There are always growing pains in any start-up...and Brand USA had a few last week.
As reported here, a band of Republican lawmakers decided that they wanted to "GSA" Brand USA for its launch party in London last year. Except, there is a big difference. While the GSA splurged on its own people, Brand USA entertained guests that could bring millions of dollars of international spending to our shore.
Hey guys? Y'all need to pay closer attention.
Even more interesting was their accusation that Brand USA paid for its Board members to attend the soiree.
Uhh...no, again. Board members paid their way. As we all do.
Next time...you should ask your intrepid staffs to ask before putting you in such an embarrassing position.
While all that nonsense was going on, the word that Brand USA CEO Jim Evans has stepped down broke late last week. My guess is that the correlation between the Republican inquiry and his move is coincidental. It's not uncommon for a start-up CEO to step back when an organization is ready to rock. The timing here was simply unfortunate.
Carolyn Beteta, the ubber-capable CEO of California Tourism, will serve as interim. We'll have more as it emerges.
Sounds as if we have lost our Common Sense and it seems to apply in this case
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An Obituary printed in the London Times.....Absolutely Brilliant!!!
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense , who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn't always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
Posted by: Jim Jones | June 25, 2012 at 12:29