Dr. Livingston, I Presume?
We went to a cavernous store called REI yesterday to buy stuff for our Safari next month. They're very nice folks, have a huge staff, and they're actually a co-op. Suddenly, we're members. The puddle jumper taking us from Johannesburg to
Creating Light
I ordered some har- to-find bulbs from lightbulbs.com. My designer insists on using installations created by elves in Albania. Because they're used for all the hall ceiling units, three bulbs each, I ordered five boxes of three. Three of those
Vehicle Settings
As everything becomes more entwined with technology, it seems to me that there is a less and less "intuitive" aspect to it. Yet my cars' instruction manuals in hard copy are hundreds of pages thick, and not very helpful (filled
Can You Move the Ball?
I played varsity basketball and ran varsity track in high school. Track practice was simple—I was a sprinter, so I would run a quarter mile for stamina and 30 yards for speed. Then the race itself was over in ten
The Martial Arts of Language
Folks, I have an ebook in progress called The Martial Arts of Language. It's $50, and here's an excerpt: I’ve never heard of you. That because virtually all of my work comes through referrals. What other organizations have you worked with? I’m sorry, as
Let’s Talk
The best way to address a business audience is as if you're having a conversation with someone. Don't "present." Don't be theatrical. Use humor, stories, and solid examples to support your points. Don't stand in one place, move around. Smile. Take
Hunger
Let me overturn a myth about performing at your best when you're "hungry." When I'm hungry (need food) I'm distracted and don't perform at my best. When you have financial "hunger" you may perform desperately but certainly not at your best. So please
Refusing Bad Treatment
I've never seen a business, ethical, or religious directive stating that we should allow ourselves to accept abuse. "Turn the other cheek" doesn't suggest that you allow yourself to continue to be hit. Many people who suffered abuse themselves—psychological, emotional, physical—try
Imperfect (But Successful) Alan
One of the major reasons that I was able to begin my solo practice with no brand whatsoever and build it into one where corporate giants were calling me was that I was very fast in resolving problems and exploiting
A Tale of Two Airlines
I fly American out of Boston to LA and United out of Boston to San Francisco. American has a far better lounge, with a free breakfast and even more elaborate food that can be purchased. United's club has a desultory food
