Did you think the Alphabet Series had flown the coop? Not at all! I’ve just come back from my “Ernest Hemingway writing retreat” and had to regroup, refocus and research all the rockin’ “R” words that people submitted.
Being the Beatles fan that I am, I must launch with Craig McBreen‘s word, Revolution. In Craig’s words, “It’s time for a creative Revolution”, and I couldn’t agree more. With all the technology and tools at our fingertips, are we exercising our creativity every day? Change your habits and do something different, or differently, every day. Be Rambunctious once in a while (another of Craig’s R words) and take some risks.
Risk was a popular “R” word, and Michelle Quillin of New England Multimedia provided some quotes on Risk. She said:
“For your next Alphabet Series post around the letter “R,” here are some great quotes about risk – and risk management — for businesses and entrepreneurs!
“Throughout my business life I have always tried to keep on top of costs and protect the downside risk as much as possible.” Richard Branson
“People who don’t take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year. People who do take risks generally make about two big mistakes a year.” Peter Drucker
“Often the difference between a successful person and a failure is not one has better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on one’s ideas, to take a calculated risk – and to act.” Andre Malraux
“Instead, to be financially free, we need to learn how to make mistakes and manage risk.” Robert Kiyosaki
“To make money, you will have to take risks, even if it’s just your time on the line. The key to risk-taking is knowledge.” Stuart Wilde
Although calculated risk is something that’s truly entrepreneurial, Reputation, submitted by Claudia Anderson, is something we don’t want to risk. Our pal Gini Dietrich shared Seven Principles to Building an Online Reputation, but whether online or off, reputation is earned. And although it can take quite some time to build that reputation, it can be destroyed or ruined in mere moments. So keep the Raunchy (thanks Stacey Hughes) and the Ribald (thanks Brian Meeks) to yourself, haha!
Stan Faryna provided these two Reminders:
“Recruitment – get the right people. Respect – respect is earned by results and leadership.” Right on Stan:)
Both Bill Dorman and Sharon Gilmour Glover submitted ROI, or return on investment. And since the phrase ROI is bandied about, with some adhering to a very specific definition and others using more qualitative approaches, there’s no doubt that measurement is vital. Otherwise, it’s like placing your money on a windowsill on a windy day and opening the window and poof! It’s gone. An expense, not an investment. As Peter Drucker would say: “You can’t manage it if you can’t measure it.”
Al Smith said: “You know I have to go with Respect. Give it to get it. Also, be Responsible. And for leaders, CEO’s and management; Recognize and Reward people for their efforts.”
One of my axioms in coaching, both athletic and business, and indeed in parenting is this: “Recognized behaviour gets repeated. Rewarded behaviour gets repeated.” And it doesn’t matter whether that behaviour’s good or bad. Recognize/reward it and it WILL get repeated.
Lori Gosselin said her “R” words were too many, and included Respect, Responsibility, Rejuvenation, Reinvention, and Resplendent! I will say, when we respect ourselves and all others, act with responsibility, rejuvenate frequently and reinvent regularly, we will be resplendent in all we do. Whew…that was way too much alliteration!
Although I’d be remiss if I did not include Vidya Sury‘s submission, which wins the prize for the most alliteration I’ve seen in one place. Hold onto your hats for this one:
“Rampantly Rummaging around for Random Ramifications, I Reckon the Readers here are Radical, Radiant, Ready, Realistic, Rapturous, Reassuring and Rational. And you, Kaarina, are quite the Raconteur because I Return here with Renewed interest because you are in my Radar. I love the Repartee here! Rarely do I Relish and Revel in the Reactions more. (I am pretty sure I overdosed that with my Rabid Rant 
) Recommend, Recognize, Reinforce… Okay, I am Running off to Refuel and Relax!”
I need a refuelling after that one, which I’m sure Jens P. Berget would agree with, since he said: “Right now, I’m thinking of rest. Since I’ve recently started my business, it’s been a lot of work. I’ve been working a lot of hours every single day. I’m thinking that I need to rest more to be able to be creative and to create higher quality.”
I provide the following to all of you for a little Rest and Relaxation. Take 2 minutes to view this, and then come on back for the finale.
First, I apologize to any and all whose “R” words did not appear. It would be Ridiculous (thanks Erin Feldman) to believe that I could Resolve (thanks Shakirah Dawud) to include everyone’s Rock and Rolling (hat tip to you Barbara Klein) suggestions.
Next, I’ll include two of Paul Rink‘s words: Rachis and Ranarium. I had to look them up. Clues – think axis and ribbit ribbit.
I’ll end with Ralph Dopping‘s comment about the Alphabet Series in general: “Realistically speaking this is one of the most fun blog ideas I have seen in a while. What doesn’t come up in blogging very often? Humour! Ribbing, raillery or light repartee. It is refreshing for heavens sake at times.”
Hope you all had a fun time too! Now bring on the “S” words.
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