Kenney Myers

Author | Actor | Producer | Kickboxer | Entrepreneur

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How to Foster Good Sportsmanship in Your Kids

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sportsmanshipParticipation in group sports has a wide range of benefits for kids, from teaching them valuable teamwork skills to encouraging physical fitness and active play. However, organized sports can also bring out the worst in kids if they’re not taught the importance of good sportsmanship and why they should always work to be good sports. Fostering a sense of good sportsmanship starts at home, and isn’t the sole responsibility of coaches. These tips can help you create an environment in which sportsmanship reigns supreme and avoid potential problems with kids’ behavior later.

Start Early

As with many important behavioral lessons, helping kids understand and exhibit good sportsmanship is easier when you start early. Help little ones understand why they shouldn’t become angry or upset when they lose a game, and start talking about the importance of being a good sport long before kids start participating in team sports. The younger your child is when she starts learning these lessons, the easier it will be for her to retain them and behave accordingly.

Model Good Sportsmanship

It’s not easy to teach your child to be a good sport when he watches you berate officials, chastise his coach or complain bitterly about a loss. Your kids learn more about how to interact with and react to the world by observing your actions than anything else, so you must make an effort to model the qualities of good sportsmanship at all times. Even if you’re seething over what you perceive to be a bad call, don’t let on to your child that you’re angry. Witnessing your tirades after hearing a long speech on the virtues of sportsmanship not only sends a conflicting message to your child, but also calls your teachings into question when they don’t match up to your actions.

Emphasize Enjoyment and Effort Over Winning

If your kids learn that winning at all costs is the most important aspect of participating in team sports or playing a game from listening to you, they start to focus solely on winning and not on playing the game for enjoyment. When they believe that the only important thing is to win, they’re more likely to behave in unsportsmanlike ways or even to cheat in order to bring home a victory. Talk about how much fun your child has playing soccer after a game, not all the ways in which she could have won.

Discourage Gloating After a Win

Rubbing a victory in an opponent’s face is just as unsportsmanlike as throwing a temper tantrum after a loss. You should never encourage your child to gloat after a win, especially in front of the team she’s just beaten. Talk about accepting both defeat and a victory with grace, and look for talking points about the rudeness of gloating to drive your point home.

Understand That Heckling is Bullying

Too many sports parents believe that heckling is part of playing a game, encouraging that behavior in their children and perpetuating a cycle of bullying, both on and off the field. Help your child to understand that there is no difference between trash-talking and bullying, and make sure she understands that you won’t tolerate either. Heckling another team, either during the game or after, is a shining example of bad sportsmanship and bad behavior.

Encourage, Don’t Criticize

At the end of a game or after practice, it’s easy to point out your child’s mistakes and tell him what he could have done differently. While you may feel that you’re helping your child build his skills on the field, what you’re really doing is reinforcing the idea that winning is the most important part of playing a sport and that you value results over effort. Encourage your child to look for ways he can improve on his own, make a point of providing reassurance and avoid the urge to criticize even a bad performance.

Famous Martial Artists Named Ken

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kenedwardsIn Japanese, the name “Ken” means “healthy and strong.” With a meaning like that, it’s no wonder that so many popular and successful martial artists have shared this very appropriate moniker. These are 10 of the most celebrated Kens in martial arts, each of which has their own unique claim to fame in the world of fighting.

  • Kenneth Edwards – A teacher of Chinese Martial Arts in Pasadena, California, Kenneth Edwards also appeared in the 1995 film adaptation of the hit fighting video game Mortal Kombat. He’s trained in many styles of martial arts, including Northern Praying Mantis and Tam Toi Moon. He’s also an active member of the Ying Jow Pai International Kung Fu Association.
  • Ken Stone – Though he began training in mixed martial arts in 2006 after wrestling on the collegiate level for Bridgewater State University, Ken Stone began his career in the world famous UFC professional division after a 2010 merger with World Extreme Cagefighting. He’s since participated in four UFC events, with two wins and two losses.
  • Ken Ogata – The star of many Japanese action films, including Shogun’s Shadow and Samurai Banners, Ken Ogata was a beloved figure of Japanese cinema. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 71. Before his death, he earned several nominations and two awards from the Japanese Academy Awards.
  • Ken Lo – A famous member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, Ken Lo is a martial artist, actor and stuntman. He’s also won seven freestyle fighting championships in Muay Thai and Taekwondo in Thailand, and is an escapee of the Khmer rouge in his native Cambodia.
  • Ken Knudson – The winner of more than 100 karate championships between 1967 and 1973, Ken Knudson was one of Chicago’s most famous and celebrated martial artists. He graced the cover of Black Belt Magazine in 1976, won a Martial Arts Pioneer Award and established competitive American standards before his death in 2006.
  • Kenny Florian – Though he now serves as a color commentator and analyst for the UFC, Kenny Florian began his career as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai fighter in the organization. He’s also the only fighter in UFC history to compete in four different weight classes under the organization’s banner. He’s widely considered to be one of the all-time greatest fighters to never win a UFC championship.
  • Kenneth Tsang – A Shanghai-born actor whose martial arts prowess allowed him to star alongside stars like Chow Yun Fat and in the James Bond film Die Another Day, Kenneth Tsang is a veteran of classic Hong Kong kung fu films.
  • Ken Shamrock – As one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, Ken Shamrock is one fighter whose skill and fame helped to put the sport of mixed martial arts on the proverbial map. He’s been inducted into the UFC hall of fame, and is one of the organizations biggest stars to date.
  • Ken Masters – No list of famous martial artists would be complete without an honorable mention going to one of the legends of the video game world, Ken Masters. Half of the Ryu and Ken duo that helmed the staggeringly successful Street Fighter franchise, this character is no less famous for his fictional status. He’s one of Capcom’s biggest stars, and has appeared in comic books, cartoons and video games.
  • Ken Tran – Ken “Hitman” Tran is a mixed martial arts fighter out of Vancouver, Canada. His official professional record includes bouts against fighters like Marcus Aurelio, Rory MacDonald and Yoon Heo.

 

10 Things to Avoid When Pitching Your Startup to Potential Investors

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startupUnless you’re sitting on a huge inheritance, a prior successful business sale, or have the ability to scrape by to bootstrap there is a good chance you’ll need investors to help get your startup going.  Dealing with potential investors is tricky to say the least and goes well beyond just identifying them.  Once you do get a meeting or even a chance encounter here are a few things you should try to avoid when pitching potential investors (in no specific order):

  1. Stating a Lack of Competition – When you tell a potential investor that there’s absolutely no competition for your business model, they hear one of two things: either you’ve completely failed at market research and don’t know your customer base, or you’re pitching an idea for which there is no market. Either way, you’re not painting a very convincing picture.
  2. Guaranteeing a Return – You want to encourage people to invest in your business, and you know investors are in it for the return. Still, this doesn’t mean offering them a guaranteed profit is going to increase their chance of signing on for the ride. In fact, it can do just the opposite. There are no guarantees in business, and a seasoned investor knows this to be true. Making unrealistic promises about profitability, especially in the short term, can leave potential investors turned off immediately.
  3. A Lengthy Elevator Pitch – Some of your most valuable opportunities will be short and unexpected, so you need to have an elevator pitch ready for those moments. If you can’t hit the high points of your elevator pitch in less than a minute, you’ll have trouble snaring the attention to secure an actual pitch meeting.
  4. Skipping the Exit Strategy – Your goals may be to start a successful long-term business you can turn into a family empire, but your investors aren’t thinking about returns over the course of several generations. They want a return in less than ten years, so you’ll have to address the exit strategy for your investors, something most entrepreneurs overlook altogether. How will your investors see a return if you’re not banking on a long-shot IPO?
  5. Insisting on Non-Disclosure Agreements – The desire to protect your business model is an understandable one, but demanding your investors sign an NDA before the pitch is a surefire way to derail negotiations. In all but the most innovative situations, the investors to whom you’re pitching will have seen your idea or one with striking similarities before, and know they will again. Most will not run the risk of litigation in the future just to hear your startup pitch.
  6. Leading with Your Backstory – No matter how compelling your life history may be, your investors don’t want your biography as a lead-in to your business plan. The backstory doesn’t indicate whether or not your business will be lucrative, and if your pitch isn’t able to stand on its own in the absence of your memoirs, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
  7. Gunning for Sympathy Dollars – Just as it’s a bad move to lead with your life history, it’s also poor form to start your pitch with a story about any of your personal tragedies. You’re not going to get funding by virtue of having suffered through difficulties in your life; investors are looking to invest in financially sound business proposals.
  8. Pushing a Religious or Ethnic Angle – Your funding pitch should detail your business plan, not your ethnic background or religious beliefs. It’s always best to avoid any mention of religion or ethnicity unless these things have a direct bearing on your business and product.
  9. Starting with Flattery or Connections –  You may be a fan of the potential to whom you’re pitching a proposal, share an alma mater or that you grew up on the same street, but flattery and pointing out things you have in common with investors is a great to waste valuable time. Remember, you’ve got a short window to showcase your business plan, investor exit strategies, market research and other pertinent information. Don’t squander that time attempting to build an emotional connection with investors.
  10. Relying on the Product to “Sell Itself” – Customer acquisition is crucial, and your potential investors want to hear how you plan to build a customer base. Saying your product will “sell itself” shows a lack of foresight and, again, a potential lack of market research.

Learning what not to say and do are only helpful, though, if you understand why these things can have a negative impact and derail an otherwise promising pitch.  It’s not enough to avoid tricky phrases; you need to know what potential problems they highlight in your business plan. Even with all the right information and a great pitch, it may take time to secure the funding you need to get your startup off the ground.

NOTE: Some of these came from similar posts by Mark Cuban on Cyber Dust.  If you join Cyber Dust be sure to add me there as well.  My Cyber Dust username is kenneymyers.

10 Kens Famous for Their Tattoo Art

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KenphotoMore and more people are jumping on the tattoo bandwagon it seems.  Several of my friends have recently gotten their first ink and they are all in their 40’s.  However, while tattoos may be increasingly common, talented tattoo artists certainly aren’t a dime a dozen. These ten have more in common than just their names; they’re also well respected tattooists who’ve made their mark on many a human canvas.

  1. Ken Cameron – With more than twenty years of experience under his belt, Ken Cameron is one of the most popular flash designers in North America. His flash sheets hang in more than five thousand shops across the continent, meaning that people who have never even met Ken are wearing his designs. He does travel the convention circuit quite heavily, so keep an eye out for him at a stop near you.
  2. Ken Broken – Ken Broken is the owner and primary artist at New York’s famed Fiction Tattoo shop, with more than a decade of experience inking skin. He specializes in realistic portraiture, black and gray work and custom designs with a futuristic flavor.
  3. Ken Dean – Ken Dean, of Pino Bros. Ink in Cambridge, Massachusetts is a tattoo artist whose work adorns Ivy Leaguers and street punks alike. He’s been working within the industry since 1987, tattooing everyone from Avril Lavigne and Kelly Osbourne to Paul Bostaph of Slayer and Jerry Montano of Danzig. As one of the premier tattooists to the stars, this is one Ken whose canvases are as famous as his work.
  4. Krooked Ken – When it comes to famous Kens in the tattoo game, you can’t miss the world famous Krooked Ken. Working since 1994 and specializing in traditional tattoos with bold color and heavy shading, Krooked Ken is one of the most popular artists in the Maryland area. Find him at Black Anchor Tattoo for a bit of permanent retro flair.
  5. Ken Deft – Ken Deft is a tattooist at Orlando’s famous Black Chapel Tattoo Studio. Specializing in modern tattoos with bold, bright colors, Ken Deft is one of the the Orlando area’s most sought-after artists.
  6. Kenny Buck – A Chicago native, Kenny Buck is a neo-traditional new school artist who specializes in bold lines an bright colors. His flash is wildly popular, which means that you may be familiar with his work even if you’ve never heard his name. An acclaimed tattooist since 2001, Kenny Buck is one of the most well-known artists in the Carpentersville, Illinois area.
  7. Ken Hoffa – Not only a famous tattoo artist, Ken Hoffa is also an illustrator and painter whose work has been met with acclaim. His grasp of color application is impressive, but his work in portraiture is what sets him above other tattooists in his area.
  8. Kenneth Bryan – The lead tattooist and owner of Intimate Body Art Studios in Pennsylvania, Kenneth Bryan is an award-winning artist who’s wildly popular on the tattoo convention circuit. His work has been featured in Tattoo Magazine, International Tattoo Art Magazine and Tabu.
  9. Ken Jago – An international award winner, this Sault St. Marie tattooist has more than twenty-five years of experience who provides exceptional custom work for his clients. From cover-ups to brand new pieces, Ken Jago is an accomplished artist whose clientèle is comprised largely of dedicated regulars.
  10. Ken Fisher – With a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from Cornell College, Ken Fisher is one of Oregon’s leading tattooists. His work can be found in Tattoo Flash Magazine, Tattoo Savage Magazine, and Skin and Ink Magazine. His work is heavily influenced by classic design but retains elements of new school style, coming together to form a look that’s uniquely Ken Fisher’s.

Saluting10 Famous Military People or Actors Named Ken

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kennethtaylorWhether in reality or fiction, the Kens of the world have had a long and illustrious association with military service. The ten Kens on this list have risen through the ranks of the sea, air and land forces to protect the world from tyranny wherever it rears its head, be it in real life or on the silver screen.

  1. Ken Curtis – Better known as popular deputy Festus Haggen from the hit show Gunsmoke, Ken Curtis has a number of associations with the armed forces throughout his acting career. On Curtis’ own record, “Gunsmoke’s Festus Haggen Calls out Ken Curtis,” he alludes to Haggen’s history as a confederate soldier. Other military roles for Ken include The Horse Soldiers, as Cpl Wilkie, and a part in The Wings of Eagles, where he played the real life navy Admiral, John Dale Price.
  2. Kenneth M. Taylor – This decorated military man is a recipient of both the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart for his part in shooting down four Japanese dive bombers during the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1970, Taylor was again honored for his heroics in the successful Hollywood depiction of Pearl Harbor, Tora! Tora! Tora! In 2006, Ken – a great American hero – sadly passed away from hernia complications.
  3. Kenneth O’Donnell – After serving three years in the US Army Air Corps, Kenneth O’Donnell took his first steps towards a high level political career when he met Robert Kennedy during his time studying at Harvard. The two men were roommates, which led to a lifelong friendship and political allegiance. Kenneth became a close aide to both Robert and John F. Kennedy, and served as Lyndon Johnson’s Presidential Aide between 1963 and 1965.
  4. Ken Hicks – One of the most successful CEO’s in American retail history, Ken Hicks attributes much of his success to his time spent in post-Vietnam military service. Hicks has held roles as both the CEO of Foot Locker and the president and chief merchandising officer of J.C. Penney. In an interview referring to his experience in the army, Ken is quoted as saying, “So I learned that you’re very dependent on your people to be their best. You train and develop and motivate them.”
  5. Kenneth Lay – The infamous Enron Business executive, who was found guilty on six counts of conspiracy and fraud in 2006, was once a proud military man, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1971. Unfortunately, Lay’s military service was marred by the Enron collapse, which cost 20,000 employees their jobs and investors billions in cash losses.
  6. Ken Summers – The pride of the Canadian Naval Forces, Ken Summers played a number of pivotal roles throughout the Gulf War. He is the only Canadian admiral to command a “total” national contingent in war by directing both land and air forces in the Middle East during the Gulf War. These achievements alone are enough to cement Ken Summers’ place as one of the world’s most decorated military leaders.
  7. Kenneth Ahrens – Kenneth Ahrens is one of around 35 soldiers who survived the Malmédy Massacre, a war crime that took place on December 17, 1944 during the battle of the Bulge. 85 U.S. soldiers were cut down by the German SS after they had already surrendered. After the war, Ahren provided important evidence in the trial, which helped lead to the capture and conviction of a number of German war criminals.
  8. Ken Norton – One of the few and perhaps most unlikely men to defeat the great Muhammad Ali in the ring, Ken Norton learned to box during his military career. Norton broke Ali’s jaw in the second round of their first fight, before eventually winning a decision in the bout. The two men went on to fight twice more, with Ali winning narrow decisions in both rematches.
  9. Ken Berry – The army practically ushered Ken Berry into a successful television career when his sergeant announced a talent contest on base. Berry, with tap shoes in hand, won the competition without breaking a sweat, and later went on to star alongside Andy Griffith in F Troop and The Andy Griffith Show spin-off, Mayberry R.F.D. Berry is renowned as being a multi-talented performer, listing dancing, singing and acting in his repertoire of skills.
  10. Ken Jenkins – Before playing Doctor Bob Kelso on popular sit-com “Scrubs,” Ken made a bit of a trademark playing the role of military men. Some of his noted performances include General Kubrick in Five Minutes to Midnight, Admiral Pollack in The Sum of All Fears, and NSA Agent Moore in Clockstoppers.

What Our Business Teams Can Learn About Winning Streaks from the Golden State Warriors

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winningI could have chosen to talk about the Patriots or Panthers, but instead I chose to focus on the win streak that the Golden State Warriors have going on in the NBA this season.  It’s not that one winning streak is better than the others (it doesn’t get better than undefeated), it’s how they have gone about it and what we can learn from their players and coaches.  I am a Rockets fan so this is by far the viewpoint of a homer/fan.  With that said, they have something truly special going on that is worth diving into and seeing what we can apply to our business teams.  I wanted to do this by focusing on some recent quotes.

  1. “I’m completely okay with the fact that the wins don’t count on any record book for me,” said Luke Walton. Since Walton is an assistant to Steve Kerr  (Kerr is not able to coach for health reasons so Walton is leading the team in games), the wins are counting for Kerr and not Walton.  I think we can learn how important it is to have a top-down commitment from our teams. It would be great if all coaches/team leads in organizations were more concerned with team wins than their own career achievements.
  2. “Whether or not we get it, it really doesn’t affect our ultimate goal of trying to win a championship,” said Luke Walton.  Here’s another lesson for management and team leaders to stay focused on the big picture and goals of the organization.  It’s a long NBA season and the Warriors know that from the top to the bottom of the organizational chart.  Their eyes remain on the prize which is to win another championship.
  3. “It would be a cool milestone,” Klay Thompson said. “Shows how special this team can be.”  It is important though to recognize that our teams are doing something special when they are on a streak of wins.  That’s far from losing focus it’s just appreciating a moment in time and recognizing that your team gets it.  There is nothing wrong with appreciating the fact that you are on a great team.
  4. “It’s kind of a quiet confidence that we don’t feel like we’re going to lose anytime soon,” Stephen Curry said.  I think this is a defining characteristic of this team.  They aren’t cocky about it, they just believe they can get it done.  That’s the kind of team that I want to be a part of and that I’d like to have throughout my organization.  How about you?
  5. “The way we’re playing … we can get even better, ” Stephen Curry said.  I think striving to get better realizing that we are never going to be perfect is a great outlook/attitude to have.  No matter how many wins your team racks up, knowing you can all individually and collectively perform better is contagious.  Staying hungry and pushing yourself is a great way to keep your team and organization moving in a positive direction.

It’s really hard to dislike the Warriors with the way they have been handling themselves (for me it’s impossible).  Even though we all know it’s a long season and they will most likely lose at some point, I’d like to see them get the record tonight and start 16-0 (I can’t believe I just typed that).  It seems like a classy organization and I think we can learn a lot from how they are going about their business every day.

The quotes used came from the following articles: