There are three types of folks in this world, says Wharton professor/rock star Adam Grant: givers, matchers, and takers. Those who enjoy the most success in their given fields tend to be givers. Makes sense, no? These are the people who are helpful and generous with their time, boosting the performance and success rate of those around them, later realizing…
Book Review – Who’s Got Your Back by Keith Ferrazzi
Remember Frankie Valli? Surely you do, especially if late December back in ’63 was a very special time for you to, um, lose certain things. Less memorable than the Four Seasons’ #1 hits is Valli’s writing partner, the almost famous Bob Gaudio. The two of them made a handshake pact decades ago through which they promised to always split their income 50/50. Valli made…
Book Review – Wrong by Richard Grossman
My dear friend Ed – “Edayyy!” after we split a sixer of Narragansett – says most business books are two-thirds good, with typically the last 50 – 100 pages simple reiteration and regurgitation. Fair point. Be that as it may, you can’t really say that about Wrong by Richard Grossman. Chunking his new book to illustrate nine economic policy disasters from the past 200 years, each chapter…
To Fee or Not to Fee
Bleary-eyed last night after another long day at the office, I was catching up on email newsletters in my inbox. Yes, I should have been relaxing or reintroducing myself to my children, but so it goes sometimes, right? One article said to avoid business brokers who charge an up-front fee. I wondered, what? Is this a joke? I checked,…
Book Review – Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
You could meet Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson at a dinner party and detest them both. “Man, these guys are know-it-alls,” you might declare. They have a “do this, not that” manner that won’t set well with those who prefer feedback served up as a warm bowlful of coddling. But guess what? Their book Rework was first published in 2010 and I wish I had…