Innovative Concepts

Penthouse Views

 Location, location, location is well stated mantra of real estate.  However, even location alone does not always guarantee the biggest return.  Most would agree that the penthouse views in Hong Kong come at an extremely high cost.  However, CNN found some roof top arrangements that were stuck in an undefined market.  They had the views but lacked the certainty about the future to justify any significant market price.  Location is an heavily weighted attribute but certainty carries more power.  The perception about control of ones future was perhaps all that was lacking from keeping these locations from selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Promote Seniority?

Continental Airlines will be the first US carrier to receive delivery of the new Boeing 787 aircraft.  The plane is regarded as the best choice for airlines looking to fly long-distance routes and reap the benefits of an energy efficient design.  It is the newest toy for a commercial pilot and everyone wants a chance to fly it.  How does the airline handle the interest from its pilots?  Continental gives priority to the most senior pilots.  Those who have the most time with the company get first option to participate in an extensive training program and then be available to fly the planes as they are introduced into Continental’s fleet.  Sounds like a respectable system.  A Wall Street Journal article mentions one potential downside to the approach.  The most senior pilots are likely to retire in the immediate future.  It raises an intriguing question.  Should an enterprise invest the most in those who are about to reach the end of their service?  In the commercial airline industry, this date-certain is age 65.  The article mentions that Continental has budgeted for the quick rotation expected from their first group of senior pilots.  From the perspective of building an engaging and supportive workplace the philosophy of rewarding those who have given the most seems equitable and completely fair.  From a budgetary and resource allocation standpoint, would it not seem more appropriate to invest training in less senior pilot and therefore ensure a tenure of service and learning that should result in limited turnover?


The idea of training, promotion, and retirement makes me consider the trends in the social sector.  How often are the highest positions in leadership held by those who are most senior in the cause?  How many Board Chairs will retire from the board after their term as President expires?  Do organizations consider the make-up of the leadership or is seniority given the most weight when selecting leaders?  What investments could you make in a new board member who shows promise of leadership that you may not be able to make in the individual who is about to depart?  If the phrase, “it is his/her turn next” enters your leadership nomination process then perhaps it is time to discuss alternative models.  Seniority is an important attribute but it should not be equated directly with leadership.

Cooperation
 
I project that we have all encountered an individual worthy of the role of the Commander of the US Lincoln.  We also may have played an unintentional game of chicken with a lighthouse.  How do we perceive ourselves and the enterprise we represents says much about the relationships we build.  Many organizations have beautiful value statements about being an engaged member of the community only to demand a clear path when they take action.  Cooperation may be our greatest asset.  It also may offer us the humility to avoid taking counter-measures against the very object that assures our safety.
“No man can help another without helping himself” 
Ralph Waldo Emerson
*To be fair, the reported naval conversation is apparently urban myth according to Snopes.com

Mine and Yours

I spent a couple hours speaking to representatives from United and Continental Airlines regarding a variety of travel issues triggered by their pending merger.  I was fortunate that all of the representatives I interacted with were noticeably sincere and helpful.  What was particularly illuminating is that most of my conversation included the language ‘us’ and ‘them’.   It makes me wonder, how do you bring two large enterprises together in a sector as competitive as the airlines.  The next round of the operations merger is scheduled for March 2012.  How does the term ‘them’ morph into ‘us’ and a sense being one?

The same scenario is being played out in the social sector as organizations partner, merge, or hand over their programs to another enterprise.  Combining staff, board, volunteers, and donors is not without systemic and cultural shifts.  How prepared is your cause to partner, merge, or even discuss the potential?

Two helpful resources include:

Nonprofit Mergers and Alliances

The Challenge of Inequality

After viewing this talk I am convinced that the social sector may be uniquely positioned to navigate the way, addressing the issues surrounding inequality that Richard Wilkinson’s data reveals.  How do we balance the American dream of opportunity with the stark reality that those who are most well off are leaving those who have the least in the most challenging situation of any developed country?  Are we gathering the huddled masses only to leave them on the other side of the golden door?

New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Emma Lazarus

Patron

Had it not been for Eusebi Güell, famed architect Antoni Gaudi’s genius may have never been recognized.  Gaudi’s philosophy of merging design and nature may have never made it from sketch to structure.  If Gaudi had run around trying to build a tribe of followers he may have stopped designing.  Instead he found a funders who was intrigued with his initial work (a lamp post).  Guell was a true patron who sponsored many of Gaudi’s most daring projects.  He was willing and capable of providing Gaudi with the resources he needed to bring his vision to a reality.  It is a reminder that one key individual can do more for your journey than an entire crowd.  Followers are powerful but patrons are willing to take action and invest because they share your purpose.

Are you seeking followers or patrons?  It is important to understand the difference.

One Thing
Barcelona Street Art

Ever been lost while driving?  Many of us share the same tendencies.  Slow down, sit up a little straighter, turn down the radio, and even hang-up on the person giving us directions (‘I will call you back’).  A friend’s Facebook post mentioned these attributes about her husband, the same ones I exhibit.  But the reality is that it highlights the way we are wired as humans.  We are capable of greatness when we focus on one thing.  Most of us do not want our surgeon watching television while performing a procedure, or a pilot filing their taxes when landing our plane.  We tend to miss a lot of critical steps when we try to cover multiple tasks.  Have you walked into the kitchen and stood dumbfounded by what brought you there only to recall the task ten minutes later?

When execution is essential, it is best to reduce the peripheral distractions and make sure you are navigating correctly.