shannonsays.com

Un-Australia Day

January 26...Australia Day...whatever that means in 2006.  Whilst it is probably reasonable for me to suggest that today means bugger all else to many Australians than a Public Holiday, it is also fair to suggest that we think we know more about being "Un-Australian" than being Australian.  We certainly bandy the term around enough to suggest that we know what it means.

The term "Un-Australian" has become one of the most overused adjectives of the last twelve months, and will probably continue its rise to prominance throughout 2006.  Every one is using it; politicans, sports stars, police chiefs, journalists, commentators, people in the street, you name it.  All pedal it out to abuse opponents, or to personally taunt them. 

Here are some examples:

"I think associating with a terrorist organisation demonstrates that you are un-Australian"  Tasmanian MP Michael Ferguson.

" It is not Australian to adopt a mob mentality and assult women.  I have never seen anything as un-Australian"  NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney (on the Cronulla riots)

"Labor will fight every day until the Howard Government is brought down for these vicious, unnecessary and unAustralian laws." Opposition Leader Kim Beazley on the Federal Government's Idustrial Relations Laws

On a basic level it is just another in vogue weasel word.  But it has moved to another level now, to become a term that has a nasty, dark meaning.  Used to try and tarnish the character of people who you don't agree with backed up by the assumption that the rest of Australia agrees with them.  Make no mistake, it is a term of abuse.  An attack on character.

You don't hear people (at least I never have) being called un-American, or un-French, or un-British.  So why have we embraced un Australian so much?

I don't really know.  Probably because it reminds me of our cultural cringe and our anxieties and suspicions about globalisation and all things (people, ideas) foreign.

I do know that I squirm every time I hear it.

Happy Australia Day. 

Why don't we have Big Ideas anymore?

Why don't we have any big idea's anymore?

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of Einsteins theory of relativity.  And 1905 was a big year for ideas, says Peter Watson in the Observer- Matisse and Cezanne were at their peak, Lenin, EM Forster and Freud were all publishing seminal works, and the first regular cinemas opened.  In the face of such change, the year 2005 "can't begin to compete with 1905 in terms of important innovations."

Hmm.  We probably try to kid ourselves otherwise, but I kinda agree with Watson when he says that our present world is "nowhere near as interesting and innovative" as it thinks, especially when compared with past ages.  A view that is confirmed probably because I am currently reading Bill Bryson's excellent "A Short History of Nearly Everything" in which every page is full of discovery and great idea's.  It is an incredible read that reinforces how amazing some of our early thinkers like Einstein were.

Sure, we might have all of our new mobile phones, iPods, internet and DNA advances, but do these things fundamentally change the way we think?  Think about it.  Not really.

As Watson suggests, just stop and think about some of the real innovations of the past; the introduction of crop rotation, the adoption of Hindu numerals, the introduction of the factory and the steam engine and the theory of evolution.  But since 1950, what have we got?  Well,  only the pill and the internet are or comparative importance. 

Maybe it is simply a quirk of modern capitalism, we all get to "sample the fruits of earlier innovation" so we don't do much of it ourselves anymore.  We just don't see the need to

Without a doubt these are fast moving, ever changing and very interesting times, but they don't seem to be the times of big ideas.

Thoughts?

Success? What would sports people know anyway?

Whenever a successful person is asked (and its usually business people or sports people that are asked) something along the lines of "What is the key to reaching the top?" the same answers are always dished up; hard work, persistence, passion, commitment, having a dream and wanting it enough.  You know the sorts of things, and they are all probably true enough.

But when Clive Hamilton, director of The Australia Institute and author of Affluenza: When Too Much Is Never Enough, was asked here is what he had to say:

"Don't believe those various sports stars who say you can achieve anything as long as you want it badly enough.  Most people who try to succeed fail- and those who are driven to get to the top are usually miserable when they get there.  Instead we should devote ourselves to doing what we love to do or feel we are meant to do."

Sage advice, Mr. Hamilton.

The Boss 101

In last weeks (excellent edition) Australian Financial Review's Boss magazine they published a list (I know!) of 101 ideas; a sort of collection of snippnets they have gleaned from interviewing and profiling different leaders and thinker over the last five years (from Peters to Porter, Branson to Walton).

Here are some of my favorites:

• Tradition Sucks.  Look at the success of screw-top wine bottles.  Why spend time and money doing things the old fashioned way when modern technology can make things functional and stylish
• Plain Talk
• Obesity.  Fat clothes, fat leisure, airline seats for fat people. There's a market out there for those savvy enought to cater for the growing population (ahem) in prosperous countries who eschew the equally buoyant market in diets and wellness
• Water Engineering.  Desperately seeking more H2O, we'll also be keen on new technical answers
• Simplicity.  As Albert Einstein said (and I love this quote): "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
• Gossip.  There's a lot of it about as work becomes the new social hub.  Savvy employers will nurture the interactions and colonise the conversations.  (Weblog's anyone?)

But my (as an unashamed capatilist who has some problems with certain CSR models):

• Backlash. Against Coroprate Social Responsibility, that is.  Michael Moore, do NOT come on down.  The Economist magazine got in first with a multi-page special abouth the "industry" of CSR and its potential to distract bosses from capatilism's real task- discharging responsibilities to shareholders.  Picking up on an emerging analysis of the "misguided" advocates of CSR, the magazine argues that while capatilism needs public intervention- such as taxes and regulation- and its bosses need accountability, CSR is not the way to achieve those ends.  But it is clear that even if CSR is out, business ethics are in.  Big time.  If your company isn't doing something worthwhile, quit now.  Otherwise focus on creating shareholder value.

But will this arguement wash with the citizens?  Thoughts?

There's Something About Mary... But could someone tell me what it is?

Prince Charles did a quick whip-around the country, and we didn't really give a stuff.  Wherever he went the reception was lukewarm at best.  Not surprising really ,he's a clumsy fool who even sheared a sheep in a suit.  And he will be our King....

Poor Chuck is certainly not Crown Princes Mary of Denmark, that's for sure, who accompanied by Crown Price Frederik, stopped by in Melbourne today.  And for reasons that I just can't grasp, thousands of my fellow Melbournians flocked to Federation square, clamoring for whatever vantage point they could to catch a glimpse of them.  It was frenzied atmosphere more usually seen at the Mosh Pit at a Big Day Out rock concert; or maybe reminiscent of the Queens visits during the 60's (when we kinda liked having a Royal family).

During the Danish Royal's brief five hour stay, they attended a State Reception hosted by Victorian Premier Steve Bracks and Governor John Landy also present were Melbourne's A-List and assorted hanger-oner-rer's.

They also launched a continuous video conference link from our own Federation Square to Copenhagen's Town Hall Square (Radhusspladsen).   I don't really understand why we need a permanent link to Copenhagen.  As far as I know, Melbourne has no historical links to Copenhagen of any real note.   And the fact that Princess Mary lived here for a few months is hardly a reason to link us permanently...  I wonder if people in Denmark think the same.

So why do we Australians have such a fascination with Princess Mary?  What is it about Mary?  What am I missing?

Like I said, we have no connection with Denmark, and we didn't even know that they had a royal family until Mary Donaldson announced her engagement to Frederik.  And after all  she is a hairdresser from Tasmania, who picked up the "right bloke" in a pub during the Sydney 2000 Olympics.  Sure she is attractive, and a nice-enough person and all; but do her and her husband really deserve all the bru-haha?  The State Receptions?  Lunch with our PM?  The motorcades? The screaming fans, some of whom were left speechless? The pages of newspaper coverage, and "Special Lift-Outs"?

Maybe it is the whole "Cinderella" fairytale thing, or the fact that our Royal Family are an outdated laughing stock, so we have adopted this pair.

Yawn!

I am so tired at the moment.  My new job is keeping me really busy; each day (10-12 hours at the moment) is full of new challenges that sap me of my physical and mental energy.  Not that I am complaining about it... it's kinda like running a marathon, hard work, exhausting but will be well worth it in the end.

I am embarking on a significant change program at work, which despite the acceptance that I have gained in my new job, still requires some delicate and thoughtful management to negotiate the needs of each of my staff members.  More of that soon.

But this week it has seemed that I haven't been able to get enough sleep!  Sometimes I feel like I need a bit more, just a quick kip during lunch to help me power through the afternoon.  I might try this at Ross' suggestion:

• Sit in a chair at a table.
• Clasp a quarter (other coins will work) in between the thumb and forefinger of your right hand (your left hand will work as well).
• Place the quarter edge onto a plate or saucer (basically on to any surface that will make a sharp noise when the quarter hits it).
• Close your eyes.
• The sound of the quarter falling when your fingers release it will wake you up and you will feel refreshed.

Anyone else got any ideas to help recharge during the day (not involving wheatgrass shots)?

Hughtrain/Cluetrain... and Jeff

Hugh added this to yesterdays post:

"We live in very amazing and exciting times. I hope to God you concur."

Mmm, I don't think Jeff does (see my comments from yesterday):

"Does it matter to you at all that there are honest people just trying to do an honest day's labor to feed and house and educate their families inside the companies you want to destroy? Truly, I'd like to understand this. Do you not get the connection or do you not care that gunning after companies is gunning people's jobs? Is this just "war" and that makes "collateral damage" okay?"

Memo Jeff:  Read Cluetrain and you will see that no-one is trying to destroy your existence.  Nor is it a war, quite the contrary, it's an invitation for you to come and play!

It is all about letting YOUR company know that markets are getting smarter; they are talking a new language and exchanging knowledge like never before.  We want YOUR company to move down from the Ivory Towers and join the conversation (it's already happening!), and talk our language.  We hate how YOUR company pitches to us, sells to us, preaches to us, positions toward us.  All we want is for you (ie not YOUR company) to talk- straight- to us, to take yourselves less seriously, to find a sense of humour,   If you don't or your company won't let you 'cause you are too busy,that's cool, we'll find someone who will find the time to talk.  We'll get back to you.... actually, no we won't:

Cluetrain Manifesto #88:

"We have better things to do than worry about whether you'll change in time to get our business.  Business is only part of our lives.  It seems to be all of yours.  Think about it: who needs whom?"

Cluetrain Manifesto #89:

"We have real power and we know it.  If you don't see the light, some other outfit will come along that's more attentive, more interesting, more fun to play with."

The answer is simple, Jeff.  Talk to us, and you will survive, you can keep on keeping on earning your "honest living".

And if you dunno how to talk to us, grab Hughtrain, and read it.  Read Part Seven (How to Have Smarter Conversations) a couple of times.  It'll get you thinking about how YOU and YOUR company can talk to it's market (who are people you know, not a demographic).  For some more meat on this bone check Signs Never Sleep.

This isn't a war Jeff, but some companies will die for no other reason than they say nothing of interest to anyone, or they refuse to join the conversation.   As a result all their customers doddle off somewhere more interesting.

Ask your boss if he can still provide you with a job that allows you to earn the cash necessary to "feed and house and educate" your family, if you have not customers....

weaselwords.com

‘Ericsson will provide ongoing services for the development and deployment of content based mobile services on a new, horizontal service delivery platform.’

If you don't understand that, don't worry.  Maybe this will make sense to you:

‘Build the talent pipeline with required workforce capability... Talent management is under the leadership and culture umbrella of the change roadmap.

Nope?   Welcome to the world of the Weasel Word and the Death Sentence!

One of the best books I read last year was Death Sentence by Don Watson (one time political speech writer and Paul Keating biographer).  Death Sentence is a brilliant (profound and funny) little book in which Watson looks at how corporate and political speak is attacking and infiltrating every-day public speech, complete with its store of cliches, jargon, platitudes and weasel words to hide or twist the truth.

He followed that up late last year with Weasel Words, which is sort of like a Death Sentence Companion Dictionary, and now he has a new website; weaselwords.com. It has been set up in response to the flood of letters and emails sent to Don since the publication of his books:

We have asked people to send us examples of dead, silly or deceitful language. View their contributions in the Language Crimes section (and on this page). There are separate pages for Government, Education and Training and Job Ads.

There's a Confessions page for those who want to own up to using weasel words. And for rehabilitation purposes, Now we understand is where we post examples of exemplary language.

You can send in a quote (Contribute),talk to others on the forum, or (one of my favorites)see what   the Gettysburg address looks like in PowerPoint on the Links page.

And if you need help discovering just how how easy it is to write managerial language, there is a Ready Reckoner to download.

That's long enough... I resign.

I resigned from my job yesterday.  It was an emotional resignation at that.

I wasn't looking for another job, nor did I think I had any reason to leave, other than opportunity.  I was headhunted for a position with another company, which really got me thinking "where to from here?"  Should I stay or should I go?

But, in the end, what it really came down to was listening to my "inner voice", using a balance of heart and head, and persuing the path that "felt right".  I have spent four years at the tiller with my soon-to-be-ex-employer, and it feels right to leave at this time.  It's probably also right for the organisation to get some "new-blood" in, time for it to benefit from the fresh new ideas that a new leader will bring.

A tenure of four years is probably about right when you are a senior manager in today's fast changing environment.  It is long enough to be able to set your agenda and put the mechanisms in place that allow your agenda to be realised, and judged.  It's long enough to become familiar with the business, it's staff and it's customers, but not long enough to become overfamiliar.  It's long enough to be able to spend a majority of the time working objectively on the business, but not long enough to get irretrievable caught working in the business. 

And when I started to think about it, I realised that people where used to me being there. I was risking becoming less of a leader with true influence and just a really nice guy with all the right intentions.

But if that is reason to leave, why is the new job right?  I think (I am hoping!)the move is a logical shift that will undoubtably recharge my career, enabling me to add to my skills, experience, mastery (see Tom!), my maturity and- I hope- my personal satisfaction.

I start in two weeks!

The Money or the Sun?

I have avoided talking about the recent developments in Mark Latham disappearance/lies/illness lunacy... but I promise to tee off tomorrow.

In the meantime, I was wondering whether he is just looking for greater balance in life....and is simply one of an increasing number of people who would fore go cash for extra time in the sun. According to a FC Now report, if given the choice between a $5,000 raise and the equivalent in time off, 39 percent of online survey respondents chose leisure time, up from just 33 percent three years ago. The folks at Salary.com want to point to the results as further evidence that we're all trying to seek balance in our lives and change our priorities.

Maybe it's as simple as that for Missing Mark.  After a busy election year, overworked, overstressed Mark just needs an extended break, so cashed in some of his hefty pollie super in return for a few extra weeks.

I'm a bit different though, at this stage in my life I am all about the money, plus I don't idle too well and get bored quickly when I am on holiday.

What would you do?