Anonymous Distributor
I saw some interesting data regarding the secondary costs of ethanol use in the June 2009 issue of National Geographic magazine: “The corn used to make a 25-gallon tank of ethanol would feed one person for a year,” as well as, “Federal mandates for corn-based ethanol soaked up 30 percent of the 2008 US (corn) crop, helping send corn prices over $8 a bushel last year — triple the 2005 price.” Love the effects of government mandates and subsidies!
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I recently read about the “Law of Empowerment,” which states, “Only Secure Leaders Give Power to Others.” What kind of leader are you? Do you find it easy to empower your subordinates?
Weak and insecure leaders resist empowerment because they worry that they will become expendable if they train talented subordinates. Weak and insecure leaders view change as a threat, not an opportunity. And weak and insecure leaders resist anyone they believe threatens the self-esteem they receive from a title or position.
“Today, at a time when managers must do more with less — less people, less budget, less margin for error — leaders have no choice but to empower followers to share the load. Insecurity simply isn’t compatible with survival. Even so, human nature resists empowerment.”
The article closed with a quotation on empowerment from decorated war hero and former vice presidential candidate, James B. Stockdale. He said, “Leadership must be based on goodwill… It means obvious and wholehearted commitment to helping followers… What we need for leaders are men of heart who are so helpful that they, in effect, do away with the need of their jobs. But leaders like that are never out of a job, never out of followers. Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority by giving it away.” What a terrific quote. Great leaders gain authority when they give it away to others.
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I miss the OPE industry shipment reports and forecasts that used to be issued quarterly by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the OPE industry’s manufacturer association. An industry friend recently told me that the OPEI board decided in 2008 to no longer issue the shipments information and industry forecasts on a public basis. Left to our own devices and without any prominent public notice about stopping the issue of these reports, one would tend to think the worst. I think this action sends the wrong message. OPEI’s board members probably hope their decision doesn’t send any kind of message. They’re wrong.
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Here’s a recent prediction on the upcoming hurricane season from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that made me pause. In a forecast discussing the uncertainty in the 2009 hurricane season outlook, NOAA cited “a 50-percent probability of a near-normal season, a 25-percent probability of an above-normal season and a 25-percent probability of a below-normal season.” Now that’s what I call a safe bet!
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Briggs & Stratton recently rolled out the Partners Standard Protocol (PSP) technology that lets its power products dealers communicate directly with suppliers using their computerized business management systems. The PSP system was developed in 2002 and is administered by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). PSP is currently used by RV, marine and power sports dealers, as well as their suppliers.
Many industry pundits hope PSP becomes the OPE industry standard communication protocol. Will OPEI become the promoter and cheerleader for this or other viable communication standards like MIC did? Does this industry still need a standard communication protocol?
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In a recent newsletter, Harvey Mackay (www.harveymackay.com) shared James Barksdale’s “Three-Snake Rule,” which follows and I think you’ll like.
“James Barksdale, former CEO of Netscape, was a charismatic manager whose maxims endeared him to his employees.
“One of his favorites was formulated at a management retreat soon after he took over Netscape. It’s known as his three-snake rule:
“The first rule: If you see a snake, kill it. Don’t set up a snake committee. Don’t set up a snake user group. Don’t write snake memos. Kill it.
“The second rule: Don’t play with dead snakes. (Don’t revisit decisions.)
“The paradoxical third: All opportunities start out looking like snakes.”
These rules should bring a smile to your face and a realization of how true they are.
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Contact the Anonymous Distributor at anonymous.distributor@gmail.com or read his blog at www.anonymousdistributor.blogspot.com.
