how to go from good to great (as a company)

Many a successful business person has read the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. It tells the story of eleven companies who made the leap from being just a good company to a great, long-lasting, household name. The test must be difficult to pass because out of the 1,435 companies followed, only eleven made it to great.



So what does it take to make the grade?

In an article by Jim Collins on Fastcompany.com, he says, "A company had to generate cumulative stock returns that exceeded the general stock market by at least three times over 15 years -- and it had to be a leap independent of its industry. In fact, the 11 good-to-great companies that we found averaged returns 6.9 times greater than the market's -- more than twice the performance rate of General Electric under the legendary Jack Welch." These companies had to do well year after year before they could call themselves great, but Collins offers a very different view of just how to become great. He says"


"I want you to forget everything you've ever learned about what it takes to create great results. I want you to realize that nearly all operating prescriptions for creating large-scale corporate change are nothing but myths."

Collins goes on to say what allows a company to make the leap from good to great is not a radical program, bonus incentives for compliance to change, or fear-based tactics. What does work is having "a down-to-earth, pragmatic, committed-to-excellence process -- a framework -- [to keep] each company, its leaders, and its people on track for the long haul." He makes the point that employees don't need to be motivated; they are self-motivated. Additionally, these companies don't buy into starting a big revolution of change in order to build business, as this almost always fails.

I think his points are valid for success in any occupation; people need to be self-motivated and working toward a common goal. Also, the idea that there is no over-night miracle is a good lesson for anything in life because the easy way out eventually tends to backfire, even if it is years down the line.

So who are these great companies, a few include:

1. Abbott Laboratories
2. Fannie Mae (ironic now)
3. Kimberly Clark
4. Nucor Corp.
5. Wells Fargo (also ironic)
6. Kroger
7. Gillette
8. Walgreens

talk about untraditional

Meatcards is a company that provides business cards made out of beef jerky with information applied via laser to the meat. The website boasts "MEAT CARDS do not fit in a Rolodex, because their deliciousness CANNOT BE CONTAINED in a Rolodex" which I think is pretty funny.

Business cards made out of meat? This is a little hyper-masculine, but it is more interesting than getting handed a regular business card. I don't know how practical this is, but it is an untraditional way to get your business out there. This tactic does accomplish one thing, and that is marketing a completely unique, and rather innovative, product and service. The only thing I am confused about is whether people are supposed to eat these cards if you give them one or save the beef jerky card forever.

I would love to see the people that get handed one of these by an interviewee or new business partner. How do you take that seriously? But in certain situations it would be more appropriate; for example, I could see these being given out as samples at a butcher, meat shop, or even a leather store. It would also be funny to see the guy who slips one of these in those restaurant jars to win a free lunch or something.

I need to repeat physics

There are some amazing things you can do with physics. It explains the reasoning behind every earthly phenomena from gravity to microwaves. Even simple physics can be incredible, and I wish I still remembered all that I learned back in eleventh grade. This video shows a seemingly "simple" experiment: pouring sand on a table and then vibrating that table with sound waves at certain frequencies will produce these interesting, kaleidoscope-like designs. I do wish, however, that someone "creative" would take these shapes and make a more innovative video or art display.

Being surrounded with creative people and creative assignments all the time sometimes makes me feel like I am losing any mathematical ability I once had. I think having some understanding of things like physics always comes in handy for creative stuff because physics contains the laws which make construction, sculpting, and design possible. Sometimes I think specializing in one area forces you give up maintaining a vast knowledge of other subjects. Not that I was a brainiac in physics, but I wish I had managed to retain some of that information!

opportunity in online piracy

Most people would agree pirating/illegally downloading material online is unethical and wrong. It cheats the creators and distributors of the material out of earning any sort of profit; who is going to pay for a movie they can get at no cost or hassle through the Internet? Clearly, stealing material online is becoming a bigger issue in our generation, and it looks like things will only become more accessible in the future.

However, the easy access of file-sharing does present some unique opportunities, if people are innovative enough to find ways to capitalize on them. In an article on CNN.com called "Is online piracy a good thing?" the point is raised that file-sharing "has great opportunities to be at the center of a dynamic cultural life where you don't need large resources to participate and get a global reach where hidden gems from the cultural history can be revitalized." The vast amount of information available on the Internet means people can obtain most of that information at record speed, with relatively low cost (especially if it being pirated for free), and in the convenient location of wherever their computer is. I agree that having a computer with access to the Internet is basically an essential for staying in tune and connected to the events of the world around you. So, in one sense the value placed on online information is increasing the digital divide immensely so that people without the means or skills to access the Internet are getting left way behind.

On the other hand, there are more positive opportunities for what can be done with the world of downloading. "For example, due to file-sharing, people discover a broader range of films than before but cinemas have done nothing to work with this insight." Film is apparently one area that is actually experiencing growth because of the access to all kinds of media, as people are becoming interested in all kinds of movies they might normally never be exposed to. The problem then becomes how to use this information. The film industry needs more creative people looking into how we can make insight like this work to the benefit of those involved in the industry, instead of just benefitting the pirates.

"In today's economy, innovation and new expression comes from the margins, from unexpected directions. Giving access to all is the best way to promote the creative diversity that makes society resilient to changes and shocks."- I think that pretty much sums it up.

the opposite sex

In a nutshell:

boys like food.
boys like sports.
boys like girls (sometimes).
boys like cars.
boys like sex.

They watch ESPN like it's going out of style.
They speed and think they won't get caught.
They play video games from the time they are five to sixty-five.
They are maturely-disadvantaged compared to girls until about college, when they learn to work up "to their potential" and surpass us all.
They have a dating disease until they get married.
They leave the seat up.
They can get ready in five minutes.
They play computer games when they are not playing video games.
They have penises.
They lift weights.
They are domestically challenged (sometimes).
They help make a baby.

These are some generalizations about the male sex, and they might be a little stereotypical but you kind of have to make sweeping generalizations when trying to talk about a large group of people. Stereotypes are not always true, but they also don't come out of thin air. I know it's not good to make assumptions about people before you know them and it's bad to stereotype, but sometimes you see individuals who complete fit and behave in ways that perpetuate stereotypes. I found some exaggerated stereotypes of certain kinds of boys/men; yes, they are dramatic but you have probably seen these guys out in public.



These guys are loud and persistent.



My new haircut is one big parade of profanity, but guys quote it nonstop. And if you have ever been to the Jersey shore you have definitely seen these guys.

Still, guys will do nice things for girls they like. Really, the only relevant part of this SNL skit is the beginning when the guys start answering their girlfriend's calls. The rest is funny too, but it shows that they can make sacrifices and commitments when it's important.

Formula+Disney=classic hit

Somewhere, someone with a little too much time on their hands, located and compiled these scenes from various old Disney movies that bear striking resemblances to none other than...other Disney movies. Part of me is amazed at just how exact the duplicated scenes are between the different movies, but part of me feels like my childhood self was a little taken advantage of. I loved Disney when I was little, but I had no idea that the numerous movies I loved were all the same movie!

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

I guess when you find something that works, you just stick with it. But then again, where do we draw the line in creative acts between just doing the same successful routine and taking a chance on something new. It is good to produce work, any kind of work, that people enjoy; however, as creative thinkers, we also have a responsibility to encourage people to think along different avenues.

As an imaginative cultural icon, Disney surely has this responsibility to show work that is engaging but also innovative. Despite this clip, I don't think Disney has anything to worry about. Over the years, they have been the first to jump on new video technology, explore every possible angle for stories and characters, and capitalize on consumer products ranging from washclothes to comforters. Disney is an empire, but they still need to keep pushing for new material.

damn Ikea!

Who knew your favorite frugal Euro furniture store was so scandalous!?! You don't have to look hard to find naughty Ikea spots filled with sexual innuendo; I found five in less than five minutes, all with the headline that they were banned commercials (at least in the U.S.).

I guess a little sexual humor is okay, and the only good thing about these spots is that they acknowledge older, I presume married, couples in a sexual light. So, at least they are being somewhat responsible with what they show our youth. Still, Ikea, you sell furniture-why do you have to make that edgy and sexy? You make cabinets and tables and chairs, so calm down on the innuendo.



That's not something you laugh about five years later.



I don't know what twelve year old boy told these people boners would be funny. Boners are not funny, they are a sure fire way to make everyone watching feel uncomfortable in under 30 secs.



Awesome Ikea, promote bad child care and whorish behavior.



Oh, it's really a man dressed as a woman! original.



When did we decide eating spaghetti was sexy?

arguing the other side- wage inequality among women

It is 2009, and women still get paid less than men. This is not a problem for just the United States; it is worldwide. While society is making progress in other areas of women's rights (woohoo! we can vote and go to school), the ratio of earnings between genders is still not quite balanced.



So clearly, if you are a woman, Sweden is the place to be. It seems that these Nordic European countries, like Sweden and Finland, have an extremely high quality of life: low crime, great public education (usually free), no pollution, and now great pay for women.



I love this spot. This is a Swedish commercial made for Equal Pay Day, which occurs every year and is the date which symbolizes how far into the new year women must work to earn as much as men made by December 31st the previous year. (If you are wondering, Equal Pay Day 2009 is set for April 28th.)

The injustice of paying women less than men is something I just can't believe still exists. I think it is blatantly unethical, and I don't understand how it is even allowed to continue in the work place when everyone knows it is wrong. Despite my rage, I am going to try to argue something...anything...in support of the other side.

Why women should be paid less than men:

Some statistics show that women choose to enter lower paying professions, such as social work or teaching, which indicates it is their decision to work in a lower paying profession. Additionally, women decide to start families and have babies; this leads to women needing to take more time off than men, including maternity leave and the many days taken for sick kids and doctor appointments. Since they are not at work as often, they should not be compensated for hours they are not putting in. Furthermore, because men do not take as many days off, they cost the company less in PTO and should be rewarded. When women do decide to start a family (since this is entirely the woman's decision which she makes with no input, verbally or sexually, from her male partner), they often decide not to return to work at all. This leaves the man as the sole breadwinner who must support the rest of his family, so he needs to make more money to cover the expenses of his unemployed wife and children.

Alright, that's all I got; I really don't think there is any valid argument for the perpetuation of this injustice, but for the sake of the blog I tried.

bad inventions/good parodies

Inventions are supposed to raise the standard of living and help mankind progress, but sometimes I think we are reaching the point where inventions are just a product made to make us even lazier, not more efficient.



I won't lie, I think Wii Fit is decently fun and definitely addictive to play, but it is really just another excuse to keep people indoors, living vicariously through a little gremlin Wii character of themselves, instead of going outside and getting some real exercise. And this parody is pretty truthful in that you repeat the most simplistic shifts of weight and call it a game.

There are some products introduced to the world that people really just shouldn't pay for because there is no need for them anyway. You know those ads that are a complete waste of time and space because everyone assumes there is no one quite dumb enough to risk their money on one of those. There are already too many of these products out there (the Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter, Strap Perfect Bra Clips, Aqua Glow Watering Bulbs), but I think two of the worst are Shamwow and the Snuggie. Shamwow is basically a huge sponge, and if you truly think using a sponge is a hassle, there is no hope for you. As for The Snuggie, this thing is literally a backwards robe without the tie, so if you are dumb enough to buy an oversized robe that is posing as a revolutionary new blanket, then I guess you deserve to lose $19.95 plus shipping and handling.

My issue with products like these are that they are too similar to regular products people already use, and these newer, better products are either not practical, don't actually work, or are not legitimately improved upon. I mean even the charms that people put on Crocs sandals are a better invention; at least they were the first of their kind and were useful enough to attract a wide market of buyers (although now the shoes are proving to be dangerous on escalators and such).

Despite the awful dramatic acting and over-use of powerpoint pop-ups, these inventions make great material for parodies.

Flutter- when Twitter takes too long

No time to send some tweets to your tweeps? Luckily, a newer, faster version of Twitter is on the way.



As the world of "nanoblogging" is taking off, people are becoming accustomed to updating the world on what they are doing or feeling at any given time. Facebook introduced this with the "status updates" and that was okay because people didn't feel the need to change that thing every time they ate some cereal or took a shit. Then Twitter comes along and puts a limit on the characters of what you can post, so the entire site is a laundry list of what people are doing, all day long.

I think social networking is fine as a whole; it's a great way to keep in touch with people, communicate, and even advertise. Sometimes, though, people need to get off the computer and stop worrying about what everyone else is doing, and they especially need to stop updating people on what they are doing when it is not important and nobody would care to read about it. A good way to determine whether something is worth twittering, would be to consider this scenario: "if I were to call a friend and inform them of what I am doing/twittering, would their response be something like..what the hell, why did you call me to tell me that?" If this is a likely response, then don't waste the 140 characters to tell the world because no one needs to know.

Let's hire some of these Twitter police to run around and put a stop to the useless information people are putting online.

Epic April Fools Pranks

Today was the 1st of April, otherwise known as April Fools Day. I had no idea that pulling pranks was okay for people working in corporations, governing institutions, or really anyone with a lot of public influence. Apparently, it's okay though, because I found an article on Time featuring the Top 10 April Fools' Pranks. These are some big pranks too. Some of my favorites are the 1957 Switzerland Spaghetti Tree incident, which is featured below.



The BBC made this report about spaghetti trees that grow in Switzerland, and people believed it and even asked how they could get their own spaghetti tree.

Another good prank took place in 1996 when Taco Bell purchased a ton of ad space in newspapers and claimed they had bought the Liberty Bell and renamed it the Taco Liberty Bell. lol. According to Time, "The prank's real victims were hapless National Park Services manning the phones at the Liberty Bell. Unaware of the media blitz, they spent their April Fools' day reassuring Americans that no, their national monument hadn't been sold off to the highest bidder."



And then, just two years later, Americans proved to be even dumber when they literally bought into Burger Kings new "Left-Handed Whopper." The fast food chain announced this new burger that had moved all the condiments 180 degrees to accommodate all the lefties out there. What is even more sad that lefties buying this burger is righties taking precautions to get the correct burger. And no, no one realized they could just rotate the burger 180 degrees themselves because it is a circle.

These are all quite humorous, but I don't know that I agree with these big, trusted institutions playing a joke at a nation's expense. I think April Fools is funny when you fool your friend, but not so much when the general public is confused. Then again, anyone that believed the Burger King thing deserves to be confused.

mother earth caught a case of the humans

So my video won't embed or hyperlink, but I found a good one on ebaumsworld. So check it out by clicking the title.

The social phenomena of "going green" could not have come at a better time because we are really starting to exhaust our resources. It is scary to think of how long we have until Earth reaches its breaking point and can no longer sustain anymore life. Americans are by far the worst abusers of energy and resources, but luckily, the only thing we are worse abusers of is blindly following any new fad. Recycling isn't a new idea, energy conservation isn't a new idea, and organic foods are by no means a recent development; however, it is only now that these eco-friendly activities are gaining in popularity. Now that it is widely promoted and pretty trendy to "be green" people are finally taking notice.

People are buying organic popcorn, driving hybrids, and printing clothing on "100% recycled fabrics" (yea right) that make sassy comments about living a green lifestyle. I work retail part time, and it amazes me when new shipments of clothing come in. They have been printing all sorts of graphic tees with slogans like "save water, shower together" and "don't panic, go organic," but the amazement comes from every article of clothing being individually wrapped in plastic and shipped in dozens of cardboard boxes. It's sickening that every store in every mall probably receives their products the same way.

Talk about waste. Fortunately, TIME has found some new ways to be more environmentally friendly. I found the magazine's "Top 10 Odd Environmental Ideas," and they are all real.



1. Reusable Toilet Wipes- Euros use them and they come in prints and patterns, but that still doesn't make me want to use a washcloth on my ass
2. The French Letter Condom Company makes eco-condoms and plant lubricant- not a chance
3. Staple-Free Stapler- stitches paper together, using strips of paper
4. Biodegradable plates and utensils made from pig urine- leave it to the Dutch
5. Bar Surya dance club have spring floors that produce electricity from dancers' feet- it only produced 60% of the club's needed electricity but it sounds cool



6. Urine batteries- why are we discovering all the new uses with our pee!?!
7.The greenest Democratic convention in history- equipped with 950 volunteers to make sure people threw away trash and recyclables responsibly
8. Resomation- a new way of disposing of dead bodies that liquefies them, because supposedly cremation and embalming are bad for mother Earth
9. Bra with a chopstick pocket- that way Japanese women are never without their recyclable utensils
10. Tempura oil for fuel- once again, the Japanese are one step ahead