Let's face it, unless you're Donald Trump, business can be pretty dull most of the time. Maybe that's why so many people decorate their cubicles and offices with cartoons. A good laugh can really perk up your day! So why don't more businesses use business cartoons?It's interesting that so few companies make the connection between cartoons and business. Are they afraid of not being taken seriously? Are cartoons just funny little drawings that no...more
An effort built around a string of print and broadcast exposures? Or, a public relations initiative that delivers results far beyond simple publicity tactics. Namely, real behavior change among your most important outside audiences leading directly to reaching your objectives. Achieved, incidentally, by persuading key outside people with the greatest impacts on your organization to your way of thinking, then moving them to take actions ...more
Birds of a feather do flock together. It's true. Given a choice, most of us will seek out people who think like we do, people with whom we feel comfortable, those we won't quarrel with. Visit any company cafeteria and you will notice that the people at the tables will be in groupings from the same discipline, department or ethnic group.As a general rule, relationships do not usually thrive when there are profound differences in values, abilities, temperaments or lifestyle. Differences attract, but - more often - they repel. Individuals sometimes get involved in relationships with unlike individuals, occasionally even conflict-ridden ones. These may be exciting for a while - but unless the principals agree on core values, such relationships become artificially polite or unravel over time.Ways to work together. This general rule, however, needs fine tuning when it comes to science, engineering and business. Skillful managers often deliberately create teams comprised of very different kinds of people. They are willing to forego the comfortable, easy feelings associated with clone-like groups in order to bring diverse skills to bear upon a problem. Such a team might include designers,...more
In this "special report", I want to pose a few important "philosophical questions" to my readers. Firstly -- our Federal Reserve Chairman, Alan Greenspan, addressed the effects and implications of our aging population on things such as Social Security again in a speech that he made last Friday. Readers may remember that I also briefly mentioned...more
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your cross cultural communication skills:Slow DownEven when English is the common language in a cross cultural situation, this does not mean you should speak at normal speed. Slow down, speak clearly and ensure your pronunciation is intelligible. Separate QuestionsTry not to ask double questions such...more
Although real estate bankruptcy cases no longer dominate the bankruptcy courts' dockets as they did in the early nineties, but they continue to be filed with great frequency in UK. At its essence, the real estate bankruptcy is a two party dispute between mortgagee and mortgagor. Real estate bankruptcy cases are typically filed after a foreclosure sale has been set. Upon learning of the bankruptcy filing, a secured creditor has a number of available options, all or some of which should be exercised, depending on the facts of the case, to maximize loan recovery.A lender can ask the court to dismiss the bankruptcy case as a "bad faith" filing. A creditor asserting bad faith must prove the subjective bad faith of the debtor and that any reorganization by the debtor is objectively futile. For subjective bad faith, the court will examine whether the debtor invoked the protections of the Bankruptcy Code without either the intention or ability to reorganize its financial affairs. To determine objective futility, the court will examine whether there is indeed a "going concern" to preserve and whether there is any realistic chance for the debtor to reorganize. Most courts require a very...more
Looking for new leads, new contacts, new business opportunities? Do what nine out of 10 adults do, according to a recent article by the American Society of Association Executives. Join an Association. Choose from over 130,000 associations in the...more
Are there any universal laws that most successful people seem to follow? Great question, huh? With that in mind, Gregory Scott Reid, well-known speaker and two-time #1 best-selling author of, "The Millionaire Mentor" and "Wake Up: Live the Life You...more
Ever dreamt of giving up the daily grind? Want to strike out on your own and work from home, but don't know what you could possibly do to make a living? Full time Nasdaq trader Harvey Walsh wondered just that, and now he asks "Is day trading the...more
We have all experienced getting so far in debt we don't know how we're going to get out. There are many different options that you have for quick relief with benefits and consequences. You can look at the overview and see which option is the best...more
The bad news about attending college is that it costs more than ever to attend. The College Board estimates the average four-year public college costs almost $5,000 per year to attend and a two-year public college is almost $2000. And that's not...more
Are you one of the thousands pulling your hair out trying to figure out how you're going to pay your credit card bills? Using your credit cards wisely and sensibly will help you avoid financial problems and establish a strong credit rating, so...more