Join Matt Littlefield, president and principal analyst of LNS Research, and Mark Bienkowski, supplier quality process and audit manager of GE Healthcare, Thurs., Dec. 19, 2013, at 11 a.m.

I love all of the holiday classics (stories and movies), especially those that make us pause for a moment to reflect not only on who we are but also on who we want to become. This holds true both for us as individuals and for companies or brands.

Nik Karpinsky quickly tapped out a few computer commands until a bust of Zeus, in all his bearded and statuesque glory, appeared in the middle of a holographic glass panel mounted to an office desk.

OK, I know that what I’m about to say may sound cynical, but 20 years of personal, hard-knock lean experience tells me that this is reality. And most folks I think would, or at least should (I hope), agree with me.

It’s not just the looming, package-filled holidays that prompt this rant, but it looks like we’re in for another year of over-packaged consumer goods spreading fear and frustration along with the seasonal goodwill.