Water Cooler Conversations

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Many moons ago, I spent considerable time in
Southern California.  Surfing is very big in that area and I made friends with a few surfers.  They have an interesting perspective on life to say the least.

I vividly remember a conversation one evening with one of the local surfers who had won some regional competitions and was regarded as one of the best athletes in San Diego.  He was imparting his “surfer wisdom” to me, helping me understand what it was like to master the art of catching a big wave.  I asked him if he was ever concerned about sharks, sharp coral reef, etc.  “No, man”, he replied.  He continued, “but I am always concerned about the second wave”. 

“Second Wave”, I asked.

“Yea, if you wipe out, you have to watch out for the next wave.  If you don’t watch what you are doing, that’s the one that can take you down.” he replied.  Then about a minute later, without any provocation, he stared at me and repeated his “sage” advice, “you gotta watch that second wave dude - that’s the one that’ll kill ya.”  An interesting conversation with an interesting guy.

So what does this have to do with anything -  everything actually.

Over the past year, your business has either gotten badly hit with the “first wave” (a tough economy), you are riding it out or just managing to stay afloat.  Regardless, it’s the “second wave” you will need to watch – top employees leaving some organizations in “waves”.  They will leave a number of poorly managed organizations when times get better and the job landscape changes significantly.  These employees are currently watching how their employers respond to the recession. Are their employers’ reactive and making poor decisions relative to the business and their workforce or are they being proactive and making the most out of a challenging situation?

Organizational choices made during the recession have far reaching implications down the road.  The smart organizations are trying to make all the right moves now, recognizing that in the not to distant future they will need their top talent to ride the next economic wave up.  Well run organizations will be positioned to make the most out of an economic upturn and be an attractive workplace for these top performing employees in exodus of poorly managed companies.

I really believe that one day many executives will look back at this period of time with regret – being reactive rather than being proactive and seizing the many opportunities to make the most of a challenging situation.  They are managing in fear, paralyzing themselves and their organizations.

Bold, decisive moves are needed now.  There is no better time.  Time is ticking and this economy will improve…and…when it does, the organizations staffed with top people are going to zoom ahead of their competition. They are getting ready right now. 

Riding the first wave is critical to being able to catch the second one.  My surfer friend would agree and would provide a patented  “nice ride dude” for riding the wave properly.

Surf’s up.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC

I recently sent a letter to Governor Strickland (still waiting for a response) requesting that the pay and benefits of Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner be frozen as they seek election to the Ohio Senate (http://www.fisherforohio.com/and http://www.jenniferbrunner.com/).  Not sure about you, but I am tired of seeing my tax dollars wasted on politicians who continually campaign for their “next” job while supposedly working in their current elected office. 

If the Governor would grant this request, this would be a tax payers’ savings of nearly $200,000. Seems to me that that money could be used for much better purposes than paying people while they are conducting a job search. 

The recession does not bother me as much as the politicians…they helped us get into this economy and helping us stay here way too long.  C’mon Governor…answer my letter – I would love to know where you stand on this issue…even though I think I already know.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC

This week’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, brings to mind the concept of the “Luck of the Irish”.  You have also probably heard the saying, “It’s better to be lucky than smart.”  Not to be outdone, there are people who believe that “You make your own luck in life” and others who believe that “Some folks are just born lucky.”

Call it what you want, it’s a subject that conjures up positive thoughts.  Luck seems to be one of life’s special bonuses.  It’s fun, exciting and typically unexpected. 

We need a bit of luck these days spread across this wonderful land of ours.  There are lots of good people who have fallen on some very tough times.  As a country we will make it through these challenging times…we always do.

We all know a number of people who are out of work.  Good hard working people in transition through no fault of their own.  They will continue to work hard, but now looking for good work.  A little luck along the way will be helpful. 

Perhaps something you do today to help someone out in a tough spot will create some magic…some luck that is unexpected and makes a difference.  That pot of gold at the end of the rainbow can be created. Start it with you.  Help create some “luck” for someone else today.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Businesses have been absolutely battered with new legislation under the new administration.  With the introduction of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) proposal, the hits just keep on coming!

Lots of people are scrambling on this one and there is much debate expected around this nasty piece of legislation.  The proposed Act itself appears to help no one except unions.  Fortunately many employers are being pretty proactive and trying to learn as much as they can if this car wreck passes.

Aside from the advice provided by legal counsel, there is no better way to defend against this Act if passed, than to provide an excellent place to work for your employees.  Employees who work for great workplaces won’t bother with the liberties provided through the EFCA – as their employers are already providing significantly more than any union representation can provide.  Employees at these workplaces will make the right choice by passing on unionization.  When they do this they find that they really remain free.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

A recent front page of a local, daily newspaper displayed a three-quarter page chart reflecting the downturn of the stock market since 2007. In the left column of the front page, were short stories of layoffs and general negative news.  Most surprising is that the weather highlight indicated “partly sunny” versus “partly cloudy – unusually upbeat for this newspaper.

Well today I am officially boycotting “Section A” of all newspapers and welcome you to join me in that mission.  The front page and much of the content contained in the first section of many newspapers does not do much to maintain consumer confidence and optimism. Negativity and sensationalism is Section A - nothing more, nothing less.  It is certainly not “fair and balanced” journalism.

So, if you still get the paper and feel like me, here is what you can do with a newspaper’s first section that is consistently overly negative:

1. Don’t read it…don’t ever read it.  You are not missing a thing.
2. If you have a fire place, use it with kindling to start your fires.  Nothing like seeing sensationalized, bad news go up in smoke.
3. Line kitty litter boxes with the Section, or use it to house train your new puppy.  It will be poop on poop.
4. Recycle it and the rest of the newspaper.  At least something good will come out of something bad.
5. Send it back to the Publisher and ask for a discount on your paper since Section A is not really news.

The daily newspapers in our land (and the evening news) batter their subscribers with bad news and delight in the words crisis and disaster.  What they don’t realize is that their industry is in a crisis because of the disaster they are printing in their newspapers’ first Section.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

I watched the President’s speech on CNN on Tuesday evening.  The commentators made several mentions of the Congressional leaders that staked out their aisle seats next to the President’s entrance as early as 8 am Tuesday morning.  The President’s speech was at 9 pm. Unreal.

Evidently, they were seeking about 10 seconds of national exposure when the cameras focused in on the President’s entrance.  As one New York Congressman stated – “it’s the only time my constituents see me”.

Shame on all those politicians including Dennis Kucinich (yes…we saw you in your aisle seat again).  What a waste of time and tax payer money.  Here’s an idea for our government – assigned seating!

Hey Congress…in case you have not noticed this is not a game anymore.  We do not care if you are on national TV.  That does not help us one bit.  We are tired of your show and expect you to make good decisions with our dough – for once.

Years ago my dad had several angina attacks which the Cardiologist would later tell us where a blessing – warnings provided by our bodies that can save lives if the issue causing the pain is treated.  My dad paid attention to these “warnings” and was soon under the knife for a triple by-pass.  He also responded post operation by exercising more, and watching his diet.  All of this occurred 11 years ago and his due diligence worked, as he feels good as he prepares to celebrate his 89^th birthday later this month – and best of all his heart continues to be healthy.

Our country has been suffering some “angina pains” over the past few years.  Warning signs that suggest that have not treated our nation’s “heart” very well.  Capitalism and the free market system do work if you treat it right.  Once you invite corruption, greed and fear into the system you get what we are getting today.  It should be no surprise to anyone that our system is acting exactly as it should be under such abuse.

The symptoms are painfully persistent with the problems unresolved. 

There have been lots of “experts” diagnosing the issues…all sorts of fixes proposed, one that passed as law and more to come.  It should be interesting.

The “patient” is still quite alive - it can walk but no longer run…at least for now.  Given the right medicine, rest and treatments, our nation’s economy will come back.  Yet, it is important to note that we can fix the economic mechanics, but we can’t necessarily fix the corruption, greed, bad politics and lack of leadership.  

Some people like my dad pay attention to the body’s warning signs and seek a fix and then work at a good life.  Others ignore the pain thinking it will go away. One of our readers commented on last week’s blog citing her Aunt’s statement that what this country needs is a good Depression – it would be the ultimate wake up call.  A shock that might actually change us fundamentally to realize we cannot mess things up this bad and expect it to just go away.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

My Mom was no stranger to sharing her sage advice with me…

• “If everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?”
• “You’ll grow into them.”
• “If it doesn’t kill you, it’ll make you stronger.”
• “If you keep making that face, it’s going to freeze that way.”
• “Don’t forget your jacket.”
• “Don’t forget your mittens.”
• “Don’t forget your hat.”
• “Always brush your teeth.”
• “Always wear clean underwear (in case you’re in an accident).”
• “Wash behind your ears—I can see carrots growing back there.”
• “Money does not grow on trees”

These were just a few of the many rules of the road I learned in my adolescence from my dear mother. Perhaps taken literally, there are a few flaws in these life skills guidelines. Yet, one that I counted on is turning out to be wrong…which in itself shakes the very foundation of all the other teachings of Moms around the globe.

My Mom emphasized ethics big time, and it has served her three sons well for 50+ years. The “Cheaters Never Prosper” saying was definitely one of her core beliefs that she instilled in each of us. But sadly we see that from Wall Street to sports, cheaters do prosper and seem to be forgiven as long as they can make people money or hit a baseball. And, the “little guy” keeps on paying for it…literally.

The latest example in sports is Alex Rodriguez (major league baseball) – admitting to using steroids only after the positive test results became public. He confessed just the other day and is very sorry for his actions. Sound familiar? Are these high profile people like “A-Rod” sorry for doing the nasty deed or getting caught? I think we all know the answer.  And, the sad part is that this will all go away when he hits a few homeruns this season. 

The same goes for the clowns at some of the financial institutions that helped and perhaps ignited our economic tailspin – some of them walked away with millions and unbelievably some are still employed!!! Meanwhile millions of good hard working Americans are out of work.

What’s it going to take for us to take our country and values back? Somewhere along the line many folks in
America quit listening to Mom…not a good move. Moms are right just about all the time. So my kids are getting their share of sayings from me and my better half.  My saying is pretty easy and it’s some of the best advice I could ever provide – “Listen to your Mom.”

Last week, while watching the national news update on CNN I saw an all too familiar and scary scene – as the proposed “stimulus package” was being discussed; a video clip of President Obama followed by members of Congress was played. The specific scene was the President leaving one closed door meeting and heading to another. The scary part was the number of males in the scene - way too many! In fact Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi may have been the only woman in the crowd.

There is a lot of finger pointing going on these days in the public and private sector. Sadly, bi-partisanship is alive and well.  People and the media can point fingers and blame all they want, but it is misdirected as the common denominator of blame lies with the fact that too many guys are in positions of power. Not sure if it will occur in my lifetime, but can you imagine how much better our country would be if more women were in positions of power? It could not get much worse…the guys have really screwed up. And, this applies particularly in the private sector – both in the executive suites and board of directors.

The repeated greed, corruption and mismanagement are deplorable and apparently unstoppable. Evidently in order for this country to survive and grow, we need considerably more checks and balances in the system.

If we really want change in this country, we need to go way beyond electing the first President of color. We need to ensure that women have every opportunity to succeed and share equally in critical decision making.

The saying, “Boys will be Boys” just doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s time to realize guys they we don’t do very well by not reading instructions and following directions – that’s why we screw up so often. We just aren’t as smart as we want to believe.

And, ladies, it’s time you get out of the passenger seat and start driving - our streets will be much safer.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Each year, one of the major networks televises a “Skins Game” among four of the top names in professional golf.  For those not familiar with the “Skins Game”, it is a pretty simple format – four golfers “compete” on each golf hole for the best score…with winner taking all.  If there is a tie, the money carries over to the next hole and the next until someone wins the hole.  I have always found it amusing that we are to believe that these four very wealthy golf professionals are actually competing since they are playing to win someone else’s money with none of their own money on the line.  In an amateur skins game, golfers put up their own money – making for some real competition and intensity.

The current “stimulus package” discussions remind me of the pretend “skins game” on television.  The government has none of their own money in this…just ours.  Interesting how the package as currently proposed has all sorts of “pork” in the bill like including replacing the grass at the Washington Mall.

I would advocate a totally different stimulus package and I think one that most Americans would support.  As part of my package I would put a freeze for every American on paying Federal income tax in 2009.  That’s right…no taxes…no April 15^th…ludicrous?  Maybe not.

It would be interesting to see our government run with less revenue coming in…just like so many businesses who have been hit hard by this recession…forced to make tough choices about their business and their employees.  I wonder if the Washington Mall grass would be replaced under such a scenario.

The freeze on taxes would not affect inflation like the printing of $825 billion dollars, it does not create debt that our children will have to deal with in the long term and it might actually help the average American.

Americans were pumped a week ago with the changing of the administration…what we really want is politics (as usual) to go away, real reform to occur and legislators to stop with the spin and start getting real.

It’s time the folks in politics put their business on the line…just like the rest of us.  Otherwise, it’s just a game to them without the skin.