Knowledge Fulcrum

Are we reaching the breaking point in our environment?  Tragedy of the commons is a phenomenon used by ecologists to describe a dilemma in which multiple individuals acting independently in their own self-interest can ultimately destroy a shared limited resource even when it is clear that it is not in any one’s long term interest for this to happen.

Today I attended a luncheon sponsored by Abound - where some of Portland’s top sustainability community members – including Earl Blumenauer - discussed the challenges of maintaining short-term business viability while also balancing the needs of long-term environmental needs.  I could only think about the tragedy of the commons and maybe an organization like Abound Global provides a space where we can transcend history and work together and not destroy our shared resources.

If you are interested in sustainability and how it may affect your organization I would recommend you reach out and connect to the Abound community.

I’ve only recenly gotten my first copy of the Zappos! 2008 Culture Book.  I’m looking forward to reading it on a long flight tomorrow.  I’m only just learning about the company, in fact, many of you may already know much, much more about them than I do.

Extraordinary is the word I’d use to describe what I’ve seen so far.  The world would be a much better place if there were more organizations like Zappos!.   They personify the meaning of culture and are an example of what we all strive to achieve and make it look easy long the way.  I have no idea what it’s like to work there – I’m sure they have their fair share of issues, but all thing being equal they certainly stand out and, there’s little doubt that everyone who works there “gets” what their purpose is.

Bravo Tony – I look forward to meeting you someday soon.

Like many travelers, I’ve had my share of bad airline experiences.  There was a time when I would actually call and complain.  Eventually, I learned that because of how airlines have structured their systems and processes, it’s impossible to be heard.  As a result, nothing ever changes.  So, like many other frequent fliers — one day I just stopped complaining.

What if this were happening in your organization right now?  How would you know?  Do you have the tools and systems in place that provide you the real voice of your customer or your employees?  Who has not been surprised by a phone call or email from an upset customer complaining about something that is valid?  Do you ever wonder how long it’s been happening and you’ve been unaware?

I believe we’re at the precipice of big change.  All around us – we’re witnessing significant shifts in our society and culture — the most significant being the shift from command and control structures towards inclusive, collaborative ones.   Imagine that you’re now able to effectively collect the opinions, ideas and concerns of anyone who comes into contact with your company.  No filters, no excuses — just the honest truth.  And what if, at the same time — you’re able to gather ideas for solutions AND have your employees volunteer to be part of the implementation of the solution.  Impossible?

The following documentary illustrates just how close we are to making collaboration a part of everyone’s reality.  Imagine what a better world we’d live in if we listened and collaborated.  We’d make what we do better and better everyday.  It can work.

When you connect all of your staff, and collect all the ideas you can to solve your organization’s problems — then the organization has the ability to transcend the limitations of the old way and deliver an unprecedented level of value to the customer.  It does all this while providing employees and partners with empowering experiences.

By no means do I propose this to be a seamless and easy process.  There will be many bumps in the road.  But today we have the tools and the technology to make this part of our reality.  When we self-organize around common problems and issues that face our businesses, we then create a powerful force – one that can adapt to the chaotic environment we’re now living in.

Us Now from Banyak Films on Vimeo.

This was given to me last week by my good friend Jim Basile – one of the smartest guys I know.  I thought you might enjoy it as well!

Few entrepreneurs are born.  Instead they arise from the ranks of the independent minded, odd balls, geeks, hyperactive, subject matter experts, engineers, dreamers and/or professionals who are not smart enough to know better.  What sets them apart is the power to avoid thinking about all the things that can go wrong.  They are incurable optimists.

Why do entrepreneurs deserve respect?  Because they:

• Generate great ideas
• Work hard
• Drive hard
• Pave the way for new industries
• Create new jobs
• keep competitors on their toes
• represent the artists and poets of the business world
• Exude indomitable self-confidence
• Are in a word “wonderful”

Now, some reasons why we fail:

• Allow great ideas to be followed by ordinary execution
• fly by the seat of our pants
• Jump around too much, and struggle focusing on task at hand (a.k.a.  A.D.D.)
• Fail to focus, chase after lots of ideas and run in circles
• Fail to attend to or manage the details
• Good at starting business, but bad at running them
• Exaggerate due to unyielding optimism
• Allow Chaos to reign
• Fail to do necessary pre-work before jumping in
• Cannot let go of control
• Lack patience due to unrealistic expectations
• Fail to see or acknowledge risk

(I’m stopping here.  This is only the first half of the list and I if you can’t see any of yourself in this list so far then you are truly an extraordinarily above average entrepreneur.)

Bottom line?  Top three reasons for entrepreneurial failures:

1. Failure to understand why everyone working for you is not as hard working, bought-in or motivated as you.

2. Envisioning, starting and running a business is like having a child.  As such, it is difficult to see the flaws that are so apparent to others.

3. Too few entrepreneurs seek coaching to leverage their strengths, identify their gaps, and invest in personal development.  They do not modify their problem behaviors.

End Note:  If you are interested in learning more about how Jim helps entrepreneurs overcome these challenges (including myself) you may contact him directly at jbasile@talentquest.com.  The world needs us now more than ever so we owe it to the world (and more importantly to ourselves) to be the best we possibly can be.

It’s Sunday.  Sunday was the day you would always call me.  Every week – just like clockwork.   I tried to get as far away as I could but you didn’t let that stop you.  At the time, I just didn’t realize how much I’d miss those calls, how much they meant to me.  And, today I can’t call you – because it’s too late.

You have been such an important influence on my life.  You were my inspiration.  You challenged me, cared for me, and loved me – you showed me that with enough will power you can accomplish anything.   I never thought we would run out of time so fast.  But your memory is with me always – I miss you and love you more than ever.  Happy Mother’s day Mom.

I’m just sick.

As I watch the Liddy hearings on Capitol Hill,   I try to calculate how much time and energy has been expended over the last few days.  Think of all the news sources, the congress, the executive branch – how many people like me who are disgusted to see this not just happen — but now to be dragged through the mud.

I used to do polls for a living.  I would bet that nearly 99% of people like you and me think there’s a simple solution…just do the right thing — give the money back, and invest this time, energy and money on trying to put people to work and getting our economy back on track.

I have a son who’s 11 and a daughter who’s 8.

This speech is the most sobering thing I’ve seen in a long, long time.  Delivered in 1992 at the United Nations, it’s just as relevant, if not more so today that it was almost 20 years ago.  Give a listen.

I traveled home to New Mexico earlier this week. 

Tuesday morning was the perfect New Mexico dawn.  I miss the warmth of the sun, the dryness of the air, and the brightness of the light.

It seems that lately I’m always going back to New Mexico to say good-bye to a loved one.  I suppose it’s part of getting older — yet I doubt I’ll ever get used to it.  It’s times like these that cause me to reflect on my own life, and that of my family and friends.  In today’s chaotic world, it’s so easy to get lost in the details of our day-to-day – email, phone calls, and the daily grind.  These are all meaningless things that feel so important in the moment.  But it’s days like today — when we say good-bye to a loved one, that allows us to stop and take stock of our own lives.  It’s never easy to say good-bye, but I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to re-connect with family and to gain a better appreciation for my life.  I feel blessed that I’m surrounded by so many incredible people that I care so deeply about.   It also helps me realize how much potential still exists.  Each day we let another opportunity to affect the world pass us by — we’re only denying ourselves the chance to live a purposeful life.

May Stepleton lived a great life.  She enjoyed good health, a loving family, and a life we all would be fortunate to live.  Her smiling face, framed with that paper white hair, will forever be engraved in my memory.  She personified that daily mug of hot cocoa that always awaited me at the breakfast table.

Take a moment out of your busy day and call someone you love just to say hello.  Before you know it, we’ll all be out of time.  You will be missed, Grandma.

The news for US automakers didn’t get any better this past month.  GM reported January 2008 car sales plunged 51% compared to last year, Chrysler down 55%, and even the darling Toyota down 32%.

Yet, there was one car maker who reported an increase in sales for January.  Let me say that again.  There was a car maker who reported an increase in car sales for January.   Hyundai posted an impressive 14% increase over last year’s sales.  How did they do it?  It’s simple.  They listened to the customer and were willing to step up and deliver value to their customers.  

In a bold move, Hyundai announced their Assurance Program for new car buyers.  They are the first automaker in the U.S. to offer a return program that allows you to walk away from your loan or lease without having to worry about negative equity.  It lets you return your vehicle in case of certain life-altering circumstances.  In other words — they are simply saying “we’ve got your back, customer.”

This is an excellent example of a win-win strategy.  Gone are the days where it’s me or them.  Now, welcome the days where success will be measured differently – success will be measured by the ability of companies to develop innovative strategies that will garner market share and loyalty.  I wonder how much impact this program had on their customers’ psyches and the long-term loyalty they earned.

Of course the remaining automakers will play follow the leader — you can count on that.  But,  Hyundai gets the credit for being the one who first stepped up and delivered for the customer. 

For all entrepreneurs, this is an important lesson.  There is growth for companies who find ways to add value, and address the concerns of your customers.  Innovative thinking does get rewarded!

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