Bird's Eye View

Conversation Celebrating the Dignity of Difference

One of the attendees at our 360 Summit at the New York Stock Exchange earlier this month was Judith Abrams, for many years a Managing Director of Deutsche Bank and now President Emerita of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

Judy wrote a note about the event that started another whole conversation here at Wf360.  She wrote: 

"...many thanks for including me in your 11th Annual 360 Summit at the New York Stock Exchange.  When listening to Christa Tippett's interview of Lord Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, on her NPR Program "Being" the following Sunday, I heard your theme repeated as they discussed the importance of conversations on "The Dignity of Difference".

I have thought a lot about your topics and congratulate you on setting us on this thoughtful journey.  I was thrilled that Chris Anderson received your special award, he was certainly impressive.

It was a most meaningful and special evening."

So after reading her note I of course had to listen to that interview.

Judy is right: Rabbi Sacks' take on the importance of difference in our ability to grow and to innovate is compelling. I had not--until listening to this interview--thought about the fact that until the last century, most people never saw in their lifetime someone much different from then.  Now, in almost any city of any size you can go down the street and see more anthropologically different people than most people living a hundred years ago would see in their lifetime.  He has developed his concept of the "dignity of difference" to a belief that in order for any of the world's three great religions to survive, much less thrive, it is important for them to retain their own essence, their particular claims of truth, but while understanding that others' views will enrich our own. Think of biodiversity, he says.  We now know because of DNA studies that all of life--all species--all have the same single source.  All have their same genetic code written from the same source.  So from unity comes diversity. 

And by conversing with those different from us, we can learn how to enrich ourselves.  Not just to become more tolerant, but to learn from others how their views can enrich our own. 

BIg stuff here.  You may want to listen to the interview yourself.

Did You Talk Turkey at Thanksgiving Dinner?

To "talk turkey" is to speak frankly about an awkward or difficult subject.  Just the facts, no fooling around.

So, over Thanksgiving dinner, did anyone at your table "talk turkey" as opposed to talking about the turkey? 

Sometimes Thanksgiving dinner can be a boring situation where everyone plays it safe and sticks to insignificant topics, easily forgotten the minute you leave the table.  But other times Thanksgiving dinner can provide the forum for a terrific discussion about something of importance to everyone at the table, and so long as the discussion is a free and open one, it can be made especially interesting by having people of different generations taking part.  It could be politics, education, global business, Generation X, Y, or whatever else, the proliferation of technology, Wall Street bonuses or anything else.  The key is that everyone cares to some extent about the subject matter ans has not become so entrenched in their viewpoint that they can no longer be open to have their mind influence--even changed--by others' opinions.

How about your Thanksgiving?  Did that happen?  If not, why not?  Is there so much focus on one person or subject that it isn't possible to introduce a subject of importance?  Is it because most of the people around the table are family members who long ago each took on a certain role in the group that tends to make everyone assume they can predict--before anyone opens their mouth--what will be said and what level of credence to give whatever they say?

It is often true that when we go home, we regress to the behavior of our adolescent or pre-adolescent years, so the adults around may appear to be fully grown but relate to each other as if they are still school-age.  If that's the case, it's tough to have a serious conversation.  People may regress to the topics that occupied them "way back then," for example, sports or the people who lived next door or long-ago rivalries.

What happens at your house?  Did you talk turkey?  Or feel like most people around the table were acting like turkeys...

 

Giving Thanks For Conversation

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, 2010, and after reading Lib Gibson's recent blog post which is a tribute to Clayton Christensen, the remarkable expert on disruptive innovation, I can think of no better way to express my thanks for all good things and people than to direct you to her post. 

Christensen is a man of extraordinary talents and among them has been his ability to converse...in all that word truly means.  What Lib writes about his recent challenge is sufficient for me to ponder the incredible gift that human speech is and the responsibility we have to make sure that what we say is worth the saying. Moreover, Christenesen's story underscores the fact that the height of human communication is the true exchange of ideas through conversation, with the intent to create something new and of lasting value.  May we hope that more of those blabbing today gain that understanding.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Here is Lib's post: http://libs-spot.blogspot.com/2010/11/clayton-christensenhttpwwwbloggercompos.html

 

Will Online Christmas Shopping Interrupt Turkey Talk?

Someone said recently that Thanksgiving is the best American holiday because it is designed to gather families and friends together around a table--with plenty of opportunity for stories and shared reminiscences--and doesn't involve gifts.

I've been thinking about that.  On the bus, in the subways, here at our offices, I hear people chatting about where they'll be spending Thanksgiving.  "I'm flying to Dallas, where my parents live..." and "We're all going to Long Island where Patti's mother is..." and "My sister and I are doing the turkey together this year for everyone else..." and "We're staying here in New York and inviting some friends over for turkey after the Macy's parade."

I've received a number of Thanksgiving greeting cards as well.  Nothing like the many Christmas cards we all receive, but clearly some of these folks are hoping to get their greeting heard without being lost in the shuffle and noise of Christmastime.  It works, actually.  I can tell you name by name who has sent me a Thanksgiving card this year.  Less distraction in the mailbox, both the physical mailbox and the digital.  So perhaps there is some wisdom in sending one's annual greeting in November instead of year-end.

The gift part is especially interesting since according to media reports, many Americans will spend at least part of their Thanksgiving time on their computers, buying Christmas gifts.  The major retailers are duking it out online, offering free shipping on just about anything, placing "doorbuster" specials online that will be something like the lost leaders they would offer to get people into their bricks and mortar stores, hoping those buyers would spend more money on other items while they are there.  So it's doubtful these online doorbusters will have the same effect, but we'll see when the results are made public after  the extra cranberries and pumpkin pie have left the dinner site in plastic bags and boxes as leftovers to be enjoyed during the week by the lucky guests.

How curious that we spend part of our family Thanksgiving time buying gifts for each other...to be delivered next month at Christmas time.  Will this new practice result in our gathering around the Thanksgiving turkey to tell what gifts we want for Christmas?  Hope not. 

 

Guest post: Speaking My Mind In NYC

Communication is the most important thing between human beings, no matter what form it may come in.  I am realizing this being in a completely new country and city where I am constantly being exposed to friendly, open conversation:  New York City.

 

My name is Julia, and I am doing an internship at Wf360, a marketing company located in NYC. I am 24 years old and from Nuremberg, Germany, a town near Munich. This is my third time experiencing New York and I simply love it. This city is so inspiring to me. So much that after being here for about 2 months I am feeling depressed at the idea of going back to Germany soon.

Most of the people in the United States, especially in New York, are so open and speak whatever is on his or her mind.  While walking through the streets, you can always find a helpful person or someone willing to answer a question you may have. For example, whenever I am lost or have other questions, I ALWAYS am able to find a stranger that is willing to help me. In Germany, this is definitely not the case. They don't really care about others they don't know and therefore are unwilling to help out, especially if it is a stranger.  Of course, I like Germany because I have been there all my life with my family and friends but honestly I prefer New York or London because of its openness.

 

Since my first visit to NYC in 1998, I truly fell in love with this city.  Now it's is my third time and I can't get enough of it. All the flashing lights, all the skyscrapers, all the opportunities and all the different cultures just fascinate me a lot! From my experiences, all the people are so kind and I’ve never had any problems with anybody here. It's great that people try to help you and I’ve made some great friendships in my short time.

That's another thing about NYC. It's very easy to meet new people, it seems like I make 5 new "friends" every single day. Obviously, most of those friendships are superficial and more like acquaintances, but still for someone who likes to meet new people, I am fascinated.

 

On the topic of why NYC strikes me and my personality, the free spirited aspect of this city really allows for compliments. Compliments from strangers, friends, whoever and wherever.  I'm a young, open minded woman and if I see someone who dresses well I will always speak my mind and let them know. That's not at all common in Germany but in NYC I see it happening all the time! I love the fact that people are not jealous or judge you. Unfortunately, It’s quite the contrary in Germany.   If someone doesn’t like anything about someone else’s look, they will make jokes or pass judgment. I could never understand that. Why can’t people accept the fact that someone is different from them, if it’s about their clothes, the way they look, or the way they think? In NYC I can really be who I am and not worry about anything. That expression “if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all” seems to apply to experience in NYC.

 
As mentioned earlier in my post, I am all about communication and expression and love that New York City allows me to do that openly and without judgment. Just being in this city has allowed me to go up to strangers, make new friends, and create wonderful experiences. New York, I love that you allow me to communicate and converse with many different kinds of people. Something I would have never been able to do in my home country, Germany. Maybe I can bring a small percentage of that back with my when I return so that all the young people can embrace the ability to communicate freely.

 

Lib Gibson's Comment re Competition

You should know Lib Gibson.  Seriously smart, great fun, a Canadian who is a global citizen with major achievements in the business world including running many years in technology, internet and marketing roles, many of them at Bell Canada where she ended up as CEO of Bell Globe-media Interactive.  She launched Simpatico, Canada's largest ISP and respected web sites as well.  And she's an Ad-visor to several companies as well as on prestigious boards including ING Direct. 

Lib's also the one who led the effort behind the TEDX in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, which people tell me was a terrific success.

So I love it that Lib commented on my recent post regarding just where you should look for the business competitors who could eat your lunch before you're even aware they're nibbling.  I used the example of coffee companies needing to consider that their competition may not be so much each other, as it could be providers of other non-coffee caffeine beverages like Red Bull.

Here is Lib's comment. "Sometimes the competitive set can be even more difficult to discern.  Detailed research in Britain showed Mars that discretionary spending on mobile phones and texting was displacing spending on candy bars."  Wow!  I'm fascinated for several reasons, not the least of which is the suggestion that one of the things candy and conversation have in common is they're both pleasant distractions-- even escapes -- from the humdrum stuff of life.

I'm not all for candy bars (see my post of yesterday touting Sweet Loren's cookies) but I sure am a fan of conversation.  So maybe we can use Lib's comment as a good omen that conversation is increasing albeit in ways that we're still trying to understand and to value. 

 

  

Hope Sweet Loren's Cookies Makes Lots of Dough

I wrote a while back about my friend Gail Koff's untimely death, and how it devastated her many friends and family.

Gail's three children--all young adults--have all got great lives ahead of them and even though they're mourning the loss of their fabulous Mom, they're pursuing their own adventures.

Loren, the middle child, has started a terrific company called Sweet Loren's.  And it all started with conversation about what she wanted to do next.  Loren has tried her hand at a number of things and learned that she wanted to be an entreprenuer and that she loves the food and wine world.  At the same time, she's her mother's daughter in being serious about eating healthy food with an emphasis on natural products.

  

So...rather than pander to everyone's sweet tooth with results that only a dentist could love (think Dylan Lauren, whose Dylan's Candy Bar business is a major success but, hey, it's a sugar high to even walk in to one of her stores), Loren has gone another route: she's baking cookies that have no refined sugar, only whole grain flours, stuff that's good for you.  Sounds awful, right? 

It did to me until I tasted her cookies.  Now I'm a believer that true to her tagline, she is creating "unbelievable delicious baked goods made of all natural, wholesome whole food ingredients."

I'm not a sucker for chocolate the way most of the world is, so despite all the ooh's and aah's about her chocolate stuff, they're pretty much lost on me.  But Whoa, Nelly! Her chewy oatmeal cranberry cookie?...seriously delicious.  I cannot believe they're good for you.

Loren has got a number of projects going including providing snacks to a major grade school consortium interested in having kids eat healthy snacks (now, there's a concept) and a growing custom catering business.  She was on Fox 5 today and by Sunday, December 5, her frozen cookie dough will launch at the Columbus Circle Whole Foods store.   In fact, if you're a New Yorker and love Gail or Loren (or both!) or just hanker after great cookies, consider forwarding this blog post to your buddies.  Would be fun to create a run on the Whole Foods frozen dessert counter.

Gail would be so proud.  I, for one, hope Loren makes lots of dough.

 

Check Loren out on Fox Business:

Bad News, Coffee: The Young Are Just Not That Into You

In my blog post of two days ago, I spoke of the danger of companies focusing on their in-field competition when the real threat is from elsewhere (e.g., GPS navigation systems focused on other manufacturers of the same product when the real competition is from smart phones which obviate the need for a system attached to your dashboard). 

Then yesterday an article on time.com talked of the stats regarding coffee consumption.  It seems that the 18 to 24 year olds, at least in America, have given the thumbs down to coffee as their perk-me-up drink of choice.  Only 27% of people in that age group drink coffee, a low stat compared to older age groups.  Are they foregoing caffeine?  Nope.  They're just getting it elsewhere.  As in Red Bull.  And when they do drink coffee, it's often one of the fancy-pants coffee drinks in which the coffee taste is overshadowed by other flavors.  All of which spells bad news is you are in the coffee business and need to build your base among prospective consumers for life.  So instead of Peets or other coffee sellers, Starbucks needs to focus on where the more serious competition is coming from and it is not coffee at all.

 

As long as coffee sellers see themselves not simply in the coffee business but rather in the business of providing caffeine laden beverages, they don't need to be blindsided by other sources of caffeine.  Instead, they need to figure out how they, too, can offer energy based drinks that are not coffee based. 

Even more reason to have that conversation in your company about just where could your competition come from.  What can -- or will -- people do in lieu of what you have to offer?  Get crazy here; don't let your own history of attachment to what your company does blind you to the possibilities out there.  Think like a user of your product or service.  Look from their perspective of what is out there that could satisfy whatever need they fulfill now with what you offer.  Could they satisfy that need in some way unrelated to your offerings?

Why Was 360 Summit 2010 The Best Yet?

Our Wf360 team is still doing its debrief but even a casual reading of the unsolicited notes and emails and calls from attendees makes it clear that something special happened this year.  As good as previous 360 Summits have been, this one topped them.  What was different?

For one thing, the 360 Leadership Award was presented to Chris Anderson, Curator of TED.  And that was special in itself.  Chris is an inspired man and his remarks were not the usual "award acceptance" comments most corporate leaders give (you know, the "I'm thrilled to have achieved this, but it was earned by my whole team; here is how you can hope to get this award someday; here are my views of leadership that may be of interest, etc.").  Chris challenged attendees to consider the profundity of actually seeing others.  He led everyone in selecting a tablemate they did not know and staring at them, truly looking into each others' eyes for what seemed an eternity but was only a few minutes.  He talked of the variety of feelings this elicits in one: embarrassment, timidity, fear, of course.  And also curiosity, empathy, warmth.  It is part of the thinking he has done about the impact the increasing ability to see each other through video content will have on the way we relate to one another and the way we will learn. 

 
Chris spoke about half way through the evening, so that may explain the heightened buzz in the second half of the evening.  But the whole room was highly engaged well before that, from just about the moment they walked in.  When Larry Leibowitz, NYSE Euronext's COO welcomed the group, he reminded everyone that they are expected to actively participate in the conversation at their tables, and people seemed to take him at his word.  The minute we threw out the first "What if...?" they were off and running.

In the first half of the evening, there were three "What if's...?" and this year we did not interrupt the conversation between the questions.  We simply introduced al three of them and gave the group a half hour or so to chew on all three of them.  Following Chris's comments, there were three more "What if's..." and people were by then accustomed to the format and continued to be enthusiastic about digging into the issues and exchanging views.

 

The comments we've received confirm they did not talk about the weather or their children; they engaged--actively so--on all the questions.  And they loved the experience.  One table reported they have formed a group to tackle one of the issues they found especially interesting.   One attendee reported that at her executive meeting the morning after the 360 Summit, she introduced the topics at hand with "what if...?" and said they had the most pro-active discussion that has ever taken place in that group.

So, "what if...you tried doing the same with your next knotty challenge.  Ask "What if..." and then pose the question for which there is not yet an answer, and let the group tackle it.  You may be surprised.

What If Your Business Goes The Way Of GPS?

The sale of GPS navigation devices for automobiles will peak next year and begin to slow down dramatically after that.  Why?  Because smartphones "have an app for that" which renders a separate navigational device for your car redundant.

So following our protocol at the 360 Summit held last week at the NYSE in New York:

What if...the chief product or service is replaced by something else more compelling?  We all know the story that the companies that manufactured buggy whips went quickly out of business, not because someone found a way to make a better or cheaper buggy whip, but because they were rendered unnecessary by the first automobiles.  So long as they envisioned themselves in the buggy whip business, they were doomed.  If they had thought of themselves in the "transportational aid" business, they may have figured out a way to combine efforts with the automotive manufacturers to create a device that would be sold with every car.

So what if...someone develops an app for whatever you feel is your most important product or service?  Likely, it won't be one of your existing competitors.  It will be someone you've never heard of.  Are you prepared?  If you held a company-wide conversation to get the views of your employees as to what business you are in, would the answer be a narrow "buggy-whip" like response?  Or would it be sufficinelty broad to accomodate possibilities of other products or services that would be compatable with whatever someone dreams up that could overlap the value of what you do?

A company-wide conversation can be extremely valuabe--even transformational--on several levels.  It could redefine your company's values.  It could redefine the relationship between your employees and management.  And perhaps it might just come up with the spark for a new product or service that could point the way to your next level of corporate success, which means you won't have to worry about someone else creating an app that puts you out of business. 

At least not right away.