40 Years Ago today In Woodstock Nation, NY

August 15, 2009

Woodstock Nation August, 1969 - 40 years later. I was there.

Three days of peace, love, music, beads, rain, mud, and lots and lots of different people who just managed to get a long because they wanted too.

For me, it was a transformation of a new understanding of the human condition, and how a simple smile is universal language that broke down barriers, and kindness toward each other was a common occurrence.

We endured terrible traffic and stranded the car on the side of the road to walk for miles. I was enormously grateful for the decent shoes, the apples, the water and the Oreo cookies too. Oh those Oreo cookies!!!

We endured torrential rains and through it all, we were still smiling and laughing. I remember being near enough to the stage to see Janice Joplin, but the sound was so bad, it sounded like someone was strangling a farm animal. I briefly met Max Yasgur, thanked him for his hospitality, but he so looked dazed and amazed, he had a look on his face of sheer surprise, shock and WTF!  All I remember him saying was “Thanks, can you stick around and help clean up?”

The sheer enormity and diversity of the audience and the whole scene that seemed to constantly evolve was more like a cosmic wonderland. I missed Jimi Hendrix, enjoyed The Who, slept through Joe Cocker, danced to Santana and Jefferson Airplane, and loved Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Don’t remember much else about the music, but the expereince changed our world.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. It was a part of our history, and part of our culture, and set me on the path to think really big, and believe I could get along with everyone. It was a great lesson in acceptance and survivla for a young man, and besides, it will always be thrill to say, “Yeah, I was at Woodstock.” I am part of that faternity!

In my post event memories, I the thing I liked most was a long, hot shower in a motel room in Pennsylvania, on the way back to Ohio, and a big turkey club sandwich and a couple  Cokes on the way home.

Frank Candy

It Changed The World

It Changed The World

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In Memory of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Founder and Honorary Chairman of Special Olympics

August 11, 2009

In 1979 I had the privilege to meet Eunice Kennedy Shriver, at a meeting for Special Olympics Supporters. It was a great day I will always remember. Her love for humanity, her focus for doing the best and right thing, and her dedication to mankind, changed and improved so many lives, and inspired me to be the best Special Olympics Coach and Advocate I could be. She has left a legacy that will live on forever. I could only imagine that when she arrived at the pearly gates, she was greeted by her brothers, Joe, Jack and Bobby and they said, “Come on in Eunice, there are a whole bunch of Special Friends waiting to hug you!” Check out her web site to learn more. http://www.eunicekennedyshriver.org/bios/si

 

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How Can We Do It Better? Or Watch out for the perfectionists!

August 11, 2009

As a business owner I constantly ask: How can we do it better?  For the most part, this is good a good question to ask, but the hard part for most leaders, managers and business owners is knowing when “it” is good enough.  Some people get so obsessed with making things perfect, it can make you crazy.  Man, I worked for a guy 25 years ago that had to have everything perfect, or it did not fit the requirements.  Result: Not much true productivity got done.  This is up for a discusstion and I welcome your comments.  Frank

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It’s NOT better to be First; - The “Be The Best” Strategy Will Be More Profitable

July 30, 2009

Moving with Speed – Spotting and pursuing opportunities faster than your competition is important, but having the best strategy and executing that strategy, will be more profitable.

To be able to think fast, you need to “understand the primary drivers of change management” and work at staying plugged into relevant research, and constantly search for new combinations, and work on developing a sense of heightened perception of reality.

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Solving a Complex Problem

July 26, 2009

“There is no problem, no matter how difficult, which, if looked at in the proper perspective, cannot be made more complex.” From our long-time friend, (and a great guy) Ken Anderson

I have solved most problems by 1) Not calling them “problems” instead I call them “challenges” at I just do things that allow my mind to “percolate” like long bike rides or showers. Fishing, boat rides, driving a tractor, gardening and golf works too. I don’t know what would work for you, but one thing is for sure - “THE ANSWEAR LIES WITHIN YOU.”

This is also a long time favorite, from our good friend, Mark. “Life is short! Forgive quickly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably… And never regret anything that made you smile.”

Managing Adversity and Change: If you’re looking to book a good program (speech or seminar) that is relevant in these changing times, check out this link.
http://www.speakersbureau.com/frank-candy-speeches/frank-candy-overcoming-adversity.htm

Organizational Tip: Make a master list of the things you would take on a business trip and make a master list of things you would take on a short vacation and a long vacation. Here is a sample of the one I use. http://www.frankcandy.com/suitcase.htm Plus here is a Master Travel Check List on our web site: http://www.speakersbureau.com/travel_checklist.htm

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Wise Advice on Investing from 1968

July 25, 2009

Quote: This one is from my Dad in 1968 - he gave my brother and I this good advice.

Good “Make as much as you can. Save as much as you can. Spend wisely on quality, it will last a long time, if you want to double your money quick, fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.”

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Innovation, Inspiration and Creativity - Making “IT” Happen

July 16, 2009

Research is important for every professional speaker, author, trainer and consultant. You canno be inspired to get creative and let make the innovation pipeline flow by reading hte old standard news papers and magazines like WSJ, Forbes and Business Week. They need to shake things up, or blow them up, and create a new and better franchise! It’s not print that’s dead, or even print about business that’s dead. It’s old and tired franchises that are dull and boring, franchises that have run out of gas, vision, purpose and energy. They need new leadership, a better vision of what’s valuable and to get in touch with reality for the readers. I have been a subscriber and avid reader for years, and now I find far more reality and value in Fast Company, Inc, Business 2.0, and Wired, but even they are in need of a wake up and shake up from time to time. How about YOU?

One of the ways to shake things up is to take a long break or a sabbatical. Everyone has their own version for doing this, for some, it is a trip around the world, for others it’s a long drive in a camper, car or motorcycle. A hike in the mountains or a sailboat or houseboat and the beach works well too. So does the front and back porch. I call it ‘Porchville’ I have done all of them, so here is my advice: The answer to what works lies within you. Figure out what is going to clear our your head, shake things up and go do IT.

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Space Shuttle Endeavour and HOPE!

July 15, 2009

Space shuttle Endeavour blasted off today on the sixth launch attempt, after a month of delays caused first by a hydrogen leak and on-going bad weather delays. We watched the STS-127 Space Shuttle Endeavour Launch from my back yard. We are always awestruck by the innovation, size, power and speed the Space Shuttle in launch mode from Kennedy Space Center on the east coast of Florida . It was a great experience to watch Endeavour launch today, shortly after 6 p.m. EDT as scheduled. The seven-member crew of the Endeavour is slated to deliver a “front porch” for the station’s $1 billion Japanese Kibo complex. The word Kibo means “hope” in Japanese. The orbiter is scheduled to dock at the station on Friday, and return to Earth on July 31. It is one of the ultimate innovative global collabrotives of our time.

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The 24/7 Mindset

January 23, 2008

Whether you represent a large, high-tech global company, or you are an entrepreneur or inventor working out of your garage, or an Internet entrepreneur, or a nonprofit association working to serve your members, everyone struggles with the process of innovation.

In an article in the Harvard Business Review in 1967, Warren Bennis and Philip Slater pointed to “democratization of the organizations.” In my grandfathers time, the industrial age, he helped invent the assembly line for Warner & Swasey and made it efficient. It was a strategy that met the needs of an era. Now the paradigm shifts with the information age and building a company in the age of rapid change requires, tools and a new way of thinking about business.
The new economy is about fresh ideas, creative strategies for success and how to compete in the future.

Posted by frankcan | Filed Under The 24/7 Mindset 

Hello world!

January 3, 2008

Hi!  I’m Frank Candy - one of America’s most respected business thought leaders and an expert on innovation, a master of creativity, a motivational speaker, and professional keynote speaker specializing in customized programs on leadership, business improvement, innovation, marketing, sales and service.

In a ‘reader’s choice’ survey for Corporate Meetings and Incentives Magazine, the readers of CM&I selected me, Frank Candy, as one of their favorite professional speakers in America. I am an expert at giving audiences what they came for ideas and answers to improve the bottom line. As a business speaker, I utilize customized programs to unlock the secrets of great innovation, mastering creativity, marketing, increased sales and world-class customer service,.explaining what to do and how to do it. With 25 years of experience in getting real results where they count… on the bottom line. This successful CEO keeps audiences on the edge of their seats as they earn the principles of innovation, creativity, success, happiness and achievement.I’m glad you have found my blog.  I look forward to hearing from you and helping you explore your innovative opportunities.

Posted by frankcan | Filed Under The 24/7 Mindset