JCPenney declared bankruptcy Friday, May 15th. I wish I could say I hadn’t seen it coming but I have for many years. It had all the excitement of Blockbuster, Kodak, K-Mart, and so many others. Another iconic brand imploding. Sadly, this will have an impact on some of the brand’s Read more…
I hope you were able to see the 60 Minutes segment on the World Central Kitchen led by José Andrés. He is deserving of the greatest humanitarian award that exists. He has ideas for driving economic recovery in a COVID-19 world. He’s a doer, not a talker. He produces meals Read more…
I’ve had a lot of upheaval during March 2020: I can’t go to a restaurant to sit down and enjoy a meal–take out isn’t “the same.” I’m unable to get my thermos filled with Starbucks coffee, something I’ve done every day–even holidays!–for 25 years. This may not sound like much Read more…
The coronavirus (COVID-19) may be about to trigger a significant paradigm shift in the business world. This past Friday, my Fortune 50 client contacted me to let me know that my trip from Silicon Valley to Los Angeles this week was canceled. Those of us flying in for the meeting Read more…
I was stunned to hear of the passing of Kobe Bryant at the age of 41. Kobe brought so much light to the planet. Who couldn’t help falling in love with his captivating smile? When I think of Kobe, the thoughts that come to mind are: Excellence Enthusiasm Passion Work Read more…
I wasn’t expecting to gain business insights from the movie, 1917. I was interested in seeing the World War I movie 1917 as I had seen previews in the theater. This movie had also recently won the Best Picture award at the Golden Globes. It’s an excellent movie. Without giving anything away, let Read more…
Jack Sheldon Jazz Musician and Voice of Schoolhouse Rock, Passes at 88. Today is New Year’s Day 2020. This morning, I awoke to the news that an outstanding jazz trumpet player, composer, singer, voice of Schoolhouse Rock, and actor — Jack Sheldon — died at the age of 88 on Read more…
Why do you need to be forthcoming with your boss and your banker? Ensuring project success. If you are running a project ( IT or otherwise) within your company, you need to ensure there are no surprises for your leadership when obstacles or delays appear. Issues or problems are inevitable Read more…
When I was in graduate school earning my Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), the mantra drilled into my psyche was “Planning, Execution, and Control.” Planning, Execution, and Control was really about driving one or more missions that a department was assigned. There wasn’t a lot of discussion about: Hiring (and Read more…
Who needs to focus on character and integrity, who personifies it, and how you can improve it? A consulting colleague of mine, Rear Admiral Winston Copeland (United States Navy, retired) with Top Gun Consulting, created a program about character and integrity. His vision was that this program could be used Read more…