June 2001 Flash Points

Reverence for Radicals (p. 48)
FC Article

Rehka Balu presents Marvin Arnpriester as a CEO in the religion industry. Is it fair to compare religious philospohy to business philosophy? What old economy characteristics might religion possess? What new economy traits and characteristics could it develop?
What are possible religious implications on the new economy? Have consultants become another form of spiritual guidance, so to speak? In what ways does your religion behave like a business? In what ways does your business behave like a religion? Consider inviting local religious figures to your next cell meeting and listen to what techniques they used to keep their 'industry' afloat.
Arnpriester mentions how he brought in a Spanish-speaking pastor to secure Hispanic 'clients.' What diversity tactics has your company employed, or could it employ, in order to appeal to a broader consumer base? Glide is part of the 'teaching church' program. Discuss the possibility of making your company a 'teaching business,' where your business works to meet clients' needs in the scheme of life, not just the constraints of the business day.

Please don't forward this email (p. 58)
FC Article

The story of Philip Harter's phantom email epitomizes the idea of the new economy unintentional celebrity. Brainstorm some other instant web celebrities (Shawn Fanning, Matt Drudge). How many of these cases involve deliberate elevated status and how many are simply unintentional fame. Has the web created a whole new level of celebrity or is it merely an extension of our star-struck fascinations?
Millions of people saw a series of statistics and associated them with Harter. Is there any sense of accountability on the Web? Do the regular rules of libel and slander still need to be considered or -- since the Web is unregulated public space -- should people be allowed to print whatever they want regardless of truth? Do we need to develop a new set of journalistic ethics specifically for the Internet? What might this include?

Many things matter, and here's what matters most (p. 72)
FC Article

There is no correlation at all between success and hours worked (p. 76)
FC Article

Both these articles are evaluations of the assumptions behind the new economy. Ellis writes, 'It's over and it's just begun.' Is it too early to judge the new economy? If we had to deem it a success or a failure right now, what would the verdict be? Do you agree that advanced information technologies are the central concern of modern business? Is this statement true of your company? Overall is the statement too new-economy focused to apply to all modern businesses?
Godin writes that everyone needs to cut their work hours, reprioritize their life and reset their internal clock. Did the IPO and profit craze of the past few years create an impossible level of work demand? How can you work less without sacrificing your reputation within your company and your corporation's image to clients? Even if the new economy is not a 'speed-to-market,' is the best alternative for it move at the pace of the old economy? What planning techniques from the old economy could help cut down hours worked in the new economy?

You can't lead without making sacrifices (p. 106)
FC Article

Keith Hammonds writes that some of the country's best business leaders all graduated from West Point. Does this mean that the military-industrial complex of the 1950s is still alive? How is the new economy a rejection of these values? In what ways might it be an extension? President Eisenhower said, 'What's good for General Motors is good for the country.' Do any companies exist today that determine the health and wealth of America? Are these companies exclusively domestic?
What aspects of a West Point education and a military lifestyle translate into good business practices? Discuss the roles that honor, selflessness and inspiration play in your business.

Daniel Richards contributed this month's Flash Points.

June 2001 Connexus | Flash Points | Next Steps