Change is the Biggest News Today

By John Baker

What is the opposite of growth?  Some would say it is "status quo," but that's not true.  The opposite of growth is death: Whether in your personal life or work life, if you're not growing you're dying.

The business organism must grow to survive.  Even if we could miraculously hold everything steady - costs, margins, productivity - our value proposition immediately degenerates due to the unyielding forces in a competitive marketplace.

What is the miracle that stimulates growth?  It's called change.  Change is the sharp stick that moves us out of our comfort zones, and forces us, as George Lucas would say, "to do dangerous and scary things."  Change creates opportunity for growth.  But why do we resist change so much?  Why is it that when change happens oftentimes our first reaction is to dig in our heels?

Some security executives don't react this way. These people consistently find winning strategies during times of uncertainty.  They see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity, not full of peril, but full of possibility.  These people avail themselves of change, taking advantage of new opportunities that emerge in evolving times. And they do this by asking better questions of themselves.

Instead of asking defeating questions that start with negativity, such as, "Why is this happening to me?" they ask empowering questions like, "What positive things can I do?"  Instead of asking, "Why change the status quo?" they ask, "What's right about this change?"  Instead of asking, "What has been lost?" they ask, "What's been gained?"  Instead of asking, "What will this change do to me?" they ask, "What can I do with this change?"

Asking yourself constructive questions allows you to overcome the following four barriers of change:

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The Security 500 Survey is in Progress!

The 2008 Security 500 Report will be the most valuable to your organization yet!

As a result of participant's feedback and input from industry leaders, including George Campbell, CSO of Fidelity Investments (retired) and member of the Security Executive Council, valuable changes to the program have occurred, including:

• Vertical markets will be measured and evaluated on metrics among peer organizations.
• Each industry will be profiled and listed. The top 500 organizations will be listed across # vertical markets and not in one comprehensive list.
•  The data requested and metrics used to evaluate your organization has been redesigned to reflect the input of our advisors.
• Whether your organization is global or local, the survey and the information you provide and the results published will be specific to North America only. 

The purpose of the Security 500 is to create a reliable database to measure your organization vs. others and create a benchmarking program among security organizations. The results will enable you to answer the question, "Where do I stand?" as a basis of an ongoing peer review process.

As a participant, you will receive a detailed report showing where your organization ranks within its vertical market. Metrics ranked include, but are not limited to:

• Security Spending/Employee
• Security Spending/Revenue
• # of Security Officers/SqFt of Facilities
• # IT Security Staff/$ of Revenue
• # of Security Officers/Employee

The Security 500 Survey should be completed and submitted by and/or with the approval of the most senior security executive in your organization. If you are not currently in that role, please direct this survey to the proper individual.

Your answers to the survey will not be published, but will only be used for the purpose of gathering metrics and reporting the overall results of the survey.

Please complete our online form at http://www.securitymagazine.com/500survey today! 

This Year's Keynotes at ASIS 

While attending ASIS, be sure to schedule this year's keynotes into your agenda.

Tom Brokaw, one of the most trusted and respected figures in broadcast journalism, and political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin, as well as James Bradley, best-selling author, will be keynote speakers at the ASIS International 54th Annual Seminar and Exhibits in Atlanta, Sept. 15-18.

In December 2004, Brokaw stepped down after 21 years as the anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News. He continues to work with NBC, reporting and producing documentaries and providing expertise during breaking news events.

James Carville, one of America's most recognizable political consultants, and wife Mary Matalin, former assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to Vice President Cheney, will speak on Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, best-selling author James Bradley will speak at the closing luncheon. Bradley burst onto the national scene in 2000 with his book "Flags of Our Fathers."  "Flags of Our Fathers," released as a movie in 2007, is about the six young men who raised the American flag on Iwo Jima. One of the men in the famous photograph of that event is Bradley's father, John Bradley.

Tuesday Sept. 16, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
James Carville and Mary Matalin, Political Pundits

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Tom Brokaw, former NBC News Anchor

Thursday, Sept. 18, closing luncheon
James Bradley, Best-Selling Author 

Find out more at www.asisonline.org

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