HEADLINES:
Stories Needed for New Fortune Column -- see below, but first...
Live Topgrading Webinar TODAY 2pm EST -- hiring someone in 2014, including low-level positions? Vague Job Descriptions, Ineffective Reference Checking, and Screening for Resumes are just some of the challenges that companies of every size face. If you head up the "People" function in a growing business, register for the Live webinar.
Dilbert on Systems vs. Goals -- losing 10 pounds is a goal, learning to eat right is a system - and systems ALWAYS trump goals. Scott Adams, creator of the famous cartoon series Dilbert, digs into this important distinction in his new book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life (does anyone know Scott? I would like to invite him to a Summit). Here's a link to his blog which does an excellent job of describing the difference between a goal and a system (working out 3 - 4 times per week is a goal, not a system). This is exactly why the Rockefeller Habits processes/systems, like the daily huddle, help companies achieve their goals. Routines (systems) set you free!!
Diets Suck! -- speaking of losing 10 pounds (which I seriously need to after the holidays in the US), Diets Suck! is the name of a new book released this week by Rockefeller Habits fan Stephen Adele, founder/CEO of iSatori nutrition company. Endorsed by Keith Ferrazzi, Dr. Andrew Rosenthal (Harvard Med School); Dr. Mark Goulston; and many other credible experts, Adele shares 7 lessons based on seven very real and inspiring weight-loss stories written in parable style.
Business Impact -- you really notice the overweight issue living in Barcelona and then coming back to the US for the holidays. And employees who are sick, unhealthy and overweight, cost businesses billions of dollars every year in lost work (sick) days, performance, and healthcare costs which are crushing all of us. Companies can reverse this trend and save themselves lots of precious capital by freeing employees of yo-yo dieting and helping them to make a permanent lifestyle change to completely transform how they look and feel. It's why I'm a fan of Adele's book.
Giving Back -- and this note from Adele, who grew up dirt poor, "This is going to be a lot of fun this week as we strive to hit the amazon.com and NYT best-seller lists... and more important, proceeds (our Eat-smart nutrition bars) will be donated to the organization which is very dear to my heart -- Feeding America's "backpack" program, to feed lots of deprived and famished children in the U.S. I love this organization because, as you may know, my Mom and I relied on them to feed us, when I was a dirt-poor kid. Our goal is donate 10,000 bars to them, because we sell 10,000 Diets Suck! books. WE can do it, together!" Go, Stephen, go!!
Ending Aging As We Know It -- and for those interested in anti-aging, the book Decoding Longevity by Dr. Bryant Villeponteau, was recently released. Dr. Bryant Villeponteau has 25 years of scientific leadership in aging research and over 60 scientific journal and patent publications. He has a Ph.D. in Biology from UCLA and was Assistant Professor of Biological Chemistry at the University of Michigan Medical School in the Institute of Gerontology. Dr. Villeponteau later led the research group at Geron Corporation, where he was the lead inventor in cloning human telomerase, thereby winning the DISTINGUISHED INVENTOR AWARD for the 2nd best US patent of 1997. He cofounded Centagen, a Colorado stem cell company, and currently uses genetics and machine learning technologies to develop antiaging supplements and drugs. FYI, I've been taking their Stem Cell 100 product for the last five years, as have several of my CEO friends.
Latest on Vitamin C -- in addition, I've been receiving high dose IV Vitamin C for almost 15 years (50 grams every couple months) and recently provided some seed funding for a new Vitamin C Institute. There is so much mis-information out there about Vitamin C (dosage really matters, like all other "medicines"). Here is an excellent summary of the health benefits of Vitamin C from a medical team out of New Zealand, the most progressive country in utilizing this vital supplement.
Fortune Stories Needed -- Patents/Company -- this might be the most important KPI for companies this century. Owning defendable IP is critical. For my next Fortune column, I'm looking to hear from companies that have been aggressive about filing for patents and otherwise protecting their great ideas -- especially from firms outside of the tech field, where you would expect a proactive approach. What innovations have you protected? Has protecting your ideas added to the value of your firm in a measurable way or helped you get financing? How did you streamline the process of protecting your intellectual property? Let me know the name of your company, the city where it is based, annual revenue and number of employees when you respond. Please email me at vharnish@gazelles.com