Question

Topic: Other

Many Will Miss Much - In Memoriam: Dr. Oren Harari

Posted by Anonymous on 9/28/2010 at 5:03 PM ET 1000 Points
“So Many Will Miss So Much”
In Memoriam: Oren Harari, Ph.D.

I recently learned of the passing of my most respected and admired mentor, following a “…heroic battle with brain cancer”. How ironic was his death. A man whose very existence was based completely upon his brain, and the powers that could come to us all, from its use.

Oren Harari, long considered one of the greatest minds of our time, was no longer. Although his thoughts, words, ideas and deeds will live forever, through his seemingly endless writings and the power of his best-selling, even “cult-like” books, something will certainly be missing...his presence.

I shall, for as long as I live, never forget our first exchange. A conference for NAPEO, the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations, held in his beloved San Francisco.

How fortunate this city, and his students at San Francisco University. How fortunate were each of us in attendance.

Listening to him was exciting and internally energizing. As I sat there, captivated by his presentation, (as were the other 900 people in the room), I thought ‘…he is saying things I held as true, for more than 15 years’, validating my inner convictions and beliefs.

Suddenly, I felt empowered. I had never felt like this before. Here he is, the “Master of Masters” telling me that all I thought I knew about developing business and spreading the gospel of marketing, was in fact…fact.

I felt sparks going off inside my head, as if every synapse was firing in perfect timing…about 3 degrees before TDC. I thought I was going to scream out.

Suddenly, he was finished. As I began to rise, and offer my standing ovation for this masterful presentation, I saw the entire room “lift-off”...everyone began to yell and scream.

This was the most powerful event I had ever experienced. For one moment I thought: ‘If everyone feels like this, believes this man, then why does everything seem to get so screwed up, all the time?’

In awe, I approached Oren, following the brief Q & A, and asked him for a moment of his time. It was as if I were the only one in the room. I received his utmost courtesy and even with all that was going on around him, such as people vying for his attention, he listened to me, never once losing eye contact. I asked him if I could have permission to, from time to time ask his advice on various issues…to which he responded, “Absolutely, call any time.”

"Absolutely, call any time???" Is he kidding???

After a few telephone visits, I asked Oren if I could call upon him as my mentor…to which he immediately replied, “Randall, you honor me.”

This brief, yet powerful statement changed the course of my life. And, for all the eMail and telephone conversations we shared, not once did he ever say or insinuate that I was taking too much of his time. Not once! He was kind, patient and resourceful, and one of the greatest gifts, not only to my life, but lives of thousands of business leaders around the world. His client list was the Fortune/Global 100+.

As the years rolled by, I took all I had learned and applied this knowledge in attempts to help not only me, but to impact my clients and my associates, here...in KHE/MP.

I bought dozens of copies of “Leapfrogging the Competition” to give away as gifts to clients and colleagues. He was an incredible leader/teacher.

Well…as much as do not want to end this post, writing about Oren, I must. Even though, in some small way, I feel that when I close this posting, it will be the end of a great part of my life, I must.

However, before I do, let me share with each of you. First, go on line and buy a copy of “Leapfrogging the Competition”. You will not be sorry. Then, buy a copy of the follow-up, “Breaking from the Pack”. Perhaps many of your thoughts and ideas will be validated, as well.

We will be thinking of you often, Oren. Thank you, for every word, for every moment you shared.

So many will miss so much.

With Deepest Respect and Admiration, to the family of Oren Harari. Thanks for sharing him with the world.


TO EACH WHO READ THIS...
Is there, or was there a mentor in your life, who held you by the hand/brain and helped you to achieve your goals?


If you have time, would you please tell us about him/her?

Who are/were they?
How did they change your life?
Please, share all you wish. And, if there was/is one thought, above all others they brought to you...will you share it with us?

Thank you,
(See ya Oren)


Randall W. Montalbano
Senior Advisor
White Mountain Marketing Associates
Houston (The REAL), Texas
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!
SUBSCRIBE
Or, SIGN IN

RESPONSES

  • Posted by michael on 9/28/2010 at 6:33 PM Accepted
    Randall,

    When asked, I often think it is strange that I don't have a mentor but I have had several teachers/professors who poured into me a belief that I could be more than I was thinking I could be.

    You have to understand that my background is in the sciences and not marketing. I can remember, like yesterday, my endocrinology professor asking why I would languish in a laboratory doing routine tests (I take nothing away from the professionals who do that work and on whose skill & knowledge I have often depended) when I was more "tuned" to independent study and "visionary" thinking. His favorite quote (and I can still picture the frame in his small lab-office) "Worry is like a rocking chair, it keeps you busy but it doesn't get you anywhere".

    When I first jumped in the sales profession in the early 80's my dad gave me a door into sales situations that scared many of the senior sales people at the company where I worked. "You did that? By yourself?" I guess I didn't know I couldn't.

    I'm certain I could add more but will choose instead to say that I try to look for people that I can encourage whenever possible.

    My condolences to you on the passing of such a great friend.

    Michael
  • Posted on 9/28/2010 at 6:55 PM Accepted
    I really like this article and I can empathize with the passion when you write about honoring your mentor. Finding a true mentor is difficult and losing one is deeply sorrowful. Many people will cross our path in our lifetime but the true blessings are the ones that change our path. I have not been as lucky as you to have 1 to 1 interaction with whom I consider my mentors but through their books, musings and insight I have learned a lot from them . I consider Stephan Spencer and Rand Fishkin as inspirations through their book and valuable insights on their sites. As far as people here on MP mgoodman , Jay Hamilton-Roth, Karen and Excellira are whom I consider my mentors in learning and re-learning SEO/SEM and Social and Marketing in general . Their guidance have helped further my understanding of the industry and provided advice whenever I felt like taking shortcuts (ala black hat stuff) . Mgoodman had this advice that I will always remember :

    "There are a lot of dishonest people in the world. They play almost everywhere, and many never get caught.

    Rather than deal with the temptation to join them, one option is to ignore them and follow what YOU believe is right and fair. At least that way you will sleep well and be able to face yourself in the morning.

    Don't deal with what others do (and get away with). Just stay in your own world and do what you know is right."

    I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends and mentors here at MP. You guys are the best .
  • Posted by mgoodman on 9/29/2010 at 11:55 AM Accepted
    What a nice way to remember Oren Harari. Thank you, Randall, for your post.

    It started me thinking about my own mentors and those I’ve mentored, and I’ll offer a few thoughts.

    First, I’ve thought often about the person who had the greatest impact on my own professional thinking, and that is John Pepper, the former Chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble. John was my Advertising Manager (like a VP-Marketing) when I was a brand manager and copy supervisor at P&G. He set a great example on many fronts, and in particular gave me a deep appreciation for the importance of clear focus on objectives and strategy, and an appreciation of why it’s always best to “do the right thing” when dealing with others – customers, colleagues, suppliers, investors, and the community.

    I’ve also thought about what a privilege it is to serve as a mentor to others. I’ve been honored to do that several times – ranging from a young boy in our town who lost his father to brain cancer, to students in an MBA program, to fellow marketers and others. Each time I am reminded that it’s the mentor who benefits from the relationship, and learns from the experience, as much as the person being mentored.

    Finally, thanks to webmaster for his kind comments. It is heartening to know that participation here on the Know-How Exchange actually makes a difference to participants. And, once again, it reminds me of the two-way street: I learn and benefit from the group as much as, or perhaps even more than, I give.

    Thank you all. And thanks again to you, Randall, for asking the question as part of your tribute to Oren Harari. I suspect he’d have had a reaction similar to mine when it comes to mentoring. You probably taught him as much as he taught you.
BACK TO TOP

Post a Comment

Related Discussions

Community Info

Top 25 Experts
(Other)