Ted Tuesday: Success, Failure and The Drive to Keep Creating with Elizabeth Gilbert

"Know your purpose and it becomes your rock in the good and bad times"

Good Morning Folks,

Elizabeth Gilbert was once an "unpublished diner waitress," devastated by rejection letters. And yet, in the wake of the success of 'Eat, Pray, Love,' she found herself identifying strongly with her former self. With beautiful insight, Gilbert reflects on why success can be as disorienting as failure and offers a simple — though hard — way to carry on, regardless of outcomes.

Her message: "Stay true to yourself. Possess your passion, indulge your passion. Do it for yourself and live with the results whatever they may be."

Please enjoy her TED Talk about finding your way back home again when you feel like you run out of your creative juice.  

She’s funny. She’s passionate. She talks about rediscovering “whatever in this world you love more than yourself”. And with over 15 million YouTube and Ted views between her talks, she's proven to be well worth a listen.


With assistance and graphics from Chris Donner and great thanks to Ted and to you for watching.

Have a fabulous, productive day filled with love and inspiration.  

Cheers!

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

Ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, they morph and adapt into their most potent form. TED Tuesdays on MitchWeiner.com highlights some of today's most intriguing ideas. Look for more talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more— HERE. 

Inspire ME Friday: Launched At ALA Nashville New Research & A New Attitude

"The FSO takeaway from the administrators visiting our booth was "what a refreshing new attitude." While this attitude is not new for us, folks who have been with competition are discovering for the very first time that service can come with friendly, kind, people who  smile and bend over backwards to do whatever it takes for you"

Good Morning Folks,

I was very fortunate to attend and be part of something amazing, at ALA Nashville, where we continue to make our FSO brand the greatest our industry has ever seen. I wanted to congratulate the Nashville team. You represented my company beautifully. I enjoyed my time with each of you very much. We learned a lot. We bonded a lot and we have seen how the FSO brand is gaining traction and how disappointing our competitors are. 

The FSO takeaway from the administrators visiting our booth was "what a refreshing new attitude." While this attitude is not new for us, folks who have been with competition are discovering for the very first time that service can come with friendly, kind, people who  smile and bend over backwards to do whatever it takes for you. It's called hospitality and if you're not getting the full white glove treatment from your present contract, perhaps it would be prudent to explore our better alternatives. At least that's what Administrator, after Administrator visiting our booth told us.

Hard to believe almost half this new year has flown by so fast as we roll into summer with Memorial Day weekend upon us. I can tell you that I have never been more focused. Energized. Inspired. Believing and hungry for success we deserve. To win the accounts that should rightfully be in a better state.

The legal profession is undergoing massive workflow changes not only in their records and document management processes, but across all support/non revenue generating operations. 

Supporting a multi-generational team of executives (from interns to associates, partners to the management committee), with a multi-generational hourly demographic workforce, law firms need to run their firms differently.  It is no longer an option not to!
Law firms MUST run as better businesses. They are looking for “Service Partners” (not just “vendors”) to help them (re)IMAGINE….to educate them and provide the ability to do what they would want to do if only they knew it was possible.”

With young professionals coming to firms in ever greater numbers, the generational differences between older partners and young Millennials can no longer be ignored. Learn how today’s successful law firm embraces diversity, discovers keys to motivation and commits to making itself a great place to work — for every generation.

That's why, at ALA Nashville, after months of interviews and extensive examination, we released a proprietary research paper: "The Changing Role of the Legal Administrator: Managing and Motivating a Multigenerational Workforce In The Face of Continuous Change.” The paper helps you learn how to make your firm a great place to work — for every generation.

In presentation after presentation we hear that the back office folks are being forgotten about. That they are disappointed with their the outsourcing vendor, who has done nothing for its people in terms of motivation AND training. 

That’s where Onsite Outsourcing with Future State Outsourcing (FSO) comes in. By partnering with FSO, outsourcing can become a leverage that can help use new resources for new projects and help drive revenue growth.

If you use outsourced back office or front of house support services, IT, print, copy, records retention, conference and other hospitality services you can reserve your FREE copy of our workforce research HERE

Meanwhile….

Memorial Day gives us a welcome break from work, a chance to spent time with family and friends. Time to enjoy a day at the beach, a backyard barbecue or simply relax and bask in the wonderful weather.

As we enjoy our holiday weekend, let us take a moment to remember those whose service to our country guaranteed our freedom to do so and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

From the Entire FSO Family we wish you and yours a meaningful and safe Memorial Day.

To all of you who took the time away from your families and your selling areas to attend ALA 2015, thank you!

Have a safe, happy and joyous memorial day weekend!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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“We need to believe in the impossible and remove the improbable” 

~ Oscar Wilde

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Don't Just Do Your Job. Make A Difference.

OUR CORE VALUES: A POWERFUL CODE OF ETHICS APPLIED TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Good Morning Folks,

Less than 48 months ago, hundreds of FSO clients ALL relied on someone else who let them down. Now they have made the switch to us. Why? What do we have that serves their needs better?

I can tell you that winning this business took a combination of amazing strategy, planning, training and having great players who are committed. Everyone on the team knows their position and role and they work in harmony to execute greatness. That is what FSO is all about – a perfect harmony of perfection and greatness.   

We have won and continue to win because we make everything PERSONAL – this is what attracts great talent to FSO, and why prospects have chosen FSO and why our clients retain us – not because we have are trying to push equipment and not because we are this massive bureaucratic organization that moves as slow as a snail.  

People want to be part of FSO as clients and employees because we are passionate and we CARE about what it means to be there for them.

Though they are posted here and on our website, reflecting on how far we've come and how much further we plan on going, I thought I'd remind you of seven core values that define how we “go to business” and are reflective in everything we do and every interaction we have:

+ Inspire Greatness

The skip in your step, fire in your belly or twinkle in the eye inspires those around you and the clients we serve.

+ Believe It. Deliver It. (re)Imagine!

Continuously improve. Break out of your world and look at things ahead of the curve and from a different perspective.

+ Knowledge is Power

Excel in the knowledge of our industry. Never stop learning both professionally and personally.

 + Build Open and Honest Relationships

Business is personal. Relationships are for life. Always act with integrity, loyalty, collaboration and open communications.

+ We are Family!

Collaboration, motivation and celebration of each other’s achievements is the secret to building the best partnerships with each other and the our world.”

+ Think Lean

Always operate as if you own the company. Take pride in adding value by increasing productivity, efficiencies and service while reducing costs.

+ Give Back

Celebrate our success by making an impact extend far beyond our office walls. Give back to our communities and those less fortunate.

Nobody and I mean nobody will take CARE of the folks like FSO USA. 

We're  on a roll. And our expansion plans to light up a nation are all in motion. 

As we head into a new week remember that everything we want to achieve is in our grasp! Everything we dream about can happen. We just have to have the conviction to go get it. We have to have the heart to make it happen and the desire to put forth the effort.

Have a GREAT day and Love Life!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

. . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .  . . . .. . .. . . . .  . . . .. . .. . . . .  . . . ..

"Second chances are only for those who are not afraid to try again."

. . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .  . . . . .. . . . .  . . . .. . .. . . . .  . . . .. 

Learn more about what DIFFERENTIATES FSO here

InspireME: Stand Tall and Strong Knowing You Are Part of Something Amazing and Special

 "Great companies like FSO make sure that opportunities are available to all levels and not only to a select few. No other outsourcing company does this for their staff and I am a living proof, because I’ve been in the business since the dinosaurs roamed."

Good Morning Folks,

As we approach Memorial weekend and the start of Summer, I cannot help but think about this past week with FSO. 

What a great four days showing the legal community what a powerhouse and how different FSO can be. From the way we represented in the booth, to applying our sticker on the Bingo game, to the receptions and dinner, to interactions in the hotel, EVERYTHING about FSO was awesome.

“Everyone was buzzing about FSO” and how we gave off a “great aura of excitement” that has not been seen in a long time at these events. I really do believe we made more than just a splash... FSO caused a flood and everyone is treading water through our immersion, passion and excitement! 

As you continue to read and hear about all of the amazing activities and national coverage/visibility of FSO, I cannot tell you how many people and prospects we spoke to over the past few days talked about how their current provider just does not take care of their people. 

We are the people company and our job is to make good people great and that what is most valuable to us is our people - that we care and spend all of our time training and developing our people. We're also a happy bunch.

We had the ALAers laughing and smiling in the aisle. We made sure everyone knew that FSO was both the happiest place to work and to put to work for you, and it showed. 

Our CIO Tom Pategas made a splash with his rear projection, frosted glass presentation of the office of the future. Great eye catcher for the booth and very different than everyone else.

Face Time at ALA 2014

During ALA we also launched an exciting new service that evolved from client needs and changing market conditions in a world where threats are the new norm and the unfortunate reality is that companies can't take safety for granted. 

Our newly branded Secured Customer Experience is already making noise in national press. You can read a case study here. 

Secure Customer Experience exemplifies my commitment to never stop innovating, to always be (re)IMAGING new and better ways of serving you.

What did I learn from our employee communications this week back home, and our time together in Toronto?

==> Shawn Curwen: Be A Little Better Today At Something Than You Were Yesterday. "It’s a worthy goal and some days I achieve it. I achieve it on the days when I intentionally go after it. The key to achieving almost any goal, even simple ones, is INTENT. You won’t get better by accident, you get better BY purpose, ON purpose, and FOR a purpose."  

==> Region Director Larry Wallace: It's All About Strategy.
"FSO’s strategy is to provide the best hospitality to all our clients with white glove service and more importantly give each and everyone us the opportunity to achieve our dreams of success. A strategy could be presenting to your client  how we plan to save them costs, provide new services or get them to be the best reference ever."

==> Joseph W. Yap: Every Day Presents A New Opportunity To Be Great Do Something Great For Others.
"How lucky are we to be able be given new chances to improve ourselves, improve the way we serve our clients, improve the way we work with our staff, as well as to improve the way these opportunities are spread among all levels of employment at FSO. This is important. Because great companies make sure that opportunities are available to all levels and not only to a select few. No other outsourcing company does this to their staff and I am a living proof, because I’ve been in the business since the dinosaurs roamed."

==> Northeast Regional Director, Christine Rainey: The Difference Between Quitters And Climbers. 
"A Quitter simply gives up on the climb up the mountain or challenge. Quitters often blame others, become overwhelmed, and allow adversity to stay a lot longer than necessary.

"Campers generally work hard, apply themselves and pay their dues in life to get to the next level. Then they plateau by planting their stakes in the ground, pitch their tent and camp out there for a while. "

"Climbers are a rare breed. They continue to learn, grow, strive and improve until they grow so far they look back and say “I gave it my all”.  

It is truly humbling to reflect on such a fantastic week with so many contributors, and every department should be proud to have their hand in our success. 

We rocked Toronto and left a great impression for FSO. I enjoyed the face time with clients, partners, legal thought leaders and our employees at ALA 2014, and appreciate the tens of thousands of you who have follow our journey albeit virtually, on social media. 

Blogging, tweeting and "linking in" takes a lot of work that our competitors haven't stepped up to invest in. But what makes it all worthwhile for me are your likes, shares, comments and private messages of approval and gratitude for daily doses of inspiration. 

Meanwhile….

Memorial Day gives us a welcome break from work, a chance to spent time with family and friends. Time to enjoy a day at the beach, a backyard barbecue or simply relax and bask in the wonderful weather.

As we enjoy our holiday weekend, let us take a moment to remember those whose service to our country guaranteed our freedom to do so and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

From the Entire FSO Family we wish you and yours a meaningful and safe Memorial Day.

To all of you who took the time away from your families and your selling areas to attend ALA 2014, thank you!

Love Life,

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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"As challenges arise, I encourage you to look upon them as opportunities."

~~Paula Barnes, 2014-2015 ALA President 

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InspireME Friday: Opportunity to Make A Difference = Opportunity To Advance

"Great messages this week. This is what differs us from the rest. I've never seen this much passion in a company in my years in outsourcing. Thank you Mitch and Jim for inspiring us each and every day to be the best that we could be."  ~~Joseph Yap, FSO Account/Manager & Experience Director

Good Morning Folks,

Every day I've nominate different employees from all walks of our company to write an inspiring company-wide email to set the tone for the day. Today I want to take what I heard, what I learned this week and share it with you.

I have always been a boss people want to work for. Someone that all employees can communicate with without fear of judgement. I always make myself available to talk with them as they make their own decisions.

When the employees’ career goals match what the company is trying to achieve in the long term, people stay and prosper. As soon as this equation becomes unbalanced, great employees seek opportunities elsewhere.

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

In a blog post in December I suggested ten simple ways that we motivate our best people which collectively make FSO The HAPPIEST Place To Work On Earth!

1. Challenge them

2. Give them the opportunity to make a difference

3. Give them the opportunity to advance their career

4. Be one of the leading places to work

5. Pay them well

6. Give them the ability to make decisions on their own

7. Be the boss they want to work for

8. State the company's beliefs and values

9. Be supportive of their personal goals

10. Provide complementary team members

We all have the power to make a difference today. We all have the power to touch someone today and change someone’s life.  I try to do this every day.  Show some love, give some hugs and tell someone how much you care for them.

• Try today to be a mentor, a teacher or just a friend.
• Take an interest in someone’s life.
• Ask them how they are doing, how is the family, how are the kids.

As a result, At FSO, employees really do feel a sense of accomplishment after hard work. We show every employee where they can go inside our company. We share a detailed vision!

• FSO is the Fastest growing outsourcer in the Industry
• FSO is the displacing its competitors every day
• FSO is the best place to work in the industry
• FSO is providing thousands a chance to reach their goals
• FSO is the most sought out company in the industry to work 

As everyone knows, when we hire, we always look for the skip, fire and twinkle!  We are looking for potential. We are looking for people who can be developed, and who are future LEADER program candidates (FLP).

I talk about FLP everyday with several members of the business. I hope everyone understands how important it is for both the happiness of our clients, and the development and future of FSO. We currently have about 270 FLP members, and the FLP promotions for the year are well over 20. This is growth. This is development. This is finding that spark in someone, recognizing it, and helping them develop skills that will allow them to see and reach their potential. This is what we do and what sets us apart from our competition. This is why people reach out  everyday, expressing their interest in becoming a member of the FSO family.

We want out clients to love FSO because we CARE for our people and we make our clients look good - we get the job done and help them across every aspect if their business - we live and breathe their organization and we become critical to the future and growth of their company - we are FSO USA and we are their Partner and we will be with them side by side leading the charge forever.

Thanks to Stacey Andrea, Jim Caton, Kimberly Shepherd, Mike Reitano, Russell Gambino, Hillary Reilly and Joseph Yap whose insights both inspired and helped create this post.

I hope you feel the Passion and I trust you are Inspired to lead the charge.

Happy, Healthy, Safe and Refreshing Weekend,

Love Life!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

. . . . . ..  . . . . . . . . . . ..  . . . . . . . . . .  . . .  "First love yourself. Then give love to others.  Give love in abundance." ~ Buddhist Wisdom  . . . . . . . . ..  . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ted Tuesday: Elizabeth Gilbert (part two) -- "Your Elusive Creative Genius"

Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

Good Morning Folks,

"Eat, Pray, Love" Author Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

Her talk is titled “Your Elusive Creative Genius”. This talk was given right after she found tremendous success with Eat, Pray, Love. She was feeling a lot of anxiety over the fact that she might never see that type of success again in her lifetime.

She talks about how this pressure to continuously perform can sometimes get the most of people (especially those in the creative fields). She compares this way of thinking to the ancient times in Rome and in Greece when people believed creativity came from the gods or spirits who would visit whenever they wanted. Humans were only vessels for the creativity. This way of thinking took the pressure off of the writers because whether their work was good or bad (or simply non-existent), they were not to be blamed.  I had never thought of creativity like that before – It was just such a strange concept to me!

Of course nowadays, we don’t think like that. People owned their creativity and if we were caught talking to the invisible creative gods in the corner, we would probably get some weird looks.

But it got me thinking (as most Ted Talks do) – even if I don’t believe in these spirits, I do believe that we need to be open to creativity. I think it’s so important to keep our eyes open and be accustomed to finding inspiration from the smallest and most mundane things. I love working on this blog because it has opened my eyes to so many great ideas and it keeps my mind open and curious.

So, while I do think Elizabeth’s idea is a bit of a wacky one, I’m glad I watched her talk.  

Please enjoy eminent writer Elizabeth Gilbert's passionately talk about about not giving up, about pursuing what you love, about no longer thinking in terms of successes & failures, but in outcomes. This talk gives us enormous hope and that's life-affirming. Highly recommended. and… eye-opening.  



With help from Cecillia's "My Marketing Diary" and thanks to Ted, I thank you for watching.

Have a fabulous, sunny, productive day filled with love and inspiration.  

Hugs all around.

Mitchell D. Weiner
Chief Happiness Officer

Learn more about what DIFFERENTIATES FSO here

Ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to thoughtful people, they morph and adapt into their most potent form. TED Tuesdays on MitchWeiner.com highlights some of today's most intriguing ideas. Look for more talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more— HERE. 

InspireMe Friday: You Can't Miss This — Kevin Durant Just Won Mother’s Day with His Tearful MVP Speech

"Everything in my life, I had to take it. They're not going to give it to you out of sympathy. This was another case, if I wanted to win the MVP, I had to go take it."

Good Morning Folks,

Kevin Durant's reaction to winning the MVP was much like what we see at our own awards ceremonies at FSO, for much the same reasons. The last person he talked or bragged about was himself. It was a team and family effort, just like the one that drives us and accelerates our careers at FSO, every day.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star received the league's top individual honor on Tuesday, earning 119 first-place votes. Miami's LeBron James, who won the last two MVP awards and four of the previous five, finished second with six first-place votes, and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers was third.

I've always been a player that was excited for my teammates' success," Durant said. "Not just mine, but my teammates' as well. Wanting to see them do well translates to my game, which is wanting to pass the ball and seeing my teammates reap the benefits."

In short, he's been extremely hard not to root for since entering the NBA in 2007. But after Tuesday's speech, he's impossible not to root for.

With all the cameras on him, he gave all the glory to his teammates individually, fights back sobs, pays homage to Oklahoma City fans, and more importantly to his mother, Wanda Pratt, for her all her personal sacrifices to help him succeed in life.

“And last, my mom,” Durant said tearing up, approx. 23 minutes into his already impassioned speech.

“I think you know what you did,” he said, as the camera cut to his emotionally overcome mom. “You had my brother when you were 18-years-old. Three years later, I came out. The odds were stacked against us. Single parent with two boys by the time you were 21-years-old. Everybody told us we weren’t supposed to be here. We moved from apartment to apartment by ourselves. One of the best memories I had, is when we moved into our first apartment – no bed, no furniture – and we just all sat in the living room and just hugged each other, because we thought we made it.

“And when something good happens to you, I don’t know about you guys, but I tend to look back to what brought me here. And you’d wake me up in the middle of the night in the summer times, making me run up a hill, making me do pushups, screaming at me from the sideline of my games at eight or nine years old. We weren’t supposed to be here. You made us believe. You kept us off the street. Put clothes on our backs, food on the table. And when you didn’t eat, you made sure we ate. 

You went to sleep hungry. You sacrificed for us. You’re the real MVP.”

His Mom was all over TV yesterday responding. She advised moms "to never give up, to always put your children first, to always commit yourself to their dreams, their aspirations and their goals even when it gets hard.'' 

This is a tribute to the REAL MVPs ... those Mom's that give unconditional love and instill belief (even against all odds) that "anything is possible" with effort! It's some seriously touching stuff, and worth watching the embedded highlights below. 

I promise it is one of the most compelling and important and Friday inspiring speeches you'll ever hear. There won't be a dry eye in the house no matter what your age, sex or position at work.

You're the real MVP

==> Durant thanks his family, including a special tribute to his mother, Wanda.

==> Durant fights back  tears while thanking Teammates

Questions and answers

>> Durant takes questions from the press, keeping it classy as ever.including co-star Russell Westbrook.

The end,” Durant closed, sending the thousands bearing witness to his speech into a furious standing ovation.

While Durant’s speech will be impossible to top, perhaps you can transcribe some notes from it for ideas of what to say to your own mother this Sunday 

For the full speech, you can visit CBS Sports or NBA.com.

Thanks to The Guardian UK , CBS and Mashable for their insights contributing to this post, for photos from ABC News, and most of all to you for watching.

Happy Mother's day to Kevin's mother and to all of our mothers living or gone, who on this day they should always be remembered either way.

Now in honor of Kevin's Mother, MY GREAT Mother Natalie, and Mothers everywhere, a classic song that Steph and I used to dance to back in the day:

Happy, Healthy, Safe and Refreshing Mother's Day Weekend,

Love Life!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

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“Now is no time to think of what you do not have. 

Think of what you can do with what there is.” 
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InspireME Friday... IF A DOG WERE YOUR TEACHER

"When loved ones come home, always run to greet them."

Good Morning Folks,

Time to go back to college philosophy course and reexamine the meaning in everything. You have to go outside your comfort zone for this one and have some fun.

IF A DOG WERE YOUR TEACHER.....You would learn stuff like........

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let other people touch you.

Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.

On hot days, lay under water and lay under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how much your scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout....run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you had enough.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig into you find it (remember Lycos the fetcher?).

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Remember...... every dog has his day !

Happy, Healthy, Safe and Refreshing Weekend,

Love Life!

Mitchell D. Weiner

Chief Happiness Officer  

. . . . . ..  . . . . . . . . . . ..  . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . ..  . . . . . . .  "Money will buy a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail." ~~Josh Billings . . . . . . . . ..  . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..  . . . . . . .