That's not the way we do things about here. Please don't underestimate how powerful this sentence is. When you say this to a colleague, a new hire, a student or a freelancer, you've established a powerful norm, one that they will be hesitant to challenge. This might be exactly what you were hoping for, but if your goal is to encourage innovation, you blew it. -- Seth Godin

While I can't think of any specific examples right now, I'm sure --as a means of illustration to someone new to a job or task; of what to do or not to do-- I most certainly have used descriptions like "this is the only way we do such and such" or "we don't do it this way or that here at Learfield."

I read Seth Godin's post today (above) and was reminded of the potential damage that statements like that can do to people trying to innovate and create new ways of doing things. In fact, better ways of doing things. Ouch!

As leaders of people or influencers of behavior it would serve us all well to keep those kind of comments in check and consider other ways of communicating to our people and for that matter to family members or friends.

I've had the opportunity to travel a good bit this holiday and bowl season and be with many of our folks and Athletic Department staffs. It's always nice to be with them on the road during bowl season since their pace is a bit slower and the time more festive as they ready for the bowl game.

At the recent Insight Bowl featuring Iowa and Missouri (who had not met for 100 years in football) I spent a good amount of time with the two GM's and VP Andrew Wheeler. Though betting on games is strictly forbidden as a rule within the company (unless their are no financial stakes) I overheard Chuck Schroeder and Jeff Shoultz making a friendly bet on their respective teams. A couple Shakespeare's Pizzas to Chuck at Iowa if they won and an order of fresh Iowa Pork Chops to Jeff if Mizzou won.

Enjoy the pizzas Chuck. Hope it's not another 100 years before these two storied programs play each other on the gridiron again.

Geri, the kids and I are enjoying our first Christmas back in the midwest. And it's extra special that we'd be greeted with a white Christmas for our first one back. The photo above is our back yard blanketed in snow.

My wish for all of us is that we'd be renewed with a sense of hope, opportunity, and joy this holiday season. Enjoy the Holiday. Merry Christmas.

Some much deserved staffing/structure moves are taking place in the company and are being formally announced today. They are significant moves geared toward making sure people are properly challenged professionally and that we as an organization are playing to our strengths (their strengths).

Please join me in congratulating these folks on their new responsibilities.

Oh, and if you missed the mention on the Learfield Yammer Network, Jenny Hollabaugh is assuming new duties, assisting Roger and me as executive assistant. Should happen in the next few weeks.

Happy Holidays.

I know many of you were either not available or won’t want to spend the time to watch the video of the little talk I gave yesterday, so I wanted to give you a very high level overview of the discussion. If you care to watch and listen in, I’ve attached the link below of the address.   

Yesterday I offered Holiday Greetings to everyone and spent some time talking about the idea of being grateful for all that we have and expressing to others our gratitude. I commented that gratitude really requires action…it’s not just a thought. I also offered my heartfelt appreciation to all our folks.

I expressed my appreciation to Clyde for his willingness to step out in faith and allow me and the others on the management team the ability to run the company on a day to day basis as we see fit.  Founders of companies are notorious for struggling with that, but Clyde’s unwavering confidence is a tremendous gift to us. I saluted Clyde's vision and courage and expressed my appreciation to him for that and the way he’s cared for me and for all of us over the years. 

We also had a little birthday celebration of our 38 years in business. Learfield celebrates its birthday this month, so we had a little cake and good cheer to mark that occasion. 

I shared a quick overview of the company’s performance for this past fiscal year and highlighted some of the accomplishments of the business, some of the new undertakings we are involved in and mentioned some of the struggles we had.   The company’s financial earnings while down, still represent a victory of sorts given all the circumstances of the economy and the substantial growth we’ve experienced in recent years.  News in particular had a tremendous year and record earnings.  They are kicking butt!

I stressed the desire for transparency as a company and communication with the troops and the importance of doing it more frequently.  Yes, we survived the past year with hard work and much the same will be required in the months ahead to be a more robust business and financially healthy.

Also mentioned was the outlook ahead for the coming year, the need for creating unique ways to profitably grow, and gaining more accountability in our financial performance. We know there will be new challenges ahead and we are prepared to face them. 

In closing I shared a few lines of the proclamation from Abraham Lincoln in 1863 declaring a national day of Thanksgiving.  His extraordinary faith was evident and for me the real highlight of his message in spite of all the civil strife and tremendous suffering that was occurring during that time of the Civil War.      

Thanks folks.
Happy Thanksgiving

During last week’s National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Annual Convention last week, Brownfield Ag News reporters were recognized for outstanding journalism.

Julie Harker received 3rd place for Market News reporting and received the Excellence in Ag Reporting Award.

Ken Anderson received the Editor’s Choice Award and was elected president of the NAFB Foundation board of directors and Tom Steever was elected to serve as President-Elect .

Brownfield reporters are consistently recognized as some of the best in the country and we’re proud of them all.

Last night I was at big shin-dig in Louisville to celebrate the opening of the new Louisville Arena. Now named the KFC Yum Center. The place is simply amazing. You gotta see it.

Geri and I joined Andy and Tracy Rawlings, Steve and Candice Gowan and the LASEP team Lynn Saltzman and Patrick Stewart and their spouses Matt and Shannon, to commemorate this very cool occasion. And, following the event we waited tables since we were all decked out in full penguin garb.

Lynn and Patrick (with some assistance from Jim Host) have done all the sponsorship sales for this amazing new venue. They are right on target to hit all of their sales thresholds and have done an amazing job of helping put this slick new venue on the map.

While we were rivals for many years I've always respected and admired the work Jim Host has done. Mr Host Chaired the bonding authority that hired us to sell the sponsorships for the center. Pretty Ironic isn't it. And a serious tip of the hat to Jim for pushing this project from its inception to conclusion. Quite frankly without his vision and tireless (and I mean tireless) effort on this project I'm very sure this amazing building would have never happened. The guy is a machine.

Congratulations again to Lynn, Patrick, Jim, the Mayor, the Governor, the folks at Yum and all the sponsors for making this new snazzy new building a reality. Go see it if you are ever in the area. 

I frequently pass along some of Godin's thoughts. Sometimes he's a bit off the wall, sometimes he's right on. Today's is the latter.

The problem with putting it all on the line... is that it might not work out. The problem with not putting it all on the line is that it will never (ever) change things for the better. Not much of a choice, I think. No risk, no art. No art, no reward. 

The widely renowned bright blue football turf at Boise State or “smurf turf” as many call it has some competition this week, if only for a redo on the practice field at Oregon State as they ready for their big game tilt against Boise State.  Teams look for every possible angle and advantage as they prepare week to week for their football games.  In a season with only twelve contests each game is so important and consequently the preparation takes on every dimension, some more creative than the next.  Credit Oregon State for going the extra mile in their prep. 

Learfield Sports has both sides of this battle since the rights are owned by the company for these two great national programs, so it will be fun to watch.  Both teams will be on the Blue field Saturday......one will end the game more blue than the other.  Go Broncos and Go Beavers.  This is a fun time of year.  Enjoy.                  

Greg