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STeM Alert - Yahoo
By avanderbilt on Jan 10, 2010 | In Global Trends
The Self Tending Mushroom Award is given to individuals, companies, entities and even countries who choose the dark over the truth. I was surprised when I stumbled upon this month’s STeMie recipient who displays a subtle but deadly mindset that may spell the end of this internet giant. This month’s STeMie is awarded to Yahoo for perpetuating a decade-old business style that goes from product development to leadership strategy...not an ill-conceived style, but one that has not evolved with the times and is the root of Yahoo being slowly but surely left in the dust of their competitors. Yahoo emerged successful because of their unique product that catered to what people wanted at the time. Leadership was novel as well. Leaders sought to listen, so navigate the information age, and to develop products that helped their customers navigate the information as well. Times change, however, and Yahoo has not changed. Yahoo has, however, with the installation of a new and pedigreed CEO, Carol Bartz, embarked on a new brand campaign. A bright shiny wrapper on what is otherwise the same organization same unimaginative products and last-decade leadership. In a press release for the campaign, Ms. Bartz notes that, “Today the Web and your world are inseparable...Hundreds of millions of people use Yahoo! (R) to get the information they need.” I suspect real authenticity and innovation are hiding within the brilliant minds working at Yahoo, but the old leadership style is so information focused that operating at the pace of the social media age is just not in the cards. In the Economist’s World in 2010, Ms. Bartz puts forth her management philosophy as, “Information will be the greatest opportunity for business leaders in the coming years—and perhaps our biggest headache.” She suggests a solution for handling the situation: “... listening... [and] identify and mentor thought leaders.“ Again, it is not wrong...it is just a decade out of date and in Yahoo’s world, good but old adds up to failure as your world leaves you behind. So join me in awarding this STeMie to Yahoo for staying safely in place with what worked in the 90s while their entire business environment passed them by. Lessons within this STeMie are many. You need not operate at the speed of light, but stay ahead of the pace of your business environment. Assess your business. Update yearly (or quarterly if your industry dictates). Lastly, when introducing new leadership, ensure modern styles are coming on board. Consider it well and the advantage will be yours.
STeM Alert: The American Parent
By avanderbilt on Jul 20, 2009 | In Education Trends
Link: http://tinyurl.com/n6k5k4
The Self Tending Mushroom Alert, or STeMie, is bestowed on individuals, organizations and countries who choose to delude themselves rather than face reality. Albeit harsh, the STeMie serves an important role in showing us what not to do. Grab your shovels as we award this month’s STeMie to the American Parent in the category of Education Trends.
Few people have spent more time deluding themselves about their children’s future than the American Parent. For decades, a “they” mentality and a culture of low standards in math and science performance has brought about significant declines in our overall technical capacity as a nation. The attitude of the American Parent (and teachers, and daycare providers alike) is at the center of problem and the solution to the declining technical capability of the United States.
How did it come to this? Somewhere towards the beginning of Generation X, our culture stopped thinking that math and science are important. We allowed ourselves to think that some people are just not good at math or science because it made us feel better about our own failures. In short, it became uncool to be good at math and science. We put ignorant people on a pedestal and listen to every word they say because it makes us feel smarter.
There is not one parent in the country that would believe that their child is “just not good at P.E.”. After all, they have a body now go out there and use it! But the average American Parent allows their child to come home and declare that they are “just not good at math,” relying instead on THEY. Somewhere out there in their generation there are some smart kids and they will study math and science and create wonderful things.
I have good news and bad news and you can decide which is which. Every child has a brain. Now expect them to go out there and use it. There is no THEY. Your child is the brilliant one who is capable of amazing ingenuity. If your children are “just not good” at math and science it is because you ”just don’t put in the effort.” Maybe you didn’t do well in math or science and you are embarrassed about that...Maybe you don’t like math...maybe you just hate science..Maybe you don’t understand the varied methods that your child brings home in their homework. You don’t have to like it. You don’t have to understand it. You don’t have to have done well in the classes. You just have to care that your child does.
The lesson for individuals and organizations across the United States is both simple and critical. The solution to the education crisis in the United States begins with creating a culture of importance in the home. A culture of importance is what you create when you say to your child, “Whether or not I did well in these subjects, it is important to me that you do.” Your opinion matters. Now use it for your own future and that of your children and grandchildren.
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STeM Alert - Amtrak
By avanderbilt on May 25, 2009 | In Travel & Food Trends
Link: http://tinyurl.com/c9334g
The Self Tending Mushroom Alert or STeMie, is given to individuals and entities that support their right to keep themselves in the dark and feed themselves their own brand of fertilizer. So take in the lesson as we present this STeMie in the category of Travel Trends to Amtrak. What did they do wrong? They have done nothing....absolutely nothing.
The travel industry at large is seeing a surge of technology-based advancements. Amtrak, however, has chosen to ignore the technological revolution that surrounds them. Their lack of response to the rapidly changing travel marketplace coupled with lack of economic opportunity recognition will be their downfall.
Out of hundreds of thousands of online booking sites, how many carry Amtrak rail tickets? ONE...and only at an affiliate level. At the same time, travel vendors from airlines to car rental companies are offering full booking capabilities for every aspect of your trip. What does Amtrak offer? A few random packages poorly advertised and difficult to book.
It is not too late for Amtrak...they can still make a significant change. In the current economic slump, Amtrak should be the best friend of every business and family within a hundred mile radius of a station. Their refusal to take this once in a decade opportunity and run is astounding.
Organizations of all sizes can learn from Amtrak. Change is an opportunity to dominate your market. Do so or your competition will. Action may entail some risk, but the risk of inaction is far greater. Thus, I am pleased to award the STeMie to Amtrak in the category of Travel Trends. May you display it proudly and may your shovel never rust.
Stem Alert: Lou Dobbs
By avanderbilt on Mar 27, 2009 | In Education Trends
This month’s STeMie goes to a reporter, radio host and nightly cable news anchor who, as a result, will probably not invite me on any time soon; the illustrious Lou Dobbs. Lou Dobbs is the anchor and managing editor of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight.
After a recent episode of his CNN show, I knew he was a perfect candidate for a STeMie in the category of Education.mHe goes so far as to suggest that large companies like Microsoft are deviously plotting to import foreign post doctoral students for cheap labor...insert Bill Gates and an evil laugh here...and that this results in lower pay for scientific jobs thus deterring our own citizens from pursuing scientific careers.
He fails to understand the reality behind these statistics, however, which have formed from the sad state of pre-college math and science education in the United States and the higher quality of such in thirty five other countries around the world.
The lesson for Lou Dobbs is: it may be time to get some new researchers on staff. Granted, in the media world, “bad news is good news and good news is not news.” Nonetheless, taking a victim mentality via tabloid quality expose to protect yourself and your audience from the reality of our educational failure is unacceptable. Your viewers deserve better...they deserve the “TRUTH” that you so vehemently promise each night but, in this case, failed to deliver.
The lesson lesson for Trend Watch List readers is: compete on a global scale, or suffer the consequences. No good will come from blaming our poor educational system on foreign states or evil corporations. We need to face the reality and start doing something to turn it around.
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Command Without Control –Management And Leadership For Multi-generation Teams In The Social Media Age
By avanderbilt on Oct 13, 2008 | In Speaking Topics, Business Trends
Link: http://www.events.dramyvanderbilt.com
In the age of social media, managers and leaders must come to terms with one very important fact: control is a fallacy, but leadership is real and required.
In this highly interactive session, Dr. Amy Vanderbilt will detail how the communications age, and subsequently the social media age, has changed the way managers must lead multi-generational teams; the consequences of being a Self Tending Mushroom, and the disposable worker mentality. Using case studies and best practices from the military, industry and everyday life; Dr. Vanderbilt will walk you through each step of the leadership cycle.
Presentation will include handouts and worksheets as we work through real life examples and techniques that participants can implement immediately.
Special cases and real-life scenarios from participants will feed a portion of the presentation on handling difficult and unique situations with new methods and an enlightened point of view.
Learner Outcomes
- Build And Maintain Highly Effective Teams With Multiple Generations And Skill Levels
- Manage And Lead Openly To Build Trust And Cohesion
- Develop Great Leaders From Within Your Ranks And Transition Leadership To Them At The Right Time
