mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Floatli for All Seasons
September 1, 2014
— 1 Comment
I like to work out in both the warm and cool water in the morning. If I go early the pool is in the shade, which my skin requires for happy water dancing. The warm jacuzzi is perfect with the steps and handle for my long stretches and yoga postures. The ladder in the deep end of the big pool provides similar advantages. Not featured in the video here is the full set of steps with a handrail in the sallow end. There are endless stretches and sun salutation variations that can be done when you have steps. Each pool has its advantages. Some pools and bodies of water have dangerous safety issues to consider. A water movement routine can take advantage of all depths of water and all architectural features that are safely installed. In nature you can use the tide or the current to your advantage if you are careful and have a clear understanding.
I am very lucky to have such a warm climate and pools that suit my purposes right at home. In the winter our community pool is not heated, but the large jacuzzi is, so I can still enjoy a stretchy warm water work out at all times of the year. My body is used to this kind of large movement in water and starts to miss it if I am away for very long. The only places I like better than my own pools at home are hot springs pools. My idea of pure bliss is to Floatli for hours in a mineral hot spring with a nice view. Glenwood Springs, Colorado comes to mind. I also love Desert Hot Springs, California. Euro hot springs resorts are the bomb. Where do you like to go in the water, Gentle Reader? Do you have a pool, beach or lake near your home? How do you like to enjoy the water?
Recovery in the Deep End
August 9, 2014
— 10 Comments
When I go to the pool to play I follow no set of exercises. I generally go to the deep end and do a lot of twisting and large movements. To Floatli is to find balance and then play your way to fitness and sporty fun. Right now I have injured my foot by walking too much on holiday. It only hurts when I put weight on it, so the deep end is the place for me. I can still enjoy full range of motion (and beyond what gravity will allow) while keeping that tired tendon in my foot from overworking while it heals. I was getting kind of cranky on the last few days of my vacation when my aching feet slowed down my pace and I was away from my pool that I love so much. Water is both healing and soothing. The deep end of the pool is a lot like the deep end of life. It is best to know when you can handle depth, and when it is a good idea to stay in the shallow end of things. I am happy and lucky to have my own private deep end to use as I see fit. It keeps my mood up while I recover full use of my footsies. Gravity is fine, but has limits, especially if we are injured. What do you like to do when your body needs to heal?
Be Humble
May 22, 2013
— 6 Comments
Last at number ten, but not least, Zappos core value concerning humility is short and sweet. Be Humble. Humility is tightrope on which to stay centered. This trick is easier said than done, like all the core values of this company. There must be enough confidence to build self esteem and positive team spirit, and enough gravitas to accomplish intended goals. Restraint of ego mania in favor of pride in the entire workforce is a major element in delivering happiness. Hubris hoards potential joy in the corporate executive cafeteria. Zappos spreads it lavishly all over the company and customer base.
I had the idea 12 years ago when I invented Floatli that my teaching was such an important element of life that I naturally needed to create a teaching dynasty by certifying Floatli professionals. I was in a spa mentality and was influenced by my work experience. I became sidetracked by the demands of real life on this journey, and had to clarify my reasons several times for continued expenditure of time and effort on this business. Since I no longer live at spas I have a new perspective that is much more reasonable. I have reached the conclusion that Floatli is as obvious as a hula hoop or roller skates. No instruction is needed. No certification, no dynasty of teaching will enhance the fun. It is not a lifesaving device, but it is superior to other aquatic training equipment because it fits the anatomy of the user, no need to grip any thing with the hands to stay above water. It can be used in all bodies of water, but my experience says be super careful in surf or currents.
I want to work with Zappos as my marketing partner because their philosophy and values are dear to me, as is the quality of the merchandise they sell. I humbly request that the Zappsters share the joy in delivering floating happiness to zillions of customers who will have fun creating their own ways to use Floatli for training and fun. I sincerely believe we can deliver happiness in several different directions by empowering folks to find new ways to float.
Be Passionate and Determined
May 8, 2013
— 5 Comments
Ninth on the Zappos list of core values is a description of attitude. To be passionate and determined to please customers buying products is one thing, but this means passion to deliver happiness to all concerned. I just read that the average American employee spends 24% of the time they are paid at work cruising the internet for personal reasons. The sapping of energy and time that this represents also creates, I think, a big deficit in the happiness quotient. Both individual workers cheating the company out of work, and the ultimate customer experience for the client is cheapened when the employees are feeling cheated themselves. Sticking to core values that uplift, support and reward the staff has to result in higher fun factors all around.
When I invented Floatli training systems I thought I wanted to teach people how to use them. I have changed my mind. Now I want to provide this naturally entertaining and useful aquatic equipment to everyone and let them do whatever they care to do. I have abandoned the idea of teaching teachers, party because it would mean finding passionate and determined instructors to certify. I want to present it like a hula hoop or a water gun, something any and everyone can use in the way they like. The arm floatation units provide security for those as yet uncomfortable in deep water, and the full arm and leg combination is a challenging workout if used as such. I am passionate and determined to convince Zappos to adopt Floatli as the official company sport. That is how I picture everyone having the maximum amount of fun. Zappos markets better than anyone, and the product itself provides happiness to those who buy it. I am determined to get an audition to demonstrate why Floatli and Zappos are an excellent match. It soon will be hot and nothing will feel better than a romp in cool water.
Embrace and Drive Change
March 14, 2013
Zappquarters
The second core value of Zappos is simple, but not so easy. Change is never as easy as it seems. The investment in any status quo is heavier than it appears to the naked eye. To start something new is much easier than to destroy something old that does not work (think Congress). People feel that change involves admission of some kind of error, and that is why they will not enter the zone. Being right is important to the point that it can alter the mind of the thinker significantly. When driving change that involves others, be sure that you do not threaten their self images. Any indication that there is a better way, also indicates that the present path is the wrong one. Egos invest in this kind of righteous battle. Ego battles virtually always get out of control because the individuals cannot control the egos. It is best to show by example how change can work for the benefit of all participants.
- inventing an official company sport is a metaphor
- defying gravity is a change most people do not consider
- sports are defined too narrowly
- everyone can win
- strength, fitness, and flexibility are just a side effect of the fun
- coaching is more effective combined with movement
- It is HOT in Vegas
- the product can make us all some bucks while helping others
We are joined at the core, Tony…..tweet me, maybe.
Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open Minded
March 8, 2013
— 2 Comments
The Zappos fourth core value is about creativity and adventure. This aspect of life is my driving force. I enjoy being creative in everything I do. I have had great work environments with all my marketing partners. I was an outside sales travel agent , an independent contractor teaching at fabulous spas, and sometimes I would combine the two. I was a potter before that who had marketing partners in galleries. I supplied the creativity, sometimes the product, and they provide the infrastructure, like accounting. I embrace failure by being very productive..moving beyond errors by making lots of them. This core value at Zappos is an acceptance of failure as part of success. Without courage to fail you also lack courage to change anything.
I want Zappos to be my next marketing partner because I believe it can work very well for both of us. I think the product Floatli will be popular if marketed well, and that the sport, Floatli, can be a thinking, training, cooperation activity at Zappos. It can be totally non competitive, or mimic another game like volleyball wearing the equipment. By reversing gravity, the participant usually regresses and feels like laughing. If you loose control you just float to the top of the water, so injury is extremely unlikely while practicing Floatli in a pool, river, or lake. It can also feel good to move underwater with support when injury makes walking or running impossible. Prehabilitation is a great use of the Floatli system. With good range of motion and enhanced flexibility from movement n water, you are a lot less likely to hurt yourself at an active sport like skiing.
I am not looking for a job at Zappos, but a partnership, to sell the most innovative system for staying fit and flexible in the water. I will fly to Vegas, Tony, and give you a demo any time you feel adventurous and open minded enough to give me an opportunity to show you how it works. I believe we have very similar core values. I always love your products, and on my visit I loved the atmosphere at the office in Henderson. I admire the way you handle business and the happiness of all involved. I believe I can make a positive contribution to that mission, and add even more creativity to their already very zesty mix.
Do More with Less, Just Add Water
February 24, 2013
— 4 Comments
The eighth core value at Zappos is Do More with Less. This is an essential philosophy to make it in the world now. Using what we already have is a first step to achieve better results. Recent economic bubble popping has shown us how wasteful and risky spending can have dire consequences. As household and government debt grew so did people’s expectations that the prosperity could never end. Now that the economy is reorganized. People look for value and efficiency like never before. Many have embraced thrift over extravagance as a necessity.
Floatli does more with less by versatility. It uses the common floatation noodle, which is easy to replace. Since it works in all kinds of water, including a jacuzzi, it provides a new activity or sport to pools and natural bodies of water. From light to heavy work can be done, by everyone from elite athletes to those recovering from injury. That is another reason Floatli is the perfect official sport for Zappos. It works anywhere there is water, and will be really fun in Lake Mead in summer.
Passionate and Determined
February 18, 2013
Feet of Culture Clown
Zappos Insights
The number nine core value at Zappos is about passion and determination. This one may be the determining factor in my quest to make Floatli the official sport of Zappos. I am positive that many have, are currently, and will pursue a spot in Zappos future. In order to make my offer stand out in a giant crowd I accept the challenge of showing more passion, and ultimately more determination, than others who are vying to be the provider of the official sport of the company.
With any luck I will be the only one applying for this position. Zappos is full of healthy employees who enjoy working and playing. The presence of the company coach supports this balanced lifestyle. Employees can schedule coaching sessions for work or personal reasons. The popular program is much utilized, therefore a waiting list exists for appointments with her. I admire this kind of development program because a passionate determined employee is a content and personally fulfilled employee.
Zappos Education Dept
As the most insightful capitalist venture I have ever seen, Zappos screams sport. The minute you walk into the place the vibe is all about personal expression and fashion extravagance. The team spirit is overwhelming. My guide, Culture Clown, told us how she and her firefighter husband enjoy Lake Meade and participation in outdoor fitness events. She had completed a tough mudder with Marines that impressed me greatly. The reason Floatli is the perfect team sport for Zappos is that it is non competitive. What gravity does, Floatli remedies. The more you wear shoes and play tough games on land, the more you need to reverse that action. Floatli downshifts the joints and prehabilitates the body to do more sports without risk of injury. Summer is hot in Vegas, but they still have a big beautiful Lake Mead, as well as millions of pools.
I want the chance to to market Floatli with Zappos. More fun even than that would be to organize an exciting alternative fitness program that enhances staff levels of health and satisfaction within the company. The integrity of the company comes from taking care of the employees so they can deliver happiness to customers. I want to deliver some happiness to the discriminating employees to give them a new way to chill and stay fit. I am passionate and determined to get an audition.
Goldilocks in Business
January 3, 2013
— 3 Comments
Three Bears and Goldilocks
My story in business since I returned to commerce now seems like Goldilocks and the Three Bears to me. While learning inbound marketing and social media I attempted to find the right marketing partner. I understand how this works because for years I was the marketing partner for all travel providers (travel agent) , and fancy spas sold my services as a teacher ( employee). Commission is something I have always paid happily, even back when I was young production potter paying a gallery to sell my pots. It is fair, and it keeps overhead where it belongs.
My first guess about the perfect partner was focused on Watsu. I decided that the Watsu people maintain pools which are not fully booked, therefore Floatli would give them something else to sell in their pools. I wandered around from hot spring to hot spring looking for the right one, but this combo was not going to happen, for whatever reason.
Next, I decided that mermaids naturally combined with Floatli and were trending. I learned about the people who are into mermaids, and organized a weekend at a hot spring for mermaids to meet water fitness enthusiasts. This was not the match I had imagined either. I did not suffer terribly through these experiences, mind you. I simply found no appropriate fit for a marketing vehicle.
My digital wanderings had exposed me to Chris Brogan and Anthony Innarino who taught a workshop on sales last year. The well presented course provided the piece that had been missing in my technique. They carefully explained the process of qualifying customers. I had clearly demonstrated that deciding myself that the customer needs my product was the wrong initial step to take. Then they gave me the secret to reverse all errors made in the mama bear’s bed and the papa bear’s bed. To qualify a potential customer you first ask if they want to have a conversation with you about whatever you are pitching. Proceeding without taking this step is the number one way salespeople turn others off forever. The interest as well as the ability to execute has to be there, or you are wasting time. Thanks, Chris and Anthony, that information arrived none too soon.
My target now is Zappos, which fits perfectly because Floatli is the exact opposite of shoes, and Zappos is very sporty. This time, however, I will proceed armed with my new information, and ask the Zapsters if they want to have a conversation about marketing Floatli. That is why I will send this post to them in hopes of a positive response. I believe I can show how we belong together in business, for the benefit of all sentient beings. Gravity meets weightlessness, outside the box (but inside a Zappos box). Please say yes, Zapsters.
Culture Clown at Zappos
All God’s Children Got Shoes
December 18, 2012
— 2 Comments
This song has been going around in my head as I focus on my goal for 2013. I plan to convince Tony Hseih that Floatli is the perfect official company sport of Zappos, so he will want to market it with me. Normally they take already developed products being sold elsewhere and market them. I want the Zapsters to partner me to refine and package it to perfection with me as well. What I can offer is an international trademark on the name Floatli, my expertise, and a fun versatile product that works for sports as well as therapy and training. It is a perfect match for Lake Mead, or the inevitable pool for employees downtown that will be in the future. When I visited them I was really happy to know they can pull off such a pure and direct match between the core values and the results. Floatli also works from the core, and is fun. I came within a few yards of Tony as I was leaving in my Zappos shuttle back to Vegas. I had a giant urge to blurt out my intentions, but I thought better of it. Now I have thought about it, and I am clear. I want to Zap, and believe I can convince the Zappsters of the merit of Zapping with Floatli. We will work this from the ground up, starting with the most important of all things, shoes. Once I know which shoes to wear, then I will enumerate the core values and how we align perfectly, fluidly, and even geographically. Yo, Tony, I am going to convince you, and you will like it. I want to Zap with you for the benefit of ALL the sentient beings. Resistance may not be futile, but Floatli is a lot more fun (one of our mutual core values).
He’s Got Shoes
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