Industry Week recently shared an interesting read about two plans to create a “hyperloop” that would connect Chicago with manufacturers in Pittsburgh or Cleveland (depending on final plans for the project) and points in between. The “hyperloop would move freight and people from Chicago to the last stop in the chain in a matters of minutes rather than hours.
Proponents of the two plans under consideration include Elon Musk and Richard Branson.
The proposals promise to improve the distribution of goods and materials, a key goal as online commerce continues to capture a larger share of wholesale and retail markets.
I admit I don't understand all the physics and engineering needed to make the proposed system work, and proponents acknowledge they are a long way from establishing the basic components. Nevertheless, I am excited about the possibilities and grateful for the talented people who are working on the plans.
A mini van for boomers
Perhaps I'm showing my age, but I like what Ford is doing with its efforts to adapt its Transit from a cargo and service vehicle to a mini van for boomers, according to this report from AARP. I was a fan of the Transit when it was first introduced as a cargo van and appreciate how Ford has revised the vehicle's from a small delivery vehicle to a commercial mini bus and now to a mini van marketed to active older drivers. I look forward to following Ford’s effort with the conversion and wish the company well with the effort.
Illinois News Network and Illinois politics
I recommend the Illinois New Network to those interested in reading about
public policy and politics. ILNews offers stories covering topics from
agriculture and health to schools and the outdoors.
I don’t follow
politics as much as I did years ago, but I still enjoy reading a good report
from time to time, and I think ILNews does a good job of providing straight, balanced coverage. Visit
their website and look them over. Read what ILNews is all about. If you
like what you see, register for their daily electronic newsletter. I
receive it and enjoy looking at what they're offering, even if I don't make time to read the individual articles.
And speaking about Illinois politics
Amanda Vinicky at Illinois Issues provides this look at the history behind the process for picking lieutenant governors in Illinois. Candidates for governor and lieutenant governor today run as a ticket and are elected as a team, following a 2010 change in state election law. Prior to that change, state law allowed voters to nominate candidates for the offices separately, even if the two candidates were not working in tandem. The pre-2010 process produced odd and interesting results, as Vinicky details in her report. It’s worth a read.
I suppose it’s appropriate to have a No. 2 in place in the event the governor is unable to serve, but I think most would agree that Illinois has a strange and mostly dismal record when it comes to its lieutenant governors, regardless of the process used to select them.
– Thanks for reading. Please email comments and feedback to kbottswrites@gmail.com. Savor the coffee and make the most of your day.
 |
| Tonga Guy |
Is Tonga Guy a branding genius?
I can’t figure out if Olympian Pita Taufatofua,
Tonga Guy in popular culture, is a genius at personal branding, an
unusually gifted athlete, or both. Tonga Guy became a social media
sensation at the 2016 summer Olympics when he marched shirtless and
oiled up during the opening ceremonies. He competed in the taekwondo tournament then. He’s now representing Tonga in cross country skiing at
the winter Olympics in South Korea
and has people wondering how he will dress for the today’s opening
ceremonies.
Most of us never get the chance to compete in any
high-profile competition. It must be a true blessing to compete at both
a summer and a winter Olympics. But is Tonga Guy a competitive athlete,
or a dude riding a branding strategy?
A commitment to culture
This report in Industry Week offers some good points companies and other organizations should consider when refining their “culture”. A variety of elements contribute to a successful culture, including some lighter items such as free snacks and ping pong. In my view, the most crucial component can be found in the “Golden Rule” - treat others as you want them to treat you. There are variations on the theme, but the essence is a commitment to show others the respect and kindness you hope they will extend to you. Without that simple foundation, all you really have left is free snacks.
The rise of the social media influencers
CBS News looks at the growing influence of social medial influencers in advertising. Individuals with a significant social media presence are more influential than celebrities in moving consumers to a point of purchase, according to the report. It seems familiar faces from social media frequently are the tipping point in a purchasing decision. I find that interesting.
From the Nearly Forgotten Hits file
Feb. 9, 1955: Big Joe Turner releases “Flip, Flop and Fly”. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Many artists have recorded cover versions of the song, but Turner's take on it remains my favorite.
– Thank you for reading. Email comments to kbottswrites@gmail.com. Enjoy the coffee and the Olympic games, and may you find a sense of peace in your day.
I enjoy reading the posts at www.trendhunter.com, because I find the items interesting, and they leave me feeling a bit better connected to contemporary culture. It’s a double bonus, I think.
I am not one who leaps to embrace trends or adopt new fashions. That’s not a big revelation, and most who know me will readily confirm the point. However, I like to keep current, and I strive to learn new practices and refine new skills.
With that in mind, I share this slideshow about some of the social media trends for February, according to Trend Hunter. I think No. 28 in the slideshow is cool, but I can tell you today I am not likely to add “astronaut-themed street wear” to my wardrobe.
Beware the email
The City of Batavia recently suffered a data breach by way of a phishing scam contained in an email that appeared to come from the city administrator and was sent to city employees, according to a report in the Daily Herald.
The scam succeeded in leading at least one city worker to respond to the email, which then allowed the scammers to gain access to a range of confidential employee data, including W2 forms. The incident also involved information about current and former members of the City Council, myself included.
It’s an unfortunate situation, but a good reminder to every organization that each member of the team has a role to play in maintaining secure data networks. Learn from the city's situation.
From the Nearly Forgotten Hits file
Feb. 8, 1992: Right Said Fred reaches No. 1 with "I’m Too Sexy". I can’t say I’m a big fan of the song, but the video always makes me laugh, and that’s entertainment.
And let’s balance Right Said Fred with something a little more substantial. From 1983, here’s The Police with “Wrapped Around Your Finger”.
— Thank you for reading. Email comments to kbottswrites@gmail.com. I hope you enjoy your coffee and find peace in your day.
The continuing decline of local newspapers
Two newspapers in southern Illinois, The McLeansboro Times-Leader and The Mt. Vernon Register-News will cease operations this week, according to a published report, continuing the sad demise of print newspapers.
The Mt. Vernon newspaper published its last edition Feb. 6, and the Times-Leader will end its run Feb. 8, according to the report. The owner of the publications said local economic conditions forced the decision. Technology, consumer preferences, and other elements push newspapers from the marketplace. It's simply the nature of business.
I understand and accept it all. I worked as a print reporter and news editor for more than 30 years. I can recall seeing hints of the coming demise in the early 1980s, so the decline of the newspaper industry did not occur overnight. However, watching a newspaper close its doors is a little like saying goodbye to an old friend, at least it is for me.
A friend on the radio
Marnie Mamminga, author, essayist, and fellow Batavia resident, was featured on Northern Public Radio's Perspective series this morning. Marnie recalled "A Winter Walk in the Woods". It's a brief item. Take a few minutes and listen to Marnie share her memories. I always enjoy listening to Marnie, and it was a delightful surprise to hear her on the radio this morning.
From the Nearly Forgotten Hits file:
Feb. 7, 1995: Simple Minds releases the album “Good News from the Next World,” featuring “She’s a River”. The song and the album enjoyed limited success in the U.S., but the album reached No. 2 in the UK (No. 5 in Canada), and the song peaked at No. 9 in the UK. Pour yourself another cup of coffee and allow Jim Kerr and the boys to explain how she’s a river.
– Thank you for reading. Email comments to kbottswrites@gmail.com. Take one day at a time, and enjoy the coffee.
