Tips for Saving Fuel

Fuel prices have shot up, more than you anticipated. You’re mad. You’re scared. And you’re not sure what to do about it. As Clinton used to say, “I feel your pain.”

 

So I sat down and dreamt up over 100 fuel savings tips. Some will apply. Others won’t. Take what you need and leave the rest for someone else.

 

Alright, I confess. These tips are not all mine. I admit it. But I doubt if anyone will mind. After all, we’re all in this together.

 

Here’s a handful. I’ll post another handful later.

 

1. Change your driving habits. My wife gets 45 miles per gallon in her Mazda. I get 35 in the same car. It’s not the car.
2. Slow down. Fuel economy drops significantly over 60 miles per hour.
3. Carry less weight. It burns more gas to haul heavier loads. Clean out the truck once in awhile. You’ll be surprised at what is behind the seat.
4. Avoid excessive idling. When you’re not moving, you’re MPG is zero.
5. Use cruise control. Maintaining a steady speed couldn’t be easier.
6. Don’t race. Accelerating quickly, braking hard, and other aggressive driving kills fuel economy.
7. Tune up your engine. Neglected engines do not perform very well.
8. Walk. Yes, I know. But if the 7-11 is only a block away, what’s the harm?
9. Replace your air filter. A clogged air filter is like putting your engine in a choke hold.
10. Use the web. I don’t know what “www” means but I see it everywhere. I think Al Gore invented it. I’ve heard that it saves time and money. Check it out.

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A Customer Speaks

“I’m not very happy with you—or your company. When we first met, I really liked you. You seemed to care. You took good care of me. You called me every now and then. You took me out to lunch every so often. But when was the last time you called me? When was the last time we broke bread together? Do you even remember who I am?

 

“No, I haven’t complained. I haven’t threatened to leave you. That’s not my style. I’m not going to beg for attention.  

 

“You didn’t even know I felt this way, did you? Do you even care? You’re making the big money now, aren’t you? You’re driving the new truck, aren’t you? I’ve seen you at the game. I’ve seen you at the steakhouse. I’ve seen you at the club. I’m not blind.

 

“But guess who hasn’t been ignoring me? That’s right! Your competition! I’ve also been to the game. I’ve also been to the steakhouse. I’ve also been to the club. Are you blind? Didn’t you see me waving at you?

 

“Now I’m not going to fire you. That would be too easy. I’m going to make it hurt. I’m going to get even. I’m going to teach you a lesson. I’m going to bid out the contract. That’s right! Bid it out! Maybe I’ll try a reverse auction—online. I don’t know. I’ll think of something.

 

“I’ll tell you that corporate made me do it. I’ll tell that it’s all about price. You know it never is. I may let you keep it—at half the price. After I bid it out! That’s right! 

 

“I’m not stupid. I’ve been to purchasing seminars. I’ve learned how to work over contractors, especially ones who have it coming.  You always think it’s about price. But it never is. You should know that. You’re not the lowest priced contractor.

 

“The sad thing is that you had me. I would have never bid this out. It’s too much work. Don’t you get it? But you’ve backed me into a corner. You’ve taken advantage of me for too long and I’m going to enjoy watching you dance, watching you work for it and making it hurt.

 

“Go ahead—send me your renewal contract without calling or visiting me. I’ll let it sit on my desk until you do. In the meantime, I’ll be out with your competitors—at the game, at the steakhouse, and at the club. If I see you, I’ll be sure to wave.”

 

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Consumer Confidence: Nobody Asked Me!

Did you hear the news? Consumer confidence is low—very low. On June 24, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index was released. The Index now stands at 50.4, down from 58.1 in May. According to The Conference Board’s website, this reading is the fifth lowest ever. Their Expectations Index fell to 41.0 from 47.3—a new all-time low.

 

The Reuters/University of Michigan Index of Consumer Sentiment was 56.4 in June, down from 59.8 in May and down substantially from one year ago, when the index stood at 85.3.

 

Since consumer spending represents two thirds of U.S. Gross Domestic Product, these numbers are disconcerting. However, nobody asked me about how confident I was. I’m not sure how I would have answered but I do know that I was never asked. So, who was asked? A random group of people?

 

The Conference Board says that they poll 5,000 representative people for their index. The Reuters/University of Michigan folks tell us that they collect 500 responses.

 

I’m not feeling so confident about these surveys. Here’s why. The typical person in the U.S. is pretty much clueless about important matters. I apologize if this statement offends someone, but let me explain.

 

The “dumbing down of America” movement has been in full swing for a few decades now. There are millions of people in our country who never read a newspaper, stay current on important issues, follow world events, or participate in the political process. Many have high school diplomas and even college degrees.

 

But these folks fit right into a society with few, if any, expectations of its citizens. As long as a person stays up on the tabloids, watches Oprah, and knows who won American Idol, they’re more than qualified to jump into most water cooler conversations.

 

These are the same people who don’t vote, don’t know who our President is, don’t follow any current issues, and who live their lives in their own worlds. Their only news comes from the one-minute segment on the radio or the sound bites that they happen to overhear during their pop culture life.

 

I have a funny feeling that these are the “representative” people being polled by The Conference Board. I have a hunch that they are included in the Reuters/University of Michigan index. So, I’m not all surprised that “consumer confidence” is low. If I didn’t know any better and all I ever heard was bad news reported in the sound bites, I’d be a little bummed out too.

 

Maybe they should ask me. Maybe they should ask some of my clients. Maybe they should ask some business owners around the country. Sure, we’re concerned about fuel prices, tightening credit, etc, but we’re also confident about the future. We’re confident in our own abilities. We’re confident about our businesses.

 

We’re not confident that our government is going to protect our businesses, allow us to compete freely in a global economy, or keep their hands out of our bank accounts. But they don’t ask us about this. In fact, they don’t ask us at all. Makes you think, doesn’t it.

 

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Essential Elements of Healthy Leadership

Show me a healthy company and I’ll show you healthy leaders—attracting, inspiring, and motivating their people. This statement may be obvious, but what makes a leader healthy? What are the essential elements of healthy leadership?

 

I believe that healthy leaders have four essential elements. These elements are the characteristics of leadership that are required to be a great leader. This article will briefly describe each of the four essential elements.

 

First, healthy leaders are strong-willed. They’re driven. They’re proactive. They take bold, decisive action. They make tough decisions and stick to them. They take responsibility. They’re undeterred in the face of difficulty, obstacles, or challenges. They do whatever it takes, whatever needs to be done.

 

Second, healthy leaders are diligent. They’re firmly in control. They’re able to keep their lives in order, prioritize, and live intentionally. They begin with the end in mind. They’re focused on long term success. They create great inertia. They’re highly productive.

 

Third, healthy leaders are transparent. They communicate. They share information. They allow others to see their weaknesses. They have great empathy. They seek input from advisors. They ask questions. They listen first and seek understanding. They constantly strive to improve themselves. They’re candid and frank.

 

Finally, healthy leaders are humble. They place the needs of the organization before their own. They’re grateful for the opportunity to help others. They’re not afraid to get their hands dirty or to get into the trenches with the troops. They show no pride or arrogance. They display servant-like leadership in everything they do.

 

It has been said that leaders are born, not made. I disagree. The stereotypical leader is not someone who we would want to work for: opportunistic, shortsighted, insecure, and arrogant. These characteristics are found in dictators, tyrants, oppressors. I believe that healthy leadership is just the opposite: strong-willed, diligent, transparent, and humble.

 

What about you? What kind of leader are you? Are you a healthy leader? Ask your closest advisors to give you some feedback. You may be surprised at what you learn! If you would like an assessment tool to help facilitate this, please send me an email.

 

 

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