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The Opportunity Show Newsletter
From PerformXcellence |
Issue 7
Holiday Issue
December 2009 |
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Dear ,
Greetings in this holiday season, and may you and your families share many blessings as we bring the year 2009 and the decade to a close. We have all been challenged by the events of this year, but we hope that our Opportunity Show community has led the way in demonstrating that the skills and attitudes inherent in Opportunity also bring many reasons to be grateful: business opportunities, good and improved health, magical moments with your family and friends and much, much more.
Throughout the year we've been challenging businesses and career professionals to use the economic crisis to transform the way Capitalism can work to create a better future for our country. Mark Monchek writes about the need for businesses to embody the qualities that we cherish in the holiday season, as a way of life.
We have a specific Opportunity to live the value of generosity and give you to one such story, and the ongoing effort to offer sustainable help to a family that is courageous, noble and deserving. Since 2004, we have supported a very special family and their dream to stay together after an unthinkable tradgedy. Help us help them.
And finally, we offer you a chance to read about some of the top ideas that have impacted our lives in 2009 and offer some innovative and unusual holiday gifts for those of you still looking for that original and creative gift for someone special.
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 The Call of Compassion: A New Way to Think About Your Business
By Mark Monchek
Only when we allow ourselves to feel compassion for unnecessary suffering will be able to end it. Businesses and business leaders can play a very special role in supporting conscious, compassionate Capitalism.
This is the time of year when we focus, as Abramham Lincoln said, "on the better angels of our nature". The holidays speak to us about compassion, gratitude, giving and what is really important to us. Even the most mercenary of businesses try to do something to express their human face. Why can't we be compassionate and giving all year round? I think it is because our culture doesn't have a model for dealing with those who don't succeed in it. Maybe it's time to make compassion and giving part of our business model.
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 Another Miracle Request
by Mark Monchek
Let's Make Another Miracle This Holiday Season. Help a Special Family Stay Together
On December 15, 2004, I received an email much like this one inviting me to participate in an Extreme Home Makeover for a family of six children in the Bronx who had lost both of their parents in a tragic, severe case of domestic violence. Sheila Blackmond, a single grandmother, exercising great courage, took on the role of primary caregiver for her six grandchildren who were left behind. My first thought was "I don't have the time. I've got way too much to do on my own." I paused, and in that split second that I hope you will take, I knew I had to get involved. On December 19, a mere four days later, 40 people came together and did it- we gave the Blackmond family a newly remade home, raising $30,000 dollars in the process. We received national and local coverage from Channels 9 & 11, the Daily News and The New York Post and helped this family take a step back towards life.
When the cameras stop and everyone leaves, the challenges that remain are as critical ever, and this is why we need your help.
Read More
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 Turn on Your Brain!
by Rich Jones
The New York Times Magazine just published their 9th Annual Year in Ideas, and it was quite a year for innovators and entrepreneurs alike. In the business section, three bold new concepts were highlighted.
--- The Myth of the Deficient Older Employee - Are "junior" employees any more enthusiastic or competitive than their "senior" co-workers?
--- Random Promotions - How could it make sense to promote underperformers?
--- Subscription Artists - Is it possible for an unsigned musician to "get an advance" on their next album?
The article contains these fascinating answers, as well as a wealth of information pertaining to science, technology, health, culture and more. Check it out. You may find that you started out reading about business and end up learning how Tetris is being used to treat PTSD, or some other fascinating new idea! |
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 Whopping Mega Deal: Staff Picks for the Holidays
by Rich Jones
Want a great holiday gift for the movie lover in your life? Check out the new book, Hollywood... Se Habla Español - Hispanics in Hollywood Films, by Rafael J. Rivera-Viruet and Max Resto. It's brilliantly put together and makes a case for the strong contribution that Latinos have made in American films. With sections like "The Hottest Lovers" and "The Meanest Villains" as well as a little "Chisme" (gossip), we guarantee that you will entertained, educated and enthralled. The book features lots of biographical information on stars from the silent era to modern celebrities, focusing on Hollywood Latinos and their positive contributions to cinema. Introduced by legendary star Ricardo Montalbán, the book is now available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
If you love classic films and love the theater too, we heartily recommend a trip into the Dumbo section of Brooklyn, where Susan Feldman has been bringing in daring and extraordinary work for years. Currently playing is the British theater company, Kneehigh's production of Brief Encounter, an adaptation of the Noel Coward film that starred Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. The play tells the story of a life-changing, illicit extra-marital affair taking place in 1938. I've never seen more imaginative or virtuosic stagecraft and the whole production spills over with creativity and finely honed performances from an extraordinary cast. For tickets, visit St. Anne's website (or try tdf if you are a member). |
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Thank you for taking the time to read The Opportunity Show newsletter. Look for our upcoming October issue, and please forward a copy of this newsletter to your friends and colleagues by clicking on the link below.
Sincerely,
Mark Monchek and the staff at The Opportunity Show
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The OpportunityShow is a newsletter meant to help you think differently about opportunity.
We will show you how opportunities show up everywhere, even in these tough times, and how you can become a master at finding opportunity and making it work for you and your business. And, in turn, make for a better world.
To learn more about The Opportunity Show, PerformXcellence, or Mark Monchek,
please visit www.TheOppShow.net
PerformXcellence
1120 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10036
ph: 212-420-0570
fax: 212-420-0574
The Opportunity Show is brought to you by:
Mark Monchek, Publisher · Andrew Levine, Editor in Chief · Rich Jones, Associate Editor.
· Designed and built by Richard Berman and Jake More of VerbFactory
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 Are You Smarter Than A Fourth Grader?
What is the most popular Christmas song of all time?
Scroll down for the answer...
"White Christmas" with well over 500 versions in dozens of languages. The song was written by Irving Berlin and released in 1942, when Bing Crosby sang it the movie "Holiday Inn." It is the top-selling Christmas song of all time.
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