Character

If you're on my newsletter mail list, you've perhaps read what I think Steve Jobs adds to Apple.  My comments were made in the context of a 'light read' description of what makes for unique, effective organizations.  I posited that Steve's character would likely endure his eventual departure.

What did I know?  No more than virtually anyone else.  If fact, I was describing something I thought might start to happen a few years from now.  Steve Jobs business influence has been defined and analyzed by observers much more capable than I.  My point was that his character, both real and imagined, will likely symbolize the image of Apple for decades to come.  On that point, I remain convinced.

What I suspect will happen now is that, as Steve redefines his role at the company, the full image of the man and Apple will be refined and solidified.  It will be interesting to watch.  I wish all well, as this maturation transpires.

PS, If you're interested, you can subscribe to the periodic No Left Turn newsletter, also called Notes From The Road by clicking this link.  See the latest newsletter here.

Woe is I

I live in an old house.  1913 - lots of original details.  Unfortunately, the vintage work includes nice historic clay pipe sewer lines.  As originally constructed, the roof drain leaders connect to the waste line out to the city main.

Every few years, enough roots grow through the joints of the clay pipe that I have to snake the line to get proper drainage.  This summer was that special time.  Heavy rains were more than the root-restricted pipes could handle.  It was quite a sight to see the water welling UP out of the basement toilet!

Long story shortened: Contractor one snakes, loses video camera in pipe, digs up front yard, replaces part of original pipe, leaves behind a front yard that I have to restore.  Landscape contractor repairs groundwork done by contractor one.  Water STILL backs up.  Contractor one comes back, water-jets the line.  Water backs up AGAIN - and AGAIN.

What would you do if you were me?  I called some construction friends; and found contractor two, who fixed the sewer problem - for now.

Now I'm trying to get some cost back from contractor one.  He says I didn't give him the chance to honor his 'Warranty', and says no.  So here I sit, unresolved.  At least the basement is dry.

So, this time I REALLY want comments.  Should contractor one pony up?

Powerhouse

My brother and I are very different people.  I'm GDI, he's frat.  I'm east coast, he's heartland.   (not exactly - but something similar)

Based in Midland, Michigan, he's been employed by, or affiliated with, Dow Chemical most of his adult life.   When with Dow Corning, he worked on the process engineering of many products which found their way into construction.  On that we could relate.

Now, with the 'mother ship' (Dow), he's got a loose association with a new product coming to market later this year - Dow's Powerhouse Solar Shingle.  Last week, I got a chance to see the test panels inside the company compound, as well as the prototype house erected nearby to display this and other energy-saving products.  This new product bears watching.

It's a good idea that makes photovoltaic more of an option than ever before.  The shingles - actually the size of a pair of conventional three-tab roofing shingles - are laid up in the field of the roof with no added structure.  The orientation may not be ideal - that depends on the building design; but the installation could not be any more straightforward.

Price and efficacy will be important to the ultimate success.  I know I'll be watching with interest.  And not just because of my brother.

Oh, Canada!

So, here I sit in the guest bedroom of my friend in Toronto.

Two things to admire:

Canada, largely by virtue of it's cautious financial system, has weathered the international fiscal turmoil much better than the U.S.

The metric system which makes measurements infinitely more logical.

On both issues - What were we thinking?  Will the U.S. ever come around?

One can only hope.  All together now ... ay?

I'm Not Special

A few weeks ago I wrote on the nature of 'special' interview presenters.

I had just finished counseling a Construction Manager on how best to appeal to a University as it was considering a short list of candidates.  Shortly thereafter, I too was in the pageantry business as part of a larger team going after a University Planning project.  How ironic.

We knew the competition well - all respectable candidates; and we considered ourselves the dark horse in the race.  We formulated what we thought would be a distinctly different approach to the presentation, because we were after all 'different'.  What we didn't know is that the client was susceptible to promises that, to us, seemed unwise.  We lost.

Dark horse or not, this stung.  In the debriefing, our approach was complimented; and we were assured of future consideration. Here's the dilemma. Often in the past when I've lost out on a commission I wanted, I would eventually find some element of the project which would have been impossible had the job been landed.  Money loser, indecisive client, conflict of interest, anything that might seem awkward.  So now, with potential future work on the line, what's the recovery time with the potential client who let you down.

Is this anything like what goes through Britney Spears mind?  Nothing seems to stop her.

Angie to the Rescue?

Darn, she's tempting.  Angie, that is.

Here I am consulting on multi-million dollar capital programs, and I can't get a competent contractor to work on my house.  Or so it seems.

The house is old - 98 years, but its 'bones' are good.  It's the other things that are creaking, or even missing.  Getting concrete into the original dirt basement was a hilarious boondoggle.  Most recently, the vitrified clap pipe sewer line gave up.  Now I'm into the second contractor to restore the torn up bluestone walkway.  Wish me luck.

Luck is what it seems to take.  Even the big CM's tell me they have trouble finding residential contractors who will call them back.  Actually showing up is an uncommon bonus.  How could this possibly be?  It's simply not conceivable that they're too busy in this economy.  Maybe it's me.

In any event, Angie seems to have much to offer the hapless homeowner.  I haven't sprung just yet, still relying on my 'poor boy' network.  How 'bout you?  Is salvation there just for the asking?