(Readers: Please note this blog is constructed as a story. While not all chapters are linked, I think the story will be more meaningful by starting at the beginning.)

Scene: A few days later as Cleo and Queeny are working to create a company.

Queeny: “OK Cleo, how are we going to make this company work?”

Cleo:  “First thing is to get some help. Let’s call some of the people Caesar laid off. You, know, I should not call him Caesar…but the name fits.”

Queeny: “We can use our house as an office. Who knows when King George III will be released by the patriots? Could be days…or even months. Old King III needs to quit resisting and join the new world.”

Cleo: “Caesar is getting better about the new world but still backtracks. Actually it is kind of nice without them second-guessing our decisions.”

Queeny: “When they were around, we kept getting comments from the peanut gallery.”

Cleo: “More like the boiled-peanut gallery. How can people eat boiled peanuts? Yuck.”

Queeny: “Before we start calling people shouldn’t we have a general plan for what we want to do?”

Cleo: “You’re right. Let’s lay out some guidelines. Ya’ know, this is going to be fun.”

Queeny: “At first I thought we might be too old to participate in the revolution. Then I thought about Ben Franklin. He was in his 70’s wasn’t he?”

Cleo: “I’m sure he was older than we are. Let’s get started.”

Queeny: “First principle. I think the organization should treat fairly the people that work there, the suppliers and the customers. The company should also allow people to grow and learn.”

Cleo: “#2.  Management needs to recognize there are different types of people…not just stuffy old white guys.   #3.  The company should have a pay scale that everyone understands. It’s OK if the CEO makes more but some CEO’s are paid outrageous salaries…and for what?”

Queeny: “#4,  The company and the CEO should pay their fair share of taxes. Some of these companies and CEO’s pay less tax than people that work for them. Why is that? I do not understand.”

Cleo: “#5,  The company should also help support the community. And not just monetary support but encourage people to spend time helping the community.”

Queeny: “I remember when King George III and I used to be part of a company like that. We were proud to be involved.”

Cleo: “When Caesar started, his company was like that too. People were proud to work there. Then people started to get greedy, a little bit at a time. And, I am ashamed to say, so did we.”

Queeny: “Tell me about it. Once we got some nice things we had to have more.”

Cleo:  “And more…and more. Now we have three houses, an apartment and an airplane. Can you believe it, an airplane? What do we need an airplane for?”

Queeny: “Enough of what we’ve done. I cringe thinking about it. Let’s get back to the revolution.”

Cleo: “We know what the company feels like. But what does it make or do?”

Queeny: “What does the country need right now? Factories producing products. Distribution centers for those products. Updated telecommunications. Government officials who care about doing the right thing, whether in Washington, at the state level or here in town.”

Cleo: “Between us we know people in industry and who can help government. Let’s make a list of contacts that can help us.”

Queeny: “Then we’ll ask them to attend some type of workshop on developing solutions to problems facing the country.”

Cleo: “Our role now is bringing key people together and then let them come up with solutions.”

Scene:    A week or so later, Queeny and Cleo have assembled a workshop.)

Cleo: “We want to welcome everyone. Thank you for your commitment to save the United States from self destruction.”

Queeny: “As you know, we are spearheading this effort without the support of our husbands…at least so far. One is coming around a bit and the other seems to be going backwards.”

Cleo: “Maybe they will finally come around. So, let’s get started. You were asked to attend because we believe you understand the problems the country faces and have ideas how to fix them.”

Queeny: “What we offer is bringing you together and a reminder the solutions need to be simple and easy to understand.”

Cleo: “Look, no one would ever accuse either of us as being the brightest Crayon in the box. So whatever solutions you come up with, you need to bounce off us. If we understand, then the public will understand.”

Queeny: “I like to use the old adage, KISS. Keep it simple, stupid.”

Cleo:  “There are 54 people here. We are going to break into six groups. The number on your name tag indicates what group you are in.”

Queeny: “Two people in each group have administrative tasks. These people know who they are. One person will be the moderator and help manage the flow of the conversation. The other person will take notes. That leaves seven of you to identify problems and develop solutions.”

Cleo: “Problem solving will be 3 hours or so with a working lunch. Then we will reconvene. Each group will have 30 minutes to present the problem and recommended solutions. During the presentation, everyone else will be able to ask questions and critique the proposal.”

Queeny: “We’ll then compile a report with key points and email to you tonight. We hope not too late.”

Cleo: “Tomorrow, same routine but the groups will refine the plans based on questions and critiques from others. By the end of tomorrow we should have the framework for implementing practical, understandable solutions.”

Queeny: “Dinner tonight. You are on your own. We know many of you have to address issues from your day jobs. If you can, mingle with others, especially those in other groups. Spend some time after dinner over coffee.”

Cleo:  “If no questions, then let’s breakout into the works groups. We’ll be around if you need anything.”