We invest a lot of time and money in acquiring new customers. It is also part of the natural flow for customers to eventually become dormant. As this happens, our sales team turns its attention toward finding new customers. However, this is not usually the most profitable approach. We are leaving Continue reading “Acquisition vs Reactivation”
A Place To Put The Stickers
The carrying case for my digital piano. For years, I resisted putting stickers on my case. I wasn’t sure I wanted them there, because I don’t usually prefer the scattered disorganization, and I knew once the first sticker got stuck, there was no going back. Finally, when my daughter was about 5 years old and Continue reading “A Place To Put The Stickers”
Colorado 14ers
There are 53 mountain summits in Colorado that are officially over 14,000 feet. There are an additional 5 “unofficial” peaks that appear on most summit lists like this one. It took me 16 years (August 2000 to July 2015) to make it up all 58. Most of these majestic giants requires a full day outing, Continue reading “Colorado 14ers”
Sales Covers Many Sins
When sales are good, it’s easy to ignore problems in the organization. Are we spending too much on freight? Did our R&D project run far over budget? What about the mistake in marketing that required us to reprint all those materials?
More subtly, systemic and cultural problems such as tolerating Continue reading “Sales Covers Many Sins”
When Better Feels More Important Than Good
I met a taxi driver in Cambodia who has two kids and is trying to make a better life for himself. He says he understands the current government is controlling, censoring, corrupt and dangerous. While is dislikes the tactics of the government, he also appreciates that the country has stabilized; he Continue reading “When Better Feels More Important Than Good”
Memory Triggers
One reason I started cataloging my thoughts in this blog is because I’m afraid of losing them. Especially thoughts or insights derived from experiences. My mind seems to forget the details, and I’m afraid I’ll lose the specific memory into an abyss of impressions and vague recollections. Continue reading “Memory Triggers”
How To Kill a Stupid Rule
I stumbled across this easy-to-understand article about How To Kill A Stupid Rule. If you are a boss, please take 2 minutes to read this. If you are an employee, please take 2 minutes to read this, then show it to your boss. Don’t wait until next week, do it right now. Just one conversation to create a Continue reading “How To Kill a Stupid Rule”
Who They Are
In my encounters with other people, especially challenging encounters that tackle tenuous issues where there may be tension or disagreement, I try to keep in mind the other person, and I try to be curious about Who They Are:
- What do they fear?
- What do they believe?
- What do they need?
Hakuna Matata
The scene from The Lion King where Rafiki the baboon smacks Simba the lion in the head. “Why did you do that?” “It doesn’t matter, it’s in the past.” “Yeah but it still hurts.”
It’s tempting to ignore the past or dismiss it. This may feel easier, but it’s Continue reading “Hakuna Matata”
What We Think, We Become
“Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think, we become.”
The Banana Problem
The problem with bananas is buying them in a big bunch. Unless you’re hosting a banana-split-making party, it’s hard to get through the entire bunch before one or two start turning. The solution in my house is to only buy 2 or 3 bananas at a time and/or plan on putting a few in the freezer for Continue reading “The Banana Problem”
Sausage Making Songs
In creating original music, I used to bring fully formed songs to the band. All the chords, all the changes, all the lyrics. This worked reasonably well although I was never completely satisfied with the outcome because I could always hear more potential than I was able to communicate to the other Continue reading “Sausage Making Songs”
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