The unprecedented damage by Hurricanes Harvey & Irma will leave our fellow citizens in a deep hole for months, if not years to come. We wish them Godspeed and the fastest possible recovery.

Here are some of the highlights in this week’s edition of Getting to the Point:

– Apple fired it up on Tuesday. My summary and observations here.
– A free webinar on September 20: How to Create a Culture of Accountability.
– The Wine Industry Workshop is returning for the sixth year on Tuesday, November 7.
– CEOs take notice: Are You the Source of Workplace Dysfunction?
– Give me Five. How about a Fist Bump? Double High Five? Air Five?
– What wisdom is crumpled on a piece of paper in your wallet?
– One more example of how not to apologize from Equifax.
– Does swearing make you more likable?
– What can you learn from the concept of Inbox Zero?
– Are we facing an Alzheimer’s Armageddon?
– Is it possible for friendship to survive our opposing politics?
– A good movie to see, great book to read and a little humor here and there.

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This week, the U.S. braces for another powerful hurricane headed toward South Florida. Our hearts and prayers go out to our friends in Florida … while wishing that Irma would drop dead in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Here are some of the highlights in this week’s edition of Getting to the Point:

• A FREE Webinar on September 20 to help you Create a Culture of Accountability.
• The Wine Industry Workshop is returning for the 6th year on Tuesday, November 7.
• The best advice we could assemble on how to cure a hangover.
• An adult beverage where you will forget your mistakes – without a hangover.
• Why do some of the Silicon Valley Cowboys think workaholism is desirable?
• The gender pay gap opens wide in the legal profession.
• The latest update on the power and threats of gene editing.
• Rev it up for Apple’s Special Event this Tuesday, September 12
• Great video about what really matters at the end of life.
• For once, the blind is leading the not-so-blind.
• Some good stuff to watch and read with a dollop of humor.

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First and foremost, our hearts and prayers go out to our fellow citizens in Texas who are experiencing the unprecedented and horrific result of Hurricane Harvey which has devastated so much of the Lone Star State. It’s also refreshing, in an era of rampant partisanship, to see the heart and soul of our fellow citizens reaching out to provide aid to anyone and everyone, a welcome reminder of the goodness of the American people.

This week, we’re Getting to the Point by emphasizing that for leaders, the Special Forces mantra of leave no man or woman behind applies equally in the workplace. To advance our Leadership mission, we’re excited to remind you about the first Leadership Course from Exkalibur University, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – 7 Remarkably Simple Steps to Earn Respect just around the corner and to encourage you to SAVE THE DATE for our 6th annual Wine Industry Workshop on Tuesday, November 7.

In our Business Brief, we’ll see how important attending a top school is for CEOs, we’ll try to advance the ball in understanding blockchains which many believe will change the world, we’ll learn if you can trademark a color and see what Tim Cook of Apple had to do to earn his incentive compensation.

We’ll Geek Out a little and consider some of the changes coming to YouTube and the latest on one of the centurions protecting us from the hackers. We’ll get an update on Apple’s upcoming release of iOS 11 and then move Around the Web to consider the latest report on our eating habits, the end of an annoying Uber feature, how a robot performed in the top 20% of a university entrance exam, and a few places you can live on the cheap. We’ll also peek into the political landscape to check on the likelihood of success in Afghanistan and the latest review of partisan politics run amok in the U.S.

On a lighter note, you’ll enjoy the humor of this historical marker. You’ll also meet the woman who has memorized all 328 pages of the IKEA catalog and see how poorly Hollywood did with their summer releases. You’ll also get the latest on the big money pouring from the biggest fight of the century (so far) between Mayweather and McGregor and catch the latest novel with a gun-toting heroine from the pen of Mike (M.A.) Lawson.

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The Total Eclipse was the big national story this week, and I am excited to share a spectacular photo taken by one of our Exkalibur Team members. You don’t want to miss this gorgeous picture.

In our business segments, read Why You Should Care About Transparency? | 5 Tips to Get You Started to understand the advantages of creating a more transparent organization and how to jumpstart that process. You’ll also learn about our upcoming Leadership course from Exkalibur University, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – 7 Remarkably Simple Steps to Earn Respect. Early next week, you’ll begin to receive specific details about this course. In our Business Brief, you also find a fascinating article about The Secret Economic Lives of Animals, whether CEOs should get on their soap boxes about social issues and some insights on the baffling story about a revolutionary technology called blockchains.

Visit Under the Apple Tree to get the latest skinny on the major upgrade just around the corner in iOS 11 for your IOS devices (iPhone or iPad). When you go Around the Web, you’ll be disappointed to learn that the long line you see snaking around a new restaurant might not be real, how big dreams become really big, how positive thinking might not be the best approach and the story of counterfeiting as a $400 billion industry in China. Don’t miss the latest on Internet shaming so you and your children remain mindful of how dangerous and disruptive these practices can become.

On a lighter note, there’s some great kids’ humor up in here … and some adult humor, with valuable and clear instructions, you don’t want to miss. There’s also some stunning numbers about money in sports, a nut-job of a movie, a maybe crazier TV series I just started and the latest novel, introducing a new heroine, from the talented pen of Michael Connelly.

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The sole purpose of Getting to the Point is Helping YOU Become a More Effective Leader, but of course, there is more to life than that so we cover much more that affects us, our families and our world.

I know you don’t want to miss the Solar Eclipse on Monday, so check out the Spotlight segment for a little knowledge & history along with a list of certified eyewear so you can view it safely.

In our Business Brief, you’ll get a few tips about how to use HR to become more competitive, learn a few tricks about how to motivate people, improve your ability to analyze your competition and discover which states are the best and worst in which to do business. Hint, California is at the bottom of the list … again. We’re also announcing our upcoming Leadership Course which will begin on Monday, September 18, so stay tuned for information on that.

When we scour the web, we’ll learn about bandaids for the heart, why our taste buds may actually be in our brains and why nature vs. nurture is NOT the whole story. We’ll also see why so many adults are obsessed with Disney cruises, although I hope there is no connection to some of the recent reports that America’s drinking problem is much worse. We’ll also learn about Apple’s billion-dollar leap into Hollywood production and why protecting your phone number may be more important than ever.

As always, we’ll get a few laughs, learn about the good news from Apple and ESPN about watching multiple football games at the same time, discover some of the most dysfunctional families on TV and read about the latest release from Marc Cameron with another of the SpecOps badasses keeping us safe.

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The sole purpose of Getting to the Point is Helping YOU Become a More Effective Leader. For each of the topics included in our Business Brief segment, for example, there’s an important point I want to share that applies equally to all leaders and businesses.

There’s clearly a “crisis of confidence” in corporate America … in both a company’s ability to create the desired culture, as you’ll see in our Featured Article, and its success in Leadership Development programs as you’ll see in our Business Brief. I’m excited to report that’s a problem that Exkalibur University is tackling next month. You’ll also find some excellent interview questions you can use and a list of the essential eight technologies companies should watch.

But with all of our technology prowess, you’ll learn as we go Around the Web, that its effect on child development … not so great. As a parent, you’ll want to carefully consider some of the latest research about the how smartphones have destroyed a generation and the related increase in depression, anxiety and teen suicide. On the brighter side, you can learn about the science behind how the brain perceives beauty.

We’ll have a little fun, too, with a few laughs, a study of the fortunes in fortune cookies and how the top 50 musical artists fare depending on where you live … and a little less fun as we consider the rabid growth of partisan politics. There’s a great series of action movies for you to catch up on along with the latest badass SpecOps character from the pen of Brad Thor.

Make it a great weekend … and don’t stop leading.

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Facing challenges is nothing new for leaders, and in this week’s Getting to the Point, we’ll start in our Spotlight segment by addressing why more women don’t become CEOs. In our Featured Article, we’ll also consider how to make sure our Common Practices are truly Best Practices. We’ll see if you can name the #1 job held by men in the U.S. and then we’ll continue in the Business Brief, to look and learn about these issues:

• Drug Tests Are Eliminating Growing Numbers of Workers
• We Like Business More Than Its Leaders
• Companies Seek Racially Offensive Trademarks
• Yes, Culture Continues to Eclipse Everything Else, and
• Bring Home All the Cash in Your Stash

When you’re Geeking Out, you’ll learn that the Deep Dark Web is NOT a Hoax and in Under the Apple Tree, you’ll see an example of someone trying to smuggle more than $100K in iPhones on their body. When you’re looking Around the Web, you’ll see how TV networks are actually speeding up shows to fit in more ads, how a new initiative is trying to determine if we’re alone in the universe and that there is such a thing as an ugly premium.

You’ll finally get a good laugh at the expense of consultants and from the Library, you’ll get another laugh at how many of your meetings might look. We’ll also catch up with Bob Lee Swagger in his 2nd TV season, learn about true grit in the game of golf and catch up to John Rain, the trained assassin in Barry Eisler’s novel series.

Did I forget you’ll also finally learn how to tie your shoes?

Make it a great weekend … but don’t stop leading.

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It’s been an interesting week, so we’re Getting to the Point with valuable insights to help you Become a More Effective Leader along with a wide range of information from the worlds of medicine, science, technology and popular culture.

Start by taking the quiz in our Spotlight segment to see what you really know about the human body. Then you can catch up on the evolution of Spam … yeah … both kinds … and wash that down with your third cup of coffee, which will reportedly make you even healthier than you already are.

Then, turn to the Featured Article where we talk about how the 2 Minute Rule can help you rule your domain. In the Business Brief, you’ll also find out the #1 thing that people want their CEOs to improve, a quick primer on signs that a recession may be on the horizon, how you can improve the decision-making in your organization and what companies can do when the founder’s culture starts to fail. If you’re ready to start Geeking Out, you’ll discover elevators that go sideways and scientific tools made from paper.

When you’re ready for a quick turn Around the Web, I’ll offer some free, spot-on marital advice, you’ll learn what a vinculum is and get a further update on the insurance fraud accompanying the opioid epidemic. If it’s too hot where you are, revisiting the ice bucket challenge might help where you’ll also learn about the value that may start in the southern end of a northbound goat.

I still can’t stop laughing at the story in our Humor section … and you may still be laughing when you learn about the latest “sport” that isn’t. You’ll probably stop laughing, though, when you get to my latest rant in The Political Landscape, but I just couldn’t help myself. Of course, there’s critical updates on the Emmy nominations announced yesterday and … finally … the return of Game of Thrones on Sunday. I’ll also share my latest mystery novel find and we’ll celebrate the tremendous legacy of 102 year-old Herman Wouk.

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I hope you got to enjoy one of the more than 16,000 fireworks displays across the country this past Tuesday as we celebrated our nation’s 241st birthday.

This week we’re Getting to the Point with insights from the business world as we fulfill the promise of The Exkalibur Organization to Help you Become a More Effective Leader. Our Featured Article describes the one thing you can be sure is missing when projects don’t get done. In our Business Brief, you’ll also read articles from leading journals about the best way to lead your team, how to learn more about your competition and what Google is doing with its Hacker SWAT team. You’ll also find an inspirational quote and see how superior performance leads to skyrocketing salaries … in the sports world. If you use your IOS devices (iPhone or iPad) to manage your photos, you’ll appreciate this tip in From the Apple Tree.

Of course, we can’t overlook the Centennial Celebration at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Championship in our Spotlight segment and the origin of a summer favorite, the popsicle. You may also be stunned to learn how deep is the ocean and what happens to our brain when music gets in there.

There’s a lot to learn about that three-pound jelly roll in our heads, too, so the scientists will help us understand more about our brain and its flaws and biases in our Around the Web segment. You’ll also get an underground tour of our nation’s super-bunker in the Cheyenne Mountain, learn of another sad byproduct of the opioid epidemic and what happens when we stop making babies.

Of course, there’s always a little Humor around and I’ll offer some additional ideas about more serious reading you can enjoy during your summer vacation as well as the latest beach read from John Grisham. You’ll also learn why movie producers are concerned about them rotten tomatoes.

Enjoy the beautiful weekend!

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