So, there’s a new book- one that will probably tick you off. Not because it’s annoying, but because, if you are like most people, you had no idea that the facts reported in the paper (and CERTAINLY on the web) are highly suspect. The book: Sex, Drugs, and Body Counts: the Politics of Numbers in Global Crime and Conflict, by Peter Andreas with Kelly Greenhill. (If you want to buy the book, you can find it here.)
Continue reading 22.143% of Americans hop on one foot, twice a day…
Drs. Tellis and Sood (USC and Emery University, respectively) discuss the need for management to choose and back the “”right” technology to grow their business. Their premise is that management often fails to discern among different levels of technology (and, therefore, miss the boat); it believes in the orderly path for technology development (as opposed to random path); and, management feels  that consumer taste is directed by whim (but, the authors correctly state this is untrue- consumers are motivated by existing innovation and changes).
Continue reading Find the RIGHT Technology to Grow Your Business
I am going write about an institution that is the butt of many of our jokes. I, too, have many problems with the institution since moving to Northern Virginia; until that event, I loved the institution. But, once I opened an office on Princess Street and the postman decided to skip our office delivery three or more times a week (“since we are the only building on that street portion), my admiration for the institution dissipated- immediately. But, that is not the point of this missive.
Continue reading The Facts of Unintended Circumstances
We’ve worked with our clients for years to discern the differences between a problem and a paradox. It’s a critical function for leaders. Problem solving methodology involves defining the issues, investigating its causes, developing solutions, and implementing the best choice. The object is to maintain control of the issue. Unfortunately, that is not so straightforward for paradoxes. There are no correct answers. We can’t use the methodology for problem solving; rather one must blend the competing tendencies together and not succumb to one pole or the other. Should the leader fail to manage the paradox, the long-term viability of the enterprise is at risk.
Continue reading Control your problems. Stay nimble with Paradoxes.
Last Thursday, the Pew Research Center, released a report entitled “How the Great Recession Has Changed Life in America“. According to this research, we have just undergone a major change (as one would suspect from its title) on our outlook on life. One point not mentioned: our children our going to have to find new methods of finding jobs- including working for firms in other countries (unless we finally band together as a nation and GROW our country).
I just had the wonderful experience of having two of my three children, my son-in-law, and my fifteen month old grandson sharing a baseball game (his very first, I might add) with me. While I love baseball (ok, maybe just the Phillies), I love my children more- much more. And, my 15 month old grandson reminded me of something very important during that game. Of course, as is true for every parent and grandparent, I recognize that my grandson is very smart. He has an extensive vocabulary. While he pointed out “ball”, “flag”, among his many other words, he saw something I forgot was actually found in center field. “Tick Tock,” he said. No one really knew that he knew the word for clock- but he recognized what it was.
Continue reading Time Management- and Vision, Mission, and Goals
Last week, I differentiated between what is our Vision, Mission, and Goals. We tend to focus on those goals- we have something in mind, hone in on it, and drive relentlessly to complete it. We put together these goals to achieve the success we desire in our lives. Others may have goal(s) in mind, but life (or lassitude) helps divert them (or us) from focusing and completing that goal in a reasonable amount of time (and reasonable is in the eye of the beholder). But, we all understand that we need to develop goals, plan to achieve them, and get what we want from life.
Continue reading More about Vision, Mission, Goals- the order of development is critical
In the personal and professional sense, a vision is a view for the future. Of course, that is what the prophets provided us in the bible- but, in today’s day and age, none of us are prophets, and no one (who does not want to be committed) will certify that Hashem/The Lord/G-d/Allah has provided them such information.
Continue reading Vision, Mission, Goals
I keep reading that more people should be starting their own businesses, mostly in reaction to the current employment levels. I am certainly not against the foundation of new enterprise- but there needs to be an acknowledgment of the pitfalls involved. Most new businesses fail within the first three years- so it’s not a panacea, it won’t (necessarily) solve your financial dilemnae.
Continue reading So you want to start your own business? Are you really ready?
Disclaimer: I am a chemical engineer; when I was first being trained as an undergraduate, I was among the very, very few that had no desire to enter the petrochemical industry (even academia was slanted towards their patrons, by the way).
Continue reading What we need to do with Big Oil (not just BP)