By David Daggett on 2/23/2009 9:56 AM

Embrace Our Students

      Students are always exciting to be around. At Lewis & Daggett we spend a lot of time working with youth in our community. Through our Safe Sober Prom Night program and other presentations throughout the year we spend a lot of time with young people.

      This past week we spoke to a group of students in the YMCA program. The Y does a great job developing and encouraging these young people. We talked with the after school group last year, and they invited us back to join them again.

     We made a presentation on Internet safety to these students. This is a topic we have spoken on a number of times over the past year to student, parent, church, and community groups. This topic seems very relevant and is very well received by the students.

     One thing that is always we clear to us is that students today strongly desire adult leadership. We are all looking for encouragement, support, direction, leadership, and love. As leaders, as business people, as church leaders, and as spouses and parents we have an inherent obligation to each do our small part to help these students along and ensure our future.

     There is one sure way to ensure the future of all the things that are important and valuable to us. Love other children as much we love our own. This is easy to say but certainly not always easy to do. When done, however, it is as moving of an experience as a human can experience.

      A common denominator of all successful people is that they have had at least one other person outside their own family take a special interest in them. Just one person who connects with them, cares about them, follows them, encourages and supports them. Sort of like good old fashioned mentoring. If we each have our personal mentor and our personal mentee, how can we help but succeed individually and collectively.

      This one-by-one relationship based success formula isn’t political, sectarian, agended, or divisive. It is simply being there to support, encourage and love. Anyone can do it, and everyone will receive it. Together we all can, and must, ensure our bright future.

      Embracing and encouraging students is part of our Lewis & Daggett culture. If you would like a presentation on Internet Safety, Student Success, Our Legal System, or Safe Sober, contact us at 1-866-299-1769, or e-mail at info@lewisdaggett.com.

 

Read More »

By David Daggett on 12/15/2008 6:57 AM

Three Questions

      This past Saturday morning our Lewis and Daggett team participated in the kickoff brunch for the 34^th Annual Frank Spencer Holiday Basketball Tournament featuring 12 local high school teams. Present were approximately 200 high school players, coaches, principals, administrators, and senior school system officials.

      We presented a talk with visual accents to encourage, challenge, and support the student athletes. Jeff Battle, Associate Head Basketball Coach of the 11^th Ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacon Basketball Team, gave a motivational talk. Coach Battle is a kind, passionate, and intense man with a likeable demeanor.

      Coach Battle presented three questions which when put together add up to "Do I want to play with this guy." Those three questions seem appropriate for families, organizations, and even businesses, as well as basketball players and teams. Accordingly, we will briefly review Coach Battle’s three questions.

     Question No. 1: "Do you play hard?" Coach Battle stressed that there is no substitute for playing hard. He noted that we presently live in a "cool society" where it seems everyone wants to be "cool" and "chill." Coach Battle stressed that great performers check their coolness at the door and just play hard.

      Question No. 2: "Do you have a good attitude?" He emphasized that everyone has a good attitude when things are going well, but how do you react when things don’t go so good? What you do and how you respond is reflected in everything you do. He particularly emphasized body language and how that body language can have either a positive or negative effect on those around you. He emphasized the importance of only worrying about being good. Don’t worry about things that can’t make you better.

      Question No. 3: "Are you unselfish?" Coach Battle stressed that unselfish players make the team better, as well making the individual better at the same time. His words reminded me of a quote from the famous and successful longtime UCLA Coach John Wooden, "When you score, give the other guy credit."

      Play hard, have a good attitude and be unselfish. Coach Battle’s words were simple, memorable, and can help us all improve personally and collectively.

 

Read More »

By David Daggett on 12/8/2008 7:53 AM

Heart of the Triad

     The financial markets are down, unemployment is up, and the economic forecasts for the upcoming months are bleak. However, locally we have a bright ray of sunshine. According to some recent national statistics and reports the Triad area ranks No. 2 in the nation in per person charitable giving.

     Last week Chuck Harmon of the Second Harvest Food Bank was a guest speaker in our office. Our entire Lewis & Daggett team decided unanimously to support the Second Harvest Food Bank at this holiday time. We are so proud of our team members, and their concern for others.

     Reverend Harmon gave a very moving report depicting the need during this particularly difficult time. However, citing the charitable giving in our community, and the hope it provides, he described the "Heart of the Triad."

     We recently discussed our community’s high level of support for one another regarding the Parkinson’s event. This high level of community participation in charitable and special cause giving and donations gives us all hope. This hope is the belief we have in one another, and the overall goodness and long-term welfare for our community.

     At our firm, we are proud that people want to give back to others in need. We have previously discussed that this sort of attitude is simply part of our firm’s values and culture. We are proud that our team takes pride in our community as a whole, and is willing to step forward to be part of the solution during difficult times.

As Reverend Harmon noted, during difficult times people don’t look to the government. Although we hear a lot about the financial "bailout," here the bailout comes from individual members of our community who continue to care for one another.

     The "heart of the Triad" is actually the hearts of individuals pulling together to help their neighbors through difficult times. In the Triad we know that our heart is in the right place, and that heart assures us that we will pull through the difficult times, together.

 

Read More »

By David Daggett on 12/1/2008 6:57 AM

Every Penny Counts

     We were impressed by the success of the Special Parkinson’s Event held a couple of weeks ago at the A Touch of Class beauty salon in King. Our Lewis & Daggett team was proud to be a small part of the effort, and we had a lot of fun too!   

Every Penny Counts

     Tonya Wood and her team at A Touch of Class rolled out the red carpet to all customers who came to participate in the event. All receipts for the day were donated to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. Additional donations were received from members of the community.

     We were proud of the turnout for the event. Moreover, we were impressed by the good spirit and all the fun everyone had. New friends were made. We have posted some photos from the event here.

     As off last week the event had raised $3,385, and donations are still coming in. Our L & D Team gave out specially designed T-shirts and stadium cups. There was a drawing for prizes including a number of prizes donated by Team Fox. The grand prize was a book personally signed by actor and Parkinson’s activist Michael J. Fox.

     During these difficult economic times it is amazing how our community continues to pull together. Many charities and public service causes are having their resources stressed, which makes these local grass roots efforts more important than ever. We all need to pull together for special causes and for those less fortunate

     Many thanks to all the folks in our community who help and contribute to the lives of others during this holiday season. Additional thanks to WXII TV 12, King Lawn and Garden, Ad Color, and WSJS Radio for their help. This community spirit really is what makes our Triad area special.

     Remember, Every Penny Counts!

 

Read More »

By David Daggett on 11/10/2008 7:52 AM

Post Election Hope And Promise

     Election day has now come and gone. We have all read all of the articles, and continue with our daily activities. Perhaps now is a good time to look at some lessons learned and look to the future with hope and promise.

      There are so many aspects to this past election that a complete treatise on the subject could be written. Let’s leave most of the opinions and analysis to the commentators and pundits. Instead, let’s focus briefly on a few seeds of thought and information that are lessons for us all.

      Participation – Last week’s elections set records for the highest amount of participation in history. This means the important right to vote is still valuable to our citizens. Further, it means that we all took an interest, listened to the issues, and were engaged in the process. Continued participation in our system will make our government even better in the future.

     Reconciliation - This season was long and tough and, at times, even nasty. However, immediately following it seems that our leaders immediately started mending relationships and putting the past behind them. With the difficult times we have coming, this reconciliation is necessary for us to successfully move forward.

     Unity – Now that the election is over there seem to be areas of unity. The main topic on everyone’s mind seems to be the economy. An election can’t decree a change in the economy. We all have to become united, work together, and do our own little parts in order to get through these troubled times.

     Example – After all was said and done, John McCain, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama all came forward with positive words, well wishes for one another, and messages of hope and promise for the future of our country.

     Hope and Promise - We have many present difficulties, and yet we are still the greatest nation on Earth, and have the richest history of preserved liberties and freedoms in the history of mankind. "O’ Beautiful for Spacious Skies" seem to be as true today as when it was written over a hundred years ago. The last verse is particularly fitting for our country today.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self control,
Thy liberty in law.

Read More »

By David Daggett on 11/3/2008 6:54 AM

Our Valuable Right

~Please Vote~

     Election Day is this week. It seems like it has been a long campaign season, but one of the real positives is that it appears there are record turnouts in the number of people voting.

     The right to vote is one of the most important rights granted by our forefathers in the Constitution. The right to vote is so important that it is repeated in the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Further, our Supreme Court has recognized that the right to vote in a free and unimpaired fashion is a bedrock of our democracy.

     This political season has seen long, and at times more adversarial than we might like. However, at the same time it seems that people are more engaged in the process than ever before in our recent history. Predictions are for record turnouts. This high participation portends well for the future of our great nation.

     The right to vote is a patriotic duty that all of us are part of protecting now and for future generations. The right becomes a duty because if we don’t exercise that right, history has shown that rights can erode and ultimately be sacrificed. The right to vote is a unique hallmark of our free country so it is important for all of us to do our part in protecting that right.

     Voting also allows all of us to participate in the process. To truly participate, we need to be engaged. We need to study the issues and learn. This learning is part of our duty and perpetuates our ability to preserve our rights.

     Sometimes we take it for granted, and sometimes it sounds a bit corny, but we truly do live in a unique and great nation. When our forefathers founded the United States of America, it was a unique experience in the history of humankind. The right to vote is part of a fundamental difference that maintains and perpetuates the freedoms we all enjoy.

     Our Lewis & Daggett team encourages, in a non-partisan way, each individual to exercise their right to vote. Please be part of a process that helps maintain and preserve the liberties and freedoms we enjoy in this great country.

Read More »

By David Daggett on 10/20/2008 6:52 AM

Washing Hands Saves Lives

      Do we realize how important it is to wash our hands? Washing our hands is one of the most important germ fighting things we can do, and we should do it a number of times every day.

     Clean hands can prevent illness and save lives. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, recommend washing hands in warm water with soap for 20 seconds. Clean hands not only prevent you from getting sick, but also help prevent spreading germs from person to person.

     There has been a movement in our local hospitals over the past several years to follow proper hand hygiene guidelines. The result has been a large decrease in the number of preventable infections.

     Cold and flu season is now upon us. This is the time of year that germs spread at school and at work faster than at other times of the year. Washing hands is more important than ever for you and your family to stay healthy.

     When washing remember these tips:

• Be sure to wash the tops of your hands, as well as wrists and under nails,
• Wash hands frequently including before eating, of course,
• Before preparing food; after being in goods of people, shaking hands, etc.,
• After coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose,
• After touching door knobs, public phones, touch screens, or any other public thing
• When a sink and soap are not available, use alcohol based anti-bacterial gel or wipes.

     Please help remind your children, family, and friends to wash their hand with warm water and soap frequently. To help you, we are providing as a courtesy a flyer you can post as a reminder. You can get a copy of the flyer by clicking here. Be sure to post the flyer where your children will see it, and take it to friends or loved ones who are in the hospital.

     Washing hands can help us all prevent illness, the spread of germs, and even saves lives! Join our Lewis and Daggett team in reminding our children, families, and co-workers of the importance of hand hygiene.

Read More »

By David Daggett on 9/29/2008 6:46 AM

Elementary Leadership

     All the recent news regarding the financial markets makes us think about our kids’ future, as well as our own. We recently attended a parents’ night at our kids’ school - actually, we went three times!

     Perhaps the most interesting part of the parents’ nights was a speech on developing children to reach their full potential. The lessons we heard apply to all of our organizations, pursuits, and even the financial markets.

     The presentation was artfully targeted to urge appropriate parenting leadership, which also seems to apply to leadership in general. The principles included a balance nurture, structure, and latitude. Providing all three principles becomes a difficult commitment in the face of challenges in our fast paced world but are essential for success.

     Nurture includes the desire of all people to be wanted and loved. Nurture is essential to give individuals a sense of belonging. Nurture is developed by showing love and respect, both directly and by example. This is an essential aspect in creating healthy people, organizations, and satisfying lives.

     Structure is the framework and expectations people have for their pursuits, responsibilities and ventures. Structure includes rules and guidelines that are required to be followed. It also includes process management protocols, as well as behavioral standards. Over time, structure becomes the values and culture of our organizations, and is reflected in all we do.

     Latitude is the freedom within the structure to use judgement to experiment and learn. Given this latitude people and organizations will have failures and setbacks. These are the areas for more growth and learning. If there are appropriate nurture and structure then the learning and growth are appreciated, accepted and raise performance to higher levels.

     Authoritative leadership within these three levels provides the best opportunities for future successes. Virtually every neurodevelopmental and psychological study supports these elements as building blocks for success.

     Balance between nurture, structure, and latitude is important. With the latest investment bank debacles it appears that the balance between structure and latitude were out of wack. We can imagine how nurture was probably out of balance too. Perhaps a few lessons in elementary leadership would benefit our political and financial leaders.

Read More »

By David Daggett on 9/1/2008 5:38 AM

Our Incredible Community

     This past week was a very moving one for Greensboro and Winston-Salem. The communities’ response to Matt Gfeller’s fatal injury in a high school football game was incredible, and became a reflection of all of us.

Double rainbow over Reynolds High School - Monday August 25

     Of course we hear and read about tragedies on a regular basis. But most of those are what we usually consider to be within the risks of life and are just "news." This incident was described by doctors and other experts as one in a million. It was completely unexpected. When the "one in a million" hits close, we all take it personally.

     The signs of care, support, and concern through all sectors of our community were striking. We were all one, and we were all in this together. We all were in this together because we all care. We certainly can never know how the Gfeller family really feels, but certainly they know that we care.

     It seems many different factions of our community felt this incident in their own ways. Our Lewis and Daggett team had personal contact with more than 14,000 high school students across the triad this past year in our Safe Sober Prom Night program. Each one of those young people are precious to us.

     On a personal note, I have known Lisa and Bob Gfeller for more than 20 years. They are fine, honorable, spiritual, happy, loving, good people. They too have shown us how to handle a tragedy with honor, class and grace.

     We can all be proud of our community. We care about each other. We pull together when we needed. We understand the importance of community support. And to the Gfellers, we will continue to be with you.

Read More »

By David Daggett on 8/25/2008 6:54 AM

A Pink Evening

      Saturday night was a special night at Ernie Shore Field for the Winston-Salem Warthogs and our community. It was "Pink in the Park" night,  a benefit for breast cancer research, and a celebration of    breast cancer survivors.

      Our Lewis and Daggett team had a large contingent in attendance, and we were a corporate sponsor of the event. A night at the ballpark is always a great time for family fun. Our group had a great time, and it appeared that everyone else did too.

      Members and supporters of our local Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation were a delight to work with. They had a true passion for the cause and put all their efforts into making the evening a success. Likewise, we were proud of the passion our L & D team displayed at the ballpark helping out and promoting the cause.

      Of course, pink was the color of the evening. We were struck by the number of men and women who wore pink to support the cause. The survivors group shared a commonality, a "never give up" attitude, and an appreciation for the event.

      The Warthogs organization did a terrific job of hosting the event and giving support to the cause. The players even wore pink jerseys! The whole event served as visible recognition of and support for the families, patients, and survivors of breast cancer.

      We were proud to be part of the event. Our staff even got me to wear a pink shirt for the first time! After all, it was for a good cause :-)!

Read More »