Reading Time: 6 minutesFlights from New York to Nigeria can be as long as 18 hours. I grabbed a few books to read in the airports and on the planes. Among those was Unlocked, the autobiography of former mobster Louis Ferrante. I bought Ferrante’s other book, Mob Rules: What The Mafia Can Teach The Legitimate Businessman, a couple years […]
Guest Spotlight: Louis Ferrante Read More »
Reading Time: 6 minutesNational holidays have inspired posts from this blog in the past. In the spirit of Independence Day, here are three national policy changes that Americans should be fighting for.
Three Freedoms We Should Be Fighting For Read More »
Reading Time: 2 minutesHere’s another tip for strengthening the relationships around you: Write down the birthdays of the people you care about (or want to get closer to).[[MORE]] Have automatic reminders sent to your phone or email so you don’t forget to wish them a ‘Happy Birthday’ when the day arrives. People want to feel appreciated, like they
Another Tip For Strengthening The Relationships Around You Read More »
Reading Time: < 1 minute(‘Thanks’ to Chris Horner for passing the this story along) This is an excellent article on creative thinking in times of crisis. An entrepreneur facing an ultimatum from Steve Jobs negotiates a deal to sell her product to Jobs’ new tech company, NeXT. Some of the lessons learned are invaluable.
Case Study on Negotiation: Negotiating With Steve Jobs Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe following is an email I sent to the founder of a new subscription-based newsletter. He’s highly-regarded within his industry and I’ve purchased his products before. The introductory price to join the service is less than $3.00 a month. It’s a discussion on the psychology of pricing. {Email starts below}
The Psychology of Pricing Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutesThanksgiving dinner is approaching and Ashton Kutcher’s brought enough self-righteousness for everyone: “Following the news earlier this week that employees at a Walmart in Canton, Ohio had set up a food drive in their store for coworkers who couldn’t afford a happy Thanksgiving, “Two and a Half Men” star Ashton Kutcher took to Twitter to
Reading Time: 3 minutesI sent the following email to a popular exercise instructor on Youtube. His website had a page listing his hourly rates for training and educational services. His company thanked me for the email and said they’d make my recommended changes immediately.
Stop Exposing Your Hole Cards Read More »
Reading Time: 3 minutes Antoine Sylvia sent me a magazine article on the late Jerry Lawson. An electronic engineer by trade, Lawson was a central figure in the computer and videogame movement in America. One of the only blacks on the tech scene in the 70’s, he was a pioneer in every sense of the word. The article
Reading Time: < 1 minuteNote: This is an excerpt from my book, “No” Doesn’t Always Mean No. One of the biggest reasons teams falter is poor communication. When giving orders or directions to other people, one of the worst things you can do is be ambiguous. Do yourself a favor–devise clear and specific tasks and requests for others to follow.
The Importance of Pointed Questions and Clear Directions Read More »
Reading Time: 5 minutesUneaten food is a big problem in restaurants the world over. Some have suggested that charging diners for uneaten food left on their plate can reduce costs for business owners, curb obesity, and stem world hunger. A punitive policy could be dangerous if restaurants don’t keep the end game in mind.
Restaurants, Wasted Food, and The American People Read More »