Week of June 6, 2016
Monday, June 6 is the 72nd Anniversary of D-Day: The Allied Invasion of Europe
“This operation is not being planned with any alternatives.
This operation is planned as a victory, and that’s the way it’s going to be.
We’re going down there, and we’re throwing everything we have into it;
and we’re going to make it a success.”
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
(1890-1969)
Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II
FOR YOUR EDIFICATION AND ENTERTAINMENT
“Live Long and Prosper” (Maybe)
“Finding A Kinder Tide”
Choosing Employees Over Customers
Econ Recon: You- The Cause of the 2019 Recession
Live Long and Prosper (Maybe)
Star Trek’s Mr. Spock signature farewell line was “Live Long and Prosper.” Science has done a remarkable job in the past century on the first half of that valediction. In 1900, the life expectancy was 48. Today it’s over 80. That’s the good news. The bad news regards the “prosper” part; most people will have extended retirements, perhaps several decades in duration, which for most are nowhere near to being adequately funded.
A new book reviewed in the Economist Magazine looks at the problem and gives an overview of what you…and you children…had better start planning for if you want to Live Long and Prosper . As Peter Drucker told us; “demographics is the future that has already happened.”
“Finding A Kinder Tide”
Most of us have heard the story of the “Harry Potter” series author J.K. Rowling’s multiple rejections of the first Harry Potter manuscript until an unknown publisher took a chance on her….and the rest is history. If you’d like to start your week with a tale of resolve and perseverance, check out this quick vignette of a young Meryl Streep’s early challenges, and a choice she made that resulted in a truly stellar career.
Meryl Streep recalls “This (photo) was me on my way home from an audition for “King Kong” where I was told I was too “ugly” for the part. This was a pivotal moment for me. This one rogue opinion could derail my dreams of becoming an actress or force me to pull myself up by the boot straps and believe in myself. I took a deep breath and said “I’m sorry you think I’m too ugly for your film but you’re just one opinion in a sea of thousands and I’m off to find a kinder tide.” Today Meryl Streep has 18 Academy Awards. Moral: Never give up on your dreams. Only you know your true worth.”
Choosing Employees Over Customers
An advertising agency CEO has become convinced of two things regarding his team: His goals are not their goals; and if he effectively takes care of his employees they will take of his customers. With these two convictions guiding him, he now manages his company very differently: Take a minute to find out how he runs his business now in this INC Article: “Choosing Employees Over Customers.”
Econ Recon: YOU-The Cause of the 2019 Recession
Alan Beaulieu of ITR Economics has been warning for some time of a 2019 recession. In a recent speech to the annual meeting of the Control System Integrators Association, he explains why you (the consumer) will be the cause of the recession; how bad it will be…… and some invaluable advice for getting ready to not only survive, but profit from it. Check out this executive summary of his talk: Prepare Now For the 2019 Recession.
Make it a GREAT week!
Cheers,
Beth Adkisson
Vistage Group Chair