Blink:

I binged on Netflix’s Emmy-nominated documentary series the Chef’s Table over the weekend. Some of the segments about world acclaimed chefs provided me with insight which will help guide me on my forthcoming business journey as I reposition myself as a food futurist.

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Key lessons:

• All new concepts start with a blank page.
• Tweak/experiment with every new concept for as long as it takes until your heart believes it is 110% right.
• Rules are restrictive. There are no boundaries. Consider reverse engineering old norms.
• Fully understand the ecosystem of your business and the interaction/connectivity of each element.
• Further validation of wisdom I previously posted from architect Frank Gehry,

– Artists serve people and live in a commercial world, but they need to discover how they can step outside the norm, take risks, and slice their sliver/niche.
– When artists/creative people step outside the norm they must accept criticism, wear it like an article of clothing for a while, then toss it and move on.

• No risk, no fun!

Opinions welcomed!

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Instagram is saturated with self-help guidance – social intelligence, life lessons from renown philosophers including the ancient Greek stoics, daily step by step high performance improvement objectives, etc. I advocate everybody needs to find a medley of self-help guidance that work best. I also suggest a pinch of doing nothing.

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One prominent component of self-help guidance all the online advisors tout is time utilization. They remind us we are always running out of time every day in our life which we cannot get back. Most recommend we hit the ground running and need to own the morning to establish the standard of our high-performance day. Intense! However, I have learned over the years when it is time to take a break from my high-performance drive, I need to take time to slow down, reflect and put everything in perspective. Do Nothing!

To all the readers of this post striving to become a high performer, in the words of American author Gertrude Stein: “It takes a lot of time to be a genius, you have to sit around so much doing nothing, really doing nothing.”

Opinions Welcomed!

Blink:

In October I experienced a surreal moment thanks to an old fashion circular wall clock with a second’s hand, the type we used to stare at in grade school during childhood waiting for the bell.

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” (Sam Levenson – American Humorist)

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Let me set the stage: It was 1pm, I was in the Cannes hospital taking a pre-operative, disinfectant shower to prepare for a minimally invasive procedure to repair my urinary system when there was a knock at the bathroom door. It was a hospital attendant ready to roll me through the bowels of the hospital to take me to the operating theater in the basement. He was early and wheeled me on a gurney to the waiting area (a.k.a. on deck circle) placing me flat on my back facing/under an old fashion circular wall clock with a second’s hand at 1:10 pm. As I started watching the second’s hand, the anesthesiologist’s nurse missed her first three attempts to pop a vein for the intravenous drip. Not a good sign! At 1:35 pm I knew I was in for a long wait.

As I watched the second’s hand I focused on two things:

• Stoicism – The Greek philosophy & life lessons (resiliency) I have posted about which helped me cope with the Summer of 2014. I thought about stoicism week which was starting Monday the 21^st. When it came to time management Stoics believed: “It’s not that we don’t have enough time. But that we waste most of it. Life is ticking by and we can’t get back each moment that passes.” (Seneca)

• My sense of humor – I began to realize in this age of digital time, it must be difficult to be an old fashion circular wall clock (with a second’s hand) sales person. How do they manage their time?

Finally, the bell rang at 2:54 pm, I went into the operating theater and I was back in my room in time for dinner. Now I am back in my apartment resting. Good news! So far everything has been normal.

Blink:

Last week environmentalists’ content/posts regarding Hurricane Helene flooded LinkedIn. Makes sense given the magnitude of Helene’s catastrophic planetary disruption. However, thanks to following my Tribe as part of my daily routine, I read an article about another dire situation, the current global fashion industry.  

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In previous posts I have referenced the fashion industry (one of the largest manufacturing industries on the planet which is highly unregulated), as a prime example of wasteful consumer purchasing/consumption behavior. The article I read last week was about Australia’s contribution to the industry’s toxic wasteful modus operandum. It disclosed the findings of the first nationwide study conducted by Australia’s RMIT University concerning consumer behavior about their clothing. Research nugget: Australia imports a little over 1.4 billion units annually, 32 per cent of unwanted clothes end up going straight to garbage bins. Approximately, that equates to a little more than 200,000 tons of clothing going to landfill each year.
                                   

Back to Hurricane Helene. The devastation caused by Helene throughout communities across the Southeastern United States is another reminder the effects of our planet’s changing climate and the numerous disasters we are experiencing. Last week the digital environmentalists posted all the different actions, baby steps we can take in our daily lives that would make a difference reducing our overall carbon footprint and minimizing the strain on our planet. The baby steps receiving the most posts: eat less meat and dairy products, do not waste food, recycle properly, drive less, reduce our consumption of material goods, etc., etc., etc. All great suggestions! However, I advocate we do not have to wait for the next calamitous destructive event to take these individual daily actions. We need to instigate in our communities a collective mindset – Ubuntu, a concept I wrote about last year. Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning “humanity to others” the belief in a universal bond of sharing which connects all humanity; we all belong to a greater whole and when we are weaken, others are also weaken.

Think Ubuntu as you peruse your wardrobe today to figure out what you want to wear to work while listening to news in the background about Hurricane Milton. #PlanetFirst, Ubuntu 24/7/365!

Opinions Welcomed!

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Via several social platforms plus a newsletter, I have been studying the ancient Greek philosophy Stoicism which is making a resurgence (Stoicism 2.0). I wondered what Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius who ruled the world 1050 AD, one of the leaders of Stoicism, would think of all the online Stoic clutter/noise.

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Meditations, Marcus Aurelius’s personal journal, private thoughts, documenting/applying Stoic philosophy to his life has evolved into a world renown self-improvement classic. When reading his philosophy, I always wonder if Marcus writing for himself, to himself, to review the principles of Stoicism envisioned his journaling would reach/impact such a wide audience, plus more importantly be monetized by several authors. Championing the current revival and spreading the Stoic philosophy is an American author/philosopher, marketing entrepreneur and media strategist. Candidly I have muddled thoughts about this individual. The marketing entrepreneur side of me respects how he has broadly communicated the renaissance of Stoicism, but conversely, I am turned off by his non-stop “c’est moi” social media broadcasting (a.k.a. in your face sales pitch). Consequently, to avoid the potential of an online trolling situation by naming this individual, I will dub him the “digital stoic huckster” for the remainder of this post.

One definition of a huckster is a person who sells small items door-to-door or from a stall or small store. Candidly I admit I am being critical of the Stoicism revivalist I mentioned above. Detailed below are some examples of why I believe he has evolved from an advocate of the ancient philosophy to a modern day “digital stoic huckster.”     

• World Tour – The 2024 Stoic Life tour is coming to Europe (my hood) soon. In addition to buying tickets to a Stoic Life event, as a newsletter subscriber I am eligible to purchase a special VIP backstage pass for a first-hand Q&A session with the “digital stoic huckster.”

• Stoicism Crash Course – As a closing call to action in one of my daily newsletters I was offered the “digital stoic huckster’s” 101 Stoicism course to learn actionable lessons in just 14 days: how best to cultivate inner peace, prioritize what truly matters, develop rock-solid self-discipline, overcome obstacles with a positive mindset, as well as embrace change and uncertainty. I know I sometimes can be slow, fixed in my ways, but at age 71, it is taking me a lifetime to learn how best to manage my daily life. I cannot even Imagine having my life all figure out in 14 days!

• Journaling – All of the Stoic philosophers kept journals of their daily endeavors, as in conduct self-examination to best process their thoughts. As I read the guide to journaling newsletter there was a link to a $75 special offer, 25% off their regular price if I bought both the Stoic Life Journal with a Leather cover (ethically sourced, genuine full-grain leather, hand-crafted in Minneapolis, MN). FYI: I journal, but over the years I have used black & white marbled cover composition notebooks, the same type I used in grade school. Now I am digital.

What do you think emperor Marcus Aurelius, one of the leaders of Stoicism who ruled the world 1050 AD (pre-internet), would think of all the online 2024 monetized Stoic clutter/noise?

Opinions Welcomed!

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“I will have a bacon, lettuce, and tomato on toasted whole wheat with sneakers please.” FYI: Hellmann’s the World’s No.1 mayonnaise as part of their ongoing food waste awareness movement in partnership with the Italian ID Eight fashion label is launching a limited-edition sneaker made from food waste. Innovative!

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Trend? Innovative eco-sportswear.

Another innovative sportswear launch I recently read about is the Scottish sustainable clothing brand from Community Clothing. Their Organic Athletic label sports clothing (compostable shorts, sweatshirts, T-shirts and running vests) are made from plant-based technology (i.e., certified organic cotton, etc.) in lieu of the typical non-biodegradable, oil-based synthetic plastic materials (e.g. polyester, elastane, etc.). Note: Plastics and synthetic fibers have been used in sportswear for decades for their stretchability and breathability plus thermal protection, and quick-drying/waterproofing capabilities.

Kudos to Community Clothing! An innovative solution to prevent the spread of microplastics into Mother Earth’s ecosystems, thus eventually our food chain. Tomorrow is now!  

Blink:

Last year I began advocating my concern generative AI is the elephant in the room in regards to planet earth’s environment. Specifically, its use as a marketing tool to influence consumer purchasing behavior resulting in an increase in the overall consumption of manufactured material-based products. Ready for an update?

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Generative AI is driving the “new age” of hyperpersonalization marketing. As this marketing transformation rapidly evolves, most companies are currently utilizing existing AI generative tools while some are differentiating themselves by customizing their resources while integrating innovative models with their own systems/data. Optimizing AI information is driving numerous areas of hyperpersonalization. They are detailed below:

• Real time consumer purchasing behavior data analytics.
• Customized marketing movements (e.g. content/social media platform development) in accelerated time.
• Enhanced customer engagement.
• Innovative predictive new product development (e.g., R&D).
• Advanced supply chain processes.

The result for consumer product companies utilizing AI is they are optimizing their revenue growth management strategies. I apologize for sounding cynical, but to me AI as a marketing tool only bodes well if you are a stakeholder benefiting from a CPG company which potentially would drive the overall consumption of its material-based products for increased profitability. In addition, these products might not be manufactured by companies within the sustainable guidelines needed for a healthier plant earth. Note: Remember, many of these products are also delivered in non-biodegradable packaging polluting the planet.

In my initial elephant post, I chose the fashion industry (one of the largest manufacturing industries on the planet which is highly unregulated), as a prime example of wasteful consumer purchasing/consumption behavior fueled in part by marketing. Note:100 billion garments are produced a year; it is estimated 87% will end up in a landfill or an incinerator – only 1% of discarded clothing is recycled. Today I am staying closer to home and citing as an example AI in my industry of specialty, food & beverage; specifically, industry leader Nestlé. The company is utilizing Tastewise a platform which generates food intelligence (market research analytics) providing insights into restaurant items, home cooking trends, and real-life consumption (purchase patterns) incidences distilled down to a micro level (geographic location). The insights enhance marketing decisions to implement targeted/segmented campaigns (e.g., personalized marketing content, promotional strategies, etc.), plus lead to rapid product innovation (new product ideas) to maintain a competitive edge, continually finding new ways to appeal to consumer tastes and preferences. Their utilization of AI leads to better consumer engagement, and higher return on marketing investment.

In closing, as I stated earlier, generative AI is driving the “new age” of hyperpersonalization marketing. My concern is it will drive the overall consumption of goods and services – mankind will buy what they want versus only what they need. As a result, we will continue to drain the limited resources of Mother Earth.

Opinions Welcomed!

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My company is committed to the current transformation for a healthier global food system. Consequently, I have been researching the people/companies participating in this movement. Key learning: Community will be quintessential to lead the transformation.

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Community, community, community! Years ago I shared with my readership words of wisdom from my all-time favorite Chinese fortune cookie:“To build a better world, start in your community.”  Thanks to my bio-diversity project research, I have learned about an African community eco-mitigation project, I would like to share with my readership today – The Great Green Wall.

The GGW eco-mitigation initiative was launched by the African Union in 2007 to restore the continent’s degraded landscapes across 22 African countries. Note: The GGW stretches approximately 5,000 miles in the Sahel belt the region which separates the Sahara and Sudanian domain. The primary objective of the GGW is to help communities living along the wall restore 100 million hectares (247 million acres) of land which is currently degraded and sequester approximately 250 million tons of carbon. In the process of building the GGW, this project is being implemented across 22 African countries, revitalizing thousands of communities across the continent –

millions of jobs will be created by 2030 (stimulate economic opportunities), it will provide food security for millions, climate resilience, etc.

The Great Green Wall initiative is a tangible example of communities (e.g., humanity) working together to mitigate climate change (note: the project is in a region where temperatures are rising faster than anywhere else on Earth), as well as provide a model of how best to champion a new era of sustainability and economic growth. Community, community, community!

Opinions Welcomed!

Blink:

Due to personal medical reasons, mental resilience has been my favorite “subject du jour” this summer. Specifically, since I have been studying the ancient Greek philosophy stoicism to refresh my perspective on being resilient. Below are my current thoughts regarding the stoic mindset.

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One of the pillars of stoicism is understanding the dichotomy of control – there are variables we can control; there are variables we cannot control. In addition, for those variables we cannot control which cross our path, we are challenged to make the best of them, maintain a clear unemotional rationale head (level). Stoics philosophers tell us “Accept the fact that all events occur for a reason, and that it is within our capacity to see this reason as positive.” This stoic train of thought is known as Amor Fati. We accept what happens to us, after understanding that certain things particularly bad things (a.k.a. adversity), are outside our control, we are left with facing the situation we are experiencing with fortitude, a reason to be positive.”

Deep! Candidly, I do not totally subscribe to the concept of Amor Fati (a.k.a. fate). 1.) I like establishing priorities to remain positive. However, I am realistic some negative situations we experience are a direct result of poor choices/decisions (e.g., relationships, career, bad habits, etc.). Take responsibility! Key is to learn and focus every day as we strive for self-improvement on the variables, we can control to minimize future negative experiences; and 2.) I am realistic bad things will happen, but do not always accept them since I believe this thought process has led many people to adaptive, complacent behavior regarding adversity. You know these people. They are the ones who shrug their shoulders and remind us “it is, what it is.”

Opens Welcomed!

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I have previously posted about the positive attributes of experiencing the risk factor associated with life’s challenges and growth. Sometimes a byproduct of taking risk is how people handle adversity, specifically their ability to be resilient and bounce back from unexpected setbacks (e.g., curveballs). A resiliency update.

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Unfortunately, due to another medical emergency, my resiliency is once again being put to the test. Consequently, I went into my archives of motivational pearls of wisdom to lift my spirits. Two contemporaries I value are Japanese violinist Daishin Kashimoto, concertmaster (since 2009) with the Berlin Philharmonic often recognized as the world’s finest orchestra and Twyla Tharp, American dancer, choreographer, writer. Their mantra No risk, no fun!”

To further adapt to my latest round of adversity I have begun studying Roman history and reading excerpts from Meditations written by emperor Marcus Aurelius who ruled the world 1050 AD. His philosophy of stoicism has been gaining recent popularity: “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength. Life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.”

Some daily resiliency wisdom which gets me through each morning: “Everything you worry about is much smaller than you make it in your head.”

Opinions welcomed!