On June 14, our entrepreneurial 14-member group embarked on a two-week trip to Spirit AeroSystems’ Malaysian facility. Our goal?  To advance Spirit’s efforts to create a unified, transglobal corporate culture. Our tool? Research using the McKinsey 7-S management model based on seven organizing factors – structure, systems, style, staff, skills, strategy and shared values.

Making New Friends
The employees of Spirit Malaysia embraced our effort – and us. They willingly answered our questions whether it was an individual interview, focus group, or job shadowing. We had access to everyone from C-level executives to cafeteria staff. Our most gracious hosts invited us out after work, even taking us to the equivalent of an American Dave and Busters.

Our strenuous 15-hour workdays and nightly reports taught me much more than any teacher, book or blackboard ever could. I left Malaysia with new skills: how to strategically approach a project, develop a consultant-like mindset, lead a group of students – and navigate in a foreign country.

Continuously keeping my mind focused on our final deliverable – a presentation to Spirit CEO Jeff Turner in August – offers insights to what life will be like after graduation. One thing I know now more than ever. The lessons will never end.

This learning thing’s a lifelong endeavor. One that will take you places you never imagined.

What’s been your most valued work-related lesson?

The Toyo captures one photograph at a time, on a 4-by-5-inch sheet of film. It takes a minimum of five minutes to get one photo. The average is probably 10 or 15 minutes. I might bring back half a dozen photos from an afternoon’s outing. By contrast, I took well over 100 shots at a recent 90-minute concert with my digital camera.

For years, debate raged among photographers over the merits of film versus digital. Film advocates grouse about the loss of craft, about textural and tonal subtleties. They assert that a person who’s known only digital understands far less about the inner workings of photography.

They’re (mostly) right. And their arguments are irrelevant.

Adapt or Perish
Professionals long ago abandoned film for all but the most specialized applications. They’ve stopped arguing about it, too – because they have better things to do. Such as taking photos that do the job for their clients. Film can’t compete in today’s marketplace. Period. Like it or not.

I’m reminded of this old dispute whenever the world changes – such as the advent of social media or the mass move to Twitter. Some folks debate the merits. Some lament the passing of the status quo.

The smart ones just keep moving forward, dealing with and adapting to the changes.

I still love toting the old Toyo, or occasionally retreating to my musty darkroom. Still (with apologies to Paul Simon) – Mama, don’t take my digital camera away. The world has changed, and so have I.

Before the wedding, taking your husband’s surname seems romantic and endearing, but after the “I do’s”, it’s just a bunch of notarized paperwork, standing in lines and training everyone you know to stop calling you by the name they’ve known you by your whole life.

Who’s Mrs. Wiley?
At work, my new email address is active and the new business cards are on the way. I’ve updated my iChat avatar to a picture of Wile E. Coyote. Wile E. Wiley. That ought to catch my coworkers’ attention.

I’m getting used to it, too. “Jen Wiley” doesn’t seem to roll off the tongue as nicely as “Jen Gore.” And signing my name has been awkward. I feel like I’m in 7th grade again, practicing my signature with my boyfriend’s last name with little hearts around it.

Retiring one’s name is difficult. A colleague and officemate who was married back in December is still feeling some pangs from changing “Shelley Straub” to “Shelley Downs.” Goodbye nice alliteration.

The stuck-in-the-middle-between-two-last-names feeling will go away. Meanwhile, I’ll keep working to get everyone onboard with the name switcharoo. And I’ll keep reminding myself why I’m doing this in the first place.

If you’ve changed your name (wedding? witness protection?) how did you handle the transition?

Linda K. Robinson at Center Gallery
Linda K. Robinson at Jones Gallery
See Linda – not just once, but twice – in two separate shows this Friday. You‘ll notice the influence of Linda’s minimalist approach in the works of many young local photographers. Attend these two great shows and you’ll understand why.
Center Gallery, 111 S. Ellis, 6-10 p.m.
Jones Gallery, 414 S. Commerce, 6–10 p.m.
Linda Robinson’s Website

Shimmering Points at Commerce Street Gallery
This is a really big group show, with contributions from more than two dozen artists, including heavy-hitters Nicholas Carvalho, Dustin Commer, Ann Resnick, Brad Ruder and Lisa Rundstrom. There seems to be no stated theme, but a street-art feel ties together many of the show’s pieces.
Commerce Street Gallery, 508 S. Commerce, 7–11 p.m.

Matthew Hilyard at City Arts
Check out some of Matthew’s wonderful abstract work in “Card Board,” which will occupy the first floor hallway gallery. This somewhat confined space can make for some delightfully small but cohesive shows.
City Arts, 334 N. Mead, 6–10 p.m.
Matthew Hilyard’s Website

Ann Krone and Ted Krone at Gallery XII
Ann and Ted Krone are the dedicated and much-loved cornerstones of the visual art program at Friends University. Ann will show her playful and surreal works as Gallery XII’s featured member artist and Ted will exhibit his dynamic sculptures as the featured consignment artist.
Gallery XII, 412 E. Douglas, 6-10 p.m.
Ted Krone’s Website
Anne Krone’s Website

Recently, my husband and I welcomed an abandoned dog into our home (in addition to our two cats). The dog — a brown and tan mini dachshund we named Pronto Pup in honor of a Kansas State Fair food favorite — had been living on the streets in a friend’s neighborhood. 

We don’t know Pronto’s story, but too often animals are dumped on the streets. Perhaps financial troubles arise or the owners face other challenges that cause pet ownership responsibility to become a lower priority. Or, a litter of puppies or kittens are cute, but after the newness wears off, there are the immunizations, sterilization and other continual care needs. When homes are not found for all the animals, they’re sometimes abandoned, left to fend for themselves. 

Lack of sterilization of these homeless animals means a tragic cycle of pet overpopulation and euthanasia. Pet overpopulation has been a huge problem nationally, and even more so here in Sedgwick County. In fact, the euthanasia rate in Sedgwick County is almost three times the national average. The numbers break your heart. 

Stopping the Problem Where It Starts
To help reduce the number of senseless animal deaths, a grassroots organization — Spay & Neuter Kansas — launched in Wichita last summer. It provides low-cost spay and neuter services. Greteman Group has had the privilege of working with the Spay & Neuter Kansas team, providing branding, marketing materials and a website.

As Spay & Neuter Kansas reflects on all the animals they’ve provided low-cost spay and neuter services for over the past year, we applaud this organization’s veterinarians, donors, volunteers and all the individuals who make it happen. Their passion is making a difference.

To donate or to find out more information about Spay & Neuter Kansas services, be sure to check out their new website. 

Do you have any stories you’d like to share about this great new organization?

More than 200 members of the aviation community nationwide came together to attend this inaugural event. In addition to an evening of networking, sharing and dancing – attendees had an added incentive: raising funds for workers furloughed by this ongoing, when-will-it-ever-end economic downturn.

Lending a Hand Up
Rather than hosting a black-tie event requiring a major investment in finery, guests were asked to put that money toward silent and live-auction items. And they did. The committee’s hopes of donating $10,000 to United Way of the Plains Laid-Off Workers Fund were more than realized. Dave Franson and I were able to present Pat Hanrahan with a check for $31,800. Thank you, everyone!

Proclaiming Our Legacy
A highlight of the evening for our agency was the chance to premiere plans for Wichita Mid-Continent Airport’s distinctive new terminal. Our team has been working closely with aircraft manufacturers, historians, architects and airport authorities to ensure the integration of aviation themes and displays. When it opens in 2012, people visiting our city will immediately know that they’ve arrived at the Air Capital of the World. We’ll finally have a front door worthy of our heritage.

Keeping Our Eyes on the Skies
Keynote speaker Tom Poberezny, chairman and CEO of the Experimental Aircraft Association, shared the excitement of EAA AirVenture, or as its thousands of enthusiasts call it: Oshkosh. And our very own Mayor Carl Brewer stirred some passions, too, with his welcome assurance to get our message heard in Washington, D.C.

The aviation industry is a vital part of U.S. and global economies. Was there ever any doubt?

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from planning an event?

Of course, we know that the vast majority of people using private aviation aren’t boarding large-cabin ultra-long-range jets but instead are flying small single- and twin-engine piston aircraft.

Have you benefited from private aviation, and if so, how?

Dustin Parker at Watermark
Dustin says he no longer cares what his audience thinks about his work and is creating abstract paintings simply because he wants to. Well, good for him, because “The Beautiful Confusion” is sure to be a great show. Dustin’s abstract paintings contain all the color, texture and excitement that he is known for – without the recognizable imagery.
Watermark Books
4701 E. Douglas
6-8 p.m.
Click here for additional details.

Brian Hinkle at Artworks
Every few years, Brian’s work takes a dramatic stylistic turn. After a year of teaching high school in western Kansas, Brian is back in town with an exhibition of Kansas landscapes. What? Barns and silos? You may be skeptical, but with Brian’s abundant brush skills – backed up by his respect for and knowledge of art history – these are likely to be the best barn paintings you’ll see on this Friday or any other.
Artworks
7724 E. Central Ave., No. 300
5:30-8:30 p.m.

XX/4 at Fisch Haus
The fourth annual XX Women’s Invitational Exhibition continues its tradition of showcasing works by five women who were invited by the artists from last year’s show. I’m looking forward to seeing new work by former Wichitan Maggy Rozycki Hiltner, who now lives in Montana.
Fisch Haus
524 S. Commerce
7-10 p.m.
Click here for details about the show.

Brad Ruder and Marc Bosworth at Tangent Lab
Oh, did I mention I’m having a show? (I promise not to do this every month.) My good friend Brad’s digital collages are outstanding. Brad knows his way around a darkroom, so his complex and beautiful compositions are informed by much more than his ability to click a mouse. I’m showing hand-made prints, collages and paintings on canvas. We’ll give an informal gallery talk at 10 p.m.
Tangent Lab
143 N. Rock Island, Third Floor
7-11 p.m.
Be sure to check out details about the show here.

Where are you headed?
So those are my picks. What shows are you excited about this weekend?

Thanks to Smith and a host of dedicated volunteers, the museum is looking spiffier by the month. The historic offices now sparkle with new paint and carpet and some expert assistance from Wichita’s Scott Rice Office Interiors. The once-elegant grand entry – witness to celebrities and the giants of aviation in the 1930s and ’40s – takes on a little more of its former glory with each new restoration effort. Outside, a Boeing B-47 built in Wichita looks more and more like the warplane that left the factory 50 years ago.

A Happening Hub
We visited earlier this week as part of our ongoing project to create a history exhibit for Wichita’s new Mid-Continent Airport terminal that does justice to the city’s long heritage as the Air Capital of the World. The museum was vibrant with activity. When we arrived, Smith was outside helping resuscitate the lawnmower. Inside, workers mounted scaffolds in the main lobby, renewing stenciled details on the high ceiling. Smith was there overseeing the operation. (Wasn’t he just outside?) Up in the museum’s unbelievable, voluminous collection of original documents and photographs, volunteers helped us find and duplicate a number of priceless photos that richly chronicle the story of aviation in Wichita.

On many days, enthusiasts pool their hundreds of years worth of experience to restore irreplaceable pieces of aviation history.

Jewel of Flight
Think of the museum like a multifaceted gem. Picture Smith and his legion of helpers diligently polishing away, one facet at a time. (Well OK, Smith might be working on four or five at any given time.)

As we say, you really should go see for yourself. If you haven’t been for awhile, you’ll be pleasantly delighted with what you discover there.

Have you visited the Kansas Aviation Museum recently? If so, what was your favorite experience?

Click here to learn more about the Kansas Aviation Museum.

Lewis Carroll’s Cheshire Cat powerfully made the point in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You will get somewhere. But having a destination in mind and a charted course give you tremendous advantages.

“Cheshire Puss,” she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a little wider.

“Come, it’s pleased so far,” thought Alice, and she went on. “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”

”That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.

“I don’t much care where—“ said Alice.

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat.

”–so long as I get SOMEWHERE,” Alice added as an explanation.

“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”