Strike Lockout Whatever

If you're a Major League pitcher trying to get ahead in the count, a strike is a good thing. If you're a sports fan just wanting to see top athletes compete, the term strike has a very different meaning. Of course, if it's management that's officially causing the disruption, it's called a lockout, but the end result is the same...it's a labour dispute, and games are cancelled.

Such is the case right now in the NBA. I don't want to get into all the political, financial, and contractual details behind it, because it really doesn't matter. All that matters to us fans is that NBA basketball isn't happening yet this season, and may not for quite some time. If you're looking for the score, I can give it to you:

Players: 0  Owners: 0  Fans: 0

I wonder if they really understand the impact of a labour dispute? Major League Baseball certainly does. In the 1994-1995 season, baseball suffered a 232 day work stoppage. Yes, I'm sure something eventually got resolved. I'm sure neither side got what they wanted. But what about the fans? The truth is....many of them left, and NEVER came back! The league-leading Montreal Expos essentially packed it in, having been robbed of their chance at a World Series (it was cancelled due to the strike). While I don't live in a city currently involved in the World Series, there still used to be a buzz around town about it. That buzz hasn't existed in many years. I think the strike played a role in turning people away from the sport in general.

That's the real problem here. Professional sports is entertainment, nothing more. It exists only because we want it to exist. When it stops entertaining us, it no longer has a purpose. It's very expensive to attend professional sporting events. When a prolonged labour dispute has us turn our attentions away from the game and spend our ticket money on other things, we often realize that we were spending too much money watching some high-priced people play a game that we play for free, and we spend our precious dollars elsewhere.

The NBA is currently in a very delicate situation. Their labour dispute will not easily be resolved. Both sides are gearing up for a long battle. They are willing to lose in the short term, to win in the long term. The only problem is, there are THREE sides to this equation. And if the fans get tired of it all and walk away, then everybody loses.

   Don

The Power Of Scale

I work at IBM. So do over 400,000 others from around the world. The numbers are quite staggering. But more important than business metrics is the impact that large communities of people can have...when they work together.

In this, our 100th anniversary year, IBM has put a focus on the Celebration of Service program. This program unites IBMers, their families, and friends from across the globe, in an effort to impact our planet through community service. Sounds like a good idea, doesn't it? But how much impact can be driven through the efforts of just one company? Let's take a look at the stats...

So far this year, the Celebration of Service program has recorded over 3 MILLION hours of pledged and delivered service! Doing the math (and we LOVE math, don't we?), that equates to almost 380 THOUSAND 8-hour days. Assuming a full 7-day week (there are no days off when it comes to charity), that means this program has generated over 1 THOUSAND PERSON-YEARS of service! Wow!!

The number is hard to conceive. Imagine the impact this has had on communities, schools, local programs, etc. Last June, to close out our first 100 years as a company, IBM set ALL of its available staff on a mission of service. I was on business in Athens, Greece at the time, but I still did my part...picking up garbage at the Acropolis (and it's amazing how much trash can accumulate after 3,000 years). It was exciting to be part of such a large and impactful movement.

The program has received much praise and support from the public. Other businesses have even stepped up to raise awareness. Kathy Ireland, designer, former model, and CEO of kathy ireland WORLDWIDE, one of the world's most successful brands, even produced a touching video sharing her thoughts on the event. It's all a bit overwhelming.

So, with all IBM's corporate muscle, there certainly mustn't be any need for individual contributions...right? Of course, that's far from the truth. The power that IBM was able to unleash on this project was driven by the accumulation of many thousands of people, each dedicated to the cause. It requires individuals to be successful. People like you. That's the true power of scale!

If you want to learn more about this program, check out the IBM Celebration of Service Website.

   Don

I'm Thankful

As my fellow Canadians and I take the day to reflect on our blessings, it's difficult to know where to start. We live in such a bountiful country, with opportunity and prosperity, it feels like every day should be Thanksgiving. But it's not, so let's take the time on this day to fully appreciate what we have.

It's difficult to know where to start. I suppose I could say something trite, like, "I'm thankful I'm not a turkey.", but I'm sure some of my closer friends would take exception to that claim, so let's just dive into the real list...

I'm thankful for my family. It goes without saying sometimes, but never should, that my family is the key to my reason for being. My wife, my boys, my parents and siblings and in-laws. They provide strength, support, protection, comfort, knowledge, and most importantly, LOVE. They're very special to me. And I'm very thankful for them.

I'm thankful for the opportunities in my life. I have a very successful career. I believe I could have been and done almost anything that I wanted. It was up to me. But the opportunity was there. Not so for many others. You've got to feel thankful for that.

I'm thankful for my health. Sure, I could eat better and exercise more often, but I don't often get sick, or suffer pains. I can play with my kids. I can tour a foreign city on foot. I can use my arms and legs to their fullest abilities. I can type this blog. And I can read the results. All the parts work. That's pretty awesome.

I'm thankful for the curve balls in life. Imagine how boring it would be to wake up every morning knowing that nothing interesting was going to happen. I enjoy the twists in the road. It's an old cliche, and part of an Aerosmith lyric, "Life's a journey, not a destination.", and it's true. Enjoy it all, even the bumps.

I'm thankful that all my basic human needs are met. Food, water, air, shelter, etc. It sounds silly to say so, but how many people can't? There are literally BILLIONS! Safe drinking water is becoming a global issue today...and it's only getting worse. We should be thankful that we have it...and we should do something about making it available to others. It's a problem that's not going to fix itself.

I'm thankful for your connection. I've had some fantastic experiences, and met some very special people through an unlikely social interaction. They've changed my life...for the better. Maybe someone you interact with will change your life too. Maybe it will be me. I'd be honored. Just reach out.

On this day, and every day, be thankful that you are alive. Be thankful that you are in control of who you are inside. No one can take that away. Be thankful for everything you are, and commit to making the most of it. After all, you deserve it.

Thankfully,

   Don