Alan Weiss’s Monday Morning Memo® – 7/31/2023
It’s a rough morning here on the Nantucket beach in front of our house, and the lifeguards have a strange flag up: half yellow and half red. I think it means, “Swim at your own risk because we’re not coming out there to save you.”
We were at the Four Seasons in West Palm Beach one year, and several people were in distress in the water about 100 yards out and 50 yards to our left. Our lifeguards had jet skis, row boats, and so forth. But not one of them moved.
“That’s private property over there,” one of them told the gathering crowd, “and we’re legally not permitted to get involved. If we do, then the hotel has liability.” Several of us told them that if they didn’t get out there now the next death would be on the beach, not in the water. Everyone was brought back to shore successfully.
The hotel manager later confirmed the life guards’ claims.
I’ve done quite a bit of work on ethics in corporations, and the first thing I’ve usually recommended was to get the ethics oversight out of the legal department when that’s been the case. Attorneys almost always seek the least risk, no matter what the choices are, and would prefer that companies don’t even open up in the morning—keep the doors locked and the lights off—because then nothing can go wrong. Of course, the business will fail, but that’s not the legal issue!
Whether you’re in the schools of Aristotle (benefit to the person and society), Kant (a moral duty of rational beings), or Bentham (greatest good for the greatest number), I’d suggest that we have obligations beyond the law. Anatole France observed that “The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to beg in the streets, to sleep under bridges, and to steal bread.”
What’s legal isn’t always right and what’s right isn’t always legal. Amidst all that is our judgment and sense of responsibility, like saving people in danger of drowning. All 50 states plus the District of Columbia have Good Samaritan Laws on the books: You can’t be sued or prosecuted for attempting to help someone in danger so long as you aren’t grossly negligent and you are not accepting a fee.
What if everyone did it? —Kant’s categorical imperative.
Things change so fast, you can’t use 1971 ethics on someone born in 1971. —Grace Slick
The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings. —Albert Schweitzer
In civilized life, law floats in a sea of ethics. —Earl Warren
What is moral is what you feel good after, what is immoral is what you feel bad after. —Ernest Hemingway
NEW: Autumn in New York: Join me for 2.5 days of a great growth experience. I’ll be presenting new IP on the nature of the No Normal® workplace and how we can best attract and help clients. We’ll talk about new approaches to strategy for all types of organizations. Every participant (who so desires) will get “air time” to discuss a particular challenge, question, or strategy. I’ll take you to dinner at two of my favorite restaurants, we’ll see a Broadway play with great seats, and there will be a tour with a unique New York touch. We’ll start with an opening evening reception. Limited to 14 people. October 10, 11, 12. $12,000 fee (until Aug. 31, after that $15,000) includes meals and lodging. Join me for a great business and social experience. https://alanweiss.
NEW: Business As A Second Language: This 90-minute Zoom workshop will deal with reframing, social proof, instant examples, influence techniques, turning objections into selling points, and a great deal more. It will be interactive and recorded for ongoing use. Preparing for meetings is important (until, as the saying goes, you get punched in the jaw). I’ll help you stay in the moment and outduel anyone. Are you tired of worrying about “what you should have said”? Now you’ll be able to say it at just the right time. All this for $350, and you can drink while attending. September 14, 10:30 US eastern time. Recorded for all registrants. (After Aug. 15, $500.) Sign up here: https://alanweiss.com/gr
NEW: The Remote Millionaire®: Yes, I’m going to provide the secrets (and puncture the myths) of making a million dollars or more a year without leaving your home.
And, ironically, I’m going to do it in person, because I’m scheduled to be in San Diego and LA for other reasons and I generate so much money remotely that I like to be with people on occasion (in good weather)! Here’s what you’ll create or improve without leaving home, except for this day with me:
- Developing unsolicited referra
ls. - Creating client evangelism with prospects.
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- Creating contemporary passive income.
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- Moving to and enlarging a trusted advisor network.
We’ll be using role plays, actual participant services (from prep work), and exercises to develop the skills to market, deliver, and expand business though dramatic and tangible value from a distance. We’ll master how to do this with individuals, small groups, and/or large audiences. https://alanweiss.
Speaking with Alan: One of my most popular experiential events, run twice a year. Learn how to create, refine, deliver, price, and market a speech of any length. A small group practices and video tapes the components over 2.5 days. Are you charging less than a minimum of $10,000 per speech? Are you agonizing over content, or not drawing a sufficient audience? You need this session NOW! San Francisco Sept. 19-21. https://alanweiss.com/g
Master Master Class II: This sold-out event in March was so popular that I’m running another in October in Newport. I accept 16 people in person (you may also attend remotely on our large screen) and we have just two seats remaining! I’m creating new material, exercises, and challenges. Past “grads” get a discount. One person said, “I’ve known you for nearly 20 years, and this is the best thing you’ve ever done!” (Maybe I just wasn’t that good before!) Register here: https://alanweiss.com/gr
NEW! Alan’s Advisory Suite: Nine options for groups or individuals to receive “real time” coaching to build their practices and lives on a continuing basis. The strongest, best people in business, entertainment, sports, the media—all use coaches. https://alanweiss.com
Million Dollar Consulting® for the World: I’ve provided 14 modules with videos from me, from your colleagues globally, slides, and text. They include everything from launch to self-esteem, proposals to fees, closing business to creating a brand. No upsells! It’s only $115. What do you think about a 10,000:1 ROI? We have over 500 people from 47 countries. https://milliondoll
NEW: Million Dollar Consulting® for the World ADVANCED: The new program contains over 60 videos and has 15 modules focusing on what to do in the buyer’s office, overcoming crises, financial planning, and much, much more. https://alanweiss.com/gr
Sentient Strategy Certification: My new book on the topic (above) has been released, so this is an ideal time to market Sentient Strategy. Write me to apply, join over 70 people certified in six countries. One-time fee of $12,000, includes 90 days of my support, free admission to all future certifications, and admission to a private web board with other Sentient facilitators. alan@summitcons
Vancouver Day: I’ll be providing a full day in Vancouver for as little as $400 (US) including lunch on September 9: How to Dramatically Increase Revenues while Radically Reducing Labor. I’ll be returning from an Alaskan cruise and need the money to pay for it! This is a rare appearance in Western Canada. We currently have 40 people and are meeting at the Terminal City Club. https://alanweiss.com/gr
SAC Annual Meeting – San Diego/Hybrid: Join me for the upcoming Society for the Advancement of Consulting (SAC) annual meeting in San Diego and hybrid on Nov. 14th. I’ll be speaking in the morning, followed with additional content from colleagues. Click to learn more and register. Stay over and join me at The Remote Millionaire on the following day. You do not have to be a SAC member.
