Revolutions often result in society adopting new ways of thinking. The ideas often are suppressed until the revolution, then voila, the ideas are allowed to come forth. Some ideas are adopted, some are not. Posts in the “Category” reflect some ideas whose time might be right. The first hybrid car was when? Hint: Porsche in ’98. That was Ferdinand Porsche in 1898. You get the idea.

#242 Primer Cha 7: Eliminating Incentive to Pillage

25 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Corporate Policy, Gov't Policy, Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Societal Issues

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First-time readers, the dialogue in this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1. List and general description of entries to date. Annual assessment if Revolution plausible.

Note: most characters appear in a number of entries, with many entries building on previous conversations. Profile of characters. You’ll catch on quickly. Thanks for your time and interest…and comments.

Scene: Gelly, Jordan’s assistant, has been editing and updating a primer Jordan wrote about 2011. Section starts Entry #235. (Primer will be available as PDF in another few chapters. Then the primer download will be updated regularly.)

Gelly: “Jordan, you’ve done it again?”

Jordan: “Done what, again?”

Gelly: “Made me scratch my head. I just never thought about economic development as an incentive to pillage. I mean isn’t economic development supposed to create jobs and make everyone wealthier?”

Jordan: “That’s the political line. OK, some people do benefit.”

Turtleneck Gelly: “You mean the executives of the company that’s relocating. But I never though about the cost of these relocations to the people where the company left and even…”

Jordan: “…even to the taxpayers of the town where the company is relocating.”

Gelly: “If you add up all the costs, the only winners seem to be the company executives.”

Chapter 7: Eliminating the Incentive to Pillage. Some might view decisions to shutdown facilities and/or relocate manufacturing plants or distribution centers as capitalism at its best. Others view such decisions as capitalism at its worst – an incentive to pillage with no repercussions.

Senior executives and shareholders of a company can benefit financially from these actions. Senior managers at companies often have a major portion of compensation in stock – 75.0% of total compensation in stock is not unusual.

Stock price, and therefore executive wealth, is highly influenced by short-term earnings. If you do not believe so, look at the effect on the stock price if a company does not meet the quarterly earnings forecast.

While having compensation in stock rather than cash, especially with a claw-back provision (right to “recall” a portion of compensation at a later date) if long-term earnings do not pan out, is a major step forward, executives of the company still have a major incentive to take actions that may be contrary to the best interests of US society.

Many executives believe that by relocating operations, the company will lower its costs and in turn increase stock. The theory of this action – and I emphasize theory – is the wealth of those executives implementing job cuts will increase the company’s stock price. Screwed in this equation are those people whose jobs are eliminated and who helped build the company and create its value.

This perverse incentive to screw the very people who helped create the company’s value is either not understood or ignored by the public and politicians who make the tax laws. Management of these companies is giving away most of the store – in many cases transferring future wealth creation outside the US – and being rewarded for the transfer. It is as if the country where the new manufacturing plant is located offered current management a kickback – in effect robbing the US – and the US taxpayers are rewarding the management for accepting it.

The same perverse situation occurs when plants relocate elsewhere in the United States. State and local governments offer tax incentives to have plants relocate from one state to another.

Who pays for these relocations? Taxpayers at both locations. The people where the plant was previously located now have a lower tax base. The people where the plant is now located have higher spending to support the facility but without the benefit of taxes from the new company, which usually does not pay its fair share since it was recruited by waiving taxes.

If proper financial analysis were completed, my belief is it would be less costly to society and especially taxpayers, if the company revamped the existing facility rather than relocating to a new facility in another state. While some might view this perspective as socialism, the view is actually one that ensures America remains a vibrant country for generations.

Benefits of Using Existing Manufacturing Facilities The benefits of using existing manufacturing facilities rather than developing new or “greenfield” facilities are significant. Some benefits of existing over greenfield include:

Infrastructure in place and ready. Many new facilities require roads, sewers, high–voltage electric lines, schools and other expensive infrastructure. Existing facilities may need some upgrades but the cost of upgrades will be less than: (i) building new and (ii) leaving the existing infrastructure in place to be repaired or sit idle and decay. Creating new infrastructure is double taxation on US citizens – once to build the existing infrastructure and again for the new infrastructure.
Workers already trained. While some retraining may be needed, skills of existing workers can be utilized to develop and manufacture products of the same genre as currently produced. Why train someone in auto production in a different part of the US when a large segment of the population in another area is already trained?
Lower cost to begin production. When all costs are considered – not just labor costs per hour – revamping and continuing to utilize the existing facilities and workforce are less costly to society than starting new. Even if a new building is required in the existing location, there are no additional costs for infrastructure or training.
Faster turnaround from product concept to production. Skills acquired over many years cannot be taught in a short period, no matter how proficient the trainers. Even if the current employees are not trained in the latest technology, combining existing skills with those familiar with the latest technology will shorten the development time for new products.
Avoiding costs for family relocation. Relocating workers and families includes both the direct cost of relocation and the indirect social cost. While some workers will view the relocation as an opportunity to move beyond the current environment, many of those who want the adventure have already moved. Forcing families to choose between retaining a job and relocation can have a major social cost. The more dominant the company in the area, the higher the social cost of closing the facility and relocating to another area.

An Occasional Exception to the Rule What if the existing infrastructure and local infrastructure is inadequate to support the company? In these circumstances, can the relocation be justified?

Yes, if a true case can be made. A few years ago two companies relocated North American HQ from Augusta, GA to Charlotte, NC. – Electrolux, Husqvarna. While Augusta, a town of about 200,000, had supported these firms and such other companies as EZ-Go and Club Car (both golf cart manufacturers), Electrolux and Husqvarna may have needed a larger community with a more diverse population, stronger academic institutions, international banks, international law firms and access to an international airport.

“Economic Development” Uneconomic. Do most relocations add jobs to the US market? No. Are there usually incentives to entice the companies to relocate? Yes.

Do these relocations create a net gain to US society? No. Owners of the business that’s relocating give taxpayers the finger twice. Taxpayers where the plant was located originally lose a tax base. Taxpayers in the new location pay additional the relocation incentives. Even for Electrolux and Husqvarna, there is likely a net loss to society rather than a net gain.

I realize this rationale may seem counter intuitive, especially to those involved with what is often labeled as “economic development.” However, I am waiting for someone to convince me with a rationale argument that these moves make economic sense.

Yes, the moves make sense for the companies. But the companies are part of a whole. Until we begin considering the impact of such moves on the system – all society – we will be double taxing ourselves with no net gain to the country’s wealth. Please show me why I am wrong. (BTW, please read Chapter 8 before forwarding your ideas. Thanks.)

#235 The Set-Up. Primer from “Practical, Affordable Policies Institute” (Part 1)

22 Sunday Jan 2017

Posted by Jordan Abel in Common Sense Policies, Economics, Gov't Policy, Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products

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Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington, DC

Gelly: “At the beginning of each year, I clean out some file drawers. Look what I ran across.”

Jordan: “I’d forgotten about these. I must have drafted some of these in about 2010-2011, but never published them.”

Gelly: “What were they for?”

Jordan: “Each article was to be a chapter in a primer about how to develop practical, affordable government policies to address key issues. The primer would be the foundation for an organization I thought of creating – the working name was the Practical, Affordable Policies Institute, as known as…”

Gelly: “PAPI. I like that name. My ‘pappy’ always had good, practical advice for our family. So you wanted to become Washington’s ‘PAPI’, right?”

Jordan: “You know better than that.”

Gelly: “Well, someone must have wanted your advice, at least some idea about what was in the primer.”

Jordan: “Not that many people knew about the primer. As a sense check, I circulated the articles within a fairly small group inside the Beltway. Wanted to get reactions and ideas how to improve.”

Gelly: “That explains the phone call in the early days of the Trump Administration. A couple of staffers asked for copies of the primer. I wasn’t sure what they were talking about. Remember when I asked you about it?”

Jordan: “Yes and I was out of town…somewhere. I emailed the staffers a copy but you and I never talked about the primer when I got back. The staffers that called probably were part of the review group.”

Gelly: “Now the rest of the conversation with the staffers makes sense. They were concerned that senior officials in the Trump Administration had no clear policy for addressing many aspects of the economy.”

Jordan: “You mean they didn’t consider Trump’s tweets and ‘toss out whatever Obama did’ as real policy?”

Gelly: “I still shudder when I think about Trump’s approach early on. Do you think these articles actually helped turn things around?”

Jordan: “In Washington, as you know, a good idea has many fathers. But, I presume the staffers did distribute the primer to some people in the Trump Administration…very discreetly, of course.”

Gelly: “As I flipped through the pages, some of the articles seemed to be more about approach than actual policy.”

Jordan: “True. I thought the articles about approach might be helpful since to make something happen – accelerate economic growth, for example – you can’t simply wish it to be true and expect results.”

Gelly: “So, to implement a policy and make it work you really do need a plan and a disciplined approach to implementation.”

Jordan: “Yes, and the statement seems so incredibly obvious. I remember some people finished an article and asked…and I think rightfully so…’what’s the value here? What’s being discussed is just common sense.’”

Gelly: “Funny, I thought the same thing about some topics. But I agree that common sense seems to get lost on some people when they’re inside the Beltway.”

Jordan: “Let’s hope it doesn’t get lost for us.”

Gelly: “Another question. Do you think if all the ideas in the primer were implemented, the country could have avoided the Revenge Revolution?”

Jordan: “That’s a real stretch. What I do know is if the Trump Administration had considered more carefully the essence of what was outlined in the primer, then the likelihood of a Revenge Revolution would have diminished. At a minimum the Revenge Revolution would have been later and less disruptive.”

Gelly: “You ever going to publish these?”

Jordan: “Should I? Whadda think?”

Gelly: “My vote is ‘yes’ you should publish.”

Jordan: “I’m not sure what all the topics were. You have a list?”

Gelly: “Here’s a list so far. I think there are a few more.”

You Can’t Drive Fast Looking through the Rearview Mirror
Basic Economics and Common Sense
National Debt Is Too High. Well, Not Really.
Unemployment: Always a Lagging Indicator
Seasonal Adjustments and Trend Lines
Manufacturing Creates Wealth
Impact of Losing the US Manufacturing Base
Eliminating the Incentive to Pillage
Recruiting New Plants or Overseas Manufacturing
Practical Policies to Rebuild US Manufacturing
Why a Healthy Domestic Auto Industry Is Important
Securing Equity Capital for Start-Ups, Emerging Companies
Capitalizing on Global Warming

Jordan: “I’d forgotten about a few of those. Gelly, here’s an idea. I’ll consider publishing the primer…rather we’ll consider publishing the primer…after you edit the various entries.”

Gelly: “You want me to edit?”

Jordan: “I know some of the data needs to be updated, which I can help with. But having you edit will make sure the papers are understandable to the average reader. I tried to make the language simple but not sure I always succeeded.”

Gelly: “How quickly do you want the editing finished?”

Jordan: “Weave the editing into your normal schedule. Finish at least one per week and try to get two finished. And, then we’ll publish as you finish, OK?”

Gelly: “We’ll publish? But these are your papers.”

Jordan: “No. They’ll be our papers and we will publish.”

(Entries for the primer will be published at one or two per week. Entries published to date will be available for download on the “Policy Primer” page of the blog. Format will be double columns.)

#222 Rioters in Charlotte. Drive Looking through the Windshield or the Rearview Mirror? (Part 4)

16 Sunday Oct 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Personal Stories, Possible Solutions, Societal Issues

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First-time readers, this blog is set in the future (sometime after the year 2020). Each entry assumes there has been a 5th revolution in the US — the Revenge Revolution. More about Revenge Revolution and author, Entry #1. List and general description of entries to date. Annual assessment whether Revolution plausible.

Scene: Jordan’s office in Washington, DC. Conversation for this series starts Entry #219.

Matt: “I agree the conversation about the black community should be frank with no sugar-coating. But where should the conversation start? I mean, lots of issues.”

Jordan: “Why not start at the end and work backwards? What should the black community look like? An even better start would be to describe the characteristics of people the black community can look up to.”

Matt: “You mean describe characteristics of some role models?”

Jordan: “Role models as long they are not sports figures…no Michael Jordan’s, for example. Nothing against the Michael Jordan’s of the world but the black community cannot solve its problems through the NBA and NFL.”

Matt: “Then what kind of role models?”

Jordan: “My recommendation would be individuals most people haven’t heard of but who exemplify what I think the black community would like to become.”

Matt: “Who’s on your list?”

Jordan: “Three people. #1 is someone I know reasonably well; #2 is someone I’ve met a few times in business; #3, never met but awestruck with his accomplishments.”

Matt: “Let me guess, Rock Man is #1 on the list.

Jordan: “Good guess.”

Matt: “I remember meeting Rock Man and was very impressed…but I don’t know the whole story.”

Jordan: “Rock Man comes from a family of 6-8 children…I don’t remember the exact number but a lot. Eastern North Carolina. Parents are tenant cotton farmers with maybe an 8^th-grade education.”

Matt: “But Rock Man is a college grad, right?”

Jordan: “As are all 6-8 children. Everyone graduated from college and a few have graduate degrees.”

Matt: “I admit that’s very impressive for the family, but what else about Rock Man?”

Jordan: “After graduation he starts a climbing gym in Charlotte. Apparently he’s got the only black-owned climbing gym in the country…at least east of the Mississippi.”

Matt: “Mostly black clientele?”

Jordan: “Mostly white.”

Matt: “Well, how’d you meet Rock Man?”

Jordan: “Through a business colleague. I then started helping Rock Man with managing his business.”

Matt: “Still interesting but nothing too special about this.”

Jordan: “Within a few months, Rock Man meets a young lady who seems to be the perfect match – outgoing, high energy and smart.”

Matt: “They get married?”

Jordan: “He was balking until I beat him over the head. I kept telling him she was perfect for him.”

Matt: “So, they get married…then what?”

Jordan: “Short version. She gets a job at the local branch of an international insurance company. Performs well and gets on a fast track. In less than 15 years, she goes from glorified clerk in a branch to head of one of the company’s major international operations.”

Matt: “Wow, that’s impressive. Any kids?”

Jordan: “Two. Girl and boy. The girl is old enough to have college on her mind. She’s torn between Harvard and Yale. I keep pushing MIT but to no avail. The son is not yet on a hunt for college.”

Matt: “So what did Rock Man do while the wife is playing Ms. Corporate Executive?”

Jordan: “Rock Man becomes Mr. Mom.”

Matt: “Mmm, isn’t being Mr. Mom a bit unusual in the black community?”

Jordan: “I think it is unusual…likely highly unusual. Aside from migrating from poor cotton farmers…now I’ll use Rock Man’s terms…who were too poor to have a pot to piss in…to college graduate, what really impresses me about Rock Man is the willingness to change roles. Being Mr. Mom and supporting the kids seems so out of character for most black men that I thought he’d be an ideal role model.”

Matt: “Agreed. Who’s #2 on the list?”

Jordan: “Ever use one of those super squirt guns?”

Matt: “They’re a blast. We used to have water fights with those. Why?”

Jordan: “Know who invented the super squirt gun?”

Matt: “I confess. I have no idea.”

Jordan: “His name is Lonnie Johnson. Worked at NASA before the squirt gun became wildly popular. As I understand, he used the proceeds from the squirt gun to start a technology company.”

Matt: “What was the business?”

Jordan: “Advanced batteries. For the record, lithium air batteries. Trust me, a tough task.”

Matt: “Again, interesting story but why is this guy a role model for the black community…and I assume this guy’s black?”

Jordan: “Yes. In addition to starting a high-tech battery company, which is impressive by itself, he locates the company in a very rough part of Atlanta. Then he tries to hire as many neighborhood people as possible. He also recruits as many black engineers as possible. 15-20 years from now, I might question his bias toward black engineers. But today he should be applauded for making an effort to employ as many blacks as possible in his high-tech company.”

Matt: “Who’s the 3^rd guy?” (Continued)

#188 Is Pushing Diversity Like Pushing on a String? (Part #12)

09 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Gov't Policy, Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Rebranding Black Community, Societal Issues

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Scene: Jordan and Rock Man, a long-time friend, are having coffee. Rock Man is visiting relatives near Charlotte. Earlier Jordan and POTUS began conversation about rebuilding US manufacturing and the middle class. Series starts #177; conversation with POTUS, #179.

Rock Man: “Jordan, really nice to see you. Glad you are on the mend.”

Jordan: “Nice to see you, Rock Man. Yeah, I’m pleased with progress on recovering. Enough about me. What’s new with you?”

Rock Man: “All is OK on the home front. Aside from the family, I’ve been working with a group to promote diversity.”

Jordan: “Diversity in what?”

Rock Man: “You know, get companies and organizations to be more diverse — more inclusive and more balanced.”

Jordan: “You mean like the effort to make the Academy Awards include more ethnic groups?”

Rock Man: “Yes, good example.”

Jordan: “And what do you hope to accomplish with all this diversity?”

Rock Man: “Have people understand issues facing minorities. And give minorities a better chance.”

Jordan: “Better chance at what?”

Rock Man: “Being successful.”

Jordan: “Pardon me for sounding like some curmudgeon, but what’s holding people back now?”

Rock Man: “Racism.”

Jordan: “Surely you jest.”

Rock Man: “You sound like some old white guy. You vote for Trump?”

Jordan: “Rock Man, racism has been around for thousands of years. And you know what?”

Rock Man: “Racism is going to continue for a few thousand more years?”

Jordan: “Well, well, now he gets it. Besides blacks aren’t the only group that’s been subject to racism. When you were in central Africa…”

Rock Man: “…I know, the roles were reversed. Blacks were the majority and whites were discriminated against.”

Jordan: “I sound like a broken record, but every ethnic group in this country has been discriminated against. And all but one of those groups has moved on.”

Rock Man: “You’re being awfully harsh. Blacks face special problems.”

Jordan: “Like what?”

Rock Man: “Blacks were slaves.”

Jordan: “So were some other groups. Besides, blacks haven’t been slaves for 150+ years. Now, tell me the next issue.”

Rock Man: “Why do you not understand?”

Jordan: “I do understand. To me the issue seems rather straightforward.”

Rock Man: “Well, then, how are we going to stop racism?”

Jordan: “That’s the issue. You are going to stop it. So rather than spend time on a issue that’s not going away, focus efforts on solutions to get blacks out of poverty.”

Rock Man: “We’ve had this discussion before. Bottom line is blacks need jobs.”

Jordan: “OK, then take the long view and start educating blacks to become more valuable to prospective employers.”

Rock Man: “We need jobs now.”

Jordan: “So do a lot of people need jobs now. You want some advice?”

Rock Man: “Not sure. What’s the advice?”

Jordan: “Quit whining about being black and start working toward getting citizens out of poverty.”

Rock Man: “It would be a lot easier if…”

Jordan: “…easy it won’t be. I can guarantee that the continued whining and demanding more inclusion – really quotas in disguise – won’t result in any progress. In fact, all the emphasis on quotas…”

Rock Man: “…diversity, not quotas.”

Jordan: “C’mon. You might want me to be politically correct. Diversity implies quotas. If you’re not careful, the whole diversity effort will backfire. What would really be ironic is if the public started demanding more white guys in the NBA and NFL.”

Rock Man: “OK, then smart guy, if emphasizing diversity is like pushing on a string, then how do we make this work?”

Jordan: “POTUS has a project to bring more manufacturing jobs back to the US. If I were you, I’d spend my time trying to get jobs back in Detroit, Flint, Chicago, Cleveland and other cities with high percentage of blacks.”

Rock Man: “How do I start? What’s the first step?”

Jordan: “To me, the first step is getting black leaders – and even unions in those cities — to recruit skilled black workers. Then contact companies that need skilled workers and demonstrate how you can help the companies.”

Rock Man: “The program seems so simple. Will it work?”

Jordan: “I don’t know. But the program is a start. A good model is what’s going on at some universities to admit students who might not qualify otherwise. Here’s an article from the NY Times. You might recognize a couple of schools noted — Davidson and UNC-Chapel Hill.”

Rock Man: OK. I’ll take a look. Davidson, huh? They’ve come a long way.”

Jordan: “Any effort to recruit minority skilled trades and other qualified workers should gain support from both sides of the political aisle. POTUS is looking for practical ideas that can be implemented without a bunch of government involvement.”

Rock Man: “If I can get the project going, can you get to POTUS?”

Jordan: “No guarantees…but very likely.”

Rock Man: “OK, I need a refill.”

#184 How Manufacturing in US Can Help Medical Patients, (Part #8)

10 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Education Issues, Gov't Policy, Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Personal Stories

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Scene: Jordan and POTUS continue conversation about rebuilding US manufacturing and the middle class. Series starts #177; conversation with POTUS, #179.

Scene: Jordan is at home in Charlotte.

Jordan: (answering phone), “Hello, Jordan Abel speaking. May I help you?”

POTUS: “Yes, you may help. This is POTUS. But Jordan, drop the formality. Relax. You’re at home remember?”

Jordan: “How’d you know I was here, Mr. President?”

POTUS: “You know better than to ask that kind of question. How’s the recovery coming?”

Jordan: “Recovery coming along OK. Getting better each day.”

POTUS: “I didn’t know you had an issue. What hanged your mind and why surgery?”

Jordan: “The short version is long-time GP has been monitoring my PSA readings, which have been creeping up over the past several years. About 15 months ago he suggested I see a urologist.”

POTUS: “Higher PSA levels seems to be a problem for a lot of older guys…like you.”

Jordan: “And, you Mr. President, will probably have the same problem.”

POTUS: “I know. Being a big dog doesn’t make one immune from health problems. And we all get older. More details about what happened, please.”

Jordan: “I had biopsy 14-15 months ago and another late last year. After reviewing results from the second biopsy, which were still reasonably good, doctor recommended we explore treatment options.”

POTUS: “Why surgery versus some other treatment? Surgery seems so radical.”

Jordan: “Considered five primary data points. Following is my analysis, not the urologist’s, although I think he would agree with the general statements. For other people, the recommendation might be different.”

POTUS: “Understood.”

Jordan: “#1 consideration – to what extent was the cancer concentrated in the prostate or nearby. By removing the prostate, most if not all the cancer would be removed. #2, if follow-on treatment required, what options are available with each treatment? Some treatments leave few or even no options for follow-on. #3, what is the likelihood of negative effects following surgery? #4, what is the overall health of the patient. #5, what is the age of the patient? If I were much older and had other health problems, surgery might not be the best option, or even an option. But I’m relatively young and healthy so I needed a treatment that reduced the likelihood that prostate cancer would become a primary issue. If you consider all those factors, surgery seemed best for me. ”

POTUS: “OK but surgery’s been around a long time. I’ve heard some horror stories. Is there something different now versus say 5-10 years ago?”

Jordan: “Micro-surgery using robots. With the robots, really semi-robots since the surgeon still controls the movements, the precision is greatly enhanced and size of incisions reduced.”

POTUS: “Just out of curiosity, was the equipment made in the US?”

Jordan: “Forgot to ask. The brand name is diVinci. The diVinci system is a great example how technology can improve people’s quality of life and extend expected lifespan. The product would be a good example to include in your speeches about the importance of and benefits of US manufacturing.”

POTUS: “Are you OK if I mention your experience?”

Jordan: “You know I’m uncomfortable about personal acknowledgement. But, if citing a real person in the story, and one that you know, helps build credibility, go ahead. Lots of guys face the prostate problem and they should know diVinci is not your father’s surgery.”

POTUS: “Thanks for agreeing. There’s lot of areas where technology and manufacturing can help the medical community and patients. This will be a great example.”

Jordan: “”If you’ve got a few more minutes, I’ll tell you a couple of funny stories connected with the surgery.”

POTUS: “I’m all ears. Been a rough day and I need some humor.”

Jordan: “At discharge the nurse is running through her list of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts.” Part way through, she says “no sex.” At this point I break out laughing and ask her how I’m supposed to have sex when there’s a catheter inserted you know where.”

POTUS: “That’s funny. Sounds like a good skit for Saturday Night Live. You got another one?”

Jordan: “With this micro-surgery, some air is inserted in the body cavity to provide more space to operate.”

POTUS: “Sounds painful.”

Jordan: “I think the excess air in post=op was more painful that the incisions. Anyway the goal is to expel as much of the remaining gas as quickly as possible but without any undue strain. They don’t want you to press so hard you’ll damage the stitches and cause more bleeding. So you have to let the air work itself out.”

POTUS: “How long’s that take?”

Jordan: “I made no progress until later in the 3^rd day.”

POTUS: “Progress being what?”

Jordan: “In the 50+ years I’ve known my wife, I don’t think she’s every complimented me on ripping one off.”

POTUS: “She complimented you? Wow, I need to remember that. What day was that…?

Jordan: “…Saturday.”

POTUS: “Then what?”

Jordan: “We started to laugh.”

POTUS: “Doesn’t laughing hurt where the incisions are?”

Jordan: “Hurts big time, but it was worth it. By the way, she’s been a real trooper, especially about emptying ‘the bag.’ She deserves the Clara Barton Home Nurse Award.”

POTUS: “Glad you are in good hands. Tell her I said hello. Also glad you are on the mend. Let’s chat more soon. We need to continue to discuss how to rebuild US manufacturing and the middle class. But when you’re ready.”

Jordan: “Thanks for calling, Mr. President.”

#178 Manufacturing in the US. It’s Competitive and Rebuilds the Middle Class. (Part #2)

06 Wednesday Jan 2016

Posted by Jordan Abel in Corporate Policy, Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Personal Stories, Societal Issues

≈ 1 Comment

Scene: Pilot Truck Stop, Central Illinois. Jordan having breakfast, sitting at the counter. (Conversation started Entry #177.)

Jordan: “The coffee is good. What an improvement from the old days at truck stops. Coffee was like used motor oil.”

Patron: “Some of us think the truck stops have wimped out. Too much like Starbucks fufu-coffee and not enough real-man coffee.”

Jordan: “OK, let’s get back to the topic at hand. Bringing manufacturing jobs back to America and especially mid-size and smaller communities. First question is ‘Are the workers trained for the higher-tech jobs?'”

Patron: “Are the workers trained in Mexico or China? Not at first so somebody had to train them.”

Jordan: “What about the unions?”

Patron: “What about them?”

Jordan: “A lot of business people, mostly Republicans probably, claim that the unions killed manufacturing in America.”

Patron: “Another excuse by CEO’s and politicians. Most of those guys don’t know dog poop from apple butter about what goes on in manufacturing. Did these guys ever look at Germany? Lots of manufacturing, lots of exports…and very strong unions. What’s wrong with that model?”

Jordan: “Nothing, I guess. The education system in Germany has more emphasis on learning skilled trades.”

Patron: “Well, so did we…at least when I was growing up. In our high school we had an opportunity to take classes to become an apprentice plumber, electrician, metal worker, auto mechanic, etc. ”

Jordan: “Those courses are not available now?”

Patron: “Apparently someone or some bodies decided that having everyone get ready for college was more important than learning a skilled trade. So now there are no more of what we used to call ‘shop classes.’ And guess what? We’ve got a shortage of skilled trades and college grads driving cabs.”

Jordan: “Wonder if those same people ever correlated eliminating shop classes, as you called them, and the loss of manufacturing jobs?”

Patron: “Why would they? Those folks probably never cut anything in their life…except maybe a fart.”

Jordan: “That’s funny. Sad and true but funny.”

Patron: “You’re asking me all these questions. Whadda you think?”

Jordan: “I think you’re right…and let me tell you a story why I think you’re right.”

Patron: “Shoot.”

Jordan: “A few years ago I ran small manufacturing company in northern California – Sonoma County.”

Patron: “I thought they only grew grapes and made wine there.”

Jordan: “Lots of agriculture. But this company manufactured…really assembled…electric bikes, electric scooters and some other stuff.”

Patron: “Sounds like a fun place. Why’d they want you? Just kidding.”

Jordan: “When I arrived, the company assembled an average of 37 scooters a day. The problem was some days it was 75 and some days is was zero.”

Patron: “So they hire you to fix the assembly line.”

Jordan: “The Board of Directors wanted me to move all the production to China right away.”

Patron: “Same old BS. Move to China because labor was cheaper, right?”

Jordan: “I told them to give me until the end of the year…about 7 months…to fix the problem. Then we could revisit whether to assemble in China.”

Patron: “What happened?”

Jordan: “In the 7 months we increased production from 37 per day to 250 per day.”

Patron: “What’s that about 5 times…no 6 times more production each day.”

Jordan: “Yep.”

Patron: “What’d you do…buy a bunch of equipment?”

Jordan: “We bought virtually no equipment, other than some carts to move parts between stations.”

Patron: “Add a bunch of people?”

Jordan: “No the only people we added were in the shipping department.”

Patron: “What did you do?”

Jordan: “Listened to the workers. We asked for ideas on what changes would make their jobs easier and improve product quality.”

Patron: “So you listen, make some changes to the product and the assembly line but keep the same number of people, the same equipment and production increases from 37 to 250 per day. That’s impressive.”

Jordan: “Here’s the kicker. Labor cost per unit dropped so much that we could have doubled the pay of workers in California…and paid workers in China nothing and…”

Patron: “…it would have been cheaper to build in California. Right?”

Jordan: “You got it right. Amazing, huh?”

Patron: “One more question. What about the workforce? They must have been highly skilled.”

Jordan: “The workforce was a bunch of ordinary folks who lived in the area. For some English was a second language…a distant second language. We even had a couple of guys on parole from prison.”

Patron: “And you still made it all work? You’re a genius.”

Jordan: “Thanks for the compliment but all I did was listen to the people involved and then get resources to help them do their jobs better.”

Patron: “What happened to the company? Must have become very successful.”

Jordan: “Unfortunately some investors got greedy and…”

Patron: “…then moved production to China. And then the company filed for bankruptcy.”

Jordan: “You’re the genius.”

Patron: “No doubt some of the investors got their money out and left the regular investors and employees holding the bag. Makes me sick.”

Jordan: “Me, too. While it’s a sad ending, the good part of the story is there is hope for manufacturing in the US…and small town America.”

Patron: “Maybe the Revenge Revolution will begin to change attitudes about the importance of manufacturing. And you need to tell your story.”

Jordan: “Thanks for the encouragement.”

Patron: “Listen, I need to run. By the way, I never did introduce myself. I’m Rich Johnson…but everyone call me Doughman. Cause I look like…”

Jordan: “…the Pillsbury Doughboy?”

Patron: “Looked this way since grammar school.”

Jordan: “Doughman, I’m Jordan Abel.”

Patron: “Well, Mr. Abel, nice chatting with you. Good luck on helping bring manufacturing jobs back to the US.”

#173 Observations of Former Speaker of the House

09 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by Jordan Abel in Causes of the Revolution, Gov't Policy, Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Societal Issues

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Scene: JC, Greenie, and Jordan sitting outside at a restaurant near Jordan’s office. Conversation starts #169.

Jordan: “Excuse me. I should be back shortly.”

JC: “Wonder where he’s going?”

Greenie: “Relax. It might be an old guy thing. You know…”

JC: “Greenie, turn around slowly and see who Jordan’s talking to.”

Greenie: “That’s the former Speaker of the House. What’s John Boy doing back in D.C.?

JC: “I don’t know but they are headed this way.”

Greenie: “Both of them?”

JC: “Yep. This should be interesting.”

Jordan: “John Boy, I’d like you to meet two long-time friends of mine, Greenie and JC.”

John Boy: “Nice to meet you both. How can two lovely young ladies hang around with an old guy like Jordan?”

JC: “Such a charmer. Very nice to meet you.”

Greenie: “Likewise. Nice to meet you. What brings you back to Washington? Aren’t you living in Ohio now?”

John Boy: “Living in Chillicothe…and loving it.”

JC: “I plead ignorance. Just where is Chillicothe?”

John Boy: “Southern half of Ohio, about midway and about an hour south of Columbus, the home of…Jordan, want to finish the sentence?”

Jordan: “Not on your life. Go Blue!”

Greenie: “OK boys, enough football rivalry. I have a question. Mr. Speaker…”

John Boy: “Greenie, cut the speaker crap. It’s ‘John Boy’, OK?”

Greenie: “OK, John Boy, why did you move back to Ohio? Why not stay in DC – lots of cushy jobs for the taking.”

John Boy: “First and foremost, Chillicothe has not one but two DQ’s. It’s hard to find one Dairy Queen in DC.”

JC: “Seriously, why back to Ohio?”

John Boy: “I grew up in that part of Ohio. The people were nice enough to elect me to Congress for 12 terms to the House. It was a great run. And the people there are real. I just got tired of all the BS in inside the Beltway.”

Jordan: “Don’t you miss the excitement of Congress?”

John Boy: “Congress is much like make-believe land, or at least it was when I was there. Maybe, just maybe, the Revenge Revolution will bring back some reality.”

Greenie: “If you don’t mind me asking, what was your biggest frustration in Congress?”

John Boy: “My party would not face reality. Republicans kept denying the empirical evidence, whether global warming, economic policy or the need for some type of rational gun control.”

Greenie: “Didn’t anyone study the data?”

John Boy: “If they did, it was dismissed out of hand. Plus, anyone who dared cite the data, no matter how credible the source, was branded a heretic.”

JC: “Congressional Republicans have not always been like that, have they?”

John Boy: “When I started in Congress, members actually studied the information before taking a position. I should say most members, not all. You know the old story about ‘Yellow Dog Democrats.'”

JC: “So what happened? When did ideology take over from rational thinking?”

John Boy: “This sounds terrible because I know so many mainstream Republicans like him, but the problem started with Ronald Reagan.”

Greenie: “You mean Reagan’s mantra of ‘Government is the problem, not the solution.’?”

John Boy: “Exactly, he kept saying it over and over and over. And people started ti believe him. I agree government is not always the best solution but its also not the problem all the time. I’d hate to have a private military.”

Greenie: “Anything else?”

John Boy: “Yes. About the same time the NRA started promoting the idea that people had a right to own any type of firearm, no matter how lethal. I mean, who needs a 50 caliber semi-automatic rifle? Have you seen a herd of rogue elephants attacking people in the US lately?”

JC: “What about Democrats? Republicans are not the only ones at fault.”

Greenie: “Is that you talking, JC, or you need to be exorcised?”

John Boy: “Look, Democrats deserve some of the blame. But Democrats got pushed farther left when the Republicans shifted right?”

Jordan: “That’s an interesting observation. Democrats shifted left because Republicans shifted right. Why so? If you were the Democratic Party, why not grab the middle? Seems kike a great way to expand the base.”

John Boy: “My view is Democrats feared that if they grabbed the middle, then a faction of those farther left would splinter and start a 3^rd party.”

Greenie: “And the 3^rd party would erode a good portion of the Democratic base and the old Democratic Party might be left holding an empty bag.”

John Boy: “Politics is no different from marketing a product. Your product…the political party…needs to have a clear positioning statement that people can understand easily.”

Greenie: “You think a positioning of being is the middle, as it were, makes it harder for people to understand what the party’s about. Is that right?”

John Boy: “Look at the Donald in 2015 and 2016. You might have abhorred his statements but his position was clear. Right or wrong, people understood…or at least thought they understood…what he intended to do.”

JC: “You agree with that idea Jordan? You’ve been unusually quiet.”

Jordan: “I agree. The Donald aside, try to think of a highly successful product that does not have a clear positioning statement. You have to stand for something.”

John Boy: “I’ll tell you what else caused the parties to shift, particularly Republicans shifting right.”

Greenie: “Media outlets?”

John Boy: “Starting with talk radio. You and I know that Limbaugh, Hannity and the other talking heads are entertainers…and certainly not scholars. But many…probably most of the listeners actually believe these jokers are credible.”

Greenie: “How can anyone believe the Rush Man? He dropped out of what was the name of that college?”

JC: “…something like Southeast Missouri State Teachers College.”

Greenie: “I think that’s the school. Then he was convicted of dealing drugs.”

John Boy: “Plea bargain, please. But all those facts don’t matter to his listeners. To them, whatever Rush says must be true.”

Greenie: “Your constituents believe him?”

John Boy: “Many did…but far fewer after the Revenge Revolution. Like a lot of people in the US, they’re beginning to demand that elected officials in this country start acting like adults and not whiny little children.”

Jordan: “By the way, John Boy, forgot to ask what brings you to town?”

John Boy: “We’re visiting my granddaughter, who’s a student at Georgetown.”

Jordan: “She’s not at the Ohio State University? Smart kid.”

John Boy: “Her choice, not mine. And, thanks for reminding me. I need to run. She and my supervisor went shopping and they are probably back by now.”

Jordan: “John Boy, nice to see you. Thanks for spending a few minutes with us.”

John Boy: “I enjoyed it. JC, Greenie – very nice to meet you. And stay away from Jordan, OK?”

JC and Greenie (in unison): “We’ll try.”

Greenie: “Interesting guy. Some insightful observations.”

JC: “Agreed. I really enjoyed it. And I’ll enjoy a break as well.”

#172 Humans: Peat, Repeat, Three-Peat?

05 Saturday Dec 2015

Posted by Jordan Abel in Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Societal Issues

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Scene: JC, Greenie, and Jordan sitting outside at a restaurant near Jordan’s office. Conversation starts #169.

Greenie: “While we’re off on these wild tangents about time, space and where your soul goes, I had another thought.”

JC: “Only one? Surely you can do better.”

Jordan: “JC, be nice to Greenie…she’s your friend, remember?”

JC: “I know…but when will the conversation get back to the good stuff –like stupidity in Washington?”

Jordan: “Let’s stay on the make-believe for a little bit longer. Actually, we’re talking about real-world stuff now. Inside the Beltway is the make-believe world.”

Greenie: “Now, if you guys are finished. Here’s my question. ‘What if the world today is just a rerun from say 1,000,000 years ago…or even 5,000,000 years ago?’ We all agreed that 1,000,000 years is like still January 1^st in terms of how long the earth’s been around.”

JC: “Huh? 1,000,000 years ago there were dinosaurs…or big stuff like that anyway. Besides, the world was not very advanced then. How could this be a rerun…or repeat…for humans?”

Greenie: “How do you know humans were not advanced? Besides, maybe humans were dinosaurs with different kind of skin.”

JC: “You gone wacko?”

Greenie: “Really, who says tall buildings, lots of cars and trucks, polluted air and water is progress? Maybe humans are going backwards instead of forwards.”

Jordan: “So civilization could be stuck in reverse while everything else is in drive, right?”

Greenie: “Think about it. With global warming, we’re coming to the end for humans. What’s so advanced about that?”

JC: “Interesting Greenie. When did this idea hit you?”

Greenie: “It came together just now. When I look around, the human race seems to be going backwards. Really going the wrong way.”

Jordan: “Now there’s a thought. Humans are regressing and other animals are progressing.”

JC: “True that many animals live together in harmony. The animals protect one another, care for one another and even appear to mourn over the loss of one of their own.”

Greenie: “And what do humans do? Humans have refined the art of killing one another, stealing from one another and polluting the very place where we live. Seems sort of dumb, doesn’t it?”

Jordan: “Your analysis sounds very…something or other. I’m not sure of the exact word, but you know what I mean.”

JC: “You mean she sounds like a socialist…or some hippie left over from the 1960’s.”

Jordan: “No, I was thinking ‘utopian’ might work but it doesn’t really fit either.”

JC: “Alright, most people will say what I said a few minutes ago, ‘Greenie, are you wacko?’ However, I do find the observation very insightful. What do we do with it?”

Greenie: “Nothing, I guess. We’re just talking.”

Jordan: “There’s some real meat in what you said. Maybe we humans are looking at the world the wrong way.”

JC: “Are we trying to reincarnate Rod Serling and ‘The Twilight Zone'”?

Greenie: “Not really. But if there are four or five dimensions, not just three, why couldn’t one of them go in the opposite direction – like reverse?”

JC: “I guess it could. Sounds sort of goofy but it could. OK, but what about technology? Humans are far more advanced today than even 100 years ago, let along 1,000 years ago.”

Jordan: “One could argue that point. But on a practical scale, humans built some very sophisticated buildings thousands of years ago. Think about the pyramids.”

JC: “Guys, this is making my brain spin. I have a hard time thinking that humans are regressing and animals progressing. Makes no sense.”

Greenie: “OK, then. What if humans were on a repeat cycle? In Bush 43 terms, a ‘do-over.'”

JC: “I could buy that idea. Humans advanced up to say 1,000,000 years ago, then disappeared. Then, about 500,000 years ago whoever is managing the universe decides humans need a second chance, a ‘do-over’.”

Jordan: “I can buy into that idea, too. Besides, who’s to say it’s not right?”

JC: “So after ‘second-chance’ humans wipe themselves out in the next 300-400 years, I wonder if universe’s managing director will give humans yet another chance?”

Greenie: “Another do-over or better still a do-do-over?”

JC: “I like the term, ‘do-do-over’ but maybe the term ‘three-peat’ is a better.”

Jordan: “Well, why not a do-do-over, or three-peat as you say? We talked about all these souls floating around. The souls need some place to land.”

JC: “OK, that’s it. No more of this sci-fi stuff. You promised we would go back to talking about things I can understand – like stupid behavior in Washington.”

Greenie: “You really understand the Beltway BS?”

JC: “There is one thing I understand for certain. I could use another glass of wine.”

(Back to the causes of the 5th Revolution, the Revenge Revolution, next segment.)

#169 1,000,000 Years and It’s Still New Year’s Day?

14 Saturday Nov 2015

Posted by Jordan Abel in Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Societal Issues

≈ 5 Comments

Scene: JC, Greenie, and Jordan sitting outside at a restaurant near Jordan’s office.

Greenie: “Here’s to our good health.”

JC: “May the year ahead be filled with happiness.”

Jordan: “May we all live in peace.” (All raise glasses in a toast.)

Greenie: “I’d love to live in peace but I can’t imagine it ever happening. We all seem so uncivilized. Will we ever change? Terrorists are horrible. But look at people in Washington.”

Jordan: “I think Washington after the Revenge Revolution will get better but I hear you.”

JC: “On a lighter note, you know what popped into my mind when you asked ‘Will we ever change?'”

Jordan: “Back to the future?”

JC: “No, but close. The Woody Allen movie ‘Sleeper.'”

Greenie: “That movie was hilarious. There are two scenes I remember the most. The first is when he learns that eating foods with lots of fat and cholesterol are not bad for you, good for you. And the second was…”

Jordan: “Let me guess. The second was the orgasmatron.”

JC: “I could use an orgasmatron right now.”

Greenie: “Now, JC, be careful. We don’t want to hear about your sex life.”

JC: “There isn’t any sex life. That’s why I could use the orgasmatron.”

Jordan: “Guys, let’s change the topic, but only slightly. Take a look up at the stars. What comes to mind?”

Greenie: “Gorgeous evening, good friends, good wine. And who knows what’s really out there. Look at all those stars.”

JC: “Billions and billions, as Carl Sagan said. And how far away are they? A million light years or something?”

Jordan: “OK, take a million years. How old is the earth?”

Greenie: “What, at least 5 billion years…maybe 10 billion?”

Jordan: “Call it 5 billion just to be safe. What percent is one million of five billion?”

JC: “Where are you headed with this question? Another math game? But one million is 0.2% of five billion.”

Jordan: “In other words, barely enough to register. If we equated the 0.2% to a calendar year, it would still be New Year’s Day and still in the afternoon.

Greenie: “I’m confused. Where is this conversation going? Or trying to go anyway?”

Jordan: “Greenie, you said people are too uncivilized in order to have world peace. I agree…but what if it were one million years from now? Or…”

JC: “…what if one of those planets out there has life like earth. But life on that planet started one million years before earth?”

Greenie: “One million years seemed like a long time until you compared the one million years to calendar days. One million years and it’s not yet dinner time New Year’s Day.”

JC: “Do you guys think there could be life on another planet…you know, life as we know it?”

Greenie: “What are the chances?”

Jordan: “You both had statistics, right?”

JC: “Basic course. Nothing advanced.”

Greenie: “Me, too. Just a basic stats course.”

Jordan: “You’ve had enough statistics to make a good guess. Let’s start by saying there are say 50-100 billion stars and plants in the galaxies.”

Greenie: “You think there are that many?”

Jordan: “Probably many more. Every time we turn around, the astronomers seem to find another galaxy. No one has any idea how big the universe is.”

JC: “Alright, of the 100 billion stars and planets, what are the odds of another earth-like civilization?”

Greenie: “Well, if the odds are 1,000,000,000:1, then there would be 50-100 earth-like planets.”

Jordan: “And what are the odds that of the 50-100 earth-like planets, earth was the first to develop life?”

JC: “100:1, which makes earth being first highly unlikely.”

Jordan: “Whatever one’s beliefs about religion, random development, evolution, creation theory…all those theories…the odds are earth is not the only game in town.”

Greenie: “When you walk through the logic as you just did, I understand what you mean.”

JC: “So we’re saying there’s probably life out there somewhere and that civilization could be easily 1,000,000 years more advanced than earth. Is that what we’re saying?”

Jordan: “Yes. Now, let’s break down the last 1,000,000 years on earth and see what’s happened.”

Greenie: “Was man even around then?”

JC: “Certainty more ape-like than today, although I wonder if some men have made any progress.”

Greenie: “Remember, no more comments about your sex life.”

JC: “People were probably just hunters and gatherers.”

Greenie: “The Stone Age ended what 50,000 to 100,000 years ago. And the Bronze Age maybe 5-10,000 years ago?”

JC: “What if we said 10,000 years ago was the start of the modern era of civilization. How far into the year would we be?”

Jordan: “10,000 divided by 1,000,000 times 365. In terms of development compared to development on the other plant, we’d be at January 4, just after noon.”

Greenie: “All the development for the last 10,000 years and we’re only at January 4^th into the year? Wow!”

Jordan: “Question back to you, Greenie. You said people are uncivilized. In terms of being civilized, do you think people are more, less or about the same as people were 10,000 years ago?”

Greenie: “Probably not much more, if any. We still have de facto slavery, still have many people who are hungry, pollution is worse and people are still killing each other for now logical reason.”

JC: “Greenie, that’s depressing. All those years and no progress with the fundamentals of civilization. Jordan, could you refill the wine glasses, please?”

(Continued)

#138 Corporate Behavior: Call Centers (#8 of Series)

27 Saturday Jun 2015

Posted by Jordan Abel in Corporate Policy, Gov't Policy, Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products, Societal Issues

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Scene: Continuation of conversation between Jordan and JC, a long-time friend. Conversation started as deciding on a simple, understandable theme for government policies following Revenge Revolution. Jordan and JC agreed to a one-day deadline to complete the work. When finished, Jordan would schedule a review with POTUS. Conversation begins Entry #131.

JC and Jordan concluded the standard measure for future government policies should be ‘treat thy neighbor as thyself.’ They also agreed to assess whether the standard is appropriate for corporate policy. Disney was the first case. GM the second case.”

Jordan: “Now that we’ve given Disney the one-fingered salute…and put GM on double-secret probation…let’s address another corporate behavior that I do not understand. Location of call centers.”

JC: “…Why do these companies locate call centers in outside the United States? Like the Philippines, Pakistan and India. Why?”

Jordan: “You know why. Cost savings. But do they really understand the impact on customers of foreign-based call centers?”

JC: “Obviously you’ve called one of these places. What was your experience?”

Jordan: “Not very good.”

JC: “Be honest. How many times have you gotten a satisfactory answer quickly? Forget the quickly part. How many times have you gotten a satisfactory…maybe helpful is a better word…helpful answer?”

Jordan: “Not very often.”

JC: “Maybe never, right?”

Jordan: “That’s pretty strong but not often. But from the company’s thinking, locating outside the US saves boatloads of money.”

JC: “I thought we reached the opposite conclusion for Disney.”

Jordan: “We did. But the bean counters inside the companies seem to have the upper hand?”

JC: “I understand there is nothing wrong with saving money. But when you piss-off…excuse me, alienate customers, what real money do you save?”

Jordan: “Well, lots of companies are locating these call centers outside the States so they must think it makes sense.”

JC: “Let’s just think about the decision in the context of our standard measure for decisions, ‘treat thy neighbor as thyself’.”

Jordan: “OK, what’s your assessment?”

JC: “First…and probably the biggest problem is differences in cultures.”

Jordan: “In all fairness to the companies, the call centers are located in English-speaking countries.”

JC: “Jordan, you’ve travelled outside the States a lot. Outside of Canada, England is about as close to the US as it gets.”

Jordan: “Agree.”

JC: “Turn the situation around. Do you understand the all cultural nuances when you are in say London or the Lake District?”

Jordan: “No. I can’t even figure out some of the Southern culture in the US. Like when ‘yes’ really means ‘no’ because they think they are being polite. Just tell me ‘no’. I’m not smart enough to figure it out.”

JC: “You’ve made my point.”

Jordan: “So if I can’t figure out some of the southernisms…whatever you call them…why should someone in say the Philippines understand the US culture?”

JC: “I’m not blaming the person in the overseas call center. Not their fault.”

Jordan: “Agreed. The person is looking for a job and probably trying their best.”

JC: “The problem lies with the US companies who decided to move the call centers overseas. Same question as before. How much can they really save?”

Jordan: “Probably not much, if anything, when all costs are included.”

JC: “You mean like costs…or lost profits…because people are so angry at not getting help they quit buying the product.”

Jordan: “That’s exactly what I mean.”

JC: “So we ought to ask the CEO and his or her munchkins if they have ever used the call center to fix a problem.”

Jordan: “You know the answer.”

JC: “The answer is never. One of the munchkins gets the problem fixed so the big dog CEO doesn’t have to waste precious time dealing with ‘those type people’.”

Jordan: “I’ll give you a perfect example. Here’s the scene: Detroit Metro airport. Flight to Washington Reagan cancelled. With the announcement the flight was cancelled, I immediately take out my OAG (Official Airline Guide) – this was pre-smart-phone era – and find a flight to Dulles that leaves in about 30 minutes.”

JC: “I’m impressed.”

Jordan: “Also in the waiting area is recently retired chairman of major company whom I met during my GM days. He has the deer-in-headlights look so I grab him and walk him to the gate for Dulles. We both get on. While he had lots of miles flying, it had been on a company plane or accompanied by a corporate munchkin. Now that he’s on his own he has no idea how the system works.”

JC: “Was he grateful?”

Jordan: “Very. He was a gracious and polite man.”

JC: “A gracious and polite CEO. That’s nice to hear.”

Jordan: “So lesson here is we need…”

JC: “Pardon me, Jordan, but who is ‘we’?”

Jordan: “Good question. We…with ‘we’ being POTUS and staff…need to encourage companies to use the standard ‘treat thy neighbor as thyself’ for all decisions. In his remarks, POTUS should direct the question to CEO’s and management of companies, ‘Are you making decisions based on the standard, ‘treat thy neighbor as thyself’? POTUS should encourage the public to ask the same questions of companies.”

JC: “Let public opinion sway company decisions. It worked quickly for same-sex marriage and getting the Confederate battle flag out of many places.”

Jordan: “Right. But call centers don’t create the same emotion as same-sex marriage and bars-and-stars.”

JC: “Then have POTUS push an emotional button, like ‘treat thy neighbor as thyself,’ and make the call centers an example. Put call centers under the bigger umbrella.”

Jordan: “Good idea. The decision where to house call centers and many other business decisions are not really ones government should make. But raising the question is fair game.”

JC: “Will be interesting to see the reaction of the companies and the public…and what companies will get it and lead the change. What’s the next topic?”

Jordan: “Water.”

JC: “Speaking of water. I don’t need any. I need to get rid of some.”

Jordan: “OK, let’s take a break.”

More about the origination of the blog and the author, Entry #1.

Ebook format of recent series of entries on Federal Budget. 15 05 23 Do They Really Understand Entries #121-#130

usrevolution5

~ USA Headed for a 5th Revolution! Why?

Category Archives: Innovative Thinking: Ideas and Products

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#178 Manufacturing in the US. It’s Competitive and Rebuilds the Middle Class. (Part #2)

#173 Observations of Former Speaker of the House

#172 Humans: Peat, Repeat, Three-Peat?

#169 1,000,000 Years and It’s Still New Year’s Day?

#138 Corporate Behavior: Call Centers (#8 of Series)