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Simple: those that collaborate! I wrote in an earlier post that an innovation culture can drive even more success; especially when you think outside the box. And to me, outside the box means collaborating...
Yep, I sure can stretch a cliche'
Just this week, I read an interesting post in the Wall Street Journal HealthBlog. The story: two companies shine in rough times. And how do they do it. Here's a little tidbit from the blog...
Two remarkably sunny reports just in from the stormy seas of the drug business: Genentech and Johnson & Johnson reported solid second-quarter earnings. The moral of the story is familiar but worth repeating here: Biotech specialty drugs and diversified business lines are two good defenses against the problems facing the drug business these days.
Not that diversification means collaboration, but believe me Johnson and Johnson is collaborator. Who says so? Well Google. OK, not really Google, but numerous queries are returned when you search "Johnson and Johnson Collaboration". Don't believe me, go here.
Perhaps it isn't all just collaboration, but I do believe these two companies represent the type of culture that needs to be encouraged. Clearly they are doing something right!
It seems well informed people talk about the same things at the same time. This makes sense if you think about it. Quality news outlets like NPR, (National Public Radio), the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and New York Times either break stories or provide such keen insight and analysis that the "informed" can't help but consider the issues and talk with their friends. Lately, my experience has been the deeper level conversation. But what are my friends talk about?
On The Economy:
I've heard several viewpoint here. The most striking has to be the idea that so-called "normal" citizens, or those that didn't take an adjustable rate mortgage (or some other fun financial tool) won't see the economy impact them. Although, their mortgages may not (or may) cost them more, what about the costs of food prices? What about gas prices? What about banks taking less risk, so small business loans suffer? What about consumer spending? Let's face it the economy is tied to just about everything we do. Saying there is no impact is saying China's pollution won't touch me in Durango, CO - not so!
On The Iraq War:
"We should pull out" or "no we have to stick to our strategy" are the things that I hear from my friends. This week Al-Maliki issued a surprising proclamation: that he does want a timetable for US troop withdraw. To me, this is our way out. If the Iraqi's think they are ready and we've transfered about 50% of occupied territories to the provincial governments, then our job is done right?
On The Candidates:
"I have no idea what McCain is about, except that he's like George Bush" and "Obama is about change and that's what we need" are the things that I heard from my friends this week. Whether you agree or not, one thing is for certain, Obama is the popular guy at the party and McCain is not.
What's your "friend feed" like this week?
Well here it goes again... Another election cycle means another round of arguing, no I should say, debating with my family about politics. We have so few progressives in my family and a lot of conservatives. This means I'm arguing both sides, at times, but mostly staying on the liberal front. My conservative family members, on the other hand, are stuck in ideals and "how it should be" thinking. I'm a religious pluralist, which philosophically speaking, means I think everyone is right and everyone is wrong at the same time. It means I keep my options open. I'm great in an argument, but frustrating to everyone else because I don't pick a side.
So what happens when you spend time FRUSTRATING your family with political arguments?
Last election cycle, I feel like I damaged some relationships. I would throw facts and figures to them again and again. I'm a political junkie, so I can quote and source my content. Many times, my family would come from a belief front. Now you can only imagine the dialog: me quoting facts and my family telling me they BELIEVE. When has this ever produced a logical and rational debate?
I just received an email from my 90-year old Grandfather (cool that he uses email eh?). First off, the guy is my hero! A true stud. He's very much a conservative thinker. In fact, I'd say he's a staunch Republican. His email was a forward from a "friend he respects". The email contained supposed quotes from Obama's books. I haven't gone back to source the quotes, but I'm pretty sure they are from the books. The quotes in question were taken totally out of context and made to paint Obama as a racist. Can you believe it? A racist! I was shocked by the complete disregard for sourcing and context. Naturally, I went nuts on this email. I was all over it. THEN, my family responded... And I hurt some feelings...
Going forward, I'm going to not be so sensitive as to logic/rationality and apply some understanding to the debates. My goal will be to see their point of view and then apply my argument. I guess you could say I'm maturing...
It could happen! Three liberal judges are in their 70's and 80's. What does their age have to do with it? A lot. These judges will likely retire during the next presidential term and if McCain is elected, you can bet more conservative judges will make it on the highest bench in the nation. Not that there is anything wrong with conservative judges, but the change would highlight two things: the conversation within the halls at the supreme court and the political process.
When I think of the conversation happening in the (future more conservative) supreme court, I'm left without much to consider. Can you imagine the conversation? It would be like a bunch of people agreeing with each other. No other viewpoint would make it in. Those liberal ideas of wide reaching personal freedoms, gone. Instead, the members of the court would turn to conservative idealism, which some have argued is more like a rubber stamp for the GOP.
After reading the paragraph above, you should've picked up on my second point: politics. Depending on the presidential election, politics might just be the cause for an ultra conservative court of a balanced court. More McCain and you get more conservative judges. More Obama and you get balance. Naturally, the same argument could be made if the situation was reversed (more liberal and less conservative judges). I mention this because of my use of the word "balance". Fairness is important in these situations. The politics of the supreme court nominations is "the point". Politicians nominate, endorse and elect active judges. Yet, many of the politicians vote what their party tells them. Thus, you have conservative or liberal judges; built strictly out of party lines. Judges in the middle of the political spectrum, what's their fate? Well, you don't have to worry about that, because they can't exist.
It is too bad that our politicians don't see the forest through the trees on the supreme court membership process. Sure there are checks and balances (the nomination process), but imagine if they chose judges based on a balanced career. What a different bench it would be...
Interviewing people about what they did during the July 4th "day" was a goal of mine last night. By attending a few parties, I was able to capture about 10 "here's what I did during my day comments".
The reason for my interviews? Well, beyond the fireworks display, I wanted to see how people spent time enjoying our country (which I call celebrating). No people didn't tell me they spent time signing happy birthday to the country. I didn't hear anything like, "oh, we visited all our national monuments". To me, this isn't what matters. What I was curious about are the answers about everyday life. To me, this is what makes American great - our everyday freedom!
Some of the responses to: what did you do on the 4th of July day?
Dan: "I washed and waxed two cars: a truck and a sports car"
Rick: "We ran a 5k running race, and it was great. Where were you?"
Matt: "We went down the river and got kicked out of our boat in the rapids"
Jiles: "We did a high-country hike"
Walker: "I did two singlespeed rides, rode two downhill trails and went bouldering"
Only in America can so many people do so many things... I love this country!
Usually I defend the media, but today, I won't! General Wesley Clark, former Supreme NATO commander and once presidential hopeful, is getting dragged through the mud. Last Sunday, Clark commented on John McCain's military experience saying his time on the ground and in captivity is different than executive-level, or more "top brass" experience. The McCain camp, the media and UNFORTUNATELY, the Obama camp has been all over this with negative and out-of-context comments.
Again, what McCain did for our country is HONORABLE and totally worthy of admiration. Clark was simply pointing out the difference between being a pilot and being a general. In my opinion, being the Supreme Commander of NATO provide a ton of experience to be president. But how many pilot or grunts would you want to be president? Think about it this way, would you hire a shipping manager to be CEO of your company? Probably not! That's Clark's point. When considering a military record, presidential experience comes from leading large organizations. If you're in charge of a one plane or even a platoon that's great, but the demands are way heavier when you are leading an entire army!
My question is why can't people see the point here. Clark didn't step on McCain he made an articulate point. HE WAS HONEST!
Now, as far as politics goes: CLARK, WHAT THE HECK? You just can't say stuff like this...
Slate Magazine has a great article on this topic if you want to read more: http://www.slate.com/id/2194600/
I gave my standard sales questions a smack in the face this week! Yep, I took my standard list of questions and burned them. Then I stomped on them. Why? I realized a whole new method of sales questions, which works much better to accomplish one key thing: GET YOUR PROSPECTS TO OPEN UP!
Sales questions aren't just based on needs and pain. Nope, they are based on what how the prospect "feels" about their situation. Think about it this way. Ever have a pain in your left knee that comes and goes? I do. If someone were to ask me about my pain I would tell them that it hurts. If they were to try to dig into how much it hurts, I would say, "Oh, only so often". Let's say they ask me about what I've tried to do about it, I would say, "Not much".
"Not much!" The questioner would say.
"Yeah, not much." I would answer.
"I thought this was painful?". They would ask with a serious look on their face.
"Not that painful, just sometimes." I would say.
"Then it sounds like you're not willing to do anything about it, and you have no need for our solution?" They would ask, pulling out a pen and writing something down.
"I guess not."
You see the pattern here? I am in pain and I DO have a need, but it isn't that serious. This is a classic mismatch: sales person is pushing and I'm pushing back. Imagine this another way:
Sales: now, where is your pain?
Me: right here on the inner thigh.
Sales: how long have you had this pain?
Me: oh, about two years.
Sales: I imagine I'm not the first person you've talked to, right?
Me: no, I've talked to a few others.
Sales: what were their suggestions?
Me: oh, take this and that.
Sales: those didn't work, huh?
Me: not really.
Sales: are you even interested in trying a new solution, or no?
Me: sure, I'd give something a try if it worked.
Sales: how long would you need to see if it worked?
Me: like a week or so.
Sales: what about two weeks?
Me: ok
BINGO.... Do you see how the sales person "really cares" about my pain? Do you see how the questions just flow? I'm amazed by how "CARING" and THE RIGHT QUESTIONS make all the difference. We used this method yesterday with great results: we were able to talk about some solutions after they had opened up to what their pain really is. The conversation was classic, "let me see if I can help you, maybe I won't be able to, but I just need to ask a few questions. Is that ok?"
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Yep, I sure can stretch a cliche'
