Succeeding at Everything….Where to Send Junior…. The Care of Your Time…..Econ Recon: Uncooperative Data….Is China Rising? ….The Zero Talent Formula

“A sign of a good leader is not how many followers you have, but how many leaders you create.”

Mahatma Gandhi
1869-1948

Succeeding at Everything

“What’s well begun is half done” the old adage goes. If time is the only resource we can’t get more of, then we need to get our days off to a good start. Here’s a Fast Company article with some sound advice on “how to be a success at everything. The first four things you should do every workday.

The Care of Your Time

.…and speaking of time; after you complete the above “first four things”….what about the rest of the day? Vistage Speaker Mitch Gooze’s recent newsletter offered some findings and suggestions on how CEOs and C-Level should invest their time. This 10 minute video looks at how executive time is best spent.  Before you watch it, estimate your typical time allocation and compare to that suggested in the video.

A deeper dive in the area of time expenditure with customers is provided in a white paper on what ought to concern CEOs the most.

Where to Send Junior

As spring approaches, many parents will be helping their children finalize college choices and the financing thereof. Moms and Dads would do well to look at some new research which indicates that the higher priced sheepskin is not always the best choice for every student; what your child wants to study may dictate a much more affordable college alternative. Find out if Junior should attend “Ivy League” or “State”.    

Once the decision is made as to where Junior should spend the next four years, check out a previously featured app, Scholly, which can help you find the right scholarship.

Econ Recon: “Uncooperative Data”….Is China Rising?

Uncooperative Data: Markets remain turbulent but a look at the real economy still doesn’t justify fears for a recession touted by pundits and various analysts, according to economist Brian Wesbury who suggests that: “The problem for them is that the data on the economy are simply not cooperating with the recession theory.”

Is China Rising? Many are laying the current market turbulence and fears of recession at the door of China and fears that its long growth track is ending with negative implications for the world economy. According to Alan and Brian Beaulieu at ITR Economics, it’s not all bad news out of China.

The Zero Talent Formula

Most hiring managers look for best talent, usually based upon a strong resume that stands out with “head and shoulders” superior education and experience. Obviously a candidate must be talented and experienced “enough” to do the work, but those of you who know me know that I especially value the best combination of cultural fit and talent from the pool of “talented enough” over “most talented.” Cultural fit includes how we approach our work, and how we approach our work requires Zero Talent. Are you recognizing those employees who consistently do the things that require “Zero Talent”; who are average in talent but above average in the following?

These require zero talent.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Being on time

               2. Work ethic

               3. Effort

               4. Body Language

               5. Energy

               6. Attitude

               7. Passion

               8. Being Coachable

               9. Doing Extra

               10. Being Prepared