Saturday, August 14, 2010

A Good to Great Refresher


It's been a while since we read Good to Great by Jim Collins so I thought it was time to revisit the work.  After-all, it made a lasting impression on all of us at DSM and MusickEd.com at a crucial time in our history. The book addresses a single question: Can a good company become a great company, and if so, how?   

Good to Great shows that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance; but largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline. It's interesting that many of the following gems from this 'business' book can apply to other areas of life...like relationships or learning to play an instrument.  Good or great is not a matter of luck, there are no magic bullets. Here are a few items from the book that we've  tried to take to heart over the past 15+ years:

Good is the enemy of great.

Decline is typically self-inflicted.

Over night successes are usually 20 years in the making.

Striving for great is a cumulative never ending process - “the moment we think we’re great, we’re dead”.

Get the right people on the bus even before you decide where you’re going.

Hire self-motivated people who are committed to doing whatever it takes.

The “plow horse” typically beats the “show horse” when it comes to great CEOs.

My daily office hedgehog reminder
Have the discipline to confront the brutal facts.

Find your “hedgehog” concept. What are you truly passionate about? What can you be the best in the world at?

We're still hashing through the list,  but we've successfully checked a few items off over the years.  We have the right people on the bus, a plow horse and a hedgehog...

Giddyup


Monday, August 9, 2010

Kore Series - Group Pricing

In recent weeks several groups, schools, and school districts have expressed interest in adopting the Kore Series curriculum for their members and students.   To that end we have established special academic or 'group' pricing for as little as $1 per student (or member) per month.  

The benefits include access to all 20 lessons in the Kore Series, quizzes with ear-training, our patented note finding systems, original songs and play-alongs, forums, webinars, free support and more.

Large private studios, civic organizations and church groups can monitor and encourage each other via the forums and once completed, quiz results can be printed and turned in so teachers can assign and check progress. Lessons can be accessed from any computer or device with internet so learning can take place 'on campus' or at home.

In a time when budgets for music are shrinking or have already been eliminated, the Kore Series offers a legitimate music education learning program to help fill the void. 

E-mail musicked@gmail.com for more information about our group membership or visit www.discoverlearnandplay.com.
 
 
Music