It’s football season, and there’s no better time to consider your small business’s fundamentals, the “blocking and tackling”. I wrote this article over 20 years ago and am pleased to share it with you again. My dad used to love the old Green Bay Packers. Coach Vince Lombardi was an icon in his mind. The Read more about Blocking and Tackling in the Game of Business[…]
In Stories That Stick, Kindra Hall delivers a masterclass on the art of storytelling, proving this timeless technique is a crucial tool for modern business success. Hall, a renowned storytelling expert, lays out a clear and actionable framework for using stories to captivate and persuade. The book is structured around four types of stories: Value, Read more about Book Review: “Stories That Stick”[…]
J Curves “If you are not genuinely pained by the risk involved in your strategic choices, it’s not much of a strategy.” – Reed Hastings, Netflix How often do you get “stuck” on a significant strategic decision? If you are like many small business owners, the answer is “too often.” It may be a key Read more about J Curves[…]
Do you know someone who can connect with just about anyone? We love talking to these people. We go to them for advice and counsel. They make us feel safe and heard in our conversations. Do you know a supercommentator? What do they know about conversation that most of us don’t know? Best-selling author Charles Read more about Book Review: Supercommunicators[…]
Ten years ago, I first walked the El Camino Santiago (500 miles) in Spain and wrote about my adventure in this newsletter. Last month, I returned to the El Camino and walked the “Norte,” which is the northern coast of Spain. It was another great hiking experience—maybe my last. I hope you enjoy my “lessons Read more about My “El Camino” Journey[…]
Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham is a refreshing departure from traditional business literature. In this insightful book, Buckingham beautifully explores the intersection of love and work, challenging conventional wisdom and offering a new perspective on how to thrive in both areas. Drawing on his extensive research and personal experiences, Buckingham argues that love is Read more about Book Review: Love + Work[…]
Next time you are driving your car, note how much time you spend looking forward versus looking backward in the rearview mirror. I guess you spend the most time looking forward. What if it was the opposite? Can you imagine driving a car and looking in the rearview mirror almost the entire time? It would Read more about Are You Driving Backward?[…]
Over the past 20 years, I have probably conducted over 5,000 1-2-1 meetings with clients. Some went better than others. While I do have extensive experience in facilitating meetings, I still have a lot to learn. Based on research collected over 20 years from managers, team members, and top leaders from highly respected companies, Dr. Read more about Book Review: Glad We Met[…]
This is an article I first wrote 27 years ago about customer service, my son, and the national pastime. It is the best example of “Unreasonable Hospitality” I have ever experienced. As baseball season is now upon us, I am pleased to republish the article once again this month. I often receive my best training Read more about Lesson Learned at the Ballpark[…]
For small business owners seeking to navigate the often turbulent waters of hiring, Brad Smart and Chris Mursau’s Foolproof Hiring emerges as a beacon of clarity and practicality. In this comprehensive guide, Smart distills decades of expertise into actionable insights tailored to the challenges faced by small business owners. Smart’s approach is refreshingly straightforward. He Read more about Book Review: Foolproof Hiring[…]