We need to develop a new model, available in purple that runs on 22 volts, people want purple. We need a larger model, people want more power. We need a cheaper model, people aren't spending. We need lighter unit, people can hardly lift our current model. We need to offer a metal case, people don't like plastic. And on it goes...
New businesses launch on an idea. Existing businesses turn on ideas. Marketing constantly seeks ideas. ... >>full...
[ Posted bymichael cardus, September 02, 2010 16:59 ] A tightfisted monkey - is a great analogy!
Often times telling people to keep their product simple and avoid excessive feature creep seems counter-intuitive.
Purposely simplifying what your offerings are will allow customers to purposely stay with you at the value they need.
In business we must learn to trust our instincts. That means saying "no" to what might sound like a good sale or project.
I fired a client today. This is something I rarely have to do but this guy was a total jerk from the first encounter. I knew that. I should have refused the job.
The prospect (clients pay their bills) wanted slides made for an important presentation. He sent a Word file with the text ... >>full...
When teams don't function properly, there are issues at play that run far deeper than a seminar can address. (An already functional team can benefit from team-building)
I've just finished reading "The Big Lie" [Buy the book below] which is about the dysfunctional behaviors at Hewlett-Packard. This book hits exactly what I've preached all along. Renegade elements have motivations. Those motivations cannot be changed by a seminar.
It takes a lot of work to unravel the ... >>full...
[ Posted byTechquestioner, August 20, 2010 12:13 ] I think businesses, communities, organizations of all kinds, and local and national governments would all be a lot more prepared for emergencies or unforeseen events, if everyone had to include contingency plans before any permits for events or buildings, or new projects of any kind could be approved.
Communities should have evacuation plans for residents such as the elderly, and institutions, etc., that cannot get themselves out of harm's way.
Anyone planning a festival or other outdoor event should have contingency plans for the safety of attendees in the event of any (name the appropriate disaster for the locale: tornado, fire, flood, hurricane, etc.) serious problems occurring.
Businesses should not approve new product development without a thorough evaluation of the company's market environment, competition, industry and economic changes, etc. Lawmakers should have to evaluate their proposed laws for economic and environmental effects.
When we work to help customers when they have problems, we build loyalty. You've heard before.
But when we work to help customers with their problems, we also teach them that is what we do. We help with problems. While this can certainly build loyalty, it also can create a dependency.
Pay attention to what is being taught. Will you do anything to keep their business or is there a line you will not cross.
The list of ways to kill morale is longer than the list of morale builders. It is far easier to kill than to build morale.
Nothing diminishes productivity as much as diminishing morale.
Nothing raises productivity as quickly and as cheaply as boosting morale.
It's that simple.
How? How does one build morale? Well, that depends a lot on how deeply morale has sunk. But if caught in time, a simple "good job" will do wonders. Even if ... >>full...
What happened to thinking in this country and when did the loudest shouter become the winner of the debate? When did people become fearful of expressing an opinion unless solely in the company of total agreearators? When did it become fashionable to just be nasty? When were news sources allocated so that half the population gets all their news from Rachel Maddow and the other half Glenn Beck? Why are those on the right completely ... >>full...
[ Posted bymichael cardus, July 28, 2010 8:15 ] Thinking and increasing your knowledge of a subject make it more challenging to have a strong opinion on. I remember learning this directly in my ethics class. We all start with strong opinions then we find research, evidence, anecdotes from our friends to support it. Then suddenly you are challenged by some antipodal evidence and you must respond better than just repeating your self louder.
Encouraging people to be skeptical about their knowledge and to look for chances to have their dogmatic views shaken. Will re-affirm beliefs or possibly increase your understanding.
BTW i am still you FB friend :)
[ Posted byTechquestioner, August 02, 2010 16:52 ] A pox on both their houses! The right-wing idealogues have driven all the centrist Republicans from the GOP. The left-most liberals are speaking for the democrats. Who is speaking for all the middle-of-the-road Americans who want a balanced approach to governmental, economic, and social problems when those on both extremes not only don't want to compromise and find common ground, they use all sorts of parlimentary maneuvers to prevent it?
Tony Hayward, now former CEO of British Pollution, got his life back today. He no longer will need to find ways to cut costs on those damned expensive off-shore drilling rigs. Tony no longer will be looking for corners to cut as he now will have the time and money to return to his first love, yachting.
I doubt that Mr. Hayward will do much yachting in the Gulf of Mexico however, as that nasty ... >>full...
[ Posted bycheap tiffany jewelry, August 06, 2010 2:02 ] I'm sick and tired of the greedy taking away jobs, polluting the planet and picking our pockets.
The list of ways to kill morale is longer than the list of morale builders. 
Tony Hayward, now former CEO of British Pollution, got his life back today. He no longer will need to find ways to cut costs on those damned expensive off-shore drilling rigs. Tony no longer will be looking for corners to cut as he now will have the time and money to return to his first love, yachting. 
