Leading by lying

Want to get your people on board to implement a new process or product? Present it so the staff believes that success is only a matter of course. No need to talk about the hurdles you face, or the competition, or the risks. Those are your problems, not theirs.

Say what? Keep it simple!

All companies—and all managers of people—and everyone who writes for the public— should consider the reasons behind simplified communication. English is complicated; you and I define words with varying degrees of certitude. And I’ve never even heard of some of your words, let alone know what you m...

Riding the rails

If you think a day and a half on a train sounds boring, you’re right. But kids are at their best when they have nothing to do but exist. Phone service is spotty, so you get to be a substitute for their friends. They’ll talk to you, and you can just be together. That’s pretty nice.

Rip-off or just good business?

Economists say that the price of X is determined by the market.  If you’re willing to pay $34 for an ice cream cone, then:

    a) That's what it’s worth, and
    b) That's what I should charge.

A superstar’s lament

Dear Boss, Do you want to keep me? I’ve been here for two years and I’m a good employee. I usually come to work early; and I do what you ask me to do. But more than that, I do things you don’t even know to ask of me. I attend to customers with a pure heart and a smile on my face.  I’m always watch...

E-hail — yes!

Well ‘phone app developer’ Uber says they aren’t a taxi company. That’s a little odd, considering you can e-hail Uber from your smart phone and, within minutes, a car shows up to pour you home from the bar. Sounds like a cab to me. Only problem is: Uber ignores Colorado taxi regulations....