Contributing Writer

Why does the centuries-old proverb, “Birds of a feather flock together,” have such importance for you and your organization’s long-term results?  Consider the impact on three significant industries by their respective, game-changing goliaths … each a card-carrying...

Everything I do is because of you, constant reader, and this holiday season I’d like to not only say thank you for your continued interest and support, I’d like to share with you a list that I’m asked for at least once per week by senior leaders, executives,...

The hiring manager, interviewing an elite and coveted candidate, described/explained/pounded home all of her wants and needs for the open position, wasting 30 valuable minutes. The CEO, faced with a hungry and willing enterprise level decision-maker, droned on (what...

Tale#1 The lawyer – a lawyer! – said to me, “I don’t really practice law anymore, per se.  We do things a little differently at my firm.” “How’s that?” I replied, coffee spilling down my chin. “I connect people who need connecting.  It’s more valuable to the client. ...

The CEO said, “No matter what I say, they still do whatever they want.  It’s maddening.  And our performance is suffering greatly because of it.”  I replied, “What you tolerate will sink your entire organization.” I’ve seen this happen so many times, you wouldn’t...

(the demand was overwhelming for my last post, New Boxers and the Secret to Designing Lucrative Innovation, therefore here’s “more of the story” intended to help you flourish) If you want to become a New Boxer and dominate your industry with “Oh Sh*t!” –type...

Elon Musk. Seth Godin. Steve Jobs. Ever heard of those folks? How about Julia Hartz, Alexa von Tobel or Tony Fadell? Do you admire them, or like me, do you sometimes think, “How in the world do they come up with such wonderful ideas, turning them into game-changing...

Remember the scene from Forrest Gump where Bubba rattles off all of the different dishes that can be made with shrimp? “Anyway, like I was sayin’, shrimp is the fruit of the sea.  Dey’s, uh, shrimp kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo.  Pan fried, deep fried,...

To this day, it was one of the best ideas I had ever heard. In the midst of a weekly consulting session with an elite mid-market senior leadership team, the topic was sameness, the business disease that’s reached epidemic proportions – and the primary reason why sales...

Is there a more nebulous catchphrase in business than “Purpose Before Profit (PBP)?” Most seasoned CEOs and business owners that I have assisted make a contorted, pained face when the topic arises.  Given the daily battles to win with revenue, inventory control,...