Some time ago one of my business friends contracted with a large provider of software to have a new system installed for his company. Based on this vendor’s promises, and their size and history, my friend was assured that with an investment of $250,000 and six months of implementation his company would be running more … Read more

Do you remember when “customer service” was a hallmark of good business? Retailers like J.C. Penney and Sam Walton understood their customers were their greatest asset and set about determining how to serve their needs. Somehow that philosophy seems to have gotten lost in the 21st century. There was a time when sales people could … Read more

“Who are you wearing?” Does that not sound like an odd question? It is, unless you are a celebrity walking the so-called “red carpet” prior to a major entertainment event, such as the Academy Awards for motion pictures or the Grammy Awards for music. Then we understand the question to mean, “Who designed the gown … Read more

If 100 business executives were asked what they considered the characteristics of a good leader, they probably would provide 100 very different answers. But in terms of leaving a lasting legacy, it seems a mark of the best leaders is what remains after they have departed from the scene. Strong-minded, determined and driven leaders often … Read more

When we talk about competition in business, typically we are thinking in terms of trying to achieve an advantage over our competitors – whether through the products or services we offer, customer service, or other factors that could enable us to increase market share. And whenever a circumstance presents itself that could enable us to … Read more

Over the past several years I have had the privilege of writing books about two companies with well thought-out, clearly articulated mission statements. They communicate corporate goals, their vision for the future, and values they desire for all of their employees to embrace. These are not just words on paper, but principles and precepts reviewed … Read more

It was more than two years ago, but I still remember the day vividly. I was with my friend, Dean Parrack, at the end – in his last moments of life on earth – because a man should not die alone. I have seen more than my share of people die – including on the … Read more

What would you consider the foremost requirement for success in the workplace? Would it be talent? Or education? Training? Good luck?  Certainly each of these can be a factor in professional success. But there is one other quality that might be more important than all of them – persistence. Richard M. DeVos, Sr., co-founder of … Read more

A survey conducted by Parade magazine, which appears in newspapers across the United States each week, discovered 51 percent of the 26,000 people polled believe the way people get ahead most effectively in the workplace is by taking advantage of internal corporate politics. Only 27 percent of those questioned said they believed professional advancement came … Read more

Prior to the 1950s, baseball was an almost exclusively American sport. It was often referred to as “the national pastime.” Following World War II, however, baseball became an export. American soldiers stationed in Japan and Korea introduced the sport there, enthusiasm for it spread into Latin America and parts of Europe, and today the game … Read more

One of the startling realities of life is how quickly time passes. Children grow up and people get old in what seems like an instant. Realizing your friend’s little girl has been married for twelve years or that your “new car” is eight years old always comes as a shock. You start working for a … Read more

For many people in today’s workplace, security is their primary concern: A steady job; an acceptable income; manageable job responsibilities; predictable expectations. And who can blame them? With the world economy remaining as uncertain as ever, simply having a job is a blessing. So avoid saying or doing anything that could jeopardize a “secure” position. … Read more