–I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.  And as we prepare for a new decade, I would like to share some thoughts from a a great individual:  Kellie D’Andrea.

The word “integrity” is the most overused and misunderstood word in business. Many claim to have the upmost highest level of integrity when it comes to serving their customers, respecting their service partners and treatment of their employees but very few really know what the word means. By definition, integrity means “a steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code” so the question that comes to mind is whose moral or ethical code? Yours? Your parents? Society? Your religion? Your friends? The list could go on and on.

Having integrity is doing what you believe to be true and moral based upon the ethical code you have chosen to adopt in your life. All of the experiences you have had and all of the influences you have met, how you were raised and the religion you follow are all part of the composition of your ethical code. Integrity is the developed by making the right choices that support your ethical code consistently and without waiver. Integrity is something you have even when others are not looking.

Many successful people are successful because they have integrity. It is through integrity that you develop trusting relationships. And it is because of trusting relationships that good business is formed. Integrity is one of the easiest qualities to detect, or to detect the lack of in people you meet. Once you become familiar with a person’s actions and the choices they make, you will begin to anticipate their integrity level. When you act with integrity on a consistent basis, your actions become more predictable and your behaviors can be anticipated by others.

Integrity is one of the most sought after qualities by customers, business partners and employers so what can you do to ensure your actions are communicating a high level of integrity?

1. Know Your Beliefs

Understand what makes you tick. What beliefs do you hold as true and as right? Before you can act with integrity, you must first understand your limits and your beliefs and the actions that you would take when those beliefs are challenged.

2. Be Consistent to Your Beliefs

Integrity is about consistency and holding true to you not matter what the risk. It is about creating predictable behavior that not only you but others will begin to rely upon and depend. Don’t waiver in your actions and hold true to your beliefs each and every time.

3. Don’t Lie or Exaggerate I

ntegrity is about creating trust and lying is always associated with lack of integrity, even if you feel the lie is justified. When you are honest and true, your integrity will shine and draw others to you.

 4. Stay True to Your Values

Sometimes we are easily influenced by others and our beliefs are challenged. We often find ourselves on the edge with a choice to go right or go left. To have integrity means to stay true to your values and your beliefs.

In order to succeed, you must not only have drive and ambition, but you must also act with integrity at all times. In the words of President Eisenhower “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army on in an office”.

©Kellie D’Andrea & Associates

Kellie D’Andrea , The Guru of Positioning, teaches small business how to attract and retain more customers. She is the creator of the BLASTTM Program, a program that teaches you how to position yourself and your business as the leading expert in your industry. To learn more and to sign up for her free 5 part mini course on entrepreneurism go to www.KellieDAndrea.com.   

I read an article a few years ago discussing the book, Sisomo: The Future of The Screen. 

Sight… Sound… Motion.   …about engaging people in visual stories.

When people are in front of a screen, they can either lean back or lean forward!  We have to engage our customers emotionally, tell them a story, so they lean in and get involved. –Kevin Roberts, Saatchi & Saatchi.

While this narrative dealt primarily with television and the big screen, I have since applied it to the small screen (monitor), mailings, print advertisements, collateral, presentation, etc… virtually every means we have to touch a customer and ask him/her to notice us, lean in and get involved… because it makes such good sense!!

With all the attempts in the market to gain attention, we have to immediately create interest.  Next time you communicate B2B, B2C or Friend to Friend, ask yourself, am I telling an interesting story, is the picture I’m painting colorful, is my voice sincere and reflective.

The story with the most attitude, personality, authenticity and truth will win.

What are we doing with our customers immediately following the signing of a sales agreement?  How are the next 15 to 20 minutes being spent?  How do we keep their excitement peaked and manage any butterflies that may be circling?

1. Congratulate them–reinforce the decision
2. Review the construction/move-in schedule
3. Set Design Coordinator appointments
4. Discuss their preferred means of communication
5. Introduce them to others in the company
6. Encourage them to bring friends–show off the new home
7. Email digital photographs

Continue to watch and analyze your buyer’s emotions.  Be aware of any signals of discontent or emotional insecurity.  Reinforce their decision with Good News Stories relating to and supporting their purchase.

There are certainly additional ways to reinforce their decision… I’d love to hear your ideas.

Let’s be sure that our Purchaser’s Butterflies are Flying in Formation! 

…By keeping them In-Formed!

I wanted to follow up on last week’s blog about GOOD DESIGN with brief highlights of Yann Weymouth’s lecture the other evening, hosted by JMC Communities at their Ovation condominium tower in downtown St Petersburg. 

Mr. Weymouth, the architect for the new Salvador Dali Museum, is Director of Design for renowned architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum (HOK) Florida. He said HOK’s focus was to be true to Dalí and the great legacy of the Morse family — to create a unique environment of experiential spaces that move perceptually with the visitor, but remain as classic and surprising, as are Dalí’s works, without resorting to “melting clocks” or other kitsch and cliché.

Referred to as “a master of light and reflection,” Mr. Weymouth said he took care to honor Dalí’s own masterful use of natural light and his genius at creating visual enigmas by juxtaposing solid forms and shadows to create three-dimensional enigmas. As an example, he described the almost fluid crystalline glass “enigma” that appears to pull away from the spiral staircase, creating the illusion of a dialogue between helical form and crystalline glass enclosure. Proud of how the three-story “treasure box” design turned out, Mr. Weymouth also noted several practical extras, including the waterfront building’s storm safety and its environmental elements, such as solar heating, water conservation and dehumidification—all to assure that the museum is as enduring as the artist’s body of work.

Mr. Weymouth’s museum portfolio is impressive, and a good preparation for the Salvador Dalí Museum. He worked with I.M. Pei on the Grand Louvre in Paris, supervising the design of the world-renowned glass pyramid in the 1980s, a role he had earlier as design chief for Pei on the U.S. National Gallery of Art East Wing. With HOK, he led design of the new Searing wing at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, the Hazel Hough wing at Ovation’s neighbor, the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, and the new Frost Museum in Miami.

I had the good fortune of recently attending a lecture given by Yann Weymouth, the architect who designed the new Salvador Dali Museum scheduled to open 1/1/11 here in St. Petersburg, Florida.  His presentation was very engaging and I look forward to sharing his vision and design philosophy with you later.

But for now, I’d like to share my thoughts about our design approach to the buildings and communities we build.

Good design is much more than simply an outward appearance.  It comes from a creative understanding that takes into account many disciplines… buyer profile, landscape, livability, function, pedestrian experience, cityscape and operational efficiency.  It is an anticipation of user needs and evolving ideas, and uses storytelling to bring these ideas to life.

Good design is the marriage of place and space, and it becomes both a physical and emotional presentation.  For instance when planning our Ovation community we were careful to balance the design both from the outside-in as well as the inside-out, thus contributing to the Beach Drive neighborhood as well as providing an optimal floorplan and view orientation for the homeowner.

People tend to think of design as good art, good visual language… true, but… good design also has to do with systems—allowing things to operate more efficiently, smoothly and comfortably for the end user.

Our homeowners appreciate good design!  They may not always specifically identify with what makes it good… they just know it feels better.  There is a visceral (emotional) connection.  And, good value is enhanced when you provide a great experience.

O! What a Night!

Ovation's Interior Designers, Lauri and Betsy Godfrey and Troy Beasley with JMC's Steve McAuliffe

Friends, family and new residents mingled Friday night at a VIP reception celebrating the official opening of the Ovation condominium tower in downtown St Petersburg, FLA. The Mindy Solomon Gallery in Ovation’s retail space near the lobby entrance also celebrated its grand opening with a preview of the gallery’s first exhibition, “Three from Korea.” Over 300 guests strolled between the two artful venues with ease.  

Leblon Caipirinha Bar

Like visitors to an elegant art gallery, guests strolled through Ovation’s lobby among columns and seating areas, commenting thoughtfully about the structural detailing and custom artworks, including six 6-foot-tall glass sculptures in niches, ceramic boats suspended from the ceiling and large canvases hugging the walls. 

Poolside Water Curtain and Fountain

Leaving the area against the fading strains of a live cellist, guests were guided up to the fourth floor amenity area, where they were met with more live music (Florida Orchestra ) voices, laughter, and oohs and aahs as hors d’oeuvres  (Olympia Catering) were shared and stories told. The party spilled out onto the pool area under skies so perfect you’d think it was a Hollywood movie set. There, guests were treated to an Asian Satay station and delicious Leblon Cachaça served up by Ana and Mara at the Caipirinha bar.

Guests also eagerly rode the elevators up to the 18^th floor, where they took their time touring the two award-winning model homes. In every room, at least one guest was observed gazing through a broad window at the city lights and animated waterfront. Lost, no doubt, in thoughts about how lovely it would be to end (and begin) each day just there.

Ovation is quickly positioning itself as the premier residential tower in the Tampa Bay area.

The day began at the site of the future $35 million Salvador Museum, as the construction half-way point was commemorated with the dedication of the building’s cornerstone.  Now, this wasn’t just any old boulder from down the street… it was a gift from Dali’s home town of Cadaques, Spain. 

Hank Hine Welcomes Guests to "Rock The Dali"

Museum director Hank Hine masterfully conducted the ceremony mixing in some Castilian Spanish with his insights, accolades and introductions.  Joining Hank at the podium were our own St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, Cadaques Mayor, Joan Borrell and Maria del Valle, the director of the Centro Cultural Espanol in Miami. 

“Cadeques wanted to recognize Dali as their favorite son, and they wanted to give us this rock to symbolize his personality, his imagination,” said Hank Hine.  Much of Dali’s imagery was inspired by the landscape of the area, particularly the wind-swept rocks. Hine went on to say that the rock “looks as though it came right out of a Dali painting.”

Mayors Baker & Borrell Unveil Rock From Cadeques, Spain

Dali wrote, Cap de Creus…the epic spot where the mountains of the Pyrenees come down to the sea, in a grandiose geological delirium, there, no more olive trees or vines. Only the elementary and planetary violence of the most diverse and paradoxically assembled rocks…these rocks which were so greatly to influence me. 

We were at once directed to look to the sky where a crane began lowering the rock from the roof of the unfinished building, gingerly placing it on the ground where the two Mayors lifted the tarp and presented the new building’s cornerstone.

LATER that afternoon, Dali Trustees and Donors, 3 St Petersburg Mayors, VIPs and JMC Communities’ team members gathered at the new Ovation condominium’s club room for a reception honoring Cadaques Mayor Borrell.  Classical Spanish music filled the air as 150+ guests enjoyed delicacies provided by Olympia Catering, and marveled at Ovation’s quality and beauty while overlooking the swimming pool gardens and St Petersburg’s waterfront.

As the evening progressed, some guests wandered outside to admire the pool’s “water curtain” and the evening sky.  Others, went to the 18th floor where they stepped out of the elevator directly into a magnificently designed and decorated 3,660 square foot model home.

After a late dinner, Mayor Borrell returned to Ovation where he and his entourage had been staying (Betsy Godfrey’s designer model) during their visit to St Petersburg.

It was a perfect day… all in all, Surreally Nice!!

With Ovation having opened its doors just a few weeks ago, JMC Communities set its signature public art sculpture in place yesterday morning.  Set along broad sidewalks interspersed with various sized pavers and mature Medjool date palms, the sculpture is a handsome addition to the city’s commitment to a sophisticated pedestrian experience.

"O Wave" Created by Gordon Huether

The unveiling took place at 9:30AM in front of City officials and administrators, Ovation/JMC development team members, homeowners and friends.  Artist Gordon Huether was present to share his inspiration and vision for “O Wave.”

At once substantial and ethereal, the 12-foot-diameter sculpture conveys a strong sense of movement – a wave turning in on its self to create an abstracted “O” for Ovation. The sculpture rests on a 4-foot-tall plinth clad in polished black granite, boosting the piece’s total height to 16 feet.

“O Wave” itself is clad in stainless steel, with dichroic glass pieces inset along its length. The rich, opulent and intense colors of the glass suggest dramatic Gulf sunsets and vary according to the viewer’s angle of vision. In direct sunlight, color projects onto adjacent surfaces. The glass is installed as overlapping fins reminiscent of the scales of a fish.

With curves that evoke nearby waters and Ovation’s own undulating lines, glass that simultaneously transmits and reflects light, and reflective surfaces that capture ambient activity of nearby trees, sky and passersby, the fixed sculpture takes on a distinct animated character — creating what the artist describes as a “passively kinetic sculpture.”

Headquartered in Napa, Calif., Huether has been creating large-scale public projects, residential commissions and fine art for more than 25 years.  Gordon has developed an innate sensitivity to and mastery of a variety of media. Inspired by material qualities and how they affect an environment.

The unveiling heralds other Ovation-commissioned art for community spaces inside.

Three Susan Gott Sculptures and Barbara Sorensen Boat (right)

Winter Park sculptor and printmaker Barbara Sorensen is best known for her large-scale geological forms in clay, resins and metals. While her commissioned work for Ovation – a two-part piece titled “Boats” — is of a more modest size, it is no less monumental. The highly textured forms, each measuring about 4½ feet by 2 feet by 18 inches tall, will be suspended above two elliptical chests lighted from beneath, creating the appearance of moonlight glancing off water – or perhaps phosphorescence commonly seen on the ocean at night.

Also located in the main lobby, Tampa artist Susan Gott’s six life-size figurative sculptures of translucent cast glass are layered with color, carvings, lines and symbols to create forms of captivating depth and detail. The pieces, set in niches on facing walls in the lobby, reflect Gott’s interest in mythological imagery, symbolism, and traditions from historic and ancient cultures. 

Serving as backdrop for these and other artists’ works are the clean, uncluttered lines of Ovation itself. Designed by Tampa architect Al Santiesteban of Smith Santiesteban Allen Architects Inc., plus finishes and furniture by Godfrey Design, Inc., the building’s contemporary setting blends with St. Petersburg’s eclectic flavor, while graceful curvilinear lines ease the impressive silhouette into the cityscape.  Private tours are available by calling 727-898-1180.

Since when is buying a new home a business decision?  Oh, sure if you’re a flippin’ investor, you’ll likely treat the experience differently. But what about the home you plan to live in?  Raise a family in?  Retire in? 

While visiting a sales center the other day, I heard of a buyer expressing that they can’t go through with their purchase because it isn’t a good business decision.  Huh??  How ridiculous of them to risk losing the home of their dreams because they think the market may inch a tad lower.

Most all projections show that prices have for the most part bottomed out… interest rates are only going to go up—a one point rise can significantly affect the amount of home you can afford.  It’s your timetable, not the media’s!  When the media says it’s time to buy, it will be too late.

This is your home!  It is a personal investment in your happiness, family, future memories… do you want to put all that on hold??  You may buy a home with your head but you justify it with your heart.  A business decision… Poppycock!

Dramatic views and warm textures come together in Ovation’s newest showcase model to create a stunning home with a soul. Perched 18 stories above St. Petersburg’s beautiful waterfront, you’ll be struck by how green the cityscape is, with ancient oaks, tropical vegetation and, of course, our famous banyan trees blanketing much of the scene. Vying for your attention are other animated vignettes, including Straub Park, The Pier, marina, airport and the inviting waters of Tampa Bay.

Created by the dynamic design team at Godfrey Design Consultants of Winter Park, the half-story, 3,660-square-foot estate home speaks volumes about the way we want to live – in comfort! Four balconies, an elevator entry directly into a private foyer, and practical floor plan conspire to make every moment pure pleasure.

Designed for a comfortably casual chic lifestyle, cheerful apricots, greens and yellows accent a neutral background of light wide-plank wood floors, cool walls and eye-catching built-in details. A wood beamed ceiling and a unique stained-and-painted media center in the family room foster the feeling of a single family home. And the light, airy master suite is relaxation in the extreme, highlighted by welcoming and warm artwork. The bath is neutral in tone for a complementary serene retreat.

Throughout the home, a crisp modern motif combines with beautiful materials, textures, light and color to create a sophisticated, eclectic yet ever-so-inviting interior. 

Slated for completion this week, Ovation offers an intimate get-to-know-your-neighbors setting with just 45 homes in all. And with 60% of those homes already spoken for, right now is the best time to select the location and views of your choice and lock in introductory prices and historically low interest rates.

And JMC Communities is surely the best builder to place your trust in. With 31 years of well-measured growth and building excellence, more than 4,000 satisfied purchasers (fully 10 percent of whom return again and again for the next JMC masterpiece), and the respect of industry leaders and subcontractors alike, this hometown builder offers stability, consistency and enduring value.