Daily Archives: 05/24/2009

(Community Matters) Wow, this is very cool. I’d love to find a way to help.

(Community Matters) Steven and I feel in love over conversations about community. In 1999, this included mostly students, church & the arts for Steven. For me, it was mostly about friends, nonprofit organizations, politics and work. By 2001 when I started teaching at UT, one of the most satisfying communities for both of us were our students.

Last night we had dinner with two of our former MBA students – Rachel & Michael Feferman. We first met Michael when he came to interview UT, determining if it might be the right place to obtain his MBA. Michael was/is a hot property – significant credentials, ambition and accomplishment. I remember Steven and I both being very impressed and spending quite a bit of time helping Michael understand the uniqueness of UT MBA. Rachel (then Hull) was in my Doing Business in Asia class, traveled to Vietnam, Malysia, Singapore and Hong Kong with our class, studied Mandrian and Chinese cooking at my house several Fridays – in additon to the class. And, I’m thinking she worked on the Lab Now consulting project in collaboration with our sister students at Jiao Tong University in Shanghai. She was equally a star and a favorite.

Last night had a glorious dinner at their new digs, out in their screened in porch overlooking Bouldin Creek. Rachel an exquisite cook – truly gifted. Terrific conversation including discussion of social media, its impact on: bands and their work, brands, friends/family, advertising and commerce. Steven referenced two important books to read: Here Comes Everybody and Groundswell. Michael talked about the commercial value of commanding “attention.”

We also talked about ACL this year. I think Michael’s convinced us to attend at least one day this year; it’s about time.

(Community Matters) Celebratory second lunch yesterday hosted by our dear friend Jan Hill with David Smith & Marion Cimbala. Nan McRaven should have been there but blew us off for a couple extra days frolicking in the Mexican Riviera – okay, who can blame her? 🙂 Jan picked Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar in the until-recently Mars space on South Congress. We commandeered the outdoor space with a couple of couches and the shuffleboard. Spectacular raw oysters, shrimp, crab, grilled brussel sprouts and grilled asparagus and a super duper Italian white wine – what a way to spend a Friday afternoon!

Jan has had the idea of a bike ride for women with breast cancer since her first ride in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS. David Smith initiated the AIDS ride and now serves as its executive director. He’s now doing similarly for our inaugural breast cancer ride. Nan McRaven and Jan launched the collaboration of breast cancer services organizations. I adopted it as a leadership project for the Entrepreneurs Foundation, and Marion staffed the project for two years. All this added up to the October 12 Texas Mamma Jamma Ride, ride for breast cancer services. Kerry Tate serving as the honorary chair. They hope to raise $400,000 in their first year – Jan expects to raise much more – so do I. I’m betting more than $500,000. How can we miss with legendary Austin philanthropist, Bill Dickson donating the first $100,000 in memory of his sister, Elizabeth Dickson Brennan. DLA Piper in too as a sponsor. The Entrepreneurs Foundation is a founder and shareholder, our portion of proceeds going into a pool for collaborative allocation between breast cancer service providers.

I’m hoping to engage a competition for high-tech entrepreneurial teams. Wondering if we can raise a fund (say $25,000) to match monies raised by high-tech teams. Thoughts? Interests?