Greg Digneo of Cloud Marketing Lab wrote a beautifully simple explanation over at Triiibes of how to test an idea before you spend any money building. Even “small” ideas like hosting a webinar or writing a short/free ebook to give away on your blog can be tested even before putting time into creating it. 4 Steps … Read more
Jeffrey Pfeffer says that there are 4 ways that good ideas get shot down: Confusion – “yes, but how does that address US foreign policy and the social responsibility charter and the challenges of globalisation… and the new tax situation?” Fear mongering – “uff… this will be like X back in 2008 when it all … Read more
There was a wonderful letter to the editor in this week’s Economist magazine that used a powerful metaphor of an orchestra to highlight the untenable future of state social spending as currently provided. The letter was in response to Taming Leviathon – a special report on the future of the state. “Sir, you twice mentioned … Read more
The US Aikido master George Leonard in his book “Mastery” speaks of 4 approaches that we take to learning new disciplines. It scares me that I might be a regular Hacker… how to shift my approach and push through “good” and reach “better” and one day “expert”?: The Dabbler – The Dabbler’s learning curve rises very quickly, … Read more
Two months ago, I was at IESE business school with Verne Harnish and his wife Julie. We were talking about entrepreneurial success and achievement. He shared with me a quote that comes from his father-in-law: “How you do anything is how you do everything.” Verne’s father-in-law has apartments that he rents out. What criteria does … Read more
I read Conversations on Leadership by Lan Liu when I was sitting in the IESE library recently. He interviews some of the big thinkers and identifies 8 core disciplines of leadership. Connecting with People Learning from Failure Reflecting on Experience Thinking Deeply Storytelling Being a Teacher Knowing Yourself Becoming Yourself Further readingLan Liu is a … Read more
I have prepared a series of short videos for my IESE courses this year. This is a 3 minute video describing the 5 aspects of a powerful speaking voice. A powerful voice will transmit authority to your audience and allow them to engage with you as a credible leader. The five aspects of a … Read more
What should we learn? How to make a living or how to live a life? Where should we learn it? Who should be responsible for us learning it? Ourselves or the state? Make a living or make a life? In the case of universities – it it really to learn how to do something? Or … Read more
People ask “when will the economy come back”. The answer is “it will not. not like it was. not like you buy an appartment and sell it in 2 years for 200%” But there will be a new economy. A big positive is that 1 billion new people will enter the middle classes in the … Read more
This post is inspired by a talk “You and your research” by Richard Hamming. One life to live “Now, why is this talk important? I think it is important because, as far as I know, each of you has one life to live. Even if you believe in reincarnation it doesn’t do you any good … Read more