Robert Dickie CEO Newswire

Lambs and experts both get sheared!

Dear Rupert…what are you doing?

I love the Wall Street Journal. I read it everyday and have for years. I recently decided I wanted to get the online version so I could access this anywhere in the world when I travel. I was a bit surprised when I was told I would have to pay for the online content which I did not understand. I think if you are a subscriber you should get access to the content online for free. I’ve already bought the paper.  I love my WSJ so I bought it but now find out that if I want access to this content on my iPhone with the new WSJ application that they want to charge me again? Asking me to pay for the same content three different times is crazy. This might add to the bottom line in the short run but they run the risk of losing me as a loyal customer and many others. USAToday, NYTimes, and hosts of other news services offer much their content online for free and they have other revenue generating models built in to support this. Rupert Murdoch, the founder, chairman and managing director of News Corporation (News Corp) which owns the Wall Street Journal, recently made news (no pun intented :) when he said he is considering not allowing Google to access their content online.  This is what one expert is saying about this.  This goes 100% against the current in the industry where content is moving towards free.  It is a risky move but I think he may be on to something.  The WSJ is a different news source than the rest and he may be able to get away with this. His target demographic is different than many other papers. However, asking his loyal users to pay three times for the same content is too much.  I willingly pay to get the Wall Street Journal because I love the quality of their reporting and content but not am not willing to pay three times to get the same content. I think they need to review this policy. At any rate, if Rupert does ban Google from using their content it will be interesting to see how this affects the industry and the WSJ.

Dr. Barry Asmus on the importance of economic freedom

I met Dr. Barry Asmus last night at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Detroit Branch. His hour long presentation was hands down one of the best I have ever heard. I have included his website above. I highly recommend going and watching the video he has posted on his home page. It is 58 minutes but well worth it. If you want to learn more about our economy today and what we need to do to get back on track he has some very powerful points to think about. Below is a short clip I found on YouTube.com Enjoy!

Thank You!

After serving as CEO for Signature Management Team for the past five years, I announced my intent to step down to the board and submitted my letter of resignation this past Monday morning. This was no small decision for me and this required much prayer and thought to make the right decision for my family. I am excited to be moving on to the next chapter of my life and the new challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

I left my career in the military to accept this job in 2004 with a full understanding of the daunting task before us and the immense list of objectives. I am excited when I look back at all that has been accomplished and the many hurdles and challenges we overcame to accomplish our goals. This success is due in large part to the tireless hard work, passion for excellence, and service before self attitude of the world class staff at the home office in Flint, Michigan. They are hands down the best team of people I have ever been associated with and it has been an honor to work with each of them for the past five years. I love and respect my staff and I know I am leaving the company in great hands with Rob Hallstrand. He is an incredible leader who is excited and well prepared to lead this company. I have also thoroughly enjoyed the friendships that I have made with our customers and the great experiences we have shared together building this company to where it is today. I truly feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with all of you. Finally, I want to thank the board for their support and friendship.

It saddens me to leave such a fine group of people but know I will continue to cheer for your success. As I close this chapter in my life, I want to thank each of you for the profound impact that you have had on my life. Brandi and I wish you all the very best.

7 Summit Challenge!

Bob Cassidy and I along with a host of others enjoyed a six day training climb on Mt. Rainier this past August to prepare for the "7 Summit Challenge." This brief video clip highlights some of the sights as we climbed to the summit. The goal of the "7 Summit Challenge" is to raise over three million dollars for Austism, Cancer, and Alzheimer's support and research. It is exciting to see major companies already getting behind this effort to help raise awareness and support for these organizations. Stay tuned to hear more about this cause.

How underdogs can win: newyorker.com

How underdogs can win: newyorker.com Shared via AddThis

This is an excellent article written by one of my favorite authors, Malcolm Gladwell.  It is a long article but well worth your time.  I have always cheered for the underdog and love watching underdogs win victories in sports and business. It happens all the time.  Want to learn what Malcolm Gladwell thinks is the key to their success....this article will tell you.  Please share your thoughts and let me know if you agree or disagree with his analysis.   

A Thoughtful Failure Isn't Bad

I heard this quote from a speaker talking to a group of business leaders in Detroit. “People will tolerate your conclusions and act on their own. If you have a culture of “change of the month” they will not take your new changes seriously.” This really hit home. All businesses have to change and adapt to the new market forces that are affecting the economy right now. As the old adage goes you should “measure twice and cut once.” Some business are moving fast, making solid quick changes to position their business to be successful while others are keeping their head in the sand and changing nothing. One would think that not changing is the worst thing you could do. However, this speaker felt that changing too quickly and too often was actually worst. There is an important balance one must strike.

When I think of change I think of “thoughtful failure.” Hopefully, the change is thought out, planned, discussed and then once implemented watched for its results. If it is a failure you can mark this up as a “thoughtful failure” as you tried something new to gain a new result.  If the results were not what you were hoping for you go back to the drawing board to get better. This is part of the PDCA loop or Plan, Do, Check, Adjust (productive loop) that many learn about.

Thoughtful failure is good.  Given the choice I am sure we all would prefer not to fail but this isn't realistic.  If you are pushing yourself and your company you can expect failures.  That is part of the growing process.  I have heard some people say "if you aren't failing you aren't trying hard enough."  This is how we learn and improve over time.  In this economy everyone is making adjustments whether it be with personal or business operations. Don’t be afraid of making a change. Just make sure you have thought about it, studied it, and know what your desired outcome is from this change and then take the time to review the results. A thoughtful failure can be one of the most important growing experiences for us personally and as a business. In business, be careful your “change culture” is not too excessive.

Will Google Crome OS Disrupt Your Business?

This is a very well written and thought out article by my brother in law, Kevin Thompson. He shares his ideas on how the new Google OS (Operating System) is about to be a game changer in the IT industry and by default will change the way the rest of the world operates. I agree with his analysis. What are your thoughts? 

How Much Do You Know About Social Media?

How much do you know about social media? Watch this incredible video on YouTube to find out. Those who think social media is a fad that can be controlled or ignored are in for a rude awakening.

Congressman Mike Rogers speaks on National Health Care