I’ll get mine

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Stan

The little pastel spoons dip into the gelato.  Curly Top asks her boyfriend, “Is our city better today than it was four years ago?”

He ponders a few moments.  “I don’t think I know about the city as a whole.  My life in particular has gotten better, and the impact of ‘the city’ on me personally seems minimal.”

Curly Top pressed further.  “Well, have you noticed more crime in your neighborhood, or less?  Does your car hit more potholes along the same routes, or less?  Are you paying more in city taxes while parks go into disrepair and libraries shut down?  Do you think we even need parks and libraries?”

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The realities of “reality” television

Posted on August 4, 2012 by Stan

It’s a very interesting turn of events in the world of entertainment.  “Reality” programming has taken the lead on presenting a compelling business argument for advertisers.  First, the cost of production is much, much less than for scripted storylines. You need a willing cast of amateurs, who fight each other to participate.  You need a soundstage.  You need cheap locations that require little if any modification.  You don’t need special effects, expensive stunts or big name stars who demand huge paychecks. You just need people who are willing to sell their dreams and fears to the public, in public.

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When is a chair like a saint?

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Stan

Sounds like an elementary school yard riddle, doesn’t it?  If you’re a board member, you’ll immediately know the answer.  Being the board chair is, like Caesar would put it, being first among equals.  The board Chair has the challenging task of guiding the directors of an organization towards cohesive fulfillment of fiduciary responsibilities, with no authority or weighted influence on the votes other than that which the Chair can elicit voluntarily from the other directors.  Even including unethical or illegal behavior on the part of another director, the Chair cannot individually act to affect the status of any other director.  All actions of the board are collective, based upon the will of a majority of directors according to our established system of business democracy.  So without differential authority, is the role of the Chair really one of material impact on an organization?

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Ever lose a friend?

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Stan

I recently did.

It wasn’t due to cancer, at least not the physiological kind.  It wasn’t an accident.  No one died.  The friendship ended, not the lives concerned.  The culprit was being in business together.

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