From Chapter 15 “Intuition” in Ingredients of Outliers. Proceed with Caution Over the years, I’ve kept a list of things that should make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. The following is a sampling of the red flags I’ve collected. Some are specific to the medical profession, but others may be helpful for anyone charged with screening prospective employees. Don't hire anyone who's rude to your receptionist or assistant. Arrogant people rarely improve their demeanor. Laziness and negativity are contagious; eradicate the source or it will infect your entire staff. … [Read more...]
Spot the Red Flags!
From Chapter 15 “Intuition” in Ingredients of Outliers. On the Job If your work responsibilities involve interviewing and hiring new employees, then recognizing the wide array of red flags you’re likely to encounter will make your job a whole lot easier. For example, let me tell you about a recent experience I had with a candidate for a leadership position in my organization. This woman came with high marks from colleagues and friends. I was really looking forward to meeting her, as we needed what I was told was in her “wheelhouse” (a/k/a skill set). Prior to any interview, I try … [Read more...]
Efficiency = Growth and Success
From Chapter 13 “Efficiency” in Ingredients of Outliers. How Sweet it Is The concept of “efficiency” certainly isn’t new. There’s another giant company where efficiency is a primary goal, a company that’s been around quite a bit longer than Amazon. In fact, the seeds that grew to become Mars, Incorporated were planted in the late nineteenth century in the kitchen of a home in Hancock, Minnesota. It was there that Alva Mars began teaching her young son, Franklin, how to hand-dip candy. Franklin, who became better known as Frank, proved to be a good student and, in 1902, when he was … [Read more...]
Lessons We Learned from Kindergarten
From Chapter 9 “Learning” in Ingredients of Outliers. "Clean up your own mess." Nothing worthwhile is ever easy or without some messy situations. In business, making a mess of things occasionally is expected and probably necessary to move the business forward. There’s one caveat, however. You need to stick around and clean up the mess. In other words, don’t “pull a seagull”—swooping in, pooping all over everything, and flying away. Good leaders and good parents roll up their sleeves, as opposed to wringing their hands, and get dirty. Picking up the pieces helps you determine the root … [Read more...]
Local Youth Grow Both Food and Businesses
LONG BRANCH, NEW JERSEY SEPTEMBER 08, 2015 “The dog ate my school work,” has taken on new meaning for Long Branch High School students. And, while dogs may not eat their work, plenty of people do. Thanks to an innovative new Youth Apprenticeship Program offered by Providing HOPE, eight students learned the fundamentals of agribusiness in a five-week summer session that included both growing and marketing fresh produce at the West End Farmer’s Market. “We completely sold out every week,” said one program participant. “It was really fun learning how to turn seeds into something a customer … [Read more...]
Hard Work and A Little Bit of Luck
One of our favorite "luck" quotes for you on this fine St. Patrick's Day, is from Christine Jones, 2014 Arizona Gubernatorial Candidate well-known for her success at GoDaddy as Chief Counsel and for her efforts to make the internet safer for everyone, especially children. With quotes like "Stop talking about it and just do it." and "People treat you how you let them treat you," which she repeats anytime she speaks anywhere, her quips are usually short but will leave you thinking. When I saw her at the Arizona StartupConnect conference in 2013, I remember walking away empowered to step … [Read more...]