Capitalism at its Finest?

Image used courtesy of: extranoise.

 

It’s amazing how organizations are so obsessed in using power, fear and control to manipulate and market themselves as a moral entity. 

Organizations use “spin” to market their agenda and often create more harmful results than good. Even more pitifully, the process is repeatedly used resulting in reduced customer satisfaction and trust. Is it any wonder business is suffering? Sadly, the alternative to repairing the mess is more advertisement, fluff and tighter control.

Greed is often the culprit in an Industrial Age environment. The thinking is: “If we build it they will come” or “People will forget the past.” Not true in today’s world. People remember remarkable, something special and we recall disasters.

The notion of a subservient class and superior rulers is a brainwashed idea of the Industrial Age. It is a hideous outdated form of manipulation based on fear, compliance and obedience. It was productive for 100 years because people bought into the idea. Seriously, what were we thinking?

Organizations with parochial run Boards and management are crumbling in the USA. In today’s new economy it’s about connecting. Connecting to everybody; including the 47%.

Everyone matters- has a voice and the means to use it. It’s no longer 1970 and a megaphone isn’t required to be heard. Technology and the capability of forming tribes of people bonded in common causes will tip the disruption from fear. Power of technology is shifting culture, economies, governments and your life.

We can either realize the “old regime” is dead or we can whistle towards a dark alley. The choice is yours. Many will stay the “We’ve always done it this way” course and disaster is imminent. The post-industrial age- isn’t built upon dividing and conquering; it’s about connecting!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Isn’t it Time We Pick Ourselves?



Image courtesy of:

Michael 1952.

When the teacher asked questions, most of the students raised their hands. The ambitious or popular students were usually chosen first to respond with the answer. This situation took place often, throughout the day. If you were selected and didn’t respond with the correct answer, good luck being picked again, anytime soon .

The subtle message was :

1.   You weren’t popular.

2.   The teacher didn’t trust your judgment.

3.   What you thought didn’t matter.

During the summer before a basketball game, it was common for the two most popular and gifted athletes to choose their teams from a select group. The decision to choose the most gifted athletes would be chosen first, usually followed by choosing the most popular or friends of the person doing the picking. Being one of the last two possible selections indicated you weren’t valued as much and if there was any hesitancy as who to choose it didn’t speak well for either of you. Being the last player selected meant you were “stuck” (no pick for you) on one of the team’s roster.

Being last meant:

1.   You weren’t very good.

2.   You weren’t very popular.

3.   You weren’t really wanted.

The same process appears throughout your career in lieu of promotions, positions, hiring and lay-offs. It’s all part of the same system of the Industrial Age. Instead of recognizing and nurturing individuals strength we follow the same rules rewarding the gifted, popular and our friends, while ignoring the rest. For 100 years, it was the only way to ensure fitting-in, compliance and conformity.

Not anymore.

Picking yourself is all that matters. Artists always pick themselves; they don’t wait for permission, acceptance or a christening. We always felt artists were strange, different or didn’t quite fit-in. Artists aren’t concerned with the status quo, survey results or a spreadsheet, their focus is strictly on their core mission .

It's no coincidence artists are the catalyst of change. The system refers to those people as inventors, however; they were artists first and foremost. Ford, Gates or Edison didn’t form a consensus group, become elected or chosen by anyone. Picasso, Tchaikovsky, Dylan and Symon picked themselves. Some said they were crazy and wasting their time, but their determination to succeed came from within.

 Art touches our lives, inspires movements and forges technology.

As we sit on the cusp of change in the post-industrial revolution- isn’t it time we pick ourselves?

 Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Connect the Dots!

 

The Industrial Age was always about control. Control has kept us fighting in every conceivable way to enforce their will over humanity. The MC, Ringmaster, referee and manager were hand-picked to manipulate the desired results for the “Big Kahuna”.

Control allows no compromise, variation or opportunity to pick door #3. No chance to stand-out, raise the bar or do great things. The sooner you comprehend this message; the sooner you’ll stop feeling like the ball inside a pinball machine.

Take risks, challenge the status quo, think outside the box and don’t settle for rhetoric, quick fixes or mediocrity.

Embrace this time knowing we are on the cusp of change. In the post-industrial age you have a responsibility to create something remarkable, significant and inspiring.

Connect the dots.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com 

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

 

Bigger = Better?

Businesses spent huge sums of dollars advertising their product or specialty; yet the closest contact often fails to engage the customers.

Does anyone actually listen to the "Big Box" greeter?

Photo by: dno1967b.

Nothing against the greeter, but why not allow the employee the freedom to express himself in his message? The opportunity exists to create a remarkable first impression, instead of allowing the employee to bore everyone with a script message.

The message you are sending is the workers aren’t creative, can’t be trusted, or have the ability to think for themselves.

We employ computer geeks whose only ambition is to earn a commission. The next time you purchase a computer do your own research on a specific product and ask the sales person a few questions. It is shocking to hear the answers or observe their lack of knowledge. The big box store trains the employees to be “pushy”, aggressive and sell the additional warranty. Nothing else matters!

Sadly, this is part of the dumbing-down of the American worker and customers. The attempt to control the outcome has overtaken personalization.  The employees and customers are just a statistic.

We used to employ people and give them tools to work with to increase the company sales and the customer experience. We wanted to standout and prove we could make a difference from offering something in exchange for valuable insight.

 Instead, the message is “we are all the same.” You, me, the employee, everyone!

The good news is the Internet allows us to research and review any product available. Social media has given us the ability to discuss our questions before buying. No need for scripts or obnoxious sales people, just the facts and opinions.

The opportunity exists for smaller business to “dazzle” customers and build a following by word-of-mouth sales. Entrepreneurs know in order to compete with “big box” companies personalized service is a huge advantage. Many people want to see, touch and experience the product prior to purchasing.

The industrial age took us into mass manufacturing for the masses. The post-industrial age will lead us back to a simpler time. The return of the "mom and pop shops" that understands the need to give people what they really want is the future.

Give customers a unique quality experience and you have purchased their loyalty for life!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
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