mavSolve

Wow, do I remember how to write? A lot has been going on.   We have a new president and he has been very busy.  The new year has brought with it a premonition of "bad things to come".  What should we be doing? We should be getting more efficient.  We, as business owners, operators, leaders and managers should be looking to eliminate waste in a systematic way.  We should take the foreboding as an opportunity to step back, get our "ducks in a row" ... 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

When it comes to leadership, which is better, building consensus or steering with conviction and trusting that others will follow? In many management circles, you will hear that consensus building is the appropriate target.  Management schools and books will teach you how  to listen to others' viewpoints and mirror their thoughts in order to gently persuade them to the group, or collective opinion.  The goal is to get everyone on the same page, so we are all marching to the same drum.   Then ... Read More

How do you know your performance is good enough? Ask for criticism. I didn't post yesterday because I was trying to figure out how to recover from some criticism I asked for and received. My critic is a well-polished editor whom I respect and admire, and I was hoping to get back glowing reviews. However, while she liked my ideas, she had some suggestions for improvement. Yesterday I was figuring out how to use those to make my writing ... Read More

Because they don't have a dog in the fight....When a company begins to contemplate a change in business process or systems, there is a tendency to have internal battles, a lot of spin, and a difficult time making decisions. This comes from a couple of issues; namely, the problem is outside the day-to-day core competency of the organization, and each individual will look at the problem myopically, with a focus on "..what's in it for me?..." Solution: Well ... Read More