Twist of Life
on the web, with Seth Webster
Video: Vegan Wilted Spinach Salad with Tempeh, Tofutti Cream “Cheese,” Pine Nuts and Blueberries!
Jul 28th
Wilted Spinach Salad with Tempeh, Toasted Pine Nuts, Tofutti & Blueberries
A fantastic dinner last night! A new episode of 10 Minute Vegan is up where I make Vegan Wilted Spinach Salad with Tempeh, Tofutti Cream “Cheese,” Pine Nuts and Blueberries!
This recipe is easy, and tastes like it was made by a gourmet!
Watch the video!
Innovators Mix #2 – Customer Driven Innovation with David Leary
Jun 25th
I’m excited to announce our second Innovators Mix show has been published to iTunes.
I had a great time talking to David about his journey at Intuit and the way he applies connecting with customers to drive impactful innovation. David is a passionate engineer, quality analyst and customer advocate and has driven innovation to a new level at Intuit.
Visit on the Web
View in iTunes
Observations in Agile Transformation
Jun 5th
One of the key things I have been focused on during my time at Intuit has been process improvement and transformational leadership activities. Of course, I am an avid proponent of Lean/Agile methodologies and strategies and have applied much of what I havelearned over the years in my approach at Intuit.
Intuit is a great place to work and there are tons of opportunities for testing and measuring different approaches toidea generation, incubation and development as well as for iterating (relatively) rapidly on process improvements.
In this article, I want to put forth thoughts on the Agile Transformation and on re-thinking some of the challenges weface in our day-to-day.
Fear Factor
Bringing an organization into the Agile domain is often very challenging for a variety of reasons. There are practical considerations, roles and responsibilities to define (and un-define), existing dysfunctions, and so forth. However, the root of most of the challenges faced when leading any sort of organizational change is fear.
Why Fear?
Because it means change and for whatever reason it seems like many of the people I have managed, worked with and for, at one time or another fear change. Isn’t it fascinating that we aspire to deliver greatness in what we create, which fundamentally means change of some kind, yet we find ourselves and others fearing the very change required to produce that greatness? I just love these paradoxes!
Why do people fear change?
Besides the obvious reasons — fear of failure, losing job,position, rank, looking bad – I believe that people think they are supposed to find stability. People seek a groove(see: rut) and ride that groove as long as possible. While there is merit in stability and finding your rhythm, there is danger in finding too much comfort there. As stated clearly in the Agile Manifesto, we must be good at responding to change! It is my wholehearted belief that many of our greatest failures come from commitment to a failing approach over being intelligently flexible. Our [work]culture promotes the pursuit of stability rather than the pursuit of agility & flexibility — this creates a collapse when change is thrust upon us.
What if we were comfortable with rapid, frequent unexpected change? How would this change how we feel or respond when blindsided?
Overcoming Fear
Changing the fear-response is an active process of continual reinforcement and of supplanting the undesired response with the preferable one. As with any other type of change — personal or organizational – reverting into past behavior is a natural reflexive response. Leading change in this area requires patience and a safe environment; team members, managers and leaders must feel safe to challenge one-another and more importantly, it must be okay to fail.
Fail fast, Learn fast, Change… Rinse, lather, repeat.
Remember: Change is okay – it should mean that we are evolving!
Process Rigidity
Along with resistance to change, potentially rooted in fear, is resistance to changing the way we work. After all, why should we change what’s already effective?
Effective in isolation
Obviously, the effectuality of a given team, group or process is relative. Often, you have extremely effective individual contributors and teams within the organization and there’s good reason to fear disrupting that strong performance. The problem here lies in missing the bigger picture; the groups are generally highly effective — true — but in isolation; the larger organism is still unhealthy because there is very little interaction between the parts.
If the department, division or group’s components only work well in isolation — clumps of medium to high performing isolated teams– peak performance, progress and innovation cannot occur.
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” –Aristotle
What fantastic feeling it is to work within an organization that achieves this Aristotelian principle!
Effective in Collaboration
Changing the way people work to incorporate more collaboration and thus sharing results and outcomes is critical to:
- Creating deep cross-functional understanding the problem domain
- Creating accountability inter/intra-organizationally
- Instilling a sense of investment in the work & results
- Turbo-charging innovation
- Destroying silos
- Creating dynamic and flexible teams
Most people and teams are far more effective in collaboration,though there are those folks that do a great job at being turned loose on a problem. Often, this is best done during the formative stages of a project – learning, prototyping, getting a firm grasp on the problem – but if you look over the course of time, the isolated approach tends to take you only so far and then collaboration of some type is required to elevate to the next level.
It may seem obvious, but we collect ourselves into teams precisely because collaboration yields benefits. The issue we tend to face here is that when given the choice between grouping ourselves by what we do rather than grouping ourselves by what we’re trying to accomplish we are apt to choose the former. In doing this, we sap our full creative and collaborative potential. It may feel comfortable to live in a group of like-skilled designers or engineers, analysts or marketers, copy-writers or sales reps — there is a sense of community and collaboration here flows naturally — unfortunately this has ultimately led us to the work request (toss over the wall) processes we have today. This is because teams are organized by what the members do.
To be clear I don’t want to discourage the highly effective process of growth and development that results from intra-vocational community development. Designers should challenge one another to achieve each new milestone in thinking and approach. Engineers should challenge one another inelegance and simplicity, for example. When I think back over my career thus far, I am reminded that most of the life-changing growth I have experienced has been in working with people outside my community of technicians: leaders, designers, analysts and customers!
Fundamentally, hard organizational lines should not drive -positively or negatively – your ability to organize around the goals and objectives after which you are seeking. Hard reorganizations are costly, time-consuming and can be a total disruption to teams. And, often, you are in a situation no better suited to deliver optimum collaboration and efficacy. What we’re talking about here is creating flexible groups that are “organized”around what should be accomplished, rather than function – this can be done simply by:
- Explicitly, but flexibly defining the teams and team members around the outcomes – team members should represent appropriate functions for the desired results
- Establishing Accountability – Team owns the outcomes, good or bad
- Giving appropriate autonomy – you expect greatness and expert-level contribution
- Expecting and rewarding failure – this is where the greatest learning tends to manifest
Commit like you’ve never committed before
“Aha! You said be flexible and ready to respond to change!”
So I did, and still hold this to be an inalienable truth. What you and the organization must commit to is working through the challenges that arise in making the change. Think about what you are asking!
- Accountability – Teams & Team Members will have themselves to thank for success, and conversely, blame for failures
- Trust – In groups that have struggled, trust is a hard commodity to come by; it is, however, essential
- Autonomy – Folks will be required to leverage expertise,innovation, self-discipline and drive. In low performing groups, it may take awhile for people to become comfortable in this space again. When they do, it’ll be like wildfire!
- Honesty – No more hidden agendas. Everyone has to be ready to incorporate delivering honest, real-time feedback… and be ready to receive it!
- Accepting Failure – Adjusting to an environment that allows for and rewards appropriate failure – that in failing and learning fast- isn’t easy; especially for overachievers and a-types!
The challenges are all surmountable, the payoff is great and your employees, customers and stakeholders will all be overjoyed to participate in this kind of environment!
Thanks, reader, for making it this far. I’d love to hear feedback on experiences others have had making this journey.
Note: This work represents my opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of my employer, my wife, or anyone else I know.
Letters To Pushkin featured at Taking Action for Animals conference
May 27th
We couldn’t be more thrilled: The Humane Society of the United State’s Taking Action for Animals conference, Washington, D.C July 23rd-26th, will be hosting Letters To Pushkin in the exhibit hall this year!
That’s right, we will be showcasing the awesome (almost) year of support the community has shown this unique letter-writing experience! We will have some great giveaways so make sure to stop by if you happen to be attending!
You may Register for the conference or just show up and grab an exhibit hall pass. We think they are about $10.
Thank you to everyone who’s helped spread the word and has show such heartfelt support for this project. We appreciate it so much!
A project to believe in: Letters To Pushkin
May 27th
Last year, Sharon and I launched a new web site for helping people cope with the loss of a loved one through the use of letter-writing. Sharon, my incredible wife, was inspired to create an online letter-writing experience after having used letter-writing as means of working through the loss of Pushkin, our beagle. At the time, building it felt like a great way that she and I could work together on memorializing Pushkin, and I thought, “you never know… maybe someone will write a letter.”
Well, here we are about 8 months later and response has been overwhelming. We’ve gathered over 350 folks on Facebook (update: 1250+) and somewhere over 40 public letters, not to mention those that folks are keeping them private. Most of the letters have been written to lost cats and dogs, but there are also beautiful letters written to a horse, a parrot and even letters from folks that have lost parents.
I am so deeply moved by some of the letters. To see such an open & honest expression of love & loss is so touching. Having lost my own mom this April, I’ve found it almost too hard at times to read them but that hasn’t stopped me from spending whatever time I have outside commitments to tweaking the back-end and adding features. I LOVE that people are engaging and I LOVE that people are sharing.
I watched a Ted talk featuring Simon Sinek in which he talks about some companies/people are successful because the sell you not the thing they make, but the thing in which they believe. It was fascinating and it got me thinking about Letters To Pushkin – I think Simon’s right, and I think to take it a step further, I think people “buy what you believe” because believing in it makes it worth buying.
http://www.letterstopushkin.com
Thank you to all of those folks sharing, and spreading the word. Knowing that so many people get it gives me so much hope.
A (new) fall classic: (Vegan) Homemade Butternut Squash Soup
Oct 26th
Recently, my wife attended an animal law conference in Portland, Oregon. Having spent the past five fall seasons in Tucson, Arizona, where the trees just don’t change much, she received quite a visual treat in witnessing the beginnings of the turning of Portland’s foliage. During an evening phone call after a long day, she remarked how she’d been reminded of home (New York) where each year provided such a visual feast. I decided at this point that though I can’t bring the changing seasons to Tucson, I can bring something else ‘very fall’ – some good ol’ squash soup. In keeping with the animal-friendly theme, I give you an all-vegan recipe.
This is a simple recipe that is both light and simply satisfying. It can be served as part of a larger meal but confidently stands alone as a great mid-day treat!
Total Time: About 1 Hour
Yields: 4-6 Servings
Ingredients (all organic)
1 Butternut Squash
1 Peeled Yellow Onion
6 Cups Vegetable Stock
1/4 TSP Nutmeg
1/4 TSP Cinnamon
1 TBSP Butter Substitute (Smart Balance)
Pinch of Salt
Preparation
- Roast the Squash Butternut Squash has a notoriously thick, waxy rind that makes it quite a chore to peel raw. Roasting the squash first will render it soft and cooperative and has a secondary benefit: Roasting the squash will caramelize some of the naturally occurring sugars and provide a richer overall flavor.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Halve the squash lengthwise and place each of the halves face-down on a foiled baking sheet. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. You should wind up with a squash that’s soft with a waxy rind.
Let the squash cool for a few minutes while we start the onions.
- Caramelize the Onions Run cold water over your onion while you peel the outer layer. This will prevent you from crying!For a slightly chunkier texture to the final soup, I dice the onion rather than mincing it, but feel free to chop them as finely as you prefer. Dice the entire onion and combine the butter substitute and Onions in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Sauté the onions until clear and slightly brown.
- Peel and Cube the Squash Hopefully your squash as cooled enough now to peel. Your mileage may vary, but I tend to find it easiest to start by cutting the squash halves into 2 sections just above the bell. You should have4 pieces at this point, 2 round and 2 ‘square’. Now slice these into ‘fingers’. Using your favorite nimble knife, carefully separate the rind from the meat of the squash. With the rind removed, cube the fingers.
- Simmer the Squash Combine the 6 cups of Vegetable Stock with the Onions, Nutmeg,Cinnamon, Salt, and Squash over medium heat. Simmer for about 15minutes. The squash should be soft and saturated with our stock and spices.Get your blender ready!
- Puree the Squash Keep the slow simmer going and with a slotted spoon, remove the squash (and some onions too!), placing it in the blender. Feel free to use some of the stock in the blender as well as this will make the puree a little easier. Don’t use too much – just enough to make it wet. Puree the squash until it reaches a soft, creamy texture. Combine the pureed squash with our simmering stock and stir until mixed.
- Reduce Continue to simmer the soup for about 15 more minutes or until it appears somewhat syrupy.
- Serve like to slice some pears and serve peeled pear slices on the rim of a wide soup bowl. Feel free to garnish with a touch more cinnamon for presentation.Bon Appétit!
Amado, Arrivaca & San Xavier
Sep 21st
I set out this morning for a ride to Arivaca Lake on my new Yamaha FZ6. The sun was shining and some great clouds for cover and photographic background had rolled into the frame and were indicating a scenic ride to the southwest. Arizona in September can be brutally hot, but it was fairly mild out, granted it was only 11:30.
In the process of writing this post, I discovered that there was a far more scenic route to Arivaca –I’ll have to check that out next time!
I headed down I10-I19 passing the San Xavier mission on the way. For those not in-the-know, I19 leads directly to the Arizona/Mexico border crossing. The highway’s shoulder is littered with memorials to those who’ve perished on the highly trafficked and apparently equally dangerous international corridor.
About thirty-five minutes into the trip, the burgeoning clouds made their way in front of the sun; a welcome relief as this area tends to be somewhat hotter than Oro Valley,where I began my ride. Of course, where there’s smoke there’s fire and often, where there are clouds, there’s rain. This day would predictably hold true to the latter. Starting out small and manageably then steadily increasing in intensity, the rain came. Look! Just 3Km to my exit. Hot damn!
I pulled off on Arivaca Rd, and made my way past the Cow Palace and Long Horn Steakhouse to the small (2 old-style gas pumps) Amado Market across the street. No awning, no cover. By now the rain had increased to a pretty dramatic down pour; nothing like a great Arizona Monsoon, but enough to make sitting or riding in it pretty uncomfortable. Time to find some cover.
I started the bike and slowly wound around back onto Arivaca Rd.which now continues west from this little gas station. Directly behind I found the “Amado Mini Mall/Plaza,” a collection of six spaces of varying size and occupancy status. I drove the bike up under the overhang in front Dragon’s Lair Video. None of the shops were open, and Dragon’s Lair looked as though it’d been the scene of an interesting party the night before. Strewn about the video store’s floor were chairs and clothing as well as some portable chairs on their sides and backs. There was also a motorized scooter near the back wall. Maybe they aren’t in business anymore? I spent time taking pictures and reading the postings in the business’ windows, and after about twenty minutes,the rain began to relent. I waited until I could see mostly sun to the west/northwest as that’s where my route would take me and then suited up. The temperature had dropped significantly making for gorgeous weather for a ride — and a gorgeous ride it was! The road between Amado and Arivaca was a blast! Great turns over hills and splendid Oak trees, picturesque valleys dappled with sunlight dripping through the breaking clouds, and free range cattle complete with calves prancing through the green grass fields. Caution was the order as the road, recently wet, had been littered in some places with dirt and debris from the storm.
Upon reaching Arivaca, I stopped at Arivaca Mercantile for a quick rest and a drink. I was parched! I made my way inside and found myself a Coke Zero(r). Mistakenly, I looked up and noticed the wall of death above my head: Lining the wall above the drink coolers, were cheaply reproduced (Ink Jet circa 1999) photos of men,women and teens of all sorts with the freshly-dead carcasses of deer and Javelina. Without fail these folks are holding up a piece of the animal such as a the head or antlers and expressing great pride and satisfaction. Ah, the hunting culture… I just don’t get it.
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- A great dilapidated old post-office
The weather was cooperating and at this point I decided that I’d continue on to Arivaca Lake. It was, supposedly, only about 22 more miles. As I made my way down to the junction with S. 5th Ave(AZ289), I saw this great dilapidated old building, complete with an old fuel filling station and of course, ties out front for your trusty steed.
The road to Arivaca Lake from the town was, for the most part, just fantastic. More great twisties and greenery. Closer to the lake,the quality of the road diminished significantly with frequent road-patches and some gravel in the turns. The last two miles to the lake is, news to me, a completely unmaintained dirt/rock road. My FZ6 handled it pretty well, but I don’t think I’ll be taking too many roads like that with it; it really just likes the street so much better.
There were a number of people on the shores of the lake, some camping, some just day-tripping. One family had scored a spot along the boat ramp and had quite a spread! The water had obviously receded; it was at least forty or fifty feet from the more distinct water line. The banks were basically marshlands with frogs taking full advantage of the shallow waters and hunting up a storm. Every few seconds you would hear them screeching and splashing back down into the water. While I didn’t capture them with the camera, I was fortunate enough to see at least two acrobatic maneuvers in which an airborne bug met his end.
There was a gentleman floating on an inner tube in the lake fishing. Disappointed, he explained from the water that he’d been unable to catch anything other than a large mouth bass which are currently considered a restricted catch; you can’t take them home. There must be an effort to repair their numbers as there’s obviously some environmental stress in the area.
After a good walk around the banks of the lake, I packed up and headed for the main road. The ride out over the tough terrain seemed much shorter leaving than it did on the way in. Once back on Ruby Rd., and past the patchwork asphalt I opened up the throttle and had an exhilarating ride through the twists and turns. A copper colored snake crossed my path and at about eight feet long he got my full attention. I slowed up and he dashed across the lane in front of me, his scales glittering in the sunlight. Spectacular.
I flew through Arivaca this time, hoping to beat another storm I could see rolling into my path from the southwest. I had decided to make a stop at San Xavier Mission to take some photos — the last few times I had visited, the facade was being refinished and scaffolding covered a significant portion of the building. I was hoping to make it to the mission before the clouds covered it and before the storm hit — about 40 miles.
One out of two ain’t bad! I managed to get there before the rain but the light didn’t exactly cooperate. Next time! Still, a nice shot of the mission and the gathering congregation for 5:30 mass.
This ride was a ton of fun. I plan to try the other route which goes through Sasabe and more mountains some time. When I do, I’ll tell you all about it right here.
Thanks for reading!
Up on 2 wheels!
Sep 13th
It’s official! I am now the proud owner of a brand new (to me)’04 Yamaha FZ6 and I can tell you — it’s a blast! I’ve now owned the bike for a week and have already put about 300 miles on it …what a good time. Of course, the first day I used it to commute,we had a Tucson Monsoon and I got drenched and hailed on while riding home on the freeway. Hazed!
I will post photos soon.
Shrinking your SQL Server Log File
Aug 5th
Yesterday I received a low disk space notification from one of our production boxes which gave me a chance to flex my SQL Management muscles before the finally atrophy completely. Of course, it took me a bit to remember how to really shrink the log file as the SQL Server Management studio doesn’t seem tactually do anything.
This seemed to ultimately be the combination that got the log file down to size:
use <databasename>; GO DBCCSHRINKFILE(<logfilename>,1); GO BACKUP LOG<databasename> WITH TRUNCATE_ONLY GO DBCCSHRINKFILE(<logfilename>, 1) GO
