Actually, I didn’t almost lose my ass. I nearly lost two. You see, my wife and I raise donkeys. Having a donkey wasn’t my idea. I never wanted to own a donkey. But my wife, Lori, pleaded with me to get one. I fought back and stood my ground. “We’re not raising any farm animals…
Just about every company I’ve worked with over the past twenty years has a list of core values that is proudly displayed on a handsome plaque in their corporate headquarters and visible to all on their company website. But if you were to ask the custodian, a delivery driver, or the receptionist that works for…
Businesses and brands that are replacing service workers with technology are discovering that this strategy is creating as many problems as it’s solving. Robots (the broad term I’ll use to describe digital kiosks and various other mechanical systems) are diligent, and they don’t call in sick. They won’t cheat you. They won’t ask for a…
Ten years ago, I visited a college campus in Denver, stood in a high traffic area, and held up a sign saying, DO YOU DESERVE A JOB AFTER YOU GRADUATE? WHAT SALARY ARE YOU ENTITLED TO? At that time, employee entitlement was the biggest challenge among the business owners, leaders, and managers with…
As you may know, the Salvation Army has built and supports hundreds of schools and hospitals in 133 countries. This 150 year old non-profit Christian organization is more visible this time of year with all the bell ringers standing next to the red kettles positioned in front of the stores you frequent. Discovering how the…
The construction on this historic landmark structure began in 1933. After four years of incredibly hard work, The Golden Gate Bridge officially opened for traffic in 1937. Ready for some trivia? Q: How long did it take to complete the painting on the bridge? A: They’ve never stopped painting it. A maintenance crew is always at…
Ask most people under 40 to define the America Dream and you’ll likely hear them mention owning their own business and/or being their own boss. If you dig deeper and ask why so many young people want to pursue entrepreneurship, surprisingly, the first response won’t always be about making more money; in fact, it seldom…
I’ve never wanted to own a donkey. My wife pleaded for one. To settle this argument, we reached a ‘compromised’ the way we typically do. In other words, we now have one, … er’ …make that four adorable miniature donkeys: two males and two females. Donkeys are the most misunderstood – and often the most…
Would you walk into a Taco Bell and ask if they can make a taco? Would you walk into a bank and ask if they had change for a fifty? Would you ask the convenience store clerk to draw you a map so you could find the potato chips aisle? Everyone over the age of…
If you try to recruit teenagers — and hire them — and onboard them — and train them — and manage them — and try to motive them the way you were recruited, hired, trained, etc. like you were recruited, hired, trained, etc, you’re going to find your breaking point in a hurry. There is a ton of promise and potential in this enigmatic Gen Z workforce. Make no mistake: they want to be successful in their jobs and they have a skill set that will astound you. And they are able to adapt to the rapid changes that are happening everyday in your business much quicker than you and your seasoned workers are able to adapt. But they will arrive with a different set of attitudes, values, and beliefs about this thing called ‘work’.