Why can't people accept that they may have something to learn?

I had a client who use to ignore everything anyone suggested unless it was something he already wanted to do. On one particular issue, where he had no experience at all, he had a very locked in point of view. I had tried to convince him to think differently, as had others. Then one day, after someone else tried to convince him, but failed, he turned to me and said,"everyone keeps on saying the same thing. I am looking for someone who will tell me that I am right." So, he saw the fact that everyone kept on telling him that he was wrong as evidence that no one but him had the right answer!

Closing the loop to make social media more effective

Some people see relationships with "friends" or "connections" as one way only. They assume that they are so fascinating that everyone else will read their posts and that they do not need to reciprocate or show that they reciprocate. In order to cement relationships better, unless you are an entertainment or political rockstar, you should note and "like" or "share" other people's posts. This is immensely flattering and will encourage others to read what you have to say. Relationships should not be one way only and closing the loop in this way is valuable.

How many networkers really try to help those who help them?

Each day I get a few emails or phone calls from people I may know, or more likely, have been referred to me by someone I know. Usually, they are asking for two or so hours of my time to meet and make introductions as they job hunt. Often they offer to buy me a cup of coffee or lunch. The reason it takes two hours is that I will have to drive to meet them and then drive back, rarely less than an hour, often more. The reality is that while I am happy to help people, I feel that they are not being considerate of my time. If I accepted every request, I would spend all my time helping job or business seekers. One way they can make it worth my time is to reciprocate.

Yesterday, I met with someone for over an hour, but not once during that time did she ask me how she could help me. Even those who do ask the question, will rarely dig deep enough to really help. If someone genuinely wants to reciprocate and help those whom they ask for help, they will try to understand you as much as they can. They will try to learn what you do and test out if introductions will help by making a few suggestions and asking how they are on or off target. They will regard helping you as an obligation on their part.

Test yourself and think back to the last time you asked someone else for help. How much help did you give them?

Data vs. Insight

Data or Information are often mistaken for insight. The reality is that insight can come from data, but much data is either not analyzed at all, mis-analyzed or is simply overhelming. Currently, with the advent of "Big Data" (which must have Volume; Velocity, and Variety, to qualify), we are in danger of being overwhelmed. This is so much so that many people put a lot of effort into eliminating or cutting back most data so that what is left is easy to understand.

This can be dangerous, as in order to identify the exception, you have to deeply undestand the norm. The human visual cortex is still the best tool for doing this. In simply driving down the road, we see, absorb and analyze millions of data points. We need to start using tools that can replicate this in business and science.

Such tools are beginning to exist. An example is Synerscope software which does not eliminate data, but by putting all on one screen allows identification of deviant processes very efectively.

Global Transfer of success is hard

Most attempts on the part of businesses to expand to other countries fail. Probably one of the biggest reason is to underestimate the difficulty and the differences between the two countries. Having done this for over 40 years, I know that it calls for not merely country knowledge, but a sensitivity that allows learning. Of course, beyond this, there are mechanical reasons such as distances, laws, raw material supplies, availability of logistics capabilities and more. Many people who have only worked in one country are not aware of possible differences and do not ask the right questions.

Impact of the Cyprus bailout on people there

The terms of the Cyprus bailout were unprecedented. In exchange for a €10 billion emergency aid package, Cyprus in March agreed to E.U. demands to effectively confiscate up to 60 percent of any depositor’s holdings above €100,000 held in two of the country’s largest banks, Bank of Cyprus and Laiki Bank. Now Germany claimed that this was to penalize the money launderers who had contributed to the crisis (itself questionable). As a result of this, many businesses have been plunged into immediate bankruptcy. They cannot pay suppliers, salaries, rents or running costs. Schools and hospitals are running out of money, farms cannot buy feed for animals and the country is being plunged into misery and a financial situation that will take up to ten years to recover from. Private citizens had wired money in to close on houses, only to see most of it disappear before the sale could close. Lawyers holding money in escrow have seen the money vanish while still being liable to pay their clients.

There has never been a bailout like this, and had the terms been applied to a larger country, it could have led to global chaos. It is as much of a "punish the innocent and uninvolved" plan as one that hits the mark of hurting the guilty.