We've Lost Another

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that companies throughout the country will undoubtedly see a sharp rise in voluntary turnover (HR-speak for people who quit their jobs on their own volition) as the economy continues to improve. This should be of absolutely no surprise to devotees of TJOW, you amazing readers, as we've mentioned several times here over the last few months that employee commitment to their company and their job have taken a significant hit of late.

You know of what we speak, of course, because you're living it. Sad, we know.

The article, summarizing recent research, makes a number of important points, including:

• The recession has delayed the normal job-hopping that typically occurs as people move to advance their career, thus creating a back-log, so to speak, of impending departures
  
• Downsizing and cost-cutting have undermined employee engagement and morale (something we've focused on here), and
• A large segment of workers -- 60% in one study, 57% in another -- have already decided to leave and may be beyond 'saving'. Our data suggests that both estimates may be a shade low. Just ask your co-workers.
  

And who are these people who are planning to leave? Top performers. Those who believe that their potential has either not been recognized or valued by their current employer. Those who saw co-workers treated badly during layoffs. Those who themselves have been treated poorly -- additional work and/or longer hours without additional pay, stunted career growth, insufficient communication -- as their company attempted to cope with the economic downturn. Those in growth industries where opportunity abounds (e.g., technology, health care). Those who just can't take it anymore.

We're talking a huge number of talented people who are already looking -- and planning -- their departure. Companies beware.

So, what to do about it? A very good question -- especially for any company that could be hurt by a rapid loss of key people. Which, by our measure, is just about every company out there.

Suggestions cited in the article -- town halls and individual one-on-one meetings to discuss grievances -- fall, in our humble opinion, far short of the steps required to avert a huge exodus of top talent. Talking, while important, only goes so far. In this instance, action is demanded. Actions that will reconnect employees to their company, re-energize them, and provide a satisfying career path. Tangible actions that prove to employees that their company does, indeed, values and needs them.

There is a solution. One that works. One that will help sustain and, in many cases, accelerate a company's growth.

Call or write if interested. Given the data, you should think about calling very soon.

Speaking of untimely departures, we lost another great one last week. Gary (whose best role was in Avenue Q) and Art's deaths (who, very wisely, let the kids do the talking) were one thing. Losing Dennis Hopper was quite another. One of the wonderful character actors of our time, not to mention talented artist and activist. Dennis made mediocre movies worth watching (Waterworld, Speed) and created roles we won't soon forget. Easy Rider was just one of many.

We'll miss you, Dennis. A lot.

Have a good week.

Another Step Back

Just when we thought that Arizona -- following the signing of their 'Sus papeles, por favor' law and their refusal a couple of years ago to honor the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a state holiday -- had become the new Texas, here comes the mighty Texas to reclaim what it undoubtedly considers its rightful place as The Texas of all Texases. (Where these sentences come from is a complete and utter mystery. My apologies.)

But, as we learned last week, no way is Texas going to be out-Texased! Certainly not by Arizona, a mere wanna-be.

So, what has Texas gone and done this time, you ask? Well, once a decade, their State Board of Education edits a massive document called Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills that guides how the state's 4.8 million school children in grades K-12 are taught for 10-year periods. Their latest changes, approved last week, regarding social studies and history amend or water down some rather important elements of our past. Actually, they change history -- or at least how we think about it.

That's huge, but only the half of it. Due to the sheer size of Texas's school-age population, the Board's decision will likely influence how book publishers will handle these topics for school children throughout the entire country. Why? Because even in this electronic age it's easier and cheaper to print books once, even if the information contained in them differs from what we know to be the truth.

Texas is, indeed, the 800-pound gorilla -- with its powerful State Board of Education revising history as it goes along.

Before we review some of the changes Texas will adopt, let's point out that the 15-person State Board of Education has 10 Republicans and 5 Democrats. Not that that should matter, of course, given that we're talking about teaching history -- defined very loosely as 'stuff that's already happened' -- to children. We're not talking here about teaching philosophy to college students where there are acres of gray area. We're talking about teaching facts to grade school students. Political party affiliation shouldn't matter, right?

Oh, how naive can one be! As you'll now see.

But first, a Reader's Advisory: Young children, those with chronically-weak stomachs, anyone taking anything for high blood pressure or a heart condition, or anyone already upset just because we're talking about the politicizing of education should not read further. Really. We'll see you next week. For all others, proceed with extreme caution.

So, what will Texas school children soon be taught? Among many other things, they'll learn that:

• There are no 'Native Americans' but, instead, 'American Indians'
• Capitalist enterprise, the military, Christianity and modern Republican political figures had a significant role in the shaping of our country (for example, Senator Ted Kennedy's role will receive less attention while that of President Ronald Reagan will receive more)
• The United Nations, along with other global organizations, undermined U.S. sovereignty
• Phyllis Schlafy, the political activist and attorney who opposed feminism and the Equal Rights Amendment, had something important to say, something we should all know about and remember
  
• Judeo-Christian (read: Christianity) thinking had a greater impact on the nation's Founding Fathers than ever thought before
• The U.S. government is 'a constitutional republic' rather than 'democratic'
• Governors such as George Wallace, Orval Faubus and Lester Maddox sought 'to maintain the status quo' not, as we all know, attempt to prevent equality
• Senator Joseph McCarthy will be portrayed in a more positive light, this time as a staunch anti-Communist
  
• The rationale for the separation of church and state is weaker and less substantive than originally thought, and
  
• The Moral Majority and the National Rifle Association have had important roles in our history.

These, among many other alterations, join last year's changes to Texas's science curriculum, that saw the teaching of evolution, cell formation and the Big Bang lose air time and significance.

And, of course, an effort to modernize historical period designations -- from B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord) to B.C.E. (before the common era) and C.E. (common era) -- never had a chance.

It's worth checking out the modifications. You'll love it. But in a bad way.

These changes go into effect in 2011 and, as said previously, will last for 10 years. Note to Fox News: Look no farther than the state of Texas for your next Rush, Glenn, or Bill. Be sure to send a very nice thank-you note to the State Board of Education.

When you consider the current 4.8 million innocent kids in Texas, plus the others who will follow over the next 10 years, plus the many others across the country learning from the same text books, it makes Arizona's law seem small by comparison, no?

Texas is, indeed, the Texas of Texases. Chew on that, Arizona.

You Didn't Ask (But I'm Going to Tell Anyway)

Observations from far and wide:

• So, according to a recent study, spanking children leads to more aggressive adults. Another study suggests that spanked children later have increased risks of sexual problems. My father would beg to differ, whose only concern about spanking was that it leads to a sore hand. His.
  

• Hierarchy and 'silos' are two huge drains on any organization. Productivity, creativity, service, profitability and growth are all undermined. While a rigid hierarchy may be good in the military, and certainly helped Henry Ford's concept of manufacturing, it long ago lost its usefulness. The same with silos. Arbitrary boundaries that become walls separating functions within organizations lead only to poor communication, diminished collaboration, and internal competition. Tell me I'm wrong.

• Beware as the economy improves. Many gainfully-employed people have already begun their search for new jobs. As we've mentioned a number of times here, the manner in which companies have treated their people during these difficult economic times is taking its toll. While there's still some time to prevent the exodus, the clock is ticking. Loudly.
  

• There should be a mechanism to cite cigarette smokers who drop their butts anywhere but in an ashtray or garbage receptacle. My suggestion: An app that forwards a photo of an offender's license plate to the local police who then sends a $250 ticket to the creep. An advanced version of the app will have face recognition capabilities, so those who think it's just fine to drop a butt on the sidewalk will have to pay, too. Think of the revenue-generating possibilities. Another public service from TJOW.
  

• We also need an app to ticket those who drive under the speed limit in any but the slow lane (That's the one on the far right!), or those who avoid merging until the very last moment -- thus causing traffic jams. An app, using GPS technology, that captures date, time, location and speed and forwards this information with the culprit's license plate photo to the appropriate authorities. The ticket for the slow-mergers should be $1,000. (Jail time seems a bit harsh, but I can be persuaded.)
  

• Back to the workplace for a moment. An important equation to keep in mind for anyone interested in being an effective leader: [Communication (timeliness and accuracy) : Performance : Respect]. That is, the timeliness and accuracy of information communicated directly influences the recipient's job performance and, in turn, the recipient's belief that he/she is respected. The implications? Choosing not to share important information hinders a person's ability to perform well and undoubtedly jeopardizes trust -- an essential element in retaining employees. Good news is easy to communicate. But when it comes to bad news, you're doing no one any favors by not talking about it openly or sharing feedback about poor performance. Quite the contrary. And remember: Your employees already know because there are no secrets. Tell me I'm wrong.
  

• Since resigning as Governor of Alaska nearly a year ago, Sarah Palin has reportedly earned over $12 million from her book and speaking engagements. While some may question her intelligence, I, for one, will never do so again. She's clearly a step ahead.
  

• Notice how the widespread anger about Wall Street, the probe of Goldman Sachs and the BP catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico (which is still spewing over 200,000 gallons a day, every day) seems to have quieted the Republican Party? I guess it's hard to scream in support of things that the vast majority of Americans are sick of. A silver lining, to be sure, but one that's coated with an oily muck.

• Given that all of their remedies have failed thus far, BP is now considering stuffing the hole at the bottom of the Gulf with shredded automobile tires and, wait for it, wait for it: golf balls. Yes, my friends, golf balls. No one can make this stuff up.
  

Have fun this week. Please.

Another Bad Week for the Good Guys

Last week we watched as three stories -- one a nightmarish continuation from the prior week -- caused many to ask the question, "Is this your idea of a fun time?" Because it certainly isn't mine.

Let's start where we left off: In the Gulf of Mexico.

Burn, baby, burn. That's apparently a large part of the brilliant plan of BP, the owner of the well and of the oil continuing to spill into the Gulf at about 200,000 gallons a day: Burn it. Reminds one fondly of the days when the Cuyahoga caught fire as a result of the sludge dumped into the river by the local U.S. Steel plant. Remember that, Cleveland? Fun times, no? Well, we're reliving those wild times out in the Gulf, where controlled burning (a wonderful oxymoron, no?) is one approach being taken to deal with the millions of gallons of crude oil gushing from a hole in the gulf's floor 5,000 feet deep.

A call for marshmallows, we're told, went unanswered.

The other major thing BP is doing? Get this: They're planning on 'capping' the hole with a 100-ton dome-like structure and then pumping the oil from the dome into containers on the surface. This, they say, will capture 85% of the oil. If, they say, they can position the dome securely over their broken well. BP spokespeople have reminded us that the well is 5,000 feet beneath the surface and an operation of this type has never before been attempted. Remarkably, BP is making no promises.

This plan sounds suspiciously like something you'd see on a Saturday morning cartoon. (They still have cartoons on Saturday morning, don't they?) Something Wile E. Coyote might drop on the Road Runner? Shipped in a box marked 'Acme 100-ton Well-capping Dome.' And in smaller print, 'Position with care.' And in even smaller print, 'Don't expect this to work.' Looney Tunes, to be sure.

And even if it should work, what about the remaining 15% of the oil? Sorry, BP, that's still a lot of oil on the loose. Assuming 200,000 gallons per day, we're still looking at -- quite literally -- 30,000 gallons every day. Gonna burn that, too?

Let's put this in the 'We Refuse to Learn' column: There have been major oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico before. Namely in 1979, 2005, 2008, and 2009. You think, somewhere along the line, that we'd get smart. No such luck, I guess.

Enough of this! If you must drill, drill in a place where a spill won't have CATASTROPHE written all over it. A place we don't care much about. I'm thinking Arizona. (More on that in a moment.)

Merge, baby, merge. Last week, United Airlines and Continental Airlines announced plans to merge and, in the process, become the world's largest air carrier. The new company will be called 'United Airlines' and the planes will have Continental's logo on their tail. Love that they're sharing.

As a frequent United passenger, I've been receiving information from the company touting the wonderful benefits the merger will provide me, their valued customer. One airline with gazillion routes to cities far and wide, Continental's new fleet of aircraft, superior in-flight service, the opportunity to have access to both frequent flier programs, the joy of being associated with the world's largest carrier.

Oh, pa-lease. Like this is a good thing. Maybe for investors. Certainly not for anyone else.

Here's what they should be telling us:

• Flexibility will decline as routes are consolidated
• Fares will, as a result, increase
• Layoffs -- of support staff (e.g., HR, Finance, IT), management, and in-flight crews in both airlines -- will occur
• Unionized workers will get squeezed, as compensation and benefit plans are 'aligned'
  
• Despite a public declaration that Continental's Houston offices will remain, further downsizing will undoubted occur given that United is headquartered in Chicago
• In-flight service will likely decline given the lack of competition
• It's already difficult to cash in those frequent-flier miles; now it will be nearly impossible
  
• Airports, especially those now serving both United and Continental will certainly take a hit
  

I don't know about you, but I like a real choice when I fly. This merger lowers my degree of freedom by one. And that makes me cranky.

Crash, baby, crash. Who would have ever thought that Greece would be the center of the world's economy? (We're talking modern times. Not when Zeus was roaming the streets looking for trouble.) Yet, here we are. Greece's economic woes are now our economic woes. Need proof? How about the stock market's plunge last week? Nearly 1,000 points down on Thursday, before a 'rally' left the Dow only 348 lower than when the trading day had begun. And that was just Thursday.

Suspicions abound about the cause of Thursday's incredible swing. A human error -- someone pressing a 'B' for billion rather than 'M' for million? Or a computer-generated selling spree? If a computer is ever going to get us, a la the HAL 9000 of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame, this is how it will happen.

And that's just us? What of Greece -- where protests and rioting are widespread in an effort to curb the government's plan to curtail public services. Talk about fun.

On a (somewhat) positive note. A shout-out to Robert Sarver, managing partner of the Phoenix Suns, Arizona's lone professional basketball team. The Suns, who are currently involved in the NBA playoffs, donned jerseys last week to honor a huge portion of their fan base while, simultaneously, protesting Arizona's 'Los papeles, por favor' fascist, racist law. ('Fascist' and 'racist' have been added to clarify which 'Los papeles, por favor' Arizona law we're referring to.)

Always nice to see that the world of sports has an idea of what's going on outside the arena. My strong hope is that the San Francisco Giants will wear their Gigantes jerseys when they next visit Phoenix.

Another bad week. And let's not forget the failed car bombing in Times Square. (Ever get the sense that we're one or two steps behind the bad guys?)

Two bad weeks in a row, and counting. Let's hope it's not a trend.

A Bad Week for the Good Guys

It's been a while since I've ranted. I've tried hard to stay positive, to focus on the possible, and to overlook the mess around us. As hard as it was, I attempted to take the high ground. And while I'm not entirely proud of my avoidance of the issues raging these many weeks, it seemed only appropriate to seek the good, the wholesome, even the joy in all of us.

Well, no more Dr. Nice Guy. This taking the high road is killing me! I haven't even criticized for what seems likes ages. For me, that's like not breathing!

(That stuff last week about airlines? Wasn't that criticism, you ask? No, my child. That was observation. There's a difference.)

But enough is enough. Because at least three things happened last week that bring blood to a boil and beg for -- no, demand -- our scorn. Let's consider each in turn.

Goldman Sachs. How best to put this? A reputable firm with a slimy underbelly? A bank with a strong reputation for integrity undermined by a few unseemly, unethical characters? A highly-successful, brilliantly-managed organization able to profit handsomely even in the most difficult economic times since the crash of 1929?

Those didn't do it for you? Try this: A firm that helped orchestrate the near-collapse of our financial system, mislead their own customers and profited obscenely even while their exploits contributed to the displacement of thousands of homeowners, the near-bankruptcy of dozens of cities and municipalities, and the loss of millions of jobs. More accurately, an investment bank that likely profited as a result of these horrors.

Slime, to be sure.

Lose a pile of money when the stock market fell 50%? Live in a city struggling to meet its budget? Lose your job because of a downturn in the economy? Is your home worth less than the amount you owe on it or, worse, lose your home as a result of a subprime loan? Or are you an innocent bystander, caught in this financial maelstrom?

Please join me in thanking, at least in part, Goldman Sachs.

At long last, their apparent manipulation of the market is becoming more visible. As you undoubtedly know, The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit against Goldman three weeks ago alleging that the firm defrauded its investors. Their charge? That Goldman executed a series of deals in which the investment bank seems to have sold "exotic mortgage products" that it knew would fail -- indeed bet would fail -- to unwitting investors, many of whom were their own customers.

In English this means that Goldman is suspected of having bet big bucks that the subprime mortgage market -- a market they helped create -- was headed for a nasty fall. The problem -- the possible crime -- was that Goldman was, at the very same time, selling investment products to their customers based on the mortgage market growing.

Defrauding your own customers. Probably not part of Tom Peter's equation for long-term success.

Officials at the U.S. Department of Justice are now reviewing whether the SEC's fraud charges against Goldman warrant a full-scale criminal investigation, according to ABC News. This follows last week's testimony of a number of Goldman Sachs executives before the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. In the meantime, Goldman's shareholders are suing the investment bank about their executive pay practices.

Must be a fun time to be a Goldman Sachs employee. Certainly much more fun than having gotten caught -- like we all did -- in the financial mess the bank helped create.

If true, we're all living through a mess Goldman Sachs helped create. What's the penalty for causing thousands to lose their homes and millions to lose their jobs? Let's hope it's HUGE.

Damn huge.

A Leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Talk about never learning from our mistakes. Officials estimate that the explosion last week of BP's oil rig only 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana is spilling about 5,000 barrels, or 200,000 gallons, a day into the gulf.

200,000 gallons a day. Every day.

At this rate, the disaster, which has already killed 11 humans, could eclipse the 11 million gallons that leaked from the Exxon Valdez in Alaska's Prince William Sound in 1989. Especially since it might take three months to drill a relief well to plug the gushing well. Why so long? Because it's 5,000 feet underwater.

Two hundred thousand gallons a day for 90 days. Sounds like 18,000,000 gallons. About 50 miles from the mouth of the Mississippi River.

And, we're told, this was all preventable. Something about fail-safe systems. (Ever read Fail Safe? A very scary book. That system didn't work either.)

How about this for prevention: Stop drilling for oil where ever a spill would be catastrophic. We know that drilling for oil has risks, the biggest being a devastating spill. So, why not get smart for once and stop drilling in places where millions of gallons of oil would create a huge mess? Like in the ocean.

Because you know who will pay for this: Us. In more ways than one.

Damn.

And Then There's Arizona. Where to begin? Last week, the governor of this beautiful state signed a law making the failure to carry immigration documents a crime. It also gave the police broad powers to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally.

Anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. Anyone.

To whom might you be referring, Arizona?

Thinking about the Catholics? Blacks? Asians? The GLBT community?

Can't be the Jews, though there was a time when my grandparents had to show their papers. A different time, different circumstances. But the fear was the same.

Wait, Democrats?!?

Oh, Arizona.

It's undoubtedly time to change your state's motto from Ditat Deus (Latin for "God Enriches") to "Your papers, please." Or, more appropriately, given the true intent of the law, "Sus papeles, por favor."

Oh, Arizona. There must be a better way. And we know that a vast majority of you supported this law! You've clearly not be using your SPF 2,000 sunblock. Or wearing a hat.

Because you just made it clear to everyone who supports the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States that you are fascist. A racist one, at that. And, as "bad" goes, being a fascist racist is about as bad as it gets. (Worse than being a sassafras-bivot. Which is really bad. Just ask my sister.)

So much for Spring Training next year. No way am I spending my money on your hotels, restaurants, movies and ball parks. No more parking tickets for me in the great state of Arizona.

Because you've messed up, Arizona. Big time.

Damn!