Bad News: The Media Didn't Change. You Did. - 04/17/09 10:16 AM
Two questions for you...
#1 - How often do you hear business professionals blast the media for the gloom-and-doom newsand criticize how the media is killing markets, such as real estate, auto, and stocks?
#2 - How often did you hear these same professionals give media praise and all the credit for helping fuel the prior boom in business?
I have long suggested that everyone, business professionals and consumers, should remember that the news headlines and even many stories are not really about the news story... it is about using news as a medium to attract attention. There is a difference.  A … (10 comments)

I was a customer ... and Remarkable Service Broke Out - 04/12/09 08:23 AM
So yesterday I'm having lunch at a local chain restaurant, one of the fast-casuals as they call them (order at the counter, they bring the food to your table, they bus the tables).
And Remarkable Service Broke Out!
And by remarkable, I mean I literally "remarked" about it while still there.
A girl from the counter comes over and asks if I'd like a refill of my tea.  It was in a clear plastic cup and we could both see it was about half gone but not empty.   I looked at my cup and said, "Sure" figuring I don't really yet but … (4 comments)

Why and How to Get to "No!" - 04/09/09 04:47 PM
Time is very valuable.  The government cannot issue you "bailout" time when we run short.   One way to have more time is to get to "No!" faster.
Huh?  You don't want to hear "No!"  
I admit, most of us grew up with the word "no" as a negative.  "No, don't touch that," "No entry," "No I don't want to go out with you," "No, you didn't make the team."
However, if you can overcome what I call the "No Stereotype" I believe you can be more efficient and generally happier too!  
Okay, consider a few instances of "why" and when we want … (7 comments)

$30 Billion Mortgage Fraud Scheme Uncovered.... FBI news conference at 11am - 04/01/09 08:35 AM
The FBI has uncovered a massive loan fraud scheme reaching 40 states and possibly 800,000 homeowners that may cause readers of this story to not consider that today is April 1. This situation can happen each year at this time, despite the fact this is indeed an annual event on everyone's calendar. 
This, of course, is all meant in the spirit of fun. But this is also a very IMPORTANT BUSINESS lesson for how we approach our business, our clients and the public when processing and discussing the daily news... please realize that the story behind each headline may not be what the headline suggests. 
Naturally, this post is an … (4 comments)