Last Friday, several friends and I got together for breakfast. Not unusual, I know, but what makes this group unique is that we all started out as business colleagues and are now close friends. We meet for breakfast once a quarter and use our time together to talk about everything from politics to civic issues to what's going on in our respective businesses. Our ranks include those who have started their own businesses to those who have risen through the ranks of large corporations.
I, personally, find this quarterly breakfast to be an injection of much-needed adrenaline as I admire each of these friends, respect their achievements, and closely value their opinions. If I need advice, chances are one or all of the guys around this table are high on the list of folks I would call.
Who's your adrenaline source for your life, be it personal and/or professional? Are there those in your immediate network that you can turn to, on any topic, and know that you'll get their unvarnished objective advice?
Everyone needs a support group in their life. Everyone needs to have the mirror held up to their face by someone they respect.
Who's your mirror holder? If you don't have one, I suggest you fill that position right now!
(Editor's note: Want to know more? Let's talk - I'd welcome the chance to chat about my thoughts on networking and managing your career.)
Monday, June 19, 2017
Thursday, June 8, 2017
The Godfather turns 45
I had the opportunity this week to see The Godfather - again - on the big screen. Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is smartly bringing several classic movies to select theaters to be seen in the environment for which they were created - a movie theater. TCM's first offering was The Godfather in celebration of the 45th anniversary of this true classic.
The film was released in March 1972. I made the road trip that spring with a couple of buddies to the Glenwood Theater in suburban Kansas City to see this movie that had generated significant pre-release buzz. (And, remember kids - there wasn't an internet, TMZ or that Twitter thing back in '72.) My need to attend the movie had been piqued by my high school English teacher, who went off on a rant one day about the show's violence and its glorification of the Mafia. I exchanged a look with my pal in class that day that was "hell yeah, we need to see this movie!"
I sat enthralled for three hours in that massive movie theater (pre-multiplex) watching a story of family, loyalty, deceit, lies, honor and violence. I marveled at Marlin Brando's portrayal of the family patriarch, Vito Corleone, and was unsettled at how Al Pacino's character, Michael Corleone, evolved from returning war hero to cold-blooded heir to the godfather throne.
Like many of you, I've seen this movie on the small screen far too many times to count, whether through an intentional sit-down viewing to the stop-and-watch phenomenon when cruising channels and finding it on TCM. That's why I was so excited to see the film again in a theater - would it really stand the test of time in that environment?
The answer is a resounding "yes." The film captured me - again - for three hours. I was struck at how this film has ingrained itself in American culture, both through the themes that run throughout the movie and the sequel as well as the ultimate barometer - the phrases that have become a part of our language. All 30 or so of us in the theater knew that "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" was coming, and it elicited a few chuckles given the "offer" to the movie mogul that followed. I mouthed the words to "...never take sides against the family again. Ever." when Michael admonishes his brother, Fredo, after a meeting with Moe Green in Las Vegas. And, I smiled when Clemenza told his underling, "Leave the gun; take the cannoli" after whacking an unsuspecting turncoat.
The Godfather has more than stood the test of time. It was released in what TCM on-camera host Joseph Mankiewicz called the golden age of movie-making - 1967 to 1974 - when this film and Godfather II plus other classics like Bonnie & Clyde, The Graduate, Cool Hand Luke, Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The French Connection, and Chinatown were made. And, it and its sequel are the best of what that golden decade of movie-making had to offer.
The Godfather is also a story of redemption. The movie redeemed the career of Francis Ford Coppola and cemented the legacy of Marlin Brando. Coppola wasn't the studio's first pick, second pick or even third pick to direct the film, but ultimately made a two-movie classic with the original plus sequel. Brando was cast as Vito Corleone only after Lawrence Olivier declined the role and Brando agreed to a lowered salary and a bond to ensure that he would not delay production, given his notorious reputation for being difficult while on set. His performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
As Joe Fox, played by Tom Hanks, says in You've Got Mail, "'The Godfather' is the I Ching. 'The Godfather' is the sum of all wisdom. 'The Godfather' is the answer to any question."
The movie has withstood the test of time. It's language is ingrained in our culture. The ensemble cast turned in performances that helped define their careers. It is shown repeatedly on classic movie channels. It is simply the greatest movie ever made.
The film was released in March 1972. I made the road trip that spring with a couple of buddies to the Glenwood Theater in suburban Kansas City to see this movie that had generated significant pre-release buzz. (And, remember kids - there wasn't an internet, TMZ or that Twitter thing back in '72.) My need to attend the movie had been piqued by my high school English teacher, who went off on a rant one day about the show's violence and its glorification of the Mafia. I exchanged a look with my pal in class that day that was "hell yeah, we need to see this movie!"
I sat enthralled for three hours in that massive movie theater (pre-multiplex) watching a story of family, loyalty, deceit, lies, honor and violence. I marveled at Marlin Brando's portrayal of the family patriarch, Vito Corleone, and was unsettled at how Al Pacino's character, Michael Corleone, evolved from returning war hero to cold-blooded heir to the godfather throne.
Like many of you, I've seen this movie on the small screen far too many times to count, whether through an intentional sit-down viewing to the stop-and-watch phenomenon when cruising channels and finding it on TCM. That's why I was so excited to see the film again in a theater - would it really stand the test of time in that environment?
The answer is a resounding "yes." The film captured me - again - for three hours. I was struck at how this film has ingrained itself in American culture, both through the themes that run throughout the movie and the sequel as well as the ultimate barometer - the phrases that have become a part of our language. All 30 or so of us in the theater knew that "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse" was coming, and it elicited a few chuckles given the "offer" to the movie mogul that followed. I mouthed the words to "...never take sides against the family again. Ever." when Michael admonishes his brother, Fredo, after a meeting with Moe Green in Las Vegas. And, I smiled when Clemenza told his underling, "Leave the gun; take the cannoli" after whacking an unsuspecting turncoat.
The Godfather has more than stood the test of time. It was released in what TCM on-camera host Joseph Mankiewicz called the golden age of movie-making - 1967 to 1974 - when this film and Godfather II plus other classics like Bonnie & Clyde, The Graduate, Cool Hand Luke, Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The French Connection, and Chinatown were made. And, it and its sequel are the best of what that golden decade of movie-making had to offer.
The Godfather is also a story of redemption. The movie redeemed the career of Francis Ford Coppola and cemented the legacy of Marlin Brando. Coppola wasn't the studio's first pick, second pick or even third pick to direct the film, but ultimately made a two-movie classic with the original plus sequel. Brando was cast as Vito Corleone only after Lawrence Olivier declined the role and Brando agreed to a lowered salary and a bond to ensure that he would not delay production, given his notorious reputation for being difficult while on set. His performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
As Joe Fox, played by Tom Hanks, says in You've Got Mail, "'The Godfather' is the I Ching. 'The Godfather' is the sum of all wisdom. 'The Godfather' is the answer to any question."
The movie has withstood the test of time. It's language is ingrained in our culture. The ensemble cast turned in performances that helped define their careers. It is shown repeatedly on classic movie channels. It is simply the greatest movie ever made.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Can any of us avoid meeting hell...?
The headline in today's Wall Street Journal made me smile - it read "The Postponed Meeting Vortex." Who hasn't been in that vortex of postponed meeting hell?
Meetings are a necessity and I realize that they aren't going away anytime soon. Can meetings be more effective? You bet - just read my blog post from last week. However, it's the postponed or late cancelled meetings that have a negative trickle down effect that can be so debilitating.
My experiences have ranged from having a boss who compulsively cancelled meetings or asked me to attend in his place, always with the latest of warnings, to situations (more than once) where I was told that a senior executive couldn't attend a meeting that had been scheduled weeks in advance with business partners who were flying in specifically for that meeting.
What can you do to avoid this vortex? Well, unlike my prior blog post about how to more effectively manage meetings, there isn't much that can be done with the cancelled/postponed meeting challenge.
The Journal's story suggested a "three strikes and you're out" philosophy - that one doesn't allow more than three reschedules or cancellations before moving on. But, how does that work when the serial offender is your boss or even further up the executive food chain?
My advice is to make contingency plans when the offender is most frequently your boss or above. Plan for the likely postponement or cancellation and don't book meetings in proximity that will be affected by the changed schedule. Alert your team in advance when you think there's the possibility that your meeting, and consequently their schedule, will be changed. If your boss relies upon an assistant for scheduling, work closely with that person to consistently reinforce why his/her attendance is critical. And, if the opportunity presents itself and you think it will help, have a heart-to-heart discussion with your boss about the effect these schedule changes have on the whole department.
If you're the offender and have to postpone or cancel a meeting with little warning, over-err on being contrite. Offer to do something on behalf on the affected person or group. And, at minimum, make sure that the words "I'm sorry" are used in lieu of some lame excuse.
Let me know if you have suggestions for how to handle this huge irritant in business life - I'll be sure and pass along your thoughts in an upcoming post. Send me a note at mgoff@goffmarketing.com - I'd love to hear from you!
Meetings are a necessity and I realize that they aren't going away anytime soon. Can meetings be more effective? You bet - just read my blog post from last week. However, it's the postponed or late cancelled meetings that have a negative trickle down effect that can be so debilitating.
My experiences have ranged from having a boss who compulsively cancelled meetings or asked me to attend in his place, always with the latest of warnings, to situations (more than once) where I was told that a senior executive couldn't attend a meeting that had been scheduled weeks in advance with business partners who were flying in specifically for that meeting.
What can you do to avoid this vortex? Well, unlike my prior blog post about how to more effectively manage meetings, there isn't much that can be done with the cancelled/postponed meeting challenge.
The Journal's story suggested a "three strikes and you're out" philosophy - that one doesn't allow more than three reschedules or cancellations before moving on. But, how does that work when the serial offender is your boss or even further up the executive food chain?
My advice is to make contingency plans when the offender is most frequently your boss or above. Plan for the likely postponement or cancellation and don't book meetings in proximity that will be affected by the changed schedule. Alert your team in advance when you think there's the possibility that your meeting, and consequently their schedule, will be changed. If your boss relies upon an assistant for scheduling, work closely with that person to consistently reinforce why his/her attendance is critical. And, if the opportunity presents itself and you think it will help, have a heart-to-heart discussion with your boss about the effect these schedule changes have on the whole department.
If you're the offender and have to postpone or cancel a meeting with little warning, over-err on being contrite. Offer to do something on behalf on the affected person or group. And, at minimum, make sure that the words "I'm sorry" are used in lieu of some lame excuse.
Let me know if you have suggestions for how to handle this huge irritant in business life - I'll be sure and pass along your thoughts in an upcoming post. Send me a note at mgoff@goffmarketing.com - I'd love to hear from you!
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