Lary – Page 123 – www.exkalibur.com

Don’t skip this! Create Goals that Have Meaning

Creating goals that have meaning

“It’s just a goal.”
That’s a phrase I’ve heard too many times when a business leader engages in a performance review with an employee or when companies embark on a corporate planning effort.
Do they mean that a goal is more like a road sign, pointing the way without regard for whether you actually arrive?
Is it like the proverbial carrot dangled on the stick in front of us, with some motivational value but with no expectation that we will ever feast upon it? (more…)

Hope is not a Strategy: June 3, 2009

Thank you for attending our FREE Live Webcast: Hope is not a Strategy: Driving Success in Turbulent Times today. You may find a summary of today's presentation by clicking here.

The Meineke Syndrome?

I can't say I've heard that phrase before ... but it refers to the Meineke ads that shouted: "I'm not going to pay a lot for this muffler!" The NY Times article, however, is the latest ... and includes some recent market research ... confirming what all of us know…

We Will Never Forget

Today is a special day devoted to the memory of our fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. No matter your political or personal proclivities, the willingness of young men and women to put themselves in harm's way to defend our nation is an unquestioned personal…

The need for independent directors

As you know, I have long advocated the value of independent directors in the middle market. They bring perspective and diversity to family businesses in particular, and more subtly, help keep the conversation focused on business issues rather than emotional ones.
The SEC is now proposing for comment, landmark changes that will allow small groups of shareholders to force the addition of independent directors. (more…)

Seriously? Taxing a round of golf?

The New York Times had some fun with Gov. Schwarzenegger’s idea ... I missed it the first time around ... to put a $10 tax on a round of golf. It got quashed, thankfully, but I like some of Bill Pennington's ideas about how to make this really work A…

Trump on Valuation? Really?

For you valuation junkies out there, it's kind of a hoot to hear The Donald talk about how he values companies and his interest in them in an interview with the Wall St. Journal. My favorite is his "mental projections", his own legerdemain for how he takes into account various…

Too much stress? Time for a break?

I am not sure exactly how it works, but this is amazingly accurate. Read the full description before looking at the picture.
The picture below has 2 identical dolphins in it. It was used in a case study on stress levels at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress would find differences in the two dolphins. The more differences a person finds between the dolphins, the more stress that person is experiencing.

Look at the photograph and if you find more than one or two differences you may want to take a vacation. (more…)

Is the Worst Over?

There are certainly some who think the tailspin is ending and the flight path is leveling out. The NY Times reported that more than half of the companies surveyed say they do not plan layoffs in the next 12 months. Sixty-seven percent say they do not expect any hiring freezes.…