Thursday, August 23, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The difference between what you're selling and what they're buying
The first week of camp I had very few takers for (serious) kayak lessons. I wanted to teach campers how to "roll" a kayak, but very few were genuinely interested. Generally one camper in each group. Then we rotated groups after three days and I had less than one interested camper per period.
However, there was no shortage of campers asking about what they had to do to get their "bronze", "silver", "gold" or "platinum" award. I thought it was kind of silly that they were so focused on these awards that didn't teach important kayaking skills, so I kind of brushed off these questions by saying that I was in the process of re-writing the requirements for all of the awards.
After about a week I finally realized that I was going about it the wrong way. These campers were not "buying" kayak lessons or kayak skills. They weren't working towards a river trip like those at the Queen's University White Water kayaking club. They were "buying" self worth, a sense of accomplishment, and maybe something they could write home about. Getting your "bronze" is less about learning the basics of kayaking than it is about building confidence in one's own abilities and establishing self worth.
I should have realized this from day one, having worked with the fellows at http://blueprintstrategicplanning.com/ back when I was doing Darfur advocacy with Stand Canada. One thing they often talked about was the important distinction between what you are selling and what the customer is buying (it is not always the same thing, as evidenced by the above).
Once I made this realization I quickly re-wrote the requirements for each award, and was virtually swamped with campers that wanted to vie for their bronze or silver depending on their skill level in the coming days. The younger campers in particular seem to have a certain sense of satisfaction on achieving a kayaking award. Also, the great part of this is that I have worked in practical kayaking skills into the higher award levels, and will soon have many more pupils working on advanced skills that will equip them for white water than I did the first week. So things are busier for me at the canoe/kayak beach, but mostly in a good way.
While there will not be the opportunity for me to take campers on a white water kayaking trip, hopefully this new approach will increase the number of people I inspire to take up the sport when they get home from camp.
However, there was no shortage of campers asking about what they had to do to get their "bronze", "silver", "gold" or "platinum" award. I thought it was kind of silly that they were so focused on these awards that didn't teach important kayaking skills, so I kind of brushed off these questions by saying that I was in the process of re-writing the requirements for all of the awards.
After about a week I finally realized that I was going about it the wrong way. These campers were not "buying" kayak lessons or kayak skills. They weren't working towards a river trip like those at the Queen's University White Water kayaking club. They were "buying" self worth, a sense of accomplishment, and maybe something they could write home about. Getting your "bronze" is less about learning the basics of kayaking than it is about building confidence in one's own abilities and establishing self worth.
I should have realized this from day one, having worked with the fellows at http://blueprintstrategicplanning.com/ back when I was doing Darfur advocacy with Stand Canada. One thing they often talked about was the important distinction between what you are selling and what the customer is buying (it is not always the same thing, as evidenced by the above).
Once I made this realization I quickly re-wrote the requirements for each award, and was virtually swamped with campers that wanted to vie for their bronze or silver depending on their skill level in the coming days. The younger campers in particular seem to have a certain sense of satisfaction on achieving a kayaking award. Also, the great part of this is that I have worked in practical kayaking skills into the higher award levels, and will soon have many more pupils working on advanced skills that will equip them for white water than I did the first week. So things are busier for me at the canoe/kayak beach, but mostly in a good way.
While there will not be the opportunity for me to take campers on a white water kayaking trip, hopefully this new approach will increase the number of people I inspire to take up the sport when they get home from camp.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Greatest Canoe Trip Ever!!!
***Since I don't have much free time I am not editing my posts from camp like I have been doing with other posts. I am leaving out full names of campers, only using first names, if any***
Today, when we had one of the younger groups at the canoe beach there was a particularly eager kid. He kept yelling his name at my co-staff in hopes it would lead to them checking him in sooner so that he could go get a desirable boat. Unfortunately for him ran to the boats before getting checked in, and by the time we brought him back to check in all the "banana boats" (i.e. sit-on-top kayaks) were gone. He was devastated. I actually thought he might even begin to cry. He said he never got to paddle around in the fun kayaks.
To try and make him feel special I asked if he wanted to come in a canoe with me. He said yes, and I let him pick his canoe. He picked a small canoe that is really just for two people. One of his friends wanted to join us, but my fellow boat-mate really liked the dark blue canoe we were in. He didn't mind if his friend joined us, but he really didn't want to change boats.
We squeezed the second camper in front of me on the ground of the canoe and we were off. I thought they might find it interesting if I gave us a mission, so I decided we would make sure that the rudders of everyone in a kayak were properly afixed. They took to our mission with zest and we paddled to and fro putting on people's rudders for them, and twisting/tightening them when they were loose.
Both the campers co-operated with me fairly well, so near the end of the period I thought we should do something fun. I asked them if they wanted to go REALLY fast, and they said yes. Starting from the shore we paddled to the end of the swim dock and back as fast as I could make us go. On the way back we went so fast the boat started rocking and we tipped. Apparently the campers thought this was even more fun than going super fast.
The first camper came up to me repeatedly to say how it was "the best canoe trip ever" and asking if we could do it again the next day. The second camper also enjoyed it, although seemingly not as much as his friend (although in fairness I think the first camper may have just simply been more expressive).
This series of events was a nice reminder for me of two things:
1: Not getting what we want isn't always so bad. Sometimes it can lead to something even better
2: It's amazing how something so simple such as going really fast in a canoe can make a child's day. Spending time around kids is helping to serve as a reminder to enjoy some of the simple things in life that we adults often take for granted.
Today, when we had one of the younger groups at the canoe beach there was a particularly eager kid. He kept yelling his name at my co-staff in hopes it would lead to them checking him in sooner so that he could go get a desirable boat. Unfortunately for him ran to the boats before getting checked in, and by the time we brought him back to check in all the "banana boats" (i.e. sit-on-top kayaks) were gone. He was devastated. I actually thought he might even begin to cry. He said he never got to paddle around in the fun kayaks.
To try and make him feel special I asked if he wanted to come in a canoe with me. He said yes, and I let him pick his canoe. He picked a small canoe that is really just for two people. One of his friends wanted to join us, but my fellow boat-mate really liked the dark blue canoe we were in. He didn't mind if his friend joined us, but he really didn't want to change boats.
We squeezed the second camper in front of me on the ground of the canoe and we were off. I thought they might find it interesting if I gave us a mission, so I decided we would make sure that the rudders of everyone in a kayak were properly afixed. They took to our mission with zest and we paddled to and fro putting on people's rudders for them, and twisting/tightening them when they were loose.
Both the campers co-operated with me fairly well, so near the end of the period I thought we should do something fun. I asked them if they wanted to go REALLY fast, and they said yes. Starting from the shore we paddled to the end of the swim dock and back as fast as I could make us go. On the way back we went so fast the boat started rocking and we tipped. Apparently the campers thought this was even more fun than going super fast.
The first camper came up to me repeatedly to say how it was "the best canoe trip ever" and asking if we could do it again the next day. The second camper also enjoyed it, although seemingly not as much as his friend (although in fairness I think the first camper may have just simply been more expressive).
This series of events was a nice reminder for me of two things:
1: Not getting what we want isn't always so bad. Sometimes it can lead to something even better
2: It's amazing how something so simple such as going really fast in a canoe can make a child's day. Spending time around kids is helping to serve as a reminder to enjoy some of the simple things in life that we adults often take for granted.
Renewing my spirit at camp!
Last week I arrived at Camp Ramah, on the shores of Skeleton Lake in beautiful Muskoka. I am here for the summer as a kayak (and canoe) instructor, but as those of you who have been to overnight camp before know, there is so much more to it than that.
In order to make sure the memories I am creating for myself and others are not lost, I've decided to document them here. I already have four blogs including this one, and thought that a fifth would simply be too many. Since it is out of the ordinary for me to spend the summer in Muskoka I'm considering this to be enough of a travel experience to go here.
In order to make sure the memories I am creating for myself and others are not lost, I've decided to document them here. I already have four blogs including this one, and thought that a fifth would simply be too many. Since it is out of the ordinary for me to spend the summer in Muskoka I'm considering this to be enough of a travel experience to go here.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Do you speak Australian?
Saw this on the cork board at the (excellent) Planet Traveler Hostel on College Street in Toronto. I wonder if they are also looking for people who speak Mexican and Brazilian ;)
Monday, April 2, 2012
Why I will never be able to live in Ireland
I met a group of Irish guys at the hostel I am staying at here in Toronto, and heard them talking to each other in a language I didn't understand. I asked if they were speaking Gaelic, to which one of them responded that they were actually talking in English the entire time. They then proceeded to have a laugh at my expense.
Not sure if I was just "that tired", or if they just happen to have the worlds thickest Irish accent. Either way it's pretty funny.
Not sure if I was just "that tired", or if they just happen to have the worlds thickest Irish accent. Either way it's pretty funny.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
A few reflections on my Asian Adventure - Part I
Eighteen months since my return from Southeast Asia I have decided to write a series of posts reflecting on my time there. My first post will look at the lighter side of my trip - the custom made clothes I procured in Hong Kong and Hoi An (in Vietnam).
- Fitted clothes are awesome. I have particularly enjoyed wearing the clothes I had made in Hong Kong. I consistently get compliments when I wear the three piece suit I had made there. I would order more clothes from Bobby's Fashions in a heart beat. I'm very glad I ran into my friend Josh in the Ottawa airport on my way to Hong Kong (he had been there on exchange and recommended it to me). The only problem is that I've put on an inch or two in the past few months in the waist. While Bobby's will adjust your pants for free, the catch is that you have to actually be in Hong Kong and go to their store in person (or ship your pants there, which is prohibitively expensive).
- The clothes I had made at Thien Than Cloth Shop in Hoi An (Vietnam) are a mixed bag. The buttons from my trenchcoat came off almost overnight upon my return home. The dress shirts have held up well, as have the dress pants and vests. However, someone with a trained eye for good clothes has told me that while everything from Hong Kong was excellent, my Vietnamese blazers have women's shoulder pads. I thought the jackets looks fine enough, but to be truthful knowing that tidbit doesn't lead me to be as supremely confident in the Vietnamese Blazers as I am in the ones from Hong Kong. I still wear the rest of my ensemble quite often though. The japanese silk pyjama pants and the ties have held up quite well too. I would definitely order more of everything I bought in Vietnam except for any kind of coat (i.e. suit jacket, trench coat, winter coat, etc.).
- Colourful clothes are also awesome. I am very happy I decided to get Purple and Pink dress shirts for the first time. I have gotten more comments/compliments regarding my two purple and two pink dress shirts than all the other dress shirts I have ever owned. In fact the only other dress shirt I ever remember getting a compliment on was a vibrant light blue dress shirt that I wore so much the sleeves have worn to the point I can no longer wear it in formal settings.
- Three piece suits rock. When I show up at a formal event as one of the few men wearing a vest and/or three piece suit I really stand out.
- The shoes I had made in Hoi An are not completely awful as I initially thought, but I'm still not thrilled with them given the price I paid. I have only consistently worn one out of three pairs. You can get good shoes for slightly more money if you get lucky at Winners (or Marshalls or Nordstrom's Rack if you're American). I would skip getting shoes made, unless you meet someone who went to a better shop than I did (and they happen to rave about the place).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)