Sunday, August 31, 2008

VIEWPOINT

People see what they want to see.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

REDISTRIBUTION THEORY

The Robin Hood Theory of Government
AKA: RHTG

Take from the rich and redistribute to the poor.
  • Get votes
  • Get paid
  • Reelection
  • Government pension

Thursday, August 28, 2008

HERE & NOW

"Life is fragile, all you have is now." dld

Do great things today. Not on the day that never comes, tomorrow. Take action NOW!

End your procrastination. You will experience more success and love by seizing the day. Today!

THOUGHT ON HISTORIC/HISTORY

"Everything is history, but not everything is remarkable." dld

This relates to overblown proclamations about events being historic.

Monday, August 25, 2008

WHAT IS YOUR FOCUS LEVEL?

"The ability to focus on what is important and necessary is critical."

Your level of attainment in focus will lead you towards personal success and fortune.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

BEST ADVICE

"Common Sense." HK

Think about it.

Monday, August 18, 2008

WHERE TRANSFORMATION & VALUE CREATION TAKE PLACE

Furnace: Place where one thing is transformed into something else. The value of what is created far exceeds the original object.

The furnace is like your mind. You have thoughts and inputs. What you IMAGINE and DO with that is the magic.

What is your Internal Fire Temperature [IFT]?

BUILT IN OBSOLESCENCE = GREAT DESIGN?

Claim: Some products are "not well-designed at all." 

They are in the trash because they are poorly designed.

Thought: 
What if the product was designed to not last long so it has a low price for the utility it creates [High Value]? This may allow the maker of said product to reap the rewards of return sales. More volume to make up for a slightly lower price. 

FUEL REIMBURSEMENT

Posting: "Mileage reimbursement: 45 cents/mile"

Isn't the IRS number greater than 50 cents per mile for 2008?

Saturday, August 16, 2008

REWARDING RESULTS

"Dream, Believe Do, and Succeed!" dld

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

"If the world no longer demands buggy whips, stop making buggy whips."

STRATEGY AND PROFIT MAXIMIZATION

Is a suboptimal strategy the one that maximizes profit?

Is it possible to us an optimized strategy and actually realize less than profit max? In this scenario, is it possible that less profitability now is actually more over some term longer than now [6 months versus standard 90 days or 5 years versus 1 year ] Profit max now is actually less of a return over time?

Thursday, August 14, 2008

FALLING OIL PRICES

Nice to see Nymex oil is falling in price.

Nymex Crude Future $113.81


Source: Bloomberg Updated:
22:51 On 8/14/2008
The latest price

LIFE & CHOICES

"Life is full of choices; what do you choose?" dld

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

INVEST IN DEFENSE?

Are defense industry stocks a growth area for the next few years?

World uncertainty brought on by world conflict is an interesting indicator that defense is a sector to watch.

Russia, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are a few places to watch for hot spots. Where there is smoke there is usually fire.

US EXPORTS

US Exports have been strong so far this year. Many people are crediting them for keeping the US economy out of recession. The export boom may slow, stall or reverse with the strengthening US Dollar.

"As the US$ strengthens, Exports become more expensive for foreign buyers. The Dollar seems to be strengthening as there is world uncertainty. The United States represents safety to investors. They need to buy dollars to invest in the US."


What are your thoughts?

OUT OF STOCKS

Mobile Mart [AKA: Mobil On The Run] seems to be unaware that a big sign for ice cream cones and Summer weather means you sell more ice cream. 

Seems like they have been Out-Of-Stock on Nestle Drumsticks for a WEEK, totally unacceptable!

The Nestle rep must be asleep at the wheel if there is one. Perhaps there is no rep for this store. Have been either substituting a competing brand or not buying.  Both situations are bad news for MOTR.

Lost sales and reduced profitability are the results of not managing the store, brand, and inventory.

Monday, August 11, 2008

GAS PRICE WATCH

As a member [spotter] of Gas Price Watch I look for prices and other things related fuel centers. The other day I noticed there was a listed location that is long gone and. There is a bank on the corner now.

Posted an update to the site. Got back the reply below earlier today.


admore,

Just a note to let you know that the BP station at 19733 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe, MI has been changed to closed status as of 8/11/2008 1:49:36 AM. You spotters are our eyes and ears out there, and we appreciate you keeping an eye on us and our data. Thank you for your input, and for helping us help everyone save money.

We are all a part of Team GPW -- Power to the People at the Pump!

NEW MUSIC

Got an email newsletter from Atlanta Brewing Co. In it they mention Nanyana is performing there on the 22 August, 2008. Never heard of her before. Decided to look her up. Interesting sound. Will buy a few songs when they are available on iTunes or Amazon.com MP3.

The link to her music on MySpace. Think the music auto plays. Turn your volume down.

VEHICLE SELECTION: CONTEST?

Ivana Taylor of Strategy Stew is looking for a new car.

Suggested way of finding the "right" one...

Have a contest - have users submit vehicles for the top 4 criteria.
  • Ivana should post her top 4 criteria in order
  • She should solicit input from her readership/tribe
  • She should agree to review the top 4 vehicles submitted
It will be interesting if the group and individuals submit wise choices. Will the cream rise to the top?

Will this idea work?

WORD OF THE DAY

Provenance = Origin; source.

The mind is the origin of thoughts, ideas and solutions.

The mind is provenance.


Thoughts?

INNOVATION VS. THINKOVATION

Innovation is rare and spread out over a time continuum. It is [usually] great when it happens.

Thinkovation is what happens when CHALLENGES and OPPORTUNITIES are explored with THINKING.

Thinking people find solutions and success. This happens everyday. The amount of Thinkovation is immense. Do some Thinkovation everyday to increase your success level.

Focus on Thinkovation.



Thoughts?

BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

Nice column by Carol Hynowitz

Effective Management Remains
An Art Steeped in Good Relationships
Lots of meat in her column. Do yourself a favor and read the whole thing. It will take maybe three minutes to read.

MY Thoughts:

Management needs to become more effective in an increasingly competitive global environment. Effectiveness is more important than efficiency.

LIKEMIND

This coming Friday [8/15/08] there is Likemind event in Detroit.
Post on another blog.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

THE ROLE OF LUCK IN SUCCESS

From a reply I posted to a Freakonomics post.

"To say that success is luck is allowable when… luck is defined as wise choices and hard work.

Wise Choices + Hard Work = Success/Luck"

MUSIC: FIND, LISTEN, BUY

What was the song I heard earlier today?
Use this site to find out > Yes.com

Where can I find radio stations to listen to online? Places you have been, are at now or where you will be.

Homesick? This might help.
Use this site > Radio-locator.

SHAFT THEME SONG

Radio station is playing the theme song from Shaft.

RIP: Issac Hayes

THE FUTURE IS NOW

"All you have is NOW; what are you waiting for?" dld

Saturday, August 9, 2008

BERNIE MAC: RIP

Just saw that Bernie Mac passed away earlier today.

Learned he wrote a book called "Maybe You Never Cry Again"
Currently it is #57 on Amazon.com

Put a few posts on Twitter. Hopefully people respond and help drive his book to #1. That would be a nice tribute. The book looks like it is really good.

THE FUTURE & CHANGE

"Things change. We should embrace change for the opportunity that it holds for each of us." [dld]

Friday, August 8, 2008

DIFFERENTIATION

Point of difference that is valuable to the buyer/user.

One of the best ways to set your brand apart from the competition is through differentiation. This works for People, Products and Services.

How are you differentiating...
  • Yourself
  • Your Products
  • Your Services
Thoughts?

COMPONENTS OF IDEA

I.D.E.A: 4 Parts
  • Imagination
  • Dreams
  • Electrifying
  • Achievable

IMAGINATION

Is...
  • Creativity that is taken to the next level
  • One of the most powerful forces for change.
  • One of the keys to being successful

WINNING NEGOTIATIONS

"If you create a winning USP you will get an offer for 10% more compensation"

USP = Unique Selling Proposition

Create this and you will have differentiated yourself. Differentiated products and services are able to charge a premium. Some people will even overbid for such things.

There is value in creating something unique. Uniqueness is remarkable in many ways.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

BLOG CONCENTRICTY

Random...
  • Thoughts
  • Ideas
  • Quotes
  • Websites
  • Blogs
  • Tweets
  • Creativity
  • Imagination