Mastermind Group

Mastermind Groups, cont'd.

Don, while I am relatively new to active model railroading, I discovered the non-formal group we have here in Kansas City through my favorite railroad's forum, http://www.frisco.org.   Chuck Hitchcock, a well known local modeler, attributes the success of model railroading in KC to the weekly Saturday breakfast and Thursday brunches that the group enjoys.  These social activities build a cohesiveness within the group of modelers and operators, and helps one come into contact with the experts in every talent.

Our group in KC is truly a Mastermind Group with many talents available. We have participants that bring every aspect of model railroading at its best to the table.  I am adept at electrical and electronics and have become the local lead for decoder installation, sound and mobile, as well as layout communications and DCC. Others excel at carpentry, painting, landscaping and model building - both rolling stock and structures.  With such a talent-rich group made up of people that spend much time together, amazing things can be accomplished.  The group works as a unit to get new layouts up and operating in timeframes unachievable by the individual. It is truly remarkable.

What's in a name?

I love the idea of the group; however I'm wondering about the name.  At my work our last marketing campaign labeled us as "experts" in the literature.  Although the term might be accurate for some, the term "expert" got us quite a bit or ridicule.  

And.....

As the old joke definition of "expert" goes: "X" is a term for an algebraic expression for "an unknown" and "spurt" is a drip under pressure - so an X-spurt (expert) is an Unknown Drip Under Pressure! 

One man's opinion.............

Whats in a name?

Rick:

The reason I use mastermind is because that is the term coined by Napoleon Hill.  You can call it anything you want what ever tickles your fancy.

The name

Who knows what can come of it?

I've had firsthand experience with this topic and I think it's important to get it out there.

First, it's helped me with my modeling and my layout building.  Second, it's helped me "get off the dime!" Alone, we can really suffer from analysis paralysis or fear of making mistakes.  This Mastermind Group Concept is what makes this hobby tick and brings newbies up to veterans in short order.

Third, Who Knows Where It Will Lead???  I've got a great group of guys in my Mastermind Group and I am leaning on them heavily in my attempt to put on an RPM Meet.  I'd never even think of doing it alone... so, it's definitely the Group that will make or break it.

Thanks for your 'business insight' adaptation to MR-ing!

R/,

Norm

...

I've recently learned the new preferred "layman" term is "Professional" - whereas professionals are the people who actually live and work the trade they practice.  Experts, meanwhile, are the people who stand around and lecture large groups about the recommended practices without ever actually spending much time practicing the trade itself, at least not any time recent since they picked up their tenure, even though they seem to know everything there is to know about it...