Friday, March 27, 2009
Gordon Graham: Daily Affirmation
Daily Affirmation: "Today is the first day of the rest of my life and I feel grateful and fortunate for each new day."
Daily Affirmation:
Daily Affirmation: "I am open to new ideas and eagerly seek out ways to improve my business and personal life."
Gordon Graham: New York! New York!
New York! New York!
by Gordon Graham
I love New York! However I learned this week that it is so much more enjoyable when you’re not fighting a major head cold! My colleague and I were consulting in a specialty paper plant near Saratoga Springs. I spent the day speaking to all the employees in the plant, starting at 5:30 a.m. eastern time. Do you realize that is 2:30 a.m. in Seattle? The final group session ended at 4:30 p.m.
With this client, both the company and the union recognize that they need to be the best they can be to survive in today’s economy. There’s no room in these challenging times to allow a ‘disconnect’ between union and management leadership. Leadership must find a way to engage their people, keeping their energies focused on turning out the best end-product possible in order to keep jobs in our communities.
I flew out of Albany and met Cat Crosslin, my long-time associate, in New York City. New York is a city that will capture your heart if you like a fast-paced, high energy environment. Sure enough, the city got Cat! She had an opportunity to see the play, “Wicked,” on Broadway while I was hard at work in Albany. We then met with writer and publicist Judith Katz, who is a very talented, innovative and energetic woman. I was very impressed with both her talent and her heart.
Gordon Graham & Company is going through a major transition here in Seattle presently, not unlike many companies. However, we will still be doing our best to assist individuals and organizations in managing the changes these challenging times are demanding. The letters, phone calls (my style of communication), e-mails, texts, etc., that we receive keep us motivated to continue to make a positive difference in the world. Thanks for your continued support, and thanks for the contributions you are making to your communities.
Peace,
Gordon Graham
Gordon Graham & Co.
www.ggco.com
by Gordon Graham
I love New York! However I learned this week that it is so much more enjoyable when you’re not fighting a major head cold! My colleague and I were consulting in a specialty paper plant near Saratoga Springs. I spent the day speaking to all the employees in the plant, starting at 5:30 a.m. eastern time. Do you realize that is 2:30 a.m. in Seattle? The final group session ended at 4:30 p.m.
With this client, both the company and the union recognize that they need to be the best they can be to survive in today’s economy. There’s no room in these challenging times to allow a ‘disconnect’ between union and management leadership. Leadership must find a way to engage their people, keeping their energies focused on turning out the best end-product possible in order to keep jobs in our communities.
I flew out of Albany and met Cat Crosslin, my long-time associate, in New York City. New York is a city that will capture your heart if you like a fast-paced, high energy environment. Sure enough, the city got Cat! She had an opportunity to see the play, “Wicked,” on Broadway while I was hard at work in Albany. We then met with writer and publicist Judith Katz, who is a very talented, innovative and energetic woman. I was very impressed with both her talent and her heart.
Gordon Graham & Company is going through a major transition here in Seattle presently, not unlike many companies. However, we will still be doing our best to assist individuals and organizations in managing the changes these challenging times are demanding. The letters, phone calls (my style of communication), e-mails, texts, etc., that we receive keep us motivated to continue to make a positive difference in the world. Thanks for your continued support, and thanks for the contributions you are making to your communities.
Peace,
Gordon Graham
Gordon Graham & Co.
www.ggco.com
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Gordon Graham: Common Ground
Common Ground
I was in Memphis, Tennessee last week at a conference that brought management and unions together to explore ways to improve relationships and increase competitiveness in our rapidly changing world. This conference was a collaborative effort by the University of Tennessee, state, federal and local governments, as well as labor organizations and corporate leaders. It offered an open forum for sharing ideas, plus a variety of workshops and speakers brought in to unlock awareness and investigate avenues to becoming more competitive in the international arena.
The sponsors of the conference were overwhelmed with the response and participation and overall, it exceeded everyone’s expectations. People were able to take back new ideas and a renewed sense of hope to their organizations and agencies.
Although several groups have been able to keep this energy alive in spite of tough economic conditions, we need more of these activities. Only with a concentrated effort by both labor unions and management teams will we be able to keep well-paying jobs in our communities. Organized labor has a major role to play in improving workplace culture and this conference was a great start to a complicated challenge. The days of “us versus them” needs to take its place in history and it will take the ingenuity and commitment of all parties to keep jobs in this country. The men and women on the line need to be engaged and allowed to bring their creativity and energy to the party, while management needs to open communication and solicit input from hourly employees.
My thanks go to the sponsors and coordinators for inviting me to participate in such a valuable event.
Peace,
Gordon Graham
Gordon Graham & Co.
www.ggco.com
I was in Memphis, Tennessee last week at a conference that brought management and unions together to explore ways to improve relationships and increase competitiveness in our rapidly changing world. This conference was a collaborative effort by the University of Tennessee, state, federal and local governments, as well as labor organizations and corporate leaders. It offered an open forum for sharing ideas, plus a variety of workshops and speakers brought in to unlock awareness and investigate avenues to becoming more competitive in the international arena.
The sponsors of the conference were overwhelmed with the response and participation and overall, it exceeded everyone’s expectations. People were able to take back new ideas and a renewed sense of hope to their organizations and agencies.
Although several groups have been able to keep this energy alive in spite of tough economic conditions, we need more of these activities. Only with a concentrated effort by both labor unions and management teams will we be able to keep well-paying jobs in our communities. Organized labor has a major role to play in improving workplace culture and this conference was a great start to a complicated challenge. The days of “us versus them” needs to take its place in history and it will take the ingenuity and commitment of all parties to keep jobs in this country. The men and women on the line need to be engaged and allowed to bring their creativity and energy to the party, while management needs to open communication and solicit input from hourly employees.
My thanks go to the sponsors and coordinators for inviting me to participate in such a valuable event.
Peace,
Gordon Graham
Gordon Graham & Co.
www.ggco.com
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Gordon Graham: Corrupt Judges
Corrupt Judges in Pennsylvania
by Gordon Graham
A recent article exposed two judges in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania who were getting financial kick-backs for sentencing young people to private prisons. For more on the article check out this link: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/02/13-3
This outrageous and unjust activity is yet another example of just how corrupt people in power can become. It’s also an example of how vulnerable people are when they are caught in the web of an unjust system. Young people are especially at the mercy of the system when they are without competent representation.
Fortunately the Pennsylvania situation is not the norm. Most Judges are honest and administer their duties in honorable ways. However it causes concern and raises the question; “How many young men and women have been unjustly sentenced by these two corrupt judges?” If I was serving time in prison I would want a review of my case. The criminal justice system has never really been “just!” This case just exposes how unjust it can become when we blindly trust in the integrity of those in power.
I feel empathy for my friends in Pennsylvania who play by the rules and work to demonstrate that the criminal justice system is, in fact, just. Corruption by people in power should carry the maximum penalty, administered by judges who realize that the damage done by these two will have a negative impact in prisons, jails and courtrooms for years.
Gordon Graham
www.ggco.com
by Gordon Graham
A recent article exposed two judges in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania who were getting financial kick-backs for sentencing young people to private prisons. For more on the article check out this link: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/02/13-3
This outrageous and unjust activity is yet another example of just how corrupt people in power can become. It’s also an example of how vulnerable people are when they are caught in the web of an unjust system. Young people are especially at the mercy of the system when they are without competent representation.
Fortunately the Pennsylvania situation is not the norm. Most Judges are honest and administer their duties in honorable ways. However it causes concern and raises the question; “How many young men and women have been unjustly sentenced by these two corrupt judges?” If I was serving time in prison I would want a review of my case. The criminal justice system has never really been “just!” This case just exposes how unjust it can become when we blindly trust in the integrity of those in power.
I feel empathy for my friends in Pennsylvania who play by the rules and work to demonstrate that the criminal justice system is, in fact, just. Corruption by people in power should carry the maximum penalty, administered by judges who realize that the damage done by these two will have a negative impact in prisons, jails and courtrooms for years.
Gordon Graham
www.ggco.com
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