Parking October 2010 - 19

Marketing Minute Jeff Pinyot
Oh, To Live on Mackinac
The movie “Somewhere in Time” was filmed on historic Mackinac Island, Mich. After visiting the island made famous by this movie and the Grand Hotel once again this past week, perhaps they could also have filmed “It’s a Wonderful Life” there. Horseless carriages were banned from Mackinac (pronounced mack-i-naw) in 1901. The carriage drivers thought the newfangled sputtering vehicles would scare their horses. The village leaders of this gem were likely ridiculed and put down for their vision, but today, those who bask in their wisdom appreciate it greatly. Charming bed and breakfast retreats, fudge shops, stables, bicycle rentals, restaurants and gift shops appreciate it all the way to the bank. Who would choose to visit Mackinac today if it were like any other island that allowed vehicular traffic? No one would. What incredible vision these individuals had back then. At the time of the ban, they had no way of knowing that America would ultimately become obsessed with the automobile, its juice (crude oil) and the status and luxury that the car affords. Last year, I took my family through Lancaster, Pa. The attraction and purity of the Amish lifestyle draws millions of visitors to that region annually to again see those who choose to do without. Don’t you find it somewhat funny that the more we have, the more our life is stolen from us? Promises of an easy life with this appliance only makes you addicted to more of it. One of my sons is dying for an iPod Touch. I told him just last night that he’ll know when he is ready for it. He didn’t understand my statement. I said, “Just as soon as you realize that you don’t need it and that it won’t bring you happiness, that is when you (and your mother and I) will know that you are ready for it.” To have vision is to have riches. Those who don’t naturally have clear vision can wander for years or they can choose to follow someone who does have it. A good leader leads others in a way that those being led really don’t even know that they are. Working for a good, honest and decent leader is very satisfying. Most people are neither equipped nor desire the stresses and pressures of owning a business. That is why so often we are drawn to the simple life. As mother and father goose traveled around the eight-mile perimeter of Mackinaw on our “comfort-ride” bicycles, we were followed by four little geese pedaling to keep up. Actually, we were trying to keep up with them. There was time to look around and wonder while we rode; and without the noise, time to dream. I know a couple of not-so-famous leaders and visionaries. Financially, one is rich and one is not. In measuring satisfaction and purpose, both are extremely wealthy. Since we’ve been talking of Michigan, let’s start with the less financially rich leader. Will Austin is a talented engineer from the auto industry. He gave up a lucrative future after recognizing the need for Third World nations to have affordable transportation for simple, basic uses like transporting fresh water and supplies to those in need. He developed the Institute for Affordable Transportation with a three-wheeled product called a Basic Utility Vehicle or BUV. Will is a visionary and his simple product is changing lives. Our company has had some fun recently playing with some new hybrid electric bikes from Japan. The product fits into our “green” portfolio of lighting, solar power, etc. Bikes like the ones we play with have changed lives in Japan, Europe and around the world. Many nations have embraced the freedom of simplicity. I wonder what it will take for America to embrace the simpler life? I enjoyed a recent commentary by NPA Chair Herb Anderson, reflecting on the impact of America’s appetite for fuel and greed for money by corporate giant BP, and the horrific impact those desires have had on simple, decent citizens and entrepreneurs of the state of Louisiana. The vision of Mackinac Island and that of simplicity speaks volumes. I had the pleasure of meeting with the other leader recently in Chicago. You might have read of F.K. Day in Fortune magazine a few months ago. He was featured for his work in heading an organization called World Bicycle Relief. While visiting the ravaged land of Thailand after the tsunami, he recognized that a bicycle would be appreciated there.
Continued on page 21.

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Parking October 2010

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