Trend Watch List

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 [and] identify and mentor thought leaders.“ Again, it is not wrong...it is just a decade out of date and in Yahoo’s world, good but old adds up to failure as your world leaves you behind.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.

This month, we award the last Self Tending Mushroom Award, or STeMie of the year to the Air Transport Association (ATA) and their members in the category of Travel Trends. The ATA is, “the premier trade group of the principal U.S. airlines” whose members account for 90% of all commercial passenger and cargo air transport in the United States. ATA and its members earn the STeMie for an unwillingness to recognize growing consumer animosity over passenger treatment and failing to lead their industry toward a market solution. The issue was sparked ten years ago during the infamous snow storm of 1999 when Northwest Airlines left thousands stranded in aircraft on tarmacs in Detroit. Those same passengers became the force behind passenger rights legislation.

Over the past decade, the Airline Employees Whistleblowers Association, and the Coalition for an Airline Passenger’s Bill of Rights (a.k.a FlyersRights.com) have developed in support of a passenger bill of rights. Recently, the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), the Business Travel Coalition (BTC) and the International Association For Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM) joined the cause. The BTC testified four times in front of congress in opposition to federal passenger rights legislation and in favor of the market forces approach. Now even they have turned.

A major meeting of stakeholders including senators, congressmen, industry representatives, everyday passengers, and more took place on September 22nd in Washington, D.C.. This was an open registration meeting that anyone could attend...anyone at all...but the attendee list did not contain a single current airline executive or ATA representative. They have been hiding under their desks for ten years. No press releases, no statements, no speeches ... and no action to correct the problem that clearly has their customers up in arms. We asked the ATA if they had a position. The ATA representative stated that, “...we continue to believe that a hard-and-fast rule requiring mandatory deplaning of passengers after three hours will have substantial, unintended consequences, leading to even more inconvenience for passengers and ultimately more flight cancellations. “

Passenger rights clauses have now been written into the current FAA reauthorization legislation which means, by New Year’s Day, we could have real laws in place for passenger rights as part of the FAA mandate. Meanwhile, ATA and their member airlines hide in silence telling themselves that it will all be OK in the end.

First, price is important but service is what distinguishes you from your competition. Set your own high standard of service and stick to it. Listen to your customers. Don’t be afraid to hear the bad news along with good ideas. Lastly, when industry leadership fails to lead, don’t be shy to step up and take the role.

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Link: http://tinyurl.com/lsebob

The Self Tending Mushroom award is given to individuals and organizations who refuse to accept the realities around them. This month, we award the STeMie to IBM Global Services in the category of Business Trends for ignoring the nature of the modern employee-employer relationship.

According to IBM’s own proudly displayed metrics, the number of employees at least minimally satisfied with their jobs has remained in only the mid to upper sixties for more than five years without change. Specifically, it shows no effective effort to increase employee satisfaction.

One current employee, notes in detail what others are saying in droves; that IBM Global Services is a strong brand name that looks very nice on your resume, and it is a great place for training, but that there are major problems with the work environment, specifically with the way employees are treated. Employees (current and past) are posting more frequently and more negatively on sites such as Glassdoor.com, Computerworld’s Sharkbait blog, and others. Among the most common comments are:

“I have been IBM-free since January and I feel like I have been reborn.”
“I still work there, but I would leave if the economy were better.”
“Trending Downward - Avoid”
“Nothing but contracted slaves.”
“If you don't work for IBM, don't come, if you already work here, leave”
“IBM - a stepping stone to a real career”

Ouch. When you treat your employees like a commodity, they will treat your company like a commodity. Back to the golden rule, students: Do unto your employee as you would have your employee do unto your company.

So it is with great hope for change that we award this month’s STeMie to IBM Global Services. May you put that shovel down immediately and start making a difference for your employees. It is too hard to see a legend fall.

There are so many lessons in this story. For IBM Global Services - act now to change this negative trend. Accept the message your employees are sending. For IBM competitors - in the near term, you have a golden opportunity to grab some great talent looking for a new home.

For businesses and organizations everywhere, the time has come for a more modern management style. You are never beyond the human frailty of complacence. Face the realities that your employees are posting. As much as you are preoccupied by economic woes and just staying afloat, don’t forget that it is your team that keeps the boat from going under.

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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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Link: http://tinyurl.com/kwx2tp

The Self Tending Mushroom Award is given to those who keep themselves in the dark and feed themselves their own rich propaganda-laden fertilizer. This is an intervention on a global scale as we award this month's STeMie to Italy in the category of Global Trends. A co-dependent relationship with the Russian Federation threatens to stunt Italian innovation while imparting a dangerous control mentality. Italy is honored with the STeMie because they tell themselves this abusive relationship is the best thing that ever happened to them.

Look closely at the patent filing patterns of these two countries. The Russian Federation and Italy both display the same pattern of sharp bursts of success with an inability to sustain. Moreover, They are nearly exactly opposite of each other. When Russian innovation soars, Italian innovation takes a nose dive and vice versa. There is a co-dependence and a very unhealthy one for Italy.

According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Over recent years relations between Italy and the Russian Federation have evolved to a level of absolute excellence, to the point of justly deserving the designation of “privileged relations”.”

Italy is becoming to the Russian Federation what China once was to the United States...a disposable source of cheap labor, goods and manufacturing. Meanwhile, the Russian Federation is becoming Italy’s indispensable source of energy, the one thing they cannot do without.

There are two critical lessons for any individual or organization. First, you are who you surround yourself with, bad habits and all. Second, understand that the future economic growth of organizations and countries will be built on innovation. Do not trade away one ounce of your own innovative capacity for all of the energy or any other commodity in the world.

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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.

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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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