Tony Dye

What are These Things?

2009-12-09T14:19:17-05:00

I'm in Ruckersville VA today and noticing the utility poles. They all have these extra posts sticking up from the top. They are on EVERY wooden pole, but not on any of the metal poles. What are they? There's no evidence of a sharp point at the top, so probably not a lightning rod. Any ideas?

Purpose, Vision, Mission, etc.

2009-12-01T16:53:23-05:00

As I've been working on my own purpose and vision statements, and as I've worked with some other organizations recently, I'm amazed at how many different terms get used and how differently they get used. Seems there’s a lot of difference of opinion what each one means. Here’s my attempt to clarify. Agree or disagree? Please comment.

Purpose (Why do we exist?)
Vision (What are we trying to accomplish? What do we want to do in the future?)
Mission (How do we plan to accomplish our Vision?)
Values (What is most important to us?)
Distinctives (What makes us unique? What makes us the best?)
Audience (Who do we provide services for?)
Location (Where do we provide our services?)
Mantras (Tag Lines, Slogans. What do we say about ourselves? What do others say about us?)
Goals (What specific, measurable, actions will lead toward accomplishing our Vision?)
Plan (What are the steps [tasks, action items] to achieve our goals?)

Where do words like Objectives, Targets, Strategies, Passions, Strengths, Competencies, Beliefs and Measurements fit in? What other words are missing? (I'm sort of intentionally leaving out budget -- that's a completely different category. Or is it?)

Travel Time

2009-11-30T16:11:52-05:00

For the next two weeks, I’m traveling, and mostly staying away from “normal” things, which in many ways means a lot less use of technology. An hour or two a day on the computer is about it. Rethinking my life purpose, values, vision, and considering an Andy Stanley idea of “what path am I on?” I like his quote (which I think he attributes to his dad): “Direction, not intention, determines destination.”

This is partially a trip catching up with friends and family I haven't seen in a while; a little bit of business; a little "think" time in the car, and a lot of retreat, all mixed together. I'm having to ask myself some hard questions and expecting that some of the answers won't be easy, or at least not easy to receive.

Splitting Wood

2009-11-29T21:40:44-05:00

Maybe I should call this post “life on the farm.” I’ve been a city boy all my life. Now that I’m in Central Kentucky, I’m learning a bit about farm life, or at least life that’s very different from my past. Last week, I spent a few days splitting logs. Now I can understand that for a lot of people, that’s hard work, dull, even drudgery. But for me, it was still new, so it was fun and even some good exercise! It kind of turned into a challenge to figure the best process, too.

Vernon, the master, who taught me what I needed to know

A little of the wood is already neatly stacked

There is a lot more yet to be put away

Not sure when I’ll be qualified to get on the tractor