41 questions every business leader should ask (The Invisible Thread) Change is the only constant in the world, there’s no doubt about it. Today more than ever, businesses must face – and effectively manage – rising change and complexity. Uncertainty is everywhere we look. If you think about our organizations today, they are all part of a dynamic business network of relationships with customers, partners and suppliers that shape the way we do business. Bottom line is that the time is up for sitting on the sidelines. As you consider the processes that make your business run, here are 41 key questions you should ask yourself: Does your organization change effectively when it needs to? Tags: ceo business-agility featured business-leader change cio questions agile cto complexity it-leader
CD3WD Archives the Information Necessary to Rebuild Society @Eric Geller: It reminds me of the OLPC project, straight from the ivory tower of MIT. It lacks a sense of priority... where the industrialized Western world thinks that so called 'third world' countries will do ok if tech is thrown at them. Imo it's an arrogant attitude, and an attitude that says that if we give them tech first, then everything else will follow. "So you're infrastructure is down and disorder is everywhere and there's no food or fuel.... @Eric Geller: More like a monetary problem. I don't know about that. Technology can be used as a multiplier to better utilize the resources that already exist. Think of this as the lifehacker for the rest of the world.
RBC - Salle de presse L'Indice PMIMC RBC des directeurs d'achats de l'industrie manufacturière canadienne met en évidence un fort ralentissement de la croissance de la production et des nouvelles commandes en janvier Le 1er février 2012 — La production et les nouvelles commandes n'enregistrent que des hausses modérées en janvier, comme l'indique l'indice RBC des directeurs d'achats de l'industrie manufacturière canadienne (indice PMIMC RBC), une étude mensuelle menée par la Banque Royale du Canada (RBC) en partenariat avec Markit, l'un des plus importants fournisseurs d'information financière au monde, et avec l'Association canadienne de gestion des achats (ACGA). L'indice PMI RBC constitue un indicateur avancé complet des tendances du secteur manufacturier canadien. D'après l'indice PMI RBC, la conjoncture s'est améliorée en janvier dans le secteur manufacturier canadien, les entreprises signalant une nouvelle augmentation de la production et des nouvelles commandes. Voici les faits saillants par région :
7 Ingredients to a Successful Business Dinner Taking clients out for an enjoyable dinner can help you build the long-lasting relationships that your business needs. But you need to plan carefully so you're sure to make the best possible impression. For example, choose a restaurant willing to accommodate people on a vegetarian, gluten-free or other special diets, says Mark Hemmeter, founder of Office Revolution, a provider of virtual office space in Boulder, Colo., who often meets with investors and potential franchisees over dinner. "I don't want to put someone in an uncomfortable situation." Here are seven of the essential ingredients to wooing clients during a business dinner: Research your dining companions. Arrive early. Prepay the bill. Match the client in consumption. Related: 15 Rules for Talking Business Over Drinks Respect the wait staff. Take advantage of the small talk. Be sure to follow-up on the dinner conversation. Related: Why So Many People Resist Networking and Miss Out
Is Starting A Business Safer Than Your Job? [Infographic] What's Better - Getting a Job or Starting a Business? With a slow economy, many people have turned to entrepreneurship as a means to pay the bills. Which begs the question, what’s better today — getting a job or starting a business? We dug deep to find out the numbers and have compared the risk of starting a business to keeping a job. What do you think? Small Business Loans Made Simple Create a Free Lendio Account Overview “Laid off? “True entrepreneurs reduce risk to the point that action becomes quite logical.” Unemployment Rate: 9.1% 26% of North American workers are self-employedIn 2008 on average 2,356 people went into business for themselves every day.Their ventures accounted for 78% of U.S. businesses SELF-EMPLOYMENT There are only four paths toward business ownership: Start a business from scratchBecome a consultantBuy a non-franchise businessBuy a franchise (the most secure choice) Among the fastest-growing industries are: Reemployment figures: To reduce risk: Incorporated Self-Employed
s Basic Recipes - Biscuits and No-Yeast Breads - by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E. Copyright © 1976,2007 by Robert Wayne Atkins, P.E. All Rights Reserved. Yeast causes the bread to rise and become light. Eggs add protein, color, and bulk to the bread. Eggs also increase the shelf life of the bread. Therefore, most bread recipes require both yeast and eggs. The following recipes don't require yeast or eggs. Pancakes (No Eggs) Mix all ingredients together well, and then fry the pancakes on medium heat in a skillet, turning once. Flour Tortillas (14 six-inch Tortillas) Preparation: Sift flour and salt together. Salt-Rising Bread (Recipe One) Preparation: Bring milk almost to a boil. Salt-Rising Bread (Recipe Two) Preparation: Bring milk almost to a boil. Irish Soda Bread Substitution: 2 tsp. baking powder can be used to replace both the baking soda and the cream of tartar.Preparation: Mix flour, baking soda, tartar, and salt in a bowl. Choctaw Indian Fry Bread (Requires no sugar) (14 Pieces) or Navaho Indian Fry Bread (Add 1 tsp. Baking Powder Biscuits
Quick Practical, Tactical Tips for Presentations In the past I’ve given some tips for handling meetings effectively, covering topics like: - How not to let your meeting go down a rat hole; - Dealing with the elephant in the room; - Dealing with skeletons in your closet; - How to make meetings discussions, not “pitches” - A tale of two pitches (I eventually invested in the first company that pitched) Today’s post is a subtle one about positioning yourself in a presentation. This might be a VC meeting but also might just be a sales or biz dev meeting. 1. If you look at Diagram A above you’ll see that the presenters are sitting at the opposite end of the table from where the screen is. If you look at Diagram B you’ll see that the people you’re presenting to can look you in the eyes and glance up at the screen. 2. I personally wouldn’t worry about it if it the team coming to see your presentation seems a bit surprised and says, “oh, we normally all sit on the same side.” 3. 4. 5. 6. So, there you have it.
4 Advantages to Leasing Office Equipment I bought a new computer last month; I paid $2,200 for a top-of-the-line Apple MacBook Air. I already know that after a year or so I'll get the itch to upgrade, at which time I'll shell out another couple of thousand dollars for the latest model. But, as a smart guy (and a finance writer), it occurred to me that maybe there's a more cost-effective way to keep current with technology. 1. 2. 3. 4. Thinking beyond my business needs, I considered what else in my life I could have leased or rented rather than purchased outright. I was left with an epiphany on the lease-or-purchase issue--a question to ask myself whenever it comes to acquiring new stuff: "Would I buy this at a rummage sale five years from now?" In the end, all I'm doing is applying the same cost-benefit analysis that goes into business purchases to my personal life. Buying things can feel good. J.D. Like this article?