It’s All In the Design

Innovation, like sports, has a design. You cannot just do anything and say you are doing well. That is contrary to Nike’s “Just Do It” commercials. In basketball, for example, you cannot just throw the ball in the air and say you scored, nor can you dribble anywhere and go down court. There are boundaries to the court. There are constraints to the design of basketball and the way you play. It is within these constraints that each player has the possibility of being extraordinary.

Quoted: Churchill on Strategy

“However beautiful your strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” – Winston Churchill

Strategy is a means to an end.  However, a strategy without a clear vision for what the end game is can lead you to an endless path of doing things that give you no satisfaction. That would be like running in a race without ever knowing where the finish line is. It would be impossible to know if you were running at the correct pace. In your mind, you may think you are winning because you are running at a great pace for the 100-meter dash, except the race is 1 mile. Most likely, your strategy will not take you the distance.

Is Wal-Mart Becoming Its Own Worst Enemy?

(Via FrumForum)

There are allegations that the Mexican division of Wal-Mart gave bribes to Mexican government officials and other people connected with Wal-Mart de Mexico’s incredible ability to secure permits quickly. The whole story is so convoluted that is sounds like a mystery soap opera.

In September 2005, a senior lawyer at Wal-Mart received an email from a former executive of Wal-Mart de Mexico. The former executive accused Wal-Mart de Mexico executives of paying bribes to a number of officials to speed up the process of securing permits to open new stores. He stated that he was an attorney for Wal-Mart de Mexico in charge of securing construction permits.

Wal-Mart corporate sent in investigators. They found a paper trail of bribes totaling $24 million. Furthermore, it was found that Wal-Mart de Mexico executives knew about the bribes and made a concerted effort to keep them hidden from corporate. The findings were so unbelievable that Wal-Mart hired a former FBI special agent to validate the findings. After his preliminary findings, he suggested the investigation be expanded. Much to his dismay the investigation was shut down and some of the executives in question were promoted. 

One of the biggest concerns was that Wal-Mart did not call the appropriate authorities to investigate wrongdoing. Some assert this was done because Wal-Mart de Mexico is such a success story.  Approximately 20% of all Wal-Mart stores are in Mexico. Of Wal-Mart’s 2.1 million employees, 209,000 are in Mexico. In fact, Wal-Mart de Mexico is one of the most profitable and the largest foreign subsidiary.

The CEO of Wal-Mart de Mexico, Eduardo Castro-Wright, during the time of the allegations is said to be brilliant. He was seen as the possible successor to CEO corporate.  

However, this story hit the New York Times.  The Times interviewed the former lawyer who originally reported the allegations, Sergio Cicero Zapata.

Mr. Cicero said that before the case was shut down, several parties were brought in to investigate the allegations. Mr. Cicero stated to those investigators that his job was to make payments to lawyers that are called “gestures”.  In turn, those lawyers took the money to the appropriate government officials, environmental inspectors or building code officials as bribes. 

After further investigations, it was found that Mr. Cicero’s wife was a lawyer for one of the gestures. He denied it.

As investigators attempted to dig deeper, they were blocked by the executives being implicated. For some reason, the executives defended themselves adamantly and were allowed to be part of the investigation. As a result, investigators started to resign or were told they were no longer needed.

To this day, it is unclear as to the validity of Mr. Cicero’s allegations. The executives of Wal-Mart de Mexico were finally given the right to take charge of the investigation. They claimed there was no evidence of wrongdoing. They stated that gestures are a legitimate part of doing business in Mexico, especially in real estate. They defended their position and completely discredited Mr. Cicero.

With so much being hidden at such a large monster like Wal-Mart, you have to wonder if their only enemy is themselves. Their success is what can undo them from the inside.   

What do you think? I would love to hear what you think. 

Quoted: Einstein's Fantasy

“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come close to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing absolute knowledge.” – Albert Einstein

While most people may imagine that Einstein was very scholarly and focused on studying concrete numbers and science, his quote sends a very different message. 

What's Important To You?

In the mid ‘90s, one of my clients had a jar filled with candy. Inside of each candy wrapper, there was a saying. I chose one that asked, “If you lost everything you had, what would you have?” My response was “I would have everything. As long as I have myself, I have all that I need and I can rebuild my life with who I am”. 

In 1996, I gave away everything I owned, my car, house and even a decent amount of money. I unloaded everything to fulfill a childhood promise I made to myself. I was leaving the US to live abroad.

What Language Do You Speak?

When I say language, my reference has nothing to do with English, Spanish or Chinese. I am asking you if you know if you speak the language of success or excuses. I am also asking you to consider the language you use when you are thinking, or speaking to yourself.

I am asking, “What do you language?” Your language is in your words, your tone, your appearance, the way you get things done and the movement of your body. Those are ways to language in the world. Do you really hear what you say when you encounter problems? How do you move? Do you language negatively when you encounter something that is considered great?

Quoted: George Bernard Shaw on Blaming the Circumstances

"People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them." – George Bernard Shaw

It’s amazing how each of us creates an identity. The identity we create has a body of knowledge and experiences that we depend on. As a result, the identity functions on automatic and helps us survive in this world. If you observe, you have a particular response to situations given the stimulus. 

In other words, who we are has gotten us to where we are. When we encounter circumstances we like, we are happy. When we are faced with what we don’t like, we fight, take flight or freeze. The identity we have predetermines our actions. And it is difficult to see it is our identity that is driving our thoughts and actions.

This same identity that guides us may also trap us. We believe the identity we have is the right one and it protects us. Without question, it has gotten us to where we are. Yet, our response to stimulus is so predictable that we can’t see the possibility of completely new ways of thinking and doing things.

However, those who clearly see what they want in life understand they must become someone else to get there. More importantly, they will modify the environment, and in some cases, they will creatively destroy the environment, to create the circumstances that will support their goals.

Creative destruction is not as painful as it sounds. It requires you let go of limiting beliefs that were given to you by the environment you were born into. That may mean letting go of relationships and objects that represent the past.

Go ahead! Lighten your load and move into the circumstances you desire.

What's Your Combination?

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article called Employees, Measure Yourselves (April 2^nd, 2012 section R1). The article talked about devices that companies could make available to employees. These devices allow workers to monitor their performance, from their heart rate after a stressful meeting to how long they spend chatting on Facebook. 

The article mentioned that this is not an opportunity for employers to play big brother. Already, many organizations monitor employee productivity by keeping track of what sites they visit and how much time is spent on each one.  

What's Holding Back Your Creative Genius?

At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done - then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago. – Frances Hodgson Burnett

Even though the world is filled with brilliant people that have valuable ideas, this quote is the dilemma that every creative inventor faces. Perhaps this disbelief many idea collect dust on the shelves. 

When you have a new idea, people try to convince you that it is impossible. They tell you that you are wasting your time with nonsense. When they see your persistence and start to understand the benefits of your idea, they begin to have hope.

When all the pieces are almost together, they start to cheer you on. However, once it’s done, they look at you as though any one could have done it years ago.

If you are creative and have great ideas, never waste your time looking for agreement from the masses. If you wait for their approval, you may put off your greatest ideas indefinitely. Instead, take an unstoppable stand and implement knowing that there will be problems along the way. Nevertheless, know that you have the drive and ambition to work through them.

Good luck geniuses!!!

Should We Embrace Chaos or Fight For Certainty?

Peter Drucker had a profound way of looking at life and its encompassing complexities. He knew that business, government, societal structures, etc. were all intertwined to form a complex system. None of the elements exists independent of the others. Therefore, you cannot effectively provide solutions for one element without addressing them all. He uses weather patterns and quantum physics to demonstrate his point. 

J.C. Penney: Don't Discount the Importance of Setting Goals

“Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk.” – J.C. Penney

In 1979, the Harvard MBA program conducted a study. In interviews with the graduating class, they found that 84% had no specific goals at all. Another 13% had goals, however, had not written them on paper. Only 3% had clear written goals and plans to accomplish them.

In 1989, the 13% with goals earned twice as much as the 84% without goals. The 3% earned a staggering 10 times as much as the entire 97%.

Going to Harvard gives you an edge in the job market. Except, without written goals and a plan to fulfill them, you could end up working in the stock room for J. C. Penney.

Your goals and plans are your personal road map for life. Do you have one? Or are you depending on luck?

How To Avoid The One Hit Wonder Trap

I often talk about creating breakthroughs. While it is fulfilling to accomplish a breakthrough, what do you do once the breakthrough is realized? Too often the thought is to do more, better or different of the same thing. This could be a strategy that has a high probability of getting you stuck in a rut.

Can You Let Go of What's Most Important to You?

"The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become." - Charles Du Bos

Unfortunately, for most of us, letting go of who we are is like dying. Far too many of us believe we will be nothing if we let go of who we are. Can you step out of the person you have always been and take actions that are uncharacteristic of you?  

One of the most difficult aspects of being a human being is that if you depend solely on what you know, at some point, you will experience tremendous restrictions in life. What we know directly impacts who we are. Why? We develop thought processes and behavioral patterns based on the information we have been given about life. That includes social constructs. In fact, we become attached to what we know and live with certainty that what we know and who we are is good enough. For some, there is the belief that there is nothing better.

At the same time, can any of us be so arrogant to believe that what we know is sufficient enough to handle what we don’t know we don’t know? There are possibilities in your everyday life waiting to be discovered. And what you know may not help you. The only obstacle to those discoveries will be what you know and who you have become.

Can you open your mind to the possibility that you can become a greater you without the you from the past? Be daring. Let go of past behavioral patterns you learned from your environment and explore the richness of the unknown greater you.  

The 90% Rule

If you are committed to working your way up the corporate ladder, you need to clearly demonstrate you have your job handled. However, you also don’t want to be the showboat who has all the answers. To meet that balance, the 90% rule should be part of your strategy. It is an effective way of managing relationships with your direct reports, superiors or board of directors.

Simply stated, it means that 85%-90% of your job is handled by you without input from your boss. In your next meeting with your boss, go into his or her office and say, “I have 90% of my responsibilities handled. I would like some input from you on the remaining 10%.”

Carl Rogers On What It Means To Be Educated

“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” – Carl Rogers

While information gives you access to what is already known, it in no way guarantees you will know what to do with it. One action may be appropriate given certain information. Yet, the same information in a different situation may require completely different actions.

Unfortunately, many people take information and try to use it the same way in all situations. Take, for example, the notion that all men cheat. How is that information applied to men who do not engage in infidelity?

If a person has not learned how to learn and change, they may never experience the fact that all men do not cheat, even when they are with a man who does not cheat. If you do not develop the skills to learn and change, there are many possibilities in front of you that you may never experience.

Allow yourself to develop a new perspective. Speak openly with people who do not support your point of view and understand theirs instead of yours. Then find the common ground between the 2 of you. Learn subjects that have little interest to you and look for the relationship it has with what you already know. 

Are You This Manager? Don't Shoot the Messenger

Friday evening an elementary school buddy of mine called me.  He runs a branch of a company in the service industry.  He has been named manager of the year several times and he runs one of the most profitable branches. While he never brags about his accomplishments, he lets you know he has worked hard to achieve them and is appreciative for the opportunity to be where he is.

The conversation with my friend went something like this:

Friend:  Ted, I need to ask you a question. In the past, I know I have resisted many things you have said to me. However, I need you to know that I do hear you and have tried some of your ideas.

I have a situation at work. It is not that I think something is wrong with me as a manager. I need to understand what happens with employees. I need to know when does an employee become an adversary?

Quoted: Washington Irving on 'Misfortune'

Washington Irving

"Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them."   Washington Irving

At first, it may appear that this is saying misfortune is a blessing in disguise.  However, more to the point, it is saying that whatever occurs is in the eye of the beholder. What we call rising above may have everything to do with an individual’s perspective.

In everyone’s life, something occurs every second of the day. What you see as misfortune and what you see as a great opportunity may have more to do with how you view the world.

Where Do Breakthroughs Come From?

In a time where global economies continue to consolidate, innovation becomes more essential than ever.  More than fifty years ago, the US was by far the dominant force in global trade.  The world depended on our innovation.  Now, other countries compete with us.  While improvements are necessary, going forward, the wealthiest countries will be the creators of breakthroughs, some technology or advancement that hasn’t existed before. Those countries will attract and retain the most brilliant minds and stay one step ahead.  

Most experts in science or business give great explanations for how breakthroughs are created.  However, like Monday morning quarterbacks, they give explanations after the fact.  The biggest problem with an explanation is that it gives people no access to producing breakthroughs.  It’s a description of the dish, but not a recipe.

What Was Einstein Thinking?

"Imagination is more important than knowledge" – Albert Einstein

Why would one of the smartest people in history say something so counterintuitive? We are taught to depend on knowledge.  However, knowledge is based on the past. It’s what has already been discovered and what we already know. The future rests in part on that knowledge, but more importantly, by its very definition, it requires something that does not already exist.

True imagination is conjured up from nothing. If you allow yourself to think from nothing – suspend all knowledge and preconceptions and allow yourself to be with nothing – you will be amazed at the possibilities that enter your mind.

When you allow yourself to enter the world of imagination, you can create knowledge. All the great inventors who have provided us with hypothesis and proofs for us to learn know this. They invented knowledge from nothing. 

What knowledge will you invent today? 

Honey Did You Take Your Implant This Year?

The implants to which I am referring have nothing to do with how you look cosmetically. There is a company called MicroChips, Inc. that has developed an experimental, implantable microchip to deliver drugs in your body. For now, the microchip is designed to replace painful shots. It is said that the microchip will have the ability to deliver medicine in your body more accurately and reliably than administering the injections yourself.

Dr. Seuss on the Importance of the Company You Keep

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Dr. Seuss

When you stand for something with integrity, it is a way of saying who you are. If you are surrounded by people who constantly want to prove your stand wrong, let them go. The people who will stand by you and provide the support and guidance you need will be there for you.   

If you really want to know who your friends are, make your stand and commitments known. Those who matter will still be standing there. The others will find a way to disappear. 

A Foul Smell Coming From Avon

Heads have rolled at makeup supplier Avon, Inc. The FBI and US prosecutors are investigating allegations that executives at Avon violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). In 2005, while Avon was pursuing a license in China to conduct door-to-door sales, it is alleged that Avon executives bribed government officials in China as well as third party consultants. 

China is known for using bribes as a common business practice. However, in 1977, the US Justice Department enacted FCPA to prevent companies from using bribes while conducting business abroad. Nevertheless, since 1977, prosecutors have uncovered more than 40 cases that violated FCPA which totaled more than $2 billion in criminal penalties. You would think people have gotten the hint by now. 

What is amazing is that in 2005 an internal audit was done at Avon and questioned several hundred thousands of dollars paid to Chinese officials. Yet, it took until 2008 when an Avon employee wrote a letter to its CEO suggesting there may have been inappropriate business practices by Avon executives. Avon, in turn, conducted an internal investigation without reporting it to government officials. Now, there are questions as to whether or not Avon executives concealed the alleged bribes from its board.

Quoted: Hannah Arendt on Promise Keeping

“Promises are the uniquely human way of ordering the future, making it predictable and reliable to the extent that this is humanly possible.” – Hannah Arendt

A promise is a powerful way of speaking the future into existence. In other words, when you honor your word as yourself, you keep your promises. Your word becomes who you are. A promise then becomes a form of action instead of just talking. 

When people know you for honoring your word, your future is created by you instead of you waiting to see what the future will be.

When you think about it, all we really own is our word. People identify us by the words we use and whether or not we keep our word. Make a bold promise that empowers you and those around you and keep it, no matter what. With that, your words become reliable and so will your actions.  

Being True to Yourself

We live in a world where most people conduct their lives by following the leader. In fact, too often corrupt behavior is justified in an individual’s mind because they saw someone else do it.

For example, Richard Nixon stated emphatically, ‘I am not a crook.’ In fact, however, he had engaged in wrong doing. Some psychologists believe children who were around 10 years old during Watergate were influenced. Perhaps many of those 10 year olds are making decisions on Wall Street now. Bill Clinton said, ‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman’. We all know how that turned out. What will happen to the people who were 10 at that time?

Do You Have Hidden Power?

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” – Joseph Chilton Pearce

Being wrong is one of the deepest fears amongst the entire human race. People will give up success, happiness and love to avoid being wrong. Being wrong does one thing: it makes you look bad. It’s amazing what people will give up to look good or avoid looking bad. 

If we peel these thoughts another layer, perhaps the deep dark secret of the human race is that most of us already believe we are not worthy or that something is wrong with us. When we are made wrong, it conjures up the feeling that we have been found out and others know that we have been hiding the fact that we are unworthy and we have spent our lives trying to prove we are not unworthy.

Yet, once you let go of these fears, and allow yourself to explore possibilities that are beyond your current knowledge, skills and competencies, you wander into the messy world of not getting it right. At the same time, you get to learn about yourself from an entirely new perspective where you discover skills and competencies that you thought were impossible for you.  You reveal your very own individual creativity. It only takes the desire to walk through the chaos of uncertainty and the commitment to come out on the other side as the person you always wanted to be. You create or invent that person. 

What do you think? I would love your feedback. And I’m open to ideas. Or if you want to write me about a specific topic, connect through my blog www.turnaroundip.blogspot.com.