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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
June, 2008
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Executive Summary
3. What's With The Economy?
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
June, 2008
Dear Executive Connection Subscriber,
This month's newsletter features: What's With The Economy?
3. What's With The Economy?
Listening to the pundits causes us to believe that we're already in a recession -- gas prices soaring,
corn prices increasing for alternative fuels, food costs up. It's gloom and doom again as if we're
headed into another 1929-1933 economic depression. However, until the demand side of the economic
equation changes, we will continue to see higher prices.
George Bush was in Palestine today trying to
persuade them to increase supply to lower oil prices. He was met with indifference. He shouldn't have
been surprised. The U.S. still pays a miniscule amount for gasoline per capita consumption compared to
Europe and other parts of the world.
Let me share with you some examples of consumer behavior that
tells me we will continue to see soaring gas prices.
- SUVs and other V-8 muscle cars continue to dominate U.S. roadways. The three top selling vehicles are
the BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus. Forget the hybrids; they remain an anomaly on the American roadways.
- People continue to fly despite jet fuel prices that have quadrupled over the last three years.
Despite IT video-conferencing, meetings remain the dominate means of conducting business globally.
The cost of doing business increases as the profit margins increase -- guess who is paying for these
increases? You and me every time we gas up.
- American technology continues to escalate exponentially as IPODs, IPhones, LEDs, and microchips
continue to decrease in price and consumers line-up for the next new game platform and flat
screen TV.
Now HD DVD will become a standard in February, 2009, and Americans will have to
convert to a digital signal if they already haven't. Pity the poor guy who still receives a
snowy picture with rabbit ears and aluminum foil.
- Despite healthcare advances, we let drug companies continue to bombard us with pills for
every ailment, from erectile dysfunction to acid reflux. We now have "the purple pill," the
"blue pill," the "pink pill" and the "butterfly pill," because drug companies must push the illness
model rather than the wellness model, and doctors are reduced to "pill pushers". Again, consumer
drug costs rise exponentially compared to the CPI because drug companies create a "false demand"
for medication.
- If you ever find yourself at a drive-thru again (take my word, don't go there), how many times
does the person ask you if you want twelve other items besides your salad? Another example of
consumerism masquerading as consumer demand.
- And what's with the sports apparel industry? Do we have to have matching workout clothes to look
our best as we sweat in the gym? And what's with the logos? Does the little "checkmark" give you an
advantage, or does it just put more money in the other guy's pocket. Besides sweat, you're giving up dollars
in the gym.
And who needs a personal trainer after three months? If you haven't figured out the
machines yet, then take up walking. It's better for you unless you want to pay your orthopedic
surgeon for your next rotator cuff surgery because of your insatiable desire to lift more weight.
So as we go through the DJIA I've touched on transportation, apparel, energy, entertainment,
and technology. Next time the Dow takes a dive, look at how much you're spending on needless "stuff"
and ask yourself, "Do I feel lucky, yet?" (Thanks and apologies to my man, Clint).
Helpful Hints:
- Take out your checkbook or credit card statement now and look at your last variable expenses.
Did you absolutely have to spend that money (need) or did you make an impulse purchase because of
greed and ease of credit (want)?
- Next time you clean out your closet and give to Goodwill or other notable charity, do you go
out and replace your clothing? If you do, you haven't learned the basic axiom of supply and demand.
- Do you contribute to a retirement program? If you do, you're lucky, even if you are self-employed.
Cut demand and prices will go down. Just look at last year's bestsellers on the bargain table for $4.95.
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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If you want to continue to receive this Newsletter, you
can SUBSCRIBE
by clicking here or by sending a blank email message
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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
permission of
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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and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.
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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