Good Morning All,

On Wednesday I hosted the 3rd in my series of presentation workshops at SVC. As in the past it was a fast-paced, engaging experience with a diverse group of attendees.

For those who attended, I said I'd upload the presentation deck, but I've run into some troubles uploading the full presentation deck due to it's large file size, but I will figure it out. In the meantime I've uploaded a summary version of the deck here.

Check back soon for the full presentation deck.

If you'd like to leave feedback on this workshop or suggestions for future versions of it please do so, I welcome your input.

Thanks again for attending. 

Cheers

Ashley

 

 

I had a little time to kill this afternoon so I took a drive through some of the neighborhoods in and around Scottsdale.

I found much of the usual fair; monstrous beige and salmon stucco covered homes, 3, 4 and even 5 car garages, way to many green lawns for this desert climate, and a general display of tasteless abundance that is all too predictable for this area.

However I was pleasantly surprised to discover this architecture gem amongst the banality of the Camelback foothills.

I tried to dig up info on the architect, but wasn't able to find anything. Anyone out there recognize it?

Yesterday I had the pleasure of hosting the second in my series of 1-day workshops at School of Visual Concepts (SVC) entitled, "Creating Presentations that Matter." My first crack at this workshop was back in February, and I was honored to be asked back to do it again. Well actually this time it was new and improved, incorporating some new material and tweaking other stuff based on class feedback.

As you may know this is a topic thats near and dear to my heart. I'm a firm believer that having the ability to share ideas and information in a concise, engaging and memorable manner is a critical survival skill for our society. Unfortunately for many in our modern, mobile, technology driven world this critical skill, like so many from our past, has been forgotten and as a result we are all forced to endure an ever growing tidal wave of bad, uninteresting, poorly executed and downright shitty presentations. In my mind this is simply unacceptable, and something that needs to be rectified. 

This time around we had a smaller group, which was wonderful as we could have a more intimate and conversational dialogue. Everyone came ready to learn, collaborate and share their joys, fears and questions about the art of presentations. I for one was very excited to be able to share my experiences, insights and suggestions to help them be successful.

A copy of the presentation deck from the workshop is available on SlideShare.

If you'd like to leave feedback on this workshop or suggestions for future versions of it please do so, I welcome your input.

Thanks again to all those who attended, it was a lot of fun!

Cheers

Ashley

 

Yes it's me, gawd who did you expect? Actually I can't take sole credit, it was a team effort so I am a "co-inventor". I guess this is kinda old news being that the patent was filed back in 2009, but I just recently rediscovered it while doing research for a new venture I'm working on, and bam there I was in the search results. I'd totally forgotten about it.

If you're curious the patent has the super sexy title of "Graphic user interface for a display screen". See I told you it was sexy! If you're still curious the details are here. 

And on another note. In my research I stumbled upon some rather interesting, or maybe bizarre is the right word for them, patents. Enjoy.

I give you a "Dog Dust Cover." This patent was filed in 1968 and described the purpose as; protects the dog from dust, helps keep flea killer on the dog, and could be used as a towel. Ok.

 

For all you Mariner's fans, or "M's" fans who may of thought of a similar idea. This is the "head mounted M". Yes there is a patent for this idea. Crazy right?

 

And how about this patent classified as the "Person Carried Sign." I think this patent is routinely violated at the annual hydro races by the shirtless, sunburned masses showing off their Harley Davison, Mopar or Paps tattoos.

 

OK OK I know what this looks like, and yes it's bad. Take a second to get the "Ewww!" feeling out of your system. Good? This one is actually a really great idea. It allows someone trapped in a hotel room or other structure to have access to breathable air until rescuers arrive. So I guess if you choices are toxic smoke and certain death vs sucking air from the toilet drain, I guess toilet air it is.

 

For more interesting patents check out IP Watchdogs - Wacky Patents.

All kidding aside, I have to say it's pretty cool to have ones name on a patent, even if I'm not making a dime off it. But I have some new things in the works, so hopefully soon that dime will be coming my way.

 

I'm not sure if it's because I just turned 38, and 40 is just around the corner or the fact I've been watching too much Rockford Files reruns on Netflix or maybe it's just the natural cycle of my love hate relationship with technology. In either case it's been apparent in the last few weeks that I am lusting for a time of payphones, rolodex, vinyl records, encyclopedias, etc. A time when things were simpler. Gawd it sounds so clichéd to say it, but for all the convenience, speed, access, and wonder of our modern connected world, I'm tired! It's exhausting! And unlike in past generations when it was physical exhaustion, this feeling is mental and emotional exhaustion. 

 

Today I had the pleasure of hosting a 1-day workshop at School of Visual Concepts (SVC) entitled "Creating Presentations that Matter." It's a topic thats near and dear to my heart. I'm a firm believer that having the ability to share ideas and information in a concise, engaging and memorable manner is a critical survival skill for our society. Unfortunately for many in our modern, mobile, technology driven world this critical skill, like so many from our past, has been forgotten and as a result we are all forced to endure an ever growing tidal wave of bad, uninteresting, poorly executed and downright shitty presentations. In my mind this is simply unacceptable, and something that needs to be rectified. 

To that end, I'm so happy to have had a full class today. Everyone came ready to learn, collaborate and share their joys, fears and questions about the art of presentations. I for one was very excited to be able to share my experiences, insights and suggestions to help them be successful.

Thanks again to all those who attended, it was a lot of fun!

Cheers

Ashley

During a recent trip to Target for the some baby items, we happened upon a great deal on bulk toilet paper. I know I know, exciting lives we lead, but for those parents out there you know a deals a deal especially on a much consumed utility item like TP. Anyway what impressed me was not the price or even the product itself, it was the unexpected, but totally useful brand experience I had at the check out line.

As any parent knows juggling 2 kids, a shopping cart, grocery bags, car keys, etc, is a challenge, but can be done if you maximize all appendages including each finger to carry an item. However a big bulky item like a 16 pack of TP will totally throw off that delicate balance because it requires a full arm, maybe both to lug around.

That is why this incredible simple, but utterly brilliant idea of sticking a strap on the bulky, but not too heavy, item is a great one. Talk about a wonderfully unexpected way to engage with a brand. Nice work Target!