Micro-stimulus 101

This may not put our economy back on the straight and narrow, but it just might help the national mindset; if only US execs would take note. From CBS News...

Japan Airline Boss Sets Exec Example

CBS Evening News: What Could U.S. CEOs Learn? Plenty Of Frugality, As Japanesese CEO Demonstrates

TOKYO, Jan. 28, 2009 | by Barry Petersen

A private jet is an American CEO's perk.

But not the CEO of Japan Airlines. He comes to work on the city bus, CBS News correspondent Barry Petersen reports.

Merrill Lynch boss John Thain spent $1 million decorating his office.

Haruka Nishimatsu, the president and CEO of Japan Air, knocked down his office walls so anyone can walk in.

He buys his suits at a discount store, because a boss who wears Armani puts himself at arm's length from his people.

"If management is distant, up in the clouds, people just wait for orders," Nishimatsu told CBS News through a translator. "I want my people to think for themselves."

And meeting his people means popping into planes, chatting with flight attendants, even sorting the newspapers.

"I'd like to just find what is going on at the front line," he said.

All CEOs say that service is important, but Nishimatsu goes it a step beyond. He says that if you're having a bad experience, don't get angry with the people you're dealing with - blame the person in charge.

The person in charge here walks the walk. Look up, and there's the boss.

Got an idea? Catch him at lunch in the company cafeteria.

His salary for running the worlds 10th largest airline: not millions, but one year as low as $90,000.

When he was forced to cut salaries for everyone else, he also cut his own.

"My wife said, 'what?'" he said through a translator.

To him, a leader shares the economic pain.

"I feel close to him," said flight attendant Akiko Isobe. "It's encouraging."

These days all airlines are struggling. Even at reliably profitable Southwest, its time to tighten belts.

"It will not work if leaders treat themselves one way and employees another way," said Gary Kelly, the CEO of Southwest Airlines.

Nishimatsu says a CEO doesn't motivate by how many millions he makes, but by convincing employees you're all together in the same boat.

Now that's a spirit that could help survive the current economic storm.

© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

A thousand words

Waimea Bay, O'ahu

Monday ski report

20+ hours of bus travel and roughly 10 hours on a board in just over two days has left me exhausted, but I'd feel remiss if I didn't post this list of the three best things about my Nagano trip while the memories are still powder fresh. In some particular order...

3. Shiga Kogen Pale Ale

After spending the better part of two weeks in America lamenting the quality of Japanese beer compared to that of my home country, I've finally found just a short month later a Japanese craft beer worth celebrating. Almost aggressively hoppy but with a subtlety that most microbreweries on this side of the Pacific have yet to discover, this is a beer worth throwing chains on the tires for.

2. the post-snow onsen

The onsen in and of itself is probably worthy of a "Things I Love About Japan" post, but I'll sing its praises here anyway. If one can't appreciate the benefits of soaking in a public hot spring bath after a full day on a snowboard, they probably shouldn't have gotten on the bus in the first place. This is absolutely the reason I'm able to stand today; go for the muscle-healing powers, stay for the conversation.

1. the scenery

Staying in a resort nestled high in the Japanese Alps atop a twisting road may mean a more treacherous journey in arriving, but it also means that while lower-lying ski fields are being rained on, yours is enjoying fresh snow from top to bottom. From picture-perfect bluebird views to gangs of monkeys nestled in the trees, Shiga Kogen was as much fun to look out over as it was to ride.

Heading north

My plans for the weekend include cold weather, lots of powder, and monkeys in public baths. Stay tuned for a full report when I return on Monday.

Viral shaming

Unearthed power of the internet #6,492: exposing amateur athletes in their most humbling moments to a worldwide audience.

While I'm fully aware that it's a weak move to pull material from the Yahoo homepage, I couldn't resist posting these two videos. Don't hurt yourself biting the back of your hand while watching.


ouch


double ouch

Pictures in high places

Five days in Hawaii taught me that while the local flavor should be experienced close up, the best photos on a O'ahu are taken from above.


proof that I was in Hawaii


blue as far as the eye can see


looking over Waikiki


some of the local ne'er-do-wells


peeking into the valleys

Off the plane

It's been a while, but it's time to officially bring the blog into 2009. I've been back in Japan for a week and a half now but only unpacked yesterday, so I'm a little scatterbrained but all ready to roll up my sleeves and dive into the new year.

A lot has happened in the 4+ weeks since I left for home. I spent a lot of time laying low and more time watching football in Wisconsin, which I think always yields positive results. I went to see the movie Slumdog Millionaire with my parents, which was fantastic. I also got some swimming in and ate the best banana I've ever tasted in Hawaii, which was very exciting for me. And now rehearsals for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are over a week in progress and are going terrifically. It all makes for an exhausting month or so, but I'm excited to be back and happy to say that I'm content as I've ever been. There's more busy times ahead and some fairly large "big picture" type decisions looming, but bear with me as I'm going to try and keep one hand on the keyboard and my head screwed squarely on. I hope I haven't lost anyone already.

Here's to a new president and to a great start to 2009.