What To Do When Your Boss Sucks (and You're the Boss)

Oct 18, 2006 in Bidness

I hate my job; I spend all of my day fooling with financial projections, and when I don’t get everything done that I’m supposed to, my boss hassles me and makes me feel like I’m a failure. Dammit, it’s just no fun at all. Read on…

A Brief Commentary on the Apple Stock Option Trouble

Aug 12, 2006 in Bidness

I’ve had a couple of friends IM me today asking me “what’s going on with the whole Apple stock option SEC trouble thing?” Now, I know nothing more about this than the average business school student with a few classes on options and on financial reporting, but I guess that’s a few more than average so I’ll expound a bit on what appears to be going on, and if it’s serious or not. Everything below should be taken with a small grain of salt, at least, since there have been no public, comprehensive statements on what’s going on by either Apple or the SEC, but the stories in the press appear to be quite consistent and clear in what they’re describing. Read on…

Hail Sweden

Sep 6, 2005 in Bidness

Did you know that Sweden used to have a world monopoly in matches? It’s true, they made and sold pretty much all of the matches out there for a long… Read on…

Now That's a Leader

Jun 6, 2005 in B-School, Bidness

Sometimes, bosses say the stupidest things. Their mouths open and out come the worst cliches. But — even more incredible — that cliched phrase works. And then — poof — motivation! Caring! Inspiration! All the fruits of leadership! Read on…

Jack Welch Gives Straight Talk About Winning

Apr 26, 2005 in B-School, Bidness

In a much-touted event, former GE CEO Jack Welch spoke at the Marshall School today to pitch his new book, Winning, and, since I RSVPd for a ticket immediately I actually got to get into the event and look at the back of someone’s head while listening to Welch talk for two hours (Jason, you have exactly five gray hairs). Actually, it was a really incredible speech and I was very impressed by Jack Welch’s clear, straightforward style and his blunt (although non-offensive) honesty. A good role model for us all and a lot of great food for thought. I’ll probably turn into a corporate tool and buy Winning now to read what Jack Welch had to say in print. Read on…

Always Listen To The Marketers

Mar 3, 2005 in Bidness

My Management Accounting Prof once told us this great story about how TWA went out of business because they didn’t listen to the Marketers. It may be a bunch of baloney, but when I hear the Accounting people say “up with Marketing!” then I figure it’s time to listen. Also, it’s funny. Read on…

Help Me Amtrak, You're My Only Hope!

Jan 8, 2005 in Bidness

Like many Americans, I flew our nation’s fine airlines this holiday season. While I was waiting for my five hour-delayed, two-and-a-half-hour flight to Houston, I thought one simple thought: this is a business model? Ten thousand lost bags? All flights on Christmas Day cancelled? I want my vacation to start as soon as I leave the door. And, Amtrak, it’s time for you to help me out with that. Read on…

Six Apart Buys LiveJournal

Jan 6, 2005 in Bidness

I’m a loyal Movable Type user, so MT maker Six Apart’s acquisition of online journaling pioneer LiveJournal is of great interest to me. What could inspire the one company to buy the other? What’s the plan? It’s hard to see. Read on…

Obligatory Music Industry Rant

Dec 16, 2004 in Bidness

It’s not just the content owners who have completely lost it; that old-line content distributor, radio, seems to have gone completely off the deep end as well. Read on…