Big Brain vs Little Brain™

Gossip is Graffiti

Kevin McCarney — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:28:09 +0000

Gossip is like graffiti… if you don’t get rid of it right away it encourages others to do the same.

On The Beach vs On The Computer

Kevin McCarney — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:32:41 +0000

This sales pitch for a new technology was offered to me recently:

“You can be on the beach in Hawaii and get all your reports on your iPad!”

Pondering for a moment, I thought about where this whole tech thing is going. I love technology. I’m a real tech nut. But I want the tech that will make my business better and make me more productive, freeing up my time to do more and see more in life. I don’t want tech to come with me everywhere.

I could not help but consider the absurdity of lying on a beach in Hawaii with the cool breeze around me, the beautiful sights in front of me, the ocean crashing on the sands at my feet and the smell of fresh tropical flowers in the air all to be interrupted by the need to look into a screen… that I look at daily.

If you are on the beach in Hawaii looking at your digital device, you are missing the whole point of being on the beach in Hawaii.

There should be a distinction between Screen Time and Me Time.

Status update: If you are going somewhere…Be There.

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[image © islands.com]

Information Vs Communciation

Kevin McCarney — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:19:38 +0000

Incomplete ideas.

In a world of instant connectivity, many consider texting back and forth a form of communication. It is not. Texting is merely one person trying to say what they want in 160 characters or less.

Recently I was watching a friend attempt to coordinate a small get-together with several people. I could see her frustration growing with every text exchanged. The texting back and forth was not reaching to the level of ‘communication’ necessary to make the event happen. Finally, after a dozen texts back and forth, I looked at my frustrated friend and asked, “Would it be beneficial to call them?”

With an accepting smirk and a sigh of relief, she agreed and the gathering was established almost immediately.

Texting is a weak form of communication; Good for information but not communication.

Next time you find yourself in Text Frustration, perhaps your Big Brain should send the next Text: “Call Me”

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Downton Abbey: Big Brain Little Brain in 1912

Kevin McCarney — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:57:11 +0000

I do not usually get hooked on anything, let alone a series from across the pond, but some friends insisted I would enjoy Downton Abbey (Sundays on PBS).

At first I saw it as a regular series about a rich family. As I stuck with it though, this show about 1912 England started to put forth some great examples of Big Brain vs Little Brain.

It has been fascinating to watch this era where the conversation and the letter were the only real mediums to get your message across. Each letter was significant and the words were chosen carefully for each conversation because they understood how each communication would play out and have an impact on their future.

There are several characters that are of interest and I will highlight them in future writings but those fans of “Downton” have seen the Lord of the house – usually a very reserved man who is pushing the need to follow protocol at all cost – evolve into a regular dad with three daughters and having to learn how to communicate differently with each. We find the lord trying to make the right choice in each encounter but every once in a while letting his little brain get the best of him. On several occasions when he does use his little brain we find him quickly switching to Big Brain and apologizing gracefully.

This moment in time demonstrates how change has an influence on all our lives and illustrates some wonderful examples of how subtle conversations have long lasting legacies.

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Top 5 Big Brain Moments of 2011

Admin — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:12:52 +0000

5 – Yawnageddon

“We take what’s going to happen very seriously. We’re going into this expecting the worst, then we’ll adjust, hoping for the best.” – KABC President Arnie Kleiner

FULL STORY

When Los Angeles officials announced the multi-day closure of heavily used 405 Freeway, Californians prepared for “Carmageddon,” but little-to-none of the expected rage actually occurred. The calm was chalked up to the media’s early and broad coverage of the impending closure.

LESSON: Some simple principles that are highlighted in the book came to life to make this ‘armageddon’ a great weekend rather than a biblical event, not the least of which is Telegraphing. Learn more about the Telegraphing Tool on page 120.

4 – Young Fans Share Moment Over baseball

“Are you kidding me, this kid is going to do this?” – Diamondbacks Broadcaster Daron Sutton

FULL STORY

A young Arizona Diamondbacks fan named Ian intercepted a souvenir baseball, then immediately gave it to the intended recipient.

LESSON: This young man instinctively implemented the “Being Considerate Tool,” which endorses letting others go first and sharing when there isn’t enough to go around. And his instincts were right: the announcers immediately rewarded his generosity. Learn more about Being Considerate on page 114.

3 – Young Girl Teaches True Meaning of Christmas

“Giving my toys to them makes them forget what they have and make them feel happier and forget what’s going on and make it less scarier” – Abby Leonard

FULL STORY

This past Christmas, Eight-year-old Abby Leonard gave all the money her family would have spent on her Christmas presents to the Niswonger Children’s Hospital.

LESSON: What is the Legacy of being considerate? Young Abby’s altruism is an inspiring deposit in the Big Brain Bank and Trust; she deposited a reputation for kindness. Learn more about the Legacy of kindness on page 115.

2 – Good Samaritan Saved By Those He Saved

“Nowadays, nobody ever really stops to offer their help. It’s kind of scary sometimes, because you really don’t know what you’re getting into.” – Sara Berg, stranded motorist

FULL STORY

In November, a man who had just helped a motorist change a tire had his good deed quickly repaid when, just minutes later, that same motorist helped to save his life.

LESSON: Victor learned an instant lesson: The Past is Present. Our actions always leave a Legacy, though rarely are we rewarded as immediately as Victor was. Learn more about “The Past is Present” on page 69.

1– Japan Women’s World Cup Team

“The people hit by the tsunami can survive if they also never give up.” – Team Captain Homare Sawa

FULL STORY

An unlikely Japanese victory underscored the determination of a people and inspired a disaster-devastated nation.

LESSON: We can’t think of a better example of Managing Multiple Moments than the scrappy Japanese National Soccer Team. Their determination and perseverance – and ultimate victory – will leave a Legacy of Honor. Learn how to Create Positive Legacies on page 18.

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Top 5 Little Brain Moments of 2011

Admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:45:28 +0000

5 – Offensive Email

“I wasn’t wise in sending the email out. I shouldn’t have done it. I really wasn’t thinking when I did it… I am not a racist, but I do think I need to apologize again with different words.” – Marilyn Davenport

FULL STORY

Orange County Republican Marilyn Davenport sent an email with Barack Obama’s face superimposed on a chimpanzee’s with the words, “Now you know why – No birth certificate!”

LESSON: It’s not just the alarmingly offensive nature of the Email; Davenport makes our list for falling into the trap of speed messaging. Even if we ignore the time she spent in Photoshop – which should have allowed ample time to reconsider – Davenport would have benefited from the Time Parachute Tool, which suggests specific waiting periods. For Email: wait thirty minutes; it will be on the other person’s computer forever. (Or in this case, all over the internet!). Learn more about the Time Parachutes Tool on page 121.

4 – Kenneth Cole Tweet

“I apologize to everyone who was offended by my insensitive tweet about the situation in Egypt. I’ve dedicated my life to raising awareness about serious social issues, and in hindsight my attempt at humor regarding a nation liberating themselves against oppression was poorly timed and absolutely inappropriate.” – Kenneth Cole

FULL STORY

Fashion designer Kenneth Cole fired an unconscionable Tweet, suggesting his products caused the revolution in Egypt.

LESSON: Kenneth Cole suffered from a lack of Control. Chapter 19 discusses the Traps and Tools demonstrated by the famed designer: Disregard for others’ feelings falls into the Intolerance Trap. Had Cole used the Be Considerate Tool, he never would have sent the Tweet in the first place. Learn more about Control on page 112. To be fair he eventually used the Apology Tool (page 128), so he Cole had a Big Brain Moment, too.

3 – Parking Space Fight

“[The motorist] saw a woman in the parking spot but assumed she would move out of the way as the car began backing in.” – Fairfield Police Dept.

FULL STORY

In October, a Connecticut woman was ‘hit’ by a stranger ignoring her attempt to save a parking spot for her husband… by literally standing in the parking space.

LESSON: It’s hard to believe people are really so desperate for a better parking space that they could risk running someone over just to get one, but it happens. Little Brain Moments are especially prevalent on the road and in parking lots. Here is an example of Little Brain behavior on both sides of the fight for a space.

2 – Pepper Spray Christmas

“This was customer-versus-customer ‘shopping rage’.”– Los Angeles Police Lt. Abel Parga

FULL STORY

A woman pepper-sprayed other shoppers at Wal-Mart to gain an advantage in the fight for merchandise at the Black Friday sale.

LESSON: The as-yet-unidentified Pepper Spraying shopper was clearly operating under the influence. Not the influence of alcohol or drugs, but the influence of a “Weak ME.” She could benefit from some simple awareness of her Influences, and perhaps this incident will illustrate this for her. Learn more about the Strong and Weak ME on page 34.

1 – Netflix Loses 1 Million Users

“You can move too quickly and you can upset a lot of people, which is what we did with Qwikster.” – Netflix Spokesperson Steve Swasey

FULL STORY

Without warning in July, Netflix announced customers wasting streaming and DVDs would have to pay $7.99 a month for each service, a 60 percent increase for people who previously got both.

LESSON: Netflix ambushed their customers, failing to Telegraph a major change. The customer backlash was so swift and effective, Netflix easily earned the #1 spot on our 2011 List of Top 5 Little Brain Moments. Learn more about the Telegraphing Tool and the Ambushing Trap on page 120.

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Tiny Storefront. Big Brain Service.

Kevin McCarney — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:55:47 +0000

Sitting in a little corner of an otherwise normal-looking shopping center is a skinny Postage, Boxes, Shipping-and-Anything-Else store that, from the outside, looks typical of any postal storefront.

But one step inside this tiny shop and you are reminded of the art of running a small business in America. The shop owners engage every customer. They greet and say goodbye to every guest, filling requests like seasoned professionals. I never would have thought such a generic looking store could express such great business qualities. They were on their game and not only knew their business but their customers.

Proprietors Andre, Ruth and Adam were behind the packed counter. Juggling multiple requests at once, they were never too busy to guide new customers to the items they needed. They made eye contact with everyone in the store and were ready to help. Ready to serve.

A sincere “Hello” and a grateful “See you Soon!” left me with the idea that I could not wait until I needed their service again. The legacy of a single visit makes me want to tell others.

In this new economy of frugal shoppers and savvy patrons, great service will be the commodity that sets the great apart from the average.

And with that, The Big Brain Customer Service Award for December goes to:

Postal Annex
321 N. Pass Avenue,
Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 557-8201
pa10010@postalannex.com

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Little Brain in the News

Kevin McCarney — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:48:31 +0000

It may seem hard to believe that people are really so desperate for a better parking space that they could risk running someone over just to get one, but here is an example of Little Brain on both sides of the fight for a space.

Read the full Little Brain story from The Fairfield Citizen:

Prime pizzeria parking worth the fight

When Little Brains Attack.

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Live Appearance: Burbank Public Library

Admin — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:29:08 +0000

Event: Coffee & Conversation with Kevin T. McCarney

Date and Time: TONIGHT! Monday December 12, 2011 – 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Location: Buena Vista Branch Library

Kevin T. McCarney will discuss and sign his book, The Secrets of Successful Communication. Read more about the event. Hope to see you there!

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Kevin Live on KTLA TV

Admin — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:47:57 +0000

UPDATED! DEC. 7, 2011 10:47AM

The segment is now online! Watch Video: Kevin McCarney joined us to talk about stress and surviving the holiday season.

UPDATED! DEC. 7, 2011 9:38AM

Kevin just concluded a wonderful LIVE sit-down with the merry morning gang at KTLA News Channel 5. We will share video of the “Water Cooler” segment as soon as we have it.

UPDATED! DEC. 6, 2011 6:33PM

We just received confirmation that Kevin’s appearance/interview on The KTLA Morning News will happen tomorrow Wednesday, December 7, 2011. Kevin’s segment is scheduled to air live at 9:10a.m. To our Big Brain friends and fans in Los Angeles, we hope you will tune in!

LA-area Big Brains! This just in: Kevin will be appearing LIVE on KTLA TV Channel 5 tomorrow morning. Kevin will be interviewed at either 8:30am or during the 9:08am (PST) “Water Cooler” segment. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.

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