Conrad Hilton …

Conrad Hilton …Conrad Hilton …

Conrad Hilton, at a gala celebrating his Conrad Hilton, at a gala celebrating his career, was called to the podium and career, was called to the podium and

asked,asked, “What were the most important

lessons you learned in your long and

distinguished career?” His answer …His answer …

““remember remember to tuck the to tuck the

shower curtain shower curtain inside the inside the bathtubbathtub.”.”

““Execution Execution isis strategy.”strategy.”

—Fred Malek—Fred Malek

““The art of war does not The art of war does not require complicated require complicated

maneuvers; the simplest are maneuvers; the simplest are the best and common sense the best and common sense is fundamental. From which is fundamental. From which one might wonder how it is one might wonder how it is generals make blunders; itgenerals make blunders; it

is because they try tois because they try to be clever.” be clever.” ——NapoleonNapoleon

Excellence.Excellence.Always.Always.

Todd Lecture Series/Norwich UniversityTodd Lecture Series/Norwich UniversityTom Peters/15 June 2011Tom Peters/15 June 2011

(Slides at tompeters.com/also “LONG”)(Slides at tompeters.com/also “LONG”)

NOTENOTE:: To appreciateTo appreciate this presentation this presentation [and ensure [and ensure

that it is not a that it is not a messmess],], you need you need Microsoft fonts:Microsoft fonts:

“Showcard Gothic,”“Showcard Gothic,” “Ravie,”“Ravie,” “Chiller”“Chiller”

andand “Verdana”“Verdana”

Service.Service.Period. Period.

Organizations Organizations existexist to to serveserve. .

Period.Period.

Leaders Leaders livelive to to serveserve. Period.. Period.

Excellence.Excellence.Period.Period.

Excellence.Excellence. Always. Always.

If notIf not Excellence,Excellence, what?what?

If notIf not ExcellenceExcellence now, when?now, when?

Opportunity. Opportunity.

Now.Now.

Defines virtually all of us:Defines virtually all of us: No No peacetime generals in the peacetime generals in the

history books. War. history books. War. Business. Life. Response Business. Life. Response to chaos is what to chaos is what definesdefines the person/organization the person/organization

andand breeds lion’s share of breeds lion’s share of innovationinnovation..

The greatest dangerThe greatest dangerfor most of usfor most of us

is not that our aim isis not that our aim istoo hightoo high

and we miss it,and we miss it,but that it isbut that it is

too lowtoo lowand we reach it.and we reach it.

MichelangeloMichelangelo

On ADMIRAL HORATIO NELSON*:On ADMIRAL HORATIO NELSON*: “[other] “[other] admirals more admirals more frightened of frightened of losing than losing than

anxious to win”anxious to win”*Andrew Lambert,*Andrew Lambert, Nelson: Britannia’s God of War Nelson: Britannia’s God of War

Four [Four [reallyreally] ] First things First things Before First Before First

Things …Things …

#1#1

If the regimental commander lost most of his If the regimental commander lost most of his 2nd lieutenants and 1st lieutenants and 2nd lieutenants and 1st lieutenants and

captains and majors, it would be a tragedy. captains and majors, it would be a tragedy.

If he lost his If he lost his serserggeants it would eants it would be a catastrobe a catastropphehe. . The The

Army and the Navy are fully aware that Army and the Navy are fully aware that success on the battlefield is dependent to an success on the battlefield is dependent to an extraordinary degree on its Sergeants and extraordinary degree on its Sergeants and Chief Petty Officers. Does industry have the Chief Petty Officers. Does industry have the

same awareness?same awareness?

#2#2

““The doctor The doctor interruptsinterrupts after …*after …*

*Source: Jerome Groopman, *Source: Jerome Groopman, How Doctors ThinkHow Doctors Think

1818 secondsecond

ss

[An [An obsessionobsession with] Listening is ... the ultimate mark with] Listening is ... the ultimate mark

of of RespectRespect..

Listening is ... the heart and soul of Listening is ... the heart and soul of EngagementEngagement..Listening is ... the heart and soul of Listening is ... the heart and soul of KindnessKindness..Listening is ... the heart and soul of Listening is ... the heart and soul of ThoughtfulnessThoughtfulness..Listening is ... the basis for true Listening is ... the basis for true CollaborationCollaboration..Listening is ... the basis for true Listening is ... the basis for true PartnershipPartnership..Listening is ... a Listening is ... a Team SportTeam Sport..Listening is ... a Listening is ... a Developable Individual SkillDevelopable Individual Skill.* .* (*Though women (*Though women are are farfar better at it than men.) better at it than men.)

Listening is ... the basis forListening is ... the basis for CommunityCommunity..Listening is ... the bedrock of Listening is ... the bedrock of Joint Ventures that workJoint Ventures that work..Listening is ... the bedrock of Listening is ... the bedrock of Joint Ventures thatJoint Ventures that growgrow..Listening is ... the core of Listening is ... the core of effective Cross-functional effective Cross-functional CommunicationCommunication* * (*Which is in turn Attribute #1 of (*Which is in turn Attribute #1 of organizational effectiveness.)organizational effectiveness.)

[cont.][cont.]

FORMAL training FORMAL training in “Aggressive in “Aggressive

Listening”: Listening”:

100%100% of of

employees!employees!

Could It Be This Simple?Could It Be This Simple?

In-effective leaders … In-effective leaders …

TALKTALK..

Effective leaders … Effective leaders …

LISTENLISTEN..Inspiration: Inspiration: Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone SmarterMultipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, ,

Liz Wiseman [Some “hard” evidence that effective leaders, in terms of % of Liz Wiseman [Some “hard” evidence that effective leaders, in terms of % of elapsed meeting time, talk less than half as much as less effective leaders.] elapsed meeting time, talk less than half as much as less effective leaders.]

““The The fourfour most most imimpportantortant wordswords in any in any

organization are …organization are …

The four most important words in any organizationThe four most important words in any organization

are …are … “What “What do do youyou think?”think?”

Source: courtesy Dave Wheeler, posted at tompeters.com Source: courtesy Dave Wheeler, posted at tompeters.com

#3#3

XFX = XFX = #1#1**

*Cross-Functional *Cross-Functional eXcellence eXcellence

Never Never waste a waste a lunch!lunch!**

*the “Sacred 220 ABs”*the “Sacred 220 ABs”

““Personal Personal relationships are the relationships are the fertile soil from which fertile soil from which all advancement, all advancement, allall

success, success, allall achievement in realachievement in real

life grow.”life grow.” —Ben Stein—Ben Stein

““Allied commands depend Allied commands depend on mutual confidence, on mutual confidence, and this confidence is and this confidence is

gained, above all gained, above all through the through the develodeveloppmentment

ofof friendshifriendshippss.”.”

——General D.D. Eisenhower, General D.D. Eisenhower, Armchair GeneralArmchair General* (05.08)* (05.08)

*“Perhaps his most outstanding ability [at West Point]*“Perhaps his most outstanding ability [at West Point] was the ease with which he was the ease with which he made friends and earned the made friends and earned the

trusttrust of fellow cadets who came from widely varied backgrounds; it of fellow cadets who came from widely varied backgrounds; it was a quality that would pay great dividends during his was a quality that would pay great dividends during his

future coalition command.”future coalition command.”

R.O.I.R. R.O.I.R. >>

R.O.I.R.O.I.

Loser:Loser: “He’s such a“He’s such a suck-up!” suck-up!”

Winner:Winner: “He’s such a“He’s such a suck-down.” suck-down.”

““AS AS LEADERS, LEADERS, WOMEN WOMEN

RULERULE:: New Studies find New Studies find

that female managers outshine their male that female managers outshine their male counterparts in almost every measure”counterparts in almost every measure”

TITLE/ Special Report/ TITLE/ Special Report/ BusinessWeekBusinessWeek

Silicon Valley’s #1 ExecutiveSilicon Valley’s #1 Executive

““Everybody Needs a Sheryl Everybody Needs a Sheryl Sandberg” Sandberg” ——covercover//Bloomberg BusinessweekBloomberg Businessweek

“ … “ … colleacolleaggues rave about ues rave about her deftness with the subtle her deftness with the subtle form of form of ppersuasion known as ersuasion known as

‘soft ‘soft ppowerower.’”.’” —Bloomberg Businessweek—Bloomberg Businessweek

““She is truly the best operating She is truly the best operating executive I have ever met in my executive I have ever met in my

life.” life.” —Matt Cohler, venture capitalist—Matt Cohler, venture capitalist

““Headline 2020Headline 2020:: Women Women Hold 80 Percent of Hold 80 Percent of Management and Management and Professional Jobs”Professional Jobs”

Source: Source: The Extreme Future: The Top Trends That Will The Extreme Future: The Top Trends That Will Reshape the World in the Next 20 YearsReshape the World in the Next 20 Years, James Canton, James Canton

W W > > 2X2X (C + (C + I)*I)*

**“Women now drive the global economy. Globally, they control about “Women now drive the global economy. Globally, they control about $20 trillion in consumer spending, and that figure could climb as high as $20 trillion in consumer spending, and that figure could climb as high as

$28 trillion in the next five $28 trillion in the next five yyearsears. Their $13 trillion in total yearly earnings could reach $18 . Their $13 trillion in total yearly earnings could reach $18

trillion in the same period.trillion in the same period. In aggregate, women represent a growth market bigger than China and In aggregate, women represent a growth market bigger than China and India combined—more than twice as big in fact. Given those numbers, it would be foolish to ignore or underestimate India combined—more than twice as big in fact. Given those numbers, it would be foolish to ignore or underestimate the female consumer. And yet many companies do just that—even ones that are confidant that they have a winning the female consumer. And yet many companies do just that—even ones that are confidant that they have a winning

strategy when it comes to women. Consider Dell’s …”strategy when it comes to women. Consider Dell’s …”

Source: Michael Silverstein and Kate Sayre, “The Female Economy,” Source: Michael Silverstein and Kate Sayre, “The Female Economy,” HBRHBR, 09.09, 09.09

““Forget Forget ChinaChina, , IndiaIndia and the and the InternetInternet: :

Economic Growth Is Economic Growth Is Driven by Driven by

WomenWomen.”.”

Source: Headline, Economist

#4#4

Bitch all you Bitch all you want, but want, but meetinmeetinggss

are what you are what you [boss] [boss] dodo!!

Meeting:Meeting: EverEveryy meetin meetingg that that does not stir the imadoes not stir the imaggination ination

and curiosity of attendees and and curiosity of attendees and increase bondinincrease bondingg and co- and co-

oopperation and eneration and enggaaggement ement and sense of worth and and sense of worth and

motivate ramotivate rappid action and id action and enhance enthusiasm is a enhance enthusiasm is a

ppermanentlermanentlyy lost o lost opppportunitortunity.y.

Meeting:Meeting: ““TheaterTheater of of persuasion and persuasion and motivation and motivation and

engagement and engagement and enhanced enhanced

teamwork”teamwork”

Meetings = #1 Meetings = #1 leadership leadership

opportunityopportunity

““A BlindingA Blinding Flash of the Flash of the

Obvious”/Obvious”/MBWAMBWA

2255

MBWMBWAA

You = You = Your Your

calendarcalendar**

*The calendar *The calendar nevernever lies.lies.

K = R = PK = R = P

Kindness = Kindness = Repeat Business Repeat Business

== Profit.Profit.

K = R = P/Kindness = Repeat business = ProfitK = R = P/Kindness = Repeat business = Profit

Kindness:Kindness:

Kind.Kind.Thoughtful.Thoughtful.Decent. Decent. Caring. Caring. Attentive.Attentive.Engaged.Engaged.Listens well/obsessively.Listens well/obsessively.Appreciative.Appreciative.Open.Open.Visible.Visible.Honest.Honest.Responsive.Responsive.On time all the time.On time all the time.Apologizes with dispatch for screw-ups.Apologizes with dispatch for screw-ups.““Over”-reacts to screw-ups of any magnitude.Over”-reacts to screw-ups of any magnitude.““Professional” in all dealings.Professional” in all dealings.Optimistic.Optimistic.Understands that kindness to staff breeds kindness to Understands that kindness to staff breeds kindness to others/outsiders.others/outsiders.Applies throughout the “supply chain.”Applies throughout the “supply chain.”Applies to 100% of customer’s staff.Applies to 100% of customer’s staff.Explicit part of values statement.Explicit part of values statement.Basis for evaluation of 100% of our staff.Basis for evaluation of 100% of our staff.

Press Ganey AssocPress Ganey Assoc:: 139,380139,380 former former patients from patients from 225225 hospitals: hospitals:

nonenone of THE top 15 factors of THE top 15 factors

determining determining PPatient atient SSatisfaction atisfaction referred to patient’s health referred to patient’s health outcomeoutcome..

Instead:Instead: directldirectly related to y related to StaffStaff Interaction;Interaction; directldirectly correlated with y correlated with

EmploEmployyee Satisfactionee Satisfaction

Source: Source: Putting Patients FirstPutting Patients First, Susan Frampton, Laura Gilpin, Patrick Charmel, Susan Frampton, Laura Gilpin, Patrick Charmel

“There is a misconception that supportive interactions require There is a misconception that supportive interactions require more staff or more time and are therefore more costly. more staff or more time and are therefore more costly.

Although labor costs are a substantial part of any hospital Although labor costs are a substantial part of any hospital budget, the interactions themselves add nothing to the budget, the interactions themselves add nothing to the

budget. budget. Kindness is Kindness is freefree.. Listening to patients or answering Listening to patients or answering

their questions costs nothing. It can be argued that negative their questions costs nothing. It can be argued that negative interactions—alienating patients, being non-responsive tointeractions—alienating patients, being non-responsive to their needs or limiting their sense of control—can be very their needs or limiting their sense of control—can be very costly. … Angry, frustrated or frightened patients may be costly. … Angry, frustrated or frightened patients may be combative, withdrawn and less cooperative—requiring farcombative, withdrawn and less cooperative—requiring far more time than it would have taken to interact with them more time than it would have taken to interact with them

initially in a positive way.”initially in a positive way.”

Source: Source: Putting Patients FirstPutting Patients First, Susan Frampton, , Susan Frampton, Laura Gilpin, Patrick CharmelLaura Gilpin, Patrick Charmel

(Griffin Hospital/Derby CT; Planetree Alliance) (Griffin Hospital/Derby CT; Planetree Alliance)

The one piece of advice which will The one piece of advice which will contribute to making you a better contribute to making you a better

leader, will provide you with leader, will provide you with greater happiness, and will greater happiness, and will

advance your career more than advance your career more than any other advice...and it doesn't any other advice...and it doesn't call for a special personality or call for a special personality or

any certain chemistry...and any certain chemistry...and anyone can do it, and it's this: anyone can do it, and it's this:

You must care."You must care." —Melvin Zais—Melvin Zais

Relationships (of all varieties): THERE THERE ONCE WAS A TIME WHEN A ONCE WAS A TIME WHEN A

THREETHREE--MINUTEMINUTE PHONEPHONE CALLCALL WOULD HAVE AVOIDED WOULD HAVE AVOIDED

SETTING OFF THE DOWNWARD SETTING OFF THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL THAT RESULTED IN A SPIRAL THAT RESULTED IN A

COMPLETE RUPTURE.COMPLETE RUPTURE.**

*divorce, loss of a BILLION $$$ aircraft sale, etc., etc.*divorce, loss of a BILLION $$$ aircraft sale, etc., etc.

With a new and forthcoming policy on apologies …With a new and forthcoming policy on apologies … Toro, Toro, the lawn mower folks, reduced the the lawn mower folks, reduced the average cost of settling a claim from average cost of settling a claim from $$115,000115,000 in 1991 to $ in 1991 to $35,00035,000 in 2008— in 2008—and the company hasn’t been to trial and the company hasn’t been to trial in the last in the last 1515 y yearsears! ! The VA hospital in Lexington, Massachusetts, developed an The VA hospital in Lexington, Massachusetts, developed an approach, totally uncharacteristic in healthcare, to approach, totally uncharacteristic in healthcare, to apologizing for errors—even when no patient request or apologizing for errors—even when no patient request or

claim was madeclaim was made.. In 2000, the systemic mean In 2000, the systemic mean VA hospital malpractice settlement VA hospital malpractice settlement throughout the United States was throughout the United States was $$413,000413,000; the Lexington VA hospital ; the Lexington VA hospital settlement number was $settlement number was $36,00036,000 ——and and there were far fewer per patient claims to begin with.)there were far fewer per patient claims to begin with.)

Source: John Kador, Source: John Kador, Effective ApologyEffective Apology

THE PROBLEM IS THE PROBLEM IS RARELY/RARELY/NEVERNEVER THE THE

PROBLEM. THEPROBLEM. THE

RESPONSERESPONSE TO THE TO THE PROBLEM INVARIABLY PROBLEM INVARIABLY ENDS UP BEING THE ENDS UP BEING THE

REAL PROBLEMREAL PROBLEM.***PERCEPTION IS ALL THERE IS!PERCEPTION IS ALL THERE IS!

““Courtesies of a small Courtesies of a small and trivial character are and trivial character are

the ones which strike the ones which strike deepest in the grateful deepest in the grateful

and appreciating heart.”and appreciating heart.”

—Henry Clay,American Statesman (1777-1852)

People powerPeople power!!

““You have to You have to treat your treat your

employees like employees like customers.”customers.” —Herb —Herb

Kelleher, upon being asked his “secret to success”Kelleher, upon being asked his “secret to success”

Source: Joe Nocera, Source: Joe Nocera, NYTNYT, “Parting Words of an Airline Pioneer,” , “Parting Words of an Airline Pioneer,” on the occasion of Herb Kelleher’s retirement after 37 years at on the occasion of Herb Kelleher’s retirement after 37 years at

Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines (SWA’s pilots union took out a full-page ad in USA (SWA’s pilots union took out a full-page ad in USA Today Today

thanking HK for all he had done) thanking HK for all he had done) ; across the way in Dallas, American ; across the way in Dallas, American Airlines’ pilots were Airlines’ pilots were picketingpicketing AA’s Annual Meeting)AA’s Annual Meeting)

"If you want staff to "If you want staff to give great service, give great service, give great service to give great service to staff."staff." —Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman's

Epigraph/sEpigraph/s

““Business has to give Business has to give people enriching, people enriching, rewarding lives …rewarding lives … or it's simor it's simppllyy not not

worth doinworth doing.”g.” ——Richard BransonRichard Branson

Oath of Office:Oath of Office: Managers/Servant Leaders Managers/Servant Leaders

Our goal is to serve our customers brilliantly and profitably overOur goal is to serve our customers brilliantly and profitably over the long haul.the long haul.Serving our customers brilliantly and profitably over the longServing our customers brilliantly and profitably over the long haul is a product of brilliantly serving, over the long haul, thehaul is a product of brilliantly serving, over the long haul, the people who serve the customer.people who serve the customer.

Hence, our Hence, our jjob as leadersob as leaders——the althe alppha and the omeha and the omegga anda and evereveryythinthingg in between in between——is abettinis abettingg the sustained the sustained ggrowthrowth and success and enand success and enggaaggement and enthusiasm andement and enthusiasm and commitment to Excellence of those, one at a time, commitment to Excellence of those, one at a time, whowho directldirectlyy or indirectl or indirectly y serve the ultimate customerserve the ultimate customer..

We—leaders of every stripe—are in the “Human Growth andWe—leaders of every stripe—are in the “Human Growth and Development and Success and Aspiration to ExcellenceDevelopment and Success and Aspiration to Excellence business.”business.”““We” We” [leaders][leaders] only grow when “they” only grow when “they” [each and every one of our colleagues][each and every one of our colleagues] are are growing.growing.““We” We” [leaders][leaders] only succeed when “they” only succeed when “they” [each and every one of our colleagues][each and every one of our colleagues]

are succeeding.are succeeding.““We” We” [leaders][leaders] only energetically march toward Excellence when only energetically march toward Excellence when “ “they” they” [each and every one of our colleagues][each and every one of our colleagues] are energetically marching are energetically marching toward Excellence.toward Excellence.Period.Period.

… … no less than no less than CathedralsCathedrals

in which the full and in which the full and awesome power of the awesome power of the

Imagination and Spirit and Imagination and Spirit and native Entrepreneurial flairnative Entrepreneurial flair

of diverse individualsof diverse individuals is is unleashed in passionate unleashed in passionate pursuit of … pursuit of … ExcellenceExcellence..

““The The ONEONE Question”: Question”: “In the last year [3 years, current job], “In the last year [3 years, current job],

name the … name the … threethree ppeoeopplele … whose growth you’ve … whose growth you’ve

most contributed to. Please explain where they were at the most contributed to. Please explain where they were at the beginning of the year, where they are today, and where they are beginning of the year, where they are today, and where they are heading in the next 12 months. heading in the next 12 months. Please explain … in painstakingPlease explain … in painstaking

detail … your development strategy in each case. detail … your development strategy in each case. Please tell me Please tell me your biggest development disappointment—looking back, could you your biggest development disappointment—looking back, could you or would you have done anything differently? Please tell me about or would you have done anything differently? Please tell me about your greatest development triumph—and disaster—in the last five your greatest development triumph—and disaster—in the last five

years. What are the ‘three big things’ you’ve learned about helping years. What are the ‘three big things’ you’ve learned about helping

people grow along the way?”people grow along the way?”

““We are a We are a ‘‘LiLiffee

SuccessSuccess’ ’ Company.”Company.”

Dave Liniger, founder, RE/MAX

Brand Brand = =

Talent.Talent.

Our Mission

To develop and manage To develop and manage talent;talent;

to apply that talent,to apply that talent,throughout the world, throughout the world,

for the benefit of clients;for the benefit of clients;to do so in partnership; to do so in partnership;

to do so with profit.to do so with profit.

WPP

WTTMSWWTTMSW!!

READY.READY.FIRE!FIRE!AIM.AIM.

H. Ross Perot (vs H. Ross Perot (vs ““Aim! Aim! Aim!”Aim! Aim! Aim!” /EDS vs GM/1985)/EDS vs GM/1985)

““Burt Rutan wasn’t a fighter jock; he was an engineer who Burt Rutan wasn’t a fighter jock; he was an engineer who had been asked to figure out why the F-4 Phantom was had been asked to figure out why the F-4 Phantom was flying pilots into the ground in Vietnam. While his fellow flying pilots into the ground in Vietnam. While his fellow engineers attacked such tasks with calculators, Rutan engineers attacked such tasks with calculators, Rutan

insisted on considering the problem in the air. A near-fatal insisted on considering the problem in the air. A near-fatal flight not only led to a critical F-4 modification, it also flight not only led to a critical F-4 modification, it also

confirmed for Rutan a notion he had held ever since he had confirmed for Rutan a notion he had held ever since he had

built model airplanes as a child.built model airplanes as a child. The waThe wayy to to make a better aircraft wasn’t to make a better aircraft wasn’t to sit around sit around pperfectinerfectingg a design, it a design, it

was to was to gget somethinet somethingg u upp in the air in the air and see what haand see what happppensens, , then trthen tryy to to

fix whatever fix whatever ggoes wronoes wrong.”g.”

——Eric Abrahamson & David Freedman, Chapter 8, “Messy Eric Abrahamson & David Freedman, Chapter 8, “Messy Leadership,”Leadership,” from A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder from A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder

““We made mistakes, of course. Most of them were We made mistakes, of course. Most of them were omissions we didn’t think of when we initially wrote the omissions we didn’t think of when we initially wrote the

software. software. We fixed them by doing it over and over, We fixed them by doing it over and over, again and again.again and again. We do the same today. While our We do the same today. While our competitors are still sucking their thumbs trying to competitors are still sucking their thumbs trying to

make the design perfect, we’re already on prototype make the design perfect, we’re already on prototype

versionversion ##55.. By the time our rivals are ready By the time our rivals are ready

with wires and screws, we are on version with wires and screws, we are on version

##1010.. It gets back to It gets back to planning versus actingplanning versus acting: : We act We act from day onefrom day one; ; others plan how others plan how

toto planplan——for monthsfor months.”.”

——Bloomberg by BloombergBloomberg by Bloomberg

““Fail.Fail. Forward. Forward.

Fast.”Fast.”High Tech CEO, Pennsylvania

““You miss You miss

100100%%

of the shots of the shots you never you never

take.”take.” —Wayne—Wayne GretzkyGretzky

1/451/45

WhoeverWhoeverTriesTriesTheTheMostMostStuffStuffWinsWins***Joe knows!*Joe knows!

BLAME NOBODY.BLAME NOBODY.EXPECT EXPECT NOTHING.NOTHING.DO SOMETHING.DO SOMETHING.                        

Source: Locker room sign posted by NFLSource: Locker room sign posted by NFL football coach Bill Parcellsfootball coach Bill Parcells

The “Hang The “Hang Out” AxiomOut” Axiom

““You will become You will become like the five people like the five people you associate with you associate with the most—this can the most—this can

be either a blessing be either a blessing or a curse.”or a curse.” —Billy Cox—Billy Cox

The “Hang Out Axiom I”:The “Hang Out Axiom I”: We We are are What We What We

Eat/WeEat/We Are Are the the companycompany we keepwe keep

The “We are what we eat”/ The “We are what we eat”/ “We are who we hang out with”“We are who we hang out with”

Axiom: Axiom: At its core, At its core, evereveryy (!!!) (!!!) relationship-partnership decision relationship-partnership decision (employee, vendor, customer, etc, (employee, vendor, customer, etc, etc) is a etc) is a stratestrateggicic decision about: decision about:

“Innovate,“Innovate, ‘ ‘YesYes’ ’ oror ‘No’ ” ”

The The ImportanceImportance

of Size. of Size. Not.Not.

“I am often asked by I am often asked by would-be entrepreneurs would-be entrepreneurs seeking escape from life seeking escape from life within huge corporate within huge corporate structures, structures, ‘How do I build a small firm for myself?’ The answer The answer

seems obviousseems obvious … …

Source: Paul Ormerod, Why Most Things Fail: Evolution, Extinction and Economics

“I am often asked by would-be entrepreneurs seeking escape from life within huge corporate structures, ‘How

do I build a small firm for myself?’ The answer seems

obvious: Buy a very Buy a very largelarge

one and just one and just waitwait.”.” —Paul Ormerod, Why Most Things

Fail: Evolution, Extinction and Economics

Basement Systems Inc.

““Be the best. Be the best. It’s the only It’s the only

market that’s market that’s not crowded.”not crowded.”

From: From: Retail Superstars: Inside the 25 BestRetail Superstars: Inside the 25 Best Independent Stores in America,Independent Stores in America, George Whalin George Whalin

Jungle Jim’s International Market, Jungle Jim’s International Market, FairfieldFairfield, , OhioOhio:: “An “An

adventure in adventure in ‘‘shoshoppppertainmentertainment,’,’ as as Jungle Jim’s Jungle Jim’s

call it, begins in the parking lot call it, begins in the parking lot and goes on to and goes on to 1,600 1,600 cheesescheeses and, yes, and, yes, 1,400 varieties of hot 1,400 varieties of hot saucesauce —not to mention —not to mention 12,000 wines priced 12,000 wines priced from $8 to $8,000from $8 to $8,000 a bottle; all this is brought to a bottle; all this is brought to

you by you by 4,000 vendors4,000 vendors.. Customers come from Customers come from every corner of the globe.” every corner of the globe.”

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, FrankenmuthFrankenmuth, ,

MichiMichigganan, pop 5,000:, pop 5,000: 98,000-square-foot98,000-square-foot

“shop” features the likes of “shop” features the likes of 6,000 Christmas 6,000 Christmas ornaments, 50,000 trimsornaments, 50,000 trims, and anything else , and anything else you can name if it pertains to Christmas.you can name if it pertains to Christmas.

Source: George Whalin, Source: George Whalin, Retail SuperstarsRetail Superstars

MittELstandMittELstand* * ****

**“agile creatures darting between“agile creatures darting between the legs of the multinationalthe legs of the multinational monsters"monsters" ((Bloomberg BusinessWeekBloomberg BusinessWeek))

**E.g. Goldmann Produktion**E.g. Goldmann Produktion

14,00014,00020,00020,000

3030

14,000/14,000/eeBayBay20,000/Amazon20,000/Amazon

3030/Craigslist/Craigslist

Kevin Roberts’ CredoKevin Roberts’ Credo

11. Ready. Fire! Aim.. Ready. Fire! Aim.2. If it ain’t broke ... Break it!2. If it ain’t broke ... Break it!3. Hire crazies.3. Hire crazies.4. Ask dumb questions.4. Ask dumb questions.5. Pursue failure.5. Pursue failure.6. Lead, follow ... or get out of the way!6. Lead, follow ... or get out of the way!7. Spread confusion.7. Spread confusion.8. Ditch your office.8. Ditch your office.9. Read odd stuff.9. Read odd stuff.

10. Avoid moderationAvoid moderation!!