Archive for the ‘Grand Dynamics News’ Category

I love this time of year.  September and have October have been filled with mind blowing experiences. Here are a few highlights!

The Coins Three Peaks Challenge – USA -

An unbelievable construction industry charity event we developed in collaboration with the Coins Foundation that involved teams of 4 climbing 3 North East Peaks (Whiteface in NY, Manadnock in NH and Mansfield in VT) all in 24 hours! Check it out!

Seeking True North Jackson Hole 

The advanced Grand Dynamics multi-day open enrollment program focused on integrating the STN models, methods and tools and including leadership strategies, complex team adventures, neuropsychology, facilitation techniques and more!  A few program highlights included a Native American Sweat Lodge and purification ceremony, Tyrolean traverse bridge building and Iron Chef cooking competition.  Thanks to all who can out!  Birget we can’t wait to be together soon in NY :o) A special shout out to the California contingency – Stephani and Holly – YOU ROCK!

CFMA Spring Creek – 10 year anniversary  

This year marked 10 beautiful years with our partner, the Construction Financial Management Association. Two groups, each coprised of about 25 finance professionals in the construction industry – engaged in an experience of a life time with Grand Dynamics lead facilitators Rick Erickson and Tim Walther.  More to come on this – and a special THANK-YOU to all who SHOWED-UP!!!!!

Not to mention – the Great Will Leggett has been rocking programs across the North East. From Catapult Building events and Collaborative GPS and facilitate managment advances – GREAT work willie!

I look forward to working and playing with you all soon!

Live your Adventure -

Tim

Most entrepreneurs create their life style around one thing – FREEDOM. Is this true for you? This is certainly true for me. The ironic thing is that many business owners can find them in a situation where ultimately they do nothing but work on their own business! Eban Pagen is one of my mentors. In this video he covers a couple methods on how to avoid being held hostage by your business. They include the guardian of the black bock and being chained by micro-management. Good stuff. Enjoy!

Phil Town is a good friend and a genius investor. But he wasn’t always that way. His early days were spent as a river guide and, let’s just say, on the lower financial scale of life.  His investment began with $1000, 5 years later he was a millionaire. Now he teaches strategies to millions of people and brings the concepts down to simple strategies the layperson investor can understand and implement! He wrote Rule # 1, a NY Times Bestseller and has his newest book, Payback Time, slated to be released early 2010.

In the words of Warren Buffet, there are only two rules. #1: Don’t lose money. # 2: Don’t forget Rule # 1!  

On the journey of Seeking True North, we understand that success leaves clues and that our strategy for success can be made profoundly easier by modeling patterns from the success of others.  I love this approach because, as Phil explains, our investment strategy begins with looking at the businesses you already love and are passionate about.  Wouldn’t it be great to learn from a guy like Phil Town about how to master our finances?

Ben Stein opened up the Meeting Professionals International Conference today. His speech blended his unique style of dry humor with with  valuable content arguing for the importantce of meetings in America. Here’s a slice.

I recently attended Brenden Bouchard’s Expert Academy in San Francisco.  The concept of the intensive four day training way how to position yourself, and your company, as an expert.   The training was excellent for many reasons. The foundation is that most of us have a certain level of expertise that we want to share with the world. The question is, “How do I bring my expertise into the world, to make a positive impact for the good of others and make a living while doing it?”   

Like anything in life, there are SYSTEMS, that help us to turn our ideas and visions into reality. Earlier this year I decided that THIS YEAR is going to be the year for Grand Dynamics to expand our impact through information products, systems and on-line training.  In doing so I have been studying in great detail many of the big time on-line product sales gurus.  One of them being Eban Pagan, who is know for his Guru Mastermind programs and systems. Eban is all about selling information products on-line. He made more than 20 million last year in on-line product sales.  What I have paid special attention to are the systems which these “experts” employ.  The sales copy, the product launch, the value propositions, the mixed media deliverable, etc… 

In early April I received an email from Tony Robbins recommending some free video training from Brendan Bouchard.  All it said was, “check out this link, there’s good free training, and it’s only up for a few days.  Of course, I went to the site and checked it out.  It was “Expert” training for Speaking, Seminars, Coaching and Publishing.  Ummm, okay!  Well one thing led to another and I signed up.  Now I could tell you a TON about the systems that I learned over these four days.  And I will be sharing a few of my insights down the road. I will tell you that Grand Dynamics is positioned to expand our influence and add tremendous value to individuals, teams and organizations.   Armed with these new systems, we are ready to fully leverage our organizational potential. 

So there Holly and I were, after two days of intense training, waiting for what I knew would be a highlight of the weekend – Tony Robbins joining us to share his secrets on how he created his empire.   Tony stepped onto the stage and his presence was simply undescribable. He IMMEDIATELY took control of the packed house of 400 by simply SHOWING UP.  His first words to the crowd were something to the effect of, “You are all EXPERTS or want to be EXPERTS, right?”   ”YES!” Well I have news for you, NOBODY LIKES AN EXPERT.  In fact, experts are ego-filled know it alls that are typically pretty darn annoying.  He went on with this them for some 15 minutes, essentially telling all of us that we don’t want to be experts at all!  And as I listened, I could do nothing but agree with him.  WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO BE IS A SERVANT.  Yes, a servant which brings all our passion, knowledge and skill to the world to ultimately create an incredible positive impact in society.  As leaders, we want to add so much VALUE that our service is undeniable.  This concept has been ringing in my ears since he stepped off the stage.

The rest of the 4 hours of Tony’s talk was filled with stories of how he has made it out of one seemingly impossible situation after the next. I mean truly amazing.  He talked about how our belief systems and determination and our goal of being servants for GREATER GOOD is what will drive our long-term value and success as “experts.” I believe it. I am so passionately fired up about Grand Dynamics – and how we can empower individuals, teams and organizations to live to their true potential. We DO Have the expertise, the experience and the passion to add value. Get ready for a whole series of services, products and passionate GDI people dedicated to delivering value – and massive positive impact.

I’ll leave you with these thoughts – What is your passion?  Where do YOU have expertise?  Are you truly sharing your expertise for the GREATER GOOD in society? And if not, what’s holding you back?????  -  TIM

The 3 peaks was a “cracker!” I am sitting in a cabin on the coastline of Wales looking at White Horses (ocean waves) reflecting and getting ready to go climbing over the ocean this afternoon (shocker I know).

This event, the Coins Peaks Challenge involveves climbing the highest peask of Scotland, England and Wales in less than 24 hours. WHY? It’s a construction industry event fund raiser which brings together people from all over the construction industry in an effort of building an inclusive world through building sustainable communities for those in need around the world. Details of the 3 Peaks UK story are below.

Wow what an experience and tons to share! The experience was invaluable for connecting with the Coins Foundation staff and in furthering our knowledge for an exceptional design of the 3 peaks USA challenge. Holly and I arrived in Glasgow after a long trip from Sacramento, and met up with the great Will Leggett who travelled from New York. After an evening tour of the city  complete with some of the best karaoke (oxy-moron in know) I have eve heard and late night fun at Social Club, we met with Team USA the next day and travelled through he mountains of Scotland. On the way I indulged in a taste of haggis (yes this is the Scotish dish liver and “aweful bits”) which required a hike to shake it off! We were situated a he Chachaig hotel. http://www.clachaig.com/ Oddly enough his very lodge was the place I had originally intended on returning to after our event to climb in Scotland! Cool. And they have an ice-axe as the door-handle – way cool!

The next night in Scotland was a great welcome reception where Larry, Coins President, reported the conditions on he mountain being “awful with ice pellets so hard they might bash your face in!” and minus 30 celcius temperatures. We began to realize that “The Ben” would present a worthy challenge.  In the am we headed to fort William. I can’t say enough about how beautiful the country in Scotland is. Steep rock, flowing rivers and waterfalls and sheep everywhere!  We have one word to describe Scotland… “Moist!” Ha-ha – It was pouring rain intermittently from when we stepped off the plane until we left the country!

At the base of Ben Nevis Will, Holly and I spent the afternoon interviewing and observing mountain operations, briefings and logistics before heading up. Our energy was high and we were so excited to finally be on he move.  The hike was stopped 45 minutes as a woman was heli-evacuated by search n rescue after falling down a ravine near a bridge crossing! The hike continued through Scottish landscapes with bens and glens (mountains and valleys) in the distance. Mountain sheep were everywhere. The hike continued up past the snowline into foggy and icy conditions.  We were eventually stopped by mtn marshals who deemed the summit attempt too dangerous, as there are steep cliffs on each side and white out conditions. Hop, skip and a jump through shimmering sunlight and 4hrs 20
minutes later we made it safely back to base.

Then off for the 5-hour drive to England to Scafell Pike, arriving at 1 am. 2 and a half hrs later we were up and, after some confusion at check-in, we left 15 minutes late for the final hour – turned 45 minutes via back road race to the base for a 5:45 am start. This time holly stayed at base camp to observe operations and mingle w the drivers and staff.
Beautiful valley hike along a sweet river near gritstone rock and… More sheep! Will and I climbed with coins team USA to support their effort. False summits and slick boulder fields highlighted the journey. Oddly enough, we returned to base right at 4 hrs 20 minutes!  We “enjoyed” a British “recovery meal” of bacon on a hamburger bun. Good one. Another 5 hour drive in uncomfortable positions and we were in Wales – the land of magicians and dragons – and at the base of Snowdon for the final summit bid. A striking day! We enjoyed the hike with team USA again and I stopped on 3 occasions to administer first aid on the mountain for ankle and blister injuries (one was a nice young welsh girl hiking with her family and they were all shocked and happy to receive help from a nice USA person.) We continued to the summit passin g… you guessed it… more sheep! And amidst strong wind and thick fog along a narrow ridge, which made for a nice dramatic feel to the final summit. We arrived at the base at a remarkable 4 hours 20 minutes! (No kidding – totally weird) an outstanding finish with everyone celebrating and feeling great.

We DID meet the goal to complete the race in less than 24 hours and, even more importantly, observing the event, operations and dynamics. Nearly 10,000 feet of climbing in 13 hours and 10 hours of driving on about 3 hrs of sleep!  We had a nice debrief and meeting with coins staff and we provided them with several insights about how the USA 3 peaks will be a bit different (all positive GDI elements which were not present in this race, but could be). Overall the whole event was “cracker!”

IMPACT
And what’s most important about this event is the incredible impact that is being made by the people in the  construction industry. In the celebration closing event Ric Law, COINS Foundation CEO echoed Larry’s thanks and explained further that the COINS Foundation is all about construction but that the legacy is not the buildings themselves but thriving, sustainable communities.  Ric went onto explain how funds would be spent this year. Project priorities this year include providing housing for hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children in Mozambique; physiotherapy, play and family support programs for disabled children in the UK and Zambia. Health programs combating HIV aids, Malaria and illnesses resulting from poor sanitation in Zambia and Tanzania; Projects to train and employ orphaned youth in Rwanda and disabled young people in Zambia and a place at school for over 1,200 children in Kenya, Zambia and Uganda. More information about the event and the Coins UK 3 Peak Challenge Course Report can be found at http://www.coins3peakschallenge.com/cp_root/h/The_Event/2009_Event_Report/329/

For more information on the COINS Foundation projects keep an eye on the web site  www.coinsfoundation.org
3 PEAKS USA!   Sound awesome?  Well we’re creating the same type of event in the USA to take place this year September 19-20. Check it out at http://www.coins3peakschallenge.com/usa/h/Home/Home/21/

We plan to follow up with them about the pr and other items on Monday at their office in London. More stories about the rest of our trip are soon to come!