Happy Landing

I've been delinquent in keeping up this blog. That's what happens when you're looking for a job, I suppose. Well, I've started a new job last week as Managing Director, Americas, of Lux Research. I've pasted in the press release, below. Sorry for the blatant self-promotion. Next post will be more interesting, I promise.

Lux Research Names Donald Best as Managing Director, Americas Senior IDC executive brings extensive experience in scaling information businesses Boston, Massachusetts – November 10, 2008 – Lux Research, Inc., the leading market intelligence and strategic advisory firm for energy, cleantech, and science-driven innovation, today announced that Donald Best has joined as Managing Director to oversee all aspects of Lux Research’s American sales and marketing, with specific emphasis on growing the firm’s presence in the Americas. "I am delighted that we have been able to strengthen our executive team with the addition of Don. He is a veteran of building lasting relationships with clients, leading IDC to become one of the largest research firms in the information technology area," said Lux Research CEO Dennis Philbin. "Don will be instrumental in taking Lux Research to the next level as we build out our global presence in EMEA, Asia, and the Americas. With our recently announced expansion into water technologies and plans to introduce future new initiatives, Don’s skills in listening and responding to market demands will be essential in expanding our footprint." Prior to joining Lux Research, Don spent 23 years at IDC Research, Inc., a global market intelligence company with operations in 60 countries. He most recently headed up the worldwide sales organization for IDC and was a key member of the executive leadership team. Don was also responsible for corporate marketing and strategy at IDC, and he sat on the U.S. corporate accounts management review board of IDG, IDC’s parent company and the leader in IT media. Don received a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and International Relations at Tufts University, where his work focused on the effects of intellectual property protection on developing economies. He also graduated from the College of New Jersey, where he currently serves on the board of the School of Business.
Don Best can be emailed at donald.best@luxresearchinc.com or reached by telephone at 646-805-9461. About

High School Football and Musical Theatre

What does high school football, all testosterone and attitude, have in common with high school musical theatre, all...well, enthusiasm!

I have one son who is currently playing varsity football, and another who is currently in the high school fall play, and is a veteran of two high school musicals. During my one son's first musical, in which he had a leading role, he was in the 6th grade, and the law requires that a parent of junior cast members to be present for all rehearsals and performances. This summer, with time on my hands, I was able to attend my other son's pre-season football practice sessions.

Having participated in high school sports, I already had an idea of what goes on during pre-season; lots of drills, learning plays, and a focus on the fundamentals. Sitting there in the bleachers this past August, I realized something. Musical theatrical rehearsals, or "pre-season," focus on three elements: lots of drills, learning lines, melodies and dance steps, and a focus on fundamentals.

Football practice begins with a set of jumping jacks; play practice begins with group vocal warm-ups. Football players are expected to arrive at practice having learned the play book. Actors are expected to arrive at practice having learned the script. Most football plays can be broken down into a few fundamental moves which, when mastered, can be applied in an almost infinite variety of options. The same goes for acting, singing, and dancing - often done simultaneously.

In football, we have a head coach, and a number of specialist coaches for the offensive line, special teams, etc. In theatre, we have the director, assisted by specialists in dialogue, dance, and voice.

While we can go on with such comparisons, there is one fundamentally striking similarity between what happens on the gridiron and what takes place on stage - teamwork. At the high school level, each leader, head coach and director, starts out with an unruly group of kids. Sure, there will be returning players (athletes and actors), but each new season, each new production, must start from almost nothing. Yet over the course of a few weeks, these groups are coached, cajoled, and even bullied into becoming a highly functioning team, each member with his or her specialty, but each depending upon the group.

It's significant that high schools allocate significant resources to football, theatre, and other team activities. These extracurricular activities provide as much of an education as classwork. In fact, most prep schools recognize this explicitly, and require all students to participate in such activities. The Duke of Wellington was quoted as saying "The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton." The quote may be apocryphal, but the lesson still remains.

So, if you're a high school football fan, consider attending a high school play, and consider the dedication, skill, and teamwork that goes into each production. And if you think football is pointless and mindless, try observing pre-season practice if you can.

Harry Potter Defended by Muggle Judge

These days, it's hard to be Harry Potter. Consider these developments. The studio moved the opening of "The Half-Blood Prince" from December 2009 to Spring 2008 - come on, Harry Potter movies are supposed to open during the holidays! Meanwhile, the muggle actor Daniel Radcliffe, who portrays Potter in the films, will be opening on Broadway this fall in a show where he - gets - naked! (Of course, ahem, these two developments are completely unrelated.) Now, finally, the magical world seems to have gotten a break.



Today's Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. District Judge Robert P. Patterson ruled for a suit brought by author J.K Rowling, which held that the publication of "The Harry Potter Lexicon," by Steve Vander Arc, violates Ms. Rowlings copyrights for all seven Harry Potter novels. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122089489410910619.html?mod=2_1567_topbox



OK, I know what you're thinking. This woman has more money than God, and almost as much as the Queen. Mr. Vander Arc was only publishing an homage to the Potter series, by helping readers better understand the various characters, spells and potions from the novels. Clearly this is yet another infringement by a celebrity (Rowling) and a corporate giant (Time Warner) on the rights of a small-time, well-meaning aficionado. Not according to U.S. copyright laws, and thanks to the WTO's TRIPS rules, this law applies to most industrialized countries. http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/TRIPS_e/TRIPS_e.htm

At issue is the "fair use" doctrine of copyright law, which allows for the publication of a limited amount of copyrighted material without the author's permission. In this case, the key issue was not the amount of material used, but the way in which it was used. For the fair use doctrine to apply, the new work should also be "transformative," that is, it should bring new meaning to the original work.

What does this mean? If Mr. Vander Arc used Ms. Rowling's creation (with full credit going to the original author), and added some type of commentary to that original content, he might have been OK.

As an example, consider these two following passages, the first of which could be found in Mr. Vander Arc's book (note: I pilfered this from Wikipedia):

1. Severus Snape is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. In the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, he is one of the primary antagonists. As the series progresses, Snape's motivation grows more layered and complex, and Rowling does not fully reveal the details or his true loyalties until the end of the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Snape appears in all seven novels of the series, etc., etc.
   
2. Severus Snape is a fictional character in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. He has really bad hair. In the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, he is one of the primary antagonists. Harry should have put Snape's name on dozens of telemarketers' lists. As the series progresses, Snape's motivation grows more layered and complex, and Rowling does not fully reveal the details or his true loyalties until the end of the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. What kind of name is Severus, anyway? Snape appears in all seven novels of the series.
   

First reading - GUILTY! Second reading - NONSENSE (but apparently legal)! Of course, the second passage might be seen as discriminating against telemarketers, or slanderous against the actor who plays Snape, but that's another law suit.

As for J.K. Rowlings, the monetary damages awarded were around $6,000. The real prize was outlawing Vander Arc's book. Up next for Rowling? She'll be publishing a Harry Potter lexicon.

Sarah Palin and Pop Culture

Sarah Palin, like or loathe her and/or her politics, will become a pop culture icon for as long as she's running for VP, and even longer if she gets elected.

It's unmistakable that Gov. Palin has had a huge emotional impact on her supporters (as well as her detractors, but that's another story). Yes, we've all heard about her no-nonsense style of governing, her down-to-earth back-story, her unusually-named children, etc., and what it can mean for the politics of the nation. But I argue that her influence will most immediately become manifest in a more People Magazine/The View/Entertainment Tonight kind of way.

Here are a few predictions for the coming pop culture"Sarah-Tsunami:"

• The Ice Woman cometh. The term "Hockey Mom" will be seen on car window and bumper stickers (more like SUV window and bumper stickers), t-shirts, baseball hats, etc. Inevitably, we'll also see the appearance of TV ads for products targeted towards suburban mothers with hockey themes. Hockey in, soccer out.
• That hair! We will soon see a number of red-state women wearing the quasi-beehive look. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I think it looks pretty good on Sarah. Hair stylists will be offering their clients the "Sarah," just as they offered the "Rachel" popularized by Jennifer Aniston from Friends in the early '90's.
• What's in a name? Trig, Track, Willow...math functions, sports facilities, and trees will become sources of hundreds of new baby names. We'll see fewer Madisons and Tylers, and more, well, different names.
• Just when you thought it was so over. Thanks to "first dude" Todd Palin, I predict a second wind for the goat-tee movement.
• But don't call her a dog. "Pit bull with lipstick" will become a term of endearment for some women. I get the idea, but I can't block out the visual of a nasty, growling dog wearing makeup.

I like Sarah Palin. I'm not sure that I would like her as Vice President, but she can't be worse than Cheney. But I really hate that the presidential nominees can choose whomever they like for the second slot. It seems bizarre that McCain (or anyone other nominee) can pluck someone from obscurity for the job of becoming president, should something happen to the president. I don't have a better idea, but the current model still seems wrong.

All the same, I wish Sarah Palin and her family well.

Macro-economics and Melted Butter

I just picked up a bunch of lobsters for tonights dinner. My oldest son leaves for his Junior year at Quinnipiac University in the morning, so we thought we'd all splurge. But are we really splurging?

This past Monday, August 18, Daniel Gross posted a piece on Slate.com titled "The Great Lobster Mystery." (http://www.slate.com/id/2196990/) On a recent Maine vacation, he discovered that the retail price of lobsters has lowered since last year, while almost everything else is more expensive. Why? According to Mr. Gross, a couple of converging forces are at play.

Lobstering is a local business, with product coming from numerous small, independently owned lobster boats. Most lobsters are consumed locally. Lobster retailers, i.e., restaurants and markets, are facing higher cost-of-goods sold for everything not caught/made/raised locally, due to increased energy costs. Most of this increase is passed on to customers. So, what has this to do with lobsters?

Apparently, local lobstermen have few variable operating costs, other than fuel. They use no fertilizer, and their machinery is relatively simple and requires little maintenance. Retailers know this, and are squeezing the lobstermen for better prices to make up for decreasing margin in other areas; and, some of these savings are passed down to consumers.

Since lobstering is not a global market, the lobstermen predominantly depend upon local buyers for their livelihoods. Sure, some lobsters go to commercial processors, and some end up in lobster tanks in restaurants in Ohio and Colorado, but the main share is distributed locally.

At least this is Gross's thesis. He may be correct, but I can't help but assume that there is a strong market for Maine lobsters in Dubai. On the other hand, I don't feel like researching the economic data on the lobster industry, so I'll take his word for it. And I'll enjoy my lobster this evening, even though it doesn't seem like I've paid less than last year.

Don

Lazy August, Phelps-mania

I haven't posted for a few days, yet I've been nagging my friends to check out my blog. Sorry. I've actually been busy with the job search, spending three days each week, more or less, in New York City doing meetings, enjoying my outplacement perks, eating Korean buffet lunches, etc. The rest of the week is spent at the beach here at the Jersey Shore. Poor me.

Here's something - where the hell is Michael Phelps' father? Every night on NBC we see Michael, we see Michael's sister the Middle School Principal, and we see Michael's mother. Where is Phelps the Elder? A quick Google search yielded the following:

• There was a divorce when Michael was seven - or eight - or eleven years old.
• Phelps the Elder is a State Trooper (note for non-US readers: State Troopers are highway, or "motorway," or "autobahn" enforcers). Speed and you're dead. Or out $300.00.
• OK, this is interesting: Phelps the Elder is in Beijing (allegedly), but Phelps Mere (allegedly) has manipulated the media to excude Officer Phelps (the Elder) from the ubiquitous television coverage.

Why is this important? It's not. I was just curious.

DB

Brave New World

Yesterday, my first non-IDC day, I reported to the Manhattan offices of The Ayers Group, my new outplacement service. Never having experienced this before, I admit that I was pleasantly surprised by the expertise, level of services on offer, and physical facilities.

I was given a private office with phone, PC, printer, and a nice view of Lexington Ave. and 42nd St. I was also given access to an efficient and friendly support staff, a small coffee room, and a number of conference rooms. Best of all, just steps from the building entrance is the best Korean deli and buffet...ever.

Later in the day, I met my outplacement consultant to get a rundown on exactly what this service can offer, aside from the aforementioned, ego-gratifying amenities. I was expecting a psychologically-focused, "think positive thoughts" approach. Not the case. My encounter with my consultant was stimulating, pragmatic, and very helpful. My overall impression of him is that of a senior trusted advisor.

Granted, I think IDC purchased the "platinum" package for me. On my way to the coffee room, I did see a gymnasium-sized room with cubes and a high level of noise and no view, obviously for those whose ex-employers opted for a pared down package.

But even for those not given the full-monty, the outplacement experience, if used properly, can be a blessing; a place to go, phones, PCs, and the support of people who know how to get a job. If you're ever offered this service, don't sniff at it, as I was so inclined.

The link for The Ayers Group is http://www.ayers.com/

SageCircle on Don Best

SageCircle is an IT research analyst relations firm, and the posted a brief note on my departure from IDC. Any publicity is good publicity, I suppose. The link is:

http://sagecircle.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/another-senior-departure-from-idc-donald-best-svp-worldwide-sales-and-marketing/

End of Doha? Does it Matter?

The collapse of the Doha trade round after Brazil, China and India flexed their new economic muscle this week may not be all that bad. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed today, Daniel Ikenson of the Cato Institute argues that world income can significantly rise through the continuation of bi-lateral trade agreements, as well as "trade facilitation" reform; that is, taking a machete to local trade bureaucracy.

Consider this: According to Ikenson, a Yemenese fish exporter can sell fresh tuna to Germany for $5.20 per kilo, or frozen tuna to Pakistan for $1.10 per kilo, but since it takes an average of 33 days to get official export clearance, the only real choice is to freeze the stuff before it goes rotten. The estimated lost income to a single Yemenese fish exporter is $7 million per year.

This problem exists everywhere, including the U.S. Take a look at Ikenson's piece at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121737397902795037.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries

Holding Off

Since my last day with IDC is tomorrow, July 30, I'm going to hold off on any more postings until July 31. I've been treated quite well during my last few days with the company, as I have throughout my career, and I want to return the favor. Besides, I still officially work here, and my post-IDC life has yet to begin.

Don

Moving On

This blog is an attempt to open another channel of communication with my friends, aside from email, Linkdin, Facebook, etc. I'll be leaving IDC on July 30, and I've been with the firm for twenty-three years (twenty-four, counting a one-year stint with the Yankee Group in the late 80's). Having been in one place for so long, with a comfortable network of friends and colleagues, my tendency now will be to overcommunicate.

My job search is just starting, and I'm already discussing two positions, but my search really won't kick off until I'm officially an ex-IDCer, next week. For now, I'm waiting for the last three days to finish, including the dreaded farewell party. I agreed to this, and want to do it, but I have a knot in my stomach in anticipation of the emotions that will inevitably surface.

I plan on posting every day or so, and I'll try to keep my postings to things that would be of interest to my friends. I'll also include interesting links, and will invite comments. This thing may die a quick death due to boredom, or it may morph into something entirely different. We'll see.

Don