Key "Notes"

Today, we assembled in the main expo area to attend the keynote speech. The speaker, Chip Heath was excellent. We are bringing back his book, "Made to Stick" for the Chapter library. Without going into detail, the message was simply, be simple in your communication. Drop the buzzwords and communicate in concrete ways that make people remember your "story." He also defined FM's in a way that really rang true. Given all the layers and business units with which Facilities Managers interact with and influence, he nicknamed them "The Decatheletes of The Buisness World."

Speaking of stories, tonight is installment number two of "WWWP" (Wayne's World Workplace). After my first WWP at Kansas City in 2001 (see next blog), I went Northward to Toronto for 2002. The city was immaculate and the locals were friendly and helpful. The WWP itself was just good ol' Classic WWP. Attendance was a little higher than the previous year and Toronto was an execellent venue. While there, I started a new tradition where I bring my guitar with me to different cities when I travel. Since I play blues, I am usually able to find a blues band or jam where I can go and sit in. While in Toronto, I hopped in a cab to the other side of town and played at a little club called the Silver Dollar.

Now, most blues musicians love the music and the magic that happens when the band locks in to a groove together. There is nothing on earth like it. Like our FM partners, we have to work with different personalities and temperments among our band members. Some musicians are generally easy-going while others can be, well....drummers. However, even those "difficult" folks can make a sum greater than the parts when headed toward the same groove. When our FMers are conducting their teams to get into a groove and lock in with one another, they are making music of sorts. Even though a coordinator on your team may be an anal-retentive pain, he can still contribute and add value to a team if the team has a concrete goal that everyone believes they are working toward. Our Keynote speaker challenged us by saying we could even get the accountants to get excited about goals which are simply communicated and concrete in nature.

Later in the evening, we all went to Gilley's for the Welcome Reception. Though it wasn't the same place where "Urban Cowboy" was filmed, it was still as big as Texas inside replete with line dancing and good vittles. There was something for everyone: Country music, Pop/rock music, billiards and bullriding (not at the same time), casino-style gambling, and lots of food. It was a good time. However, yours truly had to sceedaddle to a place about 30 minutes away in Grapevine. You see, one of my associates in Texas owns a bar where a SRV (Stevie Ray Vaughan) tribute band was playing. Coincidentally, Stevie himself played there before (see picture inset). I must explain that I am more than a fan of SRV - I am more like a disciple. Rarely does a day go by where I don't either listen to or play one of his songs.
I showed up a the bar and heard - hands down - the best SRV guitarist I have ever heard. This wasn't your average tribute band, this guitarist was someone who had studied the music to the point where it poured out of him in such a way that even the most diehard SRV follower could close their eyes and believe Stevie was in the room.

I was able to sit in with his band and it was a wonderful experience. But it was after his set when I found out that the guitarist, Tommy, has been here in Texas for only a year. He is from Hungary and ever since he saw Stevie Ray when he was five, he wanted nothing else but to play Stevie's music in Texas. I must tell you, the kid was one of the most humble and beautiful people I have met in this business. We got to talking about Stevie and both got a little misty as we talked about our hero. I am so happy to see his music carried on by this young man who is living his dream in a way that few can ever do. Knowing that he is playing in Stevie's home state with the uttmost respect for the music brings him a joy that few will ever experience. I am so happy to have met him and played Stevie's music with him while here in Dallas. It will definitely be the high point of this trip for me.
Until tomorrow....