Newsweek Magazine reports that in the first quarter of this year, only 71.4% of U.S. flights arrived on time, and 19,260 passengers were involuntarily bumped! FlightStats.com reports that in July alone, 16,988 flights were canceled — up 54% from July of last year. As if that weren’t bad enough, more baggage was lost, damaged, or mishandled last year than at any time in the history of aviation!

However, fear not, these negative stats should not discourage you. After all, you’ll always have the following fringe benefits of air travel to look forward to:

• Higher prices
• More airport construction
• Longer security lines
• Overbooked flights
• More canceled flights due to weather
• Missing pilots and crew members
• Rude, sarcastic gate agents
• Less baggage allowed on flights
• More baggage lost as we add what we used to carry on to what we expect to lose below
• Fewer seat choices or additional cost for a choice in coach
• The privilege of being shoe-horned into the middle seat, sandwiched between the last two passengers you would choose to sit with if you had the choice
• Being assigned the seat directly across from the bathroom that seldom works, allowing you to personally meet and greet the majority of your fellow prisoners
• No magazines, pillows, or blankets
• Backing away from the gate precisely on time to hear your pilot announce that you are currently 48th in line for takeoff
• Landing at Gate 1 in Terminal A to discover your connecting flight is awaiting you at Gate 75 in Terminal F … and realizing that you have 12 minutes to make that connection
• Tremendously long layovers OR two-minute sprints to your connecting gate
• Jumping on a moving sidewalk that doesn’t
• Rushing to your favorite rental car agency to find 65 people got there before you, they’ve lost your reservation, or the only car left is a Super Hummer and local gas prices just passed $4 per gallon
• Slower shuttle buses and fewer taxis

Unfortunately, the majority of American flyers lack an efficient alternative to the unfriendly skies. When was the last time you traveled a l-o-n-g distance by car, bus or rail? Have a nice flight. It can only get better … I hope!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I’ve been very fortunate to have spoken to audiences on more college and university campuses from coast to coast than I can recount. I’ve spoken to high school students, college students, administrators, business groups, and public groups. I’ve spoken to audiences with advanced degrees as well as those who were thrilled to have achieved their GED.

I am and always have been an advocate of life-long learning. I’m proud to have passed that philosophy on to my children and grandchildren and I hope to tens of thousands who have attended my seminars and keynotes over the decades. Anyone who’s familiar with our web site and/or blog is aware of the fact that I strive to learn at least one new fact every single day of my life.

I recently learned another apparent truth, which I believe I’ve suspected for years but have finally resigned to accept as a reality: Education DOES NOT necessarily equate to intelligence or wisdom.  The acquisition of wisdom requires a person to be open to input and feedback in their daily lives. As Henry Ford said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”

Over the years I have met a large number of people who have earned more degrees than I can comprehend. I envy their accomplishment. I respect them for their efforts. However, I feel sorry for them IF they become closed to input and feedback in their daily work lives because they’ve learned so little. I say that because of what I have observed of these people in the reality of the workplace. They are not open to change. They feel no need to continue their education as technology enhancements continue to bombard us daily, new techniques and strategies are introduced regularly, new products and services are continually updated, and the world becomes flatter as reflected in our daily newspapers and emphasized in The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman. However, these people apparently think they already learned all there is to learn. They scorn ideas and concepts that have stood the test of time as being outdated, and they close their minds to anything that might appear as new and/or different. They don’t read books, magazines, or newspapers and don’t even bother to monitor television or the Internet from time to time in search of new discoveries. They’re very closed-minded and often attempt to intimidate those who may disagree with them.

Don’t misunderstand. I’m not describing everyone who has achieved educational excellence. Not by any means. I have also worked with individuals with advanced degrees who thrive on and take pride in their efforts to continue their education in as many arenas as possible. I know people with Ph.D.s who have invested a great deal of time, energy and money to attain this lofty goal that so many aspire to achieve. Upon achieving this objective, they have no inclination to abandon their desire for life-long learning. They encourage and assist others to do the same. They may not always agree with but are always open to new information involving any development. They view life as a learning experience and love every moment of it.

In either case, success has little to do with education or the academic degree that reflects that accomplishment. It has everything to do with the philosophy of the person involved and how they chose to utilize that education. In the first scenario, I question if the person has learned anything other than facts and figures. In the second scenario, this person has developed the ability to rise above his/her circumstances to view the larger picture. They have obviously converted their education into the wisdom it takes to lead their organization, country, family, team, church, neighborhood and themselves to the greatest heights of success. They don’t view life-long learning as a burden but rather an exciting and challenging opportunity they eagerly seek out. They stand head and shoulders above the first scenario participants who are not open to input and feedback in their daily lives

Then there are those on the lower end of the educational spectrum: high school dropouts, those with nothing more than a GED, those who barely graduated from high school, college drop-outs, and those who barely made it through the lowest levels of higher education. Many of these people have accomplished nothing and will continue on that disastrous path.

Even more of those in that group have overcome their lack of education to climb to great heights of achievement. Today they’re demonstrating great leadership in military services, Fortune 500 companies, politics, various entrepreneurial areas, communities across the nation, and any number of other leadership roles. Leadership authority John Maxwell recently revealed:

• More than 50% of all CEOs of Fortune 500 companies had C or C- averages in college!
• 65% of all U.S. senators came from the bottom half of their school classes.
• 75% of U.S. Presidents were in the Lower-Half Club in school.
• More than 50% of millionaire entrepreneurs never finished college!

Members of this group are always open to new ideas, respect age-old concepts that continue to prove viable, are open to change, read as much as they can, question those who have more experience, seek out mentors, welcome new technology, monitor news resources constantly, take risks, leap from their current comfort zone, and continue to smile in satisfaction as they strive for life-long learning.

In short, it’s not education that is so important. There are many highly educated homeless people, prisoners, and unemployed in this country today. On the other hand, there are many uneducated people in these same categories.

Conversely, some of the most successful people in every area of achievement would not be there if it weren’t for their excellent educational history. A good education is invaluable today and should be supported and promoted to every young person in the nation as an essential step to achieve their aspirations.

Then there are those who have not been fortunate enough to have acquired a higher education for any number of various reasons. However, they have enjoyed tremendous success by capitalizing on so many other valuable assets at their fingertips … the most obvious being that of life-long learning.

So again it’s quite obvious that an education is nowhere near as crucial as what you choose to do with it. I proudly salute those individuals with advanced degees who choose to use their education as a stepping stone to a life-long crusade of learning. Sharing that praise are all those who have overcome their lack of education to reach great heights while continuing their informal educational pursuits.

When you go to work tomorrow, survey those within your work environment. You’ll quickly recognize each of the personalities I described above. Which are you pleased to work with? Which are you proud to call a teammate? Which contributes to a positive work climate, productivity, and results? Which will help your organization grow and compete? Which are you?

For those of you with children today, please plant that seed of life-long education deep in the psyche of their minds and hearts. It is truly the key to their success.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Personally, I’m growing a bit tired of hearing about women making less money than men. While channel surfing among cable news stations last night, I came across a feature on the “Gender Pay Gap.” While acknowledging the fact that there is definitely a pay gap in today’s business world, I was surprised how much it differed from one area to another. They shared examples that were all over the map in comparing occupations such as professional athletes, medical personnel, engineers, law, science, etc. The percentage of difference ranged from as little as 29% to as high as 54%!

I’m aware of the fact that I’m not as highly educated as I’d like to be. However, I take great pride in the fact that I’m always trying to learn something new. In fact, I make it a point to learn at least one new thing every single day of my life. In that vein, I’d like to learn the thinking behind the majority of decisions that are made in this area. I realize that there are exceptions to every rule. Setting those few exceptions aside, I’d like to know the answer to the following dilemma:

Two professionals walk into my office.
Similar age. Similar education.
Comparable personality. Comparable attitude.
Similar goals. Similar desire.
Both have very similar leadership experience.
Both are very creative and innovative.
Both have a great track record.
Parallel family situations.
Equivalent potential.
Both appear to be an excellent fit with our culture.

Considering the fact that both candidates would make an equally excellent addition to our team, why would I pay one of them anywhere from 20% to 40% more than the other?

A male candidate does have some very obvious strengths and advantages over women. However, a female candidate has obvious strengths and advantages over men. We’re back to square one and none of those advantages equate to the percentage of difference noted above. I’ve never understood this discrepancy, and I doubt very much that I ever will.

This country has advanced in far too many areas over the decades to allow this travesty to continue. It shouldn’t even be a topic of discussion in this day and age. Instead, maybe we should focus on exposing the growing number of women who are currently successfully leading key organizations across industries. Based on the number of CEOs currently residing behind bars for a variety of reasons, there are obviously some great opportunities available today. The following women have undeniably set fine examples of leadership in today’s very competitive marketplace and are paving the way to what we definitely hope will someday be total equity in pay, recognition, and rewards … as it should have been long ago.

Angela Braly

Title: President and CEO
Company: WellPoint
Age: 45
Compensation: N/A

For the past two years, Angela Braly has been the executive vice president and general counsel at WellPoint. As of last month (June), she is now the President and CEO. In her previous position she took charge of the country’s largest Medicare claims processing business and was pivotal in the integration of WellChoice, which the company acquired in 2005. Note this: she’s now running the nation’s largest health insurance outfit, but she’s the only woman heading a Fortune 50 company!

Patricia Woertz

Title: Chairman, President and CEO
Company: Archer Daniels Midland
Age: 54
Compensation: $8.18 million

Patricia Woertz left Chevron after three decades in a very competitive industry. Some may have been surprised that she would turn to farming. However, since taking over ADM—the $37-billion food-processing giant—almost a year ago, her life is all about turning corn and soy crops into everything from syrup to ethanol. It appears that the move from oilfield to cornfield was no accident: Woertz aims to transform ADM into a leader in renewable fuels.

Indra Nooyi

Title: Chairman Elect and CEO
Company: PepsiCo
Age: 51
Compensation: $9.38 million

Indra Nooyi joined PepsiCo nearly 13 years ago, and the Indian-born CEO is running a much different company today. She wouldn’t have it any other way. She was instrumental in selling off restaurant businesses including KFC and Pizza Hut, and replacing them with brands like Tropicana and Quaker. After five years playing number-cruncher and dealmaker, she became CEO last October.

Brenda C. Barnes

Title: Chairman and CEO
Company: Sara Lee
Age: 53
Compensation: $4.94 million

Since 2005, Brenda Barnes has dealt with a number of challenges as she has added and deleted a number of products to the ever-popular Sara Lee brand. Before she took over as the company’s personal trainer, Barnes famously left her job at PepsiCo after 22 years of service and she took a six-year leave to raise her three children.

Carol Meyrowitz

Title: President and CEO
Company: T.J. Maxx and Marshalls
Age: 53
Compensation: $8.50 million

TJX stores like T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s are surefire destinations for bargain hunters. As the newly appointed CEO, this 24-year retail veteran has her hands full with a number of challenges. Carol Meyrowitz inherits a messy roster of lawsuits resulting from the millions of credit card numbers and other personal information stolen from the company’s computers.

Mary F. Sammons

Title: President and CEO
Company: Rite Aid
Age: 60
Compensation: $1.89 million

Sammons joined Rite Aid in 1999 as president in the middle of the accounting scandal. The organization is in much better shape today. Four years later when she took over as CEO, the company was still losing money, but it had survived bankruptcy. Today, she’s concentrating on assimilating the recent $3.4 billion purchase of Brooks and Eckerd.

Anne Mulcahy

Title: Chairman and CEO
Company: Xerox
Age: 53
Compensation: $10.69 million

Ann Mulcahy spent nearly 20 years at Xerox before taking over in 2001. She faced an overwhelming challenge stepping into the leadership role as the company was buried in $15 billion of debt and an SEC scandal. Observers were certain that Xerox was destined for Chapter 11. However, Mulcahy managed to dig out by drastically cutting the workforce and steadily increasing innovations; they’ve launched 100 new products in the last three years.

Patricia F. Russo

Title: CEO
Company: Lucent
Age: 53
Compensation: $4.75 million (2005)

Some believe Patricia Russo’s specialty might just be corporate recovery. In the late nineties she helped AT&T turn around its failing business-systems division, which eventually became part of Lucent. And after a quick stop at troubled Kodak in 2001, she returned the following year to revive Lucent. After two years of first aid, which included slashing jobs and streamlining costs, Lucent returned to profitability in 2004. Now she faces new challenges with the newly merged Alcatel-Lucent. She seems to thrive on challenges and has handled them well.

Andrea Jung

Title: Chairman and CEO
Company: Avon Products
Age: 48
Compensation: $13.32 million

Acting as Avon’s resident master artist since 1999, CEO Andrea Jung has faced many challenges, including slipping profits and increasing the number of salespeople. Makeovers—financial or physical, large or small—are always difficult. The fix, like any beauty regimen, is not cheap. It’s costing Avon some $500 million, and includes plumping the ad budget and spending more on research and development.

Susan M. Ivey

Title: Chairman, President and CEO
Company: Reynolds American
Age: 48
Compensation: $8.17 million

Susan Ivey is a 25-year veteran of the tobacco business. At Reynolds American, she oversees some of the most iconic cigarette brands, such as Camel and Kool. However, while she’s working on increasing the company’s 30-percent market share, she’s also dealing with states adopting smoking restrictions and increasing cigarette taxes.

Paula Rosput Reynolds

Title: President and CEO
Company: Safeco
Age: 50
Compensation: $6.14 million

After working in the energy industry for 27 years (five of those as CEO of Atlanta-based AGL Resources), Paula Rosput Reynolds made a career change to running insurance company Safeco. Despite making the switch last year, she’s already made some major decisions like moving the company’s headquarters to downtown Seattle and reducing expenses.

Margaret C. Whitman

Title: President and CEO
Company: eBay
Age: 50
Compensation: $3.10 million (2005)

For the last nine years, eBay has been Meg Whitman’s playground. Her background reads like a “Who’s Who” of Business Success as she served major leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, the Walt Disney Co., Stride Rite, FTD, and Hasbro, Inc. Meg Whitman took over the San Jose-based tech company and made it an industry darling. She continues to hold on as one of the longest serving CEOs in the tech world.

Christina A. Gold

Title: President, CEO and Director
Company: Western Union
Age: 59
Compensation: $4.90 million

Gold’s career trajectory has been unconventional. She spent 25 years at cosmetics company Avon and ran a Dallas-based telecom business before she landed at Western Union in 2002 as its president. Today, the money transfer empire is nearly double the size of its nearest competitor and boasts an 18-percent market share. And earlier this year, as CEO of the $4.5 billion company, Gold oversaw its transition from a subsidiary into a publicly listed company.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Sears Holding Corporation, the parent of both Sears and Kmart stores, is apparently coming to life after what they admit has been two years of “lying in the weeds.” Over the past year, there have been whispers that Sears Holding Corp. was a potential bidder for everything from Home Depot Inc. to Anheuser-Busch Co. — although nothing yet has materialized.

However, they have rolled out their first major marketing campaign involving the Kmart side of the business. Maybe you’ve already seen their new mascot — a talking light bulb called “Mr. Bluelight.” Remember their old “blue light specials”? I wonder if it’s wise to move backward in order to move forward? Time will soon tell.

Sears, on the other hand, will promote their brand in commercials and ads under their new tag line: “Sears: Where it begins.” Sounds like a real barn-burner, doesn’t it? Makes you want to jump up out of your La-Z-Boy, throw the family into your car and burn rubber to get to your nearest Sears outlet, doesn’t it?

We all know that ad companies charge a fortune to come up with these ideas of “talking light bulbs” and catchy slogans such as the one mentioned above. Don’t you think a very cautious and critical public expects much more than they’re about to receive from two major organizations who were at one time the #1 and #2 retailers in the country?

I’m somewhat shocked that they haven’t moved sooner than this. However, after hearing their strategy, I wonder if they shouldn’t wait even longer. Maybe they should have considered a national campaign built around a competition urging smart shoppers from coast to coast to create a slogan that best describes the new mission of this potential retail giant. The grand prize: One million dollars. Sound ridiculous? Maybe not.

• They would grab the attention of the entire nation by revealing the grand prize.
• They would have to share their new mission so those creative shoppers would have an idea how to create the proper slogan.
• Potential shoppers would have to pay attention to the new mission if they hoped to compete.
• Sears Holding Corp. would be tapping the creative juices of the entire country.
• Hundreds of thousands of potential customers would be involved in hopes of winning that money.
• Announcing the winner nationwide would create a lot of publicity.
• The prize money of one million dollars would be much less than the price paid to the ad company for the “talking light bulb” and the four-word slogan that leaves you wondering “Where what begins?”

Regaining credibility in the eyes of today’s shopping community is going to be a tremendous challenge for these two one-time retail giants. Things have changed drastically since Sears and Kmart towered over all other competitors … the economy, jobs, politics, gas prices, consumer mind-sets, and a whole new competitive field of very strong retailers. They simply can’t afford to come back with the same tired strategy they used before joining forces. Again, time will tell.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I’ve reviewed 150 business books on our website and will continue to do so as long as our readers continue to respond as they have thus far. I should point out that, among those many books, there has never been a single political title. I doubt very much that there ever will be.

However, I must admit that a new book with an obvious political theme recently caught my eye in a Baltimore airport book store. It attracted my attention for two reasons:

1. The title of the book struck a very responsive chord deep within me … one that has haunted me for quite some time now. I’ll explain further after sharing the book title. It’s a longer-than-usual title but one that really strikes the heart of the matter … Crazies to the Left of Me, Wimps to the Right. Sub-title: How One Side Lost Its Mind and The Other Lost Its Nerve.
2. The author, Bernard Goldberg, is a number one New York Times bestselling author who has won eight Emmy Awards for his work at CBS News and HBO. In 2006, he won the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, the most prestigious of all broadcast journalism awards.

I’m only half way through the book but feel comfortable in recommending it. Again, I won’t be reviewing this book on our website. Our country is currently more politically divided than at any other time in my memory, and our goal is to inform rather than infuriate.

I suggest this book because I feel it supports my contention that we have fewer choices to lead our country today than ever before. It’s proven daily in every newspaper in the country. Why is it we have 50 choices for Miss America and only two for the highest office in the country? Why is it that more Americans voted for the American Idol than they did in the last two Presidential elections? Why would anyone spend millions of dollars to campaign for a job that pays only $400,000?

I struggle to believe a single word from the mouth of any politician, from any party, that truly believes their own party is 100% correct on every issue all the time while their opponents are 100% incorrect on every issue all the time. A child will tell you how wrong that is, and yet we hear it from both parties every day in every form of the media. This book speaks for the small voice within all of us who screams, “I’m mad as h— and I’m not going to take it anymore!”

Goldberg takes equal shots at both parties, pointing out the obvious and demanding answers to questions we all want to ask. If nothing else, he lets the reader know there are others who share the same frustration every four years. He also reminds us that politicians are like diapers. They both need to be changed, a lot, and for the same reason. This, of course, is unfair. Diapers serve a useful purpose!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Not long ago, I addressed the issue of the decision by Circuit City, the nation’s #2 consumer electronics retailer behind Best Buy, to fire 3,400 retail workers because they’re making too much money! Nearly every business magazine and newspaper in the country reported the story, providing the giant retailer with a great deal of publicity. Few reporters said yea or nay about the controversial decision. Most took a “wait and see” stance.

Upon reading the news release, I struggled to understand how anyone in a leadership role could compare the savings derived from such a strategy to the enormous loss of revenue that could possibly evolve from disgruntled customers who might feel this approach to be unethical. Add that to the possible long-term loss of sales resulting from a less experienced and less motivated staff and there could be trouble on the horizon. On the other hand, I could very well be wrong as I have never been the CEO of the nation’s #2 consumer electronics retailer. I must assume that all possible scenarios were closely examined and evaluated before such a crucial decision was made. However, I could be wrong there as well.

Here’s an interesting update. The Associated Press announced end-of-the quarter figures for both Best Buy and Circuit City:

Best Buy reported an 18.5 % increase in their quarterly profit with earnings of $763 million. Best Buy revenue rose 21 % to $12.9 billion.

Circuit City Stores, Inc. said it lost $12.2 million in this quarter.

Hmmmmmm …

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I’m in the heart of New York City this week, which is considered by some to be a business mecca of some renown. I was having dinner in the hotel restaurant earlier this evening when three nattily dressed, middle-aged, business professionals took the table next to mine. I had to assume that they were somewhat successful based on the cut of their clothes and the brightness of their “bling.” That might even lead one to assume that they might be well educated and somewhat experienced. However, I could be wrong.

I say that because I couldn’t help overhearing their very loud, intense, argumentative conversation. I kept reading my paper as I finished dinner when they almost came to blows. I was more shocked by the subject of their argument than I was by their near confrontation. They were debating whether Sanjaya Malakar’s continued presence on American Idol would lead to its inevitable demise!

I could easily understand contrasting views on the subject of politics, the war in Iraq, trade balance concerns, or the threatening nor’easter we’re experiencing here in the Big Apple at the moment. But Sanjaya’s assault on “Rappin’ Randy,” “Pouting Paula,” and “Sassy Simon”? Come on! By the way, they weren’t having a friendly gab session over drinks … they were at each other’s throats!

I guess I found it somewhat surprising that none of them seemed to grasp the reality that most anything they see on television has more to do with business than it does with entertainment. Everyday common sense would shed a fair amount of light on that Idol situation. This ratings leader has recently been accused of losing some of its luster after several very successful seasons so it’s quite evident they need to liven things up with some scandal. Now we must decide if Sanjaya’s longevity is the product of Howard Stern brainwashing his radio listeners to vote this young man to victory, an Internet web site conspiracy (VoteForTheWorst.com) to keep the least talented contestant in the competition to the end, or a strategy to give Simon Cowell an opportunity to pursue other interests after declaring that he will quit if Sanjaya should become this season’s American Idol.

Regardless of the truth you must admit that this is a “no-lose” situation for everyone involved as it creates coveted publicity for all and gives fans a reason to tune in every week to see the latest twists and turns. I doubt if we’ll see this young man take the title as it would cause many to question the credibility of American Idol. Should Stern and the popular Internet web site continue to influence the voting, you can bet that the producers will simply control the voting results. The reason is simple. This “cash cow” is producing hundreds of millions of dollars every season via advertising dollars, merchandising products, recording contracts, tour income and on and on. They’re not going to allow that tremendous cash flow to subside. This is a business, BIG business, not entertainment. Why do you think you continue to get “Yo, Dog,” “Crocodile Tears,” and “Thumbs Down” week after week? Relax, enjoy the performances, but don’t take it too seriously. These young people are very talented and put on a good show. Sit back, relax, and enjoy what they offer. And, more importantly, if you see these three businessmen having dinner in Times Square … find a table as far away from them as possible!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Nary a day goes by that I don’t run across something in the newspaper or on a TV newscast that boggles my mind, drops my jaw, and challenges any concept of conventional wisdom.

I constantly see absurd decisions being made by corporate leaders who, a year later, are receiving severance packages consisting of hundreds of millions of dollars and benefits that easily rival the most outrageous lottery winnings.

For instance, Circuit City, the nation’s #2 consumer electronics retailer behind Best Buy, has announced plans to fire 3,400 retail workers because they’re making too much money! Yes, the word was “FIRE,” and the reason was exactly as stated above. They’re also going to fire about 130 corporate information-technology employees.

Let’s take a closer look and, as we do, ponder the facts and think about the possibility of whether you would consider such a strategic move if you were in charge of this organization.

Circuit City will absolutely save a great deal of money as they replace those they fire by hiring lower-paid workers! There is positively no question about that fact. However, I do have another question. I’m pretty sure that Circuit City sells calculators. I’m not quite as sure if they know how to use them.

While they stand to savor a substantial savings, let’s contemplate what they stand to lose.

Consider these potential speed bumps:

How will this strategy affect their customer service levels as they replace 3,400 seasoned, well-trained employees with novice, inexperienced, less-paid stand-ins who lack product knowledge?

What caliber of new employee can they expect to attract after demonstrating how they’ve treated loyal employees who have put forth an effort to grow and prosper? Can these replacements anticipate pay raises and promotions or will achievement equate to possible termination? What’s the incentive for these rookies to strive for excellence? If there is no incentive, what level of service can we anticipate as consumers?

How about the remaining store associates who were not fired? What did this do to their morale, productivity, and aspirations of a career in their chosen field of endeavor? I can’t wait to visit one of their stores to be greeted by this bunch of “happy campers.”

By the way, those being fired will get severance packages and may apply for any open positions after 10 weeks. What’s the message here? “Even though you were fired, you’re welcome to come back as your dismissal had nothing to do with your performance. However, you’ll be returning at a lower pay rate — equivalent to those we recently hired with less experience and product knowledge than you have.” How many do you think will return?

When you consider the escalating cost of advertising, what do you think Circuit City will have to invest in order to compensate for the tremendous negative publicity they’re currently receiving in newspapers, magazines, radio and television newscasts, and Internet reports? This story spread world-wide within minutes of its release and received very little positive response. It’s difficult to calculate the loss of public trust and image. How many customers are now willing to return to Circuit City? Some will question the level of service they can expect. Others will express dismay in the treatment of those fired. Some will challenge the wisdom of leadership decision-making skills. Many will simply decide to “wait and see.” All because Circuit City didn’t pro-actively utilize their very own HP 12C Platinum 25th Anniversary Edition Financial Calculator.

I have one last question: Do you think the Best Buy CEO will send the Circuit City CEO a formal “Thank You” note or will he simply remain safely hidden in the wings serenely smiling as he surveys the most recent stock market results? We’ll never know.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Have you tried to keep up with the dissension over the proposed U.S.-Mexico border fence? Maybe it’s too far from your home to be concerned. Maybe you feel you have absolutely no impact on the final outcome. Maybe that’s exactly what some people in Washington D.C. want you to think. I don’t want to debate the “should we – shouldn’t we” aspect of the fence. That’s far too political and certainly can’t be settled here. I just want you to be aware of some of the most current data surrounding this issue and remind you that YOU’RE PAYING FOR IT!

I’ve very curious as to why no one in this entire country can agree on what should be done, how it will be done, when it will be done, and what it will cost. There seems to be a different story every day. As a result of the continuous chaos surrounding this controversial issue, I did a little research. The following facts, overwhelming at first glance, came from two sources: The Congressional Research Service and the Congressional Budget Office. After browsing these eye-opening facts, you might want to consider contacting your Senators or Representatives to tell them how you feel. Don’t use the excuse that you don’t know who they are or how to reach them.

Visit the U.S. Senate website to learn who your Senators are and how to reach them, or to do the same for your Representatives, visit the U.S House of Representative website. With two simple clicks, you’re talking business to those who had better listen. They recently saw strong evidence of what can happen if they don’t listen to those of us who sent them to D.C.

Now, sit down in a comfortable chair, buckle your seat belt, and try to digest the following:

Last year the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the proposed border-fence would cost about $3 million a mile — or $2.1 billion for the entire 700-mile barrier!

Did those numbers knock you out of that comfy chair? Listen to this. A new study by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service says the cost could easily be up to 25 times more than any previous estimate. That would be a figure approaching $50 billion! What few people bother to challenge is the fact that our shared border with Mexico is 1,933.4 miles long, and thus far the only plans proposed are for a 700-mile barricade! Let’s hope border-hopping illegals don’t figure out how to walk around the fence! And let’s not even discuss the fact that the fence has a life expectancy of only 25 years!

Again, we’re not discussing “fence – no fence” here. What I can’t understand is how two supposedly legitimate organizations made up of what I would assume to be loyal, educated, experienced participants can focus on the same project and arrive at conclusions so diametrically opposed: $2 Billion and $50 Billion! That’s not even close and, until the truth is revealed and verified beyond a shadow of a doubt, the credibility of both organizations is at stake!

I think it’s safe to say that any organization inside the Beltway (I-495) is capable of manufacturing facts and figures, which inevitably support and promote their own personal agendas. Until that focus is redirected to an agenda benefiting all Americans, regardless of party affiliation, the chaos will continue, and WE will continue to foot the bill.

In the meantime, consider the following facts of interest concerning the U.S.-Mexico border:

• The U.S.-Mexico border is the world’s busiest.
• The U.S. employs over 12,000 border patrol agents.
• More than 90-million vehicles cross the border every year.
• Two of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., Laredo and McAllen, Texas, are on the border.
• Trade between the two countries averages $795 million per day.
• A record 473 migrants died at or near the border in 2005, primarily due to a heat wave.
• The border patrol also rescued 2,750 illegals that same year.
• California shares 140.4 miles of the border with Mexico.
• New Mexico shares 179.5 miles of the border with Mexico.
• Arizona shares 372.5 miles of the border with Mexico.
• Texas shares 1,241 miles of the border with Mexico.

Let’s hope this very political issue doesn’t join the ranks of so many other fiascos evolving from opposing bureaucratic agendas. Your call can make difference. Pick up the phone and demand accountability and share your personal view.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Is it just me?
Or has the U.S. business scene run amuck?

The media is foaming at the mouth with stories depicting the possibility of Daimler dumping Chrysler in the very near future.

Along those same story lines, it appears that General Motors may be considering the purchase of the Chrysler Corp. Before you dismiss such a ridiculous venture, be aware of the fact that both Chrysler and GM shares jumped within hours of the announcement.

Apparently, we’ve learned nothing from history. Anyone remember when the U.S. auto industry boasted the “Big Four”? That fourth spot was held by American Motors Corp. (AMC), which was originally formed from the merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corp. and the Hudson Motorcar Company in 1954. Remember these classic nameplates: Gremlin, Spirit, Renault, Nash Rambler, Javelin, Hornet, Pacer, Concord, Matador, and Cavalier (later to re-emerge as a GM nameplate) to name just a few? It all came to an end with the merger of AMC into Chrysler in 1987. It’s kind of ironic that the one-time big fish has become the small fish being eyed hungrily by General Motors.

Riddle me this. When one ailing, flailing, failing, leaderless conglomerate merges or acquires a second distressed, floundering, directionless, leaderless competitor … which of the two will save the other?

What a short memory we have. It wasn’t that long ago (2005) that Sears, Roebuck & Company (at one time the number #1 U.S. retailer) merged with K-Mart Corp. (at one time the #2 U.S. retailer) to form the Sears Holdings Corporation.

Everyone waited with baited breath to see if competitors such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target, Costco, Lowe’s, Best Buy, Kohl’s, JCPenney’s, Nordstrom’s, Younkers, Macy’s and others could withstand the devastating onslaught of this newly formed terrifying tandem. Needless to say, everyone survived. Since the Sears/K-Mart merger, there have been few changes at the store level and those that have surfaced have been as riveting as watching paint dry.

It doesn’t matter what the product and/or service may be. The keys to success lie with the people involved at every level and the culture which evolves as a result of the efforts of those people.

The answer to the Chrysler challenge is unbelievably simplistic. This scenario will never happen. However, if it were to materialize, Chrysler would emerge as the worldwide automotive leader exempt from threats of any current competitor on the face of the earth. It’s that simple. Here’s the formula:

1. Recruit Donald Trump and Ross Perot to join forces as co-chairmen of the new Chrysler Corp.
   • Trump has overcome numerous obstacles to attain success and knows how to capitalize on his enormous network.
   • Perot was once an intricate piece of General Motors. He identified major problems, offering sensible solutions, but was ignored and bought out by the GM leadership that feared him. He could make it work this time and, by doing so at Chrysler, once again prove to GM that they should have listened to him when they had the opportunity.
   • They both have a proven track record when it comes to turnarounds. They have both demonstrated a phoenix-like ability to create success from the ashes left behind by others.
   • Neither needs the money, yet both thrive on emerging victorious after being told it can’t be done.
2. Recruit Lee Iacocca to return as CEO and Jack Welch to complete the equation as Chief Operating Officer.
   • This would be deja vu for Iacocca. In the late 70s, Chrysler was on a “suicide watch” as Lee galloped in on his white horse, fresh from being put out to pasture by Ford Motor Co. As the world looked on in doubt, he took draconian measures never before seen at Chrysler and led them out of certain bankruptcy destruction to become a competitive dynasty to be reckoned with by all in the industry. He knows what it takes, isn’t ready to be counted out, and would be returning to his true love.
   • Both Iacocca and Welch would welcome the opportunity to disprove their nay-sayers who have claimed their legendary legacies were a “fluke.”
   • Again, neither needs the money but both would emerge in the public eye revitalized beyond recognition by the challenge most would deem impossible.

Let’s not overlook the obvious thought on everyone’s mind. Would it be possible to corral four of the world’s most gargantuan egos long enough to even propose such an undertaking? You might be surprised. The opportunity and possibility of accomplishing what the world would deem incomprehensible would easily overshadow the concern of ego-clashing. Each of these cultural icons would certainly recognize and capitalize on the once-in-a-lifetime prospect of working with fellow legends in a combined effort to accomplish the impossible.

Interestingly enough, their challenge and final results really have nothing to do with the auto industry. They would experience the identical success whether they were dealing with the challenges of our perplexing airline industry and the deteriorating automobile industry.

They’ve each proven themselves in their own respective areas time and time again. Regardless of the product, service, or challenge, they take action. They get results. That’s what this country needs today.

Do you think my solution is absurd? Think again AFTER comparing it to the merger of Sears and K-Mart. And again AFTER reviewing the merger of GM and Chrysler. And once again AFTER observing daily examples of our once powerful two-party political system moving closer and closer to a one-party mind-set.

Now, wouldn’t you agree that my solution is actually pretty feasible? Excuse me now as I’ve got to make a few phone calls in hopes of reaching Donald, Ross, Lee, and Jack. They may be our only hope!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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