Hi John,

I stumbled upon your web site yesterday, and spent more time than I really should have reading through your articles. Your web site, but especially your approach and style, is exactly what I've been looking for. Good grief, why aren't there more sites like yours? Chat groups aren't realistic for me. I just don't have that kind of time. And yes, I know that much of your site is promotional. Nothing wrong with that. We all need to eat.

But the way you've done it is extremely helpful to planners that are going down the path you've already been down. I was impressed right away for several reasons:

First, you project an image of a professional, a veteran ("been there, done that ..."), and as your description points out, a mentor. Very cool. Very confident and healthy sounding, not one of those playing "job security" that everybody hates. And hey, just knowing something doesn't make someone a teacher. It's an aptitude, an attitude, and puts you in the camp of "givers," as opposed to the "takers." Ever have a teacher that clearly had no business teaching? We all have. It's not their vocation, it was a "career choice."

Second, you have relevant material. I like the links and the articles. Good stuff. By the way, the article on certification was interesting. I believe in Norm Harris. I spent 5 days with Norm in 1993 for one of his teaching seminars. In that time I got to know him, and found him to be a man of integrity and principle. His certification is associated with a for-profit company, yes, but it's not a profit making venture for him. He's what I call a "true believer," a man with a mission. In my mind, Norm Harris and the word "mentor" are synonymous. If you don't know him, get to. There's only so many quality people. Norm's one of them.

The third reason that your site impressed me is because it has a very professional look to it. I'm known as a fairly fussy person because I happen to notice certain details. Details such as how your web site is laid out, how it is organized. Your information is laid out very nicely, and has a logical flow. It's irritating to me when I have to "work" hard to understand what's being communicated.

I've done recovery planning for some interesting places: banks, electric utility, large healthcare organization, and currently AAA here in Michigan. I feel well suited for this work because I'm very cautious by nature, analytical, and sort of naturally think ahead. In fact, it always amazes me when people plunge ahead in anything without regard to possible consequences. There's always something to know. For example, my latest quest is looking for a template or script for a walk-through exercise. Of all the material out there, there's not much on any kind of testing.

So anyway, I'll take some time to go through the material on your site. There's always some question pending, always some issue. The links look interesting, especially the ones on Best Practices. Be proud of your work on the web site and know that even if it doesn't always lead directly to new assignments, that at the very least you've been of service to others.

Regards,
Tim Hyland