“It’s pretty amazing to watch Democracy and Capitalism at its best and sometimes at its worst.” That was the point made by a TV Commentator as he was asked about the different ways that people are cashing in on Obama’s election victory. There have been ads in the media for everything from magazine cover pages, to decorative plates to even basketball sneakers. The Commentator goes on to say, “it’s a good thing that Obama makes his own income as President and as an Author.”

With the inauguration of President Obama now behind us let’s recap what we just witnessed. Four years ago the country was introduced to a young man with a funny name at the Democratic National Convention. At that time he was the junior Senator from Illinois who spoke with clarity of conviction. Two years ago he announced his candidacy for President and took to the highways and skyways with a slogan of “Yes We Can!” His early Election Primary/Caucus wins in States that are not urban or considered democratic strongholds proved to be a turning point.

This got the attention of the pundits and critics. It might have even caused Black America to take a second look. As Election Day approached it became more apparent that Obama was poised to make history. The results came in that night and Obama was declared the President-elect at 11PM Eastern Time. Cheers began to rise from those who worked hard to make this victory possible. Tears began to flow from those who could look back on the pain and sacrifices of the past. The promise of Dr. King’s dream had finally come!

During the campaign Obama touched on some hot-button social issues like Fatherhood. This made some in Black America mad. The overall campaign was built on a promise to make change. Most Politicians choose change as a theme to run on. It’s a logical fit because it conveys the message of out with the old ideas and in with the new. Out with the Old Boy’s Network and in with some new blood. However, he was able to capitalize on this change message in a new and exciting way.

First he made it known that the change was going to occur from the ground up and not the top down. Why was that significant you ask? Because he was able to change the way people see change. Our human nature is to resist change. People think change is good as long as they’re not the ones having to change. It’s been said that you can’t change people. You can only change yourself and watch people or the situation change around you.

If there were a Men’s relay team of public officials who made this victory possible it would be Dr. King, to Rev. Jesse Jackson to Colin Powell to Barack Obama. So we witnessed Obama make history in becoming the first African-American President of the United States. You go Bro!  We have seen signs of him beginning to make change from his time campaigning through his transitioning role into the Presidency. Now we have to support our President as he works towards making good on his campaign pledges and on the long-standing promise of America. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Music Soundtrack – Only in America “Double-Play”

Play ‘America’s Song by David Foster,’ track here

Play ‘My People by Angie Stone,’ track here

 This Bud’s for You, a slogan once made popular by Beer Manufacturer Budweiser. Well, say it isn’t so as Budweiser announced layoffs recently. Company executives revealed that this plan had been in the works since June. It just seems odd during the Holidays when there are more house parties and office socials that Budweiser would be downsizing.

The President of Budweiser was quoted as saying, “these decisions are a result of a careful review of each department.” Maybe this doesn’t affect you directly. You’re still looking to get dressed-up for the concert. You’re looking forward to getting “footloose and fancy free” or “jiggy with it” depending on your school of music. The Holiday season is a fun time to eat, drink and be irie.

However, if you were to take a page from the President of Budweiser, this might also be a good time to take stock of where you stand. Even with the current recessionary trends this is the time of year best noted for giving. People are busy shopping for their spouse, children and BFF. As you review your holiday giving this is a good time to practice “paying it forward.”

Consider this real life encounter of two women who run into each other at the Department store checkout counter. One makes clothing purchases that rings up in the hundreds. The store has a give-back special where for every $100 you spend you get back $25 in coupon savings. So, as the first woman pays for her purchases and receives the coupons she turns around to the second woman on the line, hands her one of the coupons and says, Merry Christmas! This is just one example of holiday giving.

Have you seen the January ’09 issue of Oprah’s magazine? On the cover it shows Oprah “before and after.” In the before picture she was slim and trim but in the after picture she appears pleasingly plump. Maybe after careful review of her goals Oprah decided she wants to switch that image. After careful review of your goals (in between the giving and the good times) maybe there’s something for which you’d like to reverse the “before and after” results to make you more on point.

Mega successful people like Oprah are able to achieve their goals and live their dreams because they are usually drama-free, ego-free and not hung-up on ideology. This minimizes the issues and baggage that block their dreams, the way clouds block the sunshine. Isn’t that what the good times are all about? Making sure you live your life like it’s golden. So, go ahead and have a blast this holiday. But make sure you take time to review your giving, goals and enjoy the good times as you rise and shine in 2009. Cheers!

P.S.

Rise and Shine in 2009! That’s the way I see it for the upcoming year. If there’s anything I can do to serve your business/career/empowerment interests then give a brotha a holla! In the meantime, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Kwanzaa… you get my drift. Blessings!

Music Soundtrack – Island Flava “Double-Play” 

Play first audio track here

Play second audio track here

 The United States has elected its first African-American President. Aren’t you glad you lived to see this day? What a great storyI The Presidential campaign began almost two years ago with many wondering whether history would be made. As the journey unfolded we saw increasing drama and political dogma that some wanted to turn into media-driven hoopla.

There is much to be said about how Obama ran his campaign with vision and precision. His story is one that is less “rags to riches” and more “average Joe to CEO.” That’s because Obama and his wife are not the sons and daughters of privilege. They grew up in “economy-class” households that over a period of two or three generations have gone from sharecroppers to showstoppers.

Now that Obama has gone from average Joe to CEO of the United States, how can we follow his lead and turn an idea into a business, passion into profit, a cause into a campaign? How can you follow his lead and live your dreams? The answer has a lot to do with purpose. As he considered the obstacles he would face, it became clearer to him that the time was now. Moreover, he was certain that this responsibility lined-up with his life’s purpose. Sometimes if you’re not sure what is your purpose you simply have to ask God, “Why did you put me here?”

Someone once said that if you fail to plan, you can’t blame “the man.”’ Well, maybe that’s not quite how it was said but whatever you choose to do you must make plans to succeed. A commercial pilot doesn’t leave the gate without a flight plan because there isn’t much room for error. An architect doesn’t break ground for a skyscraper without a blueprint because the certificate of occupancy depends on it. A business plan, a project plan or a marketing plan can help to make a winning brand.

It’s hard to deny that Obama attracted more money to his kitty and more people to rally after rally. Was it because of his message of hope or change? Regardless of the reasons, Obama understands that people are an important part of your success. You can’t know everything there is to know. You can’t be everywhere you need to be. So, when you surround yourself with positive people you increase your chances of becoming everything you want to become.

A lesson learned from the Obama Presidential Campaign 2008 is if you want to succeed on the job, in business and in life you must have a purpose and a plan that line-up. This will help to attract the people with whom you’ll experience shared success. Obama certainly knows something about attracting people and maybe, just maybe he can look back on his journey and say with grace and humility the words from that popular ’80s song, “How Ya Like Me Now!”

Music Soundtrack:

Alicia Keys sings…