Tag Archives: Business

Thanks and Goodbye

12 Oct

I’m out. I’ve written this column/blog for the last 2 years and it’s time to stop. I don’t know why, it just is.  The last few things I’ve written have felt forced. That’s not good.

I’ve enjoyed the time, the sharing, the ideas, and the inspiration. The truth is I’m on to what’s next. There are new responsibilities, new things to do, and my attention is elsewhere.

I’m always here to kick around ideas, and my blog will certainly stay up, but the weekly column is done.

Thanks again for reading; it was appreciated more than you’ll ever know.

My Kid Peed in the Backyard!

31 Aug

I asked my 8-year-old son to take the dog out to relieve itself. The dog, and the responsibility, is fairly new so I intended to go with him.  He had a head start, because I fumbled around for shoes.  Eventually, I strolled across the back of my house and turned left to head down the side. There it was a glorious stream, not from the dog, but from my son.

That’s right; my son was peeing with the dog. She’s squatting, and he’s standing with one hand on the leash and the other…you get the idea.

Just because the dog does it, doesn’t mean you get to do it.  Lesson #86 of gazillion he’s heard from me over the years, like:

  • because we take turns
  • because your teeth will fall out
  • because we have a penis
  • because you can’t fit under the bed
  • because it’s not going to make itself (bed)
  • because you’ll get sick if you eat it
  • because you have a fever
  • because if you don’t pick it up I keep it
  • because you can’t
  • because I said so

To be fair, Max has taught me a few things too:

  • There are no short cuts; you just have to do it.
  • Stop focusing on what everybody else is doing, and start focusing on what you’re doing.
  • Saying “Hi” can knock down a lot of walls.
  • Farting is still funny.

My radio station is not #1, I’m not out of debt, we don’t live near family, and when the toilet flushes on the second floor above my office at work, I can hear it. Life isn’t fair.

Say these words with me: “It is what it is”.

Now get on with doing what you do, as well as you can do it.

iResignation: What we can learn from Steve Jobs’ Resignation Letter

26 Aug

I stumbled across this and thought if you haven’t read it, you should. It’s Steve Jobs’ resignation letter.

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve

It’s not a complicated piece of writing with grand statements about the future. There’s no mention of what has been accomplished thus far. No reference to revenues, or market share.

It’s simple, clean, to the point, and though it was written for many people to read, it’s very personal.

I find it to be similar to Apples’ products. It’s akin to the experience you have when you open the packaging and turn the technology on for the first time. It’s simple, clean, beautiful, and especially humble.

What you make, what you create, what you deliver to others …is an extension of who you are. No better proof of that than Steve and his computer company.

The Modern Meeting

18 Aug

I hate meetings…most of them.  Sometimes I walk out wondering why I was even invited, other times I wonder why anybody agreed to meet with me. Most times we come in with predisposed opinions, closed, and not really interested in listening to what anybody else has to say, instead focused on what we want to say.

Al Pittampalli has just released a book called “Read This Before Our Next Meeting”.  In it he talks about what he thinks is the default stalling tactic in business today, calling a meeting.  It slows down the creative and implementation process and it put’s off having to say yes to a project.

So how do we fix the modern meeting? Al’s got some really good ideas:

  • The Modern Meeting supports a decision that has already been made.
  • The Modern Meeting starts on time, moves fast, and ends on schedule.
  • The Modern Meeting limits the number of attendees.
  • The Modern Meeting rejects the unprepared.
  • The Modern Meeting produces committed action plans.
  • The Modern Meeting refuses to be informational. Reading memos is mandatory.
  • The Modern Meeting works only alongside a culture of brainstorming.

You can buy the book here.

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