How much is a fair profit?

Lots of talk in the media about Exxon’s earnings for the most recent quarter.  The New York Times even pointed how how much money Exxon made per minute.  Some politicians are even talking about a windfall profits tax.  All this begs the question:  How much is a fair profit?

If you want to have some interesting discussion you could begin with a little matching quiz that I put together below.  Scroll on down for the answers.

Match the company with its recently announced quarterly profit:

Amazon             3.2%
Exxon                3.9%
Microsoft           8.45%
Wal-Mart           30.5%

Sources:
Amazon – http://www.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idUSN2344993420080724
Exxon – http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/business/01oil.html
Microsoft – http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/apr08/04-24fy08Q3earnings.mspx
Wal-Mart – http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/may2008/db20080513_718248.htm

ANSWERS:
Amazon           3.9%    (Revenue $4.06 billion;  earnings $158 million)
Exxon              8.45%     (Revenue $138.1 billion; earnings $11.68 billion)
Microsoft        30.5%   (Revenue $14.45 billion; earnings $4.41)
Wal-Mart          3.2%     ( Revenue $94.1 billion; earnings 3.02 billion)

London cabs promote Mississippi, Memphis and Elvis.

Tourism partners, the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau along with the Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority have recently launched a one month moving promotional campaign involving the famous black cabs one sees in London, England.

The campaign consists of 120 taxis with 90 in London and 15 each in Manchester and Glasgow.

The cities selected were determined by their transatlantic air service along with population.

Each taxi carries tip seats panels in the interior of the taxi which communicate to a captive audience in the back of the taxi normally on a one-to-one basis for an average of 16 minutes.

Craig Ray, director Tourism Development, Mississippi Development Authority said, “We are excited about this different approach to traditional advertising and promotion. This is literally a moving billboard that constantly is delivering a message to a huge international audience.

International visitors from the United Kingdom constitute the third largest number of travelers to Mississippi. United Kingdom visitors represent 15.8% of the Top Ten registrants at the highway Welcome Centers.

Tourist Site:

http://www.visitmississippi.org/

7 Measures of Success of Remarkable Associations

From the book, 7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Others Don’t

Measure 1: Customer Service Culture – a “we’re here to serve you” approach, not only for individual encounters, but built into the entire organizational structure;

Measure 2: Alignment of Products and Services with Mission – doing what it takes to make sure offerings are consistent with mission, even in the midst of change;

Measure 3: Data-Driven Strategies – knowing how to analyze data and determine actions based on solid foundations;

Measure 4: Dialogue and Engagement – the ability to keep an internal conversation going among staff and volunteers regarding direction and priorities;

Measure 5: CEO as a Broker of Ideas – a CEO who takes steps to facilitate visionary thinking in his or her staff;

Measure 6: Organizational Adaptability – knowing when and when not to change in a fast-paced environment; and

Measure 7: Alliance Building – seeking partners and projects that complement the mission and purpose.

This book is available from the American Society of Association Executives online bookstore.