Today is Veterans’ Day in the U.S., a time set aside for remembering the selfless service provided by hundreds of thousands of men and women over the years, some of whom paid the ultimate price. No matter whether we personally support(ed) the wars and/or peacekeeping missions for which they put their lives on the line, we owe each one of these individuals – and their families – an enormous debt that cannot be adequately repaid. Even if all we can do is say “Thank you” to a veteran or an active duty service person, let us take the time to do that – not just today, but every day.

© 2010 Pat Lynch. All rights reserved.

On Saturday I signed up to walk the Nike Women’s Marathon on October 17th and to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Team in Training is the Society’s fundraising arm that trains regular, everyday people to complete endurance events that include running or walking marathons (26.2 miles) or half marathons (13.1 miles); biking 100 (or more) miles; and participating in triathlons.

This will be my eighth marathon with Team in Training. Two years ago, I decided that seven marathons were enough, and I resolved to limit myself to walking half marathons. However, the news that a former colleague had been diagnosed with lymphoma made me realize that seven marathons, in fact, were not enough: we still have a long way to go to eradicate blood-related cancers, especially in adults. So I will be purchasing a new pair of running shoes (even though I’m a walker), and beginning my training for this marathon on May 22nd. As I begin to log the miles over the next five months in preparation for the hills of San Francisco, I will be dedicating my training to my colleague as he fights his battle with lymphoma.

If you would like to support my efforts, please make a donation on my Team in Training web site or offer some encouraging words on this blog. Either way, please check back often to follow my progress!

© 2010 Pat Lynch. All rights reserved.

Do you ever feel the need to “do something” when you read or hear about disasters around the world such as the recent devastating earthquake in Haiti and Chile? Do you worry about the well-being of the children affected by such disasters? There are many good relief agencies that rush to the aid of stricken victims. I would like to recommend one agency that does a phenomenal job of specifically addressing the needs of children worldwide: Save the Children.

For 13 of the 15 years she has been with Save the Children, my sister-in-law was one of the first responders who rushed in when there was a natural or man-made disaster anywhere in the world. I cannot remember the number of times my mother told me that Caroline was in a war zone or a country that had suffered devastating floods or a tsunami or an earthquake. Caroline and I have had conversations about the work that Save the Children does, how much effort and planning go into ensuring the organization is in a state of constant readiness, and how seriously its leaders and employees view themselves as good stewards of the resources people entrust to them. Because of the extensive experience Save the Children has had in doing this type of work, other agencies rely on it to coordinate relief efforts on the ground. Such was the case in Haiti, even though three Save the Children employees living in Haiti while working on a project lost their lives in the earthquake. To make a difference in the lives of the children and their families in these and other countries, please visit the Save the Children web site. And thank you for indulging me.

© 2010 Pat Lynch. All rights reserved.

I recently was quoted in a Wall Street Journal article that described some innovative ways that organizations are helping their unemployed customers/clients. The organizations cited, which include a non-profit, are providing services that range from career counseling, to access to job-based resources, to training that will keep technical skills current.

These organizations provide wonderful examples of how to think creatively and innovatively, and to leverage opportunities spawned by the economic downturn. Here are a few of my learning points from this story:

1. The economic downturn provides plenty of opportunities that can be leveraged for the greater good.

We find the things that we seek. Are you searching for available opportunities or bemoaning the potential obstacles to success?

2. NOW is exactly the right time to be thinking long-term instead of short-term.

Are you stunting future growth by focusing too narrowly on the short-run?

3. This is exactly the right time to invest in the future.

A relatively small investment now will have a huge return for these organizations when the economy turns around. Not only will they have loyal customers for life, they will benefit from the on-going, invaluable publicity generated by the grateful recipients of their assistance. Given the choice, wouldn’t you rather do business with an organization that is known for helping people when they’re down?

Exceptional customer service is an extremely effective way to build brand loyalty, especially when the products or services in question are commodities. Although not everyone can provide the services that the organizations in this story have done, the question is this: what are you doing to take care of your customers in this economy?

© 2009 Pat Lynch. All rights reserved.

Today, August 23rd 2009, is my mother’s 85th birthday. I think it’s fitting that the inaugural post for my new blog acknowledges the person most responsible for guiding me through the life experiences that have made me the person I am today. Thanks to her, I am uniquely prepared to do what I love, which is to help organizations and individuals optimize their businesses, their causes, and their lives. Happy birthday Mom!