Many of us in America are familiar with the Boy Scout Law. Not sure if I could say it word for word, so here it is: "A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent." Not a bad list to train, guide, and lead young men as they prepare themselves for adulthood.
Now I want you to turn your attention to an article in Journal of Medical Ethics published January 19, 2012 entitled, "What makes killing wrong?". This journal is subscription only, but the abstract is available on the web: "What makes an act of killing morally wrong is not that the act causes loss of life or consciousness but rather that the act causes loss of all remaining abilities. This account implies that it is not even pro tanto morally wrong to kill patients who are universally and irreversibly disabled, because they have no abilities to lose. Applied to vital organ transplantation, this account undermines the dead donor rule and shows how current practices are compatible with morality." See: http://jme.bmj.com/content/early/2012/01/19/medethics-2011-100351.abstract
Others on websites have read the article (authors are Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Kenan Institute for Ethics, Duke University and Franklin Miller at the National Institute of Health) and you can research this yourself. This has do with organ donation, when to operate for the organs, and who to operate on. This blog is about the "who".
If you read carefully the abstract above, you will see that it states that the authors feel it is not morally wrong to kill patients who are disabled. Again, if you want to research this topic, you will quickly see that those who think like the authors believe that a certain group should only get organ transplants.
This is a very serious topic and I bring it to your attention because we need to know what our healthcare providers are networking and discussing about. This discussion very well includes us the patient.
No matter how many responsibilities ("hats") a small/medium size business owner has to deal with on a daily basis, they will be a human being first and foremost. Ethics, standards, the man/woman that you are do indeed slide into your business dealings. A business plan, one of which can be found at: http://articles.bplans.com/writing-a-business-plan/a-standard-business-plan-outline/29, describes all parts of a business. But it does not includes your business standards.
These can't be decided upon after a business has begun. They can't be changed in the course of the company's life because many times they are switched to meet deal-of-the-day. Then you will end up disabled as Armstrong and Miller define it. I have worked with those with disabilities and a community thrives when everyone contributes. It would be boring and useless if everyone contributed exactly the same way.
This is where the Boy Scout Law comes in. Measure your ethics against this. Where do you stand? What about your friends and associates? Choose good friends. What ethics attachment have you written alongside your business plan? If you don't, you will be easily swayed. Some people start out meaning well, but if you don't pursue it daily and keep yourself grounded, then when people who like to rationalize like Armstrong and Miller come along, you will be less inclined to follow.
The paragraph below is included in the journal article. It is here purposely to motivate you to write a code of ethics. Make sure your company's code is included in your new employee orientation.
“[I]f killing were wrong just because it is causing death or the loss of life, then the same principle would apply with the same strength to pulling weeds out of a garden. If it is not immoral to weed a garden, then life as such cannot really be sacred, and killing as such cannot be morally wrong.”
Panoramic View
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Random Facts Friday: January 27, 2012
How was your week? Hopefully not too stressful.
Here are some random facts to relax with:
1. Rugby's World Cup can claim the 3rd largest sporting event after the Olympics and Soccer's World Cup. Last year's cup, held in October, brought in an estimated $654 million in revenue to host New Zealand.
2. With 20 teams competing in the World Cup, 1,388 rugby balls were needed for the 48 matches. The teams brought gear that weighed equal to 20 elephants. Attendance: 4 billion through t.v. plus at least 1.3 million in attendance. The final game: New Zealand beat France 8 to 7.
3. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sat out President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.
The administration typically picks one Cabinet member to stay away from the Capitol so the government can continue to function in case a catastrophe were to strike the Capitol. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano also did not attend because she was in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum. But Vilsack was the designee.
4. The oldest known dinosaur nesting site was recenty found in South Africa and beats the old record by 100 million years for they are 190 million years old. At least 10 nests, each with up to 34 round eggs in tightly clustered clutches, have been found. They are from the dinosaur Massospondylus, a relative of the giant, long-necked sauropods of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
5. Recipe: Graham Cracker Fudge. Try this for Valentine's Day.
2 squares of unsweetened chocolate
14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups crushed graham crackers
Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot water. Add the milk and stir constantly until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and graham crackers and mix well. Spread mixture into a 8" by 8" pan. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.
Here are some random facts to relax with:
1. Rugby's World Cup can claim the 3rd largest sporting event after the Olympics and Soccer's World Cup. Last year's cup, held in October, brought in an estimated $654 million in revenue to host New Zealand.
2. With 20 teams competing in the World Cup, 1,388 rugby balls were needed for the 48 matches. The teams brought gear that weighed equal to 20 elephants. Attendance: 4 billion through t.v. plus at least 1.3 million in attendance. The final game: New Zealand beat France 8 to 7.
3. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack sat out President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.
The administration typically picks one Cabinet member to stay away from the Capitol so the government can continue to function in case a catastrophe were to strike the Capitol. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano also did not attend because she was in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum. But Vilsack was the designee.
4. The oldest known dinosaur nesting site was recenty found in South Africa and beats the old record by 100 million years for they are 190 million years old. At least 10 nests, each with up to 34 round eggs in tightly clustered clutches, have been found. They are from the dinosaur Massospondylus, a relative of the giant, long-necked sauropods of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
5. Recipe: Graham Cracker Fudge. Try this for Valentine's Day.
2 squares of unsweetened chocolate
14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups crushed graham crackers
Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot water. Add the milk and stir constantly until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and graham crackers and mix well. Spread mixture into a 8" by 8" pan. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Working Wednesday: Criminal Background Checks
This blog is about Pepsi paying a settlement to the federal government amounting to $3.1 million over race discrimination charges. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) did not find any intentional discrimination. Then why the charges? Because Pepsi's background check policy limited job opportunities for minorities with higher arrest and conviction rates than whites. I am not here to discuss the EEOC charges or the conviction rates as noted above. To me, the more pressing problem for anyone, regardless of race, etc. etc. is "Arrest".
Yes, Pepsi's policy denied employment for people with arrest records even if they had never been convicted of a crime, and denied employment to those arrested or convicted of minor offenses. I don't know what minor offenses means exactly in this legal case, but when I have seen this term used on job applications in Ohio it generally means "misdemeanors other than minor traffic violations".
The news article in which this was reported, also went on to report that the EEOC is taking a hard look at company policies on background checks. Instead of sweeping broad policies, the EEOC recommends that employers consider each applicant separately with 3 things in mind: the nature and gravity of offenses; the time that has passed since conviction or completion of a sentence; and the nature of the job sought.
Businesses, re-evaluate your policy and determine if it passes federal regulation. Also, if you are a business who contracts these background checks out carte blanche, giving full control to the vendor, you may want your attorney to take a look at that contract. Job seekers, you are in a tight bind right now but there are those who are trying to fix the situation. You can contact the EEOC and see if they can help.
In the meantime, let's all try to right the ship the best we can ourselves and use background checks the way they are intended.
See: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700214423/Pepsi-Beverages-pays-31M-in-racial-bias-case-for-using-criminal-background-checks.html?pg=2
Yes, Pepsi's policy denied employment for people with arrest records even if they had never been convicted of a crime, and denied employment to those arrested or convicted of minor offenses. I don't know what minor offenses means exactly in this legal case, but when I have seen this term used on job applications in Ohio it generally means "misdemeanors other than minor traffic violations".
The news article in which this was reported, also went on to report that the EEOC is taking a hard look at company policies on background checks. Instead of sweeping broad policies, the EEOC recommends that employers consider each applicant separately with 3 things in mind: the nature and gravity of offenses; the time that has passed since conviction or completion of a sentence; and the nature of the job sought.
Businesses, re-evaluate your policy and determine if it passes federal regulation. Also, if you are a business who contracts these background checks out carte blanche, giving full control to the vendor, you may want your attorney to take a look at that contract. Job seekers, you are in a tight bind right now but there are those who are trying to fix the situation. You can contact the EEOC and see if they can help.
In the meantime, let's all try to right the ship the best we can ourselves and use background checks the way they are intended.
See: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700214423/Pepsi-Beverages-pays-31M-in-racial-bias-case-for-using-criminal-background-checks.html?pg=2
Monday, January 23, 2012
Alone in the Car: Penn State Football and Joe Paterno
When this story first hit the news stands, I was furious. It seemed to me no one was interested in protecting the boys, the victims in this horrific crime. I still stand by that. In fact, I think it has gotten worse for the victims. How people can come after these teenagers is beyond me. I admire their courage.
I want to write about the adults associated with the university side other than the coach, particularly the current university President, Board of Trustees, Governor, and others who are so obvious in trying to protect reputations that have long since as they say "left the building". Your only concern now should be concentrating on the victims' welfare.
Now to Coach Paterno. My anger was certainly towards him because of the standards I knew he stood for. It made it all the worse for a man of such high respect to be part of such a back alley story. But there it was in bold print. He knew it and let the victims down by not doing enough.
I don't think a Coach Paterno in his '40s or '50s would have just reported it to his superiors. I believe him when he said to the Washington Post reporter he didn't know what to do. Some people can act like their 40s and 50s in their mid/late '70s, but I am just not sure Paterno could. I think if this had happened when he was younger, Paterno would have acted differently. He would have done more: to the coaches, to help the victims, to be more involved on the police side, athletic office side, etc. etc. The football players that knew him then knew of his fire, passion, and commitment on and off the field to what a man was supposed to be. Paterno led by example. He would not have been so passive. He had gone from Coach to Joe, from standing down on the field yelling at the referees to sitting up in the box.
Each person should know when it's time to move on. This is especially true when dealing with Employee Stock Ownership Plan in businesses. The owner is going to sell the company to the employees but the heartstrings are having a hard time watching others run the show. Either run the company or not, don't do something in the middle.
Our panoramic view can change throughout our life. It doesn't have to be the same view. In fact, I certainly hope the view you had at 16 is not the same view you have at 36! Evolve, take the essence of who you are (personality plus experience) and take the next step. See what is in your sphere of influence and do some good there before moving on. Touch someone else's life for the positive. Actions don't have to be giant steps that make the news. Many good works go unnoticed. But please, don't be passive.
I want to write about the adults associated with the university side other than the coach, particularly the current university President, Board of Trustees, Governor, and others who are so obvious in trying to protect reputations that have long since as they say "left the building". Your only concern now should be concentrating on the victims' welfare.
Now to Coach Paterno. My anger was certainly towards him because of the standards I knew he stood for. It made it all the worse for a man of such high respect to be part of such a back alley story. But there it was in bold print. He knew it and let the victims down by not doing enough.
I don't think a Coach Paterno in his '40s or '50s would have just reported it to his superiors. I believe him when he said to the Washington Post reporter he didn't know what to do. Some people can act like their 40s and 50s in their mid/late '70s, but I am just not sure Paterno could. I think if this had happened when he was younger, Paterno would have acted differently. He would have done more: to the coaches, to help the victims, to be more involved on the police side, athletic office side, etc. etc. The football players that knew him then knew of his fire, passion, and commitment on and off the field to what a man was supposed to be. Paterno led by example. He would not have been so passive. He had gone from Coach to Joe, from standing down on the field yelling at the referees to sitting up in the box.
Each person should know when it's time to move on. This is especially true when dealing with Employee Stock Ownership Plan in businesses. The owner is going to sell the company to the employees but the heartstrings are having a hard time watching others run the show. Either run the company or not, don't do something in the middle.
Our panoramic view can change throughout our life. It doesn't have to be the same view. In fact, I certainly hope the view you had at 16 is not the same view you have at 36! Evolve, take the essence of who you are (personality plus experience) and take the next step. See what is in your sphere of influence and do some good there before moving on. Touch someone else's life for the positive. Actions don't have to be giant steps that make the news. Many good works go unnoticed. But please, don't be passive.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Random Facts Friday: January 20, 2011
Hi all,
What is the weather like outside your window?
Whatever it is, the calendar says Friday, so hope you can enjoy your weekend.
To help you get a start on relaxing, check out these random facts!
1. Research suggests that the brain can only hold on to 7 thoughts at one time.
2. More than 50% of new material often disappears from healthy brains within an hour.
3. For every 100 women in the U.S. over the age of 18, there are 88 men.
4. The first woman to recently achieve Judo's highest level, 10th degree black belt, is Keiko Fukuda. She lives in the San Francisco area, teaches Judo, and....is 98 years old. Keiko is a granddaughter of a samurai.
5. Chinese New Year begins January 23rd. It is the Year of the Dragon. Try making Dragon's eggs.
I don't drink black tea, so I would change the recipe to include an herbal one. It comes with a dragon coloring page. See: http://www.janbrett.com/dragon_eggs_recipe_and_coloring_page.htm
What is the weather like outside your window?
Whatever it is, the calendar says Friday, so hope you can enjoy your weekend.
To help you get a start on relaxing, check out these random facts!
1. Research suggests that the brain can only hold on to 7 thoughts at one time.
2. More than 50% of new material often disappears from healthy brains within an hour.
3. For every 100 women in the U.S. over the age of 18, there are 88 men.
4. The first woman to recently achieve Judo's highest level, 10th degree black belt, is Keiko Fukuda. She lives in the San Francisco area, teaches Judo, and....is 98 years old. Keiko is a granddaughter of a samurai.
5. Chinese New Year begins January 23rd. It is the Year of the Dragon. Try making Dragon's eggs.
I don't drink black tea, so I would change the recipe to include an herbal one. It comes with a dragon coloring page. See: http://www.janbrett.com/dragon_eggs_recipe_and_coloring_page.htm
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Working Wednesday: Waste is a Product that Can't Be Sold
This is the catch phrase that caught my attention from a seminar by Neil Drobny when he spoke at TechColumbus last week. Neil is about sustainability and teaches it from a business point of view at The Ohio State University. It is not about just profits now, but long term shareholder value. In other words, we have to use our natural resources wisely, for they are finite but can be infinite.
Waste used to be considered the necessary by-product of the manufacturing process. What if there was such an efficient way to produce the "widget" and have no waste? Besides affecting profit, communities would benefit, the economic development in the area would benefit, and a stronger economy would likely occur. Nature has no waste, why can't our processes have no waste also? Strategic planning is the way to go and Neil's classes are successful because these students want to be business owners and start their companies using these more profitable and sustainability models in mind from the beginning.
Neil has found that this business model change of waste to sustainability has to be driven from the CEO. The CEO has to dedicate time over and over again so everyone is on board and know they contribute to making a difference. It cannot be delegated. The CEO has to lead meetings at every level, get everyone behind the concept, and continue to motivate until the negativity is completely gone. This takes time, but the outcome is worth it. See the CEO for Interface Global speak about sustainability, profit, and employees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qrQKA0xMko&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Waste used to be considered the necessary by-product of the manufacturing process. What if there was such an efficient way to produce the "widget" and have no waste? Besides affecting profit, communities would benefit, the economic development in the area would benefit, and a stronger economy would likely occur. Nature has no waste, why can't our processes have no waste also? Strategic planning is the way to go and Neil's classes are successful because these students want to be business owners and start their companies using these more profitable and sustainability models in mind from the beginning.
Neil has found that this business model change of waste to sustainability has to be driven from the CEO. The CEO has to dedicate time over and over again so everyone is on board and know they contribute to making a difference. It cannot be delegated. The CEO has to lead meetings at every level, get everyone behind the concept, and continue to motivate until the negativity is completely gone. This takes time, but the outcome is worth it. See the CEO for Interface Global speak about sustainability, profit, and employees: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qrQKA0xMko&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Monday, January 16, 2012
Alone in the Car: Vacation Days
There were several media reports toward the end of 2011 that listed these facts:
1. The average American worker earns 14 vacation days.
2. The average American worker only takes 12 vacation days.
3. Doing the math: 226 million unused vacation days = 1.8 billion hours.
4. If you use the average American worker salary of $39,416 a year, that would calculate to $34.3 billion worth of unused vacation time.
A sample of other countries include:
Japanese get 11 vacation days and use only 5 of them.
Singapore get the same 14 days as Americans and take all 14 days.
Germans have 30 days vacations, but they do let 2 days go to waste.
The French have 30 days and use 30 days.
And you have to remember people don't always take vacation when they use vacation days. It may be to move to another apartment, attend a non-relative funeral, stay home due to weather conditions, attend Boy Scout camp as an adult volunteer, etc.
John Schmitt, an economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research: "If you look at all of the other rich countries that have about the same standard of living that we have, it's pretty standard to have 20 or 25 days of paid vacation per year." I add this because it is relevant to the overall discussion of vacation and to the point I want to make later on about stress.
And let's face it, many workers can't afford vacations, or are afraid to take a vacation. Mr. Schmitt also said, "... it (the recovering economy) completely intensifies the pressure on workers to buckle down and work as hard as they possibly can, so that if the boss has to make a decision about letting 10 percent of people go, that you're not on that list." Also, the workload is so heavy now that we know what awaits us when we return from vacation. And how many of us while on vacation take our laptop, check our e-mail through our smart phones, etc., that we never get away from the office.
Truly, this is a complex issue. But I am concerned about the amount of stress American workers are dealing with due to the economy. Vacation is one way to relieve that stress. You are the only one to decide when and how much and where, but take it. And take it completely mentally: be sure to leave the office at the office. Put the cell phone on "silent", the lap top at home, and only concentrate on what is at hand with the people you are with. In the end, it is your health and what you have in your own control, in other words your "sphere of influence". Take care of yourself.
1. The average American worker earns 14 vacation days.
2. The average American worker only takes 12 vacation days.
3. Doing the math: 226 million unused vacation days = 1.8 billion hours.
4. If you use the average American worker salary of $39,416 a year, that would calculate to $34.3 billion worth of unused vacation time.
A sample of other countries include:
Japanese get 11 vacation days and use only 5 of them.
Singapore get the same 14 days as Americans and take all 14 days.
Germans have 30 days vacations, but they do let 2 days go to waste.
The French have 30 days and use 30 days.
And you have to remember people don't always take vacation when they use vacation days. It may be to move to another apartment, attend a non-relative funeral, stay home due to weather conditions, attend Boy Scout camp as an adult volunteer, etc.
John Schmitt, an economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research: "If you look at all of the other rich countries that have about the same standard of living that we have, it's pretty standard to have 20 or 25 days of paid vacation per year." I add this because it is relevant to the overall discussion of vacation and to the point I want to make later on about stress.
And let's face it, many workers can't afford vacations, or are afraid to take a vacation. Mr. Schmitt also said, "... it (the recovering economy) completely intensifies the pressure on workers to buckle down and work as hard as they possibly can, so that if the boss has to make a decision about letting 10 percent of people go, that you're not on that list." Also, the workload is so heavy now that we know what awaits us when we return from vacation. And how many of us while on vacation take our laptop, check our e-mail through our smart phones, etc., that we never get away from the office.
Truly, this is a complex issue. But I am concerned about the amount of stress American workers are dealing with due to the economy. Vacation is one way to relieve that stress. You are the only one to decide when and how much and where, but take it. And take it completely mentally: be sure to leave the office at the office. Put the cell phone on "silent", the lap top at home, and only concentrate on what is at hand with the people you are with. In the end, it is your health and what you have in your own control, in other words your "sphere of influence". Take care of yourself.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Random Facts Friday: January 13, 2011
Hello everyone,
It's Friday! Ready to give your brain a little break? See if any of these random facts I learned about recently will help you out.
1. Pantone colors, a system used in the graphic design industry, announced the new color for 2012 is Tangerine Tango. Last year it was Honeysuckle. Now Pantone is used in the fashion and cosmetic industry as well. See: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx
2. For the first time in more than 60 years, America was a net exporter of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel in 2011. Measured in dollars, they were our # 1 export. We are not fuel independent, but it does have a nice ring to it. Prices at the pump will remain high: the more sent overseas, the less we have here at home.
3. The flu viruses selected for the vaccine are based on which strains are spreading and how well the current vaccine is protecting against any newly identified strains. There are 136 national influenza centers in 106 countries that study these trends and send samples to the World Health Organization throughout the year. Each year the shot has 3 strains. This year's strains are: A/California/7/2009(H1N1)-like virus; A/Perth/16/2009(H3N2)-like virus; and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
4. Of the 167,000 enlisted women in the military, 31% are Black, twice the percentage of their civilian female population and more than any other group including Hispanic and White.
5. This weekend is the perfect time to remember your heritage and be thankful of those who came before you. One easy way is to pull out an old recipe that has been handed down through the generations. Last summer I received my grandmother's recipe box. I plan to keep a few and give the rest to the generation coming after me. Here is a recipe I found in the box:
"My Mother's Lemon Pie"
1 c. sugar 4 T. cornstarch 1/8 t. salt 1/4 c. lemon juice
1 T. butter 2 egg yolks 1 c. boiling water
Blend sugar, cornstarch, salt. Add boiling water and stir until smooth. Add lemon juice and butter and cook for a few minutes until thick. Beat egg yolks and add gradually. Stir until smooth and cook about 5 minutes.
This is all the recipe says. I assume you would pour the cooled mixture into a baked pastry shell.
The oldest recipe I found was a newspaper clipping marked, "April 1st, 1908" in someone's handwriting.
It was for Cream Cakes: one cup soft sugar, one cup sour cream, one egg, one teaspoon soda, one cup raisins, salt, nutmeg, one and one-half cup flour. Bake in patty pans.
It's Friday! Ready to give your brain a little break? See if any of these random facts I learned about recently will help you out.
1. Pantone colors, a system used in the graphic design industry, announced the new color for 2012 is Tangerine Tango. Last year it was Honeysuckle. Now Pantone is used in the fashion and cosmetic industry as well. See: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/index.aspx
2. For the first time in more than 60 years, America was a net exporter of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel in 2011. Measured in dollars, they were our # 1 export. We are not fuel independent, but it does have a nice ring to it. Prices at the pump will remain high: the more sent overseas, the less we have here at home.
3. The flu viruses selected for the vaccine are based on which strains are spreading and how well the current vaccine is protecting against any newly identified strains. There are 136 national influenza centers in 106 countries that study these trends and send samples to the World Health Organization throughout the year. Each year the shot has 3 strains. This year's strains are: A/California/7/2009(H1N1)-like virus; A/Perth/16/2009(H3N2)-like virus; and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
4. Of the 167,000 enlisted women in the military, 31% are Black, twice the percentage of their civilian female population and more than any other group including Hispanic and White.
5. This weekend is the perfect time to remember your heritage and be thankful of those who came before you. One easy way is to pull out an old recipe that has been handed down through the generations. Last summer I received my grandmother's recipe box. I plan to keep a few and give the rest to the generation coming after me. Here is a recipe I found in the box:
"My Mother's Lemon Pie"
1 c. sugar 4 T. cornstarch 1/8 t. salt 1/4 c. lemon juice
1 T. butter 2 egg yolks 1 c. boiling water
Blend sugar, cornstarch, salt. Add boiling water and stir until smooth. Add lemon juice and butter and cook for a few minutes until thick. Beat egg yolks and add gradually. Stir until smooth and cook about 5 minutes.
This is all the recipe says. I assume you would pour the cooled mixture into a baked pastry shell.
The oldest recipe I found was a newspaper clipping marked, "April 1st, 1908" in someone's handwriting.
It was for Cream Cakes: one cup soft sugar, one cup sour cream, one egg, one teaspoon soda, one cup raisins, salt, nutmeg, one and one-half cup flour. Bake in patty pans.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Working Wednesday: Oil and Gas Industry
I attended an interview of Tom Stewart, Executive Vice President of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (see: ooga.org) by Don DePerro of Columbus Business First. I have tried to stay informed on the subject of the Marcellus/Utica Shale oil and gas drilling and wanted to see what Tom would say. This was a timely interview because Ohio has experienced earthquakes in recent weeks directly tied to the extraction method used with this shale known as "fracking". Youngstown was the city closest to the epicenter with the last earthquake registering at 4.0.
Tom represented his "side of the street" well. He is a registered lobbyist and travels between the state capitol and Washington, D.C. Some facts about Ohio's contribution to the oil and gas industry:
* Ohio's first discovery of oil was in 1814. Ohio became a state in 1803.
* Ohio's first commercial oil well was in 1860. Commercial natural gas came along in 1884.
* 1896 was Ohio's first "boom" year when 24 million barrels of oil were produced.
* The boom and bust cycle has continued through the years, with the long bust stretching from 1986 to just recently with technology improvements to extract oil and gas out of a huge shale formation in mostly eastern Ohio.
* To date, there have been over 268,000 wells drilled in Ohio, ranking the state as one the most active in the nation.
So you see why my interest in this subject. Many small businesses in eastern Ohio and throughout the state can be revitalized with the renewed interest of shale exploration and extraction. Appalachia needs a solid industry that will be around for some years in order to help their economy. The question is "At what price?"
1. Rural Ohio, indeed rural America depends upon wells, not public utilities, for water. This is still under discussion. People are not yet convinced the oil and gas industry can protect their drinking water.
2. Roads in rural America are small, less traveled on, and can't have extra maintenance due to lack of funding. Huge trucks brought in by the drillers haul waste water, dirt, etc. away from the site and are heavy, causing damage to the roads. Who pays for the repairs?
3. Many people from outside the community show up--those who need to talk to land owners about leasing their property; driller companies with their staffs and employees; truck drivers; the noise; etc. etc. The once quiet and calm town now is a hot spot of activity with lots of strangers. I felt Tom was correct in saying that when these companies were drilling in Pennsylvania, there were few people around. But here in Ohio, they will be rubbing up against people and communities more.
4. One of the most controversial components of the operation is the waste water situation. To break up the shale layers where the oil and gas lay between, high pressure water mixed with sand and chemicals are shot down through the ground, break up the rock, and then most of that water is then retrieved. But of course it is not for human consumption nor can't be put back into streams/rivers. It is usually buried in its own deep wells and sealed. This is what is up most on community and environmentalists minds.
How does this apply to you?
1. From the panoramic view, determine what your vision is first and then a mission. There will be many on both sides of the street who will have good facts. But just because something is good, doesn't necessarily mean that it will match your business. The oil and gas exploration may very well work for Ohio, or even at a smaller scale, but someone/group needs to measure it against the vision and mission.
2. Look at all angles of a project even if it does match up. The extraction process costs millions and in some cases, billions of dollars. Stay within your means. Don't stretch so far that you have no profit. Or are you able to attract investors and if you do, who will get control of the project?
3. Will you have community support? Do you need community support to expand your business? Generally, small businesses grow to the next level through contacts and referrals. Trust plays an impact. How risky is this plan of action you are thinking about? Towns will have to list the pluses and minuses of drilling the shale and supporting such a change in their community. This will have to be a town by town decision. For some it will work, others it won't. Same in business.
Tom represented his "side of the street" well. He is a registered lobbyist and travels between the state capitol and Washington, D.C. Some facts about Ohio's contribution to the oil and gas industry:
* Ohio's first discovery of oil was in 1814. Ohio became a state in 1803.
* Ohio's first commercial oil well was in 1860. Commercial natural gas came along in 1884.
* 1896 was Ohio's first "boom" year when 24 million barrels of oil were produced.
* The boom and bust cycle has continued through the years, with the long bust stretching from 1986 to just recently with technology improvements to extract oil and gas out of a huge shale formation in mostly eastern Ohio.
* To date, there have been over 268,000 wells drilled in Ohio, ranking the state as one the most active in the nation.
So you see why my interest in this subject. Many small businesses in eastern Ohio and throughout the state can be revitalized with the renewed interest of shale exploration and extraction. Appalachia needs a solid industry that will be around for some years in order to help their economy. The question is "At what price?"
1. Rural Ohio, indeed rural America depends upon wells, not public utilities, for water. This is still under discussion. People are not yet convinced the oil and gas industry can protect their drinking water.
2. Roads in rural America are small, less traveled on, and can't have extra maintenance due to lack of funding. Huge trucks brought in by the drillers haul waste water, dirt, etc. away from the site and are heavy, causing damage to the roads. Who pays for the repairs?
3. Many people from outside the community show up--those who need to talk to land owners about leasing their property; driller companies with their staffs and employees; truck drivers; the noise; etc. etc. The once quiet and calm town now is a hot spot of activity with lots of strangers. I felt Tom was correct in saying that when these companies were drilling in Pennsylvania, there were few people around. But here in Ohio, they will be rubbing up against people and communities more.
4. One of the most controversial components of the operation is the waste water situation. To break up the shale layers where the oil and gas lay between, high pressure water mixed with sand and chemicals are shot down through the ground, break up the rock, and then most of that water is then retrieved. But of course it is not for human consumption nor can't be put back into streams/rivers. It is usually buried in its own deep wells and sealed. This is what is up most on community and environmentalists minds.
How does this apply to you?
1. From the panoramic view, determine what your vision is first and then a mission. There will be many on both sides of the street who will have good facts. But just because something is good, doesn't necessarily mean that it will match your business. The oil and gas exploration may very well work for Ohio, or even at a smaller scale, but someone/group needs to measure it against the vision and mission.
2. Look at all angles of a project even if it does match up. The extraction process costs millions and in some cases, billions of dollars. Stay within your means. Don't stretch so far that you have no profit. Or are you able to attract investors and if you do, who will get control of the project?
3. Will you have community support? Do you need community support to expand your business? Generally, small businesses grow to the next level through contacts and referrals. Trust plays an impact. How risky is this plan of action you are thinking about? Towns will have to list the pluses and minuses of drilling the shale and supporting such a change in their community. This will have to be a town by town decision. For some it will work, others it won't. Same in business.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Alone in the Car: Time Zones and Sun Dials
The earth, sun, and moon have been around for awhile. From my way of thinking, they have been around longer than people. People created measurement of time, not the solar system. I particularly want to discuss time zones and hours of the day.
Apparently, when Benjamin Franklin was alive, he proposed something similar to daylight savings time for the convenience of business as well as pleasure. My guess it was for organizational purposes, consistency, etc. Also, railroads needed time zones for the same purposes as they grew into a transcontinental industry. Apparently towns had set their own clocks, but you can imagine the state of confusion that would have created for railroads and others. Even through WWI, nothing was really standardized. Even to this day, Arizona and Hawaii still don't participate in daylight savings time and I believe parts of Indiana also. And I just mentioned in my Random Facts that Samoa just moved itself to the other side of the dateline to be in line with Australia and New Zealand.
I think we need to just go back to the sun and use a sundial. No one can dispute that.
Then the question is "How many miles between sundials would one count as the same time?" Because technically, you could have hundreds of sundials telling time and be accurate, but somewhat impractical for all to be correct at the same moment.
Which brings us back to time zones. Utah will soon be considering whether or not to join the ranks with Arizona and Hawaii. Really?? I say to Utah, stay where you are at. I say to Arizona, Hawaii, and Samoa, get in the game and don't make this harder than it already is. Stick to the plan.
Now, if you want to vote to stay with or repeal Daylight Savings Plan for all of the U.S., that is another story. Benjamin Franklin, I have to disagree with you. Winter was made for a reason and you "do not fool with Mother Nature", so you have to leave Summer alone. All 4 seasons should be treated equally, at least when dealing with clocks and telling time (Truth be told, Spring is my favorite, how about you?).
I wish we did not have Daylight Savings Time. By deleting it, we get back at least in part to the sundial, children don't walk to school in the dark, and our "body clocks" get back to a natural rhythm they once had. All I need now is a mini sundial wristwatch.
Apparently, when Benjamin Franklin was alive, he proposed something similar to daylight savings time for the convenience of business as well as pleasure. My guess it was for organizational purposes, consistency, etc. Also, railroads needed time zones for the same purposes as they grew into a transcontinental industry. Apparently towns had set their own clocks, but you can imagine the state of confusion that would have created for railroads and others. Even through WWI, nothing was really standardized. Even to this day, Arizona and Hawaii still don't participate in daylight savings time and I believe parts of Indiana also. And I just mentioned in my Random Facts that Samoa just moved itself to the other side of the dateline to be in line with Australia and New Zealand.
I think we need to just go back to the sun and use a sundial. No one can dispute that.
Then the question is "How many miles between sundials would one count as the same time?" Because technically, you could have hundreds of sundials telling time and be accurate, but somewhat impractical for all to be correct at the same moment.
Which brings us back to time zones. Utah will soon be considering whether or not to join the ranks with Arizona and Hawaii. Really?? I say to Utah, stay where you are at. I say to Arizona, Hawaii, and Samoa, get in the game and don't make this harder than it already is. Stick to the plan.
Now, if you want to vote to stay with or repeal Daylight Savings Plan for all of the U.S., that is another story. Benjamin Franklin, I have to disagree with you. Winter was made for a reason and you "do not fool with Mother Nature", so you have to leave Summer alone. All 4 seasons should be treated equally, at least when dealing with clocks and telling time (Truth be told, Spring is my favorite, how about you?).
I wish we did not have Daylight Savings Time. By deleting it, we get back at least in part to the sundial, children don't walk to school in the dark, and our "body clocks" get back to a natural rhythm they once had. All I need now is a mini sundial wristwatch.
Random Facts Friday: January 6, 2011
Hello all! Welcome to the first Random Facts Friday of the new year.
Did you have a little holiday/jet lag getting back into the routine this week at work?
Now that you made it through today, let yourself relax with these tidbits and see how many you already know!
1. Tea: To brew tea during these cold months, allow the tea leaf to expand 3-5 times it's size. See other tidbits: http://www.supermarketguru.com/index.cfm/go/sg.viewArticle/articleId/2682
2. Allspice is a tree with a spread of about 15 feet and has a height of 20-45 feet. It has female and male trees which need to be near each other to produce fruit. The spice comes from dried unripe fruit. Trees are found in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
3. The black rhino, which can live 35 years in the wild, has suffered the greatest rate of decline of all rhino species. In 1970, there were an estimated 65,000 black rhinos in Africa; by 1993, the number had declined to 2,300. Anti-poaching laws and conservation efforts have helped boost the population back to an estimated 4,300.
4. Samoa decided to loose a day and went directly from December 29th to December 31st, 2011. The nation was tired of lagging nearly a day behind Australia and New Zealand, its chief trading partners. By skipping a day, the nation moved to the other side of the international dateline, where it is now three hours ahead of Australia. Not to worry--Samoa has been through this before. It decided to add a day back in 1982 so it could be more in line with the United States. "Time will tell" which way they like it best.
5. Recipe: For some reason, I am all about lime juice nowadays. I put several teaspoons (could have used more) in my white sauce tonight and just before serving added some chopped walnuts to the sauce also. Warmed up some cooked chicken in the microwave, made some rice, which made the main dish 3 layers-- rice, chicken and the sauce on top. I also like to buy fresh limes, slice them, and put several slices in a tall glass of cold water to surprise my taste buds a bit. Saw this recipe and thought I may try it. See if you like it too.
Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
Blend the lime juice, vinegar, and cilantro together in a blender until smooth. Add the brown sugar, garlic, and salt; blend again until smooth. Spoon the mustard into the mixture. Turn the blender on and slowly pour the olive oil into the dressing mixture in a thin stream; blend until thoroughly combined.
Did you have a little holiday/jet lag getting back into the routine this week at work?
Now that you made it through today, let yourself relax with these tidbits and see how many you already know!
1. Tea: To brew tea during these cold months, allow the tea leaf to expand 3-5 times it's size. See other tidbits: http://www.supermarketguru.com/index.cfm/go/sg.viewArticle/articleId/2682
2. Allspice is a tree with a spread of about 15 feet and has a height of 20-45 feet. It has female and male trees which need to be near each other to produce fruit. The spice comes from dried unripe fruit. Trees are found in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
3. The black rhino, which can live 35 years in the wild, has suffered the greatest rate of decline of all rhino species. In 1970, there were an estimated 65,000 black rhinos in Africa; by 1993, the number had declined to 2,300. Anti-poaching laws and conservation efforts have helped boost the population back to an estimated 4,300.
4. Samoa decided to loose a day and went directly from December 29th to December 31st, 2011. The nation was tired of lagging nearly a day behind Australia and New Zealand, its chief trading partners. By skipping a day, the nation moved to the other side of the international dateline, where it is now three hours ahead of Australia. Not to worry--Samoa has been through this before. It decided to add a day back in 1982 so it could be more in line with the United States. "Time will tell" which way they like it best.
5. Recipe: For some reason, I am all about lime juice nowadays. I put several teaspoons (could have used more) in my white sauce tonight and just before serving added some chopped walnuts to the sauce also. Warmed up some cooked chicken in the microwave, made some rice, which made the main dish 3 layers-- rice, chicken and the sauce on top. I also like to buy fresh limes, slice them, and put several slices in a tall glass of cold water to surprise my taste buds a bit. Saw this recipe and thought I may try it. See if you like it too.
Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
- 3/4 cup light olive oil
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Working Wednesday: Hourglass consumers
Happy New Year to all! Yes, I took time off to be with family and friends and now back at it, writing a blog to assist business, especially those in small and medium size businesses, who may not have time to conduct their own research.
I recently read an article about Walmart. Please don't stop reading just yet! Walmart may have its controversial points, but because America depends on consumer spending for its economy (ugh!), and they are everywhere, Walmart's data is excellent. They confirm what other economists have been saying: the middle class is disappearing. We now, for practical purposes, have an hourglass America.
Something Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, built his company on and which is still inspiring them today. In part...give people a chance to see what it's like to save money and live a better life. Walmart recognizes the poverty rates in this country, their core customer, and those in another part of the hourglass who have returned quicker to their former way of life before the Great Recession hit. They need to have inventory for both, for both are looking for value prices.
Now, you have gone through a couple of real tough years. You had to take a look at all levels of your business, which was hard. You came out leaner, hopefully more efficient and effective. The year 2010 was the stabilizing year and the results of your hard work started coming in during 2011. Now it is 2012 and maybe you are ready for the next step.
Many companies may not have their fiscal year match the calendar year, but it is still a good time to reflect and evaluate your goals, strategies, and actions. How are they coming along? And most importantly, do they take into account the hourglass economy? Do you offer a tier of services or products?
Many believe that one of the long lasting effects on the economic downturn will be smarter consumers. Just like this past Christmas season proved, consumers were out Black Friday, waited, and then came out the last week before Christmas because that was when stores offered the best prices. They are getting savvy. They are looking for value. They will be the same way with what you offer too.
I recently read an article about Walmart. Please don't stop reading just yet! Walmart may have its controversial points, but because America depends on consumer spending for its economy (ugh!), and they are everywhere, Walmart's data is excellent. They confirm what other economists have been saying: the middle class is disappearing. We now, for practical purposes, have an hourglass America.
Something Sam Walton, founder of Walmart, built his company on and which is still inspiring them today. In part...give people a chance to see what it's like to save money and live a better life. Walmart recognizes the poverty rates in this country, their core customer, and those in another part of the hourglass who have returned quicker to their former way of life before the Great Recession hit. They need to have inventory for both, for both are looking for value prices.
Now, you have gone through a couple of real tough years. You had to take a look at all levels of your business, which was hard. You came out leaner, hopefully more efficient and effective. The year 2010 was the stabilizing year and the results of your hard work started coming in during 2011. Now it is 2012 and maybe you are ready for the next step.
Many companies may not have their fiscal year match the calendar year, but it is still a good time to reflect and evaluate your goals, strategies, and actions. How are they coming along? And most importantly, do they take into account the hourglass economy? Do you offer a tier of services or products?
Many believe that one of the long lasting effects on the economic downturn will be smarter consumers. Just like this past Christmas season proved, consumers were out Black Friday, waited, and then came out the last week before Christmas because that was when stores offered the best prices. They are getting savvy. They are looking for value. They will be the same way with what you offer too.
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