Regulators recently pinched Wells Fargo, the country’s largest bank, for “scamming” some customers — signing them up for services they didn’t order. Management fired 5,300 people over a five-year period for “improper selling.” Lots of folks have already predictably jumped all over management, and they’re right to do so. But what else can we learn […]
One of my readers, Lisa, suggested I write about the balance between useful communication and too much information as a leader. It’s a dicey subject because you’re now going to judge this piece on that scale. (Was that last sentence necessary?) Years ago, I had a weekly meeting in California. It was sometimes one hour […]
“Outside of euthanasia, I have two options for you,” said my dentist after looking at my deteriorating filling, now turning my tongue into hamburger. “Option 1, a complete overhaul of the tooth, is my favorite,” he said, “because I haven’t covered my rent this month. Option 2, I file off the rough part. It’ll take […]
There is a difference between the two A young friend recently told me about going to an art museum while he was in college and seeing what he thought was a silly exhibit of two dinner plates on a table, one with an apple on it. He couldn’t stifle his sense of humor so returned […]
I have a new “feature” for you. I recently shared some observations with a colleague and he suggested that I share them in my weekly missive. So, below my blog are my top 3 observations of the week. Business Is Not Karate I studied karate when I was in high school and college. My instructors […]
I have a weakness for pasta and red sauce (Sunday Gravy, for you Italians), so on two recent business trips in the same week, I went out in search of a meal that would put a smile on Tony Soprano’s mug. The first restaurant was in an uptown environment, had a nice façade, an expansive wine list, […]
I was having a beer with my son and his father-in-law, Ken, and talking about airplanes. Ken was discussing the massive buildup of equipment that Americans had to undertake as one of the critical issues to win World War II. He was a kid then and later served in the military so saw this firsthand. […]
I have a change of pace for you this week. I was recently reminded of a wonderful poem that I want to share with you. Perhaps you can break out of a rut this week and find a new path! I hope you enjoy it! THE CALF-PATH By Sam Walter Foss One day, through the […]
Growing up in Minnesota, shoveling snow was a frequent activity. But my mother’s definition of shoveling the driveway wasn’t quite the same as mine. I figured if there were two tracks for tires we were good to go. She thought that visible concrete was a beautiful thing and wanted the entire drive cleared. I say […]
A recent story on NPR about Congress’ legislative action to try to manage the opioid epidemic caught my attention. Opioids kill more people than car crashes, and it seems that there are some good elements in the legislation (e.g., removing restrictions for doctors to certain therapeutic drugs), but Congress isn’t yet funding the efforts at […]