Create, Connect, Complete

This is my theme for 2012. Create, Connect, Complete. Two bloggers inspired me to give up on setting goals or resolutions at this time of year and instead take time to reflect on the trends of the last 12 months and establish 3 overall guiding principles for the coming 12 months. The first is Steve … Read more

What is an Entrepreneur?

My definition of an entrepreneur: Someone who has more ideas than resources. “But I don’t have any ideas…” If you don’t have ideas, then you are not an entrepreneur. There are millions of things that frustrate me every day. Find something frustrating and think how to reduce the frustration. If you are not frustrated by … Read more

5 Basic Laws of Human Stupidity

These laws were identified and developed by Carlo M. Cipolla who was Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley up his death in the year 2000.  The full description and implication of these 5 basic laws can be read in his article The 5 Basic Laws of Human Stupidity The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity. Law 1: Underestimation Always and … Read more

6 Competencies for the Future of Labor

According to the report “Are They Really Ready to Work? Employers’ Perspectives on the Basic Knowledge and Applied Skills of New Entrants to the 21st Century U.S. Workforce“, the top 6 competencies for success in the labor market today are: Networking – connecting to people and sharing your and their goals (Networking in 7 simple … Read more

Talent and Skill

Talent you have naturally. Skill you develop through hours and hours and hours of deliberate practice. No matter how talented you are it does not matter if you do not develop skill.  It takes work. 80/20 rule:  The top 20% skill in each domain takes 80% of the value.  The mediocre 80% share the crumbs. … Read more

Sales is 18-3-1

Sales is 18-3-1. 18 calls.3 meetings.1 sale. It is never any faster, quicker or shorter.  There is no easy way.  There is no 100% close. There are 7 billion people in the world.  1 billion have phones.  800 million are on facebook. Keep up the 18-3-1.  Don’t try to make it into 18-3-2.  Never works. … Read more

Social Media is about Relationships

“Social Media is not about technology, it is about the relationships you can form” Charlene Li, author of Groundswell. I had the privilege of having coffee with Charlene Li before she spoke to 400 people in IESE Business School’s Aula Magna in Barcelona at the HSM Social Media event.  Watch the video of our interview on the … Read more

Teaching Manifesto

“A person cannot teach another person directly; a person can only facilitate another’s learning” Carl Rogers This is how I want to Teach: I create an environment in which participants can learn.  I am responsible for setting the mood in the room. I teach leaders.  I accept zero excuses.  I will never, never, never provide … Read more