Again, I always look forward to visiting with Jim Blasingame on small business advocate. The Vision Thing is a second topic for August 25, 2010. The Vision Thing What makes people look forward to coming to work? What makes them sacrifice during hard times for the enterprise? Why do people flock to such an organization? Surveys of millions of working [...]
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Jim Blasingame’s Small Business Advocate is a treasure: ideas, best practices and lots mo6re in the form of radio interviews, a website and archives. So when he asks me to spend time with him, I always look forward to it (August 25 at 0826 Eastern). Two topics come to mind: 1. Good moves in [...]
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
You have heard a lot about management by walking around over the years and it becomes more important as the business world moves to warp speed and global employees. But here is a terrific take from a CEO I respect a lot. To paraphrase his remarks in a private conversation, first, he always learns how things [...]
Sunday, February 7, 2010
SUPERBOWL CEO (Part One) No matter who wins the Super Bowl, we will all be treated to a demonstration of skills that any CEO (or leader for that matter) finds enviable. Peyton Manning’s real-time read of the structure and intent of the defense, consideration of options, selection of pass receiver and intentional arc of the throw [...]
Countless more ordinary people of equal talent never developed the leadership core required to run the show. Why not?
Is our behavior in the face of challenge determined at birth or by our environment? Are leaders born rather than made?
My obsession with what makes some ordinary people become extraordinary leaders led to my interviews with dozens of CEOs which Random House published in 2007 and to the Master Class series at Pace. The thesis is that there are particular “shaping experiences” which develop leadership traits and capabilities.
Epi-genetics is the new field of study that is beginning to confirm that nurture determines a lot about us: our behavior, our illnesses and more. Work on animals and on human twins shows that no matter your genome, there is a system of markers that switch genes on and off in a way that controls your reaction to stimuli. These markers are largely from environmental factors from what happened while you were in the womb, to how you were treated in your childhood, to stressful situations to pollution. And the markers you have accumulated can go-awry as you age.
The good news is that by treatment, including drugs, these markers can be added or removed.
Together with breakthroughs in neuroscience (how our brain works during different mental and emotional conditions), we are about to glean powerful new understandings relevant to our lives as well as careers.
For an intro to the field, view the PBS Nova Science Now program on the subject:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3411/02.html
That’s my view. What’s yours?
For a few years now, Jim Blasingame and I have shared stories, insights and practical suggestions for survival of small business in tough times. He should be your fave for an unlimited supply of helpful ideas for your business. Go to:
http://blog.smallbusinessadvocate.com/management-fundamentals/small-business-economic-challenges
and also to the home page of smallbusinessadvocate.com
Please let me know how helpful you find this great resource. Jim is, himself, a very successful small business owner who knows whereof he speaks.
As I said in a prior post, the fruit vendor on a nearby street corner in New York City told me he is working on becoming a bank holding company so he can get in line for a bailout. Is there no end?
Today’s announcement it was announced that insurance companies will be allowed to reduce the reserve capital they have to make sure they can pay benefits to customers when the time comes. Isn’t this converting insurers to be like AIG? Isn’t insurance with low reserves the same as gambling?
There was no accompanying clear and detailed plan for oversight. Just like the billions of dollars that have flowed into the investment bank.
That’s my view. What’s yours?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
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