So, it's finally over. America has a newly elected chief executive, who'll spend the next two months planning his inauguration speech and which black tie celebrations to attend on January 20. On that day, for the 42nd time in our nation's history, power peacefully will be transferred from one administration to the next, as cabinet members move into White House offices to begin serving at the pleasure of the President.

Boy, are they in a great position!

With experts everywhere bemoaning the disintegration of our economy, and one over-the-top foreign leader predicting the end of America's position on the world stage, the opportunity exists for the next generation of Washington wunderkinds to go down as some of the greatest achievers in history. Of course, many factors will play a role in how they're ultimately judged, including setting a clear vision, inspiring action, and executing smoothly. Misconnect on any of those essential areas and we'll simply endure another term of unfulfilled hope.

The World on Your Desktop

For the past five years, I've written a monthly e-newsletter that now reaches about 2,000 business leaders. In January 2006, I shared the story of a company that quickly grew into one of those proprietary eponymous brands—like Kleenex, Coke, and Jell-O. In fact, you probably have heard a smart fifth grader say, "Let me google the answer." The company's stated mission is to: "Organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful," and they appear to live that every day. While Google is known for its Web search engine, the introduction of services such as Earth, News, and Picasa continues to strengthen the bond with users across the planet.

Recently, Google announced an initiative that's sure to gain a solid ROI from a publicity standpoint, and might lead to results as significant as anything those decision makers in Washington will accomplish in the first year of the new administration. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Google will provide $10 million to bankroll innovative ideas that could change the world. Named Project 10^100 ("10 to the 100th"), the global contest, judged by the public and a panel of judges, will select up to five winners in February. (If one winner is selected, he/she will receive the entire $10 million. If five are, they'll share and receive $2 million each.)

"These ideas can be big or small, technology driven, or brilliantly simple—but they need to have impact," the company said in a news release. "We know there are countless brilliant ideas that need funding and support to come to fruition."

The Future Is Now

This may be the chance I've waited for all my life. You see, I've always wanted to create something really big; something that helps humankind evolve dramatically (and, not so coincidentally, ensures the finances of my progeny for generations).

When I was 10, I asked my grandfather to put a steering wheel on my bike; thought that would be a big seller. He just looked at me and said, "Why?" That idea took a wrong turn.

At 35, after an afternoon in the Texas heat mowing and fertilizing our yard, I told my wife, "What if I develop a pellet that people place into their sprinkler systems, so it fertilizes while they sleep? Oh, and my fertilizer would slow growth, so they only have to mow half as often." That one never got off the ground.