Everybody tells us to celebrate failure, but nobody ever comes to the party. Failure is an essential ingredient for success, but it is absolutely no fun. I think the main reason I am an effective advisor and coach is that I have failed so many times! Let me tell you about a couple of my…
One of my businesses is TranquilEase. I hold a patent for a portable Heated Stadium Cushion with a frame. Patent # 7438356 – a very nice product. Perfect for those frozen tundra games at Lambeau Field or a interminable, boring, and cold spring track meet where your kid competes in two events (one at the…
Once upon a time about 18 years ago, my company was going through a very, very, difficult period. We were about to lay off 20% of the team. We were losing money. Personally, I was close to being clinically depressed. While she never admitted it, I am quite sure my wife Laura was about ready…
I recently re-connected with my favorite TEC Speaker of all time, Ed Ryan, of MPR Inc. in Chicago. www.buildwiththebest.com. I hadn’t talked to Ed in a long time so I hiked on down to Park Ridge IL to see him. Ed was my first TEC speaker in 1991. When he opened his TEC talk, he…
In my role as a TEC Chair, I was meeting with the CEO TEC member and his controller, “Jim” (name changed to protect me!). They were each extremely frustrated with the other. Jim’s a great controller and the CEO’s an excellent entrepreneur. The CEO was complaining that Jim wasn’t giving him what he wanted, and…
Now that the Green Bay Packers are World Champions again, and NFL Football is officially done (probably for a long time!), it’s time to get back to the important business of blogging. For February, I want to tell a story called “Slow down for Yellow Lights.” I was introduced to the concept about 15-years ago…
Hello Everyone, I know I should write an uplifting, holiday-oriented greeting….or…. suggest a list of New Year’s Resolutions to motivate all of you! But I just can’t. The problem is, I am still suffering from exposure to people I have encountered this month who are afflicted with MCD. And I feel compelled, just like the…
Ok, I admit it. I’m a psychology wonk. I never thought my Psychology degree in 1980 was good for anything, BUT in looking back on my business career, I realize it has helped me a lot. In my work with business people, I have noticed that often their view of managing their own company is…
Where has the summer gone and where is my “V-Shaped” recovery? My friend Stuart Banghart, CEO of The Grover Corporation sent me this excellent newsletter from John Mauldin. His website is www.frontlinethoughts.com It’s great information and has a plug for TEC (Vistage) as well. Thanks Stuart! My unscientific, informal survey of TEC members tells me…
We had a great discussion this month in my TEC groups about strategic marketing. It’s a sure sign that business is improving. One of the BEST TEC speakers on the subject is Mitch Gooze, who runs a business called “Customer Manufacturing Group”. http://www.customermanufacturing.com Mitch has spoken to one of my groups and he says that…