Category Archives: Reality checks

Brain Surgery

Emeril Lagasse, American celebrity chef, resta...

Friday at last, and with it some food-related thinking. There’s a new study out from the Harris folks which, in their words says that

Amateur chef shows abound and huge numbers watch, thinking – “Wow that looks easy. I could probably do that as well.” But how many Americans actually watch these programs? And just who are there favorite TV chefs?

I think the results give us a business thought as well.  But then again, don’t I always find those thoughts in weird places? Continue reading

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Filed under Consulting, Reality checks

Deceptive And Dumb

Ah, the wonders of snail mail. Seems to me that the only stuff that arrives in the non-electronic mailbox these days is magazines, bills, and junk. Oh sure, the occasional birthday or holiday card at the appropriate times of the year, but mostly it’s crap or bills.
That’s why it was pretty obvious that since the official looking “Refinance Notice” from the US Fannie Mae Relief Program wasn’t a bill, it was probably junk, at least to my eyes. The problem is that neither you or I, who wouldn’t be fooled by this, are there to explain it to the folks who won’t know any better. So let’s ask a business question. Continue reading

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Filed under Reality checks, Thinking Aloud

Speak Up

None - This image is in the public domain and ...

I try to take a break each day and eat lunch away from the computer.  Generally I turn on CNN and try to catch up on the news that my RSS reader hasn’t brought me (which isn’t much, actually).

I was watching yesterday when a piece came on by Elizabeth Cohen, who writes an “empowered patient” column on CNN.com and has just released a book by the same name.  It was frightening, frankly, but it also sparked an immediate business thought which I’d like to share. Continue reading

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Filed under Helpful Hints, Reality checks