back on line by this evening…
My apologizies: It has been a few days since I have posted and you have called, emailed, and noted such.
I will post tonight and, hopefully, by tomorrow be back on track.
All the reasons for not posting have been good: I am working with my team on an important green-sustainability project, around the clock and have had to focus on funding- this stage is nearing the point where we can return to all of the other important and serious matters that lay before us.
Look forward to a posting tonight
Best: Martin.
Part 1/2:What do you do with a service provider, who through his incompetence will not resolve a problem large enough to actually threaten your brand?
-posted by martin cavanaugh porter
You withhold payment-period. Clauses or no clauses, contract, or no contract-you withhold payment. If out of 70+ days of dealing with the service provider, your entire organization has experienced, systematic, periodic failure of the phone system that is part of the package of services and client after client actually believes that you may have gone out of business-or nearly as bad, partnered with a service provider stubborn enough to allow a severe problem to your business to continue largely unabated:a global communications problem and responds to each notated failure by promising to do better-with no improvement occurring-You MUST withhold payment.
It is not a question of honor: it’s a question of equability and a decision to not, ever allow your business to be bullied into paying for, at best, third-rate services. Why? If the recession has done one thing, it has culled the wheat from the chaff-rightly so. The chaff, strewn across our economy pre-recession was rewarded: It was called ‘failing-upward’-getting larger and larger bonuses and promotions for failing and in doing so causing a systematic failure of our economy.
Where does one find the remainder of the chaff?At a ranch in Crawford, Texas, consultants, bureaucrats, and a form of lawyer-the ambulance chasers, the vultures, greased in dirt, perched at the gates of the producers, waiting for the slightest mistake, the most minuscule breach of contract, to feed off one’s carcass. Health department inspectors, city czars, who make appointments by whim in order to slow a project down based on personalities: since these type do not have to perform in order to be paid, in essence, they are the only type left able to execute at sub-par levels, leaving one unfulfilled promise after another on the ground, like leaves off a tree.
We, the consumer, now have the power-contracts and clauses must, going forward be based on performance. You’ve signed a contract,the provider-whatever the contract stipulates-refuses to swiftly improve the most important instrument to your business: the ability to communicate through systems provided-and this just goes on and on-in a business center no less-a business center-the one place one would expect excellent systems that do not fail-period: You have only one recourse-withhold payment, stand your ground resolutely. If the business center is hopeless-you don’t have to be. Withhold payment-perhaps this will force the business center to improve, which, for all accounts it has. If in the course of dealing with the hopelessness of this center, you are subjected to underworld interlocutors who have been accused of fraud and embezzlement and the time comes to sever the relationship, you absolutely withhold payment. Now, if in the course of withholding payment, the owner, threatens your family-actually threatens to harass, for example your wife and unborn daughter, in an almost physical sense, if in his desperation, this is the course he takes-you have only one thing left to do: withhold payment and tell the story so that no one else has to go through what you have. Lawsuits, threats to your family (documented), insults, threats to be harassed, threats that your family will be harassed in the community it lives in (I know-it sounds like thuggery or like an ambulance-chasing lawyer type) must not move you from standing your ground. Withhold payment, tell the full story, let your customers tell the story, let your own organization tell the story, tell it over and over and-separate the wheat from the chaff.
But, no matter what: seek recourse and then, glowing, move forward, build your business, improve your community, and build your family. Even if you have to watch your back for awhile-your family under threat from this individual-not just verbal-actual texts: threats directed at your father, wife, and unborn daughter. Even if you are threatened with a whisper campaign. This city is big enough for the producers, innovators, and builders as well as the paper-pushers. Always be strong-never let your self be coerced under emotional or physical threat. Clause 4 or no clause 4.
Apologizies
For not posting today: you have deluged with us emails wondering why.
Short answer: cycles and zer0-emission vehicles and Forbes Legacy Ventures’ team subsumed making it a reality to provide afffordable transport that emits no pollutants into the air a fact-on-ground in 60 days.
Tomorrow: The story of David Scwartz and Richard Snook-two pioneers in the field of zer0-emission transport and a breif history of the progress of Sustainable Vehicles-particularly cycles.
Finally Part two of Dear Mr. Sharek titled: ‘Dont throw stones at Glass Houses’ or leave us alone.
Tarek Shaer: “Let them eat cake…”
- from the editor
It has come to the attention of The Downtown L.A Business Blog, it’s over 2000 readers, and the Chamber that you disapprove of the temporary banner that Hygge is using to promote it’s soft opening: That it is against HOA rules, and that you have denigrated Mr. Lee, calling him a cowboy.
Rules are important: they provide general guidance and insure the semblance of order in what would otherwise be an unruly world.
We are, however in a recession and Rasmus Lee, actually lives in South Park L.A and is a vital participant in the life of the community: he runs a brokerage, he has leveraged significant investments in Hygge, which will provide-finally-residents with an alternative to Starbucks, and he is thinking way-out-of-the box when it comes to forming alliances to bring this community-it’s residents-more services. Yet you have taken to writing him insulting letters calling him names (are we still in kindergarden Mr. Shaer?) because he has posted a temporary banner in front of the building.
The building will not fall down because of the sign. Luma will live to see another day. But because of Rasmus and Hygge, 40 full and part-time currently unemployed Angelenoswill have jobs, our cities’ tax base will be a little better off, and the residents of South Park L.A (are you a resident or a passive investor Mr.Shaer?) will have an added value addition to the community: A place to go, relax, drink coffee, and enjoy a Danish. Sounds quite nice, actually. The ripple effects of Hygge’s opening will be tremendously positive for South Park L.A.
Back to rules: Apparently, Mr. Shaer, you have not noticed that there is a recession and that our city is literally hemorrhaging with deficits, incompetent government, and that business is fleeing on a daily basis-and your worried about a banner? Do you live in the world we live in? Unemployment, tough-times-it’s rough out here-on the prairie-where the cowboys are.
You are correct, sir, the banner goes against HOA policy. So bloody what? When the shops are full, the foreclosure rates have fallen, and the growing number of families (projected to be 30-35% of South Park resident’s in the next 3-7 years) have the essential and meaningful services they deserve (for example a light, lively, glowing, glimmering Danish Cafe) perhaps you can loosen your tie, relax, a little, sit back and save the insults for the real enemies of South Park: The guardians of the Status Quo.
As far as South Park L.A is concerned: We need a few more cowboys-in fact a whole passel of them.
As far as your concerned, Tarek, the unemployed, the precise group of people that Rasmus would hire and apprentice in his bakery can just “eat cake…” You and that naive queen have a lot in common: Very little concern for real, working people.
Part 2 (tomorrow- “Dear Mr. Shaer, have you ever broken a rule? We think you have-we know you have.”
to post ads or not?
c.e.o FLV LLC (click on pic for more info)
posted by MCP
After achieving a 1000+ readers it was my goal to post ads on southparkla.com and downtownlabiz.com. We have, factually received offers from three main-line companies offering about the same rate $500.00 to post positive blogs about them-we never have.
I live in ‘monetization’ so I began a campaign to sell ad space on both blogs. This was a mistake- I hate reading blogs with ads-just don’t believe the author’s veracity anymore. It was my mistake and we no longer do it.
Here is our policy re banner/ad space: We don’t sell ad space, we do post our allies’ banners, our customers’ banners, and businesses we believe are a net positive for south park l.a and downtown l.a-period. Let me make it crystal clear:
Q: Do you post banner space for your clients?
A: Yes (and we only take clients we believe in).
Here is our policy re. posts : We don’t do positive posts on anything we don’t believe in. We do posts on general topics, on what we are passionate about, on our clients, our allies, businesses we believe in, and entities, organizations, and individuals we believe stand in the way of progress for South Park L.A and Downtown L.A-period.
Q: Do you blog about your clients periodically?
A: Yes (and we only take clients we believe in).
fixed gear fun: wabi cycles, www.wabicycles.com
fixed gear fun
-posted by martin cavanaugh porter (full disclosure, Wabi Cycles and the author of this post have a professional relationship).
It’s this straight-forward: Wabi Cycles is a very effective, safe (think brakes), fixed gear cycle that delivers high-quality at a value price.
Why?
Because it’s not a billboard: it’s not a cycle full of stickers advertising the bike, yet it retains the same qualities and standards of cycles in a similar quality range-which is high.
Bottom-line for $800.00, your getting a $1200.00 bike. For $650.00 your getting a $900.00 bike and the local entrpreneur has been in the biz for thirty-plus years at the highest levels.
Check it out: http://www.wabicycles.com
This Sunday the Forbes Legacy Ventures LLC team (www.flvllc.com) will touring with Richard (the founder), at an ungodly hour- 6am-which, we relish. We’ll have some images for you to look at, posted Sunday afternoon.
Bottom-Line: As CEO of FLV LLC, I have been ‘shopping’ for a cycle company to associate my biz-dev firm with for some time-it’s part of the sustainable future. I’ve found him: He’s local, straight-forward, highly competent, and a fun interlocatur. Our team still will forever our first meeting with him when he said: “I’m a no bullshit guy.”- Well that’s just fine. It means you’ll get a good bike. Enjoy it.
my father
is my hero.
he fought and struggled and won (and lost) in the game of life and business and cared, always for the underdog.
he developed an island with Jacques Cousteau off New Zealand.
he brought Caterpillar Heavy Machinery to South East Asia.
he made fortunes (and lost them).
he took care of a family of five and never complained.
he is my hero-he shouldered unspeakable burdens and fought valiantly for the under-served- single handidly reforming the mental illness care provider system in Hawaii.
he is that man on the horse, the rider with the whip, who, through sleet or snow will drive his horse till the task is done: He has been my greatest teacher, and in business, my mentor.
over the next months I am going to interview him via podcast for my Son in Paris and for my daughter, who will be born in South Park Los Angeles.
he is why I cannot abide slackers or people who don’t follow-up or believe, for a moment in being less than 200% passionate about everything life’s bounties offer: we are lucky to be alive-we live to leave legacies and the question I ask myself every day is: what will my legacy be?
he is a monument of manhood-his life is ten life’s lived.
out of the car, onto the bikes: the sustainable wave
the next wave-sustainablity
there are more and more cars in the u.s. than ever. a lot of people are driving their cars to do something as simple as going to the grocery store or returning a dvd. but how awesome would it be to be able to bike to those places or use your zero emissions electric bike to go to work? not only would you be doing the environment a great big favor, but you also would be saving yourself a lot of money and getting the exercise that everyone needs.
here in downtown l.a., it’s pretty easy to find parking, but majority of the time you have to pay. but if you started biking, you wouldn’t have to worry about all that. as more people start to take up biking, i can visualize bike racks on every street and bike shops opening up all around the southpark neighborhood just because of this up and coming trend.
how could we encourage more people to take up biking (besides the environmental and money factor)? i think customizable bikes will grab peoples attention. just think about walking into a bike shop, telling them exactly what you want, and then having them design it for you. everyone likes it when you can customize your own personal items… because it’s unique.
so peddle to the max.
we’ve test driven the e-road here are the results: downtown los angeles’ transport solution-zero emission, sustainable transport: driving the future now
it's about time
Down Town Los Angeles Business Blog has test driven the e-road and here’s the bottom-line: fast, fun, and effective.
A phenomenal solution to downtown los angeles commuter congestion and best of all, eco-freindly-zero carbon emissions.
We applaud Logan Guzman, and the distributors of this new, vital, integral mode of transport: the e-road, a major step in the right direction.
full disclosure: members of the Downtown Los Angeles Business Blog are partners in the South Park Development Group and Forbes Legacy Ventures LLC, and are in the process of developing a business relationship with E-Road, for which we are thrilled.
weakness-view from a position of leadership- Dowtown L.A’s Business Blog
don’t dwell on team member’s or your employees weaknesses: we all have plenty of them-the author of this post is a tower groaning with personal and professional weaknesses.
if we focus on each others weaknesses we only reinforce them which leads to a degradation of their self-worth and their worth to the company.
one of my jobs as a leader of an organization-small as it is, is to help my team-mates, employees, and partners deeply enjoy their lives and fulfill their potential by developing and deriving pleasure from each of their unique talents. – within my own team, this is an important lesson my c.f.o is teaching me.
it would cost me talent and time, energy and innovation to focus on the one ‘f” on a report card of a’s.
traditional management systems, by being so global in outlook create an avalanche of mediocraty by demanding that employees ‘meet or exceed expectations’ in every area.
let’s look at this:
team member a is phenomenal with people, atrocious with spreadsheets-yet, many organizations, drill down to the issue of spreadsheets. talk about focusing the topic and the team member toward failure.
leaders have to see what is to be seen: strengths must be reinforced, applauded, and weaknesses transferred to other members of the organization for whom those weaknesses are strengths. or, let team member a get a ‘c’ in spreadsheets and move on….to his strengths.
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