a good explanation, I'd like to hear that, too.

Walker has actually renovated the Ice House, an old warehouse very near this park, but that building was vacant and it does not abut the park. It is across the river and is completely non-intrusive. Housing the ballfields would eliminate the fields and present all kinds of other problems for those wanting to enjoy the park.

As it stands, we know a little about the real intent here and that's a dangerous situation. The flyer concluded: "Our park is not for sale." Let's see if it is.

Oz Does Halloween for the First Time

This is my buddy Oz, who is 2, enjoying the first Halloween he's been aware of. One of his favorite book characters is Thomas the Train and here he's the engineer. This little dude has become so funny and so much fun that I can't wait to be around him (he was a slug for a long time, as most babies are). Nice to have a little buddy (Maddie's growing up fast), especially one who can't stop talking, regardless of the fact that he's inventing his language as he goes. He's in the back of my truck here. It's one of his favorite spots on earth.

For Jennie: Happy Birthday, Gorgeous

Happy birthday to my favorite daughter, Jenniffer*. It's been a difficult few weeks for this courageous woman who recently had to tell a sexist pig to take his job and shove it, but she landed solidly (after hearing "you're overqualified" too many times) with Eaton Aeuronautics, a fine company. I'm proud of her.

Above is a photo I took of her at about 16. She still looks like that 30 years later. She looks like her mama, one of the prettiest human beings god ever put on earth. But she has her dad's stubborn bullheadedness and the wonderful compassion my mother gave her.

(*Yes, it's misspelled. I've never been much good at spelling. It's that way on her birth certificate.)

My best girl and me.

Pampa and the Pampettes: Scaring Hell Out of Everybody

Pampa and the Pampettes on a Halloween stroll.

Oz still in his civilian clothes (wearing the family crest on his shirt).

Kara prepares Maddie for the ball at Monster High.

Maddie checks her Skelita Calaveras makeup (that's the character).

Skelita all made up and ready to scare hell out of you.

Skelita full length.

Mr. Woopie Cushion, Casey Jones and their pumpkin buddies.

Kara and Maddie pose while Evan hands out the candy.

Evan with the unruly Pampettes.

Here's Halloween at the Smith ranch in Old Southwest.

It was a doozie of a Halloween last night at my son's house where Kara worked her Hollywood-level makeup magic to create Skelita of Monster High and little Oz got into full choo-choo costume.

Kara, my daughter-in-law, is magic with makeup and Madeline is a natural for the stage. Oz, who seems to be in one kind of costume or another almost all the time, swapped his everyday Superman (I've explained that the "S" logo is our family crest, but I don't think he gets it yet) cape for an engineer's cap and stripes.

Pampa came as a Whoopie Cushion and the kids kept punching my belly to hear me make that funny noise. Here are some photos from last night. I love Halloween.