And so the ultimate decision was reached yesterday to not go public at least for the next few years until I can consolidate MEDP further. Our General Council was very encouraging in that she said we should push to have an underwriter take on our application but the terms were not very favorable. Our initial IPO was relatively low and we would have to give up a sizable amount of shares to gain the capital needed for marketing. I suppose it's back to the drawing board.
An idea at this stage is to personally lobby some strategic people that may aide us in spreading the awareness of our conferences to students and staff of various universities and businesses. We are also looking into a direct mailing campaign which may be more cost effective.
Inspiring the web design team is a seemingly arduous process due to their busy nature, but where money is short, charisma can go a long way (or so I hope!).
- Jean-Paul
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Bypassing Marketing
This option is something I am using at the moment due to the astronomical sums required to advertise in conventional ways. Internet advertising (pay-per-click) is a good method to advertise cheaply, but only if keywords are appropriate. If not, people may visit your site under the wrong impression and will often end up costing for nothing. The other difficulty with internet ads is that it is much more difficult to reach specific geographic population centers. That is where tv, radio, and print comes into play. These, however, are often insanely expensive for a growing organization.
MED-P (Mitigating Endemic Democratic Problems) is a semi-commercial international non-governmental organization, with the other half being not-for-profit. We do not sell any products (other than our annual journal, the IADI, in the development stage). What our commercial side does is sell a service. That service is simply the cost and participation of anyone with a practical idea on how to improve something about their country. We organize these people and their ideas into conferences where they then write a chapter (relevant ideas are grouped together). These chapters are then separately published as manuals and collectively published as volumes. The manuals are distributed strategically to relevant government bodies whilst the volumes go to universities, libraries, NGOs, the UN, foreign embassies, media bodies, etc., all pro bono. This is done to disperse our delegate's ideas into the "winds of society" so that discussion and the dissemination of ideas can begin the process of improving the human condition of those living in that country. Of course, our conferences have listeners and student observers from around the world who hear these ideas, speak with others about their country's problems, network, etc., and return to their countries with ideas that may be applicable for them. These can go into use so that when MED-P comes to hold a Summit (conference series) in their nation these ideas may have had time to mature and someone may offer a more advanced idea which can likewise be brought back to the country where the original idea was taken. This synthesis is the optimal case scenario. In overall, MED-P is helping the people of the world make their lives and the lives of their children better simply by facilitating their ideas and guaranteeing their strategic placement in society.
The not-for-profit side approaches the same goals except with targeted projects such as local community development, scholarships, the New Sophist's Society, etc. See www.med-p.org for further information.
The problem encountered thus for me as the CEO is: how to effectively make people aware of MED-P's conferences? MED-P used to be a fully not-for-profit body but I decided a more philanthropic route would lead to greater results for our objectives. The difficulty is that capital is not readily available and due to our 'international' status it is difficult to gain credit from banks or larger NGO such as the UN or NED. I'm thinking of simply bypassing marketing by focusing on rallying my web-development team to continue improving our website and simply going ahead with whatever we have no matter what. Just make it work, ensure that media bodies know about it before it happens to gain some coverage, and hit the distribution of our delegates' ideas hard. Perhaps our process will be the ultimate market tool. It's a risky venture, but when you've got no money to play with (and essentially little to lose) risk seems not to be as great. The only thing that I cannot stand to bear is the idea of failure or disappointment. MED-P, in my opinion, is a realistic and practical organization with massive implications for global humanity. How can I get people to know about our conferences?
- Jean-Paul
MED-P (Mitigating Endemic Democratic Problems) is a semi-commercial international non-governmental organization, with the other half being not-for-profit. We do not sell any products (other than our annual journal, the IADI, in the development stage). What our commercial side does is sell a service. That service is simply the cost and participation of anyone with a practical idea on how to improve something about their country. We organize these people and their ideas into conferences where they then write a chapter (relevant ideas are grouped together). These chapters are then separately published as manuals and collectively published as volumes. The manuals are distributed strategically to relevant government bodies whilst the volumes go to universities, libraries, NGOs, the UN, foreign embassies, media bodies, etc., all pro bono. This is done to disperse our delegate's ideas into the "winds of society" so that discussion and the dissemination of ideas can begin the process of improving the human condition of those living in that country. Of course, our conferences have listeners and student observers from around the world who hear these ideas, speak with others about their country's problems, network, etc., and return to their countries with ideas that may be applicable for them. These can go into use so that when MED-P comes to hold a Summit (conference series) in their nation these ideas may have had time to mature and someone may offer a more advanced idea which can likewise be brought back to the country where the original idea was taken. This synthesis is the optimal case scenario. In overall, MED-P is helping the people of the world make their lives and the lives of their children better simply by facilitating their ideas and guaranteeing their strategic placement in society.
The not-for-profit side approaches the same goals except with targeted projects such as local community development, scholarships, the New Sophist's Society, etc. See www.med-p.org for further information.
The problem encountered thus for me as the CEO is: how to effectively make people aware of MED-P's conferences? MED-P used to be a fully not-for-profit body but I decided a more philanthropic route would lead to greater results for our objectives. The difficulty is that capital is not readily available and due to our 'international' status it is difficult to gain credit from banks or larger NGO such as the UN or NED. I'm thinking of simply bypassing marketing by focusing on rallying my web-development team to continue improving our website and simply going ahead with whatever we have no matter what. Just make it work, ensure that media bodies know about it before it happens to gain some coverage, and hit the distribution of our delegates' ideas hard. Perhaps our process will be the ultimate market tool. It's a risky venture, but when you've got no money to play with (and essentially little to lose) risk seems not to be as great. The only thing that I cannot stand to bear is the idea of failure or disappointment. MED-P, in my opinion, is a realistic and practical organization with massive implications for global humanity. How can I get people to know about our conferences?
- Jean-Paul
Keeping down administrative costs
As the internet developed further, businesses saw the opportunities therein to mobilize information, services, and sales to the virtual world. This movement helped to minimize previous administrative costs such as mail advertisement, tv, radio, etc. Online advertisement is a growing market with (probably) a long profit curve ahead of it. Another notable movement that is giving businesses an opportunity to reduce costs is the "green" or environmental wave.
CEOs should take notice to this and defer the information to their Head of HR and/or infrastructure/business analyst/accountant or take matters into their own hands with a public statement to the company (being "green" reflects good press and may increase sales, not to mention, it saves money in most cases). Some areas that benefit from revamping are staplers, paper, water bottles, paper cups (water cooler), and lighting. There are staplers which now use no staples, saving money and resources, by simply punching a hole in the stapled paper (must be paper) and folding the punched edge over. Recycled paper has been continuing its decline in price as it is more readily purchased by green consumers and can lower costs if your business is near a processing plant. Paper cups at the water cooler are generally a waste of both money and the environment (biodegradable cups are quite costly). What is suggested, is to do away with both paper cups and plastic bottles by encouraging your employees to buy Sigg bottles. These Swiss made metal bottles have been proven to leach no chemicals in water (unlike plastic bottles and other metal containers) and come with a long-life guarantee. These would cut down on paper cups and help the health of your employees. Obviously, a mug is just as good for office drinking, just not as easily portable as a bottle. Finally, if your company is building some edifice where people will be working, it is essential to have as much natural sunlight brought into all working spaces as possible. This not only reduces the cost of electricity during the daytime, but provides everyone with daylight the body needs and could help boost the immune system to reduce sick days. It is much less costly to have this designed by arranging it with your architect prior to construction.
Other long-term areas of consideration should include micro-power, gray water filtering, intensive recycling, on site compost, frame seals/door plans, the latest thermostat, electricity/water saving devices, and fresh air intake ventilation. Micro-power is the idea of using photovoltaics (solar panels), wind turbines, geothermal, or even concentrated sunlight to heat water to make steam to turn turbines to produce energy. If these or other long-term options are considered the initial cost will generally be slightly greater than conventional designs but in the future will definitely reduce administrative costs and perhaps even generate income if surplus energy is sold to the power grid. This surplus can be used in a variety of ways, including paying employees a higher wage, putting it into their pensions, investing in building maintenance, business diversification, etc. Gray water filtering/recycling is something truly being led by the Australians. If all water used in the building were recycled through a filtering process it would reduce the water bill considerably. Australian studies have shown that water recycling produces clean and safe drinking water. On site compost using any 'hot-composting' technology available produces a young soil full of nutrients that can be used for indoor plants and outdoor landscaping or gardening to give your office a more vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Ensuring that windows and doors leading to the outside are properly sealed to keep in heat and moisture is essential to reduce administrative costs. What is the point of heating or cooling your office if all that energy seeps out of cracks or doors? The best option is to ensure your architect and builder guarantee a process of providing these or that you have a fitter come in and check all windows and doors for efficiency. A great technique for doors (used at the Antarctic Center in Christchurch, NZ) is for two doors to be used to outside access, except that once one set of doors has opened, they must close for the second to open, thus preventing a rush of energy being lost.
Everything else is fairly explanatory except for the water and energy saving devices which many people still seem not to know about. Water faucets can be fitted with a small ring that reduces water flow by increasing pressure and oxidation (same goes for shower heads). Many power bars or utilities offer a standby option cutter. Computers, tv's, printers, etc. even when turned off remotely still use power to remain in "standby" mode. However, some power bars or utilities offer to cut power for a full shut-down thus reducing this waste of money. Another option is to have power outlets with a manual shut down button for easy power cutting.
I employ all of these techniques (and more) and am saving lots on administrative costs. Hope this helps someone.
- Jean-Paul
CEOs should take notice to this and defer the information to their Head of HR and/or infrastructure/business analyst/accountant or take matters into their own hands with a public statement to the company (being "green" reflects good press and may increase sales, not to mention, it saves money in most cases). Some areas that benefit from revamping are staplers, paper, water bottles, paper cups (water cooler), and lighting. There are staplers which now use no staples, saving money and resources, by simply punching a hole in the stapled paper (must be paper) and folding the punched edge over. Recycled paper has been continuing its decline in price as it is more readily purchased by green consumers and can lower costs if your business is near a processing plant. Paper cups at the water cooler are generally a waste of both money and the environment (biodegradable cups are quite costly). What is suggested, is to do away with both paper cups and plastic bottles by encouraging your employees to buy Sigg bottles. These Swiss made metal bottles have been proven to leach no chemicals in water (unlike plastic bottles and other metal containers) and come with a long-life guarantee. These would cut down on paper cups and help the health of your employees. Obviously, a mug is just as good for office drinking, just not as easily portable as a bottle. Finally, if your company is building some edifice where people will be working, it is essential to have as much natural sunlight brought into all working spaces as possible. This not only reduces the cost of electricity during the daytime, but provides everyone with daylight the body needs and could help boost the immune system to reduce sick days. It is much less costly to have this designed by arranging it with your architect prior to construction.
Other long-term areas of consideration should include micro-power, gray water filtering, intensive recycling, on site compost, frame seals/door plans, the latest thermostat, electricity/water saving devices, and fresh air intake ventilation. Micro-power is the idea of using photovoltaics (solar panels), wind turbines, geothermal, or even concentrated sunlight to heat water to make steam to turn turbines to produce energy. If these or other long-term options are considered the initial cost will generally be slightly greater than conventional designs but in the future will definitely reduce administrative costs and perhaps even generate income if surplus energy is sold to the power grid. This surplus can be used in a variety of ways, including paying employees a higher wage, putting it into their pensions, investing in building maintenance, business diversification, etc. Gray water filtering/recycling is something truly being led by the Australians. If all water used in the building were recycled through a filtering process it would reduce the water bill considerably. Australian studies have shown that water recycling produces clean and safe drinking water. On site compost using any 'hot-composting' technology available produces a young soil full of nutrients that can be used for indoor plants and outdoor landscaping or gardening to give your office a more vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Ensuring that windows and doors leading to the outside are properly sealed to keep in heat and moisture is essential to reduce administrative costs. What is the point of heating or cooling your office if all that energy seeps out of cracks or doors? The best option is to ensure your architect and builder guarantee a process of providing these or that you have a fitter come in and check all windows and doors for efficiency. A great technique for doors (used at the Antarctic Center in Christchurch, NZ) is for two doors to be used to outside access, except that once one set of doors has opened, they must close for the second to open, thus preventing a rush of energy being lost.
Everything else is fairly explanatory except for the water and energy saving devices which many people still seem not to know about. Water faucets can be fitted with a small ring that reduces water flow by increasing pressure and oxidation (same goes for shower heads). Many power bars or utilities offer a standby option cutter. Computers, tv's, printers, etc. even when turned off remotely still use power to remain in "standby" mode. However, some power bars or utilities offer to cut power for a full shut-down thus reducing this waste of money. Another option is to have power outlets with a manual shut down button for easy power cutting.
I employ all of these techniques (and more) and am saving lots on administrative costs. Hope this helps someone.
- Jean-Paul
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Language in the Workplace
This argument extends also to the philosophy I have taken for the general environment in a critique I am presently writing on our society. Language and physical behavior is something that must be moderated in the workplace, but not in draconian or secretive ways. Employees (an employee is all under the CEO) must be trained and aware of the value of not using abusive language or intimidating physical language. When considered language is used people generally feel more comfortable and safe rather then when being near a barrage of abuse from a manager or co-worker which raises hostilities. It’s about respect for yourself and respect for others. Why would an educated and cultured person, passionate about human rights, the environment, democracy, etc. debase themselves with inappropriate and foul language? Obviously sometimes these words are so ingrained in our psyche that when we encounter a moment of extreme stress (say right before a car accident, or when you smash your toe against some horribly solid object, etc.) any bad words are probably appropriate, haha. It’s just the everyday use of language and communication between people. The time and effort you put into being nice to someone with clearly chosen and friendly language will come back and create a positive feedback cycle.
The other key to remember is to always have positive, transparent, accountable, and open lines of communication between you (the CEO), managers, and other employees. Everyone has to know that they are very welcome to come and speak about anything on their minds, even if it is turmoil at home, with another co-worker, difficulty on a project, etc., or just a nice chat over a cup of your favorite drink. If you can extend this line of thinking to your dealings with other people online and in public, you will enjoy a much higher quality of social interaction and hopefully teach many ignorant and verbally abusive people online and in public the merits of being courteous, compassionate, thoughtful, and kind to others and yourself.
- Jean-PaulPositive Employee Interaction
I find that interacting with employees is something I take quite personally. I really enjoy talking to those working for MEDP and getting to know them is a major step in lowering turnover and improving productivity as people will begin to feel a larger connection and greater sense of importance with the organization.
The only area to avoid, however, is the realm across professionalism. If your employees feel that you may be too friendly they might feel that they can slacken or may even lose respect for you. I don't think this has happened to me as I generally keep a professional environment at all times, but that doesn't mean I can't be nice. It's about politeness, but with an edge of authority just noticeable with each word. Couple those with the time you've spent getting to know your employees, dialogue opens up. Employees may become more willing to approach you about their ideas of how to improve areas you and your lower executives may have missed and such things can make or break a business. Letting your employees know this and encouraging them is a positive step as well.
- Jean-Paul
The only area to avoid, however, is the realm across professionalism. If your employees feel that you may be too friendly they might feel that they can slacken or may even lose respect for you. I don't think this has happened to me as I generally keep a professional environment at all times, but that doesn't mean I can't be nice. It's about politeness, but with an edge of authority just noticeable with each word. Couple those with the time you've spent getting to know your employees, dialogue opens up. Employees may become more willing to approach you about their ideas of how to improve areas you and your lower executives may have missed and such things can make or break a business. Letting your employees know this and encouraging them is a positive step as well.
- Jean-Paul
Monday, July 21, 2008
Power, Neoliberalism, and Politics - A View
As it is in most things around life, politics play a large role. The perspectives and practices that may vary from one person or another are often defined by political theorists to simplify and organize knowledge. One of the most current and practiced of these categories is Neoliberalism. Recalling McChesney in Chomsky's Profit Over People (p. 7), Neoliberalism is defined as the "policies and processes whereby a relative handful of private interests are permitted to control as much as possible of social life in order to maximize profits." This is exactly the type of practice that I avoid as a CEO. Not because profits are a bad thing, but because it is my duty to put my organization's goals at the forefront which move to improve democracies, humanity, and the natural environment among other things.
Neoliberalism is often times the defining method of operation for most CEOs as profits are what drive the market economy. However, I feel that there is a shift approaching which is very much attached to the global environmental crises and modern telecommunications. Power as defined by Neoliberalism, is in my opinion, on the decline. More and more over the world people are gaining better educations, learning about the vices and virtues of democracy, and are calling for increased transparency, accountability, and equality. All these areas are a drive towards removing the secrecy of past power politics and are acknowledging that many things in life are more important than profits. There is also a growing trend amongst many European and North American people of rejecting classical perceptions of power such as materialism. Focus is being given to the importance of people, environment, experiences, and social awareness. Telecommunications is allowing for civil society to unite on a global scale which is one of many processes which erodes the jingoistic and often negative aspects of nationalism such as a hate for another country or nation without regard that people of that country or nation may have the same interests and opinions as you.
Business culture is often a mirror of popular political behavior and this growing shift in our societies away from classical notions of power such as Neoliberalism is probably one of the factors leading to the burgeoning ranks of "social" companies, or more transparent businesses, and the "green economy." Oddly enough, businesses and politicians are doing this inherently to maintain power and profits but it is a growing trade off. Profits are not a bad thing, but like power, there is a limit before things become absurd. Unless you are an active philanthropist (someone has shared with me that Rockefeller (H.D?) donated over 500,000,000$ US to various charities) supporting many positive activities, why would you need tens of millions of dollars? For more cars? A bigger mansion or big screen TV in the bathroom? How can these empty items derive any pleasure...it's just not obvious to me.
The touch of a loved one, beaming parents, the smile of a child, the proud thanks of an aid beneficiary, the sigh of relief from someone helped after a catastrophe, the look of admiration given in men's eyes after many good deeds are done; these and many many more are the true diamonds in life. To hell with Lamborghini and Gucci, I'll take the trowl and lay the next brick in the house for humanity.
- Jean-Paul
Neoliberalism is often times the defining method of operation for most CEOs as profits are what drive the market economy. However, I feel that there is a shift approaching which is very much attached to the global environmental crises and modern telecommunications. Power as defined by Neoliberalism, is in my opinion, on the decline. More and more over the world people are gaining better educations, learning about the vices and virtues of democracy, and are calling for increased transparency, accountability, and equality. All these areas are a drive towards removing the secrecy of past power politics and are acknowledging that many things in life are more important than profits. There is also a growing trend amongst many European and North American people of rejecting classical perceptions of power such as materialism. Focus is being given to the importance of people, environment, experiences, and social awareness. Telecommunications is allowing for civil society to unite on a global scale which is one of many processes which erodes the jingoistic and often negative aspects of nationalism such as a hate for another country or nation without regard that people of that country or nation may have the same interests and opinions as you.
Business culture is often a mirror of popular political behavior and this growing shift in our societies away from classical notions of power such as Neoliberalism is probably one of the factors leading to the burgeoning ranks of "social" companies, or more transparent businesses, and the "green economy." Oddly enough, businesses and politicians are doing this inherently to maintain power and profits but it is a growing trade off. Profits are not a bad thing, but like power, there is a limit before things become absurd. Unless you are an active philanthropist (someone has shared with me that Rockefeller (H.D?) donated over 500,000,000$ US to various charities) supporting many positive activities, why would you need tens of millions of dollars? For more cars? A bigger mansion or big screen TV in the bathroom? How can these empty items derive any pleasure...it's just not obvious to me.
The touch of a loved one, beaming parents, the smile of a child, the proud thanks of an aid beneficiary, the sigh of relief from someone helped after a catastrophe, the look of admiration given in men's eyes after many good deeds are done; these and many many more are the true diamonds in life. To hell with Lamborghini and Gucci, I'll take the trowl and lay the next brick in the house for humanity.
- Jean-Paul
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Corporate Duties: learning the ropes
It has recently become apparent to me that CEO's have a very specific role within their corporate bodies. I have never been to any kind of corporate training seminar with a major company, so much of what I am learning now is through a process of observation, trial, and probably error. It has always been obvious that in order to be a CEO you must posses excellent leadership skills, great confidence, management know how, mad PR skills, and the overall general drive to keep the corporate body moving forward (whether is be by meeting goals, or profits, etc.). But then there's the other stuff...technical business matters that really take years of experience to know. For example, should (can?) MEDP go public or stay private? Get a general council and what firm? What are the legal implications for an international NGO operating commercially and non-commercially in over 12 different sovereign states annually? These problem areas and others are a bit annoying but the key thus far has really been to take my time in considering all options and to really try to remain true to MEDP's constitution and overall goals.
MEDP is not yet a publicly traded company and I'm not sure that it ever will be due to its semi not-for-profit nature. The bottom line is, I would be able to guarantee the kind of growth requirements investors depend on but I don't think that it can be legal because much of our commercial earnings are fed back into our not-for-profit projects like strengthening democracy on the community level or the New Sophist's Society (see med-p.org for further details) and such probably can't be quantified as 'earnings'. Another problem with going public is that the constitution of the company can be compromised in the effort to meet investor satisfaction.
I've been sorting through these problems and trying to read up on them (fyi, corporate magazine subscriptions are choice) for the past few weeks but they haven't been stressing me. I really feel good about that fact and can enjoy my time with my loved ones and continue following up my social interests without always lingering on these problems. Case and point: went to Picasso's personal collection exhibit today in Brisbane and completely forgot about the benefits of going public, haha.
- Jean-Paul
MEDP is not yet a publicly traded company and I'm not sure that it ever will be due to its semi not-for-profit nature. The bottom line is, I would be able to guarantee the kind of growth requirements investors depend on but I don't think that it can be legal because much of our commercial earnings are fed back into our not-for-profit projects like strengthening democracy on the community level or the New Sophist's Society (see med-p.org for further details) and such probably can't be quantified as 'earnings'. Another problem with going public is that the constitution of the company can be compromised in the effort to meet investor satisfaction.
I've been sorting through these problems and trying to read up on them (fyi, corporate magazine subscriptions are choice) for the past few weeks but they haven't been stressing me. I really feel good about that fact and can enjoy my time with my loved ones and continue following up my social interests without always lingering on these problems. Case and point: went to Picasso's personal collection exhibit today in Brisbane and completely forgot about the benefits of going public, haha.
- Jean-Paul
Friday, July 18, 2008
Pushing the Corporate Barrier
There is a stereotype that is often portrayed in popular media of the secretive, elusive, wealthy, and elitist body known as the 'corporate'. The term corporation is now quite vexed with negative connotations and in most instances, quite deservedly. I, for one, do not like to ascribe myself as a member of this 'corporate' identity but prefer to remain as I am, unchanged.
Being 'corporate' has a variety of meanings depending on your position within a body and the type of body you are part of. Say for example, you may work for a private or publicly trading company. It may be a local company or a transnational behemoth with several boards and committees. Each has its own requisite legal obligations. The culture of business is quite varied depending on the country you work in.
The bottom line however, is the recognition of pushing barriers that seem to delineate 'corporates' from 'workers' re-humanizes the position as the pushing of these barriers often breaks them.
- Jean-Paul
Being 'corporate' has a variety of meanings depending on your position within a body and the type of body you are part of. Say for example, you may work for a private or publicly trading company. It may be a local company or a transnational behemoth with several boards and committees. Each has its own requisite legal obligations. The culture of business is quite varied depending on the country you work in.
The bottom line however, is the recognition of pushing barriers that seem to delineate 'corporates' from 'workers' re-humanizes the position as the pushing of these barriers often breaks them.
- Jean-Paul
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)