gdp's Comments

Stuff Christians Like - Jon Acuff : 2 words that are shaping culture right now.

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:21:34 +0000

Loved this insight--you're so right. I think it's an interesting phenomenon. One that generationally, we're just more free to verbalize. In generations past, you didn't dream to become something else, you just worked until that retirement and pension came. We are seeing that a) companies aren't loyal, and 150 year old companies can die over a weekend (Lehman Bros), and pensions already have died; and b) career has become a conglomerate of experiences and industries and lastly, c) I truly believe a greater proportion of GenX/Y'ers seek to find a way to make a living based around their talents and interests. The lazy ones wait for that to 'happen', the hard working ones grind it out, perhaps even over a decade or more. I''m a defense contractor, but I want to represent NFL players and coaches.

Texas Startup Blog : Infidelity and Startups

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 20:54:55 +0000

Great post Alex! Really glad I got back to this in my G-reader feed. I couldn't agree more with your premise or strategic & tactical implications. I would contend the implications are the same for entrepreneur's raising non-institutional money, from either angel's or friends/family. The very first round of angel money I ever tried raising, wasted six months of my life in the pursuit of "bad money" from a potential investor who ultimately showed to be of increidbly low character. Really tough lesson, but in hindsight, if I had asked the simple question of myself, "Is this person someone I trust? Someone that meets my personal mission statement of 'doing great things with great people'?" I would have known the answer immediately. Great post, and really encouraging to hear that in the eyes of at least those VC's, character is directly tied to ROI.

Texas Startup Blog : Raising capital isn\'t an excuse for a party!

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:58:21 +0000

Great point, Alex! Thanks for the studies resource too...

Leading at the speed of thought : My 2009 Goals

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 23:14:09 +0000

Thanks so much Jenni!

Leading at the speed of thought : My 2009 Goals

Wed, 7 Jan 2009 23:13:55 +0000

Thanks so much for the comment, Buddy! One of the foundations of writing out these goals was to be realistic with myself as well as challenging. Digging into the word is a part of my faith that really needs to grow...and practically speaking, raising five girls doesn't leave too much time for reading of any sort. The other aspect of it, is the way I plan to read; mediatate, study...use some great commentaries in the tough parts. Make sense?

Texas Startup Blog : Are you Joe the Plumber?

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:14:07 +0000

Good post, Alex. My heart hurt over the Joe Plumber saga....Amazing....hurts my faith in the American everyman that they would rather get a welfare check cleverly marketed as a "tax refund" than build a business, a job-creator and a legacy. (after all, how is it a refund if you're not paying any income taxes in the first place?).

Leading at the speed of thought : Military Leadership Principlies for a time of crisis (Part One)

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:20:12 +0000

Thanks so much Bradley! Please share your thoughts after you've re-read a few times!! :)

Leading at the speed of thought : Military Leadership Principlies for a time of crisis (Part One)

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:26:14 +0000

Thanks so much, Alex! Look forward to you continuing the conversation!

Leading at the speed of thought : Military Leadership Principlies for a time of crisis (Part One)

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 18:57:15 +0000

Thanks so much Matt! Apprecite it greatly!

Sent from my iPhone

Texas Startup Blog : Android and ShopSavvy EVERYWHERE!

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:39:27 +0000

Awesome, Alex! Congrats to you and your team on the awesome, awesome traction!

Feld Thoughts : Let's Get Practical

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:56:10 +0000

Thanks Brad. Looking forward to the posts! As an aside, I'd be honored to write a guest-post about leadership in crisis times. I would draw on my experience running $350M+ in contracts in Iraq, as well as the lessons I learned (good & bad) from Colonels, Generals and Ambassadors that I supported there in 2004. Just thought about it as I've read some of these 3,127 posts :)

Texas Startup Blog : Get ready for mass business failures!

Wed, 8 Oct 2008 09:56:23 +0000

Right on Bradly & Alex. Just look at the balance sheets of MSFT, CSCO and Berkshire Hathaway. So much cash. GE usually has a ton of cash too, but they've bought back a lot of stock over the last few years. Why wouldn't you? With money so cheap? However....that's far different than the financial orgy of main-street where the house was the ATM machine for a decade. People were drawing down lines on an appreciating asset (homes) to buy or lease the latest model of a depreciating asset (cars). Brilliant. Of course, I used my HELOC to live and try to fund Wishy...and got me in a tough spot too. :) But just as the US has the opportunity to do; I'm taking my financial medicine and will work through it!

Feld Thoughts : Ok Entrepreneurs, Time to Step Up

Wed, 8 Oct 2008 07:43:58 +0000

Outstanding advice and sentiment, Brad! Couldn't agree more...these are great economic times in the respect that they demand solid business execution and leadership, so those that capture that will gain market share and set the innovation curve! Amen!

Texas Startup Blog : Twitter Hates Palin

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 09:35:04 +0000

And people like myself that distrust & dislike a big, activist Govt, dislike politicians that focus-group every position so as to always be on the right side of popular, 'and feel we're all to be guided by the rule of law, were rubbed the wrong way by Clinton's 8 years. Never does that warrant or illicit such a disgusting, visceral, repugnant hatred. It's the same Bush hate of the last 8 years, redirected (hate which was present from day 1 in office, always looking for a reason to propagate hate). It's an unfortunate commentary on people of twitter's demographic. (Which I fall square in the middle of as well, I'm just politically polar to most of twitter). Politics should be an arena of ideas, contested principles and public service. This commentary reflects the absolute worst of our society's inability to communicate and be TOLERANT of other's world-view. Disgusting.

Texas Startup Blog : Twitter Hates Palin

Mon, 6 Oct 2008 09:28:25 +0000

Disgusting commentary...so incredibly sad.

Feld Thoughts : My Relationship With Apple Is Like My Relationship With The Republican Party

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:10:19 +0000

And here as a strong fiscal conservative that really and adamantly believes in tax reform, I thought for sure I might get your "swing vote" in 2020. But alas, I'm just too pro-life. But, before you turn your back on my ballot 12 years too early, lemme tell you how I'm pro-life for babies AND those facing the death penalty. I have this whole "consistency" thing tripping me up when people that are so anti-abortion, and toss around Scripture are ALSO so adamant about hanging or shooting every criminal in the system...and use scripture to support it too. Doesn't compute for me though...and I certainly don't trust the people that brought us the IRS, FEMA and TSA deciding life & death or carrying out executions SO what do you say? Tax reform, balanced budget, limited Govt for life across the spectrum? It would kinda be like having an unlocked iPhone with slide-out QWERTY keyboard, but maybe still no "tasks"...but we'll throw in MobileMe for free ;) Good post Brad, even though the abortion part breaks my heart.

Leading at the speed of thought : Define your market bigger

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:51:20 +0000

Thanks so much, Tim! That example has jumped out to me, and stuck with me ever since I read it. It's phenomenal when translated to our personal lives as well. (Although much easier said than done). Am I the aiming for my next job, sliding from cubicle to office? Or am I looking at the director's role in 5 years? Am I the best editor in the company, of this team of editors, or am I yet the best in LA? Am I the best Dad that I know? Or am I the best Dad that God would ask me to be? So on, and so forth...hard to quantify, but maybe if we brainstorm we could quantify that a little more... Thanks Tim!

Leading at the speed of thought : Marriage is for Holiness not Happiness

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:24:48 +0000

Connie.... Such a thoughtful, heartfelt comment! I really want to pray about it, remember your perspective for the book. It's really valuable! If there's one point in which I would take exception it would be in general about the reasons people--men or women--might get so depressed in marriage. I've been there. Men AND women both get incredibly depressed in marriage...although it generally manifests itself differently in the genders. But I think its always a symptom of much larger problem in the marriage. Its usually not so easy as "he doesn't do this" or "she doesn't do that." Those things that the guy or girl aren't doing are usually such reactions to some other lack of Biblical fulfillment on one part or another. But I would say that this has to start with the man, modeling what to me is the toughest command in Scripture to uphold: "love your wife as Christ loves the Church." That's where it starts, that's where it can get fixed, healed, grown and saved....with two repentant hearts looking towards Jesus of course. Thanks again Connie! Always appreciate your take

Leading at the speed of thought : Marriage is for Holiness not Happiness

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:58:59 +0000

Such a thoughtful comment, with so much depth! Thanks so much for sharing! ps, love that CS Lewis quote!

Leading at the speed of thought : Marriage is for Holiness not Happiness

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:52:15 +0000

You are so right....and bring up maybe the most overlooked aspect of the 'happiness' pursuit; since it's not promised in scripture, and since it won't manifest itself in real life, what are people left to feel and do, if that's what they are seeking from marriage? As Christs' bride, do we as the Church think that we've always made Him "happy"? Doubtful...and interesting perspective when we turn it around on ourselves. Jill and I will check out that book too! Thanks for the recommendation and the input!