In an about face from the NFL, the Patriots-Giants game will be televised on NBC and CBS. Is there that much interest in this game? Why did the NFL cave in on this demand?
I read an article on CBS Marketwatch by Jon Friedman that suggested that the NFL did it because it was afraid of Congress. We don't want to rouse the sleeping giant of Congress, do we? Are you kidding me? Shouldn't Congress be concentrating on other things rather than worrying if some football fans are going to miss a game that will look like week two of the exhibition season. And do we really want the government to "fix" this so called problem? Why don't we just vote for communism and let the government run our lives? How ridiculous.
While the NFL Network will get some exposure, it did step on some toes of the companies that already support the NFL Network. It also has set a precedent that will only serve to heat up an argument on how the big bad NFL is cheating it's fans the next time a big game is televised only on the NFL Network.
We don't need Congress to have our backs. Fans have a choice on TV providers. This is a free market economy and it needs to stay that way. If fans want the NFL Network that bad, then they should change to a provider that has the station.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
NFL Network: Satellite vs Cable
As the Patriots inch closer to perfection, the battle between cable TV and satellite will intensify this week. But should you really blame NFL and the NFL Network for giving you the opportunity to see the game?
The last time I checked, this is a free market economy. As a customer, you are free to choose cable or satellite. Yet, the media and fans want to blame the NFL and the NFL Network for not giving them a chance to watch the game. Of course cable blames the NFL Network (and the Big Ten Network) for wanting too much money for the station to be included on their basic package. Besides, they don't want to "subject" all their customers to paying a higher cost for the basic package. But, it is OK to include (take your pick) other stations that many have little to no interest in watching, but that is another story.
What is interesting is that the satellite companies can offer competitive package prices that includes the NFL Network and Big Ten Network and cable companies like Time Warner can't. It is hard to understand why more people haven't made the switch. Perhaps they are fearful that their TV will go out on them every time it rains or snows. Cable companies can only hope that their customers hold on to these false beliefs.
For sports fans, satellite TV, like DIRECTV is far and away a better choice than cable. Offering the NFL Network is only part of the overall sports menu. As the NFL Network continues to grow, you can expect more live games to be offered. You can also bet that the TV providers that do offer the NFL Network will continue to hammer the airwaves to get people to make the switch. If the cable companies continue to be arrogant and not give customers want they want, cable prices will continue to increase in order for them to absorb their lost in market share.
Regardless of what side of the argument you are on. The fact is this. You have a choice. You do not have to whine and blame the NFL and the NFL Network for being greedy. They are running a business. If it is something you want, it IS available to you. You just need to change your provider.
The last time I checked, this is a free market economy. As a customer, you are free to choose cable or satellite. Yet, the media and fans want to blame the NFL and the NFL Network for not giving them a chance to watch the game. Of course cable blames the NFL Network (and the Big Ten Network) for wanting too much money for the station to be included on their basic package. Besides, they don't want to "subject" all their customers to paying a higher cost for the basic package. But, it is OK to include (take your pick) other stations that many have little to no interest in watching, but that is another story.
What is interesting is that the satellite companies can offer competitive package prices that includes the NFL Network and Big Ten Network and cable companies like Time Warner can't. It is hard to understand why more people haven't made the switch. Perhaps they are fearful that their TV will go out on them every time it rains or snows. Cable companies can only hope that their customers hold on to these false beliefs.
For sports fans, satellite TV, like DIRECTV is far and away a better choice than cable. Offering the NFL Network is only part of the overall sports menu. As the NFL Network continues to grow, you can expect more live games to be offered. You can also bet that the TV providers that do offer the NFL Network will continue to hammer the airwaves to get people to make the switch. If the cable companies continue to be arrogant and not give customers want they want, cable prices will continue to increase in order for them to absorb their lost in market share.
Regardless of what side of the argument you are on. The fact is this. You have a choice. You do not have to whine and blame the NFL and the NFL Network for being greedy. They are running a business. If it is something you want, it IS available to you. You just need to change your provider.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
CITI
Back in April, I wrote that Citigroup must have been mismanaged for quite awhile when they announced 17,000 job cuts. Doesn't look like that did the trick. The stock has plummeted since then. Of course the company can mask their ineptitude and blame it on the credit crisis. But is it really the credit crisis? Or might it have something to do with how they treat their employees? Time will tell.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Team Chemistry
Looking for a way to improve results in your department or company? Try team chemistry.
Employees are your greatest asset. They can also be detrimental to your overall business plan. One bad apple can negate the hard work of many.
If you want more from your employees, you need to spend more time developing them. More importantly, you need to have the right players on your team. Team chemistry can elevate a group of employees to new heights. It isn't about having 10, 15, or 100% of your team as superstars. It is about getting the right players and having them all work together to create efficiencies, develop one another, and increase productivity.
So how do you get team chemistry?
It begins first with strong leadership. As a leader, you must find the right players to play on your team. They must be able to get along and create strong bonds with one another. Hiring a pompous superstar that has an MBA, but is selfish and lacks people skills is not the right type of player to have on your team. Do you ever wonder why some of the most talented teams in sports fail? Big egos, selfishness, and a cancer to the team all play a part. You don't need superstars to create a winning team. You need great team players with great people skills.
Second is open communication. Employees need to be able to tell leadership when they disagree. Leaders need to listen and play as part of the team. This fosters learning and development. Ever watch a sporting event and see a rookie sit next to a veteran or superstar and just listen? This sharing of ideas creates better players and a better team.
In sports you will often hear about teams playing "loose" or " tight". Playing "loose" is a result of great team chemistry. They play with less pressure creating an environment that is conducive to producing winning results.
If you want a winning organization, quit looking for selfish players who have "credentials" and starting building your team with team players.
Employees are your greatest asset. They can also be detrimental to your overall business plan. One bad apple can negate the hard work of many.
If you want more from your employees, you need to spend more time developing them. More importantly, you need to have the right players on your team. Team chemistry can elevate a group of employees to new heights. It isn't about having 10, 15, or 100% of your team as superstars. It is about getting the right players and having them all work together to create efficiencies, develop one another, and increase productivity.
So how do you get team chemistry?
It begins first with strong leadership. As a leader, you must find the right players to play on your team. They must be able to get along and create strong bonds with one another. Hiring a pompous superstar that has an MBA, but is selfish and lacks people skills is not the right type of player to have on your team. Do you ever wonder why some of the most talented teams in sports fail? Big egos, selfishness, and a cancer to the team all play a part. You don't need superstars to create a winning team. You need great team players with great people skills.
Second is open communication. Employees need to be able to tell leadership when they disagree. Leaders need to listen and play as part of the team. This fosters learning and development. Ever watch a sporting event and see a rookie sit next to a veteran or superstar and just listen? This sharing of ideas creates better players and a better team.
In sports you will often hear about teams playing "loose" or " tight". Playing "loose" is a result of great team chemistry. They play with less pressure creating an environment that is conducive to producing winning results.
If you want a winning organization, quit looking for selfish players who have "credentials" and starting building your team with team players.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Good Worker does not equal Good Manager
How often have you seen it? A great worker gets promoted to manager and the results are disastrous. So, how can you or your company avoid hiring bad managers?
Most employers look for employees who are the cream of the crop. They want the employee to have a college education, preferably an MBA. By hiring the smartest people (so they think) it is a ticket to increased profits and better talent for the company. Yet in so many instances this line of thinking fails miserably.
A good worker is not necessarily the best choice for manager. The fact the employee excels at their current position does not give them the entitlement to become manager. Yet many companies do just that. It becomes a reward for doing a great job.
To be a great manager and leader, the first asset you must have is great people skills. Job skills can be learned through proper training, but people skills are part of a person's character. Find a person with good character and you will likely find the right person to become manager.
Superior management is the greatest asset a company can have. It takes a unique individual to manage people effectively. Don't limit your search solely based on education and look for solid, well respected individuals. You won't be disappointed.
Most employers look for employees who are the cream of the crop. They want the employee to have a college education, preferably an MBA. By hiring the smartest people (so they think) it is a ticket to increased profits and better talent for the company. Yet in so many instances this line of thinking fails miserably.
A good worker is not necessarily the best choice for manager. The fact the employee excels at their current position does not give them the entitlement to become manager. Yet many companies do just that. It becomes a reward for doing a great job.
To be a great manager and leader, the first asset you must have is great people skills. Job skills can be learned through proper training, but people skills are part of a person's character. Find a person with good character and you will likely find the right person to become manager.
Superior management is the greatest asset a company can have. It takes a unique individual to manage people effectively. Don't limit your search solely based on education and look for solid, well respected individuals. You won't be disappointed.
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