New Feature - New Link List

I'm adding a new feature to this blog, and new link list. The links will be to businesses that are owned by rugby players, former players, coaches, and referees. I'm limiting it to ruggers who own their own business. Besides rugby family being able to find businesses owned by ruggers, this will also help to show the general public that rugby players come in all sorts and we're a respectable bunch.

If you're a rugger who owns your own business, please let me know and I'll add you to the list. I know I don't have to say it, but legitimate businesses only; meaning legal, and no porn or other unsavory types.

First addition to the list is Pacific Tour Directors, owned by David Wendt of Hawaii State Rugby Union, former Hawaii Harlequin, and all around Hawaii rugby force of nature.


And, don't forget to Adopt-A-Rugger and Hug-A-Rugger. The infant clothing seems to be popular.

Another Rant

Went to Waikiki last night to meet some friends at The Yard House. There's a reason I try to avoid Waikiki. Way too crowded for me. Our friends got a traffic ticket. Seems the police were having a ticket fest at one particular intersection. Had to wait an hour and fifteen minutes to get a table. It was too dark to read the menu. I couldn't hear anything the waitress or the people at the other end of the table were saying. I ordered a Salvator, but they brought me something else. They tried to convince me it was a Salvator, but I knew better. So they took it away and admitted it was a mistake and brought me another. It still wasn't right. I know my Salvator. Had to pay to valet park because there's no parking anywhere within a reasonable distance. Last time I go there. The soup was good, I have to admit. Clam Chowder. Too full for desert.

Writing

I've been writing lately. My next book is close to completion. Not as close as it should be, but I'm trying to get it finished up as soon as possible. I was doing pretty good with the writing, but then I had a few distractions. I'm getting back at it now, but it can be a struggle at times. The working title is Compete - and Win! Your Guide to Business Operations Excellence. That might change, but I like it. I think it conveys the content pretty well too. Its about how to achieve a level of excellence in the business operations areas of your organization so that you can effectively compete in today's global marketplace.

I also just posted another new article on my website and on EzineArticles.com. If anybody wants to pay me to write articles like this, please let me know, 'cause for now it's just for ego. The current article is titled How To Work With A Consultant. Useful tips for anyone hiring or working with a consultant, in any area of your organization.

Referee clinic

The Hawaii State Rugby Union website is up and running. The information for the upcoming referee clinic is posted there, so if you're interested in attending, check it out.

I was also contacted by someone at Hawaii Youth Rugby yesterday. Seems they had a meeting here on Oahu sometime last week, but because of technical reasons I didn't find out about it until yesterday. Sounds like they're still growing, and need help in different areas, but I'm still concerned about the disconnect between the Hawaii Youth Rugby group and the Hawaii State Rugby Union.

There needs to be one overriding body acting as the focal point and top administrative unit for all of rugby in Hawaii. Since Hawaii Youth Rugby is already well established and doing well, they need a fair amount of autonomy and a lot of control over their own organization. That can be accomplished while still melding with the adult teams governed by Hawaii State Rugby Union. To market, promote, and raise funds, without confusing supporters, fans, and the general public, there has to be one primary point of contact. If that point of contact then directs interested people to the appropriate sub-unit or group, that's OK. Any confusion is eliminated, all of rugby in Hawaii acts, or appears, to be governed as one cohesive unit, and greater success for all is more likely.

You think you're cold?

The U.S. Men's Under 20 team beat Queen's University in Belfast, Ireland. In the snow. Lot's of snow. I've played when it was snowing, but never in conditions like these. How did they know where the lines were? Don't know, but I saw these pictures and thought of Jim in Kobe. Just another reason to play in the pack, where there are 15 other warm bodies in close proximity, rather than out in the wing were you're just standing around getting cold.

My Radio Experience

Sometimes I’m easy. I loved my experience of being on the radio yesterday, on ThinkTech Hawaii on Hawaii Public Radio (here’s the link to the online mp3 file, I start at about 15 minutes). For one, it was just plain cool. I’ve never been on the radio before, never been in “the studio”. I just love to see how things work and to experience new things. I especially love touring manufacturing plants to see how different companies do things, but seeing how a radio show that I listen to every week works was fun.

I also love to see things that work well. Besides just the joy of seeing things that work well, I learn from it and try to help other organizations get to that point of performance. The folks at HPR know how to do things well, at least from my brief experience. Cheers to ThinkTech host Jay Fidell, who is an excellent host. Besides being a bundle of energy and an exceptional host and moderator, he makes you feel welcome and comfortable. Producer Kayla Rosenfeld keeps everything on track. Everything from being prepared and welcoming the guests, to explaining the process and how things work to the guests, to telling Jay to “watch your P’s” when he’s speaking, she makes the whole thing work seamlessly. Also involved is Lillian Tsang. Besides reading the introduction, I wasn’t quite sure what she was doing, but it looked important. She sat outside the studio booth at a sound board (or something), and kept an eye on what was going on inside. Sorry I didn’t pay more attention. This group made the whole thing seem effortless, which I know it is not.

Many businesses and other organizations can learn a thing or two about how to manage their operations by watching how the HPR and ThinkTech crew produce their shows. Everyone is prepared, they know what they’re doing and when they’re doing it. When things are supposed to happen, they happen. Guests are made to feel welcome and comfortable. They live what I preach – Plan, plan, plan, execute. Have everything planned and prepared, ensure everyone is trained and know what they’re supposed to do, then do it. Excellent!

So how was I on the show? Well, I imagine that it’s just a matter of time until they invite me to host my own show. Yeah, I give good radio. As I mentioned to Jay, I’ll be famous after my appearance on his show. The millions and millions of listeners will read my blog, and next thing you know, I’ll be on Oprah. I won’t forget you little people.

Tips for Managing Your Small Non-profit Organization

I was prompted to write this article, Tips for Managing Your Small Non-profit Organization, by a post by Wendy at Your Scrumhalf Connection. It seems that USA Rugby has started this new feature where people who want to volunteer in some capacity can sign up in a database at USA Rugby, and, I'm guessing, rugby clubs, territorial unions, and other rugby groups can search the database for people in their area, then contact them. A good idea, but I'm wondering about the execution of it. I read about in Wendy's post, but when I went to USA Rugby's site, I couldn't find it anywhere. It needs some heavy marketing to make it work, but we'll see what happens. I signed up, just to see what happens, and so far I got one nonsensical email. Hmm.

But I digress. If people are volunteering to help with administration of rugby clubs and unions, there are bound to be people who haven't worked in this type of organization before. There are also many other types of similar organizations, small, non-profit organizations. And they all face similar issues. So I wrote this article to help. Even if you've worked in a non-profit for a while, these tips should help you. Give it a read, and contact me if you have any questions. I'm offering to help any rugby clubs and other rugby organizations, free of charge, with operational and organizational issues, until I get overwhelmed with requests.

Since it's a several pages long document, I saved it in PDF format. And, since there isn't a way to add a PDF document to this blog, you'll have to follow this link to my website, where I've posted it, or to EzineArticles.com, where I've submitted it, but it won't show up there for a few days.