I had a conversation awhile back with a young man who was thinking of going to medical school. This is a bright young man, talented and focused. There’s no question (at least in my mind) that he will not only excel in medical school, but that he will also be a very good doctor. His [...]
20 Mar
Posted by awebb as Leadership, Management
I watched with frustration and anger – as you did – as AIG executives took over $150 million in undeserved bonuses. Then I watched in shock and horror as congress went about levying a “special” tax on the bonuses to “Get the American people’s money back.” My Anger and frustration grow out of the fact [...]
Betting on you may well be the best thing you can do in these economic times. Betting on someone else to make your money grow (vis a vis the stock market) may be a thing of the past (at least for the foreseeable future.) This is the age of the small business. Entrepreneurs will flourish [...]
I had an opportunity to speak to a bunch of business students at BYU-I last week, and it was a great experience. I had an opportunity to share with them what I think is the most important message we can share right now: that is, that this is not a time for gloom and doom. [...]
I have watched with interest as business after business grinds to a crawl. Sure, economic times are tough. Sure, your customers are fewer and farther between, sure they make more demands on you than ever before, but that’s no reason (read excuse) for a slowdown in your business. In every industry, there are businesses that [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]