25Seven

Tomorrow is Already Yesterday

If you're interested in what I'm up to, my current internet project is called Tomorrow is Already Yesterday.

25Seven was a one year project that went on a bit too long.

Thanks for visiting.

- Rob Vandermark

Photo:  The Polaroid Kidd

Seven Is So Specialized

What's new is old.

Flattered that Specialized mentioned a Seven as inspiration for their Roubaix.  From a recent piece in Bicycle Retailer and Industry News:

Seven Cycles Collaborative

During the past couple months, 25Seven has been fairly quiet, to say the least.  I have lots of reasons—as always.  Fortunately, the primary reason for this radio silence is a positive one; recently I’ve been focused on another blog.  That blog just went live a couple days ago—although I’ve been posting there since September.  The blog is called the Seven Cycles Collaborative. 

 

A few people have already been checking out the CoLab; we’ve received a lot of interest and enthusiasm about the Collaborative project, and some confusion about what we’re hoping to accomplish.

 

Outcome:  Product or Process?

 

As with so many projects on which I participate, the product is rarely the only important focus.  Often times, as is the case with the Seven Collaborative, the process is the point.  The product’s primary purpose is to bring focus to the process, and to get our employees excited about the process; tactile items are often more fun and engaging than process charts and boring conversations with me.  And as a great storyteller once said:   

 

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”  - Ursula LeGuin

 

True that.

 

The Collaborative’s focus on the process as our primary measure of success has been confusing for some.  Spectator confusion is probably caused by a cursory glance at the CoLab blog, or from reading just one or two journal entries.  Unfortunately, it’s a bit difficult to get a complete picture of the Collaborative’s mission by a brief perusal because the project is large—probably too large, moving fast, and we’re making a couple posts a day recently—weekdays at least.  Because of all this, I think it’s easy to lose sight of the overall project purpose.  I’m here to try and explain:

 

Rumor Control: Where’s Vandermark?

This is a bit of a strange post.  However, one of the topics I’ve wanted to cover in 25Seven is what I call, “rumor control”.  Over the years, I’ve heard some crazy stories about Seven Cycles.  I’m sure that everyone has had the same experience in their own lives and businesses.  Nothing new about rumors.

This post isn’t about one of those crazy rumors—sorry; I’ll post some of those another time.  This post is about a fairly typical type of rumor; it goes something like this:

“I heard Vandermark is really stepping back from the business and looking to sell Seven.  One of the ways you can tell this is because his name isn’t on the frames or on the website and brochure anymore.”