An Exodus Avoidance Primer
We’ve read about many large companies executing layoffs in recent months as many over hired during Covid. Even so, the strong employment market required continued recognition that it’s still a seller’s market for labor and talent. It’s bad enough in this market when an employee leaves; it can be fatal if too many go at […]
The “Zamboni” Revolution
Productivity stories show up in the strangest places, and if you’re a hockey fan, here’s one for you. Some innovations save labor, others increase revenue. Truly great ones do both. To wit, the Zamboni. You’re no doubt familiar with this machine that resurfaces an entire ice rink in just a few minutes. Rink ice is only a few […]
Econ Recon
The Present Future: Peter Drucker once remarked that “demographics is the future that has already happened.” Dr. Brian Wesbury in his “Three on Thursday” blog offers a neat one page, 50,00 ft overview of global demographics over the coming decades. Demographics is about people and only people create markets. What does the information in this overview portend for the markets […]
Love at Work
Valentine’s day was last Wednesday and several of my favorite resources had some interesting things to share about love and work. Vistage’s premier employment law speaker, Hunter Lott, offers some advice on managing the perennial challenge of romance in the workplace. Suzanne Lucas (aka “The Evil HR Lady) recaps some research on the occupations most and least […]
From Small to Tall
And speaking of every large business once being a small business…More research is done on small businesses than large, but some faculty at Northwest’s Kellogg School have produced some insights that leaders of Small to Medium Business (SMBs) may find helpful. Check out “Take 5: What Does It Take to Make a Small Business Work.”
Abraham Lincoln, CEO
It’s hard to think about President’s day without thinking about Abraham Lincoln who led the country during the existential crisis of the Civil War. Texas Vistage Chair Greg Bustin is our community’s leading source of business history and leadership lore. In a short blog post he shares a number of vignettes of situations that confronted Mr. […]
The Two Types of Decisions
Leadership and management at their cores are about decision making. Your ability to make a good one may be enhanced if you understand which type you’re being asked to make. Regard the types of decision, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos once wrote to his shareholders: “Some decisions are consequential and irreversible or nearly irreversible – one-way doors […]
Herding to Hospitality
Evey big business was once a small business. That’s why I like the American Business History site. Great articles that trace the origins of successful businesses and explore as Jim Collins has written, “How the Mighty Fall.” Every story includes hard work, intelligence, dedication, and luck! A great example of the amalgam of these elements is a […]
Band-Aids and Scorpions
It’s often said that coverups often carry greater consequences than the offenses. It’s usually better to get bad news out quickly. For a real life lesson in getting the bad news out fast, customer service guru Shep Hyken offers an object lesson involving scorpions, airplanes and how to engage in effective “Rip the Band-Aid Off Communication.”
Attack Ads 101
Our parents often told that “if you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” Given the attack ads we’ve been subjected to during election years this year’s contests promise new lows in how the candidates will go after each other. But should we follow their example with our company’s advertising? In […]
