Conclusions from Mackinac: Now What?
That seems to be the nagging question as we departed The Mac Island Policy Conference this past weekend and waltz into the “real world” this week.
GM three days into bankruptcy? “Fiaysler” seemingly out of bankruptcy? Cobo or no Cobo for the 2011 auto show? Will being green get us any folding green?
But, what did we learn last week from the exchange? Let me put it this way: What if someone walked up to you last year at Mackinac and said “You know…I think two of the Big Three will be bankrupt and owned by the government by the summer of 2009, and, as a result, the economic ripple effect will cause a huge negative wake taking out dealers, suppliers and support industries. Oh, and the Tigers will be in first place?”
You would have told them to get back to Horn’s Bar up there and drink until they were sober. To be able to predict what has happened was clearly not possible. But, the most sobering thing is most aren’t so sure to believe those who are “supposed to know.” The public is cautious and cynical. We are forced to look for omens, forecasts, signs like we’re characters in some freaked out Farmer’s Almanac.
As an illustration, I saw some interesting signs on Mac Island that could have run the gamut for what we heard there, saw and where we could be heading:
At one end of the spectrum, a magic store sign proclaimed: “Where you just have to believe.” At the other, a tee-shirt shop with a sample of sail boated-shirt in the window said: “Take your dingy out and play with it; Mackinac Island 2009.”
Somewhere in the middle of all that was the truth as to what was shared at the conference. Told you it ran the gamut. Some good exchanges took place; some probably did not.
What did I learn?
1) Watch the History Channel. You’ll be amazed at parallels - there is nothing new under the sun; if you understand history, you’ll understand that all economic and social ills pop up but are somehow, if not solved completely, resolved with options or lead to solutions. Depressions, war, cities on the brink of collapse that do come back around. History repeats like time’s rerun, with sometimes unfortunate results. But, it gives a framework for predicting and avoiding as well as solving. Also, it lets us know it CAN get dawn despite a dark, starless night.
2) The simplest themes are the strongest and most useful despite the complexity and facelessness created by technology. I can tweet you, email you or have you read my blog. But, what’s going to meet your goals and needs is going to be your ability to be organized, persistent, principled, have a work ethic and as a result, real expectations. The one that wins isn’t the one with the biggest and best toys; the one that wins is still standing, that aspires, that works hard or asks “why?” and answers with “why not?”
How naïve that all sounds in light of all that’s ahead. But really, it’s all you have. The golden rule is made of gold because it’s priceless. Common sense unfortunately is not common but sorely needed in these times.
You can’t fix stupid, says Comedian Ron White. But, just about everything else can be fixed. I hope that started up at the conference and reminded us all what a little bit of “idea exchange” can do.
I remain watchful. I remain ready. And, I remain hopeful. In the meantime, innovate, adapt, achieve.
And, the Tigers are still in first place!
