The Outliers Inn

Video Version About the Podcast Welp, to start-off the year, JP pulled a major boner. We got together for this session on January 8th and it was a pretty good session; that is, until JP realized he forgot to hit the "record" button at the end of the session when he went to turn the recording off… DOH! So, you will understand the much deserved razzing at the beginning of the session as everyone takes turns bustin' on JP. Mule starts us off with a prediction that the robotics team that he coaches will crush all the other teams on their way to victory in the Chesapeake District. But his other prediction (albeit, a prediction that affects very few people) is the number of companies that are going to be scratching their heads over the changes in how research and development investments and expenses are treated. Peter joins us and shares that he has had a poor go of it fishing for carp, they aren't biting. JP asks if he eats the carp, and Peter shares his recipe. You clean the carp and wrap it around an ash stick and bake it in the oven for an hour. Then you throw the fish away and eat the stick. A real trooper, Don joins us all the way from China where he is commissioning a machine for a customer and visiting other vendors while there. His big prediction is it will be the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens in the Superbowl, and that it will end in a tie; a claim he refused to abandon even though the Superbowl could never end in a tie. So that means we have guests who are from scattered places across the globe. There is Stephane in France (where it was 1800h), Peter from the United Kingdom (where it was 1700h), Donna and JP in New York, Mule in Virginia (all from 1200h), and Don in China (where it was 0100h, the next day) on this session. Stephane predicts that every session at The Outliers Inn will start with everyone reminding JP to hit the "record" button. He also muses what will happen when AI meets quantum computing; and this sets the subject thread for the rest of the session; predictions regarding AI and sharing hopes and dreams as well as the good, the bad, and the ugly. JP shares that he predicts copywriters will be challenged to remain gainfully employed. He is already using ChatGPT to create or refine webpages and other marketing collateral. But is not satisfied the capabilities can replace a writer who has established a writing style (he calls it a writer's "voice"). And, of course, he is always wary of "deep fakes" in an age where people already don't trust what they are seeing in the news. The discussion gets as varied as it is deep; deep what, is the question. Give a listen. Oh, and assuming everything in play proceeds on its present trajectory and nothing new or major is introduced, JP boldly predicts Donald Trump will be re-elected President. Give a listen!

Video Version About the Podcast Welcome to another episode of The Outliers Inn With it being near the end of another year the theme of this episode is endings and beginnings where we will speak with our guests about what might have ended for them this past year and what they look forward to beginning in the next. We have a few new guests at The Outliers Inn; in addition to the regular irregular Stéphane from Belgium and your cohosts JP and Mule, Donna from upstate New York and Peter from the UK have joined us. Unfortunately Don the beer man is on assignment in Milwaukee and will not be able to join us today. The episode starts with a technical challenge with Mule dropping from the session. But as they say in theater the show must go on. So, JP begins the episode without him only to have mule rejoin a few minutes into the program. JP shares some wisdom which he gained while seated at Bryant park in New York City having a legal beverage and listening to the music. While sitting there minding his own business a bird dropped a turd on his table. The wisdom is to refrain from looking up. Donna shares a rather bold decision in leaving the comfort and security of a regular paycheck as a senior executive and starting her own ventures; with all the emotions that went into making that decision. And Mule shares his making a similar decision some years prior. Unlike JP who started his business when he had nothing to lose, both Donna and Mule started their businesses when they were well into adulthood and when the decision carried considerable risk. Stéphane shared that he has moved into a senior leadership position with his company and is learning how to navigate the changes that come along with it. And JP and Stéphane shared with the guests their recent meet up in Strasbourg at the Christmas market and what a pleasure it was; and the hunt for the Strasbourg Glühwein mug. Peter, being the only retiree on the show, is having a random wonder for what the German phrase for “Charcuterie Board” might be (it’s “Schneidebrett”. When pressed why, he shares that he is having a plate of German meats and was just wondering. He also shares how he has taken up fishing as a hobby and that he's getting more involved in the Boy Scouts. It keeps him busy and out of trouble. All in, an enjoyable and fun conversation. Give a listen!

Video Version About the Podcast So welcome back to The Outliers Inn! In spite of the incredible odds that recent history has demonstrated, Mule finally gets the timing right and is able to join as the co-host. It's just as well, because Don, "The Beer Man" is MIA for today's episode. Mule starts by sharing the reports of automobile break-ins throughout California are real. He was on assignment and went into a restaurant in a nice area of town and folks broke into his rental vehicle and stole his computer bag; notebook, phone, papers, all gone. … Note to self; avoid California. JP shares a rather peculiar habit with his dog, a female mini-poodle. She has a favorite stuffed animal and which she likes to lay into in a very friendly sort of way. And she will lay into that stuffed animal until she has "friendly sort of way'd" all of the stuffing out of it. She has gone through four of the things so far, and JP keeps a safety stock at home just in case. Mule shares that he has been car-shopping recently for his two grown daughters, but that he has also purchased an old 1989 Ford Taurus SHO; JP is not impressed. But Mule goes on to proclaim all of the virtues of the vehicle, including its high-output motor (even if packaged in a rather boring vehicle body) and how much he loves it. To each his own, eh? One of the maintenance crew at The Outliers Inn recently totalled his Camry (there were no injuries other than pride). It's not so much that there was a lot of obvious damage, but the Camry was darn near 20+ years old and the repairs were more than the value of the vehicle. But what was strange is that a new Camry was $28k while an used Camry that was four years old and had 60k+ miles on it was $21k. It begged the question (even if against conventional wisdom); why would a person buy a used car when a new was just a bit more? Stephane also shares that he had some recent vehicle problems. And, unfortunately, the problems did not occur locally to his home, adding to the complexity of it getting repaired. And he also shares that he will be visiting the States during the Christmas Season; stopping at sever cities on the East Coast; including Philadelphia. I hope he doesn't leave his belongings in the car and that he takes out the insurance. Enjoy! Give a listen!

Video Version About the Podcast So welcome back to The Outliers Inn! As is getting to be habit, our co-host Mule has somehow managed to weasel his way out of working his shift with some lame excuse about a traffic jam around Washington DC. How a person can live so long there and not expect traffic; well, perhaps we pick that up another time. It is a good thing that my irregular regular, Don “the beer man” Burshnick is willing and able to work both sides of the bar. JP Starts the conversation by sharing and experience from high school about returning from summer vacation. Inevitably the teacher would ask for a 500-word essay sharing what we did on our summer vacation. For me, I went fishing and I went swimming. Now I have to find another 494 words of blah-blah to get up to 500 words. Maybe that’s why even today we feel we have to add a ton of words to a report to make it “credible” while knowing full well nobody will read after the first page (even if that) while simultaneously ensuring that the messaging in the document will be lost. And JP and Don share their one thing in common this past summer was that they both had no summer vacation. Although JP won some good money in Saratoga betting on the ponies, he muses that he strung together a couple of days vacation here and there, but most people would simply call that the weekend. Another regular at the Inn, Stephane, rejoins us. He shares with us that he and his family took summer vacation, and amongst other activities visited Pisa, Italy. His being from Belgium makes it sometimes difficult to understand him; which is why I added a picture of the Leaning Tower when he says “Pisa tour”. He also shares that the clutch in his car failed and that took three weeks to get the work done and it returned. But at least it was summer, and he could ride his bike to work. And it was a real pleasure to welcome Bernard, a new guest, to The Outliers Inn. Bernard is from Indiana and works at a winery while going to school and raising a family. Even though Bernard has a lot going on, he managed to take a vacation with his family where they played games (including Fortnight) went to the beach, and visited other family members. So welcome to The Outliers Inn. Open up a legal beverage of your choice and enjoy your stay. Give a listen!

Video Version About the Podcast Another episode of The Outliers Inn with "The Beer Man" joining JP and Mule as co-co-host. Maybe he will become a regular co-co-host (he's already an irregular regular guest here at The Outliers Inn. After a brief acknowledgement that the Super Bowl was pretty entertaining, but nobody we know really cared who won, we get into more interesting topics. JP shares his recent experiences visiting southern Africa for an assignment with him starting in Johannesburg (Jo'berg) and then going to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He had been there many times before from around 1995(ish) through 2010(ish) and was looking very much forward to the return (JP simply loves southern Africa). What he loves the most is that it provides a giant, and healthy, attitude adjustment. As he explains, people in G20 countries have a tendency to complain about every little thing (real or imagined) that might possibly go wrong. All you have to do is watch videos of "Karens" to know what we mean. But in southern Africa (and many other less developed locations), things not going right are the norm and folks celebrate when things go as they should. The electricity is on? Yay! The internet is working? Yay! It's better to drive on the roads than on the shoulder? Yay! Getting arrested for speeding and being able to give the policeman $5 to be let go? Well, that works out better in southern Africa. Call it a "facilitation fee". Mule then shares his experiences with "The Peter Principle", where people get promoted to a level of incompetence. I am sure we have all seen it in action; some real rockstar (sales person, mechanic, whatever) get promoted to manage others in the hopes that the "magic dust" that makes him an expert gets sprinkled on those they will now manage. But the person is an expert at what they do, not being a manager. And unless taught those skills, will likely fail. Don shares his latest concoctions that are brewing. Sam shares his experiences training others in Denmark and that he will be supporting an office in Hamburg, Germany. And steve from southern California shares his love of golf and the work he is doing with a golf foundation and their work with youths, especially those who might not normally have the opportunity to be exposed to the game. To hear Steve describe it, the effort is a significant and impactful one that is responsible for millions of dollars in its programs; certainly not like something a person might expect from the local Kiwanis chapter. And no visit to The Outliers Inn would be complete without Mule going into very great detail about the high school robot competition with which he has been involved for many years. Give a listen!

Video Version https://vimeo.com/795988927 About the Podcast What’s better than two hosts?  Why, three, of course!  Mule said he couldn’t make it, so JP drafted Don (who is an irregular regular and has stepped-in to the role of co-host in the past).  But, wouldn’t you know it, Mule was able to join.  So, we have a three-way! The podcast starts as it normally does, with JP talking about air travel experiences and Mule talking about robots.  As “process and systems guys”, air travel is always a source for some head-scratching and musing.  JP recounts a recent trip through Frankfurt where the “Gold Track” for security suddenly disappeared with the alternative being a 90 minute wait.  Not wanting to wait 90 minutes, JP made his own “Gold Track”.  Problem solved. And Mule shares this year’s robot challenge and the operating parameters the robot must successfully complete.  He seems happy with the progress so far. Wilson joins us next.  JP has known Wilson for well over a decade, having met at an industrial engineering conference.  Both JP and Wilson vividly remember the encounter.  Wilson came to JP at JP’s company booth and started complaining that his company lost the “focus”, and he needed to try to find a way to get the “focus” back.  He went on an on lamenting about the “focus”.  Except, with his heavy Brazilian accent, it didn’t sound like “focus”. Next, we welcome Curtis from Charleston.  Being a fairly recently-minted entrepreneur who left the corporate world a few years ago to start his own consultancy, Curtis shares the challenges of balancing roles and responsibilities; of particular challenge is the “honey-do” list.  And last, but not least, we welcome Stephane (another irregular regular, or is it regular irregular) to The Outliers Inn.  Other than JP sharing the story of his failed attempt to meet Stephane for some holiday cheer, Stephane shares his recent introduction to ChatGPT (an Artificial Intelligence content generation app).  Stephane then shares how an entire persona can be created out of thin air; pictures, video, resume, content that establishes the fictitious (or real) person as a “thought leader”.  He even has ChatGPT create a couple of posts for LinkedIn while talking about ChatGPT. Come and give a listen.  We are sure you will enjoy this episode.

Video Version https://vimeo.com/theoutliersinn/holi-daze About the Podcast This episode of The Outliers Inn finds the hosts, JP and Mule, a bit dazed and confused from the very start; as in, who’s going to start?! holi-daze JP starts by sharing that the year went by in a flash because of engagements and travel and this has left him a bit Holi-DAZED coming into the end of the year. This includes having to fight the horde on Thanksgiving Sunday and spending his 60th birthday in an airport hotel awaiting a return to Frankfurt (but at least the good folks at Saison at Newark Airport made a kind birthday gesture). Mule shares that he won’t travel from Thanksgiving through the New Year unless a dire emergency. The conversation turns from travel to that seasonal sport; gift shopping. JP postulates that “women shop, guys buy” going back to pre-history when the women foraged, and the men hunted. As such, JP has relied heavily (exclusively) on Amazon-Germany for his Holiday shopping (bonus that you can buy all manner of legal beverages on Amazon-Germany). Come give a listen and enjoy a hot toddy as you do…

Video Version https://vimeo.com/771047950 About the Podcast In this episode, JP is thankful to have a regular guest at The Outliers Inn, Don "Beer Man" Burshnick, able to step up and be the co-host on zero notice because Mule has forgotten (yet again) to be in a state of readiness to fulfill his hostly duties. Thanks Beer Man! Beer Man, coming from a long line of early starters, shares that he is thankful for recently becoming a great grandfather. And JP is thankful his book has been very well recieved and the thoughts contained therein has resonated with his intended audience and has generated a lot of business; his 2022 has been his busiest ever and 2023 looks to be at least as busy. But come to find out that Mule (who joined as a guest a bit later) was away hunting pheasant in the midwest United States. And fortunately, neither he nor anyone else in his party pulled a "Dick Cheney"; or worse, and "Alec Baldwin". They did manage to get 190 birds. JP, not being against hunting, was nonetheless concerned because that seemed like an aweful lot of birds. But Mule went to explain that the birds are raised to be harvested in the hunt. So the population is sustained and not strained. JP shares that this is similar to the practices in Southern Africa where the herd is managed and maintained for hunting and, without this industry, the animals would surely be in jeapardy. Stephane joins the conversation and continues Mule's conversation regarding the drought conditions he saw while on the hunt. He shares that it has been a very challenging year for the farm industry because of the weather and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But he is thankful that his company is working hard and making progress to help farmers and their crops endure the increasingly unpredictable weather. So come and give a listen!

Video Version https://vimeo.com/theoutliersinn/harvest-time About the Podcast Mule welcomes everyone to The Outliers Inn and introduces this episode's theme; harvest time. And he kicks-off the conversation by sharing what he is presently harvesting from his garden; including sunflowers.  Mule shares how there is some insect that infests the sunflowers and attacks the seeds so that they are empty.  Not to be outdone, JP shares that his sunflowers would be just a day or two from being ready to pick and squirrels would beat him to it; gorging themselves on the sunflowers.  JP also shares that the fruits in Europe are unusually tiny this year because of the draught that was experienced. But the conversation soon turns to matters of business, and the harvesting of opportunities with companies wanting to pull in their numbers to end the year with a bang. However, the business sowing, growing, and harvesting seasons do not (necessarily) follow that of crops.  Sometimes it can take moments, sometimes it can take years, for an opportunity sown to be harvested.  And also unlike crops, you have to sow many seeds all year long, every year, to have any yield whatsoever. Sam joins us from Sweden and confesses he is a city-folk and the closest he comes to harvesting crops is going to the grocery store and filling a basket.  But like Mule and JP, he is always sowing the seeds of opportunity; with his preferred soil for planting being LinkedIn. And Stephane rejoins us to share his thoughts on sowing and growing.  Being particularly close to the subject, he shares his thoughts on proper soil preparation and maintenance; which does not (necessarily) include spreading a liquid manure concoction over the fields. It’s a good session with interesting conversations; even as we stretch and contort farming terminology to fit business.

Video Version https://vimeo.com/748326212 About the Podcast Mule kicks of the conversation at The Outliers Inn with the season wrap of robots season. Kids being kids, they start off wearing their "Sunday best" and end-up dragging the duds through the grass playing frisbee after the official goings-on are done. JP laments about how packed the flights are. But that there is an upside with his travels as the people along the route (flight attendants, restaurant personnel, and so on) have become familiar with his ways and see to it that all is good; and it is good. JP also shares that he changed-out his old notebook for a latest and greatest; and how easy it was to make the change as compared to times past. But whereas JP has one notebook, Mule shares he has several and the challenges therein. JP is the first to share a coincidence, combined with a life-hack. The life hack is that he introduces himself and chats folks up at the hotel bar. Because, drinking alone indicates a problem, but he is always sure to drink with someone else. But the coincidence is that JP has loved space programs since Apollo and Skylab. He used to write NASA and IBM and get all sorts of cool pics, pamphlets, and patches. And while on a project in Denver, he met some NASA pilots who were on the SOFIA program and who were in Denver to train on the "vintage" 747 simulator. Well, one thing led to another and the pilots invited JP to join them at the simulator the next day. Of course, JP messaged the client and let them know he was going to be late the next day and he "flew" the 747 out of SFO, towards the Golden Gate Bridge, out to Napa Valley, and then landed back at SFO. He was a happy guy. Esther joins us and shares that she believes coincidences do not exist, but that things in life happen because they are meant to happen, there is always a reason; definitely in the "Gibbs Rule Nr.37, there is no such thing as coincidence." Mule gets all scientific and etymological on us and postulates that a coincidence is a collision, and its rather difficult to put into words here; you gotta give a listen. And just when you think it can't get any deeper, Ester injects Carl Jung into the conversation. Thankfully, Don brings us back to Earth and raises the most perplexing conundrum; there are 24 hours in a day, and 24 beers in a case - coincidence?

Video Version https://vimeo.com/737895244 About the Podcast Welcome to another episode of "The Outliers Inn". Today's theme is travel tips and tricks. Whether by train, plane, or automobile, anyone who has traveled recently has probably experienced some level of anguish. We have seen the countless challenges people are facing broadcast on the media; flights cancelled, runways melting, soon to be lost luggage stacked to the heavens, automobile reservations taken but not held, check-in and security lines that are miles long, and so on… It's a wonder anyone is willing to travel at all, yet the flights are all packed and the hotels and rental cars all booked. In this episode, the hosts at The Outliers Inn - and special sidekick Don "The Beer Man" Burshnick - being seasoned and veteran road warriors, share some of their traveling stories and the wisdom gained from their experiences. Travel tips and tricks Two most important nuggets of wisdom; Always allow more time than you might need such as getting to the airport early, allowing extra time for layovers, and such like. It will alleviate a lot of stress. Always have at least one back-up plan such as making sure that the last leg on your journey has a back-up flight in case yours is missed or cancelled. There are many more tips and tricks mentioned in the show, and the stories are fun with a lot of laughs. So come on in and give a listen.

Video Version https://vimeo.com/737108958 About the Podcast Welcome to another episode of "The Outliers Inn". Today's theme is making mistakes. It starts right off with Mule asking JP whether he made any mistakes lately. And JP shares that he just filed his taxes, and perhaps he made a mistake, only time (and the IRS) will tell. And JP follows this up claiming; "He thought he made a mistake once, but he was mistaken" and that he "didn't make any mistakes, only had learning experiences". That's what we'll call them; "learning experiences"… Yeah… That's the ticket… Hopefully any "learning experience" with JP's taxes and the IRS will not be too costly (in time or treasure). Mule confesses that his most notable mistake as of late was missing the last recording session at The Outliers Inn and leaving it to JP to scramble (fortunately, Don was able to stand-in). Then one by one, our guests share their "learning experiences". Don shares some learning experiences brewing beer (naturally). The results of some of the "learning experience" were better than expected and some were worse than hoped-for. Stephane shares that, being in research and development, he is in the business of having "learning experiences"; usually in the form of some kinetic event such as a fire, or some small explosions. Thankfully, other than some bruised egos, there have not been any serious injuries. However, sometimes expensive apparatus gets damaged or destroyed and it makes some people "widely unhappy". ;-) Esther then joins the conversation and she poses the question; "What is a mistake?" To which Stephane shares that the difference between a "learning opportunity" and a "mistake" is a matter of cost. If there is nominal cost, it's a learning opportunity. If the cost is significant, then it's a mistake. Sounds reasonable to us. All in, a chat that was good fun yet some interesting insights. Come give a listen.

Video Version https://vimeo.com/702398732 About the Podcast What do you do when the co-host forgets to come to the session? Well, at The Outliers Inn, you just roll with it. Indeed, "Mule" didn't show up so I called upon one of our regulars, Don "The Beer Man" Burshnick to stand in without notice. Thankfully, Don's a good sport and accepted; provided he gets 50% of the revenue from the show. Since 50% of nothing is nothing, of course I agreed. We also had a bit of a change in format. Usually, only the host and co-host have their cameras on with everyone else being voice only. In this episode, we left it to the guests to either use or not use their camera, and most of them decided to turn their cameras on! Still faces for radio, but what the heck. It did make for some challenges in post-production. The group went around talking about the various time wasters we must endure. There were the usual subjects; government, air travel, never-ending streams of meetings and the like and some counter-measures (or fantasies) for consideration. And of course, no visit to The Outliers Inn would be complete without some discussion about beer! JP and Stephane each sample one of Don's very-own concoctions, a beer made from Gummy Bears! A person might better call it Gummy Beers! It was sweet and tangy, like drinking liquified Skittles. But not bad at all! All in, a chat that was good fun. Come give a listen.

Video Version https://vimeo.com/687434120 About the Podcast The business response to COVID has seen that many employees are able to work (and manage) from the comforts of their home (or wherever) while those whose physical presence is required have no such option. In this episode, JP, Mule, and our guests talk about the benefits and risks of working remotely; more specifically, the "Knowledge Workers" can work remotely, but the "Wrench Turners" still have to come to where the production happens. Is there a risk of creating (or amplifying) a culture (work and social) that has defined classes; the elites and workers? How can those calling the shots understand and be empathetic with what is happening with those on the front line? What is the peril of such occurring, what are the signs, and how can it be avoided? Discuss. (Inspired by the Star Trek Episode; The Cloud Minders.)

Video Version https://vimeo.com/672105600 About the Podcast It’s another “Open Mic Night” at The Outliers Inn and JP and Mule are happy to welcome our guest and have a casual chat with whatever might be on their minds (and ours). JP starts off with sharing a return trip travel story from Newark back to Frankfurt which was quite like the movie “planes, trains, and automobiles”. Having to reschedule the flight several times between; having family visiting Poland (the “Florida” of Europe where the COVID restrictions were always unofficially optional at best) and having nobody there to greet me when I arrived, to a snowstorm pushing it out a day, to having said family catch COVID in Poland (all was okay, but I sheltered in place), to moving the flight closer by a day to avoid yet another snowstorm – it was a VUCA trip that required OODA Loops to engage. Mule shares an update with the Robotics Competition including insights on the scoring requirements in the competition (much like scoring in gymnastics or figure skating) where the robot has to complete certain tasks. And also how his coaching changes as the students go from being Freshmen to Seniors (from more nurturing to more demanding). Our first guest is Stephane who joins us from France. And JP shares (and shows) that he is indulging in a “Gummy Bier”, a “heavy” beer coming in at 9% brewed by a regular at The Outliers Inn, Don and his son Dom. JP promised to bring a bottle back to Germany and send it to Stephane. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to share a real bier virtually on a future get together at The Outliers Inn. Stephane also gives us an update on his general goings-on and the latest COVID restrictions in France (which are still rather strict, but there are talks of loosening). Stephane then gets serious and starts to discuss creativity and innovation and the challenges of how to remain creative when working remote. And Sam rejoins us from Sweden. He shares that he likes bier and would also like to participate in tasting the “Gummy Bier”. Sam is interested in the topics of creativity and innovation introduced by Stephane and carries on with the subject; expanding the conversation to address and discuss the team effectiveness (or lack thereof) of people working remotely, but still being part of a team. How do we effectively communicate and collaborate. How do we remain aligned? So pull up a stool, pour yourself a legal beverage, and smoke ’em if you got ’em. Good stuff, and we will do a deeper dive in our next episode.

Video Version https://vimeo.com/662907369 About the Podcast In this episode, JP, Mule, and Guests talk about their goals for 2022… But first, there has to be a little more venting of the spleen by JP as he shares the absurdity that is the theater of COVID response by his experience at the Frankfurt Christmas Market (which was at full strength this year). You have to understand that the Frankfurt Christmas Market is huge. It's footprint is almost a half-mile (750m) by up to 200yd/m and there are probably 50 or so ways to enter it (between roads, sidewalks, building egresses, and public transport). The "rule" was that you had to be either vaccinated or have a negative COVID test and wear a mask. Although there was a considerable police presence, nobody checked to see if anyone was vaccinated or tested. And you didn't have to wear a mask if you were eating, drinking, or smoking; even in the main thoroughfares. The only time JP was asked to put on his mask was when he was entering an area to purchase a gluhwein (even though he was eating a bratwurst). He was told that he can only have his mask off if he were at a table, with the table being unseparated from the main thoroughfare except for a small wooden fence (post and rail). All theater… But then the conversation gets back to the intended subject; goals… JP shares that his goal for 2022 is to get more sun and warmth; complete with sand, palm trees, and the rum drinks with little umbrellas. He even wore a tropical shirt to get into the proper spirit. And the 6,000iu per day of Vitamin-D3 he is taking is not warding off the SAD. Mule shares that his goal is to have a successful "robotics" competition with the high-school students he mentors and that his daughters continue to successfully navigate their experiences at college (Mule insisted that it is his goal, not just theirs). And Don shares that he wants to get away to someplace tropical to relax. JP gets all excited thinking he might have a companion until Don specifies that he would be taking his wife; who also needs a break (but probably from Don).

Video Version https://vimeo.com/655831185 About the Podcast JP and Mule talk about appreciation and how important it is to show people they are appreciated. Better yet, tell them using the word appreciate. It's much more impactful than saying "thank you". Who do you appreciate? Do they know? Maybe it's a good idea to tell them; let them know. JP, Mule, and guests then spend some time appreciating those who have been impactful in their lives. But one thing JP noticed is how all the guests were appreciative of their wives for "putting up with their shit". Yet JP's wife doesn't let him get away with any shit. Hmmm….

Video Version https://vimeo.com/645728789 About the Podcast In this episode of The Outliers Inn, Mule, JP, and guests discuss reported challenges and disruptions in Supply Chains and Logistics. After all, we have seen it in all the media; ships parked for as far as the eye can see off or Los Angeles (and to a lesser extent, Newark), trains that are 25 miles long heading into Chicago, reports of a lack of trucks (and truck drivers), and the threats of bare shelves at the store and a real Grinch's Christmas. But how much of this is real and how much is hype? Other than having to pay more (much more), has anyone really found it difficult to access the items they need or want? And we also discuss what the "root cause(s)" of the challenges might be and how many of them are self-inflicted wounds - and are government efforts helping or hurting? JP, being in the EU (Germany) has to confess that he has not been personally affected by the alleged disruptions, everything seems to be normal. The same is true of Mule and our guests; except that Andy from the UK shares that they endured a disruption in fuel and had challenges buying "tights". But all in, anyone that needs to buy a GI Joe with the Kung-Fu Grip for a Holiday gift will be able to get one. But Mule and Don both shared that industrial items (chips, steel, machinery, have some pretty nasty lead times and these are threats to businesses. Lead times aside, smaller manufacturers are being sidelined as component manufacturers tend to their largest customers first. They may be told they will be getting product this week or next, but then "poof", their allocation has been re-allocated; probably to someone yelling louder, more important or (gasp) to someone willing to pay more.

Video Version https://vimeo.com/586186646 About the Podcast JP and Mule have had a lot of things go not according to plan; especially over the past couple of years. And we suspect that many of our listeners have had similar experiences. As Mike Tyson famously said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” So we are going to hang our hats on this quote and let it be the theme for this episode of The Outliers Inn. The hosts with the mosts start it off by proclaiming this episode is a plan that’s been punched in the mouth. JP thought it was supposed to be recorded on one day, Mule on another. So it was a scramble to get it recorded and, unfortunately, some of our guests didn’t make it! It seems to be that the root-cause might be the multiple channels of communication with one plan being established (or not) on one channel and another on another. JP shares that we are going to try LinkedIn Live (but that will probably be delayed). Mule shares that his current project involves bringing a new warehouse online for a fast-growing company. And, if anyone has ever been involved in a build, you know that nothing ever goes according to plan. And with the expected opening being imminent and necessary, and still not ready for occupancy, there are a lot of punches being thrown. And JP shares a catastrophic Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project with a company that made custom cabinet doors. When originally contracted, the intent was to extract the knowledge that was in the father’s brain and put it in a system so his children could run the business. But within a week of signing the contract, the father died. The implementation turned into a séance and it quickly went coyote ugly from there. Barry managed to find us in spite of our best efforts to be evasive. However, the story he shares of his experience participating in a conference is one for the ages; it all starts with his vendor booth not arriving. But what might have knocked others out only steeled Barry’s spine and with some very quick thinking and decisive decision making, he turns lemons into lemonade.

Video Version https://vimeo.com/572715914 About the podcast In this special episode of The Outliers Inn, JP and Mule welcome back one of the founding fathers (or is it non-birthing units); Antlerboy, who graces us with his presence after taking a bit of a dream walk (without the peyote buttons). Indeed, the Inn has not been the same without him - its certainly been better, but not the same. ;-) And we are happy to welcome back as guests some of our early and irregular guests; Peter (who is getting ready to transition out of the corporate world, from the back nine into the clubhouse), Stephane (who is enjoying his enhanced freedom now that France has relaxed its COVID restrictions), Don (who is still making award-winning craft beer, including a special gummy-bear concoction), and Allan from Quebec (who is retired, but still up for having a legal beverage with us and sharing his stories). JP also shares an "Easter Egg", InspireNow.live... Stay tuned... The entire episode is devoted to some of the more wacky projects, goings-on, and experiences we have had in general. There are a lot of laughs, banter, and self-deprecating humor that we are sure you will enjoy; so give a listen!