So Chick-fil-A has issued yet another statement on their committment to biblical principles. Here's a link: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Pressroom/Press-Releases#?release=LGBT-statement in case you haven't already seen the statement. It essentially says nothing new other than re-affirming what's already been stated, which begs the question why make a statement? They've also re-inserted Truett Cathy, Sr., by name into the mix, which is not advisable. Here's what the statement could convey if the tactic was still worth something:
"The Chick-fil-A family is committed to serving customers of any gender, race or ethnicity who want to enjoy the great fast dining experience that's been the company's longstanding hallmark. The latest outcry has been heard from those who disagree with our beliefs on marriage. It's our sincere hope that our personal views will not be held in judgment as a reason for not visiting our restaurants nationwide. Thank you for your continuing patronage. As a sponsor of the London Olympics, we're pleased to support a global showcase of athleticism that has no peer."
Love thy neighbor, eat more chicken!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Coke: Corporate-speak
So the Coca-Cola Company announced some management changes today and the creation of two new super jobs, which essentially replicate old consolidated jobs into two new bottles. It's amazing sometimes to consider what the company known as Coke garners from an attention point of view. Here's an excerpt from the company's release that highlights what the current CEO thinks the moves signify:
"With a solid foundation and momentum in our business, now is the time to take the next step in our evolution," Kent said Monday in an email message to Coca-Cola employees. "By consolidating leadership of our global operations under two large, but similar sized geographic regions and BIG, we will streamline reporting lines, intensify our focus on key markets and create a structure that leverages synergies and gives us flexibility to strategically adjust our business within those geographies in the future."
Now I ask the rest of you mere mortals: Can you 'consolidate,' 'streamline,' 'focus,' 'create,' 'leverage' and 'provide flexibility to adjust' all in one fell swoop? Good on ya if you can. Time to get re-trained in corporate-speak if you can't.
"With a solid foundation and momentum in our business, now is the time to take the next step in our evolution," Kent said Monday in an email message to Coca-Cola employees. "By consolidating leadership of our global operations under two large, but similar sized geographic regions and BIG, we will streamline reporting lines, intensify our focus on key markets and create a structure that leverages synergies and gives us flexibility to strategically adjust our business within those geographies in the future."
Now I ask the rest of you mere mortals: Can you 'consolidate,' 'streamline,' 'focus,' 'create,' 'leverage' and 'provide flexibility to adjust' all in one fell swoop? Good on ya if you can. Time to get re-trained in corporate-speak if you can't.
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Friday, July 27, 2012
Chick-fil-A: Love thy neighbor, eat more chicken
Have you ever stepped in doo-doo and wished you hadn't? That sentiment defines the public imbroglio over Chick-fil-A and President Dan Cathy's recent clarification of the company's views on marriage. The clarification, which was followed by a cold company statement that was basically perceived as "hey, wait a second, some of our best customers are gay," has created a firestorm during an otherwise quiet period preceding the Olympics.
At the core, Cathy's walk into quick sand was self inflected and has become a public issue that now threatens the beloved company's chicken sandwich. Some observers call it a gay rights, political or social issue while others believe it's an attack on traditional Christian values. That may all be true, but it misses the point that not even a politically motivated Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on Aug. 1st can re-discover.
Publicly held corporations have an obligation to stakeholders to report on their business, which may or may not include social issues. A subset even feel compelled to comment on public policies impacting their business. Private companies, on the other hand, are generally closely held and only accountable to themselves. Chick-fil-A falls in the latter category.
Younger audiences who now control the on-line sphere, which by the way has been flaming this issue for months, do not tend to make public vs private distinctions. Mainly because few know what they mean. If you happen to be a known entity or brand name in Chick-fil-A's case, then what you say will be reviewed, scrutinized or flamed if something is perceived as "uncool." Throw in a potentially contentious social issue, such as gay marriage during an election year, and well you've now started a fire that not even the best fire starter knows how to put out. On Wednesday alone, 7,000 Facebook fans commented on the Chick-fil-A fan page following the news cycle featuring the Muppets dropping their affiliation. It's probably a good thing Facebook hasn't developed a dislike button yet. Here's a really shrill example that might produce a few squirms:
Couple this reality with the company's stodgy homespun culture based in the Southeast pitted against the highly vocal gay and lesbian community and you've got a culture war chasm, which is going to be filled like a vacuum. Notice how the Christian values factor has not been underlined even though it carries weight as the original spark. Taking that thought a step further from a true believer point of view...
What if the topic for discussion on the Baptist blog where Cathy made his comments had been different? What if, for example, Cathy was asked to share his views on Jesus Christ being the only direct way to God? Do you think that would have offended enough of a mass to warrant public outrage? It's always about context and how what you're saying fits into a larger story vs. how you view it yourself. We all hold beliefs, but when it comes to public disclosure, how those beliefs are framed nearly always depends on factors out of your control. The media love a conflict, too but that's beside the point.
Okay, not all media. A friend who also happens to be a published author and journalist framed the situation this way: "I like to think of Christianity as one of the world's most tolerant religions. I think executives who include tolerance as part of their values can bring at least a bit of personal religious faith into their approach to work with generally good results. That would be true, in fact, for any religious beliefs, Christian or otherwise. When intolerance is braided into the mix, that's a recipe for trouble."
A Christian business leader may have put it best: "It seems as though we have forgotten the Great Commandment to leap frog to the Great Commission." Well said and applicable to this latest outburst.
Finally, for the best encapsulation yet from a secular business leadership POV, go to http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-26/god-and-gay-marriage-what-chick-fil-a-could-learn-from-marriott
At the core, Cathy's walk into quick sand was self inflected and has become a public issue that now threatens the beloved company's chicken sandwich. Some observers call it a gay rights, political or social issue while others believe it's an attack on traditional Christian values. That may all be true, but it misses the point that not even a politically motivated Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on Aug. 1st can re-discover.
Publicly held corporations have an obligation to stakeholders to report on their business, which may or may not include social issues. A subset even feel compelled to comment on public policies impacting their business. Private companies, on the other hand, are generally closely held and only accountable to themselves. Chick-fil-A falls in the latter category.
Younger audiences who now control the on-line sphere, which by the way has been flaming this issue for months, do not tend to make public vs private distinctions. Mainly because few know what they mean. If you happen to be a known entity or brand name in Chick-fil-A's case, then what you say will be reviewed, scrutinized or flamed if something is perceived as "uncool." Throw in a potentially contentious social issue, such as gay marriage during an election year, and well you've now started a fire that not even the best fire starter knows how to put out. On Wednesday alone, 7,000 Facebook fans commented on the Chick-fil-A fan page following the news cycle featuring the Muppets dropping their affiliation. It's probably a good thing Facebook hasn't developed a dislike button yet. Here's a really shrill example that might produce a few squirms:
Couple this reality with the company's stodgy homespun culture based in the Southeast pitted against the highly vocal gay and lesbian community and you've got a culture war chasm, which is going to be filled like a vacuum. Notice how the Christian values factor has not been underlined even though it carries weight as the original spark. Taking that thought a step further from a true believer point of view...
What if the topic for discussion on the Baptist blog where Cathy made his comments had been different? What if, for example, Cathy was asked to share his views on Jesus Christ being the only direct way to God? Do you think that would have offended enough of a mass to warrant public outrage? It's always about context and how what you're saying fits into a larger story vs. how you view it yourself. We all hold beliefs, but when it comes to public disclosure, how those beliefs are framed nearly always depends on factors out of your control. The media love a conflict, too but that's beside the point.
Okay, not all media. A friend who also happens to be a published author and journalist framed the situation this way: "I like to think of Christianity as one of the world's most tolerant religions. I think executives who include tolerance as part of their values can bring at least a bit of personal religious faith into their approach to work with generally good results. That would be true, in fact, for any religious beliefs, Christian or otherwise. When intolerance is braided into the mix, that's a recipe for trouble."
A Christian business leader may have put it best: "It seems as though we have forgotten the Great Commandment to leap frog to the Great Commission." Well said and applicable to this latest outburst.
Finally, for the best encapsulation yet from a secular business leadership POV, go to http://mobile.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-26/god-and-gay-marriage-what-chick-fil-a-could-learn-from-marriott
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Thursday, July 12, 2012
Must see and read new blogger
Preston William Huey, Jr., better known as Bill, has officially entered the blogosphere. Why is this significant you may ask? Well, for starters, he's a great friend and inspiring source of ideas and wisdom. His continuing presence both on-line and off-line has proven enriching to the TGR blog as well as supporting businesses. Bill is one of the sharpest minds you'll find on current events, issues and other important matters that impact business leaders' lives whether they want to accept it or not. He's also a widely published writer with comedic flair and is known in newsrooms everywhere as an informed source with a sharp point of view. Too sharp for both his audience and own good sometimes but that's beside the point. You can find the 'Hue's new place mark at wwww.inothernews4.blogspot.com. Welcome to the slog called blog, Bill. Great to see you have finally taken the plunge with a plunger that other discerning minds will now be able to appreciate.
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