Tip of the hat to wisdom learned at Smithbilt

Tip of the hat to wisdom learned at Smithbilt- David Eisenstadt, Calgary Herald Published: Monday, February 25, 2013 I couldn't help but marvel at the staying power of the iconic white cowboy hat sported by Oprah Winfrey during her recent visit to Calgary. Her seal of approval was another credit to Smithbilt Hats. Her blessing was true (read positive) validation of Calgary's proud western heritage. Curiously, though, it also reminded me of the travails of my first real job at Smithbilt, many years ago.

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Stay Cool Under Fire: Tips to Handle News Media lnterviews

WHETHER or not "the customer is always right" is a topic of debate. Here's the scenario. Your team has just come through a tough move for a difficult customer. Despite all best efforts to resolve some post-move issues, your unhappy customer "threatens to go to the media." The very real possibility that the imagined or real bad news about this moving experience could be on Facebook or Twitter will doubtless give you sleepless nights. So, what are you to do?

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Fantasy Camp: Toronto Family Affair

When my eldest son Harris was nine, we spent an idyllic week watching Major League Baseball spring training games in and around Dunedin, Fla., the Toronto Blue Jays spring home. Twenty-three years later, we revisited central Florida to celebrate his 31st birthday. However, this time there was a major league difference. We didn’t watch, we played.

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LET'S PLAY BALL

It was yet another surreal moment amid seven days of pure fantasy. In the game that capped the Detroit Tigers baseball camp — against the retired pros who had coached me — I found myself staring down 1968 World Series pitcher Jack Billingham in the first inning.

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