tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42935441333359549872024-03-17T08:41:30.119-07:00AdVISEAdVISEBusiness AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-67148106630887054792012-04-06T06:15:00.002-07:002012-04-06T06:16:28.095-07:00Top Jobs and the Road to Getting There<br />
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In a recent link to a PowerPoint by
the <u>Birmingham Business Journal</u>, I found a list of the highest paying
jobs in the Birmingham market. The list
includes an interesting category from mining and geological engineering coming
in at 25 in rank at an income of $92,670 to your general Internist being the
number one paying job in the Birmingham market coming in at $246,460.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> The
specifics of the survey pull from the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. The rank order for Birmingham is as follows:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 25
Mining and Geological Engineers $92,670<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 24
Purchasing Managers $94,600<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 23
Medical and Health Services Managers $95, 580<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 22
Marketing Managers $102,910<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 21
Advertising and Promotions Managers $103,950<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 20
Education Administrators, Post Secondary $103,970<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 19
Sales Managers, $104,900<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 18
Human Resource Managers $106.090<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 17
Computer and Information Resource Managers $108,060<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 16
Architectural and Engineering Managers $111, 010<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 15
General and Operations Managers $111,530<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 14
Pharmacists $111,720<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 13
Aerospace Engineers $112,090<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 12
Financial Managers $117,770<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 11
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators and Hearing Officers <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> $137,840<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 10
Lawyers $138,130<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 9 General Pediatricians $138,670<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 8 Family and General Medicine $142,490<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 7 Biological Teachers (postsecondary) $150,260<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 6 Anesthesiologists $155, 150<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 5 Psychiatrist $158,900<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 4 General Dentists $179,770<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 3 Chief Executives $198,220<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> 2 Physicians and Surgeons $210,700<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">1<span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">General Internists $246,460</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> As
you read through the list you may be struck by the dollar figures, but I
challenge you to think a bit deeper. The
devil is in the details as they say, and not factored into these numbers are a
few key questions that are not discussed in the absolute number. Take a minute to think about two key business
concepts. The first is Opportunity Cost
and the second is the Time Value of Money. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> For
the most part, every job title on this list requires some level of graduate
work with rare exception. This means
seeing your time through high school, college, and then graduate school before
really getting down to the business of work that pays a higher income. To accomplish this, there is a high level of
focus, sacrifice and at least some delayed gratification. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> A
simple example is the opportunity cost of blowing off studying for the long
weekend to head to the beach vs. the payoff of taking your books, relaxing, but
remaining focused on the work that waits for you when you return. The idea is simple. What costs more in the long run?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The idea of the time
value of money means that for every minute or dollar that you invest today, you
will see dividends in the future that will be missed if you choose to not invest
your time or money. This too is a
no-brainer, but it is the rare person indeed who is willing to forgo what they
“want or deserve” today for some future reward like interest on money, or the
fruits of some hard work toward an education for a better job. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">As you review the above
list of top Birmingham earners, think not on their income, but the sacrifice
that was made to achieve this type of opportunity. In addition, think about the work that starts
at 630 or 700AM and is never really over, but the person tries to end it around
12 or 13 hours later. These jobs require
not just dedication but patience. It may
take years for many of these jobs to create enough revenue to pay off the
academic debt incurred on the road to the role.
Also, don’t overlook the value of all of the additional jobs that these
earners create or support. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 18pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In business, in school
and at home, begin today to value education and expect hard work. This is how true change begins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-44081315644245078372012-03-24T09:13:00.000-07:002012-03-24T09:13:42.248-07:00Show me the REAL money<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">An economy certainly
needs money so that goods and services can be exchanged. If there is too little
money goods will remain unsold, prices will fall and we call this deflation. If
the scarcity of money becomes serious, eventually the economy will go into
recession, that is, production comes to a halt, people lose their jobs, and
misery starts to reign. So it is very important that the amount of money in
circulation is at all times sufficient for people to buy the goods and services
that are being offered.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> So where do we get the money? </span>What determines the value of our money? <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The answer lies a great deal in the type of government under which you
live. </span>A little research this week uncovered that there are four types of
money 1) Representative money 2) Confidence money 3) Intrinsic money and 4)
Fiat money. Hmmmmm. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Representative money has no value on its own, but is backed by
something of value like US gold or silver certificates that have an equal value
of real gold or silver. Confidence money
is money that is worth whatever people think its worth and its value is
determined by the stability of the government that issues it like the US Dollar
or the British Pound. Intrinsic money
has its own value because it is made of something valuable like a gold or
silver coin such as the South African Krugerrand. Fiat money is basically worthless and is used
b<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">ecause the government
demands it as payment and punishes those who don't pay in the government's
prescribed form, such as the Russian Ruble in the 1980s. At that time the international markets
wouldn't even trade in it.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">The difference between
confidence and fiat money can most easily be seen in the inflation rate. Sooner
or later all confidence monies become fiat, and all fiat monies super inflate
until they are worthless. Basically, if you make more of something, its value
decreases. Sound familiar?</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">This brings me to my visit this week to the Birmingham Branch
of the Federal Reserve. It was
fascinating to learn a bit more about the Fed, and I came away with the feeling
that I really should not only have known some of these facts better, but I
certainly should pay a lot more attention to them as well. The Federal Reserve is a Quasi-Federal
structure comprised of 12 Districts of which Atlanta is one, and the Birmingham
office is a sub section. The Federal
Reserve is a politically independent entity that is charged with setting monetary
policy with the long view in mind. It is
accountable to Congress and is weighted with the responsibility of unifying
banks and creating stability. The Fed
has a dual mandate by Congress to create price stability and full
employment. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">So how are we doing? Jim
Rogers spoke to the Brock School of Business recently in a signature event
sponsored by independent investing firm Fi-Plan Partners. From the moment of introduction, Mr. Rogers
has my attention. Rogers is a </span><span style="background: white; color: #232d30;">famed commodity bull and legendary hedge
fund investor credited with running the most successful hedge fund in history,
the Quantum Fund, with now billionaire George Soros. Rogers has a storied career that includes
growing up in Demopolis, Alabama, and traveling for 3 years across 116
countries. His message is direct to
“Invest in what you know, and you will not know if you don’t go there.” If you are interested in the global
marketplace and wish to understand what it means here at home, then you must go
and see for yourself. His noted quote of
Rudyard Kipling spoke volumes. Kipling
is remembered to say, “What can you know of England if England is all that you
know.” I mention it here because Rogers
reminded the audience that the Pound Sterling was the standard in the 19<sup>th</sup>
century. We see the US dollar as the
standard in the 20<sup>th</sup> century, and Rogers predicted that the Chinese
official currency of the Renmimbi will be the benchmark in the 21<sup>st</sup>
Century. Rogers opinioned that that
the Chinese, while Communist, are still the best capitalists in the world. They save 35% of their income compared to
3-4% savings here in the US. China is
our largest customer and continues to grow by leaps and bounds.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232d30; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #232d30;">Rogers charged the audience to learn about currency to better
appreciate the economic turmoil in the world.
The largest creditor nations of China, Korea and Japan are a force to be
reckoned with by the largest debtor nation of the United States. We aren’t just the largest debtor in the
world, but we hold the dubious distinction of being the largest debtor in
history. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232d30; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #232d30;">A telling event certainly, and one that I am very glad to
have participated in as I seek to understand the dynamics of not only business,
but competition and planning. </span><o:p></o:p></div>Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-82640055841552711682012-02-27T05:32:00.000-08:002012-02-27T05:32:32.441-08:00Business Survival Lessons learned from the Wild<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
I came upon some interesting research out of
Cranfield University in the UK, one of Europe’s leading Schools of
Management. As reported in BizJournals
and Portfolio.com, a better understanding of animal survival instincts could
improve a company’s chances of business survival this according to a new study
by Cranfield School of Management. The research explores what business leaders
preparing for hard times can learn from solutions that have evolved in the
animal kingdom over billions of years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
Dr Tazeeb Rajwani, Lecturer in Strategic Management
at Cranfield is one of the report’s co-authors. He commented: “It is too easy
to blame market turbulence or unexpected events for a company’s poor
performance but this is often the response of managers to circumstances beyond
their control. As a consequence, businesses fail to develop strategies for
coping with crisis. Animals thrive in environments that are much more deadly
than the marketplaces that businesses operate in, so are ideal subjects to
learn from. Our research identified four basic coping capabilities and survival
strategies that businesses can develop to survive and thrive in unpredictable
environments.” Other researchers include
Professor Patrick Reinmoeller from Cranfield School of Management and Professor
Thomas Lawton from EM Lyon. EM Lyon has
a campus presence in France, Geneva and Shanghai.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
The four survival strategies explored in the study
were:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b>Bear strategy – embracing
hibernation capabilities</b>: displaying a superior capacity to conserve energy
or costs is chosen by businesses in the tourist and farming industries whose
services will have varying demand throughout the year. During the high season,
all their resources are used, with the knowledge that seasonality will cause a
slump in demand for the rest of the year. Understanding how you accumulate your
resources, and slow energy usage before getting hit by a crisis, is crucial to
surviving. Think Peach farmer in Clanton
or Citrus Farmer in Florida.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b>Lion strategy - building a
fighting capability</b>: putting up a fight is the strategy of choice for
aggressive companies, specifically in hostile environments that threaten to
erode their competitive advantage. They react quickly and can stage vicious
attacks if challenged for resources or territory. Organizations in hostile
environments that follow lion strategies take a proactive role in going after
the weaknesses in competitors and may adopt direct and forceful approaches in
doing so. However, these companies can also lose their battles depending on the
territory. Think hostile takeover bid
for Vulcan Materials.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b>Seagull strategy - structuring
flight capabilities</b>: moving quickly away from hostile environments to
avoid specific threats to survival is another strategy adopted by companies
that train hard to become highly tolerant of changes in the business
environment. Similar to seagulls, such companies are agile enough to fly away
to escape danger and thrive in many different environments such as moving the
business unit to another country during a crisis. However, following this
strategy requires making hard choices. Think
Caterpillar as they moved out of the USA and now back into the USA.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<b>Shark strategy – developing
search capabilities</b>: continuously looking for opportunities and
threats and at the same time developing stamina is an approach followed by
companies that seek predator’s rewards. Like sharks, companies in hard times
can develop instincts about when and how to attack to reclaim territory and
search hard for new customers. They can also use their strength and force to
fight off competitors. Think Proview blocking
the sale by Apple of iPad in China.
Proview makes iFamily and says that rights bought by Apple to market in
Taiwan are in valid in mainland China.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
Bear, lion, seagull, shark? Which instinct will you need in your bag
today? As we learn from an unofficial Marine
slogan, we should prepare to improvise, adapt,
overcome ……survive.</div>Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-29333204768065879562012-02-22T20:31:00.001-08:002012-02-22T20:32:35.084-08:00Relocating to Georgia is Best Move for Caterpillar<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What happens when you manufacture products that the locals
can’t afford to buy? You move to
Georgia. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The announcement last Friday by Caterpillar to move to
Georgia will create <span style="color: #404040;">1,400 jobs according to Caterpillar
representatives and invest $200 million to build small tractors and excavators.
Another 2,800 jobs will be created around the country as a result of the new
plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #404040;">Officials with
Caterpillar say the area's close proximity to the Port of Savannah was a key
element in the decision to build the plant in Georgia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #404040;">"Forty percent
of everything made here will be exported. So there are great American products
built by Georgia workers and exported around the world," said Caterpillar
CEO Doug Oberhelman and reported by Fox News.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #404040;">Georgia's Governor
Nathan Deal called the plans to build the plant in the state a "great day
for Georgia." You bet it is, and
the story is bigger than just jobs in Georgia.
We can learn much from a case study in business from a company like
Caterpillar who faces the typical struggles of jobs creation, product life
cycle management, demand fluctuations and the pressure of competing in the
“right” economic environment. After all,
a lot has changed since this company was founded in 1883. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #404040;">Fast forward to
2012 and blink and you will miss the 129 years of growth, subsistence, struggle
and creative compromise that a true entrepreneurial organization will shoulder
to stay in business. As did many
manufacturing companies, Caterpillar found survival in the downturn of the
1980’s by two methods. First they moved
facilities overseas to take advantage of the stronger US dollar in foreign
countries, and second it increased automation efficiencies which mean that it
needed fewer workers to do the job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;">In the early 1990s Caterpillar looked to the
east and south for its future growth. The company strongly supported both the
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT), concluding that the elimination of trade barriers
could add sales. Sales growth in Mexico
and outside North America led to ventures in Japan, Russia, China and
Vietnam. Ongoing UAW contract battles
led Caterpillar to shift manufacturing to right to work states and foreign
countries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">The cycle of purchase power is now coming full circle it seems. With the continuing economic downturn,
companies are realizing that if they manufacture overseas, then the people here
at home who are unemployed because they lost their job to an overseas
initiative, can’t afford to buy the product.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">Several government initiatives may be needed to make the “purchase
power” part of this picture whole though.
Yes we need tax reform. Yes we
need a pro-business environment. But
what we really need is an educated worker to do the job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;">As we have written here before, the manufacturing worker today is very
different than that of 50 years ago.
Often in a white coat and not just a hard hat, these workers need strong
high school educations where graduation is expected. Caterpillar is not new to this dance and the
company expects an educated worker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333;">In 1968,
Caterpillar was early to enlist in a government-sponsored program to hire and
train people considered to be unemployable. This program was directed to
persons who had been out of work for extended periods. The hirees would work
half of the day at entry-level positions and spend the other half of the day
learning job skills for better-paying jobs.
According to <u>Fox News</u>, </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #404040;">Georgia was among a number of states competing for the new
plant. Ground breaking is expected to take place in 2012. Production is slated
to begin late in 2013. Officials say the state granted about $45 million in
incentives to close the deal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #404040;">Companies like
Caterpillar are looking for logistics, workforce, speed and efficiency. North Carolina was a hot contender for the
Caterpillar deal according to </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Jim
Bradshaw, the Executive Director of the Brunswick County Economic Development
Commission, but they lost due to logistics.
A 50 foot channel is needed for their shipping needs, and the current 42
feet channel at the Port of Wilmington is not adequate. Our own Mobile Bay can have a depth of 75
feet, but on average is 12 feet, according to the <u>World Atlas</u>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Alabama was a
contender for Caterpillar in 2010 as reported by Al.com, but we still had some
work to do at that time to attract business.
Work continues, and as late as last Thursday, </span>the House of Representatives passed a key job-growth bill known as House
Bill 159. House members passed a
constitutional amendment that allows voters to give the Governor and the
Alabama Development Office the authority to offer incentives like those used on
the Mercedes project to recruit new industry to Alabama and prevent existing
industry from leaving the state.
According to Representative Barry Mask and reported by Stephen Crews in <u>DothanFirst,</u>
“<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">We're trying to give our
state and local economic developers more tools to help grow existing businesses
and land new industry, both of which result in more jobs for Alabamians."
Mask continued, "I was pleased to work with colleagues from both parties
to make this bill better so that voters can be confident in the plan we put
before them." Opposition came from
the Alabama Education Association and the Alabama Democratic Party. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">Crews also
reported that Speaker Hubbard said, "It's hard to believe anyone would be
against bi-partisan efforts to boost job growth". "When the economy grows, our education budget
grows, and we have more funds to put toward schools. More jobs and more money
for education means everybody wins. Most importantly, the people win over the
special interests."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">This
constitutional amendment and enabling legislation will now move to the
Senate. A list of Alabama State
Incentives for Business may be found at <u>businessfacilities.com. </u><i>Let’s
just get it done. </i></span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-13151195580484797712012-02-07T06:39:00.000-08:002012-02-07T06:39:59.804-08:00Honest vs. Dishonest Debate<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What did he just say? I am half
held in amusement, half held in stunned silence at some of the things that
political figures, community leaders, and even nice friends at church may
say. Perhaps it is a good time to take a
minute and discern the accidental Freudian faux pas from the intentional
circumspection of the truth. I found an
interesting resource with a quick Google search of “honest debate.” I found a site that you may wish to spend
some time with called <u>Intellectually Honest and Intellectually Dishonest
Debate Tactics</u> hosted by author John T. Reed, a coach, author, West Point
Graduate and Harvard MBA. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Very
interesting insight in to how to manage the most basic to the most complex
conversation and I highly recommend a glimpse at his work. According to Reed, there are really two kinds
of discussion: One that is intellectually
honest and one that is intellectually dishonest. The measure of the two is simple. The honest discussion is grounded in fact or
logic. Period, and end of statement. This means that you can fairly point out an
error in your opponent based only on fact or logic. If you do not use fact or logic then you are
being intellectually dishonest, which is a fancy way of saying that you are
twisting the truth and even lying.
According to the assessment and lengthy list by Reed, there are a lot of
ways to twist or play with the truth to get your way and these methods achieve
intellectually dishonest debate. The
goal for the intellectually dishonest debater is to not make his or her point only
mind you, but simply to get his or her way.
Think about this next time you are talking/arguing with someone. Step away from the heat of the moment and try
to state only the fact or the logic.
Does your point hold? Or do you
retreat to one of the thirty plus tactics used to get a debate or discussion
off track by intellectually dishonest means.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .25in;">
There
are quite a few strategies according to Reed.
They can include name calling, changing the subject, questioning the
motives of the person, stating irrelevant facts, quoting hearsay, pulling in an
unqualified expert opinion, being vague, stereotyping, cult of personality, sloganeering,
creating a scapegoat, claiming privacy to information, arousing envy, innuendo,
redefining words, rejecting logic as opinion, fake laughter, intimidation, peer
approval, mockery and political correctness are but just a few on the
list. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Let me give you a few examples that Reed shared on his
site. Start thinking about this the next
time you watch the news or subject yourself to the ongoing political debates
and see how many that you can find now that your eyes are a bit open to the
technique. Keep it in mind at your next
board or council meeting too.
Intellectual dishonesty is just second nature sometimes. “<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Intellectually-dishonest
debate tactics are typically employed by dishonest politicians, lawyers of
guilty parties, dishonest salespeople, cads, cults, and others who are attempting
to perpetrate a fraud,” shares Reed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Name calling and
changing the subject is a fairly straight forward technique to derail an
argument by minimizing the credibility of an opponent. “Never mind that the facts are true, let’s
just make him look bad” thinks the intellectually dishonest person. Questioning the motives of an opponent may be
clever but it is also insincere when it comes to debate. “They just want to sell their product,” may
be true, but if the facts are accurate then by all means, sell away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Hearsay or the
support of the support of unqualified expert opinion is a technique that should
be easy to pick up on, but it can sneak by if you aren’t watching. Look for the ads in the paper that are set up
to read like an article or press release.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">What about
sloganeering? People love to fall for
this one. It is so much easier to grasp
on to a slogan or phrase than to take the time to understand the reason or
logic. Does “Change you can believe in”
ring any bells. Following on this idea
is the “cult of personality” where instead of sifting though logic and facts to
choose a leader, someone votes because “I like him” or “I dislike him less” as
the case may be. Also, look out for
“claims of information privacy” in discussions or debate. Really?
If you can’t divulge that
incredibly private and negotiated contract that is at the heart of the
point of decision or purchase, perhaps you should just move on to the next
offer completely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Stereotyping is a
technique used to leverage a win too. If
I label you as too Ivory Tower and Too Smart for your own good, then you
probably can’t understand the “real world” problem that we are dealing with
here, so your ideas aren’t going to be relevant. It is always best to keep to the facts, and
the person that you are overlooking or minimizing may just have the missing
key.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">How about
redefining words to suite your agenda and win the discussion? In this technique the debater uses a word
that helps him, but that does not apply, by redefining it to suit his purposes,
like calling government spending “investment.”
Taking words or quotes out of context is a common strategy too, like the
recent debate of whether or not Romney really “doesn’t care about the poor.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Words mean things,
and it can be a challenge to stick to the facts, and to require our leaders to
stick to the facts. As we move in to our
election cycle, stay alert, and hold the speaker accountable.</span></div>Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-68624484775318158302012-02-01T18:13:00.000-08:002012-02-01T18:13:18.727-08:00Governor Bentley, the North Jefferson area and Your Chamber of Commerce<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Communicate, Collaborate,
Connect” said Charlotte Reach, incoming President of the Gardendale Chamber of
Commerce and Vice President of First Commercial Bank in Gardendale. It is important to begin with the end in mind
and those words of challenge bring in to focus the requirement for success for
our North Jefferson community as we begin 2012.
Adding strength to her words and those of her team, our Fultondale
Chamber was pleased to have a presence of support at the noted visit by
Governor Robert Bentley to our North Jefferson area where Reach accepted her
new role as Gardendale Chamber President and contributed her comments. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
important role of a Chamber of Commerce took stage with the visit of Governor
Bentley. Bentley began by reminding the
audience that he too, like a Chamber of Commerce, is a servant leader. As a servant leader, Bentley thanked the
support of small business and the critical role that business owners have
played in jobs creation. Bentley said,
“After one year in office, I need to applaud YOU. We now have 40,000 more people working here
in Alabama.” We have come through
difficult times certainly, but, “with a continued Pro-Business Legislation and
efforts with the Immigration Bill, …as well as addressing the education
bureaucracy which has held us back, we will continue to create jobs,” said
Bentley.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bentley
shared that we should expect changes to our State budget in 2012 with respect
to education, transportation and health.
He committed that money would not be taken from the classroom, and
attention would be given to the 50% of funds that “doesn’t make it to the
classroom now.” Charter School efforts
will move forward, because in his words, “the child is most important.” Adding to the list will be efforts with road
and bridge repair. “We need to repair
and preserve what we have now. Toll
roads may be an option to generate funds to accomplish this,” Bentley
said. And on health, he stated simply,
“We are a fat State.” Now don’t get
offended Dear Reader, he is a doctor after all.
He challenged the group to make their dollars count. “If you are going to spend money on
healthcare, then make it count,” he said.
There is a need for Alabama to have measured results and a return on
investment assessed for health outcomes.
He added, “It just costs less to be healthy.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking
of cost and funding, the General Fund is down 463 million from 2011. The education budget looks good, but the
General Fund, not so much. As the
economy grows, the tax collected will grow that General Fund, so it is critical
to keep the embers of growth burning.
But in 2012, Bentley promised a real budget, and there are no Federal
dollars to prop it up this year.
Governor Bentley told the audience that he is not a “caretaker”
Governor. “I want change,” he said, and
added “I want us to get better.”
Governor Bentley called on the Chamber of Commerce and Small Business,
as leaders in the community, to participate and be involved. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Getting
involved with your business community through our Chamber of Commerce
organizations is easy. Not a member or
involved just yet? Then please mark your
calendar for Thursday, February 9<sup>th</sup>, 2012 for the next joint meeting
of the Gardendale and Fultondale Chambers of Commerce as they co-host Mr. Moore
Hallmark from the US Chamber of Commerce.
Hallmark is the Executive Director of the Southeastern Region and oversees
the congressional and public affairs for eight southeastern states: Alabama,
Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and
Virginia. We will meet at the Gardendale
Civic Center and all business owners, civic and community leaders from the
entire North Jefferson area are encouraged to attend. Moore will be presenting on the important
role of the Chamber of Commerce at a local level, and what the Regional and
Federal initiatives include. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
As we have asked in this column before, “Do you really know
what good looks like?” Initiatives such
as the Alabama Community of Excellence as well as understanding accreditation
requirements of the US Chamber of Commerce give credence, credibility and yes
clout, to what your Chamber of Commerce can do for you and your business. </div>Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-74130669083016829622012-01-27T16:51:00.000-08:002012-01-27T16:52:29.898-08:002012 Economic Forecast, Birmingham Business Journal and Samford Brock School of Business<br />
I phone? Check. Business Plan? Check.
Clients? Check. Crystal
Ball? I wish! What are the drivers of business as we enter
into 2012? According to speakers for the
recent Birmingham Business Journal event, they include the European Debt
Crisis, China, Hiring and Labor Force Expectations, Growth issues, tax policy
and the election.<br />
An esteemed foursome of speakers addressed the potentials for business as we
move in to 2012 at the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2012 Economic Forecast
Panel held at Samford University Brock
School of Business this past week. The
discussion was similar to last years event, and according to the panel, t<span lang="EN">he
slow pace of economic recovery last year will remain relatively unchanged in
2012 and could continue into 2013 or longer<span class="follow-icon"><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/##"></a></span><span class="follow-outer"><span style="display: none;"> </span></span><strong><span style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/profiles/company/al/birmingham/samford_university/3213123/">Samford
University</a></span></strong><span class="follow-innerclearfix"><span style="display: none;"> </span></span><span class="follow-latest"><span style="display: none;">Latest from The Business Journals</span></span><span class="follow-innerclearfix"><span style="display: none;"> </span></span><span class="follow-article"><span style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/blog/2012/01/top-of-the-list-education-guide.html">Top
of the list: Education guide</a><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/print-edition/2012/01/06/bba-may-form-pac-targeting-political.html">BBA
may form PAC targeting political clout</a><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/blog/2011/12/ua-is-nations-201st-most-selective.html">UA
is nation's 201st most selective school</a></span></span><span class="follow-innerclearfix"><span style="display: none;"> </span></span><span class="follow-btn-outer"><span style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/#bizWatch-infoPopup#bizWatch-infoPopup">Follow
this company</a> </span></span>. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">The four panelists included <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/search/results?q=Sara%20Helms"></a>Sara
Helms, an economics professor and
research associate at the Lister Hill Center for Health Policy; Ahmad Ijaz,
director of economic forecasting at the University of Alabama Center for
Business and Economic Research, John Norris, a wealth management and investment
services professional at Oakworth Capital Bank, and Rick Davis, senior vice
president of economic development for the Birmingham Business Alliance.<span class="follow-icon"> <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/##"></a> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span class="follow-icon"><span lang="EN">The panel
summed their cautious outlook from the international down to the local picture in
terms of where we are and where we may be heading in 2012. U</span></span><span lang="EN">ncertainty stemming from indecision and
political infighting in Washington and Europe’s sovereign debt crisis were
listed as primary factors causing the slow growth. According to Norris, “Europe is a problem
that is a long time coming.” Ijaz
interjected that, “An attempt with Europe to have one currency but 17 different
monetary policies will continue to struggle, and perhaps cease to exist.” With respect to Europe and debt problems, the
question is will Europe hang together or splinter apart. “The great unknown is China with its slow
down and it will have a profound impact,” Norris continued. Citing an anticipated slow down in China’s
high-speed economic growth that is expected to further impact the global
economy, they projected the slow economic recovery would continue in 2013 as
the private sector continues de-leveraging.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">On a state level, the economy is
growing, but very slowly with a suggested 2.5-3.0% growth for this year and a
modest 1-1.5% growth in employment.
Davis challenged the group to “Stop calling this a Recovery. We have not gotten out of the woods yet, and
we are still ringing distressed assets out.”
“If you want 4 percent growth, you may have to wait a few years,” said
panelist John Norris. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">One of the greatest challenges
for 2012 will be how to manage the uncertainty.
Most shift in to neutral when the future is colored with unpredictable
waves. From hiring to predictions of
growth, much is unknown. “Most
businesses are just not sure what capital investments they should make or
whether they should hire,” Ijaz said. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">There are two halves to the issue
of hiring and labor, and proper worker expectations play a big part in any true
recovery. Some discussion was made by
the group to addressing not only high school completion, but also training in
tech related jobs. There was a stated
observation of a general unwillingness of new college graduates to take more
simple entry level work. According to Norris,
“Goal setting should be to find a way for the (new graduates) to set themselves
apart. Do what is beneath you to get
experience. Focus on work ethic, and
start at the bottom with a goal to work up.” Helms added, “The Occupy movement
has shown us that people have degrees of very little value.” <strong><span style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/profiles/company/al/birmingham/birmingham_business_alliance/3320210/">Birmingham
Business Alliance</a></span></strong><span class="follow-innerclearfix"><span style="display: none;"> </span></span><span class="follow-latest"><span style="display: none;">Latest from The Business Journals</span></span><span class="follow-innerclearfix"><span style="display: none;"> </span></span><span class="follow-article"><span style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/print-edition/2012/01/13/jeffco-deal-breaker-will-cost-dearly.html">JeffCo
deal breaker will cost dearly</a><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/print-edition/2012/01/13/bba-campaign-sets-sights-on-national.html">BBA
campaign sets sights on national media</a><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/print-edition/2012/01/06/bba-may-form-pac-targeting-political.html">BBA
may form PAC targeting political clout</a></span></span><span class="follow-innerclearfix"><span style="display: none;"> </span></span><span class="follow-btn-outer"><span style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/#bizWatch-infoPopup#bizWatch-infoPopup">Follow
this company</a> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">The group agreed that recovering
job sectors include science, technology, medicine and health services – areas
the Birmingham region is well positioned to capitalize upon. But, commercial real estate, development in
any manner related to the bubble, and manufacturing will decline. What does the future of manufacturing look
like then? The group discussed the
public service announcement by Mike Roe of Dirty Jobs and the effort to
encourage students to pursue advanced manufacturing jobs. These high tech manufacturing jobs are high
knowledge base, and it “ain’t your Daddy’s work shop” anymore. White lab coats are taking the place of the
fiery shop floor, and the highly trained, tech manufacturing worker is in certainly
in demand. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">With respect to unemployment,
Helms cited 42-45% of the unemployed as having been unemployed for 6 months or
longer. Retraining is needed because
your skills start to atrophy. Davis also
cited that 15% of the businesses create 50% of the jobs, and this must change
to become sustainable. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">With regard to Banking, Davis
describes the state we see now as the “new normal”. “Actually the new normal is the old normal if
you take a brief glance at the past.
Remember when you had to actually save some money for a down payment?”
he reminded the group. Now you must put
some skin in the game, and banks are requiring up to 35% collateral for some
loans. Norris reminded the group that
banks are “those places that you go to borrow money, when you don’t need
any.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">Turning it around? This will certainly take some time to accomplish. Ijaz cited that while the 2001 recession took
44-45 months to recover, the 2008 recession may take 3, 4 or even 5 years. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN">These are defining times. Pay attention, educate yourself, and do a
quick roll up of your sleeves to get this one done.<o:p></o:p></span>Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-63109301405627113562012-01-15T05:59:00.000-08:002012-01-15T05:59:17.647-08:00Public Relations vs. Publicity: What is the price of a reputation?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you work to get ahead of the pack in your industry, and
certainly as we move into an election year, I know the rhetoric and spin will
begin to ramp up. According to the
Bloomberg Business (7/2007) businesses spent a hefty 4.2 Billion dollars on the
Public Relations industry in an effort to craft a good image and reputation, or
at least one that you will believe.
Let’s take a few minutes to sift through what that can mean for your
customers, or the voting public. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Publicity is to Limelight as Public
Relations is to Spin. Sounds like an
excerpt from an ACT test, but if you think about it, it is all a matter of
perspective. The two words, and attached
roles, of publicity and public relations are often used interchangeably by the
novice, and it is important to appreciate the distinction between the two. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are
also two sides to every view, and one man’s bad publicity event is another
man’s opportunity for being seen. One
man’s Public Relations frustration is another man’s chance for spin and
opportunism. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Publicity
is, put simply, public exposure or notoriety.
Public Relations is the business of inducing the public to have
understanding for and good will toward a person, firm or institution. Public Relations can be accomplished with
publicity, but it is not the only way. A
good Public Relations strategy is more than just the simplistic calling in of
media and putting up a few microphones.
A strong Public Relations strategy meets the public where they are and
fosters a positive image and relationship via multiple avenues to include
support of the arts, charitable causes, education, sporting events and civic
engagement. It creates true good will.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">More recently in public relations,
professionals are using technology as their main tool to get their messages to
target audiences. With the creation of social networks, blogs, and even
Internet radio public relations professionals are able to send direct messages
through these mediums that attract the target audiences. Methods used to find
out what is appealing to target audiences include the use of surveys,
conducting research or even focus groups. Tactics are the ways to attract
target audiences by using the information gathered about that audience and
directing a message to them using tools such as social mediums or other
technology. Another emerging theme is the application of impression management. The psychology behind impression management
works to cultivate perception, and as you know, perception is reality. Done well, impression management works to
cultivate reputation capital, and build trustworthiness. It is important to know that public image, be
it to the soda you drink, car you drive, or leader that you select, gets a lot
of thought committed to driving how you think and what you choose.</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"> Seasoned Public Relations
Professionals and Publicity Leads take a few years to learn their craft by
completing degrees in communications, marketing, finance, engineering,
healthcare and more and least at the Bachelors but often at the Masters Level. Even with appropriate educational training
and experience, there are rookie Public Relations and Publicity mistakes o’plenty
to be made. A public relations strategy
for any business big or small is key for brand development, so why skimp and
just dole the job out to the most junior of team member, or the one that is
most easily lead or the most likely to “say what you want to hear” not the more
useful item of “what you need” to hear? It
is important to recognize here that Public Relations is not Marketing. Separate from Publicity and Public Relations
is the entirely unique discipline of Marketing.
And Marketing is not Sales. And
so on and so on goes the list of disciplines of thought that are needed to keep
the engine of your business, organization or government, big or small, humming
away. </span> </div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Mincho"; mso-fareast-language: JA;"> The
world of information is changing so quickly that it is vital to stay on top by
taking the time to educate and train yourself, and expect the same of your
team. </span>Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-78248475968550187092011-12-10T06:28:00.000-08:002011-12-10T06:28:36.411-08:00Motivation and Compensation: It isn't all about money Everyone must put food on the table and find a way to squirrel out enough resources to keep Maslow happy with his famous five “hierarchy of needs” of physical (food), safety (get out of my cubicle), belongingness (include me in the information flow), esteem (I know what is going on around here) and lastly, self-actualization (I can lead the way.) We have discussed here previously Maslow and his description of these basic human requirements to get by, get along and get ahead, but what happens when you are just stuck trying to discern what is needed to motivate yourself or your team? Usually the answer is money. Show me the money, and I will show you the results. But, what happens when you don’t have the money for a pay raise or financial incentive, or worse, you have given that to your team, but they just can’t seem to get it done without your constantly micromanaging them? <br />
Enter the Law of Diminishing Returns, and the idea of a Break Even Point. The Law of Diminishing Returns tells us that there is a point where even with more effort or investment, results decline. The idea of a Break Even Point tells us that input (of money) equals output of effort up to a zero sum balance. That is to say, more money does not get you more effort past the psychological breakeven point. As I was asked in an interview once, “How much money do you need?” The hidden question is “How much money will make you lazy?” The point behind the question is “How do we motivate you when we can’t or won’t give you more money?” The correct answer is: It isn’t all about money.<br />
To that thought, here are some ideas to think about from an article I found in Inc. and offered up by entrepreneur Ilya Pozin. His company, Ciplex, made the Inc. 500/5000 list for 2011 of America’s fastest growing private businesses. Starting this company at age of 17, Ciplex is a digital marketing and creativity agency. Writing for Inc., Pozin’s article, 9 Things that motivate your employees more than Money, really caught my attention. When it comes to motivating yourself and your team, the answer may cost less than you think. Good stuff, so grab some coffee and think about this one for a minute. And there is no charge on this one either. <br />
According to Mr. Pozin:<br />
1. Be generous with praise. Everyone wants it and it’s one of the easiest things to give. Plus, praise from the Boss or leader goes a lot farther than you might think. Praise goes even further when you praise someone in front of others. <br />
2. Get rid of the managers. Love this one! Let people simply work as a team. There really are just some things that you cannot buy, and getting someone to come in early or stay late is an issue of motivation, not requirement. They may not do it for you, but they will do it for the group.<br />
3. Make your ideas theirs. It is all in the tone or turn of the phrase. “Do you think it’s a good idea if we do it this way?” is received much better than I need this done this way now. Remember, just because you say it harshly or loudly does not make it more accurate or necessary. (Unless of course the house is on fire.)<br />
4. Never criticize or correct. If you want adults, be adults. If you want children, treat people like children. Pozin suggests an indirect approach to get people to improve, learn from their mistakes, and fix them. Ask, “Was that the best way to approach the problem? Why not? Have any ideas on what you could have done differently?” Then you’re having a conversation and talking through solutions, not pointing a finger. <br />
5. Make everyone a leader. All you limelight huggers and glory hounds beware. You need to step away from the warmth of the spotlight and highlight your top performers’ strengths instead. Pozin suggests letting them know that because of their excellence, you want them to be the example for others. <br />
6. Take an employee to lunch once a week. Or just randomly do something nice for someone on your team. But, please don’t play favorites.<br />
7. Give recognition and small rewards. They don’t need to break the bank, but small tangible awards like dinner, trophies, spa services, and plaques are good places to start.<br />
8. Throw company parties. Remember when work use to be fun? Remind your staff that you’re all in it together. <br />
9. Share the rewards—and the pain. Be honest and transparent. Ask for opinions, and require a yes or no. You should not always agree for goodness sake. It is okay to have an original and intelligent thought that is different. <br />
<br />
If you never have any dissention, then you are not progressing as a team, and your entire effort is at peril if you lose the figurehead leader. <br />
<br />
Thanks for taking a read this week, and I would look forward to your ideas as well.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-67210303772843068242011-11-17T05:38:00.001-08:002011-11-17T05:44:47.196-08:00Talkin' Bout an EvolutionForgive me John Lennon and the Beatles, but just a little play on the title wording. Brian Brim is the coauthor of <u>Strengths Based Selling</u>, and I found a few of his thoughts in the <u>Gallup Management Journal</u> this week that you may find helpful too. His ideas, and those of David Liebnau, Executive Coach with Gallup, offer some insight as we evaluate change opportunities and growth here in the North Jefferson area. I was encouraged and reminded that real change takes time and persistence. In their words, we should be more patient. More will be accomplished through slight shifts than massive immediate changes. <br />
According to Brim and Liebnau, everyone has their special way of doing things that is comfortable, your own special groove. Stepping out of your way of doing things and into another can feel a bit like putting on someone else’s shoes. Not too comfortable and certainly not that efficient. The challenge it seems is to appreciate the difference between actions and practices. Now stay with me here. <br />
According to the writers, actions are the behaviors that you do with little thought. The actions a leader usually takes are determined by the "groove" he or she has developed over time. But how can you grow as a leader if you're forever contained in this same groove? You can't, and that is where practices come in. Practices are interventions that enable you to establish new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. They are essential to expand and develop your identity. To grow as a leader, you must slowly and steadily expand the groove. Adopting new practices which are slight shifts from what you already do enables you to access a different level of possible actions and create new opportunities. It is evolution, not revolution.<br />
You don’t get out of your rhythm of what works, you just expand it.<br />
This type of change is called <strong>slight-shift practice</strong>. It may be fairly easy too. But that's the point: When leaders are asked to do something they have the confidence to do and they see immediate success, they gain confidence from the positive feedback. Confidence and success drive them to repeat it. That's how sustainable development and wider grooves are created, and that's how great results happen. It is like a slow lazy stream that with time and persistence can become the Grand Canyon. <br />
What small changes can you make this week that will lead you to a sea change of possibility? How about pushing back from your desk and talking with your team more about their ideas for improvement? How about dealing with problems immediately, instead of putting them off? How about delegating more to allow someone else to grow in a skill? Can you accept the challenge to just get things done without regard to whom gets the credit? <br />
Now think about this idea in the context of our communities and growth. Think about it in the context of economic and professional development for yourself and the company that you support. Each entity be a company or a community has its own opportunity for development, and each has its own groove for certain. But what would happen if the groove or rhythm started to widen, just a little? <br />
Will our opportunities expand if we take a few actions to partner more, to trust more, and to be more transparent? Once these first easier steps are taken, then and only then will you be able to really talk about creative change, innovation, and thoughtful risk taking.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-88076060536667520682011-11-10T03:49:00.000-08:002011-11-10T03:49:52.531-08:00Greece, Debt and the Road to Your HouseSo, 10 doctors walk into a bar….Okay not the beginning of the best joke ever, but I did have a dinner meeting with several of my customers this week and the conversation quickly turned to politics. I would like to continue our thinking from last week’s discussion of how to best engage government and explore just how deeply our Grassroots should run. From banking, to schools, to medicine, to the local restaurant around the corner, it is important to understand how we came to be in well…so much debt.<br />
It begins here at home. I call it trickle up debt. It becomes a pervasive mindset that in order to have something you have to pay for it later. The conversation with my customers over dinner began with a bit of finger pointing. “Look at Greece! Geez what a mess!” said one. Like many countries, the Greek government, like the U. S., relies on borrowed money to balance its books. The recession has made this harder to achieve, because tax revenues are falling with people spending less, just as entitlement and welfare payments start to rise. To be fair, using public spending to even out the bumps in an economy is what most large developed economies do right now. This is all well and good as long as the investor money keeps coming in to the system. We aren’t even close to a balanced budget here in our own country. In fact, Economist warn that to get there we would pretty much need to eliminate all spending on defense and social security. Yikes. The lesson here is that debit is not all bad. Debt that you cannot repay is very, very bad.<br />
Unfortunately, investors have lost confidence in the Greek government's ability to walk this tightrope – so they have been demanding ever higher rates of interest to compensate for the risk that they might not get their money back. The higher it’s borrowing costs, the harder it is for the Greek economy to grow itself out of trouble. Money really doesn’t grow on trees, and while countries like the US can print more, it just works to devalue the currency.<br />
When Greek debt downgraded to "junk" status, the cost of borrowing money became too high. Fearing bankruptcy, Greece had to turn instead to the European Union and the International Monetary Fund for money to float there debt. But, just as money doesn’t grow on trees, it ain’t cheap either. Germany and other European Union members took issue with just giving more money without constraints to a struggling Greek economy as did Washington. This time there had to be some strings attached and a tough series of public sector cuts known as austerity measures were designed to reassure international investors that the government can become credit worthy again.<br />
Dial back a few years to the mid 2000’s when Greece was strong and solvent. During this time and prior, the Greek government took advantage of this by running in a deficit. With an economy dependent on shipping and tourism, it headed south quickly when the economy worldwide started to cool. Austerity measures have been the source of massive protests as the Greek government seeks to shake the couch cushions of its economy for loose change. Public sector pay cuts, pension reductions, new taxes on corporate profits, luxury and sin taxes, and value added tax (which is for an entirely different article) are the tools of a Government seeking to sustain itself and it has the people crying Uncle.<br />
But, let’s get back to my doctors and our dinner conversation. Greece is a long way away, so what does that mean here in little old Jefferson County? Well, the story for Greece sounds pretty similar to Jefferson County if you get right down to it. Weak leadership, poor accountability, and simply spending and promising to spend money that you don’t have can be found across the world or even around the corner.<br />
And what about some of the towns right here in North Jefferson County? Time will tell how the balance sheet fares out, but spending just because you have it, especially when it is on salaries and not infrastructure or improvements is just not a good idea. A recent Birmingham News article reviewed the balance sheets of two of our big towns here in North Jefferson. Both passed budget increases for 2012 with bigger coffer requirements needed to support employee raises and debt obligations. And don’t forget the add-on of “just a penny more” to your tax burden at the store.<br />
Suddenly Greece doesn’t sound so far away.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-7092628285042345552011-10-21T05:54:00.000-07:002011-10-21T05:54:39.138-07:00Occupy North Jefferson CountyOccupy North Jefferson. Is it that different than Occupy Wall Street? We think that our town is different in the notion of challenges and problems, but from Wall Street to Main Street, we are really quite similar. Job creation, economic concerns, debt, local government, and a desire for accountable leadership all hit a resonant cord for both communities. <br />
<br />
<br />
Just as “All Politics is local” so I have found that “All Job creation is local.” You can’t open the paper or turn on the news and not find a discussion of the topic, so perhaps now is the time to put down the remote, fold up the paper, and stop with the finger pointing. How about a good dose of “roll up your own sleeves and get busy” instead?<br />
<br />
In Jim Clifton’s article for the Gallup Management Journal this week, he writes that “fixing America’s problems with job creation can only be accomplished one city at a time.” Well, it that is the case, and then let us begin with our own town or towns. <br />
<br />
Here in the North Jefferson area, we already have strong leadership in place. We may not see eye to eye, and we certainly may disagree on many topics and decisions, but that does not make our leadership weak. Clifton continues to state that “A natural order is already present, in governments and local business and philanthropic entities. Every city has strong, caring leaders working on numerous committees and initiatives to fuel their local economic growth -- let's call it the city GDP -- and to create good jobs. The feat these leaders have to pull off is doubling their entrepreneurial energy by aligning all their local forces.” That means we must stop looking at our neighboring cities as competitors, and start viewing them as allies. <br />
<br />
In his words, “They succeed by declaring all-out war.” A war on job loss, a war on low workplace energy, on healthcare costs, on low graduation rates, on brain drain, and on community disengagement.” Those things destroy cities, destroy job growth, and destroy city GDP. Every city requires its own master plan that is as serious as planning for war. <br />
<br />
I would add that this master plan, or community development plan, will only be affective if the leaders communicate the plan to the people of the city. It is equally important as well to embrace the success of your neighbors and help them to participate in the growth war. For certain, the last thing that you need is for an excelling city to be surrounded by declining cities. <br />
<br />
Clifton goes on to point out that we should remember what Washington, and Government is about really. “In defense of Washington, it wasn't originally set up to be the nation's economic engine. The U.S. government has seeded whole industries through land grant universities, defense contractors, and scientific and medical researchers to name just a few. But the government has never, will never, nor should it be expected to ignite badly needed sustainable economic booms. These economic booms originate in the souls of individuals,” he writes. <br />
<br />
How do you know if your city is on the right track for improving debt reduction and increasing jobs creation? If your city leadership is looking for more legislation, more stimulus and more (tax) money to solve your cities problem, and then you probably need to look for new city leadership first. Stop what you are doing if it does not create real, meaningful jobs. Clifton writes, “Everybody in charge of anything needs to focus on job creation. If they divert their attention, vote them out. Be ruthless. If the bike path doesn't have anything to do with job creation, there is no bike path. If rezoning improves the jobs outlook, rezone. This is what leadership should work on everyday, and it “should get city leaders up in the morning, what they should work on all day, and what should keep them from getting to sleep at night.”<br />
<br />
As you move in to your week, think about how you work with your company, philanthropy or local government and if it is affectively working in tandem with surrounding communities. Every city needs a team of leaders that work well of course, but not in isolation. Your town I am certain is just like mine with multiple boards, committees and leadership appointments. Take a close look. Are they a reshuffle of the same stagnant minds without change for too many years? Or are you bringing in new thought leaders that learn from the old, but embrace the change of the new? Are you marching to the beat of the same old drum, or are you encouraged to at least on occasion ask for someone to change the station and say no to the same old song?Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-61346105865055408492011-10-10T07:14:00.000-07:002011-10-10T07:14:44.613-07:00Management vs. LeadershipManagement vs. Leadership. Is there a difference? Managers focus on processes, leaders however take the special role of, well, leading. Leading people. Having a vision. Making the hard calls, and sticking through tough times. <br />
<br />
<br />
In that vein, I came upon information this week on the Kaufmann Foundation. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is often referred to as one of the largest foundations in the United States—or as the world's largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship. What strikes me as particularly relevant to our area is the idea of the Tug Boat leverage philosophy that comparatively small organizations like the Kaufmann have accomplished. According to the mission of this organization, which keeps the noted company of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is the idea of the small leading the many. Some of us work at massive organizations striding forth to remake the world, but many pull from a talented few people engaging with many, many others to make a difference together. You get the image of this giant ocean liner being pushed along by the seemingly tiny tugboat.<br />
<br />
So where is your fit for this leadership mind set? I did a bit of searching to take a deeper look at this idea of Tug Boat Leadership and I came upon the writings of Geoffery Webb and his site called Leading on Purpose. <br />
<br />
Webb has a few suggestions for us to consider on leading intentionally. <br />
<br />
1. Small moves have big impacts. Unless absolutely needed, tugs don’t over-steer their vessels with dramatic movements. A little here and a little there is all it takes. Likewise leaders should be looking ahead, anticipating changes, and responding with strong, small moves to set their organizations on their best course. We see this in organizations with low attrition rates where they take the loss of an employee personally. Companies stay competitive when they take the time to retrain employees and keep that “Corporate Memory” in house and not lose it to another organization. Retraining and reinvesting in employees can go a long way to rebuilding the loss of loyalty that is so pandemic today.<br />
<br />
2. There’s no autopilot. Many leaders seek to find a comfortable status quo, a place of rest where they can sit back and relax. There is no autopilot for a tugboat—or for a leader. Guiding an organization through ever-changing environments takes constant vigilance. The moment you think you’ve “figured it out” is the when you—and your organization—are most at risk. Your company or team needs constant tending, and keeping a strong focus on your mission is critical. Plunge head first into change and make it happen. Or as Winston Churchill said, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.”<br />
<br />
3. It’s not about you. Tugs know that they exist to serve a purpose. Their job is to safely move vessels weighing thousands of tons through challenging waterways. Ultimately, as a leader, it’s not about you either. It’s about moving your organization, your employees, your customers, your clients safely through the hazards around them. Now that is a “Gee Whiz” concept for many leaders who forget that the job is to help the team. The job is to grow the city, build the company, and never once take the credit. Think it is all about you do ya’? Well how affective will you be when you are the only one standing on the field in the uniform? <br />
<br />
Take some time to think about how you are doing as a leader, or a manager, as these two roles are really hard to separate. And remember, take care of your customers or someone else will.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-75730585988676542092011-09-28T04:36:00.000-07:002011-09-28T04:36:53.505-07:00AdVISE: Northern Beltline/ I422 and Growth for the North J...<a href="http://businessadvise4u.blogspot.com/2011/09/northern-beltline-i422-and-growth-for.html?spref=bl">AdVISE: Northern Beltline/ I422 and Growth for the North J...</a>: The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has scheduled two public hearings to allow the public to be heard on the issue of the North...Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-45451689433754996962011-09-28T04:35:00.000-07:002011-09-28T04:35:13.813-07:00Northern Beltline/ I422 and Growth for the North Jefferson AreaThe Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has scheduled two public hearings to allow the public to be heard on the issue of the Northern Beltline. <br />
This important public meeting is for just that, The Public. This is your time to speak publically on your opinions and to become fully informed on the information to date surrounding this important regional project. In advance of the meeting please seek out information by visiting the dedicated website of www.finish422.org for more insight. <br />
<br />
As we have discussed here before, the idea of a beltline dates back to the 1960s. Through the unified voice of ALDOT and the Coalition for Regional Transportation progress on the Northern Beltline project is being made. <br />
<br />
Paul Vercher is the Chairman of the Board for the Directors of the Coalition for Regional Transportation. Board members include Applied Research Center of Alabama, Birmingham Business Alliance, Brasfield & Gorrie, <br />
<br />
Drummond Company, Energen/Alagasco, Greater Birmingham Association of Home Builders, Saiia Construction, Thompson Tractor, US Steel, and Vulcan Materials. Vercher works for US Steel and joined the company to fill the newly created role of manager-state governmental affairs and will manage the company's governmental affairs activities at the state and local levels in Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. <br />
<br />
There are dozens of official resolutions of support from our area to include Gardendale, Fultondale, Graysville, Adamsville, Brookside, Kimberly, Warrior, Tarrant, Morris and more. “These tangible signs of support are evidence of the broad and diverse coalition the Northern Beltline has garnered throughout our region,” said Vercher. <br />
<br />
Like the economic and jobs growth spurred by I-459 in the southern and eastern parts of the Birmingham metropolitan area, I-422 (Northern Beltline) will do the same for the western and northern areas of Birmingham and Jefferson County according to their website. <br />
<br />
And don’t forget I22, which we can all clearly see coming right along. This multi-level stack interchange is planned for the location between the current U.S. 31 Fultondale trumpet interchange at Exit 266 and 41st Street interchange at Exit 264. Upon completion of I22, Fultondale will be the only city other than Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile to be served by more than one two-digit interstate highway (I-65 and I-22). <br />
<br />
Ask your questions. Get your facts. Understand what this means not just to our area, but to you.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-61887683998622822402011-09-08T03:55:00.000-07:002011-09-08T03:55:42.929-07:00AdVISE: Pro-Business: Real or Rhetoric?<a href="http://businessadvise4u.blogspot.com/2011/09/pro-business-real-or-rhetoric.html">AdVISE: Pro-Business: Real or Rhetoric?</a>Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-33863113481263551572011-09-08T03:24:00.000-07:002011-09-08T03:24:52.973-07:00Pro-Business: Real or Rhetoric? Question: What does it mean to be Pro-Business? After all, business no longer simply means factory. Do you mean pro educated work force or do you mean pro-labor? Do you mean short term profit or long term growth? Newly appointed Alabama Development Office Director, Greg Canfield, put the question to his BCA audience. BCA members, Chamber of Commerce leadership, and Legislators met at the recent BCA Committee Days held in Prattville this week. In his words, Canfield expressed Pro-Business as job creation, pro-education, and pro-community development. In his words, Pro-Business is fostered in the self-reliant environment that drives to the full limit of ability. <br />
Appointed by Governor Bentley, Canfield states his new role to be a “welcomed opportunity.” Canfield expressed his passion for his new role, but also his willingness to “give some thought to what I am doing.” Alabama is viewed as a national leader in more than just athletics according to Canfield. The Alabama reputation for economic recruitment is recognized, but the challenge continues to be advancement in this significant arena and to continue to become better and better making the “wheel turn better” in his words. Canfield expressed the need to create successful processes for economic recruitment and job creation which in turn will lead to successful partnerships. <br />
Improvement of the process will come only with a strong team, and Canfield stated his commitment to thoughtful leadership. His is the only state office charged with job creation and leading of industry to the state. Important work certainly, and done well, will place Alabama as a leader not just regionally but in the nation. Governor Bentley shares the passion of Mr. Canfield, and job creation is priority number one. Pro-education and pro-community development are critical success factors for job creation as benchmarks are set to push through the standards of building a valued and educated work force. <br />
Beginning with the end in mind, Canfield charged that “Alabama should determine her own future.” Work toward making this a reality has begun with Alabama Development Office project activity up 12.8%. Mr. Canfield views the work at hand as that of a sales organization, built on relationships and managed by a seasoned team of project managers. <br />
Stating with clear confidence to the BCA attendees, Mr. Canfield challenged his office to “surround our self with excellence.” And, refreshing to hear, “The Buck stops here.” <br />
Moving in to 2012 and beyond we will watch expectantly for the work outcomes of Mr. Canfield and his team. In his words, “it is all about the preparation. This is Alabama. We are use to being champions. But, we get there because we work hard and smart.” <br />
Casting a vision for the future is critical to any foundational leadership. Patience and a willingness to thoughtfully lead will insure that the right things are done at the right time. I asked, “How will we get there?” With his ever confident smile, his answer was, “One Day at a Time.”Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-31733524359349610902011-08-18T03:32:00.000-07:002011-08-18T03:32:09.679-07:00Business Council of Alabama, Governmental Affairs and General Stan McChrystal on LeadershipA chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This proverb which is credited to Thomas Reid in the 18th century is echoed again in the lecture on Leadership given by General Stan McChrystal at the recent Governmental Affairs conference weekend sponsored by the Business Council of Alabama. General McChrystal calls it Plywood Leadership. Referencing his team in combat, he discusses that like plywood, each man or woman is not that unique, but together as a team they are like the plywood used to build just about anything. Plywood, like his combat team, is quick to build with, agile to change, easy to fit to a need and focused on a purpose.<br />
<br />
<br />
One thing is certainly true about our BCA leaders, they always create a strong venue for introspection for our government leadership at this conference and this year was no exception. With leadership from both sides of the political aisle present, as well as multiple Chambers of Commerce, the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Business Council of Alabama leadership in attendance, this meeting has for me been both insightful and motivating as I seek to learn more about what “good really looks like” in terms of civic, political and community leadership.<br />
<br />
As the former Commander of U.S. and International Forces in Afghanistan<br />
<br />
General McChrystal has received wide praise for creating a revolution in warfare that fused intelligence and operations. A four-star general, he is the former leader of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) which oversees the military’s most sensitive forces. <br />
<br />
As the key note speaker for this event, McChrystal began by quickly connecting with our Alabama pulse. He commented on the importance of a Right To Work state, which Alabama is, taking ownership and responsibility for appropriately training the work force and the leadership that is needed to get you there. But taking the thought further, he emphasized not just the value of Leadership, but the real role of leaders at the heart of that leadership. “We all look to leaders, we all believe in our leaders, but what type of leader do I want to be?” he challenged. Whether at a personal level at home, in your business or if running a country, the organization will be what the leader makes of it. He reminded the group that winning is not an accident, and you will not win just because you have “right” on your side. Taking risk as a leader does not guarantee success, and with his military experience near at hand, I trust he knows this to be true and real. <br />
<br />
He reminds us to “listen to our team.” Why? Because that is where your success will rise from of course. You will succeed or fail based on the people with which you surround yourself. It isn’t just how the leader responds, but how the goal and directives are communicated to the team that will execute the plan that matters the most. How does the team feel about the challenge? Do they have enough information to execute the plan? What do you LOSE by not sharing information and communicating at all levels? You may in fact lose more than you expect. In my world growing up as an Army Brat, we called it “winning the battle” but losing the war. The message here is don’t give up the long term goal for some insignificant short term win that satisfies a personal need for ego, status, prestige, money or glory. You may walk away with that, but nothing else, and in business where is the win in that? <br />
<br />
According to McChrystal leaders are relentless in their focus. They are fearless and welcome the new experience. A leader does not fear change. A leader builds trust. A leader communicates goal and intent, not individual decisions. Ask yourself this: Am I surrounded by a leadership team that will carry on without me because they know what their job is and what the goal is? Or am I surrounded by minions waiting for their next directive because they can’t think or act alone? Ask yourself: Who would I turn my back on?<br />
<br />
As you move into your week this week, spend some time thinking on your own leadership. Who do you follow? Who follows you? In fact, according to McChrystal, the purpose of the leader is to solve problems, and to do so with humility. A leader will recognize that change is difficult, but change anyway. A leader knows at his or her core that leadership is a human problem, not one of tasks. <br />
<br />
Uncommon times need uncommon leadership, and I learned a great deal listening to the General. How often do you hear a leader speak of morale and purpose? He asked: Where is your soul? A team needs a leader that will create not just a relationship but a creed, not just a belief, but a purpose.<br />
<br />
Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-29386095868273954942011-07-28T04:48:00.000-07:002011-07-28T04:48:08.317-07:00Alabama and Trade with ChinaWith a population of more than 1.3 billion people, a rapidly growing urban middle class, and an economy poised to dominate the world, China is an attractive consumer marketplace for American companies. The Chinese market is a world of potential and Alabama is joining the many that are looking East. <br />
According to Business Alabama (7/11) China jumped last year to second place among Alabama’s world export markets, with 142 percent year-to-year growth in 2010. China also tops of the list of countries importing Alabama chemicals bringing in $554 million. This is topped further by the transportation equipment import category that includes Alabama cars. China imported $579 million worth last year. China is an important destination for export goods shipped through the Port of Mobile such as grain, coal and forest products. <br />
<br />
Selling to China is not always easy. Many Chinese workers make no more than $3,500 in wages in an entire year. It may take a third of a year salary to purchase a sofa. However, China does have a rising middle and elite class. There are cultural issues as well as monetary issues affecting how the Chinese buy. There is a concern about products that are real, and there is a desire to want to go to the store to touch a product and see what they’re purchasing.<br />
<br />
Adding to the frustration is the fact that many Chinese consumers don’t have credit cards and are distrustful of online-payment systems. As people buy more online, they’ll begin to understand that they have consumer protections. But, it will take time.<br />
<br />
George Haley, University of New Haven professor and author of The Chinese Tao of Business: The Logic of Successful Business Strategy, writes concerning a culture clash when it comes to customer service. “The Chinese have become extremely demanding consumers, and service is something that they absolutely demand to a much greater standard than American consumers,” he says. He believes it will be essential for companies to maintain inventory so that it can guarantee delivery times, or risk customer backlash. He also says, “the Chinese consumer is extremely brand-conscious.” Well named brands and luxury items are important here. The promotion of low cost is not always a selling point. <br />
<br />
The Chinese market is transforming trade in one of Alabama’s most traditional agricultural markets. As written in Business Alabama, and according to state pecan expert Bill Goff, China trade is “the biggest thing to ever to happen to the pecan industry.” China’s pecan imports went from 2 million to 83 million almost overnight. For years the Chinese have eaten walnuts for their health, and they have now discovered that pecans can promote longevity and are even better for you. In a country where age is revered, that is key. Add in the rising affluence of the Chinese middle class, a favorable exchange rate, and things just snowballed. <br />
<br />
Foreign direct investment is important to Alabama’s economy. Consider the jobs created by Germany, Japan and Korea for our state. Looking at trade with China? Don’t tread in without good support. Director of International Trade for the Alabama Development Office, Hilda Lockhart, recommends the Confucius Institute at Troy University. It is a great place for Alabamians to learn about Chinese life, customs and industry. There are resources with ADO as well as Chamber of Commerce based initiatives and the US Department of Commerce.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-51741446235365649922011-07-10T17:20:00.000-07:002011-07-10T17:20:00.189-07:00Employment Trends and The First Half of 2011 InvestedThe first half of 2011 is in the bag. I must have blinked because it has just flown by and let’s take a look at where we are. There is worry about how Greece and several other European nations will handle their debt problems, and signs of weakness for our own economy. There are continued concerns that China's economy, the world's second-largest and crucial to the commodity markets, is slowing. Even risky and speculative gold investments have hit a slide declining 5 weeks running for the first time in years. I suppose at the end of the day there is a difference between an economy not sprinting forward and one that's going backward. I suppose the good news is that we are at least walking forward. <br />
<br />
<br />
Unemployment is still hovering a bit over 9%, and there are a few interesting trends to be found in the work place. The rash of downsizing as companies worked to protect their margins and reduce operational costs has left a mixed bag of workers. Some retained workers are certainly glad to have a job, while others are struggling to find balance and meaning in their new roles. Many retained workers still are rolling from the “fruit basket toss up” and let’s work with what falls out mentality. According to a recent survey by Mercer LLC (WSJ 7/1), one in three U.S. workers say they are seriously considering leaving their employers. It seems that most are young workers with 80% of them 34 and younger. This is particularly troubling for small business which is normally limited in size, and the weak economy has forced many in recent years to downsize to even lower levels. <br />
<br />
In a move to retain talent, many companies are looking at reinstating perks that may have been dropped along with employees during the downsizing moves. Reinstatement of 401K and a match as well as merit based bonuses are seen as key retention tools. Other perks deemed highly effective for retention include vacation and personal time, wellness-related benefits, flexible schedules, tuition reimbursement and telecommuting.<br />
<br />
But not everyone is looking at leaving, or asking for more perks. Some are trudging off in an entirely different direction. Faced with bruised nest eggs and high unemployment rates, older Americans are becoming entrepreneurs.<br />
<br />
According to the nonprofit Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (WSJ 7/1/11), individuals between the ages of 54 and 64 represented 1 in 5 launched businesses in 2010, suggesting the United States might be on the cusp of an entrepreneurship boom not in spite of an aging population but because of it. Apparently you do not need to be a 20 something young tech genius, just a calculating risk taker. <br />
<br />
Of course starting a new business is not for the faint of heart with a failure rate as high as 90%, and most new businesses taking 5 years to break even or turn a profit. <br />
<br />
Whether you stay, go or start off on your own, it is important to enjoy your work life. For most of us, it does consume 40 to 80 hours of our week, so we should work to make it count. It has been suggested to separate the demands of work from your own expectations of yourself. No matter where you are in your career path take the time to be aware of your goals, be they career advancement, work life balance or otherwise. Carving out for yourself a less formal and more goal-oriented workplace with the help of your boss or manager may be just the ticket to keeping you right where you are. People are more productive and happy when they have creative freedom and autonomy to get things done.<br />
<br />
As you move into your work week next week, remember, take care of your customers (and I will add your employees) or someone else will.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-67128593896170366442011-06-23T04:47:00.000-07:002011-06-23T04:47:29.611-07:00City Leadership 101City Council Leaders this one is for you. As we stand on the cusp of continued development here in the North Jefferson area, I would like to offer sincere and heartfelt congratulations to all who hold an elected position in our community. Now get busy. <br />
<br />
We have discussed here before that when accepting an appointment to be on a board or agreeing to hold membership on a council as an elected official is not the time for a Cinderella appointment or a full blown exhibition of the Peter Principle. It is indeed a privilege and one that should be approached with strength and humility. The challenge here is to realize that all goals and jobs come with training and this role is not any different. Please seek out tools to help you understand how to do this job at a very high level, and to grow in the value that you bring. <br />
You will be under scrutiny, but that is not a bad thing. Think of scrutiny as a fancy word for campaigning and holding people to account for what they said or should be doing. You are of course representatives of the people to the town hall. You are not representatives of the town hall to the people. <br />
And of course, no one will tell you what to do, but they will blame you when something does not get done. Previous New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani put it best when he said, “Give me a leader whose nose has been bloodied over someone who is totally perfect.” <br />
Sometimes, you may be told what to do, but beware the snare of “consensus” thinking. According to Margaret Thatcher, “Consensus is the negation of leadership.” Most think this fine lady knows what she is talking about still. Even President Ronald Reagan took the time to listen to her.<br />
Your purpose is to not do things to people, as it is to engage people in the change. It can be seen in something as fundamental as a Community Development Plan. Did the plan come from some educated and high advised third party? Is it dusty and twenty years old? That may be fine, but it will only be effective if the city leaders get buy-in from the community. Simply put, take the time to ask. This means recognizing that people are the heart of directing resources and making decisions, therefore people, rather than strategies or theories should be at the heart of transforming outcomes in a place.<br />
As our North Jefferson area continues to grow and develop, we cannot take for granted what it will look like in twenty years. As Freud would say, there are no accidents. There are also many political realities to continue to simmer and ponder upon as we move into the next election cycle. Mr. Councilman, do you have a succession plan? Ms. Council Woman how will you control the change? And can you both recognize the talent that you will need to end up where you aim? Groucho Marx said it well when he quipped, “Only one man in 1,000 is a Leader of men, and the other 999 follow a woman.”Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-72339871794104725482011-06-23T04:43:00.000-07:002011-06-23T04:43:52.276-07:00Creating Value and TrustYou do not have to look far here in the North Jefferson Area to find plenty of post Tornado recovery work. Now would be a good time to assess where the recovery falls with respect to the formal Comprehensive Development plans that exist. A bit troubling may be the realization that those plans are several years, and in many cases decades old, and have never been revisited or revamped. Now is a perfect time to take an assessment of those Comprehensive Development Plans and view them in light of the community mission and vision. Indeed, if you don’t know what you are aiming for, then you may hit just about anything. All of this plays into the ideas of your brand, your image, and ultimately how you are perceived by your customers. Or in the case of a city, or the entire North Jefferson area, how the growth, recovery and stability are viewed by local citizens and outside supporters. Is our leadership trusted? Do we have a credible and believable reputation?<br />
Not long ago, trust and reputation was the domain of the public relations department. Marketing concerned itself with spending huge sums to maintain "share of voice" which is marketing speak for outspending rivals to drive brand awareness and endlessly reminding consumers of the "unique selling proposition". <br />
Now, marketers are waking up to an awareness that in the world of branding, trust is the most perishable of assets. Polling in recent months shows that increasing numbers of consumers distrust not just the obvious suspects—the banks, politicians, insurance—but business and corporations as a whole. The shift in sentiment is forcing companies from Ford Motor to American Express to tweak marketing and focus on rebuilding credibility. Trust is what drives profit margin and share price and it is what consumers are looking for and what they share with one another. In the arena of local government, reaching out to the community to inform them about not only meetings, but meeting content, results and plans is key as well. <br />
The recovery plan, just as is the Comprehensive Development Plan, is pulled from a systematic planning process. It should be based on sound technical studies, it should facilitate community involvement, it should be open to continuous monitoring, and it should be periodically updated. <br />
It is key that recovery look at not only zoning, but future land use. Please keep in mind that an expert in real estate or real estate law may not be the best expert in land use law, as the two are different skills and area of expertise.<br />
Think about what this means for your city and community. Perhaps you find that old approaches don’t work as well as they used to for you. Don’t just blame it on the recession, job insecurity and hammered home values as to why business and political dynamics are changing. <br />
Techniques and share of voice strategy are easily copied by your competition, but they can’t copy your reputation or recreate the trust that you own with your customers or constituents. Mercifully, you control that. It is yours to grow or loose.<br />
As you move into your week, take a minute to think about what your community and customers expect from you or your product. If you miss the mark on expectations, no matter how well you do, you fail. This sets a poor outcome for trust, and really makes your job of creating a loyal customer more difficult. The old saying about under promising and over delivering really rings true here.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-20772310875038009622011-05-18T05:12:00.000-07:002011-05-18T05:12:54.938-07:00Value Creation and Keeping CustomersGetting and keeping customers is an expensive endeavor and keeping the doors open in a time of local crisis makes it even tougher. The average U. S. business loses half its customers in five years. Generating a new customer costs five times as much as keeping a current one and firms pay a steep price when customers stray to other brands, or stray to other communities to make their purchase. In a slow economy, creating unsurpassed value for a customer so that they stay with you is even more important. So how do we create value?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Value creation in a firm takes a minute to think about. Ask yourself this question: Why does an individual make a purchase? The short answer is to fill a need. But the real answer is found in what motivates a person to do something to fulfill that need. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Psychologist A. H. Maslow developed a theory that characterized needs and arranged them in a hierarchy to reflect their importance called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow identified five levels of needs, beginning with physiological needs and progressing to the need for self-actualization. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Physiological needs are the most basic. They fulfill the needs for survival like food, water, shelter and clothing. Pepperidge Farm French Toast Swirl Bread appeals to this need by stating “It doesn’t go with breakfast. It is breakfast.” Campbell’s Soup hits the mark with “Mm, Mm, good!” as does, “Got Milk?” Food is the most basic of need and as we like to say here, “Full Stomach, Open Mind.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next up the ladder you find safety needs which include security, protection, and avoidance of the unexpected. State Farm Insurance appeals to this need by saying, “Like a good neighbor State Farm is there.” In the wake of our damage recovery, maintaining a sense of security in our communities is a key element of recovery. The presence of the National Guard as well as the local elevated sense of social responsibility has been a critical element of pulling us up by pulling us together.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Third are social and belongingness needs which include the need to be accepted by an individual or group. Think about Olive Garden and their tagline, “When you’re here, you’re family.” We also see this come alive with the wonderful belongingness and leadership given by our Churches to support our tornado relief efforts. Many of them continue to request anonymity in their efforts, but rest assured, we know who you are and we thank you!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Fourth is the esteem need such as a need for a sense of accomplishment, the need for respect from others and the need to perform better than others. This is a universal human trait that emerges after lower order needs are satisfied. This may present in the purchase made to upgrade an airline seat, to have premium concert tickets, or as Sony touts, “Like no other.” I have found myself reassessing how I view this for myself in the events of the past few weeks and those in our community. Even in tragedy, this need is still obvious all around. I am reminded of Shakespeare and Twelfth Night where we read that “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” If you are a leader in your community, please remember that the best help may come from the least obvious place.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Lastly, and also the very top need, is self-actualization. This is the desire for a person to reach their full potential. Many educational tours appeal to this need with an appeal to a person’s talent or capabilities. It may include a trip that includes a course of study such as language, history or cooking. Nike’s famous “just do it” is right on the mark for reaching potential. Self-actualization appeals to the desire to experience and learn something new such as at GE where “we bring good things to life.” Or, it may appear as the nice neighbor that you really don’t know who shows up with his chainsaw to help clear some trees from your driveway. And he also offers to get you some water and a sandwich. How cool and inspiring is that!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Understanding how your product fills one of these needs, and fits into the experience desired by your customer will help you to understand how to motivate that customer to act on a purchase. In light of the damage to our communities and continued recovery, I am reminded that this is not just about products, but it is in fact also about US. It is about our elected officials, our churches, and all the elements of our community. It determines who we are and how we react when the chips are down.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-47075738779827392682011-05-02T05:05:00.000-07:002011-05-02T05:05:22.082-07:00Business Disaster PreparationWe all know that “Hind Sight” is indeed “20/20”. We know it now more than ever here in the North Jefferson Business Community. As many in our area of digging out and moving on after this weeks devastating weather, it is never really too late to look at your emergency business disaster plan. In fact, now may be a great time to look at not only your business disaster preparation, but also the readiness of your church, your civic organization and of course your local municipality. Your employees and co-workers are your business's most important and valuable asset. Here are some procedures you can put in place before a disaster, but you should also learn about what people need to recover after a disaster. <br />
<br />
<br />
It is possible that your staff will need time to ensure the well-being of their family members, but getting back to work is important to the personal recovery of people who have experienced disasters. It is important to re-establish routines, when possible. <br />
<br />
Here are some tips to get you started or to improve your plan that may already be in place. <br />
<br />
Two-way communication is critical before, during and after a disaster. You should include emergency preparedness information in newsletters, on company intranet, periodic employee emails and other internal communications tools. Consider setting up a telephone calling tree, a password-protected page on the company website, an email alert or a call-in voice recording to communicate with employees in an emergency. Designate an out-of-town phone number where employees can leave an "I'm Okay" message in a catastrophic disaster. It is good to provide all co-workers with wallet cards detailing instructions on how to get company information in an emergency situation. Include telephone numbers or Internet passwords for easy reference. Maintain open communications where co-workers are free to bring questions and concerns to company leadership. Also, talk to co-workers with disabilities. If you have employees with disabilities ask about what assistance is needed. People with disabilities typically know what assistance they will need in an emergency. Understand how to alert people who cannot hear an alarm or instructions. <br />
<br />
It is recommended that you have both a battery-powered commercial radio and a weather radio with an alert function. The weather radio can alert you to weather emergencies or announcements from the Department of Homeland Security. The commercial radio is a good source for news and information from local authorities. <br />
<br />
Keep copies of important records such as site maps, building plans, insurance policies, employee contact and identification information, bank account records, supplier and shipping contact lists, computer backups, emergency or law enforcement contact information and other priority documents in a waterproof, fireproof portable container. Store a second set of records at an off-site location. <br />
<br />
Talk to your co-workers about what emergency supplies the company can feasibly provide, if any, and which ones individuals should consider keeping on hand. Some suggested emergency supplies include but are not limited to water, a three day supply of non-perishable food, battery powered radios and extra batteries, flashlights and of course, extra batteries for them. A First Aid kit, with a signal whistles along with some dust or filter masks are good to have on hand. Moist towelettes for sanitation, a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, a can opener for food, and some good plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal off a room if required. Lastly, some garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.<br />
<br />
There are several sites with clear instruction on creating your emergency plan. You can begin at Ready.gov and expand your search from there.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4293544133335954987.post-21299913497609608442011-04-16T07:06:00.000-07:002011-04-16T07:06:55.174-07:00Birmingham Business Alliance on Blue Print Birmingham and our North Jefferson OpportunityAnother busy week for us here in the North Jefferson area, and it was certainly good to see the strong representation from North Jeff as we worked to welcome a visit from Mr. Barry Copeland, Senior Vice President of the Birmingham Business Alliance. Several city council leaders from Gardendale and Fultondale were in attendance as was Mayor Doug Brewer of Graysville and Mayor Jim Lowery of Fultondale.<br />
<br />
Copeland reviewed the impact of Blue Print Birmingham and drilled down to the specific role that we can play in the implementation of the Plan. Blue Print Birmingham was born in a survey to the community asking the question: What should be our development and strategic plan for Birmingham? The answer came back with over 2300 responses, and an idea has evolved into an implemented strategy. This strategy has evolved into tactics which include an outreach to surrounding areas such as ours for support, participation and collaboration. <br />
<br />
Seven pillars were identified as drivers of economic growth and ultimate job creation for the Plan. One of these key pillars in Blue Print Birmingham is in the area of Trade and Distribution. We become a key participant in this pillar with the continued construction of I22 and I422. Supporters of Blue Print Birmingham create allies and strategic alliances for our area that recognize the impact of the 52 mile Beltline stretch. The Beltline will impact not just us of course, but will overlay 30 cities, and 3 counties. The area described overlays 5 segments of which we are segment 4. Development of the project is funded by the Appalachian Development Highway Commission (ADHC) whereby money has been set aside by the Federal Government to run this project. Both I22 and I422 are ADHC projects. An anticipated 7 Billion will be spent for construction over 20 years while creating 70,000 jobs. According to Renee Carter, Executive Director for the Coalition for Regional Transportation, it is important to note that this is created during the construction phase alone. <br />
<br />
Now is the time to cultivate an awareness of our business neighbors and to understand the need to educate ourselves and create community awareness. This is our time to connect to the massive transportation arm of this growth and understand the role of not just the interstate but the full spectrum of rail, highway and air travel. You may find it interesting as I did to appreciate that our 2 mile Birmingham Airport Runway is a very significant critical requirement for international travel. Norfolk Southern is anticipated to spend over 100 million dollars in McCalla on the development of the rail system. The cargo potential here for importing and exporting of goods is again very significant. <br />
<br />
Mr. Copeland made the not small point of underscoring the need in all of this growth and opportunity for excellence in education. This is not a suggestion, a “nice to do”, or “maybe we can make it work” suggestion. This is a key requirement and an imperative to true measured success. The desire for “economic development” has become all too cliché of a term. Until the demand is met for creation of an educated workforce, the legs will be weak on the table. Mr. Copeland made the challenge to really drill down on our education rate as a Region, and not to view it by independent communities. A fractured view of any of the elements, and especially education, will hinder our success.<br />
<br />
The impact of this project will parallel what we have seen in Shelby County, and we can certainly learn from their processes. In fact, we should connect to I22 within the next three years, and that is just around the corner.Business AdVISEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04100364490989965357noreply@blogger.com0