What you can learn from golf that you DIDN'T know

I just got off the links this afternoon, and had a great time. Our group laughed a ourselves, at each other, cheered for each other, and by the end of the day really felt a connection to each other. That, my friend, is what golf is all about to me.

Every business professional says you can learn a lot about a person from how they conduct themselves on a golf course, like their temperament, attitude, focus and a host of other qualities. From playing golf for over 30 years (and still not getting below a 20 handicap consistently) there is one ting I have learned to watch out for that, for me, is the telltale sign of a good coworker or someone who is totally egocentric.

Here's the test; you and your cart-mate both hit your tee shots. (S)he's driving the cart. Which ball does (s)he go to first. yours or theirs? Did they even pay attention to where your tee shot went? I have golfed with so many people that are so wrapped-up in their game that they are nearly oblivious to anything else going on around them. It is so frustrating to hit a good shot down the middle, have your cart mate hit a shot int the rough and proceed directly to their ball, even if yours is closer. If I end up with a cart mate like that, you can be sure that will be the last time I play with them, or even try to do business with them. Their ego is just too big to get around.

I'm curious as to what everyone else thinks about this. Am I all-wet? Or do I speak the truth? Tell me about your golf-nightmare stories and maybe we can formulate the perfect anti-golf cart mate!

Cheers,

Kurt

Open Innovation and Cultural Consulting

Hi all,

What do Open Innovation and Cultural Consulting have in common? Well, stay tuned here to find out, as Tech Bridge West will be teaming up with Schott Cultural Consulting to present a webinar on How to Use Open Innovation in a Multi-Cultural Market (tentative subject/title). I'm really looking forward to working with Kim Schott, as she has a program that will get you more business leads than you know what to do with, and can help you when you are ready to take advantage of the overseas market. Check out her website at www.SchottCulturalConsulting.com. More on the webinar as the details are fleshed out.

I am working today on an article on how speed, cost and quality affect the product development process. Imagine a triangle with the three points being cost, quality and speed. Traditional thinking says you can have two of the three at any time, but never all three. For example, you can get a product to the market quickly and of high quality, but it will cost a lot. Similarly, you can have a product that is high quality and low cost, but it will take a lot longer to develop and launch.

Of course, we at Tech Bridge West have figured out a way to get all three points of the triangle at the same time. How, you ask? Well, check out our website, www.TechBridgeWest.com and sign-up for the Press Kit. Once in the Press Kit area, look for the article called "Escaping the Bermuda Triangle of Product Development". Have fun with it and don't be shy; if you have questions give me a shout.

Welcome!

Welcome to the initial Tech Bridge West Blog. I'm Kurt Schneider, and I am a Product Accelerator for the consumer products industries. What is a Product Accelerator, you ask? Well, through a series of seminars, coaching and in-depth business analysis, I can virtually guarantee to get your new products to the market 40% faster than your current development cycle, without sacrificing quality or adding costs. I've been in business since 2005, but have been doing this kind of work since 1986. I enjoy helping people get their new products to the market, whether it is a brand new invention or the next Coke.

I'm hoping to link with others in this field to share ideas, strategies and successes...oh, and yes, failures. I am happy to share all my 'secrets' with anyone interested. Just check out www.TechBridgeWest.com and let me know what you think.

I'll be sharing ideas on communication, team efficiencies and tips and tricks to get your products to the market faster. So, let's work together to be Product Accelerators!