I think everybody knows what Netflix is. Well, they started a contest in 2006. They offered a MILLION DOLLARS to the team of computer programmers who could outdo their Netflix algorithm for picking out what movies their customers would like. To win the MILLION DOLLARS the new algorithm had to improve prediction by 10%. Cool.

OK, this is a super nerdy thing and I promise not to dwell on it for long. But it is a remarkable tale of programmers all over the world working together to create better code.

Chris Volinsky, a scientist on the winning Bellkor team said something profound.  “That’s why collaboration has been so effective, because different people approach problems differently.”

Looking from behind these eyeballs, looking through a lifetime of experiences, Stu pretty much has right answers for all kinds of situations. But does Stu really have  the right answer or just an answer? Does Stu even have a right answer? When Stu is at his very smartest, he has a semi-clear perspective on his own limitations.

Perceptions are so powerful. They dictate what you do, how you feel, and how well you succeed. So I leave you with the concept that you don’t know everything, whether you are defining your own limitations inaccurately or you think you have infallible judgment.

And collaboration takes the patience to stop and understand what someone is trying to say when they are making a suggestion.

Ever been in a situation where particular people pretty much have the right answers selected? Bosses have more tendancy to do this kind of thing than the average employee… but that is the nature of work patterns. Sometimes time is saved, sometimes great solutions are missed.

We must always be aware of new ways to accomplish tasks. Especially now when the world looks so much different than it did 20 years ago. We have a whole new platter of problems and a who new set of thinkers growing up to solve them.

Lets use our wits and be patient with the other guy or girl. Imagine all the places on earth, where womens brains and women’s talent are denigrated. To that society’s detriment… always.

Innovation and inspiration can come through the teeniest of thoughts and associations. A piece of it can come through all kinds of people and all kinds of life experiences. Let’s be patient and not miss something extraordinary.

Somebody gets paid to figure out how much people will put up with as employees. And H-P must be paying just such a consultant. In the Dallas Morning News this morning, Victor Godinez, related the story of how H-P has cut wages for the 3rd time this year. I bet they are really building employee goodwill.

Of course the cuts are right across the board. Mark Hurd, the chief executive, is participating. Mark said he was going to take a 20 percent cut in his base pay of $1.45 million for 2008 ($290,000) but thank goodness he has a safety net of about $42.5 million in total compensation for this coming year.

Did that sound like sarcasm? Yes, I admit it. I bet Mark is worth every penny. I wonder what kind of real innovation they are working on over there at H-P. Cutting wages to make money is something  bean counters come up with. Short term gain but who can calculate the long term loss. Why would they expect their top talent to stay? Why would they expect top people to stay engaged? Incredible, absolutely incredible.

I don’t really like huge corporations. I would  much rather see crafty coalitions of people creating more value and moving quicker to outmaneuver a dinosaur like H-P

Of course, everything is dictated by market forces and we have to figure out ways to put H-Ps talent to work creating even more value. Wouldn’t it be great if H-P had to go scrounging to find people who would work for them.

Let’s make it happen. It is the age of the entrepreneur. Right here in our community we can create a myriad of small businesses that create value and synergy together. Stay tuned. Let’s make big old dinosaurs like H-P actually have to do some clever thinking to make a buck.

Who would have guessed there is still money to be made in 8 track tapes? Thanks to O. K. Conner writing for the Fort Worth Business Press, we met Kathy Gibson and husband, Daniel making money with 8 track tapes. Yes, the same 8 track tapes that everybody had to have… in the 1970s.

Right here in Arlington, Texas. I love it. Human ingenuity and a little curiosity and pursuing opportunity to see where it goes has Kathy and Daniel in their own thriving 8 track tape business in 2009.

Make sure you wander over and read this great story. O.K. Carter spins a great tale, He is certainly an artful entertainer with written words.  And then head over to your closet and see what hidden treasure you have stashed away. You can’t judge the value either. The world will decide what it wants. I just found some old College History texts on my bookshelf. I doubt if they are hot.

Oh, and let us know what you have in your closet. Tell us about your oddball collection. Within our North Texas Community we have the talent and the experience to create businesses and deal flow. You never know what you might become involved in.  And, if you find any old 8 track tapes, even if they look busted…

Eye Catching Reminder - Yes You can get Cash for your Clunker

I heard the post heading while listening to an excited radio announcer on Stu radio playing in my head. American Initiative is as strong as ever and demand for a great buy on cars is alive and well. All you need is the right incentive. It all sort of made me happy.

Car dealers chasing a new way to get people on their car lots. People coming out to look at and buy cars. A photographer named Vyto Starinskas of the Ruland Herald captured this hilarious photo.  Would that catch your eye driving by? (Of course, here in Texas, we  have probably seen something like this being driven down the public road.)  I found it in the New York Times with the help of the  Associated Press.

Is Cash 4 Clunkers that much a better offer than what you can find venturing onto your average car dealer lot any old time? I don’t know, but it sure caught the nation’s eye. The $1 Billion fund was gone in an Internet moment. Or I guess it was gone in a dust up of confusion wondering what had been created. Somebody with a finger on the STOP button decided we had better assess what kind of accountability problem had been created.

The $1Billion represents over 250 000 new cars sold. That is lots of cars sold in short order and I found it a pleasant antidote  from the shocking experience witnessing the melt down in American auto  institutions.

While politicians argue about the right flavor of legislation and debate whether it is government out of control or effective stimulation, Americans are waiting, and not patiently, for the opportunity to open up again. Let’s hope the congressional chefs don’t screw it up.

Can you imagine what happens when legislators put the finishing touches on the next $2 Billion? Lots of people on car lots. Things are looking better. Let me know if you see any particularly savory offers concerning  Cash for Clunkers from North Texas  car dealers. Ours are as crafty as any. Yes, that makes me smile.