In the Washington Post last week, Anne Applebaum wrote a compelling op-ed piece relative to our friends in Great Britain embracing spending cuts, saving, and scrimping as the way to their economic reform and greatness. (Note: You have to sign up to read the Washington Post, but it doesn’t cost) This renewed sense of austerity has great…

Last month’s CRN report, which is a periodical which provides technology news and updates for technology providers, had a startling article on how Value Added Resellers (VAR’s) are breaching ethics as a standard operating procedure to win deals in this highly competitive business environment. We have all known of individiuals (and some companies) who endorse and…

A few weeks ago Burt Tanksy, the 72 year old CEO of Dallas based Neiman Marcus retired. His 49-year retailing resume was as impressive as you would imagine – ranging from SVP of I.Magnin to President of Saks Fifth Avenue to CEO of Bergdorf Goodman and finally as CEO and Chairman of Neiman Marcus Group…

This past month, I had the incredibly fulfilling experience of working with the IDEA Public School System in south Texas. The story of IDEA’s history is quite compelling and inspiring. In a nutshell, during their stint as Teach for America corps members, Tom Torkelson and JoAnn Gama founded the IDEA Academy, the first IDEA Public School, in Donna, TX…

I can only imagine that both Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard are indeed rolling over in their graves with the most recent debacle of Mark Hurd falling from grace while at the helm of Hewlett-Packard.  There are many casting aspersions about him; and that I will not do. His conscience and the unavoidable fall-out personally…

Recently I was reading a fabulous book, The Extraordinary Coach by John Zenger, which had a great analogy relative to giving feedback to employees. As you all  know, I am a big believer in giving and getting feedback on a regular basis. Feedback is a gift – as cliched as this may sound. In his…

Last night I was watching a news program relative to the ongoing saga of British Petroleum and the lack of responsiveness to the oil crisis, the passing of the mantle from Tony Hayward to Bob Dudley, and the ongoing ’20-20′ hindsight commentary of how the company’s leadership responded to the crisis. I am certain there…

I have recently read an incredible book: The Inspiring Leader by Zenger and Folkman. If you are a leader – or aspiring to be one – this is a book worth reading. One chapter which captivated me was on on the most common mistakes a leader makes when trying to inspire others. These ‘top 10’ behaviors…

Wise words from my father – and how true they are. Until a computer, a car, a book, a movie ticket – the list goes on – is sold nothing new can be innovated, manufactured, or serviced. The selling machine drives everything – period. It is the fuel for the economy.  Here are five easy…

The last of three podcasts that outlines Kristin