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2010 Executive Tidbits
IBM, P&G, General Mills, McKinsey, and McDonald's have the best manager training programs according to Fortune 2009. |
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Check out Keith's other site:
Virtual Writing Coach |
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The
Executive Connection SM
a publication of The Virtual Executive
Coach SM
"Vision + Accountability = Success!"
www.virtualexecutivecoach.com
August, 2008
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Executive Summary
3. Energy Consumption:
An Editorial by Keith Barton
4. Helpful Hints
1. Preview
The Executive Connection explores the creative and analytical
process of business development, team-building, and executive
development. We are an interactive community of executives
and small business owners who desire to network with like-minded
high-performance executives to enhance our knowledge,
skills, and aptitudes in the competitive business world.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers coaching suggestions
around the topics of: business development, financing,
marketing, networking, incorporations, mergers, human
resources, governmental regulations, and tax laws. Topics
are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and
represent only his ideas on creating and running your
business.
Because we are an interactive community of executives
and business owners, other viewpoints are welcomed and
may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission
from Keith Barton.
2. Executive Summary
August, 2008
Dear Executive Connection Subscriber,
This month's newsletter features: Energy Consumption:
An Editorial by Keith Barton
3. Energy Consumption:
An Editorial by Keith Barton
According to USA Today this month, clean tech
start-ups were the second fastest growing companies after
software. Venture capitalists are quick to infuse over
800 million dollars to find cleaner and cheaper alternative
fuels while also preserving our environment. Despite being
labeled "greenees" by the oil and gas companies there
is now technology to convert food products (i.e. corn)
into ethanol. Our hybrids now run on 85% ethanol which
is significantly more fuel efficient than the standard
10% ethanol found in our refined gas today.
Despite the political rhetoric about becoming energy independent
from foreign oil, the major oil companies aren't about
to raise significant capital for more refineries or alternative
energy sources. Let's face it: oil companies are here
to make money and as long as demand exceeds international
supply of fuels, gasoline prices will continue to rise.
China and Japan are driving up prices because of their
high demand for oil and gas which they can afford given
that their standard sedans start around 12k dollars. The
U.S. is not about to let China import more fuel-efficient
and cheaper cars into the U.S. because domestic production
will decrease further. GM has already announced over 1000
layoffs, mostly middle managers. Although larger V-8 SUVs
are languishing in used car lots, Americans are not about
to give up their Japanese cars which get more than 30
mpg. Hybrids will have to reduce costs before mom and
pop leave their Chevy pickup in the driveway. And don't
forget about our newest teenage drivers who still prefer
performance and looks to fuel efficiency.
Now what about burning more coal? We're told that we've
got another 100-year supply of coal buried beneath our
continent, and dirty technology is ready and willing to
extract the coal and pour CO2 and methane vapors into
the air. If we want to disregard EPA standards and health
risks, then some energy folks say coal is the way to go
- it's cheaper, more available, and easier to refine.
Forget about windmills and solar energy. The West Coast
elite can keep their fancy cars and need not worry about
$5 a gallon gas. T. Boon Pickens has come out with his
own energy plan which talks about retrofitting our existing
refineries to increase output. And then we have former
House Speaker, Newt Ginrich who wants to "drill more and
drill now". All these short-sighted supply-side approaches
overlook the basic problem of American consumption and
our refusal to consider alternative sources of transportation
and energy.
What about waste products? We now have the technology
to turn waste products into fuel. Remember John Travolta
in the movie Phenomenon? He figured out a way
to convert garbage into electricity by using refuse and
manure to grow vegetables. What about nuclear energy?
Despite the fact that France is 80% nuclear in energy
production, the U.S. still remembers three-mile Island
in New York and the fear of nuclear fall-out. The
Simpsons TV show and movie features Homer who has
had several near nuclear accidents, which plays on U.S.
fears around an energy source they can't see, feel, or
touch. I think it will be a while before nuclear generators
dot our landscapes more than land fills.
So how do we solve the energy crisis at home? I have a
four-part plan: 1) car pool or buy a scooter; 2) use solar
and wind energy; 3) increase our reliance on nuclear energy;
4) go with clean tech in waste conversion to energy fuels.
Let's get rid of our complete dependence on fossil fuels
by getting rid of our fossil politicians in Washington.
Helpful Hints:
- Research the latest technology in converting waste
products to fuels. We can get rid of the land fills
and toxic wastes.
- Next time you spend $100 on filling up your SUV,
think about a scooter or public transportation.
- Electric cars are probable in the next 10 years.
Testa already has a prototype roadster that can power
up to 125 mph and runs on a rechargeable battery pack.
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Be assured your name and email address are confidential.
We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.
Contact Information:
Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-583-5005
Fax: 281-583-5008
Web: http://www.virtualexecutivecoach.com
E-Mail:
keith_barton@att.net
(c) Copyright 2008, Virtual Executive Coach SM
and A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.
Distribution Rights:
The Executive Connection SM is copyrighted,
but you may retransmit or distribute it to whomever you
wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or
deleted, including the contact information. However, you
may not copy it to a web site.
Republication of The Executive Connection SM
in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals,
organizations and associations, as long as the issue is
reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes
the contact information.
With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue
to fit your space requirements. Republication also is
encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance
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A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that
changes in the text are desired.
The Executive Connection SM
Mission:
The Executive Connection SM is dedicated to
helping first-time business owners and executives to recognize
resistance to change, while they create and manage their
own businesses. My goal is to help you transform your
vision into a successful business venture with the addition
of accountability structures and silent partner.
The Executive Connection SM is a publication
of The Virtual Executive Coach SM and Keith
Barton, Ph.D.
We would like The Executive Connection SM to
be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments,
topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional
resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time.
Send your e-mail to
keith_barton@att.net
.
Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find
The Executive Connection SM interesting and
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Archives:
You can read previous issues of The Executive Connection
SM in our archive section.
About Keith Barton, Ph.D
Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University
of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist
for over thirty years. He is a graduate of MentorCoach
and is accepting new clients.
He has been an adjunct professor at the University of
South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in
executive development, founded and managed Texas Community
Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home
services to persons with mental retardation. Keith founded
and has been running a clinical practice in Northwest Houston since 1990.
He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel
a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate
interest in helping others become attuned to their creative
powers of storytelling.
Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family
therapy and health psychology. He has published articles,
made presentations and conducted workshops about:
Small Business Development
Employee Wellness Programs
Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Leadership styles
Core values in the workplace
Executive Development
High-performance groups
Physician support groups
Writer support groups
© 2010
The Virtual Executive Coach SM
and Keith Barton.
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