I’m not sure who started this discussion, either James Governer or ARmadgeddon,  likely it was David Rossiter on who is responsible for providing information about a subject.  Is the analyst offloading work or is it the company’s responsibility to provide proper information.
All have valid points.  The analyst should do some research to find out what the company/subject matter, paper is about.  The company should provide sufficient information before the briefing/paper and after in followup.  While not a holistic symbiotic relationship, they should work hand in hand to help each other.

Now I’m going to take the A/R side of the discussion.  If it is a briefing, the above states the issue.  If it is a vendor or industry report, MQ, WAVE, other….the A/R person is in competition with the other companies to put their company in the best light.  This means doing everything you can to make the analyst’s job more efficient when dealing with you.  We have the responsibility for giving the proper information in a timely manner that presents our offering fairly.
I could have used the word easier, perhapse used other descriptors but the fact is I feel the responsibility to get as much correct information in the hands of the analyst via their form or our presentation to put us in the best possible position.  So, if this requires me to fill out the forms, so be it.  I’m guessing the analyst has a pretty good idea what the companies are about, but the devil IS in the details.  They can know about our programs, products offerings, etc.  but we have to have explain why it matters and what are the differentiators.

Maybe I’m Pollyanna here, but time and time again, I’ve heard that our preparation and thoroughness have made it both easier and better to deal with us (some of the time ).  I’m guessing that we might be a place up in the final results of a vendor rating because of our extra effort.  I won’t claim that this is the way to win a report, but one must be helpful in a process.  For example, 20 vendors and 15 pages of information, that’s a lot of research for any analyst to get done.

In the end, it’s the least we can do.  The analysts are our constituency and it is our obligation to do our job.  i didn’t say do their job for them, but do ours and try to do above an beyond.

My 2 cents.

I was sent many condolences on the recent passing of my Mother.  One, which came from an analyst was a quote on six tips to be happier.

Here they are:

Advice from Tal Ben-Shahar.

1. Give yourself permission to be human.When we accept emotions — such as fear, sadness, or anxiety — as natural, we are more likely to overcome them. Rejecting our emotions, positive or negative, leads to frustration and   unhappiness.

2. Happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure and meaning.Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable. When this is not feasible, make sure you have happiness boosters, moments throughout the week that provide you with both pleasure and meaning.

3. Keep in mind that happiness is mostly dependent on our state of mind, not on our status or the state of our bank account.Barring extreme circumstances, our level of well being is determined by what we choose to focus on (the full or the empty part of the glass) and by our interpretation of external events. For example, do we view failure as catastrophic, or do we see it as a learning opportunity?

4. Simplify!We are, generally, too busy, trying to squeeze in more and more activities into less and less time. Quantity influences quality, and we compromise on our happiness by trying to do too much.

5. Remember the mind-body connection.What we do — or don’t do — with our bodies influences our mind. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits lead to both physical and mental health.

6. Express gratitude, whenever possible.We too often take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate and savor the wonderful things in life, from people to food, from nature to a smile.

Joey Chestnut took the competitive eating championship back to the USA with a record 66 hotdogs in 12 minutes, defeating Kobayashi by 3 dogs.  It’s hard to say whether this was an upset as Chestnut had set the most current record a few months back with 59.5 hotdogs to surpass Kobayashi’s record of 53.5 in last years July 4th eat off.

Nothing sparks interest in a story like controversy.  Days before the contest, Kobayashi had a wisdom tooth removed, or had jaw arthritis or some jaw ailment.  I will say that ESPN showed a tooth on TV claiming it was his.  Nevertheless, he showed up and beat his own personal best by 10 dogs in a 2nd place effort, tying Chestnut a few times during the match, but never taking the overall lead.   So was he sandbagging, 63 dogs implies that he was either a real champion playing through pain, or was setting up the eventual loss to Chestnut via an injury claim.  Only he knows.

In another piece of controversy, Kobayashi appeared to have a reversal of fortune, which should have automatically disqualified him, but he was still credited with 2nd place and the 63 dog count.  It was the first televised reversal that I’m aware of.  I had wanted to see it, and it happened,but to have the greatest eater in history do it was a downer.

Can’t wait till next year.

My mother died this morning at 8:15.

What is ironic is that she was also born on the 4th of July. While I’m sad and grieving, it is a relief that her suffering is now over and that she is with God in heaven. How can you say that one asks? My mother was a born again Christian, not just a Christian in name…… which means she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior.

Her memory and legacy will go on. The picture above is the Faye Simonds Day Lilly, named for her last year due to her love of flowers.

My sister wrote a beautiful eulogy. Here is a portion of it:

For years, my parents and I have attended the Bach Festival Society’s annual performance together. This past February, I had the pleasure of attending the Bach Festival performance with my mother and my cousin Josie. As we sat together enjoying the beauty of the St. John’s Passion, I looked over at my mother as tears streamed down her face and I knew that she was preparing in her heart to meet her Savior soon, and that she was praising God for the gift of eternal life with Him that He had so graciously given her. In closing, I would like to repeat a portion of the beautiful words of the Passion According to St. John, written by J.S. Bach that touched her heart so deeply:

This setting takes place at the Crucifixion of Jesus, as He bowed his head and breathed His last breath:

O Thou my Saviour, give me answer, dearest Saviour.

Since Thou upon Thy cross are crucified, and Thyself hast said:

“It is fulfilled.”

Shall I from death be ever free?

Can I through Thy despair and Passion, the heavenly home inherit?

Is all the world redeemed today?

Thou canst for pain indeed not answer,

yet bowest Thou Thy head to say, in silence: “Yea!”

Jesus Thou who once wast dead,

Livest now forever.

When the path of death I tread,

Let my seeking never

Elsewhere than to Thee be turned,

O beloved Saviour!

Give me but what Thou hast earned,

More I do not pray for.

Help, O Jesus, God’s own Son,

Through thy bitter anguish,

That the favor Thou hast won

Evil deeds may vanquish.

How and why our Saviour died

We must ponder truly,

And, though weak, leave naught untried,

Lord, to thank Thee duly.

Rest well, Beloved, sweetly sleeping,

That I may cease from further weeping,

Rest well, rest well,

And let me, too, rest well.

The grave that is prepared for Thee

And holds no further pain for me,

Doth open Heaven to me,

And close the gates of Hell.

O Lord, Thy little angel send,

Whene’er my mortal life shall end,

To bear my soul to Heaven!

My body in its chamber sleep,

All torment do Thou distant keep,

Till Thy last call be given!

And then from death awaken me,

That these poor eyes their Lord may see,

See Son of God, Thy glorious face,

My Saviour and my fount of grace!

Lord Jesus Christ, O hear Thou me,

Thee will I praise eternally.