Houston, We Have a Problem.

The Campaign for Real Virtual Learning

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Tue, 01 Oct 2019 13:01:00 +0000

Years ago Dove funded a research effort to uncover "The Real Truth About Beauty." According to their site, their "global research highlighted a universal issue: that beauty-related pressure increases whilst body confidence decreases as girls and women grow older -- stopping young girls from seeing their real beauty."

Some of their key findings:

* Only 4% of women around the world consider themselves beautiful

* Only 11% of girls globally are comfortable describing themselves as "beautiful"

* 72% of girls feel tremendous pressure to be beautiful

* 80% of women agree that every woman has something about her that is beautiful but do not see their own beauty

From this research was birthed a marketing effort: The Campaign for Real Beauty. In this campaign, Dove began to redefine "beautiful" and highlight the beauty found in each woman. A goal was to pull away from the typical, the standard of beauty our society has established, and to reimagine a new model of beauty.

The parallels between this campaign and virtual learning are striking to me. We have a current model that cannot live up to its promise nor can anyone live up to the promises it wants to make.

It is time, not to merely find another model that is younger or has a certain look about her. No, it is time for virtual learning to reflect the beauty it has to offer in a real, authentic fashion. It must build to serve the audience it can best serve. It must redefine "learning" and break completely from the current way of seeing things.

The "Campaign for Real Virtual Learning" must exist because the individuals who are influenced the most by this effort are the same ones we all say we want to serve: KIDS.

If Dove can do it for beauty (see images in Target and other stores that reflect this new definition) then it can also be done for virtual learning.

houston@figment-consulting.com

The Ride of a Lifetime: Relentless Curiosity

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 14:08:00 +0000

Yesterday I received my signed copy of Robert Iger's book, "The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of The Walt Disney Company."

I am reading it, studying it really, because I believe I can learn something from it that will propel me forward in life.

The more I learn the more I believe I grow.

In this book, Iger describes his "relentless curiosity" as the catalyst for his personal success and for the success that Disney has seen, and continues to see, under his watch.

Imagine an educational system that worked to instill relentless curiosity rather than higher scores on knowledge-accumulation tests.

Oh well. One can imagine.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 13:26:00 +0000

All three are exactly alike really. They are merely different modes of transportation, designed to take people and/or products from one place to another -- from Point A to Point B.

Yet, they each have a niche and those who serve their niche well thrive.

Done properly they can complement each other and the overall economy is the better for it.

The same is true in education. Virtual, blended and traditional. Public, private and charter. Choose any three you like. Alternative, home-based, homeschool. The words are interchangeable. Each is merely a different mode of educating the young. Each has a niche to serve.

Those who understand their niche, cater to it, design for it, market to it, and serve it properly will thrive. Imagine though if each mode of education complemented each other rather than competed against one another.

What would learning look like then?

houston@figment-consulting.com

Start with a better question

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 15:49:00 +0000

If you want a good answer then start with a better question.

We ask students, "What do you want to do for a living?"

The result? Life today as we know it.

What if we began asking students, "What kind of lifestyle do you want to lead?"

I wonder where their imaginations would take them? I wonder how they might see things differently? I wonder what life would look like?

houston@figment-consulting.com

Failure is not tolerated

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 13:42:00 +0000

Middle schoolers in this public school must write a two-page paper on why they failed and what they intend to do about it each time they receive a D or F on a test or project. Then, they must get their parents to sign it along with the teacher, and even the principal if it is a recurring problem.

Why? Because at this school "failure is not tolerated."

The result is that the students get to redo the project or retake the test and the scores are averaged together. Who wins? Sounds like the school does to me.

What exactly does this teach the students? Does it teach them the difference between failing and failure? Does it teach them that failing is part of the success process? Does it teach them that failing can actually lead to success?

Or, does it teach them to fear the prospect of failure? And, when we are afraid to fail, we become afraid to try. And, when we are afraid to try, mediocrity sets in, ambivalence takes over, and apathy becomes our driver.

Edison might have given up if he had to write a two-page paper each time he failed. Steve Jobs may never have pushed through with the Mac II when the original Mac sales were disappointing. Walt Disney would have never found Mickey. And, none of us would be standing right now, let alone walking (because as a baby we become intimately acquainted with failure as we learn to stand and walk).

We tend to think the problem with education is found in grammar, math, and history. I wonder if it is found in the way we treat those we say we care about the most.

houston@figment-consulting.com

A Zig and a Fig

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 13:17:00 +0000

"You cannot perform in a manner inconsistent with the way you see yourself." Zig Ziglar

Our behavior is inspired by our beliefs. These beliefs are not in what we can have in life but in what we are worthy to receive and hold onto. Our belief in ourselves guides our behavior, produces the results we see in our lives, and either lifts us higher or restrains us from what we might become.

Perhaps if we spent more time in school working to elevate the confidence each student has in themselves, the other results might just manifest too.

A "C" student becomes an "A" student when they first believe they are an "A" student. Sometimes though, they must make a temporary stop at "B" just to make sure.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Customer service in schools? Don't let data guide you.

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 21:18:00 +0000

Customer service is not a program. It is not an initiative. It is not the technology you use. It is not something you do.

And please, whatever you do, don't let data lead the way. For many years the number one question asked by guests at the Magic Kingdom, according to data, was, "What time does the 3 o'clock parade start?"

Imagine if Walt Disney World had spent an inordinate amount of time seeking ways to ensure the guests understood that the 3 o'clock parade began at 3 o'clock. It would not have minimized the question and Disney would have been dumbfounded because the data told them this was the problem. (See point 3 below for the answer)

Too many schools work from the outside-in. They launch initiatives to offset parent problems or an influx of calls. They purchase new technology in order to make it easier for parents to connect with the schools. And, they gather data that tells them how many parents are complaining about X, Y, or Z so they can then work to alleviate X, Y, or Z.

Over time the band-aid approach of initiatives fails and schools are left to wonder why. So, they move on to purchase new technology or reassess the data and the pattern begins again.

Where are they going wrong?

1. Amy Cuddy, a Harvard Psychologist, and TED speaker, says that "how you say something is more important than what you say."

Walt Disney World understands that customer service (guest experience) must be a culture -- not a program nor an initiative. And, technology must serve the guest experience culture and bring value to it. And, data? Well, data is used properly to help Walt Disney World identify pain points and delight opportunities. You see, customer service is not an effort to overcome a bad experience. It is also an opportunity to build experiences that continually delight the customer and build loyalty.

More importantly, Walt Disney World understands that how you say something carries more weight than what you say. But, when HOW and WHAT merge together seamlessly and both are done properly, delight is the result.

2. If schools truly want to serve their students then they must move beyond the idea of initiatives and programs. They must place technology and data where they belong. They must, I repeat, must move toward a culture of service that permeates the school.

My oldest son started his college experience in a class designed to assist new students with the college experience and, hopefully, lead to better retention of students. His professor, on the first day of class, spent much of the time sharing how much he cared about them and wanted them to succeed. "I am here for you this semester to make sure you have a great experience," is what he told them. One week later he was gone, replaced by a new professor who repeated the same content. Why? Because it was an initiative of the university and for those who led it, they had their script to follow but their heart was not in it.

Another professor of his that same semester went about her duties of teaching and guiding the students, answering their questions, encouraging them, and working to inspire them. When she would see my son on campus, she would walk over and ask him how he was doing and how his other classes were going. She didn't need to tell him how much she cared but when she said it, he knew she meant it. For her, it was not a program nor a script. It is who she is, not what she does.

Three years later when she sees him she still inquires about his well-being.

3. Back to the 3 o'clock parade. Disney understood that the real question being asked was somewhere below the surface. The data did not guide them, rather it assisted them because they kept it where it needed to stay -- in a support role. Once they uncovered the real question being asked, they then built it into their culture of how to answer it (how you say something). (If you want to know what they did, shoot me an email - houston@figment-consulting.com)

When a student says something improper in a school that has a customer-service culture, they understand the real issue might lie below the surface. And, they are trained to look for it, be open to it, and how to probe for it.

It has a completely different feel to it.

Start with these three tenets and you can begin to build a customer service culture in your school -- one that will last and one that will radically improve the relationships you desire with your students and parents.

houston@figment-consulting.com

A blank sheet of paper . . .

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Mon, 16 Sep 2019 13:57:00 +0000

In 1974 Marty Sklar had just been promoted to creative leader of Walt Disney Imagineering -- the creative force behind the theme parks and other guest experiences. At the time Walt Disney World in Florida had just opened and EPCOT Center was on its way (Disneyland in California was in operation). Over his tenure as the leader, it grew to eleven theme parks across the globe on three continents.

Back to 1974 though. In one of his first meetings, Sklar set out a black piece of paper in front of the Imagineers who had gathered for the launch.

"There are two ways to look at a blank sheet of paper," Sklar told the creative team. "It can be the most frightening thing in the world because you have to make the first mark on it. Or it can be the greatest opportunity in the world because you get to make the first mark -- you can let your imagination fly in any direction, and create whole new worlds!"

If a blank sheet of paper were placed in front of you, how would you see it? Answering that question can make all the difference in the world as to what you may or may not create moving forward.

The virtual school model is broken . . .

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 20:58:00 +0000

Rogers Morton, the campaign manager for the presidential candidate, Gerald Ford, had lost 5 of the last 6 primaries when he uttered the phrase, as reported by Washington Post, "I'm not going to rearrange the furniture on the Titanic."

Morton uttered this phrase as he took over leading the campaign just a month prior. He knew, that in order for Ford to win, he could not continue to do what had been done. It wasn't working. It could not be tweaked. It could not be adapted. It had to be fundamentally changed.

Unfortunately for Ford, the changes made were too late and Jimmy Carter was elected President of the United States later that year.

My hope, as I utter the same "Titanic phrase" as it relates to the current virtual school model, is that it is not too late for virtual learning. It already is for the current model and that is fine. However, there is hope, I believe, for virtual learning -- a new model, "a new hope" as Star Wars might say.

Mr. Morton was correct though. We cannot merely rearrange the deck chairs, nor play music while the virtual school Titanic we are sailing on is sinking. The iceberg has already been struck so merely altering course will not do. The current model is already taking on water and there is an undeniable tilt to the ship.

What we must do is to rethink the virtual learning ship altogether. We need to throw away the old blueprints and rebuild with a new idea in mind.

After the Titanic struck the iceberg it took only 2 hours and 40 minutes for the mighty luxury liner to sink below the Atlantic surface. How long will it take the current virtual model to sink now that the iceberg has been struck?

That is why the time is now to reimagine virtual learning. The ocean still beckons for those willing to sail it.

#virtualschools #virtuallearning #elearning #blendedlearning #K12 #education #EpicCharterSchools #A3Education #GeorgiaCyberSchool #OhioVirtual #ConnectionsAcademy

And, as I was saying . . .

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 18:18:00 +0000

In late 2016 I penned what I called "My Last Blog Post" and I thought I meant it. However, here we are three years later and I find myself writing again.

In some ways so much has changed in the three years. In other ways, very little has changed. Since I last wrote the virtual school model has continued to deteriorate.

California sued K12
ECOT (Ohio) was shut down
A3 (California) leaders are under investigation for crimes
Epic (Oklahoma) leaders are under investigation for embezzlement
Georgia Cyber and K12 are in litigation

What hasn't changed much? Virtual schools continue to struggle with academic progress, retention, and in-year withdrawals.

Search "North Carolina virtual schools" and you will see what I mean. Then, search "Georgia online schools" and you will see it again. Oh, wait, search "California virtual schools" and you will see it once more.

So, over the past year, I have taken my effort to the state level. By working with states, I intend to reimagine virtual learning, create new models of virtual schools, and serve the kids the way they deserve to be served.

All I needed was "one little spark of inspiration."

#virtualschools #K12 #GeorgiaCyber #NorthCarolinaVirtual #A3 #EpicCharterSchools #elearning #Tennessee #Ohio

My last blog post

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 21:18:00 +0000

Over three years ago I launched Figment Consulting with the plan to right the virtual school ship. Since then I have had some wonderful opportunities to work with some school leaders who are truly working to build virtual schools that work -- for families.

It renewed my hope in what virtual could be, and should be.

However, over the past three years, I have also had the opportunity to expand the role of Figment and branch out beyond the confines of education. In doing so it allowed me, and us at Figment, to play in fields that produce inspiring work.

Most recently we helped launch former American Idol Terrian's music career with her debut single, 'I Am Free.' And, we continue to work with her, guiding her as she moves into her next stages beyond the launch.

Also, we have had the pleasure of working with Disney Master Artist, and celebrity artist, Kevin-John. He is an amazing talent and a wonderful personality. Currently, we are working to expand his brand in new and exciting ways that could propel him far down the path of celebrity over the next few years.

We have also had the pleasure of one-off efforts with some unique talent in a variety of fields, fields that lend themselves to producing good (not just good work, but good overall). To say it has been fun would be an understatement.

But, what to do with my passion for virtual schooling? What should I do with my desire to help schools build virtual schools that serve families -- I still recall the tens of thousands of families I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with over the years. And recently I have been able to present my message from Pennsylvania to British Columbia.

However, I thought about leaving it all behind, and I was close to doing just that. In the end, though, after months of contemplating, soul-searching, and planning, I have decided to let Figment continue to evolve down the path it is headed -- talent management, marketing consulting, sales training, SEO, design, and simply producing great, fun work. In other words, putting good in the world.

With that decision, I then turned my attention to continuing the effort to help virtual schools. In essence, I am splitting the two, separating them. Moving forward Figment will concentrate on marketing, sales, and talent management, with me continuing to lead the charge.

I will also be launching a new endeavor that will allow me to continue working to expand the message of what virtual schools need to succeed. It will continue to be based on my Virtual School Manifesto: Nine Essential Ingredients.

It will allow me to produce material, further conduct seminars, training, and speaking engagements focused on virtual schooling, but it will be separate from Figment. Soon I will launch it under my own name, Houston Tucker.

So, while this is my last blog post at Figment, I am not leaving (Figment will be taking over this blog). I care too much about the work we are doing at Figment to let it go. However, I also care about helping virtual schools serve families the way they deserve to be served.

Thank you, readers. Over the years it has grown from my family reading my blog posts (mostly because I asked them to) to hundreds and thousands reading it daily.

Stay tuned. More to come from Figment and me.

houston@figment-consulting.com

One Little Spark: One customer's response makes all the difference to one mom

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 20:08:00 +0000

So much of what we read these days is negative, with a capital NEGATIVE. Add in a presidential race and the negativity seems to escalate.

In hopes of offering something different, I wanted to share this with you. It is a story from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from Aisha Sultan.

In this story, you will see how one customer's response made all the difference in the world to a mom with a high-functioning autistic child. It gives us all something to think about and my hope is it encourages each of us to proactively look for ways to bring a little spark of encouragement to someone this weekend.

houston@figment-consulting.com

92% benefit academically, according to K12

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 19:00:00 +0000

The press releases sent out by K12 look impressive: 92% of parents in Utah Virtual Academies agree they benefited academically

It is even conducted by Edge Research, so it must be impressive. I mean, 92% is an overwhelming percentage in agreement. And, we all want kids to 'benefit academically.'

Take a closer look at the survey and the results begin to unravel. Let's look at the details:

1. 92% is actually based on the number of parents who responded to the survey, and not an overall percentage of families. That means the survey was conducted as a response survey. This typically means you will receive biased results because it is not representative of the overall population but rather dependent upon the response of the participants of their own volition.

2. According to the survey, to achieve a 100% response rate, the UTVA survey should have received 1,510 responses -- that is how many parents there are in the UTVA database of families.

3. How many responded? 1,000? 800? 500? -- actually, only 142 parents responded -- that equates to a 9% response rate. You read that correctly, only 9% of the potential population base responded.

4. A more accurate assessment would be 92% of the 9% of parents who responded agreed their children benefited academically from the curriculum (130 of the 142). 91% of parents in UTVA did not respond to the survey.

5. This means the headline of the press release is, at best, inaccurate. At worst, well, I will leave that one alone.

What does this mean overall? K12 is working hard to write a story, and they hope you only read the headlines.

It's time to stop blurring the truth. It's time to spend less time on press releases, and more time on crafting a story worth writing that leads to one worth sharing.

houston@figment-consulting.com

I Am Free

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 01:51:00 +0000

'I Am Free' is the debut song of former American Idol contestant Terrian Bass. It is a beautiful song from a wonderful young lady whose story is an inspiring one.

We here at Figment were proud to be part of Team Terrian and the launch of her musical career. And while the story we have to share with her continues, the beginning of the journey was a huge success.

We invite you to visit her re-imagined website www.terrianbass.com, download her debut song for free, and become a part of her story.

Figment handled:

* Website re-imagining
* Marketing strategy and development
* Public relations
* Lyric video development
* Social media strategy
* Overall messaging strategy

At the end of the day though, her success is due to the beauty of her song, and the message it holds.

Thanks Terrian for allowing us to play a small role.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Walk the thought

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 21:50:00 +0000

I know, it is supposed to be walk the talk.

But, we can deceive ourselves and others by saying one thing -- something that sounds so wonderful -- yet not actually doing it.

However, when it comes to walking the thought, well that is absolutely what we do each day, whether we believe it or not, like it or not.

Whatever we believe about ourselves manifests before us. Whatever stories we tell ourselves show themselves in our lives. Whatever thoughts dominate our minds display themselves in our daily walk.

If you desire to change your walk, don't start with your talk. Instead, begin with your thoughts.

houston@figment-consulting.com

How much is a piece of tape worth?

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 21:17:00 +0000

If you stop at Target, you can pick up a roll of Duct Tape for around $6-$8 plus tax.

Measure about a 6 inch length and cut it off.

Then, tape it across your mouth, and it becomes priceless.

Can you see the ordinary in extraordinary ways? If you do, you have the potential of creating something magical.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Figment Consulting looks for the extraordinary in the ordinary, bringing out fresh ideas that stick.

Can we stop putting the student in the center of it all?

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 12:54:00 +0000

After 16 years of "putting the student in the middle," "surrounding the student with excellent resources," and "making the student our number one priority," the results have demonstrated that virtual schools got it wrong.

So, let's remove the student from the center of the virtual learning universe. Let's quit surrounding the student with the latest technology and academic fads expecting them to latch onto it and thrive. And, by all means, cut the word "individualized" out of the virtual school vocabulary.

How much more data do you need before you understand the current model simply won't work.

"It works for some," will be the retort. Then, serve the some and not the many.

Better yet, radically alter the model. Redefine the possibilities. Start from scratch and build with completely different blueprints.

Where to start?

Start by placing the teacher and student relationship at the middle. Let it be your foundation to build on.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Figment Consulting offers sales & marketing training, executive coaching, and consulting services that offer our clients effective ways of increasing revenue and decreasing costs.

The Art of Spin by K12

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:37:00 +0000

Is it $168.5 million or $2.5 million?

On Friday, July 8, 2016, the Attorney General of California issued a press release announcing a $168.5 million settlement with K12.

On the same day, K12 issued a press release announcing a $2.5 million settlement with the State of California Attorney General's office.

Two days ago (after seeing the news report, not the press releases) I penned a blog about the settlement and mentioned we will need to see how K12 spins it.

After reading their release, my head is still spinning. Now, I personally know the K12 PR head and the Government Affairs team -- they are good people, and I really feel for them. However, this is one of the best spin attempts I have seen, and I spend my time with words (marketing and sales training). I will only touch on a few points below.

K12 classified it as a $2.5-million settlement, and a $6.0 million donation to the Attorney General's office to cover the costs of the investigation. They also adamantly stated that the "settlement with the state includes no finding or admission of liability or wrongdoing by K12 or by the public, non-profit California Virtual Academies (CAVA) managed under contracts by K12."

California Attorney General Kamala Harris, in her own words, seems to see it differently from her press release, "K12 and its schools mislead parents and the State of California by claiming taxpayer dollars for questionable student attendance, misstating student success and parent satisfaction, and loading nonprofit charities with debt."

The next point comes from the first statement by K12 CEO Stuart Udell. (Nate Davis seems to have disappeared on this one). Anyway, back to Stuart's quote.

"The Attorney General's claim of $168.5 million in today's announcement is flat wrong. Despite our full cooperation throughout the process, the Office of the Attorney General grossly mischaracterized the value of the settlement just as it did to the issues it investigated. There is no "debt relief" to the CAVA schools. The balance budget credits essentially act as subsidies to protect CAVA schools, its students, and teachers against financial uncertainties. CAVA schools have not paid that money to K12 and K12 never expected to receive it given California's funding environment."

What I find most interesting here is the CEO's first comments attack the dollar amount and then the characterization of the debt relief, instead saying it should have been classified as subsidies.

K12 investors -- were you listening? (They are because the stock is up almost 2% today)

Let's forget that what the Attorney General said about misleading parents, misstating student success and parent satisfaction, and questionable student attendance. No, we want to make crystal clear it is not "debt relief."

The other point I want to draw attention to is Udell's last quote in the K12 release.

"Opponents of K12 and skeptics of public online education have spent years making wild, attention-grabbing charges against us and our business," said Udell. "The State of California used the full authority and investigative resources of the Office of the Attorney General to investigate these charges over eight months. In the end, we demonstrated industry leading levels of service and compliance with regulations and benefits to families. There is a reason families keep coming to our programs and its because we are committed to deliver valuable educational services within the laws and rules of every state."

I actually think he believes that statement too.

By the way, CAVA schools collectively had a graduation rate of 36% as compared to the state average of 78%. Facts are neither opponents or skeptics.

Now, I won't pick apart the use of the words "wild" and "attention-grabbing" in order to characterize any comments made by people pointing out flaws with K12 and their schools. I won't even point out the fact that the charter school association in California agreed with the Attorney General in this settlement (and last I checked they were not opponents or skeptics).

What I will point out though is the weakness behind this ending statement. Any communication expert knows you open big and end big. You open strong and end strong. You open memorable and end memorable.

And yet, this is the best they have -- ". . . we demonstrated industry leading levels of service and compliance with regulations and benefits to families. There is a reason families keep coming to our programs and its because we are committed to deliver valuable educational services within the laws and rules of every state."

Industry leading -- if the ship is sinking does it matter how beautiful the deck chairs look?

Parents keep coming to our programs -- Oh, and lest I forget to remind you where the focus seems to be. K12 held an investor conference call today to discuss the settlement.

Where is the parent conference call?

houston@figment-consulting.com

California settles with K12 over CAVA

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Sun, 10 Jul 2016 03:00:00 +0000

False advertising. Misleading parents. Inadequate instruction.

That was the case laid out against K12 by the California attorney general's office. Today, the LA Times shared that the state had reached a settlement agreement with K12.

As part of the agreement, K12 admitted to no wrongdoing but did agree to "abide by state law" moving forward -- that is an interesting paradox in my mind, but it is what it is.

In addition, K12 paid $8.5 million to settle existing claims, and agreed to not be reimbursed by the CAVA schools by offering a "debt relief" of $160 million. Again, that is a steep amount to pay overall for doing nothing wrong.

http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-edu-state-settles-with-cava-online-charter--20160708-snap-story.html

Let's see how this one will be spun by K12.

Not sure the normal response offered by K12 will work with this one.

It's sad.

houston@figment-consulting.com

The thing about thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Fri, 08 Jul 2016 12:48:00 +0000

Are you afraid of being wrong?

Is it ever your fault, or can you find other reasons?

Can you take on a viewpoint different than your own, even if only for a little while?

Can you see the other side's point of view? Have you ever tried to understand it?

Do you ever second guess your decisions?

Are decisions difficult to make for you? Easier to let someone else make them?

Have you ever thought that making no decision is really a decision?

Are you waiting for things to get better before you do?

How easy is it for you to quit?

What does "playing it safe" mean to you?

What are the stories you tell yourself to help you make it through the day?

You see, the thing about thoughts is that they impact us far greater than we realize. The real value in this exercise is not to analyze the answers you provided to the questions, but rather to analyze the feelings and emotions that were stirred by reading the questions.

If your feelings contradicted your answers, well, that is the realm where thoughts truly are things. And that is where the real change must occur.

houston@figment-consulting.com

What #AmericasGotTalent is really about

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 04:12:00 +0000

It's not about talent.

It's not about the judges.

It's not about the Dunkin Donut product placement.

It's not about Nick Cannon.

America's Got Talent is about something deeper, more meaningful, and even inspiring.

With each contestant story you hear it repeated over and over -- whether they are age 11, or age 90, whether they are individuals or teams.

It was epitomized in tonight's episode by Daniel Joyner, a contestant from Alamo, Tennessee.

In his interview he shared that even now at age 17, he is at a decision point in his life:

Should I follow the practical route -- go to college, get a job, and make a career?

Or, should I follow my dream? Should I pursue what gets me excited?

It was also epitomized by 90-year old Dorothy Williams who gave up on her dream at age 23, and got a job in a supermarket. Yet, her dream continued to pursue her. And tonight, she became the star she always wanted to be.

Calysta Bevier reminded us too a few weeks ago what #AGT is really all about -- it is about a life-changing event that caused her to realize how short life really is, and how important it is to pursue one's dream.

You see, America's Got Talent is about one thing: people pursuing their dreams.

It's funny. We all agree life is too short. We all agree one should pursue one's dream. Yet, so many of us stop there.

What we forget though is until we pursue our dream, it will continue to pursue us.

houston@figment-consulting.com

How to increase sales

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 01:25:00 +0000

Tell me what you want, and I can show you how to get it.

Last week I spent two days with two different clients helping them understand how to get more of what they want -- increased sales.

Both four-hour training sessions with each client delved into areas unfamiliar to them, yet guaranteed to help them increase their sales -- increasing more conversions to lead to more revenue. The tools I provided them are the same ones I used over the years to close 70%, 80%, and even 90% of sales.

You see, most people are looking in the wrong direction in order to increase sales. They want the right words to say, the newest "closing" techniques, or the latest tricks. Yet, any increase in sales related to those are temporary at best, and unsustainable.

In order to increase sales -- sustainable, long-term increase that can occur immediately -- companies have to look in a different direction.

If you want that kind of increase, you have to ask the right questions, and be laser-focused on the right target to facilitate the kind of change that can lead to true sales increases.

Shoot me an email if you are interested in the same training. I have a few openings in July but expect them to go fast.

houston@figment-consulting.com

K12 responds to the report from the charter school advocacy group

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 03:29:00 +0000

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools recently released a report that calls for stronger oversight of virtual charter schools. Albeit a little weird that the charter school alliance would call out a segment of its own, it is quite telling as to what is going on.

The Alliance's main points are:

* Rethink the ways in which virtual charter schools are governed

* Move quickly to close virtual charter schools that perform poorly

* Remove virtual charter schools from the charter designation

K12, the leader in virtual schools, issued a response to the report. (I imagine Connections will also respond soon)

Their main points are:

* The report issued was not collaborative because virtual charter schools were not consulted

* The report relied on analysis of old data and did not account for recent data

* Most troubling was the report's call for "criteria for admission" essentially removing the ability for the parents to decide on enrollment

* The recommendations from the report to improve virtual charter schools should be applied to all charter schools

We have now entered a very strange season where the charter school movement is trying to distance itself from one of its subsets -- virtual charter schools.

While I have written extensively on the problems and potential solutions associated with mainly K12-managed virtual schools, I do happen to agree with a few points made by K12 in their response:

1. "Criteria admission" would essentially negate the whole idea of school choice associated with virtual schools While I do believe virtual schools should do a much better job of helping families make the best decision for them (being more authentic about the workload, responsibilities, daily requirements, etc.), at the end of the day, it is up to the parent to decide if they are willing to commit to it or not. In reality, it is parent choice, not school choice, meaning the parents choose.

2. The K12 curriculum for grades K - 8 is, in my opinion and experience, one of the best out there. Granted, it has not helped much within the virtual charter school arena in terms of academic achievement and test scores it still remains a gold standard in terms of quality across the board. I happen to believe the academic issues associated with the virtual charter schools have less to do with the curriculum and more to do with the time commitment, workload investment, etc.

At the same time, I do agree with the idea behind the report that BOLD steps must be taken in order to right the virtual charter school ship. Actually, I say burn this ship, and let's build a different one entirely - but that's for another blog post.

The fact of the matter is, everyone agrees that virtual learning works for only some. Those it works for are willing to put in the hard work, and are self-motivated with a strong family unit for support.

However, those who tend to enroll in virtual schools are enrolling to get away from something. They are not enrolling in order to get to something.

houston@figment-consulting.com

Make each day a masterpiece?

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 18:41:00 +0000

Do you know how tough it is to design a masterpiece? And, do you realize it is the people who buy your work that decide whether or not it is a masterpiece, not you?

So, why should we strive to make each day a masterpiece? It is a pain-staking process, wrought with blood, sweat, and tears. Then, we put it on display hoping others will approve, much less buy it.

I say, instead of a masterpiece, let's allow each day to be an abstract, and let's simply create something fresh. What if we strove to simply add some color to the day, some texture, some lines rather than spend our time trying to produce some masterpiece?

It's not settling. Nor is it taking the easy way out. It is simply redirecting our expectations and allowing our day to be an abstract one where we spend our time cultivating joy, not tears.

One little spark of inspiration: Make each day messy.

houston@figment-consulting.com

There's still good in the world

noreply@blogger.com (FIGMENT) — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:21:00 +0000

Every purchase creates a kinder world.

Years ago I sat in the office of my Spanish professor at college, and we were discussing a trip I had taken to Israel on my own a few years earlier.

I mentioned to her that my trip came just a week after the TWA flight 847 from Athens to Rome was hijacked by Shiite Hezbollah terrorists who were looking for "Jewish-sounding names."

My flight to Israel was transferring through Rome so it certainly caught my eye back then. In relaying this story to my professor, what I remember most is her response.

"I have always believed that as long as stories such as hijackings are on the front page of the newspaper then the world is still good. It's when those stories move to the back page, that's when we are in trouble."

Fast-forward a few decades and we have a tragedy such as the one yesterday in Orlando. While not minimizing the horrific act of terror this was, nor the level of tragedy and effect it will have on survivors, family members, relatives, and others, what I do know is that it is still front page news.

We see stories like this on a more regular basis -- perhaps it is the 24-hour news cycle where the top five stories are repeated throughout the day and that drives the negative into our subconscious, or perhaps it is the impact of social media where stupid people now have a platform to share their hate and put their stupidity on full display. Or, perhaps it is a combination of both and it is a perpetuating cycle that simply becomes a circular argument.

Whatever the reasons, I offer that these stories are still front page news. And, I would offer that the words of my professor over thirty years ago still ring true, "the world is still good."

Sometimes it just doesn't feel that way.

houston@figment-consulting.com