Monthly Archives: February 2012

Beating Up The Straw Man

I think we’ve all met The Straw Man somewhere along our business journey. No, he isn’t a person. He’s the distorted version of something that moves the argument away from the real issues. I say that Bill has a great idea to improve something. Bill’s idea involves changes in your area and so you say Bill is constantly late for work. We then spend time discussing if Bill is a valuable employee rather than if Bill’s idea can improve our business. Meet The Straw Man.

Straumaa or Straw man, one of the Bärzeli figures

Image via Wikipedia

To venture into the land of politics, given that it’s an election year, The Straw Man will be making hourly appearances on TV.  No matter what your political beliefs if you listen carefully much of the discussion is not about how to solve real problems (here is my plan) but about side issues, quotes out of context, and the character of the other side.  Guess who just joined the conversation?

While I’m not sure we can do much Straw Men on the political front, we sure can in business and here is how. Continue reading

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Here Is A Great Lesson On Conversing

I use this space to complain from time to time (I know, you hadn’t noticed).  One of the targets of my screed is PR folks who send out emails requesting I interview and write about whatever person they’re pushing even if those people have nothing to do with what I write about.  In just the last few days (based on what I can find in my Trash folder), I’ve received offers to write (along with a press release and interview contact information) about a new system that eliminates fat cells in problem areas, without surgery or downtime, with the use of high intensity, focused ultrasound waves.  I got another from a press guy who has a client that’s a businessperson who believes that today’s tough economy may just be the best thing that’s happened to America in a long time (we’re focusing less on things and more on faith).  Others come from an email address that is supposed to be a person but is signed by “account #6” (oops).  There are several others.

Which is why this note was so refreshing (and why I’m giving them some props). Continue reading

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Familiarity And Contempt

If you’re looking to buy stuff, it’s a great time to make new friends. For example, there was an offer by my cable provider to those who use another service for cable to be a “triple playcustomer (TV, internet, and VOIP) for $70 a month. Considering that I play more than double that just for TV, it seems like a pretty good deal, right?

Children's Valentine, 1940–1950

Image via Wikipedia

Not for me it isn’t. I’m a current customer and, therefore, not eligible for that rate.  I’m not singling out the cable company – they’re hardly the only firm that makes more attractive business deals available to folks with whom they aren’t currently doing business.  Wireless carriers, financial services (Free stock trades!  Better interest rates!  Shiny toasters!), magazines and others often treat their new flames better than they do those to whom they’ve been “married” for years.  So on this Valentine’s Day, I’m reminded that maybe that familiarity leads to some contempt and maybe divorce? Continue reading

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