the Lisa Kahn Collection

Danielle Hatfield and Brandon Pierce, of Linking Triad, attended the launch of the Lisa Kahn Collection from Chelsea House at High Point Furniture Market. Lisa shares her new designs and how Chelsea House discovered her via Kahn Design Group’s new website.

Lisa Khan, luxury designer

Lisa Kahn, luxury designer

Kahn Design Group
DISTINCTIVE INTERIORS
http://www.kahndesigngroup.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaLKahn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kahndesigngroup

Chelsea House

SPIRITED SOPHISTICATION
http://www.chelseahouseinc.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChelseaHouseInc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChelseaHouseInc

____________________________

Video Produced by Linking Triad

Interview by Danielle Hatfield
http://www.daniellehatfield.com

Video by Brandon Pierce
http://www.brandonpierce.net

Christmas in August: How to Leverage Anticipation at Work

Christmas in August

As a child I remember clearly the painstaking agony of waiting for Christmas Day to arrive. A true child of the 1980’s, materialism was my middle name and Christmas gifts were my game(s). Of course in comparison to many of my peers’ parental units, my mother and father were quite strategic in their approach to gift allocation. My brother and I might receive a small item here or there over the course of the year, but the windfall clearly came at Christmas, and only then because it was Santa doing the buying. Much like the iconic Ralphie, the anticipation would begin to build just after Thanksgiving until it reached a fever pitch during a sleepless Christmas Eve. Then, in what seemed like an instant, it was over. And the long wait would begin again.

The Family Truckster from the 1983 movie Natio...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fast-forward approximately 30 years. In February, calls begin between my father, my brother, and myself making the necessary prearrangements for the annual summer vacation. Dates must be set, accommodations secured, transportation and logistics put in place. Every detail must be planned, right down to the appropriate tee times and the color scheme for the family photo. And, as August rolls around, I once again I feel the tinge of anticipation as it builds right up until we set sail in our very own Family Truckster. But of course, just as in the days of my youth, the moment I have been pining for slips through fingers all too quickly and I am left dreaming of the next family vacation.

A team of researchers in the Netherlands published a study where they examined the effects of vacations on Dutch participants’ happiness. But wait, aren’t European workers always on vacation? That is another topic for another blog. The researchers found that very few participants reported any increased happiness following their vacations, and for those lucky few, the boost of happiness only lasted about two weeks post vacation. However, the anticipation of the vacation that was yet to come boosted happiness for up to eight weeks prior to the actual event.

This study illustrates an important point, that, while not all that surprising, is often lost when companies try to increase worker morale, satisfaction, and even performance. Improvements in these areas are not the result of workers gaining the carrots that are dangled so carefully in front of them, but rather because of the anticipation or, in motivational jargon, the expectancy, that great effort and planning will lead to the attainment of these valuable outcomes. You see, much like vacations and Christmas mornings, the energy and excitement that occurs prior to reaching your destination disappears quickly once the ride is over.

So what then, are companies and managers to do if they wish to keep their workers satisfied and energized? First, as the Dutch so eloquently put it, “take more trips per year”. Employees need to be constantly striving in anticipation for some event or reward, but those events cannot be too far in the distance or the anticipation is lost. After all, it is a long time from December 26th 2011 to December 25th 2012 and the prospect of being good for such a long period is enough to take any child from giddy anticipation to helplessness and despair. Second, just as one event is passing we must have another goal in our sights. The “post-holiday blues” are in part due to the long dark winter months seen looming on the horizon. Some managers, in an effort to “give their employees some down time”, rob them of meaningful work. You don’t have to be a hard taskmaster, but you should always have meaningful milestones and rewards that employees are trying to reach. Third, equip employees with the belief that they CAN reach the destination. Anticipation exists because an individual truly believes that the outcome they are seeking will, in fact, come to pass. Sometimes this requires improving the self-efficacy of the individual along the way. Lastly, make sure the “vacation” doesn’t punish the employee. If you ever returned from vacation to find that you now have twice as much work as when you left, you know this can certainly temper excitement over the next vacation. Rewards must truly be desirable and not contaminated with adverse consequences.

So there you have it, the “keys” to leveraging anticipation at work. In case you were wondering I have just returned from a little vacation myself. My intent was to write this piece prior to leaving, but fortunately for me the anticipation was just too great.

 

 

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Why Whole Foods Market is one of Fortune’s ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’

In the May 2011 issue of Fortune Magazine, Whole Foods Market was ranked 24 on the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ list. (which they made again this year!)

It’s not surprising to learn that for 15 years in a row Whole Foods has remained one of the top companies to work for. Considering that the Triad is now host to two locations (Winston Salem & Greensboro) I wanted to share a few reasons that Whole Foods Market, which is headquartered in Austin, Texas, is one of only 13 companies that have made the list every year since its inception in 1998.

With (at the time of the article) 51,800 employees, Whole Foods Market has proven that it has an committed investment mentality for every community it opens a store in. It’s no secret that they love to support locally grown products.

One thing that really stands out to me is the fact that they have one of the most equitable pay structures I have seen. Considering that the gap between CEO and worker pay has soared in recent decades it was refreshing to learn that Whole Foods Market is proud that they cap salaries of executives at 19 times the average full-time salary and hold no secrets from any employees when it comes to take home pay. For the record, Co-founder John Mackey‘s 2006 pay reduction to $1 a year hasn’t changed.

In case you were wondering, currently a U.S. CEO’s pay is 231 times higher than that of an average worker. That figure puts it into perspective that Whole Foods is true to their motto of Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet. If the capped salaries aren’t impressive enough, once every 3 years the entire workforce gets to vote on benefits packages.

Are you as blown away as I am so far? Wait, it gets better!

Employees, or ‘Team Members” as they are referred to, are rewarded for their healthy lifestyle with discounts of up to 30% off if they meet certain requirements. All employees receive a 20% discount, a six week unpaid vacation for every 6000 hours worked and those same Team Members also have access to 100% paid health care premiums. Yup. You heard me.

The fact that the company actually encourages it’s employees to submit ideas and then take and implement them to further company wide success is a testament as to why they have consistently made Fortune’s list.

For more information on Whole Foods Market be sure to take some time and get to know them online.

I know that I am more impressed than ever with what I have learned about Whole Foods as a culture and a company and am happy they are here in the Triad. I never knew any of this information regarding how they operate until reading that Fortune article and visiting them online.

I am more determined now that ever to support them in our community.

Does your family shop at Whole Foods? What is your most memorable experience?

Do you work at Whole Foods? What benefits did I miss that makes you a proud Team Member?

 

 

You’ve Been Here Too Long…

It’s that time of year again. A time for long speeches, celebratory dinners, and the obligatory silver pen and pencil gift set. No, I’m not speaking of retirement, but rather a different right of passage, commencement. As a lifetime member of the academy, first as a student and now as a professor, I have attended and participated in more graduation events than I can recall. And despite some high profile keynote speakers (e.g., Lance Armstrong, and Buzz Aldrin) it would be fair to say that few have been particularly memorable.

However, most recently at the High Point University Baccalaureate I heard a message delivered by Dr. Dwight Andrew, Senior Minister of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Atlanta and Associate Professor of Music at Emory University and an accomplished musician, which roused my interest and led me to a brief moment of reflection. Dr. Andrew based his message on Old Testament scripture in which the God of the Israelites instructs his people that they have “dwelt long enough in this mount” and that they must not stay in one place but move along their journey.

As I often say to my MBA students, we human beings do not like change. The irony is that if you ask most people they will tell you emphatically that they “like to try new things”, “get bored when things get too routine”, and wish the dinosaur companies they work for “were simply more open to change”. However, the reality is…we say we do, we may even believe we do, but when push comes to shove we typically do not like change.

Our tendency to avoid change is supported on many fronts. As humans we consistently strive to predict and control our environment by decreasing ambiguity and increasing consistency. Creating predictable routines can relieve stress and emotional loads. However, even conscious, rational thought is resistant to change. How much new information does it take to change someone’s existing opinion? Researchers have demonstrated that even when we do try to integrate new, inconsistent information with our existing base of knowledge and beliefs, our overall impressions rarely change.

And the tendency to stick with the status quo is not limited to the rank and file. When discussing the philosophical and tactical changes leaders must enact for their organizations to rise above the competition, Dr. Jeffrey Pfeffer of Stanford University states, “In order to be exceptional and earn extraordinary returns you have to dare to be different. And so everybody says,  ‘Yes, I want to be different, but I don’t want to be that different.” And if you are one of the chosen few who approach change with open arms, the next challenge is inspiring your spouse, coworker, or subordinate to join you with equal zest and determination. Leadership is all about influence, and if you can influence others to embrace change you have a rare and coveted skill.

Undoubtedly, change can be difficult, anxiety provoking, and at times can entail great risk. But on this spring evening in Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church as I thought about these soon-to-be college graduates, leaving the safe and well-worn halls of their beloved alma mater, I was reminded that to grow and become “exceptional” we all must opt for change, whether it be in our personal or professional lives. So as you reflect on your current situation, ask yourself…”Have I been here to long?” And if the answer is yes, perhaps the time has come to “move along your journey”.

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High Point Furniture Market: The SXSW of the Furniture Industry?

Spring 2012 was my first opportunity to attend the High Point Furniture Market, and bear witness to what is said to be the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world. I’ve worked on production shoots centered on the furniture industry and am no stranger to it. I am not, however, an “industry insider” by any means. So, it was interesting to be able to get a sneak peak of what really goes on behind the scenes at this over a century-old semi-annual event.

My focus was on the market culture that exists during this time. For six days, the City of High Point nearly doubles in size, with an international population flooding the area. I make the South by Southwest comparison because it rings true. The now infamous festival in Austin, TX, basically creates the same kind of fervor that Market does in High Point. an Elaine Smith Girl Like SXSW, High Point has an interactive component with the use of social media and technology. It also has entertainment with concerts, and a few celebrity sightings. Martha Stewart, anyone? If you consider that fact that Market kicked-off the same weekend that the River Run International Film Festival was closing in nearby Winston-Salem, then you also have the movie component. See the connection? So, it is a big deal. It’s probably the area’s biggest deal that locals not connected to the industry know anything about. Ironic, since most of the city nearly comes to a stand-still for a week during both the Spring and Fall markets.

Elaine Smith

Photo of Elaine Smith from elainesmith.com

You see a lot at Market. Some of it seems logical…buyers and sellers making deals to move product into stores. Some people have an idea exactly what they’re seeking and zero right in to find it. While others explore, just looking for that spark of inspiration.

One company stood out, though, with a simple, old-fashioned technique: curiosity. Mine was peaked by a masked woman walking around the International Home Furnishings Center (IHFC). I had seen her a couple of times, and again when I turned a corner. Of course I had to ask her what was up with the mask, and she told me. She was a live model for Elaine Smith, a designer of pillows and accessories. I walked with her back to the showroom space, in a sort of “Take me to your leader” moment. There, I spoke to Mark Eitel, the company’s VP. He told me that the masquerade theme was inspired by the annual carnival in Venice, Italy. He said that Elaine Smith was inspired by the city, and other European locales, to create her new line. They often use mannequins and live models known as, “The Elaine Smith Girls,” to bring the concept to life. “For us, it’s just about elevating the presentation,” Eitel said. Eitel went on to tell me that the High Point Market is their favorite, because they feel valued when they come here. “They just really seem to roll out the red carpet.”
There’s much to appreciate about the atmosphere during High Point Market, and it explains why so many continue to show up year after year.

High Point Furniture Market : Fine Artist Carolyn McDonald

Artist Carolyn McDonaldAuthor and Fine Artist Carolyn McDonald was a pleasant discovery at High Point Furniture Market thanks in large part to Time Frame who showcased her work.

Carolyn’s bold colors and ‘one a day’ style was a refreshing break from the trite.

You can feel her sense of joy and unique commitment to color in what many would consider mundane subject matter. It was her visible joy in the everyday that drew me in and piqued my interest.

“My inspiration comes from my surroundings and relationships.  I hope to be a student the rest of my life.  I learn from painters such as Degas, Cassatt, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Sargent, Hopper, and Thiebaud.  Also, I gain perspective and skill from more modern day masters such as Dawn Whitlaw, Michael Shane Neal, Paula Frizbe, Timothy Thies, and Carol Marine.”

John Strauss at High Point Market, Spring 2012

Linking Triad attended the Spring 2012 High Point Furniture Market. We met John Strauss through Twitter in 2011. We’re very impressed with his sustainable approach to furniture design. We think you will be as well.

John Strauss, furniture designer
http://www.straussfurniture.com/

Family Fun Day at Camp Weaver

Families matter. A lot. And spending time together as families is what our children will remember.

I don’t remember what I had for breakfast every day as a child, or even things my mother said to me. I do, however, remember my mom helping me select a pair of awesome red tennis shoes from the Sears catalog, visiting historic Civil War battlefields as a family, working together in our backyard garden, playing baseball because we had enough people for two teams without calling the neighbors as extras, feeding the ducks at the park, catching fireflies in the middle of the night, dancing around the living room to our favorite records, eating popcorn while we watched the Disney Sunday Night Movie every single week, and the list goes on and on and on. The foundation on which we build our adulthood are the memories of experiences we shared with our families as children.

The Guilford Parent Academy is holding its FAMILY FUN DAY on May 19, 2012, at Camp Weaver.

This FREE event is a way for parents & children to spend some time together and highlights the importance of doing things as a family to build community. There will be wholesome food, entertainment, health screenings and activities like canoeing, swimming, kayaking and more…. again, all for FREE.

The Parent Academy offers free seminars, classes and events to parents/caregivers and children throughout the year in order to help both succeed in school and in daily life. This event is their way to say thank you to the parents/caregivers of Guilford County. Take a look at this promo video for the Parent Academy for more info.

Here are more details:

FAMILY FUN DAY at CAMP WEAVER
Saturday, May 19 from 10am to 4pm | 4924 Tapawingo Trail, Greensboro, NC 27406

Free transportation provided at pick up / drop off locations:

  • Smith High 2407 S. Holden Rd.
  • Dudley High 1200 Lincoln St.
  • Gateway Education Center 3205 E. Wendover Ave.
  • High Point Central High 801 Ferndale Blvd.

Shuttle buses to Camp Weaver run every hour from 9:30am to 3:30pm.

Return shuttles provided every hour from 11am to 4pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

This event is targeted to K-8 grade students of the Guilford County Schools.

Put it on your calendars now. Tell your kids about it. Plan a memory and go have fun making it!

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100 For 100 Event at The Center For Visual Artists

Currently on display at the CVA Gallery. Piece is made entirely of cardboard.

When is the last time you have been Downtown to the Greensboro Cultural Center? I have to admit that as someone who is born and raised in Greensboro, I don’t take advantage of visiting the great art, music, retail, food and historical venues we have at our disposal Downtown as often as I should or as I would like to.

I will, however, be going to this:

On Friday, April 20, 2012 there is a great free event that will be featuring 100 different works from 100 different local artists held at The Center for Visual Artists on the 2nd floor of the Greensboro Cultural Center. Some of you may know the building better if I say that it is across from Center City Park and that Cafe Europa is connected to it.

Each artist has been given a 10×10″ canvas to work with and each piece will be offered for $100 with all proceeds going towards sustaining the Center for Visual Artists. Works are available first come, first serve so you may want to get there early to acquire your favorite. It may end up being my creation, as I was asked by Gallery Curator Kristy Thomas to contribute!

For more information about the Center for Visual Artists check out www.greensboroart.org.

What events have you enjoyed most at The Center For Visual Artists?

 

 

All Your Thoughts, Are Belong to Us!

Emotiv's EPOC neuroheadsetIt started with my discovery of the “Imagination Board!” – a mind controlled skateboard.

This made me ask: If they can mind control a skateboard, what else is being mind-controlled?

The most common interface device I’ve found so far is the EPOC neuroheadset. Retailing at $299, I’m more than a little blown away. I mean, seriously, did any of us think mind-controlled skateboards, phones, or video games? I didn’t, and I’m a complete nutter for sci-fi!

Like any new interface technology worth the time, the EPOC neuroheadset has a development community and SDK (software development kit). It takes a village, right? I won’t lie though, most of the posts I saw in there are completely over my head.

Here’s a brief list of some of the applications developed (or in development) for use with the EPOC neuroheadset:

The object of the game is to develop your Emotiv EPOC skills and rebuild Stonehenge, moving the giant triliths to reconstruct the monument. Your mission is to put triliths in the east, west, south, north of the sacred site, and finally to raise the ancient temple which was buried in the middle of the stone circle.

A typical NeuroVault task, a game developer would use NeuroVault to capture a gamer putting a new game through its paces.

Afterwards, they could playback synchronized video, audio and EEG data, and see immediately which events in the game excited the player, or were frustrating, challenging or just downright boring. Because NeuroVault lets you review the data at your leisure, its very easy to visualize the exact events which trigger changes in emotional state.

After the reading of many charts, the application of copious amounts of saline, and not just a little bit of ‘OH YIKES,’ Chaotic Moon Labs is proud to introduce not the Board of Awesomeness 2.0, but rather the Board of Imagination. Using the same drive system and Samsung-built brains as the Board of Awesomeness, this new board is operated solely on the power of your imagination, no controller here. “LOOK, MA: NO HANDS!”

A new device from Dartmouth College lets users select and dial a contact’s phone number just by thinking about it.

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