Inc ran a story on how Mark Zuckerberg isn’t a great role model for kids looking to go into technology. This gets us into that sticky question of what is a role model? Is a role model someone you duplicate and try to live like or is a role model a case study in how…
Sometimes just doing the basics is enough. Sometimes you have to do more.
Apple power! They make lots of money and people love their logistics. But I’m digging this article from Evolving Excellence on why Apple’s supply chain may not actually be that great. Supply chains are complex beasts. Any company that deals in physical products understands. As times change, your needs change. If you work with Wal-Mart…
Do your customers understand what you are selling?
Some business models are a bit complicated. Take real estate services. We are in a business where we service customers that don’t actually pay us. In fact we are paid by the people that we set them up with and we negotiate against (yes, yes, our clients are “paying” us as part of their lease)….
Supply and Demand – let’s talk building occupancy.
Buildings are more than just the shiny (or rough and textured) exterior that we see when walking (or driving) by. They are the place where your business functions. It’s where the magic happens. Where your people sit to serve your customers, make your products and build long-term success. Alright, what is supply and demand in…
If you’re in the industry, pass on your knowledge. Don’t lock it up.
There are a couple of types of managers (yes, I’m jumping STRAIGHT to stereotypes in this one). Those that want to be better than the people who work for them and those that want their people to be better than them. I’ve been really lucky to have multiple consecutive bosses who believe in hiring people…
Independence Day thoughts and beliefs
Today is a day of Independence and celebration. It’s a time to remember that once we had to fight for what we have today. We weren’t always as fortunate as we currently find ourselves. Hopefully it’s a time to remember to continue fighting for what we have (or in some cases, should have). Americans are…
Real Estate is your answer to risk management
When most people think about real estate, they think about the building itself and the employees inside that are doing work. However, that view is missing a giant chunk of what real estate is all about. At its heart, real estate is about your risk management. Think about it, you could put your critical data…
RIP Research in Motion – may you be a cautionary tale.
Research in Motion died on Thursday. It had been a company on life support for awhile. We all knew that this day was coming and that it would be a miracle for things to turn out some way other than this. No one should say that they are surprised. There are plenty in the technology…
When swim lanes don’t work
Sometimes silos are good. Although more and more I’m seeing them as barriers to real success. There’s a lot of buzz lately around the “swim lane” concept where you focus on tasks and areas of responsibility within defined areas of expertise. Seems great in concept because you can do your area to the best of…
One size can fit all – the elastic edition.
Workplaces. I know I’ve recently talked about all the cool things people should be doing but today let’s talk flexibility. What’s wrong with giving everyone the same desk. Take status out of the picture and go with an environment where everyone knows what they’re going to get. Maybe put in desks a little bit larger…