This past Friday, my Rotary Club celebrated the transition from one Rotary year to a new one. The tradition has been to have a fancy dinner bringing all the members together to thank the outgoing president and welcome the new one, along with their board of directors and officers. We always have a little fun with a roast of the person we are “kicking out,” so they know that we love them! Additionally, we have always had a ceremonial Gavel pass” where all past presidents line up in order of the year they served and deftly pass the gavel from oldest to most recent, finally ending up in the hands of the new president.
This year, that tradition wasn’t lost, rather changed.
Our incoming president created a great new tradition by asking all past presidents to participate by filming a brief five second video of them passing a gavel from left to right and sending it to him. The gavel is the fun part. The person could choose anything to pass along. That created a great opportunity to personalize your moment, and bringing some humor and personality to the ceremony. CLICK HERE to watch our new ceremony (just over one minute).
At the meeting, I suggested that regardless of our ability to meet for dinner at a future installation event, this should be the future of the gavel pass. It allowed people who might not be able to attend in person (we have a member who lives in Paris now and is able to participate!), and could include a special method of presentation based on their own style.
Tradition doesn’t just exist in Rotary Clubs and other affiliation organizations. It’s a deep part of any business. And it’s now time to take a hard look at how to create new traditions without discarding the past.
So many businesses get mired in tradition. It might be as grand as award ceremonies or as simple as daily routines that have become so tedious that it becomes a mindless and wasted task. Let’s fix that…
Everything we do as part of our business can use a refresh. For example, I’m excited to announce that on August 1st, I will be unveiling a refreshed brand and image to commemorate my 15th anniversary as Toro Consulting, Inc. There will be a reimagined brand, a refreshed logo, all with a sense of what the past 15 years have meant and what’s in store for the future. Stay tuned for more information and special development opportunities.
What about you?
Change in our times are now accelerated, and often more volatile. Being at the tip of the spear when it comes to re-invention and refreshing your own business is critical to success in the 21st century. For me this year, I’ve already started with my website and continue on with a reimagination with brand. You might find that there are areas in your business or practice that have become stale and in need of some “new paint.” You don’t have to be a business owner to do some introspection. You are the CEO of your career and you have a brand. What areas have become overly bound to tradition without the thought of making changes for the better?
It’s halftime of 2020. Now might be just the right time to do some work on creating fresh traditions.
Be unleashed and be well.
Quote of the Day:
“It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues.“
~ Abraham Lincoln
I can help you with strategic planning and implementation. I’ve got plans and programs that offer monthly and deferred payments during this time. I can help you make decisions to increase your ability to generate revenue and enhance protection for your business and loved ones. Call me at (360) 271-1592 or email me. Let’s just talk. No obligation. This is my area of expertise. I am ready to help…
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