AchieveMax® Blog

Well, it finally happened! It’s been all over the papers, magazines, radio, TV, and the Internet. Toyota has moved into the sacred role of the World’s Largest Automaker. General Motors is no longer #1—a title they proudly held for over three quarters of a century (76 years to be exact).
 
First quarter global sales were a shocking revelation of Toyota’s consistent rise and Detroit’s continuing skid in so many different categories. Production projections support the fact that Toyota just may hold that #1 position for the entire year.
 
I so enjoy listening and watching people react to whatever the current headline may be at any given time. Our country seems to be filled with those who thrive on bad news, jump to conclusions, and react without thought. On the airplane today, three of us were apparently reading the same USA Today article at the same time. The two gentlemen sitting next to me were discussing this startling news and I, as always, was eavesdropping while pretending to read. They both agreed that this was a definite sign that GM was certainly in the tank and would soon be followed by Chrysler and Ford. The “American Automobile Company” would soon become legend … a lost chapter in future history books!
 
I’ve had the opportunity of working, as a consultant and trainer, with all three of Detroit’s automakers over the last 20 years, and I’ve been very fortunate to have been in the midst of the their greatest achievements and their many, inexcusable blunders. We’re talking about decades of tradition, experience, and pride here, and my predictions differ just a bit from my fellow travelers.
 
I’m quite certain the leaders of all of the “Big Three” are dismayed, discouraged, and maybe even a little embarrassed. That’s not a bad thing. I’ve always been a firm believer in the old adage that “It’s not what happens to you in life—It’s how you react to it.” The negative reactions I mentioned earlier will serve a purpose. Then they will fade to be replaced with pride, focus, and determination. There is little shame in losing to a phenomenal competitor such as Toyota. Everyone has seen it coming for quite some time. In fact, sliding into 2nd or 3rd place can also be very motivating and liberating after the dust settles and reality sets in.
 
For instance, I just read that GM Vice President Bob Lutz, a true tested veteran of the car wars, is encouraging an immediate conversion to ethanol and warning that our country cannot be satisfied with incremental change in this area. He strongly suggests that we make it a leading priority to replace fossil fuel with renewable energy in what he calls “huge chunks.” Where do you think this sudden sense of urgency came from?
 
GM has been preparing a comeback strategy for some time now. They trimmed their workforce, closed plants, reduced incentives, and decreased fleet sales (high volume sales to rental car companies, corporate customers, and government agencies that so often cut into the profit picture).
 
The “Big Three” have had a set-back. That can’t be argued. However, a swift kick in the shin, a bloodied nose, or public humiliation could be just the right stimulus to ignite that “competitive edge,” that “fire-in-the belly,” that “come-back determination” that inspires leaders to rally their troops around a common cause that’s dear to the hearts of everyone involved. Come on, they’ve all seen the “ROCKY” movies! I wouldn’t count Detroit out just yet!  In fact, I think they’ll be back with a vengeance.
 
Recently, I read that Toyota enjoyed the role as the underdog challenging the “Big Three.” That same article shared the fact that Toyota is now just a little bit nervous with their role as #1. They’re smart enough to know that their people could possibly become complacent with this new found success.
 
Here’s still another interesting scenario which, regardless of the outcome, can teach us all so much while revealing options that everyone should consider. Some of us have to “SEE it to believe it!” … SEE being the operable word here:

Significant
Emotional
Event

Those more seasoned observers will learn from the “Significant Emotional Event” of others. Let’s watch and learn as this story unfolds. I think it’s only just begun.

Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Technorati Tags: General Motors, big three, Toyota

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed or subscribe via e-mail. Thanks for visiting!

In the spirit of C.A.N.I. (Continuous And Never-ending Improvement), here are this week’s new facts—one for each day of your coming week. Pass them on to others to keep the spirit alive or invite your friends and family to visit our blog where they can also view previous entries.

• The first canned foods appeared in 1810, but the can opener wasn’t invented until 1858.
• In Finland, saunas outnumber cars.
• When we blush, our stomach lining also turns red.
• The average person’s heart beats 36 million times a year.
• Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do.
• The average person sleeps for about 220,000 hours (or just over 25 years) in a life-time.
• It takes just 1 minute for blood to travel through the entire human body.

Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Technorati Tags: facts, learn, life-long learning

I think feedback is a wonderful thing. The very definition of the word reflects its potential impact: “Feedback is information about performance that leads to action, to change, or to maintain performance.” However, I often wonder if that definition shouldn’t sometimes include a caveat. Isn’t it more appropriate to say: “CORRECT feedback is information about performance …”?

Constructive and/or developmental feedback is priceless and has so often been the decisive factor in many a success story. On the other hand, improper or misguided feedback can be terribly destructive. It’s entirely possible to receive feedback that influences us to change course or even give up on a chosen direction. In short, like everything else in life, feedback should be taken in moderation. It should be weighed carefully and evaluated often before allowing it to influence one’s thinking.
 
As we review our rich heritage and recount historical events, we find many valuable examples of when it may have been more advantageous to ignore feedback. Review the following examples and consider what may or may not have occurred had those involved paid heed to their ill-advised feedback.

• In 1958, CBS television producer Don Hewitt told Barbara Walters: “With your voice, nobody is going to allow you on the air.” She then signed with NBC and has been broadcasting and producing for nearly five decades!
• In the early 70s, a famed literary agent told Danielle Steel that she’d better learn to cook because her book would never sell. She found another agent and has since sold close to 400 million books!
• Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy in 1941, said: “No matter what happens, the U.S. Navy will never be caught napping.” Three days later, on December 4th, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, catching the U.S. Navy fleet totally unaware!
• In 1908, Orville Wright claimed: “No flying machine will ever fly from New York to Paris!”
• In 1848, Daniel Webster, senator of Massachusetts, said: “I cannot conceive of anything more ridiculous, more absurd, and more affrontive to all sober judgment than the cry that we are profiting by the acquisition of New Mexico and California. I hold that they are not worth a dollar!”
• During a 1963 audition, a BBC radio producer said: “The band’s okay but, if I were you, I’d get rid of the singer with the tire-tread lips!” Of course, he was talking about The Rolling Stones and their lead singer, Mick Jagger. Nearly 45 years later, the Stones are still touring to screaming audiences all over the world!
• In 1959, a Universal Pictures executive said: “You have a chip in your tooth, your Adam’s apple sticks out way too far, you squint your eyes, and you talk too slow! You’ll never make it in Hollywood.” He was talking to Clint Eastwood.
• In 1911, Marechal Foch, French military strategist, said: “Airplanes are interesting toys but of absolutely no military value!”
• In 1969, Margaret Thatcher said: “No woman will in my lifetime be Prime Minister.” That was 10 years before SHE was elected Prime Minister!

I guess “THEY” don’t always know best!

Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Technorati Tags: feedback, performance

I knew it would happen sooner or later.

I guess I’m just disappointed that I didn’t come up with it myself. I should have. I average visiting at least two airports a week. Sometimes I manage to waltz through six to eight airports in a week’s time. Do you have any idea what that means as far as boarding passes, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, lost bags, turnstills, delayed flights, newspapers, and security bins? Mind boggling. However, it’s often easy to start taking all of these things for granted, which makes it very difficult for even the most creative person to recognize the potential that surrounds us every day.
 
For instance, I mentioned security bins. In all seriousness, I can’t even begin to imagine how many times I’ve grabbed one of those extraordinarily durable, dull grey or white 12-inch by 17-inch plastic bins that have, over the years, held just about everything man’s mind can conceive.

However, I never once visualized the monumental financial potential sitting there right in front of me as I filled it with my laptop, shoes, coat, belt, watch, wallet, change, cell phone, and anything else that my favorite TSA (Transportation Security Administration) shadow might detect should I not declare it. Moments later, after passing through the secret tunnel of darkness and technology, I would proceed to retrieve my personal property from that plastic monstrosity as I rushed off to another flight. Again, I missed the obvious. Sadly, someone else recognized it and acted upon it.
 
Someone must have been thinking billboards when they came up with the idea of selling ads printed on durable paper to be glued inside every one of those millions of security bins scattered across the nation. In fact, I’m sure it won’t be long before they can be found world wide.
 
The TSA has agreed to authorize this new method of advertising and is expecting to share the wealth with competing advertising companies. Of course, the TSA plans to benefit greatly as it requires vendors to stock airport checkpoints with new bins, carts, and stainless steel tables.

A pilot ad program began in July of last year at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). They began with Rolodex ads, but you can soon expect to see anything from peanut butter to luxury cars. Research reveals that these bin ads can be sold for $250,000 to $500,000 per year! Think about the number of airports across the country that would be interested in additional income at the expense of the vendors wanting to advertise. The potential is unlimited and will obviously give us passengers something else to read as we await the always late flight from wherever.  

Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Technorati Tags: business, travel

I’m very fortunate that my work takes me from one end of the country to the other on a regular basis. It can sometimes be a real culture shock to be working with a client in the desert culture of Arizona one week and be looking out the window of your hotel room in the heart of Times Square watching tens of thousands of New Yorkers busily maneuvering the masses the following week. I’ve gained such a wonderful education via my travels and developed a true love of studying people everywhere.

Over the years, I’ve grown to know the cities of New York and New Orleans intimately. As a result, the devastation of 9-11 and Katrina affected me in a very personal way, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever fully recover from either of those tragedies. I’ve been in a unique position that has enabled me to personally observe the constant annual face lift of Las Vegas as it battles the inevitability of constant change. I watched it evolve from “Sin City” to “A Family Destination” and its recent return to “Sin City.” It’s getting to the point that a landmark hotel and casino falls almost monthly to make room for a much larger, much more modern and even more unique structure. Las Vegas is now the 11th fastest growing city in the nation, and Nevada is the 2nd fastest growing state in the nation.
 
An obvious benefit of constant travel presents itself in the form of being able to learn something new almost every day. When I’m not learning something new through direct observation, I find myself drawn to reading or “Googling” something unique almost daily. What continues to mystify me is the vast amount of information that I continue to discover. In fact, much of it deals with subject matter that I’ve never been exposed to. These discoveries are exciting, informative and almost always inspire me to continue my quest for learning.

On my recent return flight from Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, I exchanged magazines with a fellow traveler and discovered a number of startling facts about the Amazon. I’m not certain whether I’ll ever find a use for this information, but I did find it very interesting indeed. What do you think?

The Amazon contains half of the world’s tropical forests, spread over an area the size of the continental United States.
 
More than 100 types of plants and 1,700 kinds of insects can be found in the branches of a single mature tropical tree.
 
The Amazon has more than a million interdependent—and exotic—species of plant and animal life, such as:

• trees with 6-foot long leaves
• flowers with 3-foot long petals
• plants that can cradle 10 gallons of water in reservoirs formed by their leaves
• rodents that weigh up to 100 lbs.
• butterflies the size of dinner plates
• bees the size of birds
• tarantulas so big they eat birds
• catfish so big they’ve been known to eat children

I don’t remember learning of these facts in school. On the other hand, it might well have been because I wasn’t listening nor had I developed my current thirst for knowledge. For this reason, I encourage my grandchildren to read and strive to learn something new each and every day. It can do nothing but help them grow and develop in hopes of dealing with the many challenges that await them in a very competitive world. I truly believe it’s one of the best legacies we can leave for them.

Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Technorati Tags: life-long learning

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 …

Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Technorati Tags: business, Circuit City, Best Buy

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!

Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Technorati Tags: American Idol, business

In the spirit of C.A.N.I. (Continuous And Never-ending Improvement), here are this week’s new facts—one for each day of your coming week. Pass them on to others to keep the spirit alive or invite your friends and family to visit our blog where they can also view previous entries.

• Walt Disney World generates about 56 tons of trash every day.
• President George W. Bush’s 2001 tax cut added 14,368 pages to the U.S. Tax Code.
• Canada has more doughnut shops per capita than any other country.
• The ability to taste sweets decreases with age.
• On an average day, Canada imports 822 hockey sticks from Russia.
• The funny bone isn’t a bone, it’s a nerve.
• Five baseball gloves can be made from a single cowhide.

Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Technorati Tags: facts, learn, life-long learning

After setting up feeds via the My Yahoo! page to save time in monitoring specific news and blog sources, I also tested RSS feeds in a personalized Google home page, which is the equivalent of My Yahoo! 

Although I primarily use My Yahoo! as a time management tool, I found that the Google personalized home page includes many additional time-saving ”gadgets,” which are small applications such as the weather, translators, and tips of the day that can easily be added to your page. If you monitor any news sources or blogs on a regular basis, adding RSS feeds and these gadgets via Google may save you time.

RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” It’s a format for distributing and gathering content from sources across the Web, including newspapers, magazines, and blogs. 

Setting up feeds in a personalized Google page is simple: 

First, go to Personalize Home Page on Google (also known as iGoogle). It’s located in the upper right-hand corner of the main Google page.

Second, sign in to your account. If you don’t have a Google account, you can sign up for one.

Third, click on “Add stuff,” which is on the right side, next to “Select Theme.”

Fourth, click on “Add by URL,” which is next to the search box at the top of the page.

Fifth, type in the RSS feed address of the site you’d like to add. For example, to add the feed from the AchieveMax^® blog, you would type in http://www.AchieveMax.com/blog/feed/ and then click on “Add.” (If you have trouble figuring out the link for a feed, please read this explanation on RSS.) 

Google also has a feed reader if you want to track many different feeds and don’t want a personalized page with convenient gadgets, such as the weather, local gas prices, maps, and traffic alerts, among many other gadgets.

If you already have a personalized Google home page and would like to add the AchieveMax^® blog feed to your page, simply click on the button below:

Melanie L. Drake is a consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

Technorati Tags: time management, RSS, iGoogle

If you are interested in time management, you might also enjoy ...

• Time Management Training - The I Hate Time Management Training Seminar
• Time Management Keynote - The I Hate Time Management Keynote Presentation
• Time Management Speakers and Time Management Training
• Top Time Management Books
• Words of Wisdom on Time Management
• Time is a Fleeting Thing - Part 1
• Time is a Fleeting Thing - Part 2
• A Real Time Management Saver: Viewing RSS Blog Feeds in My Yahoo!
• A Time Management Saver: Viewing RSS Feeds in a Google Personalized Home Page

Have you checked under your couch recently? You might give it serious consideration if you happen to be working with a tight budget as prices of just about everything seem to be rising on a weekly basis. A nickel here, a quarter there, and soon you have some real money.
 
The former Sands Hotel in Atlantic City closed last November and will be demolished later this year to make way for a brand new gambling destination. Those 2,350 slot machines have been sitting there for three decades. You’ve got to believe that of the millions of visiting gamblers, gleeful winners and frustrated losers alike, a few must have accidently dropped a coin or two that eventually rolled under a machine. The workers removing the 2,350 machines anticipated just such a find as they began their project. What they didn’t envision was exactly how many coins slipped away obviously unnoticed. Final total … a whooping $17,193.34!!!!

That’s it for now … I’ve got to go move some furniture!

Harry K. Jones is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services. Harry has appeared all over North America addressing topics such as change, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork and time management for a number of industries, including education, financial, government, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. For more information, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.