May 15th, 2008
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: edans
“When asked if Google’s strategy would change as the economy heads into a likely recession, Schmidt replied: “What recession? Innovation has nothing to do with downturns. A hot product will sell just as well in a recession as it will in a nonrecession…by what degree we can get people to substitute [our product] for the other. The strong companies understand this, and during a recession, they invest.”
Google’s vaunted innovation culture is always talked about in terms of catered food and in-house massages, but those and similar perks aren’t what continues to attract and retain the best and brightest.
The real key is Google’s own variation of the 80/20 rule.
In Google’s case, the 80% is the work time that people owe Google, while the 20% is the time they have to work on their own ideas. “It means the managers can’t screw around with the employees beyond some limit. I believe that this innovation escape-valve model is applicable to essentially every business that has technology as a component.”
It works, because no matter how far on or off-the-wall, “The No. 1 thing we do require is: You can do whatever you want as long as you track it.” Further the focus need to fit, “We make an explicit decision to favor the end-user. [We] do not say, “Newspapers should be happy. Advertisers should be happy. Telcos should be happy. Competitors should be happy.” Those are fine if we can do it. But it’s all about end-users.”
Just how earth-shattering are the results of the 20%? How about Google’s entry into cloud computing?
What started as one programmer’s idea to teach the next generation of students how “to work—and to dream—on a vastly larger scale” morphed into cloud computing using the enormous muscle available in Google’s global hardware.
Finally, Schmidt doesn’t believe that innovation is “managed.” “You have to have a set of necessary conditions for innovation to occur. To start with, you have to listen to people…Innovation comes from places that you don’t expect.”
What does your company do to foster innovation?
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Share This
By Miki Saxon -- 2 comments
May 14th, 2008
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: Adnan Asim
Be sure to visit my other WW: bad business image
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Tags: life, Wordless Wednesday, wwShare This
By Miki Saxon -- 0 comments
May 13th, 2008
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: http://www.larevuedurable.com/
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects the wind; the realist adjusts the sails” — Anonymous
I love this quote and would love to know who really said it.
I’ve been telling people for years that no matter how much they’re want to change something and how hard they’re willing to work to do it they still need to deal with the reality of now.
There are many things that I disagree with or plain don’t like in the world I inhabit, but I have no magic wand to wave to change them, nor do I have the energy to fight for all of them.
I choose my battles and work to change the ones that are most important to my MAP.
I teach myself to function within the existing reality because railing against them merely wastes my energy, while ignoring the important (to me) ones offends my psyche.
How do you handle your world?
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Tags: Change, existing reality, MAPShare This
By Miki Saxon -- 2 comments
May 12th, 2008
Post from Leadership TurnHello, hello. Two new contests here at b5 media.
The first is over at Cellphone 9 where Jayvee says, “We have an Iqua SUN 603 Bluetooth headset up for grabs in this week’s online raffle! What I have up for grabs is the very first solar powered Bluetooth headset in the world! Batteries not included — because you don’t need em.”
The second is from Laura at Crooner Culture. “Here’s your chance to win a $25 iTunes gift certificate (or Amazon.com if you prefer) to help you bulk up your music collection.”
Click on over, but please come back and let us know if you’re the winer!
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Tags: b5 contests, bluetooth, cellphone 9, crooner culture, iTunesShare This
By Miki Saxon -- 4 comments
May 12th, 2008
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: AlbySpace
Kelly, our editor, is always dreaming stuff up to keep things interesting here at the Biz Channel. She runs lots of contests and challenges for us and this month’s is a doozy.
Kelly said, “I want you to do take a chance on your blog, risk doing something different. For example, Colleen Coplick has changed the header on BuzzNetworker for a completely different feel. (It’s fabulous! Check it out.) What are you doing to think out of the box?“
Since I earn my living helping managers think outside the box it should be a snap for me to take Leadership Turn out of its box. Right?
Well, sort of. I knew what I wanted to do, in fact, shortly after I took over Leadership Turn I wrote Stop abusing the L word and at the end suggested a reality game called So you think you can lead…
I knew it would be popular and the technology to produce it on the web is easily available, but organizing it, let alone using that technology, scares me silly. (I’m a Luddite wannabe.)
But fear shouldn’t stop you, there’s always a way around it. My solution is to recruit a volunteer staff to produce a web TV reality show. I’m going to be actively recruiting, but would love volunteers from my readership.
Here’s what you do.
Read the description in my earlier post and send your thoughts and/or what role(s) can you play in the production company. Here are the areas I think are needed, but I’m sure the list is incomplete, so don’t hesitate to add to it.
- Tech wizards who know how to do the web thing.
- Talking heads to emcee the show.
- Promotional gurus.
- Project managers to keep us organized (You don’t want me in that role!)
- Additional leadership gurus for various reasons.
- Anybody who thinks it sounds like fun!
As for me, I’m producer, recruiter and monitor-washer:)
I’m also gathering prizes for the contest and thank you gifts for the volunteers—leadership books, t-shirts, etc.—so if you have stuff you’d like to contribute please get in touch.
Email me at miki@RampUpSolutions.com, Subject: leadership reality show.
If you’d like to talk about it you can always call me at 866.265.7267.
If you reach my voice mail be sure to speak distinctly,
especially your phone number, because my hearing isn’t great.
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Share This
By Miki Saxon -- 12 comments
May 11th, 2008
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: Sam UL
“No man will ever make a great leader who wants to do it all by himself or to get all the credit for doing it” — Andrew Carnegie (Ain’t that the truth!)
“You don’t have to hold a position in order to be a leader.” — Anthony J D’Angelo (Nor does holding a position make you one.)
“I’ve got to follow them, I’m their leader” — Alexandre Ledru-Rollin (You’d think this attitude would be more common considering it’s been around for more than four thousand years.)
What’s your favorite leadership quote?
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Tags: , Alexandre Ledru-Rollin, Andrew Carnegie, Anthony J D'Angelo, leader, leadershipShare This
By Miki Saxon -- 0 comments
May 10th, 2008
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: Sam UL
After all this talk about the need for managers to possess strong leadership traits, I have another question for you.
According to Warren Bennis’ list, a leader
- innovates;
- is an original;
- develops;
- focuses on people;
- inspires;
- investigates reality;
- long-range perspective;
- asks what and why;
- eye on the horizon;
- originates;
- challenges the status quo;
- is his own person;
- does the right thing.
What percentage of these traits is possessed by the people you see who are termed leaders?
“Influence” has become the hallmark of leadership. What percentage of these traits is possessed by those around you who influence?
We need to hear from you; your experience is invaluable.
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Tags: influence, leader, leadership, leadership traits, warren bennisShare This
By Miki Saxon -- 0 comments
May 9th, 2008
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: lusi
This is a summing up in a series discussing whether Warren Bennis’ 13 differences between leaders and managers still holds in light of today’s modern workforce.
In a comment on the prequel to this series Phil Gerbyshak said, “I agree wholeheartedly that great managers have BOTH qualities…though I know plenty of average managers who don’t have either. I’d like it required that managers have at least one half of Bennis’ qualities in order to lead a team. Is that too much to strive for?”
On day one Nii said, “Regarding the differences between a manager and a leader, I believe that the gap is closing between the two. In today’s global and technologically advanced world, managers still need to have the leadership qualities to succeed. They need to be able to take risks, inspire, innovate and challenge conventional thinking. Otherwise, they will be history.”
Day four Fred commented, “I believe to be a successful manager in today’s new work environment managers must posses the skills to be effective leaders and coaches in team oriented “open door” environments. Young employees entering the work force from High School or College do not possess the same work ethics of baby boomer’s. If managers attempt to train this new work force using the same tactics as we did in the past retention will suffer greatly. It is truly a kinder and gentler world we live in.”
I’m in passionate agreement with the consensus that managers need to marshal many so-called leadership skills if they plan to succeed today.
In a world where multiple job changes are both easy and acceptable the currency that buys loyalty isn’t money, rather it’s achieved by creating an environment that stimulates and satisfies each individual’s needs.
Finally, in a sister post over at Slacker Manager Nick McCormick says, “Too much is made of the difference between managers and leaders. I think we do it to make ourselves seem more important. “I’m a leader, not a lowly manager!”"
Amen, Nick. While management is what you do, leadership is the way you think. Great management is composed of equal parts leadership and accountability. True leaders are proclaimed as such by those around them, not by themselves.
The best way to find success is to work constantly at incorporating as many to Bennis’ 26 traits as possible into your skillset and your MAP (mindset, attitude, philosophy™) and stop worrying about what you’re called.
What are your thoughts?
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Tags: baby boomer, Leadership Skills, leadership-qualities, loyalty, Management, manager, Nick McCormick, Phil Gerbyshak, warren bennis, work ethicsShare This
By Miki Saxon -- 9 comments
May 8th, 2008
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: lusi
Today is the the final difference between leaders and managers as delineated by Warren Bennis, then tomorrow we wrap up the question with an overview of the two roles in the light of today’s modern workforce.
The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.
Great sound bite, but I think it’s both meaningless and insulting. Ignoring the fact that ‘the right thing’ is situational, why is doing it strictly the purview of leaders? Does doing the wrong thing correctly make it OK?
What do you think?
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Tags: do the right thing, leader, manager, warren bennisShare This
By Miki Saxon -- 0 comments
May 7th, 2008
Post from Leadership Turn Image credit: ul_Marga yin yang candles
Be sure to visit my other WW: ties that bind
Your comments—priceless
Don’t miss a post, subscribe via RSS or EMAIL
Tags: leader, manager, Wordless Wednesday, yin and yangShare This
By Miki Saxon -- 1 comment
Recent Comments