In Silicon Valley, content is king, while attire and appearance are all but irrelevant.
It was refreshing to see that our new Governor, Jerry Brown, understands this.
Last week, the Silicon Valley leadership group hosted a meeting with governor brown in his capitol office with 18 business leaders from throughout the state. In walked our Governor, wearing old tennis shoes and a 15-year old sweat-suit, complete with a hole in one pant leg.
It was completely disarming, absolutely endearing and entirely befitting of a meeting with anyone from Silicon Valley. With a $25 billion budget deficit, a 12 percent unemployment rate; and a need for jobs and economic competitiveness, pension and governance reforms, solutions and substance trump tailored suits & ties.
Our governor flies Southwest, eschews fancy shoes and travels solo.
He may not spend too much time wrestling with a neck-tie, but he is investing the time to grapple with the tough issues facing our state. I'll take that trade-off every time.
Governor, keep wearing those running shoes. Fixing our state will be a marathon - not a sprint - and Silicon Valley stands ready to run that race with you.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Silicon Valley needs a direct flight to Tokyo
Growing up, I was a fan of the Harlem Globetrotters. However, I have never been a fan of globetrotting local elected officials, who believe it is their job to trek around the planet.
I make an exception for San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, who hates frivolous travel as much as me. This past week, we traveled together to Tokyo - wheels up to wheels down: 71 hours.
The reason: meetings with the CEO and senior staff of ANA, Japan’s second largest airline, as we seek a direct flight between San Jose International and Tokyo.
More than 400 Silicon Valley residents take the trek daily to SFO - the airport with the worst on-time performance in the U.S. - to fly to Tokyo. It would be easier, more efficient and more economical to fly from San Jose, the airport with the nation's best on-time performance, and that is the mayor's and my shared goal.
It is refreshing to have a mayor who would rather work to improve our city than engage in foreign policy, but it is equally refreshing to know that when he does travel, it is solely when it is in the city's, and our valley's, best interest. Mayor Reed: globetrotter - no. World-class - yes.
I make an exception for San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, who hates frivolous travel as much as me. This past week, we traveled together to Tokyo - wheels up to wheels down: 71 hours.
The reason: meetings with the CEO and senior staff of ANA, Japan’s second largest airline, as we seek a direct flight between San Jose International and Tokyo.
More than 400 Silicon Valley residents take the trek daily to SFO - the airport with the worst on-time performance in the U.S. - to fly to Tokyo. It would be easier, more efficient and more economical to fly from San Jose, the airport with the nation's best on-time performance, and that is the mayor's and my shared goal.
It is refreshing to have a mayor who would rather work to improve our city than engage in foreign policy, but it is equally refreshing to know that when he does travel, it is solely when it is in the city's, and our valley's, best interest. Mayor Reed: globetrotter - no. World-class - yes.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
California's future- look, then leap
"I'll jump if you jump."
In the 1973 film, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," Paul Newman and Robert Redford struck a bargain: Face certain death on a mountain, or hurtle themselves into the unknown dangers of a raging stream below. They stuck together, jumped and lived.
With a $25 billion budget deficit, the Golden State faces similar choices. Stay frozen in place and perish, or take a risk in working together and survive. We urge our Governor and Legislature to leap together.
Step One: California needs a plan; a strategic plan to grow the economy and create jobs. It's no coincidence that during the past decade, Texas added 1 million private sector jobs; Arizona grew 265,000 new jobs, and California lost 53,000 jobs. Yes, most competitor states have developed a strategic plan for jobs and economic prosperity. By failing to plan, we have planned to fail. We can change this. Governor Brown can appoint a cabinet-level officer to create and implement a strategic plan. His "Jobs Czar" can assemble key leaders from California's top industry clusters. We can study what other states do well. This isn't hard: Study the competition; build the plan; perform to plan.
Butch and Sundance- time to jump.
In the 1973 film, "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," Paul Newman and Robert Redford struck a bargain: Face certain death on a mountain, or hurtle themselves into the unknown dangers of a raging stream below. They stuck together, jumped and lived.
With a $25 billion budget deficit, the Golden State faces similar choices. Stay frozen in place and perish, or take a risk in working together and survive. We urge our Governor and Legislature to leap together.
Step One: California needs a plan; a strategic plan to grow the economy and create jobs. It's no coincidence that during the past decade, Texas added 1 million private sector jobs; Arizona grew 265,000 new jobs, and California lost 53,000 jobs. Yes, most competitor states have developed a strategic plan for jobs and economic prosperity. By failing to plan, we have planned to fail. We can change this. Governor Brown can appoint a cabinet-level officer to create and implement a strategic plan. His "Jobs Czar" can assemble key leaders from California's top industry clusters. We can study what other states do well. This isn't hard: Study the competition; build the plan; perform to plan.
Butch and Sundance- time to jump.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Caltrain
Here’s food for thought . . . It was 1863 – Abraham Lincoln was president – when Caltrain service between San Francisco and San José began.
Fast forward 150 years, and this venerable service is at risk of going away.
The popular line, running 79-miles from Gilroy to San Francisco, carries 42,000 daily passenger trips, has one of the highest fare-box returns in California – yet has no dedicated source of revenue to fund its daily operations. Bart has a parcel tax, VTA, SF-Muni and SamTrans each have a sales tax – Caltrain has nothing.
Does it impact you? If we lose Caltrain, we will need the equivalent of 2.5 new freeway lanes of traffic on highways 101 or 280 to simply maintain today’s current sluggish conditions.
Join the Silicon Valley leadership group to identify and implement thoughtful solutions to keep Caltrain running. Visit svlg.org. We can – we must - save Caltrain.
Fast forward 150 years, and this venerable service is at risk of going away.
The popular line, running 79-miles from Gilroy to San Francisco, carries 42,000 daily passenger trips, has one of the highest fare-box returns in California – yet has no dedicated source of revenue to fund its daily operations. Bart has a parcel tax, VTA, SF-Muni and SamTrans each have a sales tax – Caltrain has nothing.
Does it impact you? If we lose Caltrain, we will need the equivalent of 2.5 new freeway lanes of traffic on highways 101 or 280 to simply maintain today’s current sluggish conditions.
Join the Silicon Valley leadership group to identify and implement thoughtful solutions to keep Caltrain running. Visit svlg.org. We can – we must - save Caltrain.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Steve Jobs
In a Valley known globally for innovation and entrepreneurship, Steve Jobs is a first among equals.
He co-founded apple with Steve Wozniak, came back to revive the company years later, and came back again after his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer and a liver transplant.
Sadly, he has announced an indefinite leave of absence, once again, to focus on his health.
I have never met nor worked with Steve Jobs, yet like millions of people across our nation and world, I have been touched by apple's technology and innovation. I typed this Food for Thought message on my Mac Book Pro, jogged this morning listening to my iPod, and watched a weekend movie with my six-year old daughter on our iPad.
His visionary leadership is looked upon by other CEO's. When I ask executives which CEO they most admire, the most common response is Steve Jobs.
Many media stories right now are focused on the future of Apple. That is understandable and important. At such a time as this, however, let's focus first on the future of Steve Jobs and his family. Yes, he is a technology giant. He is also a human being - a husband, a father and friend.
Steve, our thoughts and our prayers are with you. May you recover completely and return quickly.
He co-founded apple with Steve Wozniak, came back to revive the company years later, and came back again after his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer and a liver transplant.
Sadly, he has announced an indefinite leave of absence, once again, to focus on his health.
I have never met nor worked with Steve Jobs, yet like millions of people across our nation and world, I have been touched by apple's technology and innovation. I typed this Food for Thought message on my Mac Book Pro, jogged this morning listening to my iPod, and watched a weekend movie with my six-year old daughter on our iPad.
His visionary leadership is looked upon by other CEO's. When I ask executives which CEO they most admire, the most common response is Steve Jobs.
Many media stories right now are focused on the future of Apple. That is understandable and important. At such a time as this, however, let's focus first on the future of Steve Jobs and his family. Yes, he is a technology giant. He is also a human being - a husband, a father and friend.
Steve, our thoughts and our prayers are with you. May you recover completely and return quickly.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Civic unrest
The tragedy in Tucson, AZ serves as a stark reminder that our nation needs to be knit back together.
All too often, partisan politicians attack individuals rather than ideas; some in the media reward those who divide us rather than unite us; and even religious leaders on occasion offer anger over mercy and grace.
Yet we live in a valley where wonderful role models survive and thrive.
My friend and mentor, Tom Campbell reminds us we can disagree without being disagreeable, that we can use "soft words but hard arguments."
Jim Cunneen, former state assemblyman and former CEO of the Chamber of Commerce is a living example of effective service. As Chamber CEO, he strengthened an institution with numerous policy and political successes, always respecting, rather than reviling, those with different points of view.
At the Mercury News, thoughtful columnists like Mike Cassidy and Gary Richards have strong opinions, but their words build bridges, rather than burn them down.
CEO's like Aart de Geus and Mike Splinter balance global business acumen with local civic engagement.
Let's model those who lift others up, rather than reward those who tear others down.
All too often, partisan politicians attack individuals rather than ideas; some in the media reward those who divide us rather than unite us; and even religious leaders on occasion offer anger over mercy and grace.
Yet we live in a valley where wonderful role models survive and thrive.
My friend and mentor, Tom Campbell reminds us we can disagree without being disagreeable, that we can use "soft words but hard arguments."
Jim Cunneen, former state assemblyman and former CEO of the Chamber of Commerce is a living example of effective service. As Chamber CEO, he strengthened an institution with numerous policy and political successes, always respecting, rather than reviling, those with different points of view.
At the Mercury News, thoughtful columnists like Mike Cassidy and Gary Richards have strong opinions, but their words build bridges, rather than burn them down.
CEO's like Aart de Geus and Mike Splinter balance global business acumen with local civic engagement.
Let's model those who lift others up, rather than reward those who tear others down.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Gov. Brown needs "game changers"
As California welcomes a new governor, he must welcome a new era of business competitiveness to create and retain jobs in the golden state.
As I wrote in a recent op-ed for San Jose Mercury News, California needs "game changers" to strengthen our business climate to compete with regions around the nation and world.
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group is preparing a white paper on economic competitiveness for Governor Brown, covering the following items:
• An economic development strategic plan, with the governor as our chief recruitment and retention officer.
• A K-12 and higher education system that tracks each student, ensuring each dollar invested offers the best return for each child.
• Rewarding companies that invest in California, encouraging them to stay here and grow here.
• A renewable energy strategy that ensures that 33 percent of the energy we use is from clean sources by 2020.
• A statewide transportation system that we adequately fund.
• Restore trust in government with serious pension, governance and budget reform.
Silicon Valley CEOs and citizens want results from our state government and have high hopes for our new governor. He shouldn’t veer California to the extreme left or right. He should simply move California ahead.
As I wrote in a recent op-ed for San Jose Mercury News, California needs "game changers" to strengthen our business climate to compete with regions around the nation and world.
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group is preparing a white paper on economic competitiveness for Governor Brown, covering the following items:
• An economic development strategic plan, with the governor as our chief recruitment and retention officer.
• A K-12 and higher education system that tracks each student, ensuring each dollar invested offers the best return for each child.
• Rewarding companies that invest in California, encouraging them to stay here and grow here.
• A renewable energy strategy that ensures that 33 percent of the energy we use is from clean sources by 2020.
• A statewide transportation system that we adequately fund.
• Restore trust in government with serious pension, governance and budget reform.
Silicon Valley CEOs and citizens want results from our state government and have high hopes for our new governor. He shouldn’t veer California to the extreme left or right. He should simply move California ahead.
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