June 2009 Entries
While I was preparing to pack for a trip to the west coast, I was reflecting on when and where I would need a suit or sport coat/slacks. A more professional look has seemed to creep into our business calls and interactions. Even “business casual” has taken a new and more upscale look. So: pack a suit, a sport coat, and some nice slacks. Leave the khaki’s and polo’s out this trip.
At that moment of reflection, I began to pay attention to a story on NPR’s Morning Edition, playing on the radio in the background. It was Lucy Callaway from the Financial Times with a...
After tweeting fairly regularly for three or four months, I have discovered that the bizarre character brevity that it requires has started to creep into my regular activities.
It started with email. As I composed replies (and they always seemed to be replies, not initial messages) I would find myself automatically compacting some words. Sure, the obvious “2” for “to” and “4” for “for” are easily accepted; but “ppl” for “people” and “perf” for “perfect” started to show up as well. My brain seemed to be on Twitter auto-pilot.
I also noticed that I would occasionally let these twords directly into my conversations. I just did...
“Eat like a bird, poop like an elephant.”
Some of you may know of this quote by the brilliant technology guru Guy Kawasaki. It absolutely sums up my philosophy throughout my career. Especially the poop part.
Birds typically eat fifty percent of their body weight per day. I have tried to apply that to my exposure and absorbson of information and knowledge of the food industry, as well as those elements that affect the industry (trends, marketing, consumer interests, etc.). I read, I surf, I talk, I listen, I try to be the ShamWow of industry knowledge.
But more importantly I don’t hoard the information; I try...
I blogged about the Google Phone Service---called GOOG411---last June in a post called Secret Sauce. Over the weekend, one of my tech feeds sent an updated video of the free GOOG411 service. If you haven’t begun using it to get local information and telephone numbers, then this should convince you. Even if you have used it, the video is entertaining and informative…and only a couple minutes long. If you use your cell a lot to get phone numbers and check movie times, it’s a must. Did I mention that it’s FREE? Last I checked, AT&T was charging $1.85 per call for a similar service!
On a...
I was preparing my blog for today, but without enthusiasm for the subject, and noticed a new feed from BNET called “Five Dirty Tricks Customers Play… ” (http://tinyurl.com/nqoo7q).
Intrigued, I followed the link to the post and was astounded how well it resonated with my personal experience! The author not only outlines and explains each little trick, but suggests terrific statements to smoothly respond and ultimately overcome them.
Here is a recap of the ornery tricks the author identifies:
1. Free consulting work
2. Unreasonable request
3. The delayed meeting
4. False cold feet
5. Last minute discount
I don’t care if you sell sox or stocks; you’ve been...
Offices have evolved over time. And no more significantly than in recent years, as technology has provided us tools to make our work lives “more productive.” I put productive in quotes because we all remember how predictions had us using technology to eliminate paper, and work much less every week to accomplish more. Neither has come to pass, but some of that is our own fault…
New ways of doing business --- combined with advances in tools and technology --- have necessitated an equal shift in our work style and our office environment. However, many of us are so steeped in old habits, that we...
I’m a newspaper reader. Seems like I always have been. I remember my dad sitting in his easy chair with the evening paper nearly every night. I remember my mom clipping coupons for the Big Bear. And there was a time not so long ago when I read four newspapers every day (WSJ, NY Times, USA, and local). It was how I kept up with the world, and was my “me time” every morning over coffee. And I enjoyed it.
No more. Other than the Sunday NY Times, I no longer subscribe to any daily newspapers. The quality, the depth of news and reporting, and the commentary...