May 4, 2018
Flip the Switch
Recently I got an e-newsletter from my friend Allan VanderHamm with Berntson Porter. Allan is their valuation and exit planning expert and the newsletter was…
May 2, 2018
The Magic Question – What Does the Owner Do?
Often simple is the best course of action. In fact, Ockam’s Razor, from William of Ockam in the 14th century, states one should solve problems…
April 25, 2018
Deal Die When Trust Disappears
It was a bolt-on acquisition, a perfect fit, and a small deal. And it died. It died because of the relationship, or lack thereof. The…
April 25, 2018
Football and Business – Cut To Thrive
For sports fans, and especially reporters, spring is a busy time of the year. Baseball season is starting, March Madness, NFL free agency and draft,…
April 18, 2018
Entrepreneurs Are Different
Driving home from an evening meeting I was listening to “How I Built This,” an NPR interview show (and podcast) with entrepreneurs. This particular episode…
April 11, 2018
Find People Who Accept Advice
The NFL combine is going on in Indianapolis as I write this. It’s where the best college players gather with team representatives to show off…
April 6, 2018
Emotions and Negotiations
There was a story in the sports section about a Toronto Blue Jays pitcher who had just gone through baseball’s salary arbitration process. He is,…
April 4, 2018
Get More Done By Doing Less
On January 13, 2018 the Wall Street Journal published an article by Morten T. Hansen titled, “The Key to Success? Doing Less.” It’s in the…
March 28, 2018
Break Through the Noise
I had my annual client breakfast in February. My guest speaker was Aaron Blank, owner of The Fearey Group, a Seattle PR firm (www.feareygroup.com). His…
March 22, 2018
It’s Been A Great Job But A Lousy Career
I got to talking with a guy about his job, he works for a major tech company, putting together financing packages for multi-million-dollar purchases (this…
