I read today on Crunchgear blog that Sony’s profit dropped 95% for the fourth quarter of last year (compared to the same period the year before.) They went from 200 billion yen profit in 2007 to 10 billion in 2008. Sounds like someone might be falling on the sword over this one. But the point [...]
When it comes to inventory, it’s hard to know when to cut your losses. I was at the lumber yard the other day and they had 1,000 board feet of mahogany – beautiful wood that happened to be exactly what I was looking for. They were trying to get rid of it for inventory and [...]
I have worked for two people in my career who had a profound impact on me. One, I want to emulate. I like the way he does business and I’ve tried to do do it like he does. The other taught me what I don’t want to do. I remember thinking, “When it’s my turn, [...]
You can’t go anywhere these days and not hear about how bad the economy is and how it’s getting worse. Is it true? I suppose so. But what you don’t hear much of, is that there are still people starting successful businesses, making money and living life to its fullest. There is no need to [...]
I remember the day we hired Eric. He was young and though he had had some good experience, he hadn’t had much of it. But he was bright and he came highly recommended so I got him an interview. The meeting was tense (as it always is when you’re down to the last two or [...]
Giving direction to your employees is something most people struggle with — not the act of giving the direction itself, but trying to decide how much to give and at what point to give it. Some people give way too much direction. They stand over you and say, “Okay. Now do this. Okay. Now do [...]
Like me, you probably watched as history was made today. There will always be those who will stand idly by and say, “Oh, it’s not possible.” For some, that is all it takes to kill their dreams. For others, they’re not put off by the fact something has never been done before. Like the dreams [...]
19 Jan
Posted by awebb as Human Resources, Leadership, Management
I still remember the interview I had the first time I was up for CEO. I was in my late twenties and arrogant enough to think I could really do the job. We had talked some.I had sold myself. We had talked some more, and the owner had waxed quiet. He sat and stared at [...]
I talked to a young college student I know well the other day. He was trying to decide where he should work for the summer. His friends had all signed up with one company and wanted him to join them for the summer. But this bright young man had another offer that was significantly higher. [...]
I know a man who works as a realtor in an office with over 35 realtors. His office is one of several offices in a town of about 65,000 people. As you can imagine, realtors are dropping like flies now that the bubble has burst — but not all of them. In fact, some are [...]