Crisis Leadership from Former Medtronic CEO Bill George

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While pundits and experts are churning out a plethora of books analyzing the causes of the 2008 economic crisis, it’s refreshing to find a practical book that provides some good thinking on how to manage for success in crisis situations. In his new book, “7 Lessons for Leading in Crisis,” Harvard Business School Professor and former Medtronic CEO and Chairman Bill George, provides a concise handbook for applying proven leadership lessons in tough times so that companies and individuals can emerge successful on the other side of crises. Whether it’s the current economic crisis, a product recall or the loss of a job or a spouse, George’s book offers realistic actions leaders can take to put their companies and themselves on the right track. Read more

Derailed: Five Lessons Learned From Catastrophic Failures of Leadership

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There must be a million books out there on leadership. And whether we’re aspiring leaders or analytical followers, leadership is something that we all have an opinion on.

As a result, books about the great leadership successes draw us like magnets. But Tim Irwin, Ph.D., looks at the discussion of leadership from the opposite perspective—leadership failures. That’s what makes “DERAILED: Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures of Leadership” such a compelling book. Read more

Profits are the Only Thing

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Pssssst! Do you own your own business? Are profits hurting a little in this current economy?

Well I’ve got this guy I want you to meet. His name is George Cloutier. He’s a Harvard grad that Business Week dubbed a “Turnaround Ace” and his focus has always been on small business. Actually, you may not even need to hire him, just read his book. Read more

A Surprising Solution for Capitalists

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Two thoughts came to mind before I even got through the Forward and Introduction sections of The Surprising Solution: Creating Possibility in a Swift and Severe World by Bruce Piasecki.

1. Is this book is going to be preaching to the choir about addressing environmental and social issues? Will it be a studied treatment of the issues or a piece of propaganda?

2. It takes a bold author to first thank the Forward writer Darryl Vernon Poole for comparing him to Rachel Carson and Malcolm Gladwell. Then, proceed to compare himself to George Orwell. If he’s that good I need to read on. Read more

International Investments in the Dark Corners of the Global Economy

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You and I fret over how to balance our investment dollars in a SEP or an IRA. Meanwhile, Robert P. Smith has his bags packed for Damascus, Syria to measure that country’s investment potential. That’s why he is portrayed as the “Indiana Jones” of international finance.

“Give me a country that is at war because the last President has been shot and I’ll figure out something to do to make money,” says Smith who is author of RICHES AMONG THE RUINS—Adventures in the Dark Corners of the Global Economy.

In this new book, Smith recounts his experiences risking not only his money, but his life, in war zones, dictatorships, and crime-ridden capitals in countries like El Salvador, Nigeria, Turkey, Russia and Iraq. Read more

ARC General Contracting is busy. No Joke.

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Have you heard the one about the residential realtor, the commercial realtor and the general contractor at a business networking event?

The residential realtor says to the commercial realtor, “When are you going let me sell you a house? “

The commercial Realtor says, “Not until you figure out how to sell mine.”

The general contractor shakes his head and says, “I couldn’t wait for 2008 to get over until I saw 2009.”

This is a true story from October of 2009 Chamber function. It’s not funny like those priest, rabbi and Baptist minister stories. No, there’s been little to laugh about in the real estate and construction industry for the past 18 months. Read more

German Solar Energy and Technology Leader Focuses on Growing Midwest Market

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At all levels of government and at most dinner tables, the high cost of energy and the options possible from the renewable sources of solar and wind are familiar conversations.  The change in recent years, however, is those conversations have become increasingly the focus of policy and action, not just topics conjecture and speculation.

SunCarrier, a division a+f GmbH, a company in southern Germany, has been researching Kansas City and the region as sites for installation of their solar technology.  Marc Reimer, Head of Project Development, explained that his company has been a leader in solar technology and efficiency for six years with a new fashion of solar installation that has shown great success in Germany and Spain.  They now seek to try that same technology in what he terms as “less than optimal conditions,” namely the winters of Midwestern United States. Read more

The Mojo Moment

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4:53 a.m. August 18, 2009

Have You Ever Been Struck By Lightning?   Have you ever experienced that “Mojo Moment” in your business?   Can you name the time and place?  Can you name the result, how it was handled, and whether you actually achieved anything based on that instant? Read more

All Dressed Up and Ready to Grow – Part I

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Even during the best of times, small businesses in America represent the majority of all new U.S. job growth.  In fact according to the Small Business Administration, most net job loss occurs within firms that are greater than 500 employees. Read more

All Dressed Up and Ready to Grow – Part II

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Layoffs from existing businesses are not the only market event that causes new small businesses to be birthed.   I’ve noticed consistently that even the best performing leaders within existing businesses, and maybe especially the best performers, start to get restless after age 40.  They begin to reflect on where they’ll go, and how they’ll own their own piece of American business.

It seems like companies take a familiar path. Read more

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