I think 2012 will be the year where synergy would begin to emerge among Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing business owners. On a Facebook page "Meet Deaf CEOs" supported by Convo Relay (a deaf owned and operated VRS technology company) it shows pictures of at least 140 separate deaf-run business owners (e.g. CEOs, executive officers, etc) put on display in a show of marketing power and business spirit. Quite exciting to see that list growing. But what's disheartening is to see no pictures of deaf and hard of hearing business owners as non-signers sitting alongside with Deaf business owners.
Bear with me here for a moment.
When it comes to running a business I don't like to use the word "entrepreneur" anymore because it doesn't quite accurately reflect what business owners do even though running a business is a risky financial venture in of itself. After 5 years some 60 to 70 percent of new businesses would have already failed in today's depressed economic climate compared to 10 years ago when the percentage was at 50 percent where new businesses would have failed after 5 years. For those who run and own their own businesses I call them "innovators" because that is what they do, they innovate. They inspire. They introduce something that's new for their customers and clients. It could be a new product, idea, service or a business concept. Moving from a concept that was once a stodgy, heavy, and slow to something that now require a bit of shove to change people's mindset, status quo and backward thinking. Business owners are the dreamers. They are the designers. They are the innovators.
In the history of Video Relay Service (VRS) business Ed Bosson is widely recognized as the "Father of Video Relay Services" who began a trial experimentation on VRS in 1995, a time when the World Wide Web was making it's presence in public.
While managing the statewide 7-1-1 service with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), he pioneered VRS with a four-city trial then a statewide trial, both in 1995.Ed Bosson, who is Deaf, relayed a powerful message on what he has learned about the power to bridge the communication gap regardless of hearing status by recounting how hearing parents reacted to using the new VRS for the first time with their deaf children.
"I got many calls from weeping parents who for the first time were able to communicate comfortably with their kids."That was back in 1995 some 16 years ago. A powerful reminder that communication technology is the most important key for the successful linking between deaf and hearing people.
Seven years later in 2002, another rising communication technology company, sComm, was able to finally market this face-to-face communication technology product in 2006 called the UbiDuo. sComm is one of the 140 deaf CEOs listed in Convo Relay's Facebook. The company's product also produced powerful results helping realize that communication technology, again, is a crucial component and key in bridging the communication gap between hearing and deaf people. And it, too, produced the same story of heartfelt appreciations from hearing parents on using a new communication technology to communicate with their deaf children as did with the Ed Bosson's story.
"I cannot find a word to describe our joy and relief to see Dana and his family finally be able to communicate freely after waiting 50 years. For us, his parents, to watch the joy on the faces of all the family, to hear them express it in words and actions, and to see Dana be able to spend several hours doing nothing but communicating with the family was an incredible experience. It was his 'time to talk' and no note pad needed."Indeed, no note pad needed.
That's the definition of synergism in action which is the "interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements" such as seeing the contribution of a communication technology between Deaf, hard of hearing, deaf and hearing people whether they know sign language or not by bringing them together. That's the money shot. That's the ultimate key for success. The ability to market themselves as business entities and be seen as valuable innovators and contributors to society. That's where the value lies when it comes to surviving in today's harsh business climate where a business cannot afford to alienate potential customers and clients whether they're Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing people regardless of communication preferences. Communication technology helps bridge that mysterious and even tenuous communication access that we all seek.
Only recently I am noticing this synergism which is starting to spread among innovators and facilitators such as the Business Convention and Expo of the Deaf, Deaf Nation, Synergistic Business Solutions, and even the The M Project, for example. But the one thing that I find missing is the lack of synergism seen between Deaf, deaf/hh, and hearing people. Which is why I've kind of wrinkled my nose when I saw the list of names of only Deaf CEOs in Convo Relay's Facebook. This is by no means a negative thing here. I'm simply bringing up a larger question to the forefront and ask why aren't deaf and hard of hearing business innovators who happen to be non-signers not included in this whole synergistic process? In order for businesses to survive they must continuously reach out and seek like minded people when business survival is crucial in an ailing U.S. economy, especially when communication technology is ripening under their noses. They simply need to take advantage of it - lock, stock and barrel. Focusing exclusively or primarily on Deaf businesses and innovators will only guarantee a limited growth and success. But for us as Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing people we do have the upper advantage over our hearing business competitors. We know what to look for because the bottom line for all of us has always been about communication access. There are 36 million of us in the United States. I'd say that's an awfully big niche market to tap into. Even more so would be to tap into the rest of the population of hearing people because communication technology is already available to help ensure that opportunity.
The stage continues to ripen as we speak, more years ahead of us.
For example, let's take a look at this newly opened Deaf owned and run pizza business in San Francisco, California called Mozzeria that opened their doors on December 9, 2011. They use both the ZVRS telecommunication technology and the UbiDuo face-to-face communication technology (see Mozzeria's Promotional Partners in the blog page section). If Mozzeria does the right thing by incorporating the necessary communication technology strategy and approach, they can only succeed on bringing in more hearing and deaf customers to the tables whether they know sign language or not. I was once a manager for Domino's Pizza in Maryland back in 1992/93, I know what it's like to run and operate a pizza business as a hard of hearing person. Communication has always been essential between employees and loyal customers. It's not an easy thing to maintain and this was before we had any of these communication technology we see today for deaf and hard of hearing people. It can only get better because we are already here......now.
Here's my bold prediction.
I predict that a deaf owned and run company will someday become the Apple or Google version, not necessarily the equivalent, with its ability to foster, enable and encourage innovation among deaf and hard of hearing employees. This company would be run and operated mainly by deaf and hard of hearing people along with their many hearing co-workers where language and communication preferences would not be a barrier but an inspiration to learn from each other regardless of hearing or cultural status. A place where anyone could walk into a building and instantly become aware of this intuitive concept called "real time communication access." A concept where communication could be done effortlessly at any time of the day with anyone, anywhere, Deaf or not. Technology would ultimately be key in making this dream become a reality where visual and verbal communications would merge seamlessly as one. This would be a matter of time until it happens but we're already seeing signs of this happening right now. But for this to work everybody needs to be a part of this new reality and future by including deaf and hard of hearing business owners who are innovators in their own right. They are a part of a much larger number of innovators than Deaf innovators. But why should Deaf business owners include them? Well, these deaf and hard of hearing business owners struggle, too. And it makes a lot of sense to include them in this synergistic process. Efforts should be made to reach out and include them on a regular basis. We all have the one thing in common and that's the issue of communication access. That's the one common and constant theme for those who deal with deafness on a daily basis.
The time is now. It's 2012. Welcome to the new year.
Innovate. Inspire. Inquire. Indulge. Incorporate!
Seek that new synergy and become even more successful. We cannot afford not to.
15 comments:
I'd be interested to know HOW deaf work their way up to corporate management level. In the UK I doubt we could note any in double figures, certainly NONE at a 'national' level, the hearing have it all sewn up. Attempts to request an 'internship' so deaf can gain skills have been rejected on the grounds deaf rights would deprive HEARING of getting the job. Naturally deaf with no skills never get a look in then. Our Discrimination Act was zeroed by the human rights law.
I think the key here is that you have to be very knowledgeable in your line of business. Secondly, this is NOT a putdown, but it PAYS to know the English language and the language of business you're in. English is the most used language in business around the world. In some line of businesses, it is vitally crucial to know how to read, write and understand the English language. For example, one CANNOT be a successful lawyer if you're not skilled and knowledgeable of the English language. Lastly, for a deaf and hard of hearing person, try and incorporate as much of the assistive technology and services as possible. In the end, we all have to do our end of the work on helping educate people about hearing loss and communication access. It's never easy. But if you play it smart, then you can definitely succeed.
You are wrong Mike hee in the UK onl money talks, and charities that run deaf support need bean counters and corporate beggars. No being deaf and signing or lip-reading is NOT enough here,it's naive. You have to have the academic and executive skills you can only gain via experience, and deaf can't get that experience. Most CEO jobs here are never advertised in ANY deaf area and the largest 'inclusive' charity in the U of K has had an CEO from an animal charity, and the total deaf charity had one who raced motor bikes and was also hearing. Deaf do not run any national area here at all,and hearing employees are not even required to learn sign,they answer phones because they suggest we can' !
MM, I'm not wrong. I'm speaking for those who live in the U.S. When I say good English skill that implies an attainment that was acquired by going to a college/university by getting their degrees all the way up to PhD if they choose to. Their English skill is constantly being improved and honed along the way in their area of expertise. This is not about deaf but deaf and hard of hearing people whether they know signing or not. I made my point by saying one cannot become a lawyer without having good English skill. You should know that in order to become a lawyer one has to go to a college/univerisity and get their required degree and then to a law school for further specialization. There are doctors, CEOs, presidents, vice presidents of companies, lawyers, and so on who are deaf and hard of hearing, signers and non-signers. The first important key to make this acceptable to the public is the constant education on hearing loss and communication access. It never stops. The second one is the passing of legislative laws (such as the ADA) to lessen discrimination. The third thing that helps is the growing communication technology, other technologies (e.g. hearing aids) and services designed to help deaf/hh signers and non-signers interact better with the hearing population. A "CEO" does not mean a person who runs a large company or a corporation but a person who runs a company which can be a small one. Vinton Cerf, the father of the internet, is one of those deaf/hh person who was a vice president of a few large companies, for example. But like everybody else, he worked his way to the top.
http://www.icann.org/en/correspondence/cerf-testimony-08feb01.htm#Vita
I suggest the USA is a totally different deaf set up, deaf here just are not interested in running anything or doing anything much, those of us who want a deaf voice (Not exclusive deaf), to participate in campaigns via various charitable set ups, find there is no system to educate deaf properly ro run at exec levels. Most deaf here want to be small fish in smaller ponds, they have no ambition because they know there is no avenue for advancement. The other kissue possibly is the ones with the fire and determination are too obsessed with own egos to unite. We've too many loose cannons firing off everywhere. Unless you are in an national set up your voice will be ignored.
MM: you said, you have to have the academic and executive skills you can only gain via experience, and deaf can't get that experience.
Well, deaf British have to quit whine while sit and sip some tea. I am not surprised deaf British can't accomplish what their goals are. Deaf Americans not all already reach the accomplishment they wanted.
I'm totally envious. we sat on our arse and still got it, the trade off was we are neither seen nor empowered. My arguments such as they are, is that aspect is unacceptable, most say sod the aspect so long as we get access, so many deaf here do not see 'deaf pride' as paramount so long as the means are achieved, they don't care who gives it them. Personally I am campaigning 24/7, they call that whining here also.
That's a rather bold prediction on your part. I'd also like to point out deaf Americans and Britons both do face barriers, not just the Britons. Good English skills are not acquired in college, it's something you learn as a toddler. Deaf people fare much better in the public sector but not in the private sector. However, that is going to change thanks to quotas set up by the government, not by technology.
Wiggums
Wiggums,
Can you clarify what you mean about "change (in the private sector???) thanks to quotas set up by the government, not by technology"?
What government quotas? That's not in the ADA, for sure. Since when has technology EVER set up quotas? Lol.
Enlighten us, please.
As for "bold prediction", I say, bring it on, Mike. It is time that Deaf-owned, deaf and/or hoh-owned businesses start with marketing views to look beyond their own noses. It's the numbers (in customers), baby, that will help a business survive beyond 5 years.
Been there, done that.
Ann_C
Wiggums, in terms of college and upward, I was framing it in the form that "English skill is constantly being improved and honed along the way in their area of expertise." No doubt many people achieve English skills by the time they get their diploma. College offers an opportunity to improve and hone their English skills. English skill is an acquired process. Which is why I put out an example on attaining a law degree. It's an iterative process knowing how to read and write (and understand) legalese. You would first have to have good English skill to begin with, preferably by the time your get your diploma.
Mike --
I find it funny that you're knocking Convo for their efforts.
There ARE a few people on that list that do not really know ASL.
:shrugs:
Sir, and who would they be? Who are the non-signers? I know for a fact one is a SEE user and not an ASL user. Plus, on FB it didn't say "deaf and hard of hearing CEOs, etc.." but "deaf CEOs, etc..." which gives the impression that those people are signers. After all it is Convo Relay who is known for Deaf people that serve the signing community in their relay business. If there are deaf and hard of hearing non-signers in Convo's FB then that's great but I see no such evidence insofar. I believe there are many more hoh CEO's out there than Deaf CEOs, etc... Either way, those people need to be recognized for their achievements and courage.
I suggest you go through ALL the profiles then... :)
Sir, um....already did.
Also, I already pointed out earlier about one person who is a signer but signs in SEE, and does not sign in ASL. Just because these "deaf CEOs" don't mention it does not mean they don't know how to sign and communicate.
Ann_C:
There's been talk the government is planning on encouraging the private sector to hire more people who are elgibile for SSI. Right now, California does offer incentives but it doesn't seem to be working and I have been informed California's thinking about increasing the incentive.
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