By the time this goes out, I’m on my way to an airport after being “on” for 2+ days in a row for meetings, more meetings, some social gatherings, and an assortment of follow-up meetings. As an introvert, I’m exhausted. So I’m (pre)putting this Rory Sutherland quote here to imagine what it was like in … Continue reading The Introvert’s Struggle (Smoke Break Anyone?)
Behavioral Problems Need Behavioral Solutions
The finance industry has gone from intuitively exploiting behavioral biases, to endlessly labeling them, to discussing how to “correct” them, to (finally) start talking about how to work productively with people who are inherently… people. Messy, regular, (sometimes self-aware) people. Richard Thaler, long a lighthouse on these BeFi seas, said it beautifully in his book … Continue reading Behavioral Problems Need Behavioral Solutions
KRS-One On Why Generations Need To Talk
I consider myself incredibly fortunate that I get to talk to 80-year-olds and 8-year-olds regularly. It’s a mix of work and family and friends to get there, but as an officially middle-aged person - I love being able to draw smarts from BOTH directions. I’d go on, but KRS-One already said it better. Read this, … Continue reading KRS-One On Why Generations Need To Talk
Sunday Music: 100 gecs (10,000 gecs)
I don't really like the genre branding of "hyper-pop" but I get it. 100 gecs are hyper and full of pop, after all. But there's more going on here - and on the second album, we now know it wasn't just a flash in the pan. While I never wrote a dedicated 100 gecs post, … Continue reading Sunday Music: 100 gecs (10,000 gecs)
Podcast Of The Week: Luxurious LVMH
Every now and then I check the Acquired podcast feed, get intimidated by the length of the episodes (should I just read a book/the book/several books on my own?), and too often lately I move on. HOWEVER. Every time I stop and listen to one I think, “I really should listen to more of these.” … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Luxurious LVMH
It Is Possible To Care At Scale?
Seth Godin asked the question, I’m just stewing on it. Is it possible to care at scale? When we moved last year I had to get new internet service set up at our new place. The company said, in my order and on my receipt, I was going to get these “signal booster” plug-ins for … Continue reading It Is Possible To Care At Scale?
It’s A Business Not A Birthright
“It’s a business, not a birthright” isn’t just a good quote for family businesses. It’s a reminder you have to work ON it. You have to work IN it too. Because even if something is being handed to you, you can still mess it up. Royally.* *Kind of pun intended, but not specifically.
Berry Gordy – Invest In Your People
Before there was Motown Records, there was Pop and Bertha Berry. This is a story about investing in your people. The entrepreneurial couple had grocery stores, contracting businesses, and an insurance agency on their list of accomplishments. None of them became Fortune 500 companies, but the companies were theirs. The ethos came from Booker T. … Continue reading Berry Gordy – Invest In Your People
(Life) Skew
Left tail beware, right tail aware. I’d say it’s a financial planning concept, but it’s really a general life concept. Most of life is average. You get up, make coffee, walk the dog, etc. etc. etc. Anything average can get colored with good or bad luck. Or REALLY good or REALLY bad luck. Luck has … Continue reading (Life) Skew
When Headlines/Subject-Lines Don’t Feel True
A quote from Harry Dry (before you write your next headline/email subject line/etc.) “Good copy is falsifiable.” A clear message tells the reader “this is provable, if you want to prove it for yourself.” A marketing example (which Dry uses) - let’s say you’re selling an energy drink. Ask yourself which of these feels true: … Continue reading When Headlines/Subject-Lines Don’t Feel True