The Thinking Tank Online

Posted on January 11, 2008
Filed Under Self Improvement |

It is truly amazing how many super intellectuals we have in our civilizations and societies. It is indeed interesting how many Think Tanks exist to utilize all these advanced minds. Should you join a Think Tank, are you smart enough to cut the mustard?

Maybe you should tryout for one and see if you qualify, of course, you are probably saying to yourself; “self, am I really smart enough to join a Think Tank?” Well let me give you an example of at least one online think tank and what types of stuff they so often discuss; below find a list of discussion points for this week;

1.) Elliot Spitzer was the former Attorneys General for New York State and he went after what he called Corporate Corruption and on this platform he decided to run for government, and then he used his power to track his political opponents using State Police and the embarrassing information he discovered he handed to the media before the election. Should politicians be let off the hook when they lie to the public or abuse power; after all we railroaded Richard Nixon out of the White House for nearly the same thing. Worse, all those old cases that Elliot Spitzer tried are now in question as well, how many times did he lie, did he fabricate cases, what should New York State do about that? Additionally, many security laws were changed based on these cases and judgments, but if those were based in lies also, then shouldn’t the new regulations be taken back off the books? Why, well because many of these regulations hurt small investor’s portfolios and small financial planners, who help people with their savings and small investments, think on this, the Online Think Tank is quite concerned with corruption in all levels of our government and we must make a note of it.

2.) Hurricanes are a big deal in both the Atlantic and the Pacific and Hawaii gets hit about every 15 years on average and yet the islanders deal with Mother Nature with issues from Droughts, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Floods and Hurricanes. Our fiftieth state stands with the others and it is not without the potential for disaster, are we truly building our civilizations strong enough? We have early warning systems for Tsunamis and we know well in advance as extreme weather crosses open areas of the Pacific, but what else can we do to protect our citizens of Hawaii.

3.) More and more people are deciding to become writers, and they are writing articles on the Internet. Many of these article authors are novices, and they could use a few pointers. Additionally, these online article authors are often secluded and do not get out and mingle with regular everyday people enough. Perhaps they should get together on a regional basis every so often to discuss different strategies in online article writing and learn from each other. Small groups could be formed and also meet online with other groups that are very similar. This would allow more novice writers to succeed in a competitive world of writing. Every major bookstore location has at least one writer’s group that meets there once a week and if an online article writer or online article author, who has a much different style of writing can also utilize a small club like this that meets once a week; this would be to their advantage, and the reader’s advantage to.

4.) Corporate espionage is a real problem in the United States of America and the Federal Bureau of investigation has said that there are over 3000 Chinese spies in our country. To make matters worse, many business publications are explaining exactly how the Chinese spies are stealing our high-tech industry. One magazine article, “Protecting Your Business against Espionage” by Timothy Welch not only explains the problem but also the methods that are used and in doing so has explained to criminals and spies new tactics. Another article; “Sleuthing the Opposition: Does Anything Go?” by Brian Moskal, seems to bring the problem to the forefront; it’s real. American corporations in high-tech fields are being ripped off blind and those technological secrets are being used against us and upsetting the trade balances and causing issues with our National Security as well. Many economists believe that the United States will be the intellectual capital and places like China will build everything that we design. However, this will not be possible if our technology heads off for foreign shores at the hand of thieves and spies. One more article that we recommend you read, published by Harvard business review. In 1959; “Problems in Review - Industrial Espionage” tells us that this is not a new problem and we are smarter than as, and we do not need any more leaks in corporate America.

A Think Tank not only ponders the pressing issues of our time, but also looks back in time using all potential sources in order to come to the answers we all seek. Therefore here lies a list of a few books that are on the list to dig thru to see what potential clues are within their pages:

A.) “How to Conduct a Training Seminar - A Complete Reference Guide for Training Managers and Professionals.” By Lawrence S. Munson. This book covers free seminar, conditioning, leadership, overselling, peer reviews, and the difference between giving information and entertaining. The book also discussed the costs, scheduling and teambuilding games and icebreakers. It explains that often is okay to trample on the sacred cows, but it is important to make sure that management gives the OK. This book also covers how to design workbooks and handouts or visual aids in order to keep everyone in the flow of the information as it is dispersed. Too often today, we see ongoing education, causing clogs in the efficiency of organizations, as there is just too much ongoing education and far too many training seminars, that there is not enough time to get the work done. There is a balance, and at balance must be observed.

B.) “Monday Morning Leadership - Eight Mentoring Sessions You Cannot Afford to Miss” by David Cotrell. Although this book is very small, there are many great quotes in it, and these quotes are introduced on the lighter side, along with humor. Too many managers fail to realize that business is about people and they end up doing stupid things, merely to ensure that they are processing the correct paperwork that is required by upper management. Monday morning leadership is a book that everyone should read, who is in a leadership position, because we have too many people who are in such positions, who bring down large groups, corporations and nonprofits - Due to poor leadership skills.

C.) “Back to Basics Selling - Unique Sales Tips for Surefire Success.” By Robert F. Taylor, 1985. As Ziggy Zigglar once said; nothing happens until someone sells something; this quote makes us think that salespeople are needed. And in fact, every good idea or concept needs a spokesman also. Although this book was written in 1985. Although fundamentals are listed within it, for instance; product knowledge, market and applications, territory management, time management, sales techniques, attitude and cold calling. All small businesses need to understand how to present their product in a sales environment if they wish to succeed.

D.) “Skills for Success.” By RC Allen. Although this book was written in 1953, and the later edition in 1965. It is amazing how such simple techniques and strategies can help anyone succeed. Too many people fail to succeed due to negative biofeedback or because they believe other people who tell them it is impossible. Those who succeed have a plan. Often and they execute the plan, in small pieces, while considering each piece as important as the final outcome of the goal. Winning in life, business, politics, war, sports or even in life is a lot simpler than most people think. And it is time that that information got out to the rest of the world. So that more people can enjoy their life experience and pursue happiness, knowing that they will it eventually attain their goals.

E.) “Who Is Going to Run General Motors - What College Students Need to Know Today to Become the Business Leaders of Tomorrow” by Kennett C. Green, and Daniel T. Seymour 1991. In this book explains how to become a great communicator, a team player, and a technical master. Today’s leaders of multinational conglomerate corporations, must be ambassadors, up on foreign affairs and willing to make change; they must be that change-maker and they must enjoy the challenge and commitment and be fearless. Add to that, the ability to work with special teams, net centric business units, just-in-time distribution systems, and understand that the consumer and customer wants customization; and they want it faster than ever before. This is an excellent book to read, to see how things have changed, and although it was written in 1991, the fundamentals are all they are - all you have to do it add the Internet and a new paradigm of instant global communication. Think on this.

F.) “Mathematics - Life Science Library” by David Bergman 1963. It is amazing that today we sit and discuss the priorities of our education curriculum. We worry about the dire future as our educational systems fail to inspire interests in the fields of Science and Math, yet one only has to look back 40 some years to understand why we are where we are today, perhaps we are not teaching math and science correct, things need to change, our civilization depends on it.

G.) “Developing Computer Solutions for Your Business Problems - a Manager’s Guide to Effective Planning, Implementation and Eve Valuation of Automation Alternatives.” By Harry H. Peterson and 1992. Although much of this book is quite old. We must complement Mr. Peterson on chapter 8, where he discusses trends in automation. It looks like the author did better than 90% of the futurist out there, as he talked about the changes that would be brought by word-processing, portable computers, fiber optics and the issues with privacy and security in the need for backup. Had more corporations and government agencies listened to what Mr. Peterson had said back in 1992, we would not be having a problem we have today with identity fast, computer hackers, spam or data loss.

H.) “Getting the most out of your word processor” by Arnold Rosen, 1983. The Online Think Tank reviewed 20 blacks, written between 1980 and 1995 to see how close the authors understood the future implications of the computer age. Mr. Rosen also got it right. In chapter 10 when he discussed “The Future,” and described issues with data imaging, data visualization, voice processing, and the various futures of other technologies. About the only thing he got incorrect, was the statement that most people would have cars that got over 50 miles per gallon by the year 2000, also the cost of food is not 30% of the average citizens budget, but things might increase in the future due to drought’s, floods, scarcity and other issues we now face.

Any think tank worth its salt must look both forward and back in time to understand how systems work, how they fail, how to predict the future and the fact that simplicity breeds complexity. Without this intake of data and knowledge or the discussions, whether original concepts or abstract thoughts or even pure logic from within the box, a think tank in not perform and if it cannot perform; it should not be trusted. I thank you for listening and ask only that you think on it.

L. Winslow is an Economic Advisor to the Online Think Tank, a Futurist and retired entrepreneur http://www.worldthinktank.net Currently he is planning a bicycle ride across the US to raise money for charity and is sponsored by http://www.Calling-Plans.com and all the proceeds will go to various charities who sign up.

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