Footnotes

1 GE implemented a suggestion system in 1906, pensions in 1912, and employee insurance in 1920, in each case well ahead of most US companies.

2 During World War II, British soldiers, scientists, and industrialists held “Sunday Soviets” to devise “second best tomorrow” solutions to pressing military problems that could be implemented quickly and easily This contrasted with the German approach of inventing sophisticated solutions requiring considerable time to design, engineer, build, and implement.

3 An alternative is “SWOT” analysis. Strengths give an organization an advantage against competitors. Weaknesses place the organization at a disadvantage compared to competitors. Opportunities can be seized to improve performance. Threats are environmental or competitive challenges faced by the organization (Wikipedia).

4 Thomas Ả Kempis (1418), Imitation of Christ.

5 Only about 5% of the workforce earns minimum wages or less, and only about 1% has a family to support. Most minimum wage earners are entry-level workers going to school or living at home, or retirees with social security, a pension, or both.

6 A useful measure to put campaign spending into perspective might be money spent per registered voter compared to the price of a movie.