If there is an example of outstanding lack of leadership, then this week we have seen the BBC allow itself to be made a fool of, through lack of decisive judgment at the top.
Two radio personalities got carried away and behaved badly using offensive language and obscene remarks in a pre-recording of a radio show. The show was not checked (the BBC guidelines were not followed) and the show went out uncut. Five listeners complained. Then one of the Sunday newspapers did a feature article about the show and wrote quotes of what was said. Of course, reading what was said in the paper does not put any of the quotes in the context they were said and so made what was said, seem vastly worse than it was.
The result, there are now 30,000 complaints. These are people that never heard or saw the show but simply responded to what they read or what they heard from others. A range of people from the Prime Minister to the man on the street has been having their say. The BBC Director General did not act for days and now (days later) the Head of the Radio Station has been forced to resign and the most experienced personality has been banned for 12 weeks and the other one has also resigned. And, we are told, that the investigation still has not been completed!!!!!!
Why do leaders make life so difficult for themselves? The Head of the Radio Station admitted that guidelines had not been followed. Other senior figures had also not carried out checks required. This is an offense and does not need to deliberated on for days.
The two personalities, who immediately admitted and apologized for their behavior, needed to be dealt with swiftly and fairly. A hefty fine and a warning is called for. How long does that have to take?
But due to the lack of strong, principled and decisive leadership, the matter was allowed to get out of control and the result is actions that are neither fair to some parties or reasonable.
What about the newspaper that presented the facts in what, at best, could be called questionable if not misleading? Nothing, of course. Irresponsible behavior of two personalities has caused them the loss of their jobs. Irresponsible behavior of a newspaper, no action. Bad leadership from the BBC, no action. Well at least not yet. An independent watchdog is going to review the events and the BBC may well get a fine.
What a great shame that such lack of principled leadership, has to cause such a fiasco and make Britain (from Government to Business Leaders) look inadequate. What a great shame that once again the tabloid press gets away with such poor journalism. Wouldn't it be lovely if the public boycott the newspaper and if leaders would do what they were paid to do - Lead?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Environmental Issues
For those that saw my Thoughts on Leadership this month (came out on the 27th) you will see that I broke away from my normal track to make a point about environmental issues. My experience is that some companies are doing some good things and making it profitable or at least not making it costly.
Today I came across this and was delighted to see that the old boss has got his focus in place as well.
As Part of Starbucks™ Shared Planet™, the Company Focuses on Goals for Ethical Sourcing, Environmental Stewardship and Community Involvement
SEATTLE & NEW ORLEANS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) today announced thirteen measurable goals, to be achieved by 2015, as part of Starbucks™ Shared Planet™. As part of this commitment, 100 percent of the company’s coffee will be responsibly grown and ethically traded; 100 percent of Starbucks cups will be reusable or recyclable; the company will significantly reduce its environmental footprint through energy and water conservation, recycling and green construction; and contribute one million community service hours per year.
“Starbucks Shared Planet is not just about how important it is to us that we’re a socially responsible company, it’s to reaffirm Starbucks leadership in the retail and coffee industries and the communities in which we are operating,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo of Starbucks Coffee Company. “While these goals are aspirational, we have set substantive measurements that will challenge us to be a better company. During this time of economic uncertainty we realize that we have the opportunity and the responsibility to keep our focus on our commitment to keep our communities strong, and I’m proud of what we’re doing to live up to the guiding principles of this company.”
Starbucks is taking a major step this week towards meeting the community involvement goal by kicking off its 10,000 partner (employee)-strong Leadership Conference, where participants will take part in community service projects to help rebuild the areas hardest hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Additionally, partners will participate in advanced coffee education programs and attend business sessions as the company continues to focus on operational improvements and a commitment to its core – coffee and the customer experience.
Goals Starbucks plans to achieve by 2015 include:
Ethical Sourcing:
* Purchase 100 percent of all coffee through ethical sourcing practices, up from the current 65 percent
* Invest in a better future for farmers and their communities by nearly doubling funding to organizations that provide farmer loans
* Pro-actively impact climate change by offering farmers incentives to prevent deforestation. Pilot programs with Conservation International in Sumatra, Indonesia and Chiapas, Mexico are underway.
Community Involvement:
* Contribute more than one million community service hours per year in communities where we do business
* Engage 50,000 young social entrepreneurs to innovate and take action and, in turn, inspire 100,000 individuals to take action in their communities through the Starbucks Social Entrepreneurs Fund
Environmental stewardship:
* 100 percent of Starbucks cups will be either reusable or recyclable
* 25 percent of cups will be reusable
* Increase recycling available in our stores
* 50 percent energy used in our company-owned stores will come from renewable sources by 2010
* Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by making our company-owned stores 25 percent more energy efficient by 2010
* Significantly reduce water usage
* All new company-owned stores will be certified green by 2010
* Champion tropical rainforest protection as a solution for climate change
For more information regarding Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ visit www.Starbucks.com/SharedPlanet.
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com
Today I came across this and was delighted to see that the old boss has got his focus in place as well.
As Part of Starbucks™ Shared Planet™, the Company Focuses on Goals for Ethical Sourcing, Environmental Stewardship and Community Involvement
SEATTLE & NEW ORLEANS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) today announced thirteen measurable goals, to be achieved by 2015, as part of Starbucks™ Shared Planet™. As part of this commitment, 100 percent of the company’s coffee will be responsibly grown and ethically traded; 100 percent of Starbucks cups will be reusable or recyclable; the company will significantly reduce its environmental footprint through energy and water conservation, recycling and green construction; and contribute one million community service hours per year.
“Starbucks Shared Planet is not just about how important it is to us that we’re a socially responsible company, it’s to reaffirm Starbucks leadership in the retail and coffee industries and the communities in which we are operating,” said Howard Schultz, chairman, president and ceo of Starbucks Coffee Company. “While these goals are aspirational, we have set substantive measurements that will challenge us to be a better company. During this time of economic uncertainty we realize that we have the opportunity and the responsibility to keep our focus on our commitment to keep our communities strong, and I’m proud of what we’re doing to live up to the guiding principles of this company.”
Starbucks is taking a major step this week towards meeting the community involvement goal by kicking off its 10,000 partner (employee)-strong Leadership Conference, where participants will take part in community service projects to help rebuild the areas hardest hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Additionally, partners will participate in advanced coffee education programs and attend business sessions as the company continues to focus on operational improvements and a commitment to its core – coffee and the customer experience.
Goals Starbucks plans to achieve by 2015 include:
Ethical Sourcing:
* Purchase 100 percent of all coffee through ethical sourcing practices, up from the current 65 percent
* Invest in a better future for farmers and their communities by nearly doubling funding to organizations that provide farmer loans
* Pro-actively impact climate change by offering farmers incentives to prevent deforestation. Pilot programs with Conservation International in Sumatra, Indonesia and Chiapas, Mexico are underway.
Community Involvement:
* Contribute more than one million community service hours per year in communities where we do business
* Engage 50,000 young social entrepreneurs to innovate and take action and, in turn, inspire 100,000 individuals to take action in their communities through the Starbucks Social Entrepreneurs Fund
Environmental stewardship:
* 100 percent of Starbucks cups will be either reusable or recyclable
* 25 percent of cups will be reusable
* Increase recycling available in our stores
* 50 percent energy used in our company-owned stores will come from renewable sources by 2010
* Reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by making our company-owned stores 25 percent more energy efficient by 2010
* Significantly reduce water usage
* All new company-owned stores will be certified green by 2010
* Champion tropical rainforest protection as a solution for climate change
For more information regarding Starbucks™ Shared Planet™ visit www.Starbucks.com/SharedPlanet.
About Starbucks
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The world we now live in
Anybody that knows me would never connect me with Britney Spears and I am hardly what could be called a fan. However, I am stunned by the news that California courts are in deadlock over the case relating to her fender-bender in a car park last year. The issue is about her driving license.
She does not have a California drivers license but she does have a Louisiana license. Now the jury is in deadlock! How can a court be in deadlock over something so stupid. A drivers license is something that you get given when you pass the test to drive. It says that you have passed the test and so can drive a car. So the issue in Britney Spears case surely is, is she guilty of bad driving, negligence, causing damage, or whatever.
I have long said that the laws in USA, Canada, Australia and probably other countries about drivers license for each province, state, district or area, is stupidity and bureaucratic nonsense. Think of the money Governments would save if there was a single license for the country. The whole system has gone crazy and the focus is on the process rather than why the drivers license was invented.
I cannot believe that time and money is being wasted on a Britney Spears court case over a driving offense that happened last year that now comes down to which drivers license she has!!! Are there not more important things to be dealing with at the moment?
She does not have a California drivers license but she does have a Louisiana license. Now the jury is in deadlock! How can a court be in deadlock over something so stupid. A drivers license is something that you get given when you pass the test to drive. It says that you have passed the test and so can drive a car. So the issue in Britney Spears case surely is, is she guilty of bad driving, negligence, causing damage, or whatever.
I have long said that the laws in USA, Canada, Australia and probably other countries about drivers license for each province, state, district or area, is stupidity and bureaucratic nonsense. Think of the money Governments would save if there was a single license for the country. The whole system has gone crazy and the focus is on the process rather than why the drivers license was invented.
I cannot believe that time and money is being wasted on a Britney Spears court case over a driving offense that happened last year that now comes down to which drivers license she has!!! Are there not more important things to be dealing with at the moment?
Monday, October 20, 2008
How we say it
Last week David Cameron, leader of the opposition in UK, gave a good speech. This is one of the things he said:
“Politics is about many things, the words you speak, the understanding you have of the problems we face, the vision you have, the policies you draw up, and your ability to implement them. But all of those rest on the shoulders of one thing, the decisions and judgment calls you make.”
I would suggest that business is no different. Probably I would change “policies” to “plans”, but in essence the rest is the same. Business is about understanding the problems, having the vision and the plans and the ability to implement them. It is true, your success is often about the decisions and judgment calls you have to make based on the rest.
The most interesting part of this was the first bit; “the words you speak”. For leaders, the words we speak are the bit that says so much about us. Not just the words but the way it is said. Our expressions, and the way we articulate what we say, has a major impact on people and hence on our ability to lead. Look at David Cameron and Gordon Brown or Barack Obama and John McCain. The articulation is slightly more impacting than the content. Content is a close second, but still a bit behind.
Content is important, but how it is said makes it believable, exciting, uplifting, inspiring or, unbelievable, questionable or even untrue. I am not saying it is fair, I am saying that this is what tends to happen.
“Politics is about many things, the words you speak, the understanding you have of the problems we face, the vision you have, the policies you draw up, and your ability to implement them. But all of those rest on the shoulders of one thing, the decisions and judgment calls you make.”
I would suggest that business is no different. Probably I would change “policies” to “plans”, but in essence the rest is the same. Business is about understanding the problems, having the vision and the plans and the ability to implement them. It is true, your success is often about the decisions and judgment calls you have to make based on the rest.
The most interesting part of this was the first bit; “the words you speak”. For leaders, the words we speak are the bit that says so much about us. Not just the words but the way it is said. Our expressions, and the way we articulate what we say, has a major impact on people and hence on our ability to lead. Look at David Cameron and Gordon Brown or Barack Obama and John McCain. The articulation is slightly more impacting than the content. Content is a close second, but still a bit behind.
Content is important, but how it is said makes it believable, exciting, uplifting, inspiring or, unbelievable, questionable or even untrue. I am not saying it is fair, I am saying that this is what tends to happen.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Presidents Debate
Having just sat up to watch the final debate in the Presidential election in USA, I am disappointed. Following the last two debates I really hoped we would see the old John McCain take back the center stage.
Senator McCain came out strong, very strong, but he did not win the first 30 minutes but rather Obama was flat for the first 30 minutes and lost it. And then instead of what I hoped to see, the real John McCain, we saw the angry side of John McCain.
It was a fascinating example of how passion poorly demonstrated, can undermine. Passion is so important but at the same time a leader needs to show stable and in control. A leader needs to show he or she can be passionate AND be calm and controlled at times of need.
McCain was passionate in his distaste for Obama and his passion was in attacking Obama. Conversely, Obama (the man who oozed passion when he started) was totally flat but came out looking more of a person in control. The question on people's minds must now be, will McCain be able to stay calm and cool in case of serious issues when being President?
McCain must stop talking about how experienced he is. You are only experienced in things that have happened and not on the things that are happening now. We are in uncharted territory with a global financial challenge. Nothing anybody has done in the past will be a guarantee that they will be successful going forward. Obama talked about the people that he has as advisers and he will use to help him formulate his plans and actions. McCain talked about what HE is going to do and that HE had the answers.
There are a lot of lessons to be gleaned out of this election and a lot of stories about leadership whatever side you support.
Senator McCain came out strong, very strong, but he did not win the first 30 minutes but rather Obama was flat for the first 30 minutes and lost it. And then instead of what I hoped to see, the real John McCain, we saw the angry side of John McCain.
It was a fascinating example of how passion poorly demonstrated, can undermine. Passion is so important but at the same time a leader needs to show stable and in control. A leader needs to show he or she can be passionate AND be calm and controlled at times of need.
McCain was passionate in his distaste for Obama and his passion was in attacking Obama. Conversely, Obama (the man who oozed passion when he started) was totally flat but came out looking more of a person in control. The question on people's minds must now be, will McCain be able to stay calm and cool in case of serious issues when being President?
McCain must stop talking about how experienced he is. You are only experienced in things that have happened and not on the things that are happening now. We are in uncharted territory with a global financial challenge. Nothing anybody has done in the past will be a guarantee that they will be successful going forward. Obama talked about the people that he has as advisers and he will use to help him formulate his plans and actions. McCain talked about what HE is going to do and that HE had the answers.
There are a lot of lessons to be gleaned out of this election and a lot of stories about leadership whatever side you support.
Monday, October 13, 2008
The banks need to be bailed out!!!
The truth is, no matter how much regulation you put in place, someone will find a way around it. And that is what has happened. In America, the banks started selling these packaged investments that were based on property prices continuing to rise indefinitely. What is worse, they sold SWAPS. These are a form of guarantee that if the loans are not repaid, then the investor gets their money back.
Why called SWAPS? Because to call it "insurance" would mean it would fall under the regulatory authority for insurance. But they did not want that. So they called them SWAPS.
So when people are unable to pay their loans, the whole thing started to unravel. That is how banks (or the people in them) will always get around regulations.
It has taken months for the Governments to do what they should have done from the start, take a share in the banks to provide the much needed capital. In this way the Government gets a return on its investment when things turn around.
So now I ask, does anyone really believe that the banks will ever sell back their shares in these banks? mmmmmmm Let me see, times will get better eventually. Government is getting a dividend payment which means it does not need to raise taxes on its people! It is also able to make sure the bank does not get around regulation but rather stays in the 'spirit' of the regulations.
Maybe I am being a cynic. We will see what happens in years to come. I think banks will probably keep the shares.
Why called SWAPS? Because to call it "insurance" would mean it would fall under the regulatory authority for insurance. But they did not want that. So they called them SWAPS.
So when people are unable to pay their loans, the whole thing started to unravel. That is how banks (or the people in them) will always get around regulations.
It has taken months for the Governments to do what they should have done from the start, take a share in the banks to provide the much needed capital. In this way the Government gets a return on its investment when things turn around.
So now I ask, does anyone really believe that the banks will ever sell back their shares in these banks? mmmmmmm Let me see, times will get better eventually. Government is getting a dividend payment which means it does not need to raise taxes on its people! It is also able to make sure the bank does not get around regulation but rather stays in the 'spirit' of the regulations.
Maybe I am being a cynic. We will see what happens in years to come. I think banks will probably keep the shares.
Hi hopes
When the American election started (what seems a life time ago) I had real hopes that these candidates would be different. McCain and Obama both said they were not into the old style of politics which was about bashing the opposition and pulling them apart.
I believe that McCain is a really good man and probably one of the most genuine men you could wish to meet. But somewhere along the road he got hijacked by the "system" and started down the same old road that has dominated Republican approach to politics. But on Friday we saw the real man again. The real McCain broke through for a moment and he stood up for decency and honesty when he admonished his supporters for making false comments about Obama. My heart warmed to him again as he stood up for what he believed in and spoke from the heart.
It is such a great pity that ignorance about the world dominates the thinking of so many American people. The man who stood up and said he was worried about loosing to socialism shows his ignorance and lack of understanding of the situation. What the Government is doing by taking over banks and buying majority shareholding in them, would be classified as socialism at any other time in history. The lady calling Obama an Arab and Palin's incorrect comments about Iran, all show how little they understand about the issues and the way the world is at the moment.
I feel sad that America seems hell bent on showing the worst side of democracy with their approach to elections. There are too many comparisons between how America is acting and what is happening in countries like Zimbabwe and Iran. Democracy in name but not in actions.
It is now a win or loose attitude amongst people. It is no longer about what is right for the country. Americans seem to have lost the ability to be objective and seek what is the best for the whole. The few Independents there are in America really try to take the "objective" stance and see what is right for the whole, but there is not enough of them to make a genuine difference.
So while both Candidates enter the final days and go back on their word, I would say to them both, 'the X & Y generation aren't impressed with how good you are at making your opponent look bad, they want to know what makes you so good'.
We see it in business every day. This generation don't respect their managers for the title of manager or for their age or how long they have been around. They respect them for what they can do for them. How can my manager help me be a better at what I do? How can my manager develop my skills and bring out the best in me? How can my manager create an environment where I can fulfill my potential and contribute the most.
Beware McCain and Obama, this generation are not impressed with your ability to knock your competitor, they want to know what you can do for them. So please change your rhetoric.
I believe that McCain is a really good man and probably one of the most genuine men you could wish to meet. But somewhere along the road he got hijacked by the "system" and started down the same old road that has dominated Republican approach to politics. But on Friday we saw the real man again. The real McCain broke through for a moment and he stood up for decency and honesty when he admonished his supporters for making false comments about Obama. My heart warmed to him again as he stood up for what he believed in and spoke from the heart.
It is such a great pity that ignorance about the world dominates the thinking of so many American people. The man who stood up and said he was worried about loosing to socialism shows his ignorance and lack of understanding of the situation. What the Government is doing by taking over banks and buying majority shareholding in them, would be classified as socialism at any other time in history. The lady calling Obama an Arab and Palin's incorrect comments about Iran, all show how little they understand about the issues and the way the world is at the moment.
I feel sad that America seems hell bent on showing the worst side of democracy with their approach to elections. There are too many comparisons between how America is acting and what is happening in countries like Zimbabwe and Iran. Democracy in name but not in actions.
It is now a win or loose attitude amongst people. It is no longer about what is right for the country. Americans seem to have lost the ability to be objective and seek what is the best for the whole. The few Independents there are in America really try to take the "objective" stance and see what is right for the whole, but there is not enough of them to make a genuine difference.
So while both Candidates enter the final days and go back on their word, I would say to them both, 'the X & Y generation aren't impressed with how good you are at making your opponent look bad, they want to know what makes you so good'.
We see it in business every day. This generation don't respect their managers for the title of manager or for their age or how long they have been around. They respect them for what they can do for them. How can my manager help me be a better at what I do? How can my manager develop my skills and bring out the best in me? How can my manager create an environment where I can fulfill my potential and contribute the most.
Beware McCain and Obama, this generation are not impressed with your ability to knock your competitor, they want to know what you can do for them. So please change your rhetoric.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Airports in London and Washington
I am mortified at two major airports in what are meant to be two of the major world countries. I am referring to London Heathrow and Washington Dullas airports.
I have been through both of them in the last couple of weeks and I am amazed. Washington Dullas is so old fashioned and dark. I waited by the gate for my flight to Toronto and looked around me. The ceiling was low, the lighting was very poor and the facilities were nearly non existent. Anyone that has been there will know about the vehicles that transport you from one terminal to another which look like something that belongs on the moon.
Heathrow is always an embarrassment. Without fail, every time I land at least one of the moving escalators are not working, the internal partitions are made of cardboard and the staff are simply NOT interested. I now find out that BAA (the airport authority that manages the airport) switches off all plug points so that the public cannot charge up their laptop or phone. They switch them on at night so the cleaners can wander around with a vacuum cleaner on!!! It is that sort of mentality that makes for the the current staff morale and poor services.
Come on guys, this is the first (and last) impression that thousands of people have of Britain and USA. BAA should be replaced for someone who has some pride in London and United Kingdom as well as some business sense.
I have been through both of them in the last couple of weeks and I am amazed. Washington Dullas is so old fashioned and dark. I waited by the gate for my flight to Toronto and looked around me. The ceiling was low, the lighting was very poor and the facilities were nearly non existent. Anyone that has been there will know about the vehicles that transport you from one terminal to another which look like something that belongs on the moon.
Heathrow is always an embarrassment. Without fail, every time I land at least one of the moving escalators are not working, the internal partitions are made of cardboard and the staff are simply NOT interested. I now find out that BAA (the airport authority that manages the airport) switches off all plug points so that the public cannot charge up their laptop or phone. They switch them on at night so the cleaners can wander around with a vacuum cleaner on!!! It is that sort of mentality that makes for the the current staff morale and poor services.
Come on guys, this is the first (and last) impression that thousands of people have of Britain and USA. BAA should be replaced for someone who has some pride in London and United Kingdom as well as some business sense.
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