Introduction to the issues concerning Engagement in consulting

I was recently speaking on chat to a friend of some problems I had with trying to impress on a company, the seriousness of their disconnect with their end clients who were, after all, you know real people… (like them?) it sort of went like this..

We are all much more creative than we give ourselves credit. Sorry for my disconnection with you … I have been trying every which was I can to relate and communicate to non-creative (C level Operations & Executive personnel ) to get them to comprehend what I consider as real business concerns … they consider as irrelevant emotive concepts like customer experience, engagement, feelings, Trust, and other more tangible concepts such as sustainable growth (that they understand) and I further spoke to them about future growth strategies that require innovative and out of the box thinking (therefore investment) .. any real growth without innovation is a fantasy .. future real growth will come from disruptive products and services that fracture and re-define the markets

I am certainly passionate about those areas …. where the corporate world think they are operating in a vacuum …. the psychological aspects of individual C Level career success restricts focus, narrows perspective & may break engagement & understanding of customers – I think it more than breaks the connection with the customers … except for those very rare people who have their feet on the ground – not too many of those …

Its amazing the mess that this one issue is causing the likes of News Corp, HP, Netflix, Yahoo and the obvious one is the looming changes facing Mass Media … you know Film, Mass Media (TV)+ Cable + Newspaper + Magazines .. Amazon must be loving this ..

I am been quiet on the blog, because I have been trying to process the so many changes since the uncloaking of the morally reprehensible behaviours of News Corp and a separate free lesson on how to damage your brand and lose over a million of subscribers courtesy of NETFLIX, Yahoo and the bickering … and the fork in the road that HP find themselves — put there through their own bad strategic planning … and lets not forget Delta who are without doubt the singularly worst client and customer culture I have ever observed in a company ….. and finally what the death of a truly inspiring creator, Steve Jobs will mean for Business in general but for Apple in particular, so I will come back here … give me a while to compose my thoughts and we will get at it.

PerhapsI can point to a letter sent by a recent passenger of Delta by my friend Sandra Maxey … here is the link … @sandymaxey Letter to Delta Airlines CEO – http://bit.ly/qcPxoK

But a couple more points while  we are here, I am wondering if we are all in the mess because of the MBA Program … it may make business understandable, but business is not a thing, each company is a life, made up of their own dreams and aspirations, full of individual people whom it might be nice to think are actually going in the same direction as the company, (most aren’t because of flawed Corporate cultures) and the most important aspect, their customers, who are all real people, who want to be valued and engaged … and refused to be categorized and sorted just so it makes it easier for the company to dissociate themselves from this truth .. companies are people … so are customers, people even own it … (maybe not directly) people manage it, operate in it, and who they sell their product or service to … you need to value them or basically become irrelevant .. you will cease to exist.

One last observation, the large aspect of the MBA attitude is one of expedience .. which is kind of abhorrent to me .. however that aside, recently I heard that Harvard and Wharton Schools were adding ethics classes to the MBA .. what a total waste of time, ethics, principles and integrity is not something you can teach, it is something that has to be part of your values, the actual make-up of your personality – if not, when you are put under pressure they (ethics) will not be your go to code of conduct.

So I would say again, to change the way the world thinks we need to teach our children value – and guess what its not money .. its collaboration, and relationships … but more later

Tags: Engagement+&+Flawed+Culture, Damage+your+brand

2009 a new beginning….

Expect the best, Appreciate everything, Never ever give up, Money is not an end in itself, Make it fun, listen, create a vision, Lead, think, invent, Regroup, Wink, Chill, Smile, and live as if success was inevitable and so it will be. -  that is my credo….

Currently working in commodities, all I can say that this is hard work, very long hours and will kill you if you let it. I know why people do not work here long term….just plain wears you out….The other observation, is that some of the people that inhabit this sector, you could very generously describe them as being human and ethical….where 2 spin for their own benefit to justify their position seems par for the course. This applies to almost everyone, from long term business relations, close confidants as well as people you met in the street, I believe I am a straightforward, ethical and honest person, I strive always to treat other people as I would wish them to treat me, and I think I am mostly successful in this. However I recognize there are those on their own agenda who can never be pleased – the reason why one put up with all this anarchy is that in the commodities world if you jag, a big contract – your financial well being and the attainment of your worldly goals is assured.

Ethical practices should abound here…for instance my business partner…who I worked with for some months, during that time I have learnt an incredible amount…about this sector, something that had taken her a considerable time to accumulate…and for that I cannot express my thanks in words.

My goals are to use the income from this business to set up profit centers, where the profit will as much as 25-30% before tax to go into the formation of new charities to help those people that cannot help themselves – seems an excellent time to do this.

I have some understanding of World Economics…I amongst a throng predicted our current difficulties for too long…with no one taking any notice. Now its too late…Unless something absolutely unexpected happens, like the USA as a whole dramatically changes, the USA is dead as a world economic power…by 2011-2012 the power will be split between Russian, India and China. Although I feel that Obama has the understanding…can he get what needs to be done through congress and the senate…don’t think so… the only way that America has a chance is if there is a complete Paradigm shift in the thinking of the people….moving from this poor me, I am entitled, we have always been on top attitude to you have to work for what you get…nobody is going to give you anything. If I had money to burn…I would go and buy a million dollars of the India Rupee and the Chinese Yuan – then watch those funds appreciate in value against the US Dollar.

I know there are decent people in the USA…there are just not enough of them to make a difference and make it happen…with the schisms in the population by state, by age and by religion…for instance you can track the rise in the the religious right (including Christian fundamentalists) since after the Vietnam war…to the fact that these secular / religious corporations enjoy a tax free status – with a good sales income….and most have absolutely no accountability for their actions. And where Oh where did this Creationism crap come from..? They have this bull in school now…a nail in the coffin of a once proud enlightened and educated nation..so they have to invent something to give credibility to the Bible, don’t think it needs it … so much for the separation of powers of the Church and State…Guys there were Dinosaurs….kind of puts a hole in the Creationism theory ….and ignoring it if you could ignore a T-Rex…doesn’t make it right…it just makes you look like a fundamentalist – not different to those that follow every letter of the Koran…the Bible was once explained to me by a great man as a book of stories with morals to teach us…so we learn…not blindly follow some law written about Pig Skin thousands of years ago…it you want Christianity to be relevant then make it relevant to the era we live in…

Another thing … what will happen next is a push for protectionism…for Labour (happening now in the UK) and where possible goods…this can be done in the USA due to the domestic market…where it will lead to a complete loss of worldwide loss in confidence in the USA…almost like a child…where when they get a bit upset ….they take their toys and go home…God I hope they don’t do it…it will just accelerate the destruction of the US economy. And you question why the USA will fail…seriously hope I am wrong here…don’t think so.

Economics wise the result is in almost world wide return to the days for a fair days work a fair days wage….this idea that still permeates Wall street that these bonuses are necessary to keep the bright staff is absolute self serving bull….well if those bankers, financiers or other high fliers don’t think they are being paid enough…let them leave and see how many of them actually even get another job.

I beg you – come back to reality…the normal man in the street, is hurting….worldwide…if you cannot impose some self control…then the government will evoke some controls through the amount of money it has poured into these companies and vote these self serving idiots out…let them see if they ever get another job – no one minds people having bonuses when times are good, and companies are in profit…but to still pay themselves bonuses …. when these same companies are in turmoil and there is so much red ink around – is absolutely irresponsible…and some would say broaching on the fraudulent….because how can Wall Street pay billions in bonuses when companies are making a loss.

World priorities should be…..(1) Sustainability in all green areas, food, water, energy, recycling (2) Investment in Solar and Wind power (3) Financial resolution…(4) Less greed ..and so much more..

Wall Street

The financial disaster of Wall street is just stage one – the onwards reflections into the market as a whole are what really is going to put the cat amongst the pigeons – as well the 2nd level of CDO’s – Sub Prime Mortgages – that we all hope won’t hit the market as quite the disaster as its earlier sibling has done – if it does the American economy will go from recession to depression in the blink of an eye – of course if this does happen, it will create uncontrollable monumental flow effects right around the world as the whole world slides into financial chaos and severe recession or depression.                

The cost of living will go up – this will be due to many factors, including rises in the cost of primary products – transport – currency exchanges and one forgotten component will also have an impact – factories produce economically at a certain production output – those factories that are built to say produce something for $4, their products cost per unit will increase , especially in the areas of fixed costs as the output goes down due to slackening demand.  I notice on one of the US Television programs the other day, where some manufacturers were bringing our a box of let’s say some breakfast food – where the box looked the same size – but was marginally thinner perhaps , holding less but the same purchase price. What price do we pay for these practises, the loss of ethical behaviour, truth and honour – or is it as simple as just survival?.   

Tags: Wall+street…+stage+One

My eldest son

I was pleased to receive an invitation last month to the marriage of my eldest son in October. Unfortunately I have been separated from him due to a number of issues, but for time, distance and misconstrusion I will not go into them now.

There are a number of unsaid things that need to be brought out into the open, the cathartic effect of talking about issues that were once small and have since grown through time and are now issues that are unrecognizable – the gestation through time has turned them into something poisonous to the soul.

My son has turned out to be a nice guy who has chosen the light of his life to partner him hopefully to the end of their road together. I am envious that he has this opportunity. I will work on this relationship.

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Something out of the Box and Left field

It isn’t often that I take a public stand on things, however I am very concerned about the current facade concerning the for and against positions for the Whale killing.

I know that there is little I can do to influence the Japanese and other Governments to stop this insane murder, so I can only extend my displeasure within my circle of influence, and perhaps by talking to you, to hopefully make you stop and think. Why are we as a species doing this?

Obviously, the stated reason for the Japanese whaling program of scientific research is for public consumption only and has little credibility. The way the mammals are killed sometimes by being drowned, and then gutted (whilst still moving) – the brutality of this is unbelievable.

Why are they doing this, is it political, is it economic (probably) or is it just ego, or are they just being absolutely bloody, perhaps all of the above, or as a wise man said – because we can and you can’t stop us.

OK, so what can I do with this anger – all I can do is to express my displeasure and total disagreement in the only way that may have some effect, even microscopically – I need to vote with my wallet, I was about to buy a car, a phone – and a new laptop.  I guess I will need to seek these products from other vendors – without their Head Quarters in Japan or Norway.

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Is the war over

It is my view that the Middel East is like a volcano, rumbling away beneath a crust of stone, waiting someday the crack of the stone cap or the unendurable pressure from above to erupt. Unfortunately this may never change, as it is the resukt of the imperial powers dividing up the Middle East at their pleasure for the purposes of expedience and politics.

History – Learning from it – Israel and Lebanon

I have spent a little while trying to learn who the author of the quote (or part was) – "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" – I found it to be George Santayana

We lets look at what is happening in the world at the moment. I am not a historian so please forgive me any inaccuracies.

Israel – I have tremendous respect for the Israelis -their absolute tenacity and the right of the Jewish Nation to exist – however lets go back into history of the Jewish nation. When The Balfour declaration stated that a Jewish Nation was to be founded – and we can look at the tactics that were played out by the then British Empire.

 In his November, 2002 interview with the New Statesman magazine, the UK Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, has blamed Britain’s imperial past for many of the modern political problems, including the Arab-Israeli conflict.

"The Balfour declaration and the contradictory assurances which were being given to Palestinians in private at the same time as they were being given to the Israeli’s – again, an interesting history for us, but not an honorable one," he said.

Main article: Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel

In 1947, following increasing levels of violence together with unsuccessful efforts to reconcile the Jewish and Arab populations, the British government decided to withdraw from the Palestine Mandate. The UN General Assembly approved the 1947 UN Partition Plan dividing the territory into two states, with the Jewish area consisting of roughly 55% of the land, and the Arab area roughly 45%. Jerusalem was planned to be an international region administered by the UN to avoid conflict over its status.

Immediately following the adoption of the Partition Plan by the UN General Assembly on November 29, 1947, David Ben-Gurion tentatively accepted the partition, while the Arab League rejected it. Scattered attacks on civilians of both sides soon turned into widespread fighting between Arabs and Jews, this civil war being the first "phase" of the 1948 War of Independence.

The State of Israel was proclaimed on May 14, 1948, one day before the expiry of the Palestine Mandate.

Israel was admitted as a member of the United Nations on May 11, 1949.

However – back in the 1920′s, and onwards until the UN declaration, terrorism attacks by the Zionist organizations against their enforced British masters was a part of their reason for the British Empire (aside for the obvious economic ones) to withdraw from the then area known as Palestine.

Now we are in the position where Israel – is being attacked by the terrorists organizations as they once attacked the British Empire.

The attack by Israel on Lebanon – in particular against the people of Lebanon is unacceptable – although there is a case for the attack against the terrorist organization Hezbollah. (see wikipedia) Hezbollah is widely believed to be responsible for multiple kidnappings, murders, hijackings, and bombings – but has not claimed responsibility for any of these acts. It is viewed by many Muslim countries, who do not recognize Israel’s right to exist, as an organization of legitimate resistance against Israel. Russia and the EU do not consider Hezbollah a terrorist organization. Other countries, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, and Israel consider Hezbollah to be -completely or partly- a terrorist organization.

However this is not the point. The point is that any peace can be achieved only on the basis of putting some kind of immediate wall, whether that be of 15,000 UN troops – which do not seem enough – walls are relatively easy to walk around or shot over – there has to be some kind of long term political settlement – which must include Hezbollah as well as the recognition of the right of Israel to exist

I will continue along with my view of Afghanistan and of course Iraq in my next Blog.

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Working Media – Needs Work

I am passionate about the future and evolution of Media and Technology. In particular how we infuse the influence of the Internet into mass media business models. 

Very few Media companies in Australia are building new business models  – most are not. Some are throwing money at the threat by buying Internet operators thinking that this will plug the holes in their Income profile, whilst others are actually doing what is needed to make the Internet an ally.

I am positive that formerly monopolistic media enterprises can both survive and grow their income streams – but they will need to do so by following a different business model to that of the past.

The Media can survive in the long term they just need to start thinking outside of the square and stop thinking that they are exempt from all the normal business rules.

Tags: Media & Internet

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