A Surprising Solution for Capitalists

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

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.

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

The Mojo Moment

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 III

David Rayl of Executive Suites and Services www.suitesandservices.com has been building businesses since the beginning of his career.  After a few years as a software developer renting space in someone else’s building, David decided to become a landlord.  He learned the lesson early, that being a landlord could become much more profitable than being a tenant.

We estimate that David is now the largest owner/ manager of business incubator space in Johnson County, Kansas.  And that is no small deal, Toto. Read more