Americans are awful about taking vacations. Compared to most industrialized nations, we work more hours per week, and take fewer weeks off per year.
And I’m the proverbial pot calling the kettle black, losing an average of three weeks of paid – yes paid – vacation time each of the past three years because I’m maxed out on how many days I can carry over from one year to the next.
As a CEO, I constantly call on my team to find “work/life balance,” yet I haven’t always practiced what I preach.
That’s all about to change. For KLIV and “CEO Show” listeners, you won’t hear my voice the entire month of august.
I’m taking a break – a vacation – a siesta. A long-overdue “gone fishing” sign will replace my welcome mat.
After 15 years as CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, I’m off for my first semi-sabbatical, putting the “do not disturb” sign on my door, voice mail and email.
My time away will include a Disney cruise with my two little girls, who deserve more time with their daddy; a long stay-cation to complete the “honey-do” list that Leslee has patiently constructed; and then off to British Columbia as I race Ironman Canada. More stressful than restful, but a dream come true.
To the rest of you in “Go-Go Silicon Valley,” follow my lead. Take time off. Smell the roses now, before pushing up daisies later.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
1,000 Hearts for 1,000 Minds
California public school students rank 45th of 50 states in math, 48th in science and 49th in spending per student. Enter “1,000 Hearts for 1,000 Minds,” a new tutoring initiative being launched by San Jose City Councilman Sam Liccardo and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, to focus on reading and math skills for k-8 students in some of our poorest neighborhoods.
The goal is simple: engage 1,000 caring adult volunteers with 1,000 k-8 kids in Silicon Valley schools. You can volunteer as little as one hour per week for a duration as short as eight to ten weeks.
Make a difference – offer your time or treasure.
• Your time: just one hour per week.
• Your treasure: make a personal contribution or encourage your employer to make a company contribution.
Let’s help 1,000 kids right here in San Jose & Silicon Valley strengthen their reading and math skills, and succeed in a 21st century economy.
To get involved, click here. Reach out today. Change a life – tutor a student.
The goal is simple: engage 1,000 caring adult volunteers with 1,000 k-8 kids in Silicon Valley schools. You can volunteer as little as one hour per week for a duration as short as eight to ten weeks.
Make a difference – offer your time or treasure.
• Your time: just one hour per week.
• Your treasure: make a personal contribution or encourage your employer to make a company contribution.
Let’s help 1,000 kids right here in San Jose & Silicon Valley strengthen their reading and math skills, and succeed in a 21st century economy.
To get involved, click here. Reach out today. Change a life – tutor a student.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Repatriation
I can think of 1.2 trillion ways that President Obama and Congress can strengthen America’s economy and create jobs – without costing taxpayers a dime.
It’s called repatriation – a fancy “Washington, D.C.” word for allowing American companies to bring back the earnings they make from being successful when doing business in overseas markets.
You see – 95 percent of the world’s markets for Silicon Valley goods and services are outside of the U.S., yet when we successfully compete in those markets, we cannot bring the earnings back home without paying a 39.4 percent tax penalty on those profits. It doesn’t take a math genius to know that when a company can borrow money for as low as two percent, bringing money back with a 39.4 percent penalty makes absolutely no sense.
So Congress, allow companies to bring back their earnings at a reduced rate. Keep the reduced rate for the federal treasury. Allow employers to use the balance to stimulate the economy, strengthen their companies and create jobs.
It’s so simple – even Washington should get it right.
It’s called repatriation – a fancy “Washington, D.C.” word for allowing American companies to bring back the earnings they make from being successful when doing business in overseas markets.
You see – 95 percent of the world’s markets for Silicon Valley goods and services are outside of the U.S., yet when we successfully compete in those markets, we cannot bring the earnings back home without paying a 39.4 percent tax penalty on those profits. It doesn’t take a math genius to know that when a company can borrow money for as low as two percent, bringing money back with a 39.4 percent penalty makes absolutely no sense.
So Congress, allow companies to bring back their earnings at a reduced rate. Keep the reduced rate for the federal treasury. Allow employers to use the balance to stimulate the economy, strengthen their companies and create jobs.
It’s so simple – even Washington should get it right.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
New York Policy Trip
As we look back at Independence Day, a central theme of our founders emerges - "United We Stand."
Recently, I traveled to New York City to meet with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. We discussed how we can best work together to move our nation forward: Education reform for American children, immigration reform for high-skilled workers and a coherent national energy policy.
We also met with the Long Island Business Association - a sister organization to the Silicon Valley Leadership Group - with whom we will partner on key issues impacting America's competitiveness and job creation. We're reaching out to 25 similar organizations across the nation: Chicago, Portland, Seattle, San Diego, Austin, Boston, Los Angeles, Cincinnati and Baltimore. From a regional level, we hope to drive a national agenda that is long on policy victories and short on partisan politics.
We should expect no less from our national leaders elected to serve us in D.C.
Our national coalition of regional leaders is aimed at America’s competitiveness and job creation. We can think of few greater missions than ensuring our nation can compete and that each American who wants a job can seek and secure a job. United, we stand . . . For a strong future for all Americans.
Recently, I traveled to New York City to meet with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. We discussed how we can best work together to move our nation forward: Education reform for American children, immigration reform for high-skilled workers and a coherent national energy policy.
We also met with the Long Island Business Association - a sister organization to the Silicon Valley Leadership Group - with whom we will partner on key issues impacting America's competitiveness and job creation. We're reaching out to 25 similar organizations across the nation: Chicago, Portland, Seattle, San Diego, Austin, Boston, Los Angeles, Cincinnati and Baltimore. From a regional level, we hope to drive a national agenda that is long on policy victories and short on partisan politics.
We should expect no less from our national leaders elected to serve us in D.C.
Our national coalition of regional leaders is aimed at America’s competitiveness and job creation. We can think of few greater missions than ensuring our nation can compete and that each American who wants a job can seek and secure a job. United, we stand . . . For a strong future for all Americans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
