Comments

Nice, thought. But that would have depended on his schedule for the day. It might be equivalent to saying that I will spend a whole day making a good gesture, while the necessity of my other responsibilities go unattended. I am , however, for good gestures; they most certainly matter.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 21, 2008 10:14 AM

Judith, Tom's right. This is all about walking the talk, or in this case, driving the talk.

We've heard all the yakkety-yak about how this bailout is life or death for the corporation. And you're trying to tell me the CEO can't spare 10 hours to showcase his star product to the very people he's begging for help?!? Puh-lease.

These visionless slot-fillers at the top created this mess, and they need to be cut from the body like a cancer so the dinosaur can finally evolve. Forget the bailout and let nature take its course.

Posted by Mark Miller at November 21, 2008 10:34 AM

Mark,
I totally agree with your comment. These CEO's don't get it. Let the free market reward those who perform and punish those that don't!!
Paul B. Thornton

Posted by Paul B. Thornton at November 21, 2008 10:52 AM

On Tom's again splendid comment I pictured a beggar sitting on a designer chair and in his Armani suit in the street to a ask pedestrians for a dime to pay for his lobster-lunch..... Not beautiful human behaviour, is it?!

By the way, did you hear about the take-over bid made by the solar panel manufacturer Solarworld to buy GM's German OPEL brand? At first glance it sounds a bit like the chinese take-away stand around the corner wanting to buy McDonald's, but far from that. Greener forms of energy will eventually find their way into our everyday vehicles, with our without the big car makers.

Posted by Sven Brunssen at November 21, 2008 10:57 AM

I think everyone from the VP level on up should only take $1.00 as compensation until this whole fiasco is fixed. They are all responsible for this mess. I watched the news as the CEOs were asked if they would work for $1.00. The arrogance of the Ford and GM CEOs was shocking to say the least.

Posted by Bob Bennett at November 21, 2008 10:58 AM

How could it have "depended on his schedule for the day"? Are you suggesting that it's not worth the time, the effort, to make it clear not only to Congress but the people who are going to be paying for this little bailout, $250 from every household in America, that they're serious about what's going on?

Did they think that this was Just Another Jaunt to Washington? That going and asking for billions of free cash is just another day for these three buffoons?

"I'd like to get $25,000,000,000, but gosh darn, I can't spend an extra day or two on it. If it's not gonna happen in a single day, it's just not worth it!"

Just shockingly stupid and clueless.

Posted by Andy Lester at November 21, 2008 11:00 AM

I agree Mark, and just what could have been in Mulally's schedule that day that would have been more important than getting his hands on some of that "lifeline" $25 billion? The fact is that something like that gesture would have shown that he "got it", which so far the Hear No Responsibility, See No Responsibility, Take No Responsibility threesome sitting smugly in front of the hearings have conspicuously not shown in any way. Gestures matter because of the signals - however spurious - they send about deeper intent. I'm surpised that none of the three seem to realise the game they're in.

Posted by Rob at November 21, 2008 11:01 AM

I too would have thought that getting that loan was the most important thing on his schedule.

So many others have to innovate innovate innovate to achieve and sustain success, and their hard-won profits are being taxed to keep the same-old same-old dinosaurs lumbering on?

Pretty hard sell, that.

I feel sorry for all those talented and hardworking people in the industry who are tethered to 20th century thinking. Let the companies go under and set them free!

Posted by Lois Gory at November 21, 2008 11:07 AM

I appreciate your points, Mark. I agree that TP is right about the importance of gestures. I also wondered if that gesture alone, considering perhaps his other obligations of the day, was the most efficient use of his time. For some, gesture means everything. For others, there are other things to consider.

Of course, there is the importance of timing. This is the greater point TP has made. Perhaps the proposed gesture would have been the best, all other things then receding, to the very important issue of that very moment, the gesture itself. I can see this clearly. It's about how you do what you do WHEN you do it.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 21, 2008 11:12 AM

Dumping is not useful, though perhaps personally cathartic. Where there have been irresponsibility and the lack of accountability let's deal with that specifically. But I must ask how many of us have run such companies? This is not to suggest that opinions are not relevant. They can be.

Bob - I appreciate your thoughts, though the lack of humility across the board and in all industries is a lacking quality. A certain amount of heathly ego and self-confidence is necessary. Love is the ultimate quality to cultivate personally and professionally.

Lois - There is no need for pity; there is, however, a need to deal with the very important issue of the lack of jobs for the masses. Yes, let's set them free, but to what? A life of taxless government support and crime? Any suggestions?

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 21, 2008 11:28 AM

If those executives had any real guts, they would have turned the table on Congress. Ask them about their special retirement packages, bribes, and their lack of oversight which got us into this situation to begin with. They could have played a recording of Mr. Frank telling us that there was nothing wrong with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They could have explained why it was imperative to lower the standards for loaning money to individuals as they years ago. Maybe they could also have asked why both sides of the isle kept telling the American public why this was the worst economy is 50 years just to get elected. While the majority of this was election rhetoric, the fact is most Americans don’t know the difference and the fear is now extensive. Maybe Congress can take time out from investigating Baseball players and start paying attention to the country. While I agree the symbolism of a jet is bad, worrying about symbolism is the last thing we need to be worrying about at this time.

Posted by RTodd at November 21, 2008 12:22 PM

"While I agree the symbolism of a jet is bad, worrying about symbolism is the last thing we need to be worrying about at this time."

I agree wholeheartedly.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 21, 2008 1:00 PM

Tom continues to make great points...but only to the choir. I doubt any of the CEOs are reading his blog - if they had, they might not be in this position. "Leadership" and "excellence" are two characteristics sorely lacking from Detroit right now.

Posted by Britt Watwood at November 21, 2008 2:39 PM

Tom,
Why not the very, very best...
Allen Questrom!

Posted by lemarmion at November 21, 2008 3:01 PM

It is the little things that really matter. The folks (CEO's) are in Nah Nah Land.

Long ago, a local insurance salesman told me his definition of quality. He said, "boy, be big about little things".

The three CEO's were just being big shots.

Posted by Doug at November 21, 2008 3:14 PM

I saw a great piece on CNN today where the CEO of JAL (Japanese Airlines) was doing it hard. He dumped all perks and cut his pay below that of his pilots. He takes the bus to work, eats with his employees, etc. The auto execs don't get it. They have no clue. They have an overinflated sense of their importance. And they lack integrity. To quote Whoopi yesterday, "What the hell?" The big three should Chapter 11 and start from scratch (with some real leadership). :-)

Posted by Jim Winter at November 21, 2008 4:24 PM

Tom...

You know sometimes you read something and it sums up the situation perfectly. You wish you had written it. I dearly wish I had written the following quote...

"I feel sorry for all those talented and hardworking people in the industry who are tethered to 20th century thinking. Let the companies go under and set them free!" Posted by Lois Gory at November 21, 2008 11:07 AM

Lois Gory says it all really.... Americans and America desperately need to be set free... Let the C20th go America it is your history not your future...

Barack Obama can set up America for the next generation who are not Republicans nor Democrats, not capitalist nor socialists, not captives of C20th thinking nor slaves to conformity, not afraid to become an engaged citizen of the world nor a local community organiser....

Like millions of others around the globe I am inputing directly to the Obama-Biden Transition Team with policy ideas - mine are primarily on the Obama Administration organisation, Climate Change, and Energy policies. This transition team is fantastic - they are C21st thinkers who are setting up this Administration in a way never seen in Washington before. You can contribute too - just go to their website.

Free at last.... America can be free at last....

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 21, 2008 4:25 PM

Gestures matter. When the leaders have made the 18 inch journey from head to heart. When their passion is about leaving their company and its people better than they found it. When they are building a legacy rather than a net worth. When they have credibility with their people. When they are followed by true urgency about winning and they stop playing not to lose.

Posted by David Porter at November 21, 2008 6:39 PM

Beautiful, David. Thank you.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 21, 2008 8:21 PM

"symbolism is the last thing we need to be worrying about at this time." I couldn't disagree more RT. Symbolism is a huge (HUGE) part of what any CEO contributes to their organisation, for better or for worse. If a CEO thinks that what they do and how they do it isn't sending out signals, or perhaps that they are so big that it doesn't matter what lesser people think, then they are a big part of the problem.

And while I empathise with the first part of your post, a strategy of telling the people you want to get money from that they are incompetent fools looks very much like cutting off nose to spite face. A Pyrrhic victory at best.

Posted by Rob at November 22, 2008 9:25 AM

We need be spared the reference to that great American hero of people everywhere who spoke on the Mall, evoking memories of Washington and Lincoln, with the loud voice of freedom. “Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom-when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children-black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics-will be able to join hand and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty we are free at last.” We need be spared evoking such a one to the detriment of the livelihood of those he fought for, namely the working poor, without plans to bring them into the new economy. We need be spared sexy communication notions as if technology is the end-all when we well know that people and other living beings are. We need be spared espousing 21st Century ideology to the eradication of the wisdom of all other centuries. The more things change the more they stay the same. We need be spared the insipid dry notion of technology as God. Spare us all, please.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 22, 2008 9:45 AM

As a lover and student of art, from antiquity to modernity, the recognition of symbolism is forever present. There is no question that it was present in the scene at the Washington airport. (It doesn’t take a student of art to see this, though it can be incited by the voices of others.) The point I believe RT made is that we should not "worry," in essence be consumed with it presently, as there are immediate issues to confront head on. There is pragmatism to his words that I greatly appreciate.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 22, 2008 10:28 AM

Aha, I'm just one of those people who knows what he likes. If confronting the issues head on means actually addressing root causes rather than just tinkering with symptoms for short-term relief, I suggest you will find symbols provide immensely strong clues as to where the roots lie, and where pragmatic remedies might be best applied.

Posted by Rob at November 22, 2008 10:56 AM

Judith- I know what it's like to scramble for part-time minimum wage jobs to keep food on the table and a roof over our children's heads, while the local big employers were cutting back hours and laying people off. It was an interesting and informative experience.

One child has a chronic illness and had we not been living in a country with universal health care, it would have been terrifying.

I get that.

But I also acknowledge that the difficult times spurred us on to sort the wants from the needs, to focus on securing a home base, to discover and develop our talents to make us more versatile in the always-evolving job market, to turn spare change into a what-if account for the next storm, to judge our progress by how close we were to our own values and not by what the neighbours had- in short, to do what needed to be done to survive and eventually prosper.

If we become poor again, as uncomfortable as that would be, we will carry on.

Facing difficult times can be educational and bracing for corporations too.

Cars are being made and sold in America by Americans employed by successful companies, just not in Detroit. There there's no consequence to bad business decisions as they'll always be bailed out by the taxpayer. That seems to be a guaranteed recipe for chronic failure.

What if the taxpayers gave the money to the workers instead, in unemployment benefits, health care, education funds, small business loans- things that will help them get back on their feet and move ahead so they can avoid the wastefulness of 'A life of taxless government support and crime'?

Not my industry or taxes, of course, but just a suggestion -Lois

PS Thanks for the kind words Richard- I hate suffering. There must be a special place in hell for employers who force mediocrity on their employees!

Posted by Lois Gory at November 22, 2008 11:03 AM

Rob – You have given a brilliant response but it has no direct relevance to my comment. To suggest that I am advocating not looking at “root issues” is quite frankly foolish. It is not a matter of “short-term release” versus long-term solutions.

Detroit has been working on design and cost reduction, though perhaps not fast and well enough for the American public. The point here is that the greater issue of reform is not to be overshadowed with negative images, be they substantive or not at this particular juncture. Saving the industry seems tantamount. I suspect that The Big Three will be given the loan needed, though perhaps given incrementally.

Remove the CEOs, if necessary, but do not get bogged down in symbolic images. Let’s say that everything said about these guys is true; the question still remains: Should Americans with a vote continue to talk about private jets or seek pragmatic solutions to save a great American industry whose tentacles are far reaching and whose presence is needed for national security?

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 22, 2008 12:28 PM

I never cease to be amazed at the hypocrisy of one group of failed leaders...or elected representatives...critisizing the incompetence of another group of failed leaders...the automakers executives. Yet we are supposed to believe that the same folks who are responsible for creating the problems have the knowledge and expertise to fix the problem? Yeah, well.....

Hiding behind procedural loopholes to avoid the "accountability" of going on the record with a vote really demonstrates where the priority of our Congressional "leaders" lie. Could it be to avoid wrath and the retribution of the special interests i.e. organized labor for one (do there leaders fly commercial and coach by the way?) who donated bazillions to your party to get you the majority position?

Best solution on the table? I believe it was Jay Leno who said take the 25 billion directly to the taxpayers so we can go out and buy a new car from a Big Three company? They get the cash infusion through the market and those footing the bill to bail out the car makers get a new vehicle. I'm thinking there are more than a couple of middle class and working single parents who are paying for the incompetence of the leaders in the public, private and government sectors with there jobs and pensions might find that real change...change they could believe in.

I'm with Judith on the need to stop believing that technology is going to be our savior. I would also add to that the election of a new Chief Executive as well is going to change anything for the simple reason we elected a new leader. I do believe that real change will come when those with the most skin in the game...those whose lives are constantly being affected by the incompetence of those who "lead"...begin to make these folks accountable for their mistakes be it through the ballot box,,,or being a visible and vocal advocate for change in our local communities. A former co-worker and I are taking small but tangible steps to do exactly that in our community with our Foundations4 Working Single Parents. Can a single voice or two change a community? We'll soon see...

Posted by Dave Wheeler at November 22, 2008 12:35 PM

I agree that a gesture like that would have been appropriate and welcome by me. However, it would certainly have been lost on the congressional leaders who also don't "get it". The executives, like the congressional leaders all seem to think they are better than the American people, are not to blame and have all the answers.

Quite frankly, I am not sure who sickens me more the congressional "leaders" or the people who continue to elect them.

Posted by tom at November 22, 2008 12:55 PM

Lois – I honor your path and appreciate your words. Thank you. No one can argue with the necessity of sacrifice for individuals and corporations. I do think, however, that your solution of giving money to workers through the various forms you have suggested is no substitute for work, neither may such lead to work in and of themselves.

Many are not interested in starting businesses. Many are not interested in higher education. Many are not necessarily interested in advancement. Shall jobs not be provided for these as well? I believe in the intrinsic value of work, all work. Work matters. Manufacturing matters. (We have become a paper society with nonsensical derivates upon derivates. Look where this has gotten us.) Jobs matter. Now!

We can bring the necessary change and provide jobs simultaneously. It’s not a matter of either/or. We can do both. If Americans can allocate billions upon billions for two simultaneous wars, surely the people whose lives and way of life they are meant to protect can include measures to sustain a proper quality of life. Yes, the poor we will have with us always; the question is how do we prevent less poverty?

Education and training are indeed necessary. But not all will be educated and not all will take advance training. Many people are not incredibly ambitious. Most just want to provide for their families and make a living wage. But I am all for leadership that initiates and prepares its workforce for change. I am for both individual and collective responsibility.

Regarding Americans who are employed by foreign car industries whose plants are outside of Detroit, there are no issues here. Americans are working. Taxes are remitted. This is good. Though, there have been some concerns about the tax breaks given to foreign industries that give them more of a competitive edge over domestic ones.

Regarding that reserved place in hell, I’m certain there is a multiplicity of such.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 22, 2008 2:59 PM

Jim Winter wrote;

“the CEO of JAL (Japanese Airlines) was doing it hard. He dumped all perks and cut his pay below that of his pilots. He takes the bus to work, eats with his employees, etc. The auto execs don't get it. They have no clue. They have an overinflated sense of their importance. And they lack integrity.”

Thank you Jim for that story - it restores my faith that at least one CEO somewhere in the world acknowledges he/she should take responsibility; have some humility and integrity; and suffer the same nightmare that innocent front line victims suffer when things goes south in a big way. Life as a senior manager is a two way street and not just about when things in the garden are rosy receiving positive strokes and large bonuses to stroke the already inflated ego.

The example Jim quotes is a magnificent symbolic gesture and can anyone on this Blog imagine any high profile CEO in the US doing that sort of thing ‘cos sure as hell I can’t imagine ANY high profile CEO in the UK doing it.

The magnificent gesture by the Japanese Airline CEO should be the example we all follow not the exception that makes news on CNN.

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 22, 2008 4:42 PM

Awww, isn't that nice. May God bless him and us too. He grants mercy on both the just and the unjust.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 22, 2008 4:58 PM

Tom...

I have always loved the title of this weblog - "dispatches from the new world of work"... I have always thought the title suggested good things were coming and that the bad things that inevitably do come our way will be put right.

I know that things are grim in some corners of the workplace right now but I also know that this is a temporary glitch that will get sorted out over the next few years... For those of us who have been around awhile on this mortal coil we know that these bad periods come around from time to time.

But even today, in the main people are not doing it tough... Those people who are doing it tough do not complain.... Why? They are too busy getting on with doing whatever it is they have to do to survive until their next meal...

But people do love to complain. If you want to be "the talk" of the next dinner party you attend then certainly your plan will not be to tell everyone there a good news story about the new world of work. No a much better ploy is to tell them all about poor leadership, greed, bad service, appalling conditions for front liners, etc... In other words talk extensively about the old world of work and its workers who are struggling to transition to the new world of work....

The American auto industry is an old world of work that is struggling to make the transition into the new world of work. So it provides much dinner and blogsphere material for a good chat.

Will this industry make it through the transition phase? Frankly I do not know the answer to that question. But going to Washington with a begging bowl seeking $US 25 Billion does not seem a good transition plan whether you arrive in corporate jet or on the back of donkey...

I prefer to go to a dinner party and talk about the wonderful new world of work. I love what I see emerging within the wonderful new world of work.

For example, I was at such a workspace the other day. The business is run by 4 young women. They are all just 28 years old. They started the business in 2000 with one retail outlet now they have 40 which are all franchised plus they have a thriving online business. So they have combined brick and clicks successfully. Even in these tight times they grew their business by 14% last quarter. Upon hearing the good news of their growth they all downed tools - except for a minimal staff to keep things going - and went to a winery to celebrate.

These bosses celebrate (with their co-workers) their successes but equally they terminate their losses. Recently they had to close one outlet that was not paying its way. They run a low carbon - not yet carbon neutral but getting there - business. They insist on work-life balance - most employees work from 9 to 3 so they can also attend to family duties or surf or play sport or read a book. They have Generation Y values and they are creating the new world of work every single day of their five day working week BUT only from 9 to 3....

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 22, 2008 10:00 PM

Awww, now that's both nice and new. Us and you? Old and new? Me and who? Generation Y values? Now, that's way cool!

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 22, 2008 10:17 PM

I'm thinking that there has been very little real original thought in the area of leadership, management, and business practices since the days of Deming, Juran, Drucker, and others of that era. The companies profiled in "In Search of Excellence", "Good to Great", and those who have won the awards like the Malcom Baldrige National Quality Ward since it's inception and those who appear on lists like Fortune's 100 Most Admired Companies to Work for have followed essentially the same formula. They had involved and engaged leadership, they developed and executed business plans linked to their "mission", they used data to drive decision making and systematic process in place to review and adjust performance as needed. They involve customers, employees and suppliers in product design and development. There biggest "secret" is that they focused on "PEOPLE"...provided them the time, tools, training, and other resources to be continuously increase their capacity to excel and have developed work environment or cultures that promote trust, teamwork, and continuous performance improvement. Do companies that have success later fail...look at Ford's record of performance mid 80's-90's and where they are today? What causes the change. A change in leadership! A newcomer who doesn't respect, appreciate. or even recognize the value of culture in achieving excellence.

I am slam in the center of the front line daily and I can say with certainty the biggest barrier to improving the world of work is leadership. Gen Y...I train, interact and lead them daily and just like the Boomer's, and Gen X'ers before them you have the great, good, and those that can use some additional development. They can tweet, text, and social network with the best of them but when it comes time to locate, extract, interpret , and apply information in non social networking electronic data base...they have the same challenges as everyone else. I'm thinking it's the quality of a person's character, their upbringing, their values, what they have learned in life that pretty much determines how far they will progress. Good Home Training and Old School attitudes and work ethic are alive and well in the many Gen Y'ers...I can say this with certainty.

The world of work is not about "old" versus "new". It's about those whose leaders "get it"...and those whose leaders don't!

Posted by Dave Wheeler at November 23, 2008 12:37 AM

Bravo, Dave. Well said. Thank you.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 1:03 AM

Well hello Judith. If you read my post you will see that I did not suggest that you were advocating not looking at root issues, simply that in analysing where the real problem lies, symbols remain significant indicators. You appear to think they are less important in the scheme of things than I do, that's all. I believe that "saving" an industry in this case (in any case, actually) will need more than some short-term palliatives, however pragmatic.

Posted by Rob at November 23, 2008 1:48 AM

Dave - brilliant. That's the best comment I've seen on this Blog. Leadership and believing in people - that's really all this stuff is about and 'twas ever thus. Summed up perfectly with brevity and simplicity my friend - well done.

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 23, 2008 2:35 AM

There are plenty of new "thought leaders" out there... One good example is Lawrence Lessig....

Lessig is a Stanford Professor in Law and a good friend of Barack Obama since they were on faculty together in Chicago...

People like Lessig are moving on way beyond the old ideas of excellence, quality, analogue coded systems, and people-based organisations. They are not on about "people" they are on about "you" and "me"'... and much more importantly for me they are on about the future world my kids and their kids will likely inhabit....

They are on about networks and sharing. Sharing ideas through YouTube or through many other new digital formats without breaching the old world's copyright laws. They accept that the C21st world is networked and our new digital technologies enable sharing on an unprecedented scale.

They also acknowledge that our C20th mindset of "commercialisation" is making criminals of our kids who use these new technologies to share. They share copyrighted materials in new ways but the old laws of "commercialisation" can not keep up. So many of these creative people are branded criminals in fact or in law.

We have to find ways to break free of this nonsense. We have find ways to be able to produce and to share in new ways. The old ways of Drucker and his contemporaries no longer suffice in a digital networked world of 6 Billion people who are all becoming interconnected through the internet and mobile phones. .

One C21st challenge is to come up with practical new copyright laws so that we can protect the idea generator or creative artist yet enable that idea to be shared freely around global networks. These are entirely new topics for a new era of business.

This new era of business is here and growing in influence on our individual and collective lives. In this emerging world of business there is a lot that is free - Linux, Firefox, Skype, Google, etc.

Those of you out there who are interested in stretching your mind and thus in doing some really hard thinking about the emergence of what Lessig calls a "hybrid economy" might enjoy his book.....

Lawrence Lessig..."Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy..."

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 23, 2008 2:41 AM

Hi Rob - Thank you for your reply. In many respects I agree with your comment. It is not that I do not value symbolism. I do. (I tried to say this by pointing out my love of art which requires symbolism.) But perhaps where we disagree is that while fully seeing symbolism and its implications, even its clear manifestation, at some crucial points, recognition is important but what is needed most right now, at the very second, is not to dwell on symbolism, including inciting a lot of public hysteria, but to deal with the problem. (To me this is saving the industry.) What is needed is clear rational thought to be followed by actions of the same. No fire sales. But maybe this is the only way Congress will listen and respond, in time of crisis. This I believe to be another problem. Zed made some very good points on another post. One includes the responsibility of government. He wrote:

“If the automobile companies were forced (by government regulation) to make energy efficient products back in the early 1980's and then given financial help to achieve the goals, they would be better off today. But of course this goes against free market dogma of people like Ronald Reagan. Regulation would have strengthened the auto industry. Also, if health care could have been moved from a responsibility of employers to a responsibility of the government, the auto companies would be better off. The problems the auto companies are having is not only due to bad management within the industry. Government also shares responsibility.”

Whatever the problem, whatever the ultimate solution, I do no see letting an industry that produces product go under because of mismanagement. The executives, especially Nardelli and Wagoner, were also poor spokespersons and perhaps because of it seemed even weaker. I definitely saw arrogance. But I also saw weakness. Dismissal? Perhaps. Poor management? Undoubtedly. But there are other issues as well. This morning I heard that there were many thousands of foreign cars in holding lots and dealership lots across America as well as American cars. While the executives at The Big may have mismanaged these companies and not listened to the voices of their customers, it is also quite plausible that this incredible economic time has also played a roll in the purchase of credit and the sale of cars.

This is the way of the world: Only the strong survives. But there is also another way.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 9:05 AM

Judith- Did you mean to write "I do not see letting an industry that produces product go under because of mismanagement."?

If so, when do you see letting an industry that produces product go under?

As for mismanagement and perhaps greedy executives, what about the American Auto-worker and his/her union the UAW? They are at least as greedy as the executives in that industry.

Bankruptcy is the only option that can save the American auto industry.

Posted by tom at November 23, 2008 9:38 AM

Sexy talk is so sexy! But talk is talk is talk is talk! The sexier for some the better. Just because we are talking does not mean change will happen. We have seen talk shows. We have seen reality shows. Now, that’s some really sexy stuff. President-elect Obama is not about sexy Silicon Valley to the exclusion of all streets from the hills of Tennessee to the ‘hoods of Detroit with no thought of how to bring the masses along. Why even talk to Professor Lessig if not to talk about people? Hell, he’s talking to a person! President-elect Obama will not be pigeon-holed. He will look at the whole and not be swayed by a part. He has proven this repeatedly.

Speaking of commercialization and criminalization, the Internet makes it far easier to be a kind of corporate criminal. The corporate body is indeed international at the finger tips of many. Now, people of all ages and nationalities can participate more readily in looting; the lairs are large. Regulations will also visit the Internet too. By the way, did anyone hear of the young teenager that killed himself on the Internet while others weighed in for some time without getting help? How sexy is that? I’m NOT against technology in ANY WAY, SHAPE, or FORM. I am against making a God of it to the exclusion of the houses and community where we live.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 9:53 AM

Yes, Tom. Thanks. The reality for me is that whatever it takes, I'd say let's do it. But let's do it after much consideration. Regarding greed, it has no specific kind or boundary. It is the nature of the beast that must be dealt with. It will take individual and collective responsibility to do so. We cannot, as a people, go on believing and acting as if this kind of behavior is acceptable. It's not. I will let change begin with me and look at things introspectively.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 10:05 AM

I saw a report on CNN having to do with subway cars. In the 1990's, banks and muncipalities discovered a tax loophole. A bank could buy a subway car, lease it back to a city and get a tax break for it that was so large that the bank would split what it saved in taxes with the city. The loop was closed up in 2003 and that is one of the reasons some cities are hurting finantially today. This is another form of phoney wealth that has disappeared. There has been a bias for a long time against making actual products. The over emphasis on great service but no product - think Starbucks - is praised. Starbucks has repackaged coffee - it sells service and that is all. In the 1970's, there was a product called 'the pet rock' which was a rock - just a plain old rock - in a carboard box that sold for about 2 bucks. People bought it for the irony. Today we are witnessing the air leaking out of a gigantic pet rock economy.

Posted by zed at November 23, 2008 11:50 AM

Hmmm?

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 12:04 PM

"Permission culture is a term often employed by Lawrence Lessig and other copyright activists to describe a society in which copyright restrictions are pervasive and enforced to the extent that any and all uses of copyrighted works need to be explicitly leased. This has both economic and social implications: in such a society, copyright holders could require payment for each use of a work and, perhaps more importantly, permission to make any sort of derivative work."...Wikipedia

One of the challenges I have with some "thought leaders" ae the contradictions in their words nd actions, They say they are about being creative but the reality of what is being advocated is abolishing copyright laws. Enabling others to be creative through stealing, plagiarizing, or ...sorry..."sharing" the intellectual and creative work of those who are truly creative. The easy way trumps the right way...a trait found in "some" of this this generation and there are many lining up to prey on it fr profit.

Technology is a tool that enables wider and faster communication. A leader who is a moron who uses these tools to communicate his moronic message now has the capacity to prove he is a moron much faster to a wider audience. Who says technology s not a marvelous thing

Posted by Dave Wheeler at November 23, 2008 1:22 PM

Wow, Dave! Great! Thank you. I sought to make a similar point here when we were talking about blogs and whether TP would ever write another book. The point was that he does not ever have to write another book, as his views are out in the national and international public square. (Making his slides available here for all to view is great; this is much appreciated as well as enabling such discussion here.) But what about those others who have not written books as of yet? Dave, not only does your point address well the issue of intellectual property, but also an economic one.

In times past I have, for example, had three meeting with major Fortune 500 companies as a consultant starting out. There I met with senior vice presidents in a couple of industries, as a lone consultant, bursting with ideas and research I couldn't wait to share. And Share I did. Why would such ones meet with me repeatedly if they had not the intention of working with me? Silly girl! I did not get the contracts. I did, however, come to know that my ideas were implemented. Having said this let me also say that I believe that we are indeed helpers one to another. Dishonor comes when greed and disrespect enter in the place of honorable means of capital is denied for "services" rendered.

My brother comforted me with these words: "There's more in the man than in the plan." I have never forgotten this. So, I keep pressing onward and sharing liberally with head held high. Sharing is what I do best. Goodness forever follows.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 2:24 PM

Dave - I love the moron line – absolutely hilarious and so true! I rest easily on this whole issue. Anyone stealing others work or ideas and then implementing them has to account to themselves in the mirror and there is no greater accountability. The originator always has the self satisfaction of knowing who really did the work. Judith’s story of others stealing her ideas is, and always has been, sadly very common and has nothing to do with technology. Those who are so devious to not only steal, but then claim credit, are sad individuals. I prefer the style of giving information freely and willingly. I ranted on this Blog at least 3 years ago to some who criticised Tom Peters. I said then and still believe we are blessed that he gives us, free of charge, his very expensive hourly rate consulting advice through his written words, slides etc. Laws are always made for the minority who break them. I'm with Judith - sharing is not only the best way - its the only way.

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 23, 2008 3:16 PM

David Wheeler you simply got it wrong about Lawrence Lessig! So if anyone is interested in what Lessig actually has to say please read his book.

I know this site is merely a point of free publicity for Tom Peters but I have somehow always hoped that it could be more than that. It seems it can not be anything but a huge "group think" page. Disappointing as that is I cede to it because it obviously fills a need and plays a role in many people's lives and that is a good thing.

Good luck to you all....

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 23, 2008 3:52 PM

Hi Richard – hope you are well. Respectfully I disagree with you. For me this Blog offers considerably more than ‘free publicity for Tom Peters’ and definitely does not provide ‘group think.’ Many different views are expressed - I feel I am often in a minority. It seems to me there is disagreement often and usually respecting others views. I definitely don’t see that as ‘group think’ and even if there were ‘group think’ that is sometimes better than entrenchment and intransigence which are presumably two alternatives. I think individuality shines through like a beacon in all regular commenters to this Blog including you Richard. I read into your comment (perhaps wrongly and please correct me if I have misunderstood) that you do not wish to see yourself as part of ‘group think.’ I definitely see myself that way on some issues and definitely not on others. Surely this site has one helluva lot to offer because you regularly contribute and I therefore assume the site must be providing you with something. I will admit I learn a hell of a lot from you, just like I learn from all the other contributors – regular and infrequent, new and old …. Whether I agree with them or not I learn. I’m really sorry you think this site is ‘disappointing’ in any way because to me it is a forum that enables and encourage free discussion and difference.

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 23, 2008 4:26 PM

Hi Trevor... Trust you are well too my friend. With no disrespect to you, I do find "group think" here.

In many instances "group think" is exactly what you need - Tribal Culture demands it. It is often what you need to build a new platform within an organisation that has to change if it is to survive. But it can also provide a block to diversity, new ideas, and intellectual freedom.

The type of "group think" I find here is the worse kind - the me too kind. There are enough examples on this page for me to leave it at that...

What I find most disappointing about this site and these comments is they are not about the new world of work - they are about the old world of work. There are no new world of work ideas floated here - there are Tom Peters old ideas (he is like an old rock singer who keeps singing the same old songs because that is what the audience here and at his conferences want but give me a break he is no longer vital and new in his showmanship nor the ideas he keeps repeating). Perhaps this is a good business model for Tompeters! but the title here pertains to the new world of work.

There is a new world of work all around us and it is better than I have ever seen before. The leadership is better, the ideas are better, the customer service is better, the diversity within the workspace is better, the education levels are better, the thinking ability of young people is better, etc. The world is getting better and better and the new world of work is making it an even better place 24/7.

People are still the "complex" issue but the new networking and sharing organisational forms of enterprise and public service are bringing us a new dawn.

It is a new dawn down here in Australia as we join in the new era of expansion led by China and India and spreading into Africa... These are marvelous times. There are lots of "thought leaders" who are at the cutting edge... So why do we have to listen to the same old same old on these pages....

Oh yeah, why does anyone write anything? I do it to try to clarify my own thinking about issues. I often take the alternative position to the one I hold and try to mount a sound case for it and then I examine the result to see if I can change my own mind about what I think I know and what I think I believe in...

I find I know very little about anything anymore - as I age I certainly know less and less about more and more... So I need to write more to find out what I can hold onto...

Like the late and truly great Peter Drucker I am not interested in yesterday's news, ideas, or regimes. Life it to short to have Ground Hog Days.

I am constantly trying to learn new things and to re-invent myself so that I might be in some small way relevant to the new world of work...

Stay well my friend....

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 23, 2008 6:39 PM

Hi Richard – now that’s what I like – a good hearty discussion!

By the way there's nothing wrong with old rock singers – look at The Eagles …Number One in the Album Charts both sides of the Atlantic earlier this year with “Long Road Out of Eden” and in the process knocking Britney Spears off top spot … 60 years olds and still rocking and teaching the youngsters a thing or two along the way. Not too much re-invention – some old stuff some new and very similar classic original Eagles sound despite the new words. In the interests of the sanity of others I won't go any further with my Eagles rant.

Youngsters are brilliant – always have been – I went to school with them - but they don’t have the monopoly on enthusiasm and newness.

The 'me too' concept may also be because people like to acknowledge and support others to emphasise a point – nothing wrong with confirmation either in my view.

I absolutely adore the new technology – I reckon about 95% of my networking is done using new technology and new world of work methods. That is my bread and butter existence every day. I love it. And yet … the most value-added conversations I have are ALWAYS face to face person-to-person because technology has no soul. It does what we tell it to do – it follows orders. There is nothing like the rich interaction with another human being. Whatever the new world of work looks like in 50 years time or 100 years time the emotional connection will still be king or queen in my view

At my age too I find I know much less than I did when I was a teenager but the joy is in the finding out and the technology is fabulous for that – Google is my best friend.

I was listening to a discussion on the radio on the BBC the other day and people were bemoaning the youth of today … it made me find the quote I always use in training sessions. This quote tells me much about the perception of ‘progress.’

“Our youth love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority, and disrespect for their people. Children nowadays are tyrants. They no longer rise when their elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble their food and tyrannize their teachers." - Socrates 400 BC

My point Richard is one that I know you and I disagree on- that is one - its pretty simple and two - people will ALWAYS be what it’s about and ‘twas ever thus whatever we like to call work.

We can talk about the new world of work until the cows come home but as that well known management guru Socrates proves 2408 years ago nothing really changes much ….

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 23, 2008 7:15 PM

Richard claims to cede; I cease to understand this seemingly internal/external dichotomy, this elevated/degrading mixture. He dislikes what happens here, yet he returns. He clearly has the answers, yet others will not follow suit. So, he cries "group think," giving us not much to consider. I remember Tom Peters writing here something that thanked Richard for writing something that reminded him of the reason for his blog. It was high praise. I did not agree. Perhaps I should have written so then.

Why does Richard even comment? He couldn’t conceivably be in competition with Tom Peters or anyone who contributes here? Perhaps he needs to get over himself. I have not read anything new from Richard Lipscombe himself. His hope of making this site anything is ludicrous; besides, had he had such an ability it probably would have surfaced by now. Clearly, he is incapable of doing such. Thus, he continues to desire to hope for it by reminding us what this site isn’t and what we who comment aren’t.

Those who contribute here are most certainly not individual thinkers, as we do not tell Tom Peters all that he isn’t or consistently point out the error of his thinking. But his ideas are those that include the thoughts of so many others sans dogma. (His slides are evident of this.) Only Richard has the fortitude, intellectual rigor, and independence to do such. But he does so kicking and screaming, "group think!"

Richard does not cede to anything save his desire to change anything or anyone. But why the effort? He obvious returns because he believes he has something to share, like the rest of us who comment on this blog, plan and simple. It is often that we desire that which we ourselves have not the ability to affect. In essence, sometimes we desire the new but is forever unchanged by that which binds us, our inability to actually be new.

Be the change you wish to see, not harp on what you think others should be.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 7:21 PM

Hi Trevor... If nothing really changes much... or as a French man once put 'the more things change the more things stay the same'... then call up your new found mate Socrates and ask him two simple questions.... 1) Who was Jesus and what was he reported mission on Earth? 2) What is the Internet and what is its likely impact on the future of the world? The world does change... It has changed remarkably since Socrates... Leaving age aside and just focusing on customer service... I'll bet you $A5 to one English Pound that customer service is better now than it was in 400 BC. Finally, I have saved my trump card till last... In Socrates' world there was no Manchester United! I love face to face contact too.... I would love to see Sir Alex explaining the finer points of football to Socrates - that would be a real hoot!

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 23, 2008 7:30 PM

Socrates of course captained Brazil in the World Cup Finals in 1982 so Sir Alex already knows him. The proof about Socrates the soccer player is at this link

http://www.planetworldcup.com/LEGENDS/socrates.html

Here’s an extract ….

“Socrates captained Brazil’s fantastic World Cup team of 1982 partnering Cerezo, Falcao and Zico in midfield. He scored twice in that tournament, one of them being a marvellous goal against the Soviet Union when he dribbled past two players before firing it home from long range.”

Sir Alex taught him all he knew Richard :- )

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 23, 2008 7:40 PM

"Oh yeah, why does anyone write anything? I do it to try to clarify my own thinking about issues. I often take the alternative position to the one I hold and try to mount a sound case for it and then I examine the result to see if I can change my own mind about what I think I know and what I think I believe in..."

This is hysterical! Perhaps Richard needs to see someone?

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 8:29 PM

When I was a kid, I learned in a geography lesson that the highest mountain in the world was not on United States soil. At first, I did not believe it (I thought we were number 1 at everything) but truth prevailed. But I thought that's what it meant to be proud of your country. I was proud because I thought the US was better than most countries at everything. That is why I do not undertand how we treat the US automobile industry. We should be making the best cars. We should be making cars that the world wants and that solve transpotation problems. We should not just shrug our shoulders and say 'free market'. As JFK said 'we do not want to go to the moon because it is easy, we want to go because it is hard'. It is easy to dismiss the US auto industry with 'free market' arguments. From my point of view, this is UnAmerican. We are in a new age. With the election of Obama, we said to the world that excellence is what we (as a nation) stand for. Excellence everywhere, not just in our coffee shops or personal music devices or in hotel service. As Americans, we should want to transform our (emphasis on the word 'our') automobile industry into one that is green and makes products the world envys. Whatever it takes. The whole thing about gestures sounds great, but who in NYC abandoned that Yankees based on the fact that George Stienbrenner was acting like a jerk? TP says small is be beautiful. It may be, but small won't solve big problems.

Posted by zed at November 23, 2008 8:34 PM

Hear, Hear, zed! I included a video of President-elect Obama's bold initiative for a green industry that does not include the abandonment of the car industry but improving it as well as other industries such as energy and infrastructure that will create green jobs. I sincerely hope that we will save "our" industry and work like to "retool and restructure." David Axelrod, senior consultant to President-elect Obama, today advised the auto industry to reform, but it did seem that the new administration was giving up on "our" car industry. Thanks, zed. You have fired me up again!

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 8:52 PM

This Obama guy really is something. I found his latest youtube video and was impressed (once again). A few weeks ago, I also watched him and Michelle on 60 minutes and was transfixed. Obama 'out Kennedys' the Kennedys.

Posted by zed at November 23, 2008 9:14 PM

Yes, I too saw the latest youtube video (including it on another post here) and the 60 minutes interview. Both were quite impressive indeed. What is wonderful to see is the sense of genuine love, concern, and intellgence that each possesses. Their love and support of each other is unlike any national figures I have ever seen. This is probably indicative of how they will lead.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 9:22 PM

I was in a daze for a day or two after the election. I slowly realized why. Obama's election made me much less cynical. The daze I was in was due to cynacism melting away.
My mom (who's 76) has a refrigerator magnet with a picture of Michelle and Barack doing the 'fist bump'. She has never had a picture of a President or a Presdent Elect on display anywhere in her house since since I've known her.
This is different.

Posted by zed at November 23, 2008 9:50 PM

Richard, please know I meant no disrespect in my comments. I recall reading about Mr. Lessing after reading the "Wikinomics, How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything". The organization credited with the Free Culture movement is Creative Commons...founded by Lawrence Lessig. Another Wiki entry..."The movement objects to overly restrictive copyright laws, or completely rejects the concepts of copyright and intellectual property, which many members of the movement also argue hinder creativity. They call this system "permission culture".1" The same Wiki entry has Mr. Lessing being labeled as an "intellectual property communist". If I got it wrong about Mr Lessig, my incorrect information came from the very source of information used to show the power of the web and collaboration.

Trevor..."Youngsters are brilliant – always have been – I went to school with them - but they don’t have the monopoly on enthusiasm and newness." Amen my friend! Priceless!!!

Posted by Dave Wheeler at November 23, 2008 9:52 PM

Kids do and will have a monopoly on enthusiam and newness -
- unless you happen to be immortal.

Posted by zed at November 23, 2008 10:07 PM

I like your mom, zed. If my mom were still with us, Barack and Michelle would be her 13th and 14th children. Seniors rock too! Many are indeed immortal, if only in spirit alone. My mom passed a few years ago at 74 and she loved a good fast ride in the convertible fire-engine red Dodge Viper! I still feel the breath of her wind at my back. Yes, she's immortal.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 10:54 PM

Sorry but I must disagree. When one has an open mind, an honest desire for learning new and different things and a positive attitude...every day holds opportunities to be enthused about. That's the challenge of letting the labels form opinions. Kids and old folks are just enthused about different new things! Our enthusiasm may manifest itself in different ways...I may not clap and drool over the object I'm interested in. I might show it with one of those Chevy Chase National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation" rants that end in "where's the tylenol?"...But the market on enthusiasm is not cornered by any group of any age. viagra purchase online usa

Posted by Dave Wheeler at November 23, 2008 11:08 PM

Dave - I guess when one's business partner is a quick intelligent Gen Y'er her sheer presence alone might push one into a senior mode. But no worries! You're awright! :-) Your partner speaks of how much she has learned from you as you speak the same of her. Best! As for me, I'm a proud Gen X'er but I'm down with Boomers and Gen Y'ers too. As a teenager I was always hanging out with seniors, trying to understand what they knew. They, in fact, kept me both young and thoughtful, encouraging and showing me through their very lives that all things were possible if I believed.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 23, 2008 11:40 PM

David .... No disrespect noted by me but thanks for that... I am merely urging people out there who are interested in the new world of work to consider what Lessig is saying about the forming Hybrid Economy. The new digital networked workspace is often a complex mix of sharing ones creativity on the web while also trying to commercialise some parts of it or at least some parallel process that relates back to it.

Clearly digital social networks are becoming an integral part of the new world of work in many different ways - the most interesting to me is where they directly impinge on the commercial-in-confidence part of a business. There is a lot of confusion at this juncture - it is far from clear who has what copyright protection and what one would have to do to pursue compensation if that right is being breached.

Lessig is also interesting because he shares Obama's concern about the impact of money on Capital Hill. Not only the lobbyists but also the funding of members of the House and the Senate - who funds their election campaigns and what do they buy in terms of access and influence with those contributions? Your system is very different to ours but when I worked in politics down here we had to make sure the money trail of donations to the party was transparent - it is not always the case though.

Anyhow, I just think Lessig is a smart guy who is trying to untangle some complex issues that may well soon loom large as ongoing concerns in the new world of work....

Take care David....

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 24, 2008 12:42 AM

Hi Trevor... Oh that Socrates... Yeah a brilliant football player... So he is related to the dude you were quoting who lived back around 400 BC - I wonder what sort of football player he would have made? If he was anything like near as good as the 1982 Socrates who Captained Brazil then I would want to sign him up for Liverpool - not that we need any help this year especially with your key man going down overnight. Cheers Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 24, 2008 12:48 AM

Richard,,,thank you for your acknowledgement and reassurance. It is appreciated. I also will read his book. I would have some common ground with Mr. Lessig because I share his concern about money and not only the access, but control it provides the over the decisions they make. Again thanks...

Judith...my partner is indeed knowledgeable, strong, determined, and infinitely all things terrific. Our communications challenges are not a Mars/Venus thing, we are three solar systems and two black holes apart! Our differences are many...I'm twice as old, we're of different genders and ethnicities...the list could go on. But when you work with someone you respect and admire and you have trust, shared goals, are open to different points of view...you can get stuff done. In a way we are proof that the whole judge folks by the content of their charecter thing works. Over the past year I have been inspired by a few folks, you being one of them. And Trevor as well. You have both oferred encouragement, expertise, advise and much more that has moved me to get up and do something! On a scale of "aw-ite" Judith, you and my partner lead the way.

Posted by Dave Wheeler at November 24, 2008 1:26 AM

Richard, I believe you will find that Drucker (of whom I am also a great admirer) was very interested in yesterday's news, ideas and regimes - just wholly unfettered by them in shaping his forward vision.

In defence of "old ideas" Tom P (well come on, somebody should!) I think even TP himself (see the FT piece) would say he was fortunate enough to catch a big wave. So yes, perhaps he's still riding it; I'm just surprised he not putting his feet up and taking things easy. However, in the Zeit since In Search Of, Tom has framed a good number of Geists, in my opinion, and certainly not everyone has caught up with him yet. Where he differs positively from most thought leaders (always an interesting definition - who decides?) is his packaging of ideas into practical form - they become actionable. And his absolute strength in my view is his capacity to wake up/shake up an audience by sheer bloody-minded energy. I value that shot of caffeine, even by proxy. I'm not convinced that blogging gets the best from him actually, because it represents a gentle meandering trickle of (relatively unsynthesised and small) ideas rather than a sudden total drenching that makes you stop in your tracks and blink. His books fulfilled that big, drenching, world-afresh purpose, and my hope is that we haven't seen the end of them yet.

However, it would be good to get your thoughts on who else beside Lessig is reframing ideas for the world of tomorrow.

Posted by Rob at November 24, 2008 2:45 AM

Dave - I see you have been well schooled even better than I on the proper spelling of Hip Hop lingo--definitely a Gen Y thing. Aw-ite! Thanks for your kind words. It's been a pleasure to assist your efforts; they are indeed honorable.

Rob - Thank you for your words and wisdom.

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It's 3 AM and I've gotta get at least a few hours of sleep. I see the the UK bunch are already up and at 'em.

Good Morning!

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 24, 2008 3:12 AM

Richard – Liverpool, as usual, flatter to deceive - enjoying their normal early season form - in December/January they fade away as normal. Sir Alex always says they don’t hand out the trophies in November – they hand them out in May – lets compare the trophy count in May my friend :- )

‘Kids do and will have a monopoly on enthusiasm and newness - unless you happen to be immortal.’ This I took to mean all of us are forever young – I like that – thanks Zed.

Dave – thanks for your supportive comments. It has been my absolute pleasure to help out you and Regina – though you don’t need much help actually with your natural passion for what needs to be done to raise the profile of single working parents. I will continue to provide what ever support I can. Best to both of you.

Judith – greetings from the UK - only 3 am? – You are having an early night! – sleep is over rated according to one of my best friends :- )

Does old mean 'past it'? - Absolutely definitely NOT. Three guru’s in my life – former Labour Party Politician Tony Benn 83, my life and academic supervisor Professor George Giarchi 78 and management guru Professor Charles Handy 76. These guys talk very refreshingly about embracing the world of work as we see it today not turning back the clock to allegedly ‘good old days.’ Pragmatists rule in my world. My final word on this is that I have always learned just as much from people older than me as I do from people younger than me. Its nowt (forgive English slang) to do with age – it’s ALL to do with mindset of both parties. The technology is there for us all so we don't need to bring age into the discussion at all – there simply is no monopoly on enthusiasm and newness, irrespective of age.

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 24, 2008 4:26 AM

Rob...

Good question - here are some names off the top of my head (literally)....

Don Tapscott, Marissa Mayer, Eric Schmidt, Carly Fiorina, Rupert Murdoch, Thomas Friedman, Richard Florida, Michael Crighton (recently departed), Seth Godin, Marc Andreessen and Gina Bianchini, Patrick Renoise and Christophe Morin, Jake Nickell and Jacob DeHart, David Kelley, etc, etc.....

Google these and they just may inspire you to go searching for your own set of "thought leaders".

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 24, 2008 3:13 PM

Rob... I have a big PS to my post above...

Although there are many more names I could add to that list I did forget one very important one.

Pastor Rick Warren - he has directly influenced millions of people around the globe... I do not believe in his personal GOD but I believe totally in his purpose-driven groups that actually run his Church. I went to see his Church for myself and it is truly awesome. Pastor Rick is a champion of the front liners and he has them charged up and working to build a better society.

Most of the people on my list are actually people who are building the future not merely giving speech or writing about their ideals - although giving speeches and writing books, etc is a perfectly good occupation for a "thought leader"...

Oh yeah... who says these are thought leaders - their customers I guess.... The people who pay the money to keep them doing whatever they do to pay their bills....

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 24, 2008 7:50 PM

Pastors like Pastor Rick Warren and others who run major ministries with thousands in attendance weekly, throughout the U.S and indeed the world, have come out of the charismatic movement that my great-grandfather founded. I understand the movement of excellence and service within such a church well. My great-grandfather pastored one in the early 1900s that empowered people of all races and nationalities in the U.S. and throughout the world. He was a respected preacher, author, artist, composer, and businessman.

The books that I have read by my great-grandfather and others, including Pastor Rick, would never disparage one who sought to assist others through excellence and service by going from place to place and espousing such a profound message. To do so would be to degrade Him who taught the same. It would be like asking Him to teach another message instead of love, out of which all else comes. Excellence and service are never old. Excellence is what we continuously strive for and service is how we should continuously live. This is the forever continuum. I am most grateful for Tom Peters.

Yes, I read that it's okay to be a thought leader along with a degrading implication that such a one is somehow not equivalent to those who run major companies. (I wonder where Seth Godin got his inspiration. I wonder from which thought leader he was hewn.) Jesus Christ himself never ran an organization. The one in whom Pastor Rick believes did exactly what great thought leaders do. They change the world by going from place to place speaking a single message, uninhibited by negativity. People flock to hear them. You can't be a thought leader without followers.

Thought leaders enable others who lead organizations, both large and small, more effectively. Tom Peters is such a one. We are most grateful for his spirit of excellence and service. We are grateful for his belief in people, even when people do not readily believe in themselves. When I face times of uncertainty i business, I pick up a Tom Peters book for realignment. I am certain I am not the only one.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 24, 2008 9:01 PM

Richard, thanks. I'll pass on Rupert - wouldn't want to follow him anywhere. Some new names to me which I will follow through. I suspect I will still be coming back here though. The old guy still cuts it for me.

Posted by Rob at November 25, 2008 1:32 AM

viagra active pills And on your PS, by that definition TP is still very definitely up there, isn't he? Regards.

Posted by Rob at November 25, 2008 1:33 AM

Rob... I understand Rupert is not everyone's cup of tea - he maybe an "acquired taste". But he is surprisingly "open minded" and often latches onto good ideas before others do. The thing about Rupert is he is not shy when it comes to implementing a good idea. He has been giving a series of lectures down here in Australia - his old country - on the future of the place and they contain a good balance of pragmatism and innovation.

As for TP he is great for people who want to continue the old idea of the organisation or business as being an inside out proposition. You will note that a few on the list above are more about the new idea or the organistion or business being an outside in proposition. Those who favour the former are on about staff as talent whereas those who favour the latter are more on about customers as the talent.

Linux is a good example - it is an open source networked organisation or business where the only talent is its user base. Also Jake Nickell and Jacob DeHart are a good example of using the customers as talent in their thriving T-shirt business....

Cheers, Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at November 25, 2008 2:30 AM

viagra overnight no prescription Richard, I'll pursue with interest. As someone leading (as I kid myself) a project where the ultimate goal is that the users/beneficiaries (young people) render us largely redundant by taking control and making things as THEY want them, outside in is a perspective I'm dealing with on a daily basis. But inside out hasn't disappeared, and there's a long way to go here (Syria) before it is likely to. Some very basic aspects of management and leadership remain scarce or non-existent, and I'm not convinced that we can simply skip a "generation". Anyway, thanks for the leads.

Posted by Rob at November 25, 2008 6:01 AM

Seeking to eradicate people from processes of any kind, virtual or real, at work or home, is like saying to he who seeks to do so, "disappear you and your offsprings, those who came from your very loins, and those from whose loins you came, are utterly irrelevant. We will never need repairs. We will never need But we know that this is not so.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 25, 2008 8:24 AM

28 November 2008

EXCELLENCE. ... It is a very cool word. Synonyms: Purity. Transcendence. Virtue. Elegance. Majesty.

--Tom Peters

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 28, 2008 8:32 AM

A great example of company leaders who relied on a tried and true brand strategy, never considering that their circumstances had changed. To these men the only thing that had changed was the financing environment and therefore they had no need to change their behaviors. The world has shifted for the Detroit 3 and their brand value has been destroyed. Business as usual will only cause their brand bubbles to deflate more rapidly (though at this point there is not much more to deflate). Great thoughts Tom, let's hope that the result of all of this is that these companies wake up to the fact that they must they change how they market their brand and themselves as they try to rebuild their business.

Posted by John Gerzema at December 1, 2008 5:53 PM

Heard on NPR this morning that Ford's Mullaly was driving to Washington in a Hybrid! Way to go, Tom Peters!

Posted by Tom Troland at December 2, 2008 3:23 PM

Mr. Mullay has also agreed to work for $1. Wasn't this a suggestion made here too? Way to go, Tom Peters!

Posted by Judith Ellis at December 2, 2008 3:45 PM

DEFINITELY! – Gestures matter a lot and one must indeed WALK THE TALK. Robert Mc.Namara (former Ford Motor Co. president and once Iacocca’s boss) had the privilege to use Ford Motor’s perquisites for his personal use (no questions asked) but he NEVER misused or abused his position / authority – When asked why he didn't consider using company benefits (which he was duly entitled) for personal use, he audaciously said “The boss should be more catholic than the pope” – How profound, isn’t it?

Posted by K.Sriram at December 3, 2008 4:53 AM

Got mixed feelings on this one. Yes, the fat cats need to pay. If my business were run inefficiently, I would pay the price by having to prep my own resume and go out into the workforce. But we all know who will truly suffer if the Big 3 go under. It will be their factory employees, dealerships, and let's not forget all of the peripheral medium to small businesses that are their vendors. Let's not even talk about the psychological effect. The cascading effect would be catastrophic.

The wife says "no bailout no matter what", but the truth is that we will pay one way or another. The question is how and for how long?

Posted by Resume Writer at December 12, 2008 7:46 PM

Of course leadership has a lot to do with gestures. Anyone who tries to justify the behavior of the Big Three's jet-setting executives have been seduced by American corporate elitism. If the Big Three fat cats absolutely NEED their jets to be successful, then tell me why the executives of Honda and Toyota fly commercial--even when their companies are wildly profitable. For a cross-cultural take on this, check out "Can American Executives Manage Without Their Corporate Jets" at:

http://japaninsight.wordpress.com

Aloha!

Tim

Posted by Tim Sullivan at December 30, 2008 2:58 PM