Huang Family Newsletter, February 2015

Crazy month for the Huangs.  Lee had many work deadlines plus several short business trips (NYC x3, Wilmington x3, Connecticut).  Amy continues to juggle many patients at work.  We celebrated Jada's 10th birthday, and Aaron is about to test up to yellow belt in karate.

Staying Sane

As an introvert who is tasked with very extroverted kinds of responsibilities on a daily basis (running meetings, leading teams, networking), it is paramount that I find ways to rejuvenate my constantly depleting social energies.  Here are some of my methods:

1. Friday night.  Setting my schedule for the week ahead, catching up on email, and recording notes on meetings I've had from the past week makes me feel less scattered.

2. Early to bed with a book.  Alas, more often than not now I am either out late or have to work late, but when I don't you can find me under the covers with my nose in a good read.

3. Morning routine.  This gets thrown if I'm out or up too late the night before, but where possible I get a jump on the day by praying, reading my Bible, checking my email, exercising, showering, and making my day's to-do list...all before anyone else is up in the house

4. Me time on the weekend.  The four of us can often be found all doing our own things, so while we enjoy together time it's nice to have solo time too, which I usually use to watch stand-up comedy on Netflix or to play a little piano. 

5. Blogging.  My head is constantly buzzing with thoughts, so recording some of them on my blog lowers the volume a little (I only wish I could share more, but for work's sake I prefer to be discreet about my opinions and encounters).

Too Long for a Tweet, Too Short for a Blog Post XV

Here's an excerpt from a book I finished earlier this month, "His Excellency: George Washington," by Joseph Ellis. 

There it was, simple and profound.  At the personal level, Washington was declaring that he had sufficient control over his ambitions to recognize that his place in history would be enhanced, not by enlarging his power, but by surrendering it.  He was sufficiently self-confident, assured about who he was and what he had achieved, to ignore all whisperings of his indispensability.  At the ideological level, Washington was declaring that he instinctively understood the core principle of republicanism, that all legitimate power derived from the consent of the public.  He did not agree with the versions of republicanism that emphasized the elimination of executive power altogether, and that opposed energetic government as a violation of all that the American Revolution meant.  But he was a republican in the elemental sense that he saw himself as a mere steward for a historical experiment in representative government larger than any single person, larger than himself; an experiment in which all leaders, no matter how indispensable, were disposable, which was what a government of laws and not of men ultimately meant.

Danger is Lying Nearby

In just a few short weeks, Brian Williams has gone from trusted media sage to embattled half-truther to Internet meme.  Funny or sad, it should also be instructive.

I know - personally or professionally - people who have fallen in similar ways, and I myself am not immune to the opportunity or the temptation.  Whether in business, politics, or even social services, whether for fame or money or power, it is seductive to misrepresent yourself or otherwise abuse your position for personal gain.  Oh the internal conversations we have with ourselves, to defend or compartmentalize or convince: no one will know, I deserve this, it's for a greater good.  Such is how character erodes over time until nothing is left and it all falls off the cliff. 

We may lament Brian Williams' fall or have a laugh at his expense, but let us be wary of times we may be in a similar situation, to not act in the same way.  I know I am susceptible, so I am being cautious.

Responsible Banking Act

My firm has had the privilege of working with the New York City Department of Finance and the newly formed Community Investment Advisory Board to produce the first reports related to the recently passed Responsible Banking Act.  These reports are similar to the ones we do every year for the City of Philadelphia to shed light on how banks are doing in terms of home lending, business lending, and branch locations in low-income communities.  Equitable access to financial services and products is crucial to a functioning economy and a just society, and I am honored to play a role in informing the discussion through research, analysis, and discourse.

As part of this process, hearings are held in every borough of New York City, and these past two weeks I've attended three of the five.  You can find out more and look at video here.  Our Needs Assessment report will be completed in April and our Annual Report in November. 

Recommended Reads, 19th in a Quarterly Series

Stuff I've read lately that I'd recommend:

Colonel Roosevelt (Morris).  The long-awaited third in the TR trilogy.  Not nearly as fast-paced as his ascendance and presidency, but still captivating.

Vision of the Anointed (Sowell) and The Future and Its Enemies: The Growing Conflict Over Creativity, Enterprise, and Progress (Postrel).  I blogged about these two books late last year.

Try This: Traveling the Globe Without Leaving the Table (Freeman).  Delightful exploration into different cuisines.  You will be hungry and frisky after reading this.

Steve Jobs (Isaacson).  Fantastic insights into a brilliant yet flawed man.  Must read for business bio readers and non-readers alike.

The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life (Schroeder).  Another brilliant yet flawed man.  To use the book's central analogy, it's fascinating to see the snowball pick up snow over time.

 

You Are Now About to Witness the Strength of Street Knowledge

I'm not gonna lie: I was totally shocked to find out that there's a "Straight Outta Compton" movie coming out later this year.  Me and my fellow straight A suburban Asian friends got into NWA our junior and senior years in high school, and it was just mind-blowingly different than anything we'd ever heard before.  The incendiary lyrics, the cussing, the glorification of the gangsta lifestyle...I mean, what wasn't there to geek out about?    

I still listen to NWA every so often - it takes me back to my teen years, the production is just so tight, and it's fun to realize that yes in fact I do know every lyric even after 25+ years.   And the rage against the police is frighteningly prescient in light of recent events.  Take, for example, Ice Cube's opening line from F**k the Police: "F**k the police coming straight from the underground, a young n***a got it bad cause I'm brown; and not the other color so police think they have the authority to kill a minority..."

I don't watch movies and I definitely don't go to the theaters but you might just find me in line in August.

Position Opening at Econsult Solutions: Director of Business Development

This is a very important position for our firm.  I will be the direct supervisor.  I welcome any inquiries and referrals.  All the details can be found here; I've also pasted them below.



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Company Overview

Econsult Solutions Inc. provides businesses and public policy makers with economic consulting services in urban economics, real estate economics, transportation, public infrastructure, development, public policy and finance, community and neighborhood development, planning, as well as expert witness services for litigation support. Our firm has the capability to engage in projects of any size, from comprehensive long-term studies involving complicated economic arguments and extensive data analysis, to short-term advisory support. Whether working independently or on joint-venture projects, our flexibility and customized approach allow us to respond to a vast range of client needs. Our scope is large, and our expertise specific. Econsult Solutions, Inc. assists clients in the evaluation of economic and fiscal outcomes of programs and developments, offers city and regional planning insight and advice, provides GIS analytic services, yields financial projections and advises investors and governments on projects, developments, and policy outcomes, and has the economic skills and expertise to process, analyze, and manage large and complex datasets.

ESI IS SEEKING A NEW DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT!

ESI seeks a qualified professional as its Director of Business Development. The position would start as early as March 9, 2015. Our current Director of Business Development will be relocating and stepping down from the position later this spring and will assist with the  transition into the summer.
The position description below details the requirements and responsibilities of the Director of Business Development. The role of the Director of Business Development is to manage the overall business development function of the firm, as well as identify and secure business opportunities. This role entails ensuring all internal business development functions are operational, representing the firm in public settings, and leading senior staff in business development strategy.
If you have any questions or would like to submit your resume and cover letter, please write to employment@econsultsolutions.com. Interviews will commence on Feb. 19 and will close on March 5.

Position Descrption

Functions

The Director of Business Development (DBD) is responsible for the following functions related to business development (note that most of these functions overlap):

1. Business Development Leadership Externally, the DBD is expected to serve as an important face of the firm, interacting with key leaders and decision-makers and representing the firm from a business development standpoint. Internally, the DBD is expected to take a leadership role within the firm, working with the principals and directing staff members on all things related to business development.
2. New Products/Clients/Partnerships Identify, research, evaluate, explore, initiate, and develop new business opportunities, which may come in the form of new products, new clients, and new partnerships. Among other avenues, the DBD will periodically convene a rotating committee with which to explore the intersection of current operations, competitor offerings, client needs, partnership opportunities, and macro-economic trends.
3. Strategic Partnerships Manage the firm’s prioritization of and participation in existing strategic partnerships.  This function includes maintenance of a dynamic partnership grid, support of and coordination with the principals assigned to each partnership, and participation in specific partnership activities such as events and symposia.
4. Formal Networks Manage the firm’s prioritization of and participation in existing formal networks such as associations and conferences. This function includes strategic guidance on prioritization of time and money towards various opportunities, support in the cultivation of relationships formed through these networks, and coordination of efforts across principals and directors.
5. “Solutions For” Identify and pursue regular contact with groups of potential clients (e.g., townships, attorneys). This function includes the development of prospect lists of groups and organizations, outreach efforts, and subsequent follow-up.
6. Senior Advisors Manage the firm’s senior advisors, including oversight of internal communications, identification of business opportunities, and coordination of periodic gatherings, to the end of activating senior advisors and maximizing business development opportunities.
7. Business Intelligence Supervise a systematic process by which market information is gathered on competitors, clients, partners, data sources, RFPs, past work, news, macro-economic trends, and the firm itself.
8. Traditional Media and Email Marketing Maintain existing media contacts, cultivate new media contacts, identify media opportunities, and supervise the production and dissemination of email blasts.
9. Social Media Supervise firm participation on social media sites, including content generation, interactivity, and identification of new sites and actions.
10. Website Supervise firm website, including updating of existing content and posting of new content as well as overseeing any major changes in design or function.
11. Promotional Content Supervise the production and refreshment of all content related to print materials as well as refreshment of promotional materials in any other format (e.g. website). Content currently includes one-pagers, statements of experience, and biographies and curricula vitae.
12. Proposals Manage the identification of RFP opportunities and the production of RFP responses.
13. Contact Management Oversee the firm’s contact management efforts, including training of individuals, implementation of various processes and tools, and adjustment of processes and tools over time.
14. Brand Management Oversee the use, protection, and (as needed) updating of the firm name, logo, and look. This function also entails ensuring that templates and other materials are developed, updated, and shared.
15. Business Development Handbook Ensure that all processes and related documents are aggregated within a business development handbook. This handbook should be updated periodically and made available to principals and staff members.

Competencies

The DBD is expected to exhibit the following professional competencies:

1. Focus on the continuous growth of the firm and of the business development function within the firm.
2. Ability to absorb all of the firm’s work and speak intelligently about it to others.
3. Overall business acumen and strategic thinking.
4. Communication skills, including the ability to present to and interact with key leaders and decision-makers and the temperament to maintain cordial relations with clients and partners.
5. Organizational skills, in terms of managing processes, principals, staff members, relationships, calendars, and budgets.
6. Ability to manage multiple projects and mediate between multiple perspectives, oftentimes under significant time pressure.

Organizational Chart

The following characteristics define the DBD’s placement within the firm organizational chart:

1. The DBD is a director-level position and as such falls in the tier below principals, on par with other directors, and above all other staff members.
2. The DBD will work for and with all of the principals, will report to and have regular business development check-in meetings with one of the principals, and will attend all principal meetings to participate in business development matters.
3. The DBD is expected to manage the balance between taking the initiative on business development matters and including all principals on key business development decisions.
4. Any business development staff will report to the DBD and will be managed by the DBD.
5. As all staff are expected to contribute to business development in some capacity, all staff are expected to work with the DBD as instructed by the DBD and as approved by the principals.

Minding My Business (and My Marriage)

My wife accuses me of not listening to her, and she's often right although not always.  Here are all of the possibilities:

1. She told me something to my face and I just wasn't listening.  Guilty.

2. She told me something in passing and I didn't register it.  Still guilty but not as blatantly so.

3. She told me something from like two rooms over and I didn't hear it.  This happens a lot.

4. She thought it, and didn't realize she wasn't saying it out loud.  Now wait a minute...

The common joke is true: women expect men to read their minds.  Which is, of course, impossible.

But the expectation isn't actually as unreasonable as you might think.  There's something called "emotional intelligence," which is often thought of as keeping one's own feelings in check but also has to do with perceiving others' feelings.  We shouldn't be expected to read someone else's mind, but if we know that person then we should be able to discern them at a deep enough level to anticipate what they're thinking.

This should work in a marital situation, when two people ought to know each other quite well. And, in fact, Amy, who has high emotional intelligence, can read me pretty easily, to the point where it is as if she is reading my mind.  She's not reading my mind per se, more so she's reading my cues, both past and present, and processing that into an assessment of what's going on for me. 

This should also work in a work situation, with co-workers you see all the time, as well as with clients if you are in the professional services business.  Indeed, one of my revelations as I grow older in my job is how much success for me has to do with reading people and assessing where they are coming from, rather than what one might think to be the work itself, of crunching numbers and crafting policy and writing narrative and forging solutions.

I'll never learn how to read minds.  But, for the sake of both my marriage and my profession, I better get better each day at reading people well enough to make it look like I can read their minds.  This kind of listening takes effort, to sublimate your own voice and perspective and to prioritize taking in all of the verbal and non-verbal information others are giving off. 

Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rate Board

Last week my nomination to serve on the Philadelphia Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rate Board was approved by City Council.  Here's an article about the new board and a link to the confirmation announcement.  I am delighted to bring my professional perspectives to the Water Rate Board.  I always strive to look at things in a fair, analytical, and informed manner, and am eager to serve the City in this way.  

Class Struggle

Wage gaps caused by our increasingly knowledge-based economy, the attendant bigger returns to higher education, and huge advances for educated women in the workforce have led to what people are calling "assortative mating."  Which is to say that rich, successful, and smart people are pairing off, passing their smart genes on to their kids, and using their riches to make sure those kids are similarly successful.  It's a cycle that further entrenches and separates what a recent Economist cover story called "America's new aristocracy," as Ivy League parents produce Ivy League children who marry other Ivy League children and make even more Ivy League caliber babies.

There are two groups of people who should be aghast at this hardening stratification: liberals and Christians.  I am not a liberal, although I sympathize with many of their perspectives.  I am a Christian, although I'm not a very good one.  So apologies if I don't get these viewpoints quite right.  But here goes.

For liberals, equality of opportunity is paramount.  It is anathema that a child's destiny is set in place by the DNA she receives from her parents and by the zip code she lives in.  Vigorous countermeasures must be proposed, and even if they are implemented it is discouraging to think they are powerless to stem this kind of class separation.

For Christians, there is to be no difference between rich and poor in God's eyes, and in fact the Bible is full of strong language about the danger of riches and the importance of helping the poor.  Dramatically, Jesus Himself is described as impoverishing Himself in order to win us: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

If you are a liberal and/or a Christian, the increasing class stratification of America should concern you dearly.  And, in fact, it is my liberal and Christian friends who are often most vocal about policies and programs that seek greater equity of opportunity and resources across income levels.  Liberals rail at the rich getting richer, and advocate for interventions that stand up for the poor, promote redistribution, and advance society towards a fairer playing field.  Christians rail at how far short we fall from God's call to us to be generous with our wealth and mindful of the poor among us.

All well and good, and indeed quite noble and admirable.  However.  How many liberals and how many Christians are willing to do more than just advocate for those lower in socio-economic status, and to actually and truly become equals with them?  I don't mean finding solidarity with them at a demonstration or even devoting one's career to issues of social justice.  I mean real and true equality.  Like renouncing the social and societal safety nets available to higher class folks, and exposing yourself to the stress of knowing that one bad incident can result in financial disaster.  Or moving into a low-income neighborhood, which usually means more crime and worse air.  Or (gasp!) sending your kids to a school with other poor kids, thus subjecting them to overcrowded classrooms, underpaid teachers, and general chaos.  

It is a sign of the stark lines between classes in America that even if you consider yourself enlightened about and compassionate towards issues of socio-economic inequality, you're squirming at the very thought of the kinds of downward mobility I described above.  From the comfort of our lofty positions, we can espouse all sorts of progressive and righteous actions.  We can tolerate or even revel in temporary solidarity with the poor, whether marching with them or spending a day serving alongside them. But when faced with the mere possibility of having to rub shoulders in a meaningful way with those we claim to be for, that's a much more uncomfortable lift.

To connect back to this notion of "assortative mating," I would venture to guess that the thought of sending your kids to a school in a low-income neighborhood was the thorniest of the scenarios I listed above.  And, if we are honest with ourselves, what makes us squirm is not the short-term concerns of whether our children will be safe today, but the long-term concerns of whether our children will be competitive tomorrow.  Sure, we care that Junior doesn't get beat up at recess.  But we care more that Junior doesn't get left behind as other elites pair off and pass their smart genes onto the next generation. 

Maybe I am being too critical here, assuming that my own unenlightened views are shared by others.  You are likely kinder and less selfish than I am.  I am a child of immigrants, an Ivy League grad, and a cold-blooded capitalist, so I am greedier for my own advancement and comfort than most.  I probably shouldn't assume that others are nearly as provoked as I am at the thought of practicing true downward mobility.  

Wherever you are on these issues, and whether or not you are a Christian, you should be astounded by the description of Jesus I quoted above: "Though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich."  Christian logic often runs counter to the world's mores.  Followers of Jesus are to be like the One who renounced richness and became poor for the poor.  Believers in the Christian way are to understand that it is through poverty that one becomes rich.  

These are hard truths to understand, and even harder to live out.  They make me uncomfortable when I just think about them, let alone try to live them out in my life.  But I believe them to be the way to true life.  If this is easier for you to swallow and to implement, good for you.  If this grates against your sensibilities like it does mine, wrestle with me on these things and let's try together to get there.  For the worst thing of all is to not have it bother you one bit. 

What Am I Working On

As has become my custom every three months, here's what I'm working on now at work. I won't repeat anything from last time that I happen to still be working on, and for confidentiality's sake I have to blur some of the details for some of these studies.

* Assessing the feasibility of a food manufacturing facility as a major driver of an island economy.

* Creating a calculator tool to estimate the negative impact of blight in communities across the US.

* Helping a not-for-profit entity understand the potential financial implications of absorbing another, failing not-for-profit entity.

* Multiple employment impact analysis for applicants for Immigrant Investor Program funds from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

* Multiple economic impact analyses and business plan submissions for applicants to Pennsylvania's main capital investment program.

Lazy Linking, 147th in An Occasional Series

Stuff I liked lately on the Internets:

147.1 Wait, MARTA is on the rebound? That's great to hear bit.ly/1HcsjU7 @citylab

147.2 In Denmark, 1/2 of the ROI of education is marrying another smart person bit.ly/1tKzJHQ @margrev

147.3 Robot handwriting is a thing (btw I predict they'll make intentional "errors," just like robot DJs, to mimic humanness) bit.ly/1ulY1qK @medium

147.4 How you value the invaluable - a yr of life, forgiveness, the work of nature bit.ly/1vl3U2P @radiolab

147.5 Fingers & mouths drawn onto ceramic tableware = creepy as heck bit.ly/1EVuzKk @thisiscolossal

Huang Family Newsletter, January 2015

We came back from California and jumped right into a really busy month.  Aaron had his birthday party.  The kids enjoyed a extravagant weekend at their Aunt Leah's.  Lee worked in business trips to Connecticut, Delaware, New York, and Washington DC (and had trips to Harrisburg and Honolulu grounded by weather).