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Can You Prevent Yourself From Being Screwed Over In Business?
Here’s a story about one of the co-founders of my company. Dan (not his real name) came with great credentials. He was smart and he had accomplished a lot. His was a name that investors would respect. Dan was also independently wealthy. Dan joined the company during our Series A fundraising. Dan was such an…
Read MoreShould You Follow Cramer’s Stock Market Tips?
Here we go again. The NASDAQ is up. The S&P is up. Everyone is breathing a sigh of relief. Last week’s “correction” is over, and we’re off to the races…again. CNBC’s commentators are gushing: “Look at this board! 27 of 30 stocks are positive!!!” CNBC’s commentator just can’t contain his enthusiasm. CNBC goes to break.…
Read MoreHow Stuttering Can Make You A Better Public Speaker
Even though it was over 20 years ago, I remember the moment just like it was yesterday. It was a nightmare. I was presenting at my company’s sales conference. There was a disconnect between my brain and my mouth. My brain was telling me the words I needed to say, but my mouth couldn’t say…
Read MoreWhat Are The Steps You Should Take Now Before the Coming Stock Market Correction?
You wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. The stock market just dropped by 20% yesterday, and you were caught unprepared. Don’t think this can happen to you? Think again. It happens with regularity. It’s part of our business cycle. It happened October 19, 1987 when the DOW dropped 22.61%.…
Read MoreSan Francisco is on Fire – When Will the Stock Market Bubble Burst Again?
I was giddy, but I was scared to death. I knew at some point the stock market was going to crash, but I didn’t want to miss out on the boom. It was paralyzing…well, almost. That’s how I felt in 1999 before the stock market crashed. I knew, deep down inside that I needed to…
Read MoreWhat Should You Do When The Boss Says No?
“Bring us up to your level.” the CEO said to me when he was recruiting me to join his company as a division general manager. I was flattered. I also thought I could really help the company. I was eager to get started. After all, the company was very successful and very profitable. However, the…
Read MoreThe Tale of Jim and Jane: Is it Better to Earn Your Promotion or be Given a Promotion? The Answer Might Surprise You
“You’re doing a great job, but I think you’re a year away from being promoted to Director,” I said to “Jim”. Jim looked devastated. He had done great work, everything I ever asked him to do, and I thought he could progress far in the organization. He was also very young, maybe five years into…
Read MoreThe 3 Hiring Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make
I blew it. The voice in the back of my head was arguing with itself. On the one hand it was saying, “Don’t hire ‘Jim’. There’s something wrong with him.” On the other hand, the voice was saying, “Brett, you need help in this area. You should hire Jim. He’s got a wealth of experience.…
Read MoreSix Business Lessons You Can Learn From Project Runway
I am coming out of the closet, so to speak. No, not like THAT! My family’s favorite television show, Project Runway, began season 13 last Thursday night. For the next 16 Thursdays, my family and I will live and die with the escapades of an unknown group of eclectic fashion designers. We will make it…
Read MoreDo You have what it Takes to Lead People? Lessons I learned from Bill Walsh
“I was so distraught that I broke down and started crying.” Bill Walsh I was fortunate, in the 1990’s, to take a continuing education class on leadership at Stanford University. The class featured 10 speakers including Stanford’s provost and Stanford’s head football coach. The provost was future United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and…
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