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Making A Difference – Thoughts, Observations and Opinions
This is Dave Brock’s Blog.
It offers my views on a variety of business, sales, marketing, and leadership topic. My goal is to make a difference for you, the reader, in both your professional and personal lives.
Latest Posts
What We Can Learn From Piranha (or at least the myth of the Piranha)
Virtually every major animal has been used as a metaphor in explaining success in business. We have Elephants, Eagles, Leopards, Bulls and Bears, Lions, and Tigers- Oh My! We have Purple Cows, Monkey Business, Black Swans, Swimming With Sharks, and Top Dogs. Blue Oceans encompass lots of animals! I have even heard sales people referred to as Snakes.It seems the little Piranha has been under appreciated in business. I’d like to advocate the study of this fish and applying it’s success principles to business. For example:Much has been said about “Eating the Elephant.” You can’t eat the elephant in a […]
Eleven Characteristics Of Critical Thinkers
Several days ago, commented on the topic of “Why Managers Don’t Think Deeply.” Apparently, based on responses I received, there is some interest in this topic. I thought it would be worthwhile to share some characteristics of critical thinkers. Have a passion for clarity, precision, accuracy, relevance, consistency, logical-ness, completeness, and fairness. Are sensitive to ways in which critical thinking can be skewed by egocentrism, wishful thinking, biases, and ignorance. Are intellectually honest with themselves, acknowledging their limitations and lack of knowledge. Listen open-mindedly to opposing points of view, welcoming criticisms of beliefs and assumptions. Base their views on facts […]
Colin Powell Lessons On Leadershiip
I just ran across this on Slideshare. It’s a bit dated, but still interesting and a good reminder on leadership. View Upload your own A presentation given by former Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell regarding leadership and victory in business and life.SlideShare Link
Quiet Time–Break Away From Email, Phones, Blackberry’s
Interesting article in today’s New York Times: Lost In E-Mail, Tech Firm Face Self-Made Beast. The article examines efforts by many companies to understand the impact of constant interruptions on productivity. Companies are finding tremendous results in forcing people to stop distractions for a period of time each day, devoting that time to thinking or getting real work done (such a concept!). The article cited a Basex study which placed the impact in lost productivity in the U.S. due to distractions at more than $650 billion annually! Take the time to read the article. Better yet, everyday, try to take […]
Why Don’t Managers Think Deeply
Today, the Harvard Business Review Working Knowledge Newsletter and Art Petty On Management had complementary articles on Why Don’t Managers Think Deeply? It’s a fascinating topic that should concern all leaders. Both are worth reading, and, dare I say, thinking about. I’d like to add some of my own opinions about why manager’s don’t think deeply: People confuse form with substance: Brilliant presentations, PowerPoint’s, or “hot programs” may be attractive and create a lot of interest, but many have no depth beyond the bullet point on the chart. People haven’t really thought about what the strategy and the most effective […]
Meetings, Meetings, Meetings!?#?!!%&*
“A person’s stature in business is measured by the number of meetings on their agenda!” Sometimes I actually believe people think this is true. I see too many people participating in too many meetings—that accomplish absolutely nothing! The problem is worse in today’s “always available” global business environment. People are always on, conference calls, and other “meetings” consume our lives. I recently did an informal audit of a number of clients and found many scheduling meetings from 5:00AM through midnight! I also found, that during this 19 hour period, many were in meetings for as many as 12 hours during […]