Key to Zappo’s Success? 10 Commandments
Fortune's February 2 edition carried an article about the remarkable success of Zappos, the online footwear and more retailer. You can find the Ten Commandments outlining the core values of CEO Tony Hsieh.
Business Week Top 50 – Innovation Rules!
Business Week reports its Top 50 performers based on ROE and growth. Reminiscent of Good to Great by Jim Collins, I bet you won't recognize many of the company names, many of which shine as a result of relentless innovation. BW highlights several trends among these Top 50 that are…
Leading in a Crisis
WSJ recently carried an article, Seven Lessons for Leading in a Crisis. Here's my short version, which is consistent with the advice I'm sharing with clients every day and sharing during public speaking events. Get real! Get rid of the rose-colored glasses. Build cash (maybe next time). Be transparent; get…
Is Warren Buffet crazy?
This is the title of a recent blog entry from James Surowiecki's blog on The New Yorker. He poses an interesting notion that banks will be doing better than ever with rates so low - Wells Fargo average interest cost in Q408 was 1.44% - and spreads so high.
Get the best talent you can!!!
The NY Times carried a poignant article today about Talent: The Secrets of the Talent Scouts. Here are 2 key messages that bear repeating: 1. Get as much advice as possible about new hires. The McArthur Foundation known for its "genius grants" interviews thousands from across myriad disciplines.…
Straight Talk. All the Time . . . for Entrepreneurs
We're proud of the "Straight Talk. All the Time" mantra on this site. Jason Calacanis of Maholo.com and founder of Silicon Alley Reporter stays close to that line in his recent newsletter that BW republished. It describes his brutal experiences with the dot.com implosion and offers the hard cold facts…
Do you really want to be an entrepreneur?
Several years ago I sat on a panel at an Entrepreneurial Boot Camp to evaluate the business plans of fledgling entrepreneurs. While there were several gifted business owners in the group, most of the presenters were passionate about their ideas but had done very little to assess the competition or…
Warren? Can you sit on my Board?
Warren Buffet's Chairman's letter in the annual report of Berkshire Hathaway is always a good read and offers a glimpse into the mind of America's investment éminence grise. It has been extracted from the 100pp page BH 2008 Annual Report.
Save money – save jobs!
I reported recently on the trend toward cutting costs without cutting jobs. BW expands upon that concept focusing on mandatory vacation and voluntary leave. I have recommended that to several clients to consider offering unpaid leave to employees. I think you will be be surprised to learn that there are…