23. January 2006 · Comments Off on Notes from “businessThink” · Categories: Business, Me, Me, Me, Me

It seems that now is the season of business books, and I just recently finished “businessThink”. This was pretty much introducing and exploring a different method of finding solutions for business. Some good stuff here.

Steps are:

  1. Check Ego at the door
  2. Create curiosity
  3. Move off the solution
  4. Gather evidence (soft and hard)
  5. Measure Impact ($ of solving and not solving. Is this a could or a should?)
  6. Explore the ripples (other departments effected)
  7. Watch out for Yellow lights (why hasn’t this been done already?)
  8. Find the Cause (ask Why)

5 questions to convert hard evidence into impact:

  1. How do you measure it?
  2. What is it now?
  3. What would you like it to be?
  4. What’s the value of the difference?
  5. What’s the value of the difference over time (months, years, the
    appropriate management horizon)?

“The Holy Grid” (graph out how a decision is going to be made (committees,
etc))
| Steps | Decision | When | Who | How |

16. January 2006 · Comments Off on Notes from “Winning” · Categories: Business, Me, Me, Me, Me

I just read “Winning” by Jack Welch and it’s a surprisingly good management book. It boils down to common sense, positive attitude and hard work which was refreshing. Some notes:

Positive attidute, boundless curiosity (keep asking questions, preferably ones that prompt action), candor and breath your company’s mission statement (which means it should be a good one).

Hiring
Acid Test: Integrity, intelligence, maturity

4-e (1-p): Positive Energy, ability to Energize others, Edge (tough yes or no decisions), ability to Execute (get the job done) and Passion (both job and outside hobbies/activities).

Hiring for the Top: Authenticity, ability to see around corners, “strong penchant to surround themselves with people better and smarter than they are,” and heavy duty resilience.

3 firing mistakes:
Moving too fast (confusion and out of the blue firing), not using enough candor and taking too long (dead man walking).

Crisis:

  1. Problem is worse than it appears.
  2. No secrets. It all gets out eventually.
  3. Your handling of the situation will be portrayed in the worst light.
  4. There will be changes in process and people (“blood on the floor”).
  5. The organization will survive, and probably be stronger for the experience.

He also talked about his 20/70/10 rule which basically means richly reward, train and groom your superstars, spend a lot of attention on the middle 70% (majority of your workforce) and nuke the underperforming 10%. Good or bad hiring decisions should be known in a year.

26. December 2005 · Comments Off on Vegetarian Breakfast Pizza · Categories: Linky, Recipes

Vegetarian Breakfast Pizza

1/2 lb veggie breakfast sausage (Morning Farms’ patties seem better than Boca’s links)
1 package of crescent rolls
1 cup loosely packed hashbrown potatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
5 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 of a green pepper, diced
1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
some garlic salt, basil, oregano and rosemary to taste

(prep time: 35 minutes (if you’re slow like me), cooking time 30 minutes)

While you’re thawing the sausage and hashbrowns, make a crust from the crescent rolls in an ungreased 12″ pizza pan (with lip). Make sure to fold some up over the lip. Crumble the sausage onto the crust. Sprinkle on the thawed potatoes and then the cheddar cheese. Mix the eggs, milk, salt and pepper and pour it on top. Add the green peppers, then sprinkle whatever other herbs you’re using and the parmesan on top. Bake at 375F for 25-30 minutes.

20. December 2005 · Comments Off on Used Motorcycle Evaluation Guide · Categories: Linky

Used Motorcycle Evaluation Guide

Lots of information here about what to look for when buying a used motorcycle. This is one of those posts I write and assume I’ll be the only one following…

26. November 2005 · Comments Off on CD/DVD Jewel Case Inserts Creator · Categories: Linky

CD/DVD Jewel Case Inserts Creator

An online form that lets you print simple covers for home made mixes.

07. November 2005 · Comments Off on The Fantastic in Art and Fiction · Categories: Linky

The Fantastic in Art and Fiction

The Cornell Institute for Digital Collections has pictures from a myriad of old books about demons, beasts, angels, marvels, etc. Lots of great prints with excellent explanations and background data.

01. November 2005 · Comments Off on Vegetarian Cincinnati-Style Chile · Categories: Linky, Recipes

Vegetarian Cincinnati-Style Chili:

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3ish cloves of garlic, minced
1 (12 oz) package frozen burger-style crumbles
1 cup tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (it’s a bit more authentic without these)
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tbsp light brown sugar
a dark chocolate square or two
spaghetti (8 oz?)
lots of shredded cheddar cheese

optional some folks add a small green pepper in

  1. Sauté the onion and garlic. Add the fake meat and warm it all up.
  2. Stir in the rest of the ingredients, except the spaghetti and cheese. Let it simmer for at least 15-20 minutes. I’m not sure the meatless crumbles can stand the normal few hours of simmering
  3. When everything is looking close to right, make the spaghetti.
  4. Put spaghetti into bowls, top with chili and smother in cheddar cheese. Some have added a few green onions to the top. Enjoy copious amounts, preferably with beer and the Buckeyes or Bengals winning.
28. October 2005 · Comments Off on Delivr Digital Postcards · Categories: Linky

Delivr Digital Postcards

Use the pictures on Flickr to send an e-card.