The Federal Reserve

There have been a lot of voices lately calling for an audit of Federal Reserve. 

I can't for the life of me understand why such would not be a matter of course unless there is something to hide.  All responsible organizations have audits to ensure that the people managing the books remain on the up and up.  All branches of government should be audited as a part of doing business.  Citizen oversight at its best.

But it will be argued that the information in such an audit would be too hard for the general public to understand and could cause too much trouble to explain, etc.  Well, I say do it any way.  We need the education.

For those who don't know, this is what the Fed is:

According to the Board of Governors, the Federal Reserve is independent within government in that "its decisions do not have to be ratified by the President or anyone else in the executive or legislative branch of government." However, its authority is derived from the U.S. Congress and is subject to congressional oversight. Additionally, the members of the Board of Governors, including its chairman and vice-chairman, are chosen by the President and confirmed by Congress. The government also exercises some control over the Federal Reserve by appointing and setting the salaries of the system's highest-level employees. Thus the Federal Reserve has both private and public aspects.^{[12][13][14][15]}

Sears - An Exeplairy Corporate Citizen

By law companies must hold jobs open for reservists who are called to duty.  Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in their salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years.  They are to applauded.

Robert Welch 1958

Undocumented Immigrant

Calling an illegal alien an 'undocumented immigrant' is like calling a drug dealer an 'unlicensed pharmacist'.

Announcing The Four Freedoms!

In commemoration of Independence Day, I am delighted to announce the publication of The Four Freedoms available at Amazon.com.

The Four Freedoms is a story about a man who discovered the wisdom of the ages and applied it in his life to create success beyond his imagination.

It was written for those that have a yearning for freedom--freedom from bad habits, freedom that prosperity brings, freedom from misery, and the freedom to be happy in relationships and in life--for those who have an innate sense that there is something more but just cannot figure out what it is.

I hope you enjoy it.

The Art of Networking

“Networking is the art of making and using contacts. It is the single minded persuit of useful contacts at every convention, seminar and neighborhood barbecue. And today networking is exploding. It is changing the way we do business and the way we socialize. Some people say it is purely a pragmatic technique but the true networker knows it is more. The true networker proposes a new outlook. Previous societies considered every stranger an inherent threat. To the networker, every stranger represents an opportunity, the chance to find prospects, reach targets or meet friends.”

As timely as this article seems, it may interest you to know that it comes from the August 1985 issue of Success. Yes, 1985. Twenty-five years ago!

Yet twenty-five years later I find that people are clamoring for networks and yet repeatedly disenchanted with them. It begs the questions, "Why?" and "What can be done?"

Permit me a suggestion. If our networking seems fraudulent, difficult or unfulfilling, perhaps it is due to intent. If everyone at an event is of the mind of “what’s in it for me” then everyone is taking and no one is giving. The result is a networking vacuum.

Networking is, by defenition, connecting. Connecting requires giving. Try instead to see how much you can give–referrals, advice, introductions, useful information–any kind of value add. Les Brown says that the universe hates a vaccume. In order to get you have got to give. The more you can give the more will you get back. Conversely, you cannot recieve if both hands are busy holding one to what you have.

Your Brand and You

According to Kevin Roberts, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide and author of Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands, the magic is simple and sincere-literally.

On the one hand, brand is about connecting with customers on an emotional level: intimacy, sensuality, and mystery that results in loyalty beyond reason.

On the other hand, brand is a “sacred promise” about improving customers lives. The way in which a company commits to improve customers lives becomes the hallmark of the company. It permeates every facet of communication and and guides every decision of the company.

It starts with a positioning statement which identifies target audiences, hones in on competitors, and pinpoints the businesses most compelling benefit. From this the promise can be formulated.

How clear is your company’s mission statement?

In the B2B world the most important things that set your company apart from the rest are offering reliable customer service and close relationships.

Coca-Cola is the premier example of fullfilling both in their branding. Changes in packaging and marketing have always included “being happy, always sociable, and always part of the local community.” These emotional promices are what have given Coca-Cola their edge–simple and sincere.