Karaoke Capitalism

A friend loaned me a business book called Karaoke Capitalism, hence the title, by two Swedish PH D's. And I have to say that it was the best business book I have ever read... he told me it would be... I should have had more faith in him. Either way, if you like business and the evolution of it historically as a guiding light for predictive paths, this is unquestionably the book for you. The nice thing about it is that the book is written almost from a conversational perspective. It just flows. It also covers a broad range of topics some of which I have highlighted below. In a nutshell, this book is about the evolution of business outside the box.

The concept of employees being a company's biggest liability is a new paradigm for me. However due to the proliferation of the Internet and the subsequent reduction of the shelf-life of knowledge, tied to the lack of loyalty in today's society presents exactly this scenario. It is certainly exemplified by friends of mine that have changed jobs more often then they do underwear. At the same time it appears that the value of the individual and their ability to contribute effectively may be jeopardized by extended tenure these days. Do stagnant employees lose the ability to think outside the box? My guess is that this depends on the person.
It also focuses on the evolution of the consumer driven economy. Currently this is most apparent in the evolution of Software as a Service companies like eBlogger or Salesforce.com, where one effective solution can be used by hundreds or thousands of companies/individuals. When done properly the organization can easily integrate the consumer into the further development of an effective solution by opening up a channel for those people to communicate new ideas and contribute to new product versions ultimately, reducing the development of redundant or non-saleable features and reducing costs.

Philip Kotler had the other interesting quote from the book stating that "Capitalism will leave the seeds of its own destruction if it does not find new markets. The rich can only consume so much output." This rings far too true in what is clearly an economy of excess in many parts of the world. The availability of products and services that are considered luxury has skyrocketed and while the rich get richer, the focus of the middle class has been shifted by marketers to keep up with the Jones'... even if they are the Rockefeller's! Which brings me to my next point, when have people with limited skill sets, no talent and no level of individual accomplishment ever been held in such high esteem. When has a level of incompetence been regarded as grounds for success (see American Idol). History tells us that excess leads to cultural demise, at least if the Romans were any indication. Who knows maybe we will pull out of it. I am certainly a part of the problem/solution, but I guess we all are.

All I can say is that the next 20 years will most likely move faster then the previous 100, good, bad or otherwise. If you want a hint about what it might look like its a good place to start.

MS

The Proverbial First Kick of the Cat

For a while I thought that that I had to write/converse in perfectly constructed and properly punctuated sentences on these things, which is clearly not the case. This was the hurdle that kept me from actually publishing anything in this blog for over a week. I must have started writing about 10 different posts but kept feeling that they were inadequate in some fashion or another so I would just delete them. But here I am, on the cusp of greatness ready to press the almightly "publish" button.

To take that previous thought one step further, I guess the main fear that I have about blogs is not that it won't be read but perhaps that it will become unexplicably popular! You know that old quote by Nelson Mandela "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." But in order for people to read it there has to be something of interest there, right? So for that reason alone I think the rantings of an ordinary average suburbanite might manage to stay under the radar for a bit. Too bad this didn't exist in my Ski Instructing days, THEN it would be exciting!

I always promised myself that if I wrote a book it would be called Airport Emotions. I have spent a lot of time in airports over the years and I have to say that I actually enjoy it! It seems that the art of the" Sunday Drive" or enjoying the trip for the journey is completely lost in todays society of excess. There is sooooo much life in airports, so much happiness, so much sorrow, so much anger and so much relief, Liberals, Conservatives... you get the point. Don't get me wrong, when an unnamed CDN airline cancels/postpones my flight I am not jumping for joy but at the same time I am not strangling the woman in the polyester suit with matching paper hat and silk scarf (why do they still wear those?) screaming "get me home, get me home!" I enjoy watching people cope with change. I sometimes wonder if they EVER think that 50 years ago people were rarely able to see most of the places we can today and maybe they are lucky. Truly a sign that we are a part of the me generation.

This is not a new perspective for me. Some might say its the "new parent" in me as my son was born on Dec. 24th but I just believe that more of us can't see the forest for all the condo buildings (trees) these days. This of course doesn't mean that one is better then the other just a different take. And I think that is what this blog, for the most part will be about. Some business talk, some things that need to be said but for the most part and honest viewpoint.

I may tend to spout drivel on some occasions but I promise not to talk about how bad my toenails are and OOooooooo I can't believe they gave Anne Heche a new TV series. And thats all I can promise. I also promise to try and fill each blog, if not daily but with one cliche or quote, it seems a shame to waste them, having struggled their way into the global psyche/vernacular over time. Let's give them their due!

Here's to 2007 and the birth of my son! I love you, Nolan.