The Presidio Dialogues

(These notes, taken real-time during the event, are not a full transcript of the evening’s conversation, but simply bits caught here and there. They are provided here with the intention to give a glimpse to those who could not attend, a reminder/touchstone for those who were present and to be useful to further inquiry. We apologize in advance for any errors in listening or interpretation. Feel free to use them as you will: add, subtract, divide and especially, multiply – or even go exponential! – Best, Y.M. Burgess)

Program Description: Please see the Dialogue Archives.

Notes on Opening Comments from the Conversation Starters

Margot Fraser, founder and former owner of Birkenstock Footprint Sandals, Inc., the original importer of Birkenstock footwear in the United States

• Coming to the dialogue to listen and learn, and find out the truth of what we do not know.
• "Did you ever think [your business] would grow this big?" Of course I did!
• I didn't think about it being a business, I was just doing what needed to be done.
• When people ask "What are you?" I'd say, I'm in business - and it seemed like 'only' in business, but it's really creative. Yes there are numbers, but mostly it's being with people.
• Through my business, I helped others start businesses.
• There's some sort of spirit in the brand that cannot be qualified. Will the next generation carry that spirit on? They are corporate-types, but there is a spirit in the brand.

Yosi Amram, founder and CEO of two companies, now an executive coach, currently working on his PhD in clinical psychology focusing on spiritual intelligence

• I'm going to try without notes, and ride the force!
• How did I get here? Spirit and business are both near and dear to me
• Throughout my life, I've set direction and crises redefine who I am
• At age 17, wartime, I took up philosophy, got interested in Ayn Rand - capitalist. Business is the answer.
• Created a company called 'Individual'; more than a business - it was an act of self expression
• In 1996, Internet changed everything. It held the promise to connect everyone and everything, across time and space. A spiritual thing. Consumed by this vision and passion, relations with my board became strained. I moved out and had to deal with disidentification with the company.
• Got interesed in emotional intelligence. And, in burn out, began mentoring others.
• Is there such a thing as spiritual intelligence? How does it really help us? How does it help customers, employees, shareholders to increase functioning, adaptation and happiness?
• Does spirituality contribute to leadership? Leaders inspire: to breathe spirit into.

Chip Conley, founder, Joie de Vivre Hospitality, largest boutique hotel operator in California, includes 28 hotels, 8 restaurants and bars, and 3 day spas; author, Marketing That Matters (forthcoming)

• Travelling through Europe, got very ill and was taken in and cared for at a small Inn in Germany, by Maria. [it's impossible to capture this very poignant story - Y.B.]
• Moved by the opportunity to connect with someone through the lack of words, and a passion to give back through business, I remembered Maria.
• I call the hotels 'Joie de Vivre' because that's what I wanted in my life! And it became a mission to celebrate the joy of life for employees and customers as well.
• 2001-2002, international travel went down. I was reading Maslow every night, thinking how do we create a sense of self-actualization for employees? The grand plan for yourself on earth.
• Conceived Maslow's heirarchy in three layers. First - the lowest - is compensation = job, second is recognition = a career, and the top layer is meaning, which equals a calling.
• Started to educate managers. No matte what your job is, create ways to have a calling, a sense of meaning in what you do.
• Joie de Vivre is about how noble it is to help someone else when they're on the road, and vulnerable.