mavSolve

As I continue to work with clients, the structure and makeup of todays organizations amazes me.   I see struggling organizations with layers and layers of beaurocrats in the middle layers.   Many corporations have become nearly as inefficient as our government.  When someone has an idea, it isn't received with optimism or even skepticism, but rather with a "brush-off" due to the realization that the recipient may actually have to do some work.  The only word that comes to mind when I see ... Read More

This morning I read this: Obama spokesman defends economic stimulus plan 1 hour ago WASHINGTON (AP) — White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says President Barack Obama is going to continue to work with Republicans to craft a stimulus package supported on both sides of the aisle. Gibbs said Obama understands "it's going to take longer than a few days to change the ways Washington works." Appearing Thursday on NBC's "Today" show, Gibbs said he worries about "the people who work for Boeing or Home Depot or ... Read More

My wife subscribes to "Vanity Fair" (the magazine), and I have to assume it is for the fashion, because it certainly isn't the articles.   Meanwhile, I was perusing the latest edition this morning and read a bit of an article about the "liberals" in Manhattan clinging to their "Yes We Can" and Obama buttons far after the election.  The article eluded to the feeling of glory of being a winner.... GET A SPORTS TEAM TO SUPPORT!!! Folks:  politics is not a sport; us ... Read More

Well, we're about to see it all. The legislature's latest trick is a new bill designed to further cloud the reality of our situation. In this WSJ article by Elizabeth Williamson and Ruth Simon, we are told a tale of how the forthcoming stimulus bill will allow poor mortgagees to "forcefully" renegotiate their loans with lenders, but only if they have already filed for Chapter 13. Hmmm. So, once again the government has taken it upon themselves to redistribute ... Read More

UGH!!! Can we survive this?  The media is talking about a 3.1 Trillion dollar deficit (eventually).  And, the best part, is they are claiming that Obama is "...inheriting..." the problem.   They aren't seeing that the problem is indemic to a money based on debt and fiat money.   Oops, economist creeping out again... let me explain (briefly). The "gold standard" was a real thing.   It stated that their could only be as much "money" in the system as there was "wealth".  While these two ... Read More

A new year; new opportunities, right?  Well, those are just arbitrary milestones set by men to measure the distance traveled in a lifetime.  Still, emotionally, we all seem to think of these milestones in terms of progress.  So, it is with this newly found energy and outset that we embark on 2009. What are your resolutions?  Did you set resolutions in terms of objective and measurable goals?  We all have a tendency to make resolutions like:  "I'm going to lose weight in 2009" ... Read More

Making a difference, for me, is what makes it all worth while.  So, for those of you who take the time to read the blog, I hope you find it interesting, refreshing at times and, always, thought provoking. A friend called today and told me that he had used some of the ideas in one of my posts to help him with a speech he gave at his corporate board meeting.   This same friend is the one who told me, not that long ... Read More

And then congress wanted to see the plan for the bailout...because if it is a good plan, then it is worth investing...???  Say What? Does anyone remember that the government and private industry are supposed to be separate?  Does anyone remember that sometimes, principle is the reason we shouldn't do things?  If a plan for robbery and murder were "good enough" to be successful, would it then be acceptable to proceed with the plan?  Do the ends justify the means?  NO!  We should ... Read More

I'm not sure how many parts this will actually end up being.   It is a much bigger issue than I thought originally. What if we woke up tomorrow and walked into work and, suddenly, everyone in the organization was focused on thinking: "What can I do today which will make my company more margin, more profit, more efficient and more focused?"  Some of them would be focused on making your product or service better suited to your customers' needs.   Others would be focused ... Read More

Do you always purchase, or go for, the best thing you can afford, or do you prefer to purchase thrifty items?  If you purchase thrifty items, do you feel that you are getting sufficient value from them?  How do you judge? Not everyone can afford to always buy the "best" thing.  We can't all drive Ferrari's, Lamborghinis, or Cadillacs.  I realize that my question presupposes some bias in what is the "best", but the real question I'm asking is do you "compromise" on ... Read More