THE ENTERPRISE
FOOTBALL AND LEADERSHIP
For those who don't know that I live in Columbus, OH, this was a big weekend. Our Ohio State Buckeyes went down to Texas, led by coach Jim Tressel and QB Troy Smith, and came home a winner, in spite of having to replace 9 of 11 defensive starters. Those who saw the game here last year in which Texas won on a last minute pass play know that OSU outplayed Texas then too, but OSU's dropped pass in the end zone cost them the win--and perhaps a shot at the National Championship. This year, it's all in the Buckeyes' hands. Everyone will be gunning for them, but that is as it should be when you are Number One.
BEING ON TOP--YOU'RE THE TARGET
That is a good segue to the world of business and politics. Being number one, or the record holder, or the leader makes you a target for all the wannabees--and any one who can talk a better game. It doesn't matter if you're Dell or Disney--everyone will be after you, and if you don't keep finding a way to attack and play a better game, you'll start losing. In politics these days, playing that better game is a whole different story. I had to chuckle as I made a Freudian slip typing something about the Democrats theme in an email to a friend--It is supposed to be "Time for a Change--A New Direction"...but I typed it as: Time for a Change--NO Direction.
AN ABSENCE OF IDEAS--BEYOND CRITICISM -- "Hindsight is not a strategy."
Perhaps that is the apt phrase for any opponent (not the least of these is the Howard Dean led left-leaning Democrats) when they criticize everything and yet seem to have no better idea of what to do that they ever did. Just wait until the current leadership stumbles...is their strategy. The scary part is, so far, it's working! I have a retired friend who is deathly afraid of a change in the White House. He contends that the radical elements around the world are afraid of the aggressiveness of President Bush, and if he is replaced by an "Appeaser", in his words, "all hell will break loose, here in the US."
A GREAT BOOK FULL OF IDEAS--Jim & Joe Swartz' "Seeing David in the Stone"
That's another great segue. My friend Jim Swartz and his son Joe (and with other family members contributing) have finally published their book "SEEING DAVID IN THE STONE." I've seen this book grow, shrink, morph and evolve over almost a decade while Jim and his family chipped away carefully at the "stone" (like Michelangelo must have) until the result is a slim, concise and brilliant book of just under 200 pages.
I have read it in several of its forms, and the final one is a brilliant combination of covering a wide range of ideas, yet not "beating any of them to death." When I read the final version, here is what I said to Jim by email for use in his promotional materials:
---"This book distills the wisdom of the ages and presents it as a life-changing potion. It is entertaining, and the messages are unforgettable. ...one of the few books that change the reader's life by its insights--it changed mine and it will change yours. It's a masterpiece, a legacy for generations to come. Seeing David in the Stone is the must read book of its era."
I can't be much more complimentary than that, and I meant it. Go get it (amazon.com has it), and I'll bet you'll be telling your friends and colleagues about it. Just the first twenty pages are worth the price, and there are 160+ more great ones after those.
A GREAT MAGAZINE ARTICLE (in Fast Company, Sept. 2006)--Charles Fishman's "How Many Light Bulbs does it take to Change the World? One: and You're Looking at It."
I've been in touch with Charles for several years, since he called to interview me for his first Wal-Mart article in FC several years ago. I've written in here about his book The Wal-Mart Effect too. Charles Fishman is one of those rare journalists that can seek out a good story and then make it better and more interesting. Wouldn't you like a chance to help yourself and help change the world. I would! And I have. I now have about 15 of these bulbs in use already and will be replacing another 7-10 soon.
How? Go spend $8 and buy three compact fluorescent light bulbs and replace 3 incandescent bulbs in your house or office. It's not even worth waiting for the incandescent bulbs to burn out--the payback is that fast. According to Charles in his article, if every American household bought just ONE and replaced a 60W. incandescent, the energy savings would power a city of 1.5 million people! (yes, you read that right).
All the political harangues about energy independence don't consider that there are many known technologies, like this one, that can dramatically reduce America's energy usage--and hence--its dependence on foreign (OPEC) oil. Throw in a few tighter restrictions on auto and truck mileage to get soccer moms out of their gas-guzzling behemoth SUVs (and you too Rush Limbaugh), add a little realism about drilling offshore and in the ANWR, and voila'--America doesn't have to support Islamic (or Latin dictator) extremist nations with its oil purchases.
So there you go. In one issue, we have moved from football and leadership to politics to a couple of really great reading resources and a way to save money and energy--and save the world. See you next week, after hosting my Tenth Reunion Conference--Changing the Way American Works--The Future of Work. Whew, no wonder I'm tired.
Best, John
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