November/December 1999

Change Is Here To Stay

There’s no escaping change. And perhaps nothing illustrates that fact more than the coming millennium. The year 2000 is just days away and, like anything new, it may take some getting used to. But at least the new year is a known, foreseeable change. Most change comes at us unexpectedly, interrupting our routine. We are forced to accept the disruption—whether we want to or not—adjust to it, and move on. It isn’t always easy, but it’s a fact of life.

Getting used to 2000 is small beans compared to other changes we face throughout life. In this issue of Duck Tales,™ we will look at what it takes to adapt to change and to lead change—two skills that will become increasingly critical in the coming years.

Strategy With Certainty
The adage that nothing is certain except death and taxes may seem like the appropriate mantra for businesses intent on creating strategies today. As soon as an organization has a strategy in place, things often change or become more uncertain. There are some certainties, however, that organizations can base their strategies on for the next few years. Although they are more social and political than economic, these elements will have a profound impact on businesses in the coming years:

The age of things to come. The birthrate is collapsing in developed countries and the elderly will soon outnumber the young. Businesses, therefore, must base strategies on a shrinking population, particularly the young population.
Distributing income. Where are Americans spending their disposable income? Four sectors saw growth in the share of disposable income in the 20th century: government, health care, education, and leisure. Businesses must consider these trends to develop solid strategies.
Defining performance. Businesses today must satisfy more than a handful of shareholders. A growing middle class and older population will increasingly depend on their income as stock owners. Therefore, businesses must determine how performance will affect economic returns not in the next few years, but in the next 20 to 30 years.
Competing around the globe. Business survival means meeting the standards set across the globe. Gone is the acceptance of cheap labor. In fact, in most manufacturing industries, the cost of manual labor means less and less to the bottom line today. Productivity must be established through new levels and methods, and above all, be accepted globally.

Growing Wisely
A business that is not growing or attempting to grow today may as well hang an “Out of Business” sign on its door. An emphasis on growth is now as essential to an organization’s success as its focus on quality improvement, customer service, and operational excellence. Here are a few points regarding growth for every business to consider:

(1) No business is too mature. Some companies become complacent in their efforts to grow simply because the company is well established or the industry is mature. Managers must continually redefine how they view their industry and markets.
(2) Growth isn’t always good. In essence, there’s good growth and bad growth. Bad growth is growth for growth’s sake or growth that requires astronomical expenses. Good growth, however, can be defined as sustainable and profitable. It uses company dollars wisely.
(3) It must trickle down. An organization’s leaders must advocate growth, teach growth, and expect growth.
(4) Growth must be sustainable. True growth will occur when an organization differentiates between what they make and what the customer needs. Growth for the long run is based on the tenets of cost structure, quality, asset utilization, capital investment, and customer service.
(5) Every venture has risks. Organizations are often leery of the risks associated with growth. But the risks associated with remaining stagnant while your competitors grow are far greater.

The Power of Positive Thinking
It was the first warm day of spring and the young girl and her mother went to the park to enjoy the beautiful weather. In celebration, the mother bought her daughter a helium balloon, a favorite plaything of the young girl. As the girl danced around the park with her balloon, a big gust of wind suddenly swept it from the girl’s hands.

A passer-by braced himself for tears and screams. But he didn’t know this little girl very well. The child looked up to the sky and gleefully shouted, “Wow! Look at how beautiful my balloon is, mommy.” At that moment, the passer-by learned a valuable lesson. When life throws you a curve ball, say “wow.” Instead of a frustrated “oh no,” try saying, “wow, wasn’t that something” or “wow, isn’t that interesting” or “wow, what a surprise.” The little girl didn’t even consider crying for her lost balloon; her instant response was to appreciate it in a new way.

Life will always present us with unexpected problems and setbacks. If we can say “wow” to them instead of lament about our bad luck, we will experience far less frustration and anger in our lives.

Americans Upbeat About Future
As the world approaches the new millennium, Americans have their share of worries, but they remain hopeful about the future nonetheless. Concerns about global warming, a terrorist attack, and nuclear war are prevalent; still, a study found that four out of five Americans say they are hopeful about life in the coming years. They base their optimistic outlook on faith in science and technology, modern medicine, and higher education. Other polls also suggest that the booming economy is cause for optimism.

The Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that while Americans are generally optimistic about the future, they have some grave concerns for the coming decades. Thirty-seven percent of Americans expect the United States to be involved in a nuclear war in the next 50 years, and 56 percent believe overpopulation will be a big problem within that time. Sixty-four percent believe a major terrorist attack using biological or chemical weapons will occur against the United States, and about the same percentage believe environmental problems and an energy crisis will threaten the world.

Despite these worries, 7 out of 10 Americans said they were optimistic about the country’s next 50 years. Four out of five people believe that in the next five decades, cures for cancer and AIDS will be discovered, democracy will continue spreading around the globe, and a woman will become president of the United States. About 80 percent said medical advances, higher education, and science and technology would help improve life in the United States. Meanwhile, two-thirds of the people polled said they view the year 2000 just like any other new year, noting they do not believe the new millennium will bring about any major changes.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Have you ever noticed how some people remain unflappable in even the most difficult situations? They find solutions to problems, move on, and really enjoy life and its challenges. What’s their secret? It’s not one secret, but several, according to the authors of How We Choose to Be Happy. Greg Hicks and Rick Foster say happiness is a learnable skill and even sad old Eeyore from the Winnie-the-Pooh books could learn to be happy if he only tried these techniques:

(1) Make it your credo. Contented people make a conscious decision each day to be happy. They gravitate to others who share their sunny outlook and constantly seek the pleasures in life.
(2) Be accountable. Happy people don’t expect others to create their happiness or blame their hardships on outside circumstances. Instead, they hold themselves responsible for their own choices and fate.
(3) Know thyself. People who are happy with their lives make sure they’re living by their values. They know what makes them happy and constantly seek to make those activities a part of their life.
(4) See the bright side. When disaster strikes, joyful people take away something meaningful from the situation. They face difficulties head-on and learn from them.
(5) Be flexible. Contented people know a new opportunity is always around the corner. If they lose their job, they start looking for a new one instead of moping.
(6) Be generous. Those who make the most of life offer a helping hand without having to be asked. People appreciate their generosity and return the favors, making life even richer.

Celebrating the Future
With the millennium just days away, many people are thinking about the huge parties and festivities they plan to attend. But Philip Bogdonoff, vice president of the nonprofit Millennium Institute, has a different kind of celebration in mind. The millennium, says Bogdonoff, is “too important to let flash by in one night of partying.” His organization is urging Americans to give “millennium gifts”—gifts that will have a long-term impact on a family, a neighborhood, a community, or even a nation. His suggestions?

Enhance your neighborhood or community by planting flowers or trees. The former prime minister of Iceland has committed to planting 2,000 trees every year for the rest of his life.
Help a person in need. A Muslim farmer living in a bomb-ravaged town in Bosnia took fresh milk to his Serbian neighbor and her baby girl for 442 mornings until his cow died.
Forgive a loan. London’s Jubilee 2000 is asking the wealthiest nations to forgive the debts of the poorest nations, many of whom are compromising their children’s future by trying to repay their debts.
Apologize to a friend or relative for something you did. British Prime Minister Tony Blair apologized for England’s lapses during last century’s Irish famine, and former South African President F.W. De Klerk voiced remorse over all for the pain caused by apartheid.

Imagine if everyone in the world began offering millennium gifts to their children, their neighbors, their community, their world. Now that would be a true celebration, indeed!

Sincerely, Your Friend
Manco T. Duck