One of the most difficult thing when you are in charge is to understand when it's time to let go. With the best of conscious intentions, a leader in a growing company may inadvertently generate an endless number of "problems" in order to stay busy, feel needed, and defer the difficult work of figuring out … Continue reading Sit down and watch it grow
Discrimination is never a business choice
If you own a business, I still believe you should be free to decide who you serve. It is unpleasant, inappropriate and unsavvy if you base this decision on traits such as race, religion, sexual orientation, political support, and similar. Yet it is a decision you should be able to make. On the other hand, … Continue reading Discrimination is never a business choice
How to win friends and influence people
The very same title kept me from reading How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnagie for a long time. The idea that friends can be won and people influenced was something I just could not digest. People (and friends alike) would love me not because of some weird subterfuge, but certainly because … Continue reading How to win friends and influence people
What marketing is not
The inability to listen. The idea that by interrupting and telling your story people will be amazed. The practice of segmenting into hundreds of small niches to feed them whatever they want today. The ideas of optimization, hacking, ranking, fans and followers. The belief that data is better than interactions. The effort to second-guess needs … Continue reading What marketing is not
When does feedback matters?
Feedback is important, and as I wrote before the only thing to say when we get it is "thank you". Yet, we should not fall into the trap of taking action on every piece of feedback we get. Feedback is about the person who is giving it much more than it is about the person who … Continue reading When does feedback matters?
Free throws
Rick Barry was the best free throw shooter the NBA had ever seen when he retired. The last three seasons of his career were his best seasons from the line, he even registered a high of 94.7% in his second to last season. Even today, 40 years on, he is number seven in this particular … Continue reading Free throws
When to get prepared
When things are calm. When you are surrounded by people you love and that love you. When your job is solid, and you have the respect of your colleagues and of your managers. When waking up in the morning is a pleasure, and you find out you enjoy things that you generally do not notice. … Continue reading When to get prepared
