Trust Me

Trust Me. I know it's the name of a TV series based on life at a high-pressure ad agency. I enjoy the show... in a later-at-night TiVo kind of way. It's well-written, high energy and often way to close to home. (As opposed to Mad Men which looks exactly like our agency in my grandfather's day yet reeks of soap opera.)

Inherent in the name of this TNT series is that we advertising people are not to be trusted. But every day I question the veracity of our clients and suppliers. Why? Because they too often start a statement with, "to be honest with you" or "believe me when I say" or "trust me on this" or simply "truthfully." Ding, ding, ding. My b-s detector goes off when I hear those phrases. So if you want me to trust you, say what you mean and allow me to decide if it rings true.

Trust me on this.

Obituaries

Lately I've been reading (consuming) the obituaries in the papers each day over breakfast. Is it a function of age or dealing with my own mortality? Was it a desire to remember every last fact about Walter Cronkite? I do know my health is good, so I wasn't looking just to make sure I didn't see my own name.

As I sat with my nervous, sick, shaking 13 year-old lab Guernesy at the vet this morning I realized I'm not having a new fascination with death. Instead I'm remembering to celebrate life. Those obits attempt to paint the richness of individual lives. They don't sweat the small stuff and the time wasters. They often move me. And they remind me to live.

To avoid being too morbid I also enjoy reading the back of the cereal box.

Company learning in a company town

"I think the whole company has learned when you step out and do bold things, you win, and when you're cautious and let other people do bold things, you lose."
- Bob Lutz, retiring vice chairman of GM

I'm going to miss Bob Lutz, and I've never had the privilege to meet the man. But he was refreshingly candid, always insightful, and those who work for him constantly praise his leadership. Regardless of the age, or the age we live in, we need more businesspeople like Mr. Lutz.

I for one will heed Bob Lutz's advice. Because in the words of advertising legend Bill Bernbach, "the future, as always, belongs to the brave."

More about winning thinkers and thinking that comes out of Detroit (yes, Detroit!) to come ...

Forcing Conflict

I haven't posted to this blog in nearly a month. I could chalk that up to "blogger's block." Or, I could honestly admit that I've been cuptivated by our client, the Detroit Red Wings in their push to win the Stanley Cup. In watching - no in reveling - in the hockey battles there's conflict that creates a level of drama that sucks me in. If you review the television ratings, millions of other fans have been pulled in too. It's man against man, team against team, city against city, good against bad ... It all depends upon your point-of-view, but ultimately what makes the series gripping is that conflict. (Now I know why I actually enjoyed Moby Dick back in high school English.)

Applying this to business raises the question: who do we bump up against that gets our blood boiling? If we can identify that true enemy, that brand we need to overcome to win, then the fight will bring out the best in us.

Today's business "Black Hole"

The other day I was discussing with a colleague how frequently a letter, call, email and even a full Request for Proposal (RFP) go unanswered. A simple "yes" or "no" and in business we move on. But when the gray area in between becomes the norm we have a business black hole.

An aside, last night I thoroughly enjoyed watching the new Star Trek movie in a packed theatre with my 15 year-old daughter. Black holes played a key role. After the movie my daughter lovingly called me a "nerd."

So while I can't answer for others I'm going to make sure I'm responsive. Rather than all light being absorbed, maybe I'll "shine" in the process.

Balance

Balance Bars, the balance beam, New Balance shoes, balance ball, balance transfers and of course the balance sheet. So balance must be important. One often addressed is "work-life" balance. I generally pooh-pooh that concept until time comes to actually take a vacation. It's then that I learn how out of balance things can get. Last week we took a glorious trip to Hawaii. I watched my daughters surf, ate macadamia nuts with everything and in everything, and just relaxed. (My wife always reminds me that it takes three days to get to that point.)

While in Hawaii, and on the VERY long flights I read at least three books. Completed the past six New York Times Sunday crossword puzzles. Even took part in a local Kona 10-k. (That run wasn't on the long flights.) And the amazing thing was not once did anyone in our family use the Internet. Yes, a whole week disconnected yet reconnected- with each other. In effect we rebalanced.

What's that awful sound going thump-thump-thump? My wife just asked me to redistribute the towels in the washing machine. I guess even machines need balance. Here's hoping you find yours.

Overbooked at the book store

I had an airline-like customer service experience at Border's in Birmingham today. I guess books are an inexpensive escape as the store was very busy. They had over 100 people in the check-out line filed all the way to the rear of the store. An associate tried to be helpful and was handing out candy. Instead a parent raised a fuss because they gave candy to her child. A cry for the manager followed. She proceeded to announce to the line of customers, "this is what happens when we get cut to the bone!" Sometimes there's such a thing as too much honesty. I left my books on a shelf came home and bought the same pile of books for $20 less on Amazon with free shipping. Then I went and got the mail. What company was profiled on the cover of this week's Barron's as America's best retailer? You guessed it, Amazon. And, unfortunately, while I root for Michigan-based Border's they're not putting up the best fight. Free candy or free shipping? From here on I'll be ordering from "home sweet home."