Introducing Doug Murata, brave new blogger!

Midnight has come and gone, and I’m thrilled to tell you that we will soon have a brand new business blog unveiled to the Ho‘ohana Community - and to the entire blogosphere! Its’ author will be a gentleman you’ve met before here within the monthly Ho‘ohana forum on Talking Story; his name is Doug Murata. Part of my excitement is because Doug is also here in the islands, and Hawaii, we may be small, but we have so much to share! Our Ha‘aha‘a (the Hawaiian value of humility) sometimes holds us back, but we must be braver, and do more to share our aloha and mana‘o with others.

I have had the good fortune to meet Doug personally, and when you meet him, it doesn’t take long at all to have his fascination with human nature - especially in the business environment - make a lasting impression on you. I would describe Doug as an advocate for positive change: he has a passion for learning, and for improving and seeking only the best in performance, results, and outcomes no matter what he may be involved with, making his decision to start blogging a very exciting one for me. You may recall that he shared his ho‘ohana with us openly and sincerely with his talk story in December.

So stay tuned: we’ll give Doug some time to play and experiment with the TypePad platform as he designs his brand new business blog, but as soon as he’s ready, you’ll get the news first right here on Talking Story. I intend to encourage and coach Doug along the way, so that I can entice him into sharing a preview here and there on his learning curve.

You know, when I first started Talking Story as a new blogger myself, I had no idea that I’d begin to evangelize about what a wonderful forum it is for a business person, and that I’d add my own voice to those encouraging small business owners in particular to join the party - I love coaching, but it is an all-consuming thing, and I had enough to do getting my business to be enjoyable, self-sustaining - and maybe turn a profit! (Been there? Still there?) And I did not imagine, even just five short days ago, reading Wayne’s post, that I’d sponsor a new blog to boot. But blogging works, and I love it as another way to fuel my own ho‘ohana, and so I do, and I did, and I will continue to do so, because as I’ve told you before, I believe this a time it is crucial we reinvent work itself, banishing auto-pilot and mediocrity for good.

My worse fear in this undertaking, was having to choose just one potential blogger out of whatever applications I’d get, and knowing that was something I’d have a very hard time with, I was prepared to ante up for more TypePad gift subscriptions if I had to. However, despite getting a decent amount of hits on the post - 216 I could track - Doug’s was the only email I got. Way before my midnight deadline, no procrastination, and filled to overflowing with his passion: not only did he share his Ho‘ohana, but he stated his commitment to make the blog work.

Am I disappointed in the lack of emails? Before I got Doug’s I was, however those of us who post religiously understand what a big commitment it is, and that understanding greatly tempered my disappointment. However, I have to admit that after I got Doug’s message I was hoping I wouldn’t get another, for in my heart I believe this blog was meant to be his. Let me share a short part of his email:

“I have a saying that I learned a long time ago…you think with what you know and you act based on your thinking.  The quality of your know-how, thinking, and action determines the quality of your results.  I define know-how in this case as knowledge plus experience.

And furthermore, the absolutely best way to increase and improve know-how is through learning....not just the acquisition of knowledge but the learning of how to apply that knowledge through experience, as well.

I see blogging as a way to facilitate that learning process.  It provides an opportunity for people to share knowledge and experiences that can be used to improve their quality of life...whether it be work life, home life, etc.  In this case, the blogging we are talking about will revolve more around a business life.”
--- Doug Murata

It’s not even off the drawing board, yet I can hardly wait to share Doug’s new blog with you. This may very well turn out to be a business blogging case study for us all, so pick up your paddles - Imua! Huki! (Let’s go forward! Paddle!)
Ho‘ohana! (You know what that means!)

Comments

[Wayne Hurlbert]

I am looking forward to reading Doug's brand new business blog. Notice how exactly the right person, at just the right time, found your Typepad blogging gift. Your special aloha gift appears to have found its ideal target.

[K. Todd Storch]

Very exciting and I'm looking forward to Doug's work!

Great job Rosa!

Todd

[Doug]

Thanks Rosa for the gift subscription. Also, thanks to Wayne and Todd for commenting on my new opportunity. Please note my new e-mail address.

Other than posting comments on Rosa's web blog...I am very new at this, so it might take me a while to get up and running. Lots to learn.

Thanks again.