IS IT TRUE? April 24, 2011 HAPPY EASTER!!
IS IT TRUE? April 24, 2011 HAPPY EASTER!!
IS IT TRUE that speaking of resurrections there are people within the Democratic Party in Evansville who are muttering about the possibility of drafting current Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel to make an independent run to keep his job?…that these rumors have the additional caveat that this is only to be considered in the event that Rick Davis defeats Troy Tornatta in the “official†Democratic primary?…that the City County Observer does not believe such paranoid talk?…that if Mayor Weinzapfel wanted to keep his job that he would have sought the Democratic nomination on his own and would now be locked in a hard fought battle with Rick Davis for the nomination?…that for the defacto leader of the Democratic Party in Vanderburgh County to run as an independent to keep his own job would be the height of political ignorance?…that to do so would split the Democratic vote and guarantee a victory for the Republican candidate for Mayor even if Doug DeGroot pulls a primary upset over Lloyd Winnecke with his zero budget, zero statement strategy?
IS IT TRUE that a word discussed in closed circles this week was the word “TOAST†not to be confused with a Taoist?…that this quick hard hitting little word has many meanings and can be used to convey a message?…that most people are familiar with slightly cooked bread awaiting a dollop of butter and jam?…that to raise a glass of champagne to celebrate victory or accomplishment is also called a “TOASTâ€?…that if your team is behind by an insurmountable amount the near the end of a contest that your team may just be referred to as “TOASTâ€?…that if you make enough of champagne “TOASTS†that you may be accused of being “TOASTEDâ€?…that the City County Observer would like to TOAST the upcoming primaries as hopefully an event that gets a bit of substance into the discussion about the future of Evansville’s leadership?…that there are two weeks to get beyond the parrot stage?
IS IT TRUE that the general election will hopefully inspire the survivors of the primary to put their thinking caps on and deliver some substance?…that if they don’t we are in for one dreary 4 years?…that we may just need to have a write in candidate named NONE OF THE ABOVE if some of these people do not answer the call of “WHERE’S THE BEEFâ€?
IS IT TRUE? April 23, 2011
IS IT TRUE? April 23, 2011
IS IT TRUE that the traffic analysis from Google Analytics from Good Friday, April 22, 2011 shows acceleration of the growth of internet traffic month over month for both the City County Observer and for the Community Observer?…that the number of pageviews for the City County Observer has grown 38% over the previous month?…that the number of pageviews for the Community Observer has grown 52% over the previous month?…that combining those two traffic counts may have the CCO publication families even closer to taking over the #2 internet traffic spot in the greater Evansville media coverage region?…that this is a surprise to even the biggest fans of the CCO and the CO?
IS IT TRUE that education of our children is a hot topic this week at both the state level and the local level?…that there is a very informative video regarding the origins of the modern education system and how it works for most people on the following link?…that this really make you wonder if it is time to completely transform how we educate children as the business model has not changed in over a hundred years?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=player_embedded
IS IT TRUE that the Center for Disease Control has postulated that every state in America may have smoking bans in effect by 2020?…that comprehensive indoor smoking bans are now in place in 25 of our 50 states?…that there are only 7 states that have NO STATEWIDE SMOKING RESTRICTIONS at all?…that these states are INDIANA, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, West Virginia, Texas, and Wyoming?…that like it or not we are known by the company that we keep?… that if the recent brew-ha-ha in the Indiana Senate in which an exemption was even carved out for nursing homes prior to a toothless bill failing is an indicator of Indiana’s ability to a collaborate on public health that Indiana will most likely be the last state to adopt statewide smoking restrictions?…that we as a state are in the lead pack in a race to finish last?…that not only does the City of Evansville need to administer the 8th grade ISTEP to candidates for office but the State of Indiana does too?…that before doing so we should legalized a new form of gambling where we can bet on “which legislators will pass the 8th grade ISTEP?†earning even more tax money for local government?…that odds makers would have a bonanza on this one?
IS IT TRUE that the issue of what to do with ROBERTS STADIUM is one of the hot button issues in the upcoming primaries and will maintain its relevance into the general election?…that at least one candidate for the democratic nomination for Evansville City Council at large is taking a hard stand on the issue of Roberts Stadium?…that Jonathan Weaver in a recent interview said that “it needs to go, quite frankly it’s the worst stadium I’ve ever seen in my life,” when asked about Roberts?…that other candidates are less conclusive in their opinions but that all seem to agree that spending $15,000 per month to mothball it without use is a bad idea?…that several non-candidate citizens have been coming forward with ideas on what to do with Roberts?…that Roberts recently hosted the Guns and Hoses charity event and the Evansville Home Show?…that both events were well run and that Weaver’s “worst stadium in his life†was a quite adequate venue and that both events were enjoyable?…that Mr. Weaver may have not seen very many stadiums though and that his extreme statement is based on a small sample?…that part of the reason for Roberts Stadium needing maintenance is that the repair budget allocated by the CITY OF EVANSVILLE has been at life support level anticipating a demolition?
IS IT TRUE That with modifications that cost less than tearing it down Roberts could be a perfect place for the Home Show, Boat Shows, Rodeo’s, Circuses, up and coming band concerts, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera?…that Louisville’s Freedom Hall is doing just fine as a lesser entertainment venue and as a forum for COMMERCE than the YUM Center and that Roberts Stadium deserves a chance to continue to serve Evansville as a back up and lower cost place for entertainment?…that a position of “tear it down now so the new Arena doesn’t need to compete†is a myopic view that reflects the desires of the now demolished Team Weinzapfel?
IS IT TRUE? PART 2 April 22, 2011
IS IT TRUE? PART 2 April 22, 2011
IS IT TRUE that CCO “MOLE # 3” has announced this evening this he shall retire after this coming November-2011 City Election? ….that he feels that his mission of exposing self serving political types is complete? ….that starting in November that the CCO shall announce a new super hero to replace him? ….that CCO “MOLE # 3” and the other “143 CCO MOLES” have served the citizens well? ….”when people fear its government there is tyranny and when government fear the people there is liberty”? …..we are glad that CCO “MOLE # 3″ has help make government fear the people”? …..THE ANSWER IS “YES”!
IS IT TRUE that silver has risen to $46 an ounce that gold has topped the $1,500 level?…that just this week that Standard and Poor’s took an action that is most likely a precursor to a downgrade of the debt of the United States?…that the rise in pricing of precious metals is not driven by speculation as it was in 1980?…that the rush of money to hard cross border currencies such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium is happening because people do not have a strong feeling about their own governments fiscal policies?…that as long as the debt to income ratio of the United States government continues to rise that the prices of portable precious metals will rise with it?…that only prosperous countries can afford to have fiscal policies that run perpetual deficits?…that for the first time in many years the United States has crossed the chasm from being a solidly prosperous country to being a cautious country?…that hopefully our political leaders but more important our future political leaders will learn something about cause and effect from this period of economic malaise?
IS IT TRUE that we wonder just how much business that the army of construction workers in downtown Evansville working on the Arena have brought to downtown merchants and restaurants?…that we are interested in whether or not this $128 Million expenditure has enriched certain business owners in downtown Evansville?…that we are also interested just how long the Arena needs to operate to make up for the daily traffic from 600+ (advertised number) hungry and thirsty construction workers?
IS IT TRUE that it has been revealed that the Kunkel Group paid $2.9 Million for the old Whirlpool building on 41 North?…that given the size of the building that the purchase price works out to $2.42 per square foot?…that $2.42 per square foot will not even pay for half the cost to pour a concrete pad on which to build a yard barn?…that the cost to build such a structure for warehouse purposes would be closer to $40 per square foot or nearly $50 Million?…that a decent cardboard box costs more than $2.42 per square foot?
IS IT TRUE that the current assessment (before Kunkel purchased) on the Whirlpool Building is $10,700,000 and that the taxes are $291,163?…that the taxes on this building on the new mandated market value assessment cannot exceed 3% of the assessed value or $87,000 per year?…that the property tax collections on this Whirlpool property given the new market value of $2.9 Million will reduce the property tax revenue collected by a total of $204,163 or 70% of the previous total tax?…that this is a hard lesson on how hard property devaluation is on local government finance?…that the way out of this shortfall and the others that will surely come home to roost in the near future is to create a growing population and business base?…that this is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the confluence of falling property values and abandonment of property in a world where property tax caps create upper limits on taxation?
IS IT TRUE that for the Whirlpool building to become a breakeven proposition for taxes into the local government that it will have to appreciate by 269%?…that at historical appreciation rates in Evansville, IN of 2% per year that this will take 66 years for this to happen?…that the life of this building is not 66 years?…that examples like this just accentuate the need for professional jobs, and educated populace, and a growing population base?…that the Kunkel Group took a risk and MAY have gotten a good deal but that they MAY have just purchased a “PIG IN A POKEâ€?…that we hope that Kunkel brings prosperity back to that big empty building and that Evansville begins and IAO Decade in business soon?
IS IT TRUE? April 22, 2011
IS IT TRUE? April 21, 2011
IS IT TRUE that in the language of the Lakota Sioux the words “HANTA YO†means “LEAD THE WAYâ€?…that the small but growing force of citizen litter pickers are doing just that and that we salute them?…that in a real play on words we once again congratulate Dr. Vince Bertram, the new CEO of Project Hanta Yo?
IS IT TRUE that we are extremely pleased with Indiana State Senator Jim Tomes (R-Wadesville) for sponsoring a bill that creates and promotes cooperation among emergency responders working together?
IS IT TRUE we congratulate the staff at the USI college newspaper (THE SHIELD) for winning 16 Indiana College Press Association awards?
IS IT TRUE we are extremely impressed that 4th Ward City Councilwoman, Connie Robinson agreed to answer some tough political questions submitted to her by the City County Observer yesterday? …that it is important to point out that City Councilwoman Robinson has no one running against her in the primary or the general election? …that word on the political street is that the political types are expecting Connie to assume the position of the Dean of the Evansville City Council since Councilmen Curt John decided not to run for re-election?…that Councilwoman Robinson is an entrepreneur and a successful business owner?…that one of the questions that she will be responding to is how her unique experience as a minority female business owner shapes her deliberations and decision making processes as an Evansville City Councilwomen?…that all governing bodies would benefit greatly from the presence of people like Councilwoman Robinson who have burned the midnight oil to make a payroll?…that there is something about being an entrepreneur that provides a person with a real hands on feel for the way that cities, states, and even the federal government could be run better?
IS IT TRUE that in the United States of America our citizens are considered to be innocent before the law until proven guilty?
IS IT TRUE that 9 CCO MOLES are gearing up to take on CCO “MOLE # 3” to see if they can predict who shall be elected in the upcoming primaries to carry their party banners in the November General election? ….if any CCO MOLE beats CCO “MOLE # 3” in this contest they shall win dinner for two (2) at the CORK AND CLEAVER restaurant?
IS IT TRUE that it has now been 1,448 days since the announcement was made on May 14, 2007 that the McCurdy Hotel was to be refurbished into luxury apartments?…that it has now been 1,302 days since the Evansville Redevelopment Commission at the request of Mayor Weinzapfel approved the spending of $603,000 to purchase the parking lot?…that City Centre Properties and Scott Kosene the developers of the McCurdy project are both listed as contributors to the Weinzapfel for Mayor committee for 2010?
IS IT TRUE that there are now 561 days remaining in the two years that the EPA had given the City of Evansville to present an acceptable solution to the Combined Sewer Overflow problem?…..that this plan is an expensive and complex endeavor that needs immediate attention to avoid the embarrassment and expense of another round of fines?
Fail often, fail well
Companies have a great deal to learn from failure—provided they manage it successfully
BUSINESS writers have always worshipped at the altar of success. Tom Peters turned himself into a superstar with “In Search of Excellenceâ€. Stephen Covey has sold more than 15m copies of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleâ€. Malcolm Gladwell cleverly subtitled his third book, “Outliersâ€, “The Story of Successâ€. This success-fetish makes the latest management fashion all the more remarkable. The April issue of the Harvard Business Review is devoted to failure, featuring among other contributors A.G. Lafley, a successful ex-boss of Procter & Gamble (P&G), proclaiming that “we learn much more from failure than we do from success.†The current British edition of Wired magazine has “Fail! Fast. Then succeed. What European business needs to learn from Silicon Valley†on its cover. IDEO, a consultancy, has coined the slogan “Fail often in order to succeed soonerâ€.
There are good reasons for the failure fashion. Success and failure are not polar opposites: you often need to endure the second to enjoy the first. Failure can indeed be a better teacher than success. It can also be a sign of creativity. The best way to avoid short-term failure is to keep churning out the same old products, though in the long term this may spell your doom. Businesses cannot invent the future—their own future—without taking risks.
Entrepreneurs have always understood this. Thomas Edison performed 9,000 experiments before coming up with a successful version of the light bulb. Students of entrepreneurship talk about the J-curve of returns: the failures come early and often and the successes take time. America has proved to be more entrepreneurial than Europe in large part because it has embraced a culture of “failing forward†as a common tech-industry phrase puts it: in Germany bankruptcy can end your business career whereas in Silicon Valley it is almost a badge of honour.
A more tolerant attitude to failure can also help companies to avoid destruction. When Alan Mulally became boss of an ailing Ford Motor Company in 2006 one of the first things he did was demand that his executives own up to their failures. He asked managers to colour-code their progress reports—ranging from green for good to red for trouble. At one early meeting he expressed astonishment at being confronted by a sea of green, even though the company had lost several billion dollars in the previous year. Ford’s recovery began only when he got his managers to admit that things weren’t entirely green.
Failure is also becoming more common. John Hagel, of Deloitte’s Centre for the Edge (which advises bosses on technology), calculates that the average time a company spends in the S&P 500 index has declined from 75 years in 1937 to about 15 years today. Up to 90% of new businesses fail shortly after being founded. Venture-capital firms are lucky if 20% of their investments pay off. Pharmaceutical companies research hundreds of molecular groups before coming up with a marketable drug. Less than 2% of films account for 80% of box-office returns.
But simply “embracing†failure would be as silly as ignoring it. Companies need to learn how to manage it. Amy Edmondson of Harvard Business School argues that the first thing they must do is distinguish between productive and unproductive failures. There is nothing to be gained from tolerating defects on the production line or mistakes in the operating theatre.
This might sound like an obvious distinction. But it is one that some of the best minds in business have failed to make. James McNerney, a former boss of 3M, a manufacturer, damaged the company’s innovation engine by trying to apply six-sigma principles (which are intended to reduce errors on production lines) to the entire company, including the research laboratories. It is only a matter of time before a boss, hypnotised by all the current talk of “rampant experimentationâ€, makes the opposite mistake.
Companies must also recognise the virtues of failing small and failing fast. Peter Sims likens this to placing “Little Betsâ€, in a new book of that title. Chris Rock, one of the world’s most successful comedians, tries out his ideas in small venues, often bombing and always junking more material than he saves. Jeff Bezos, the boss of Amazon, compares his company’s strategy to planting seeds, or “going down blind alleysâ€. One of those blind alleys, letting small shops sell books on the company’s website, now accounts for a third of its sales.
Damage limitation
Placing small bets is one of several ways that companies can limit the downside of failure. Mr Sims emphasises the importance of testing ideas on consumers using rough-and-ready prototypes: they will be more willing to give honest opinions on something that is clearly an early-stage mock-up than on something that looks like the finished product. Chris Zook, of Bain & Company, a consultancy, urges companies to keep potential failures close to their core business—perhaps by introducing existing products into new markets or new products into familiar markets. Rita Gunther McGrath of Columbia Business School suggests that companies should guard against “confirmation bias†by giving one team member the job of looking for flaws.
But there is no point in failing fast if you fail to learn from your mistakes. Companies are trying hard to get better at this. India’s Tata group awards an annual prize for the best failed idea. Intuit, in software, and Eli Lilly, in pharmaceuticals, have both taken to holding “failure partiesâ€. P&G encourages employees to talk about their failures as well as their successes during performance reviews. But the higher up in the company, the bigger the egos and the greater the reluctance to admit to really big failings rather than minor ones. Bosses should remember how often failure paves the way for success: Henry Ford got nowhere with his first two attempts to start a car company, but that did not stop him.
Source: The Economist: Schumpeter