Comments

The list is inspiring. After all of the above, the ending made me smile the biggest smile. Thank you.

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 9:00 AM

Thanks, Judith!!

Posted by tom peters at March 26, 2009 9:11 AM

Actually, the last one was the one that I disagreed with! Instead, I'd propose: "And then you remember that this is the stuff you'll do when times are good, too."

Posted by Mark JF at March 26, 2009 9:24 AM

Great list Tom.

I would add:
- You become adept at performing some magic, turning obstacles into opportunities, turning a blank sheet of paper into an invoice, creating something from nothing.

And:

-You don't sleep on your morning train commute. You think, you scribble, you come up with compelling ways in which you are going to add value today.

Posted by Ian Sanders at March 26, 2009 9:24 AM

Yes, MarkJF, your dampening dolor distinction comes through yet again. No thanks for that.

The list itself is a reminder to do your first works over again.

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 9:36 AM

This is a great list and very inspiring but unfortunately this is the exact recipe for burnout. So I'd like to add to your list a few things that are crucial.

Take better care of yourself than ever.
Mentally prepare yourself for your day, every meeting, coming home and going to sleep.
Take a power nap - it will be the best 10 minutes you spend as far as improving your productivity.
Get some movement every chance you can - take a walk, take the steps, get up and stretch, do something.
Drink, drink, and drink some more.....water.
Take a few breathing breaks every day. Breath deep, breath slow, breath into your abdomen and slowly exhale. Your autonomic nervous system will thank you.
Have some fun - it is crucial for creativity and resilience.

During these times its easy to sacrifice your own well being and performance habits. You are your greatest asset - especially in a recession. You deserve a moment for you and excellence is not a single act - its a habit.

There are so many other little things you can do that will greatly improve your energy, resilience, brain performance, and capacity but hopefully this makes you think. Simple things done savagely well can make a significant impact. Check out our blog at www.tignum.com.

Posted by Scott Peltin at March 26, 2009 9:39 AM

How about "remain infectiously optimistic", and "keep your sense of humour"? Both in good attitude I guess.

Posted by RobCH at March 26, 2009 9:49 AM

Hear, hear. And, here are my additions:

Don't hang out with negative people. (Hey, we know times are tough, but they're never easy for entrepreneurs and innovators)

Change the scenery (while it doesn't make me want to get a Visa card,the ad where they say "turn left instead of right" is good food for thought.)

Go for a swing (I mean the old-fashioned "kids" swing.)

Be grateful for what you already have instead of bemoaning what you don't (or have lost. It's only money. You can make more.)

Help people more rather than less.

Posted by Mary Schmidt at March 26, 2009 9:51 AM

Love it, RobCH!

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 9:52 AM

Ah, Mary, yours too!

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 9:53 AM

Judith - noted.

Posted by Mark JF at March 26, 2009 9:54 AM

"Take better care of yourself than ever."

Lots of great stuff in the Comments, but, Scott, I really feel like a dope for leaving this one out!

Posted by tom peters at March 26, 2009 9:57 AM

Mark - I like you. :-)

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 9:57 AM

TP - That is a great one. Thanks, Scott! I'm loving this, guys. Keep 'em coming!

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 9:59 AM

I am glad that Scott Peltin added his comment - he is right on. I feel Tom's list combined with Scott's points is the perfect list.
People need to have energy and have to able to give energy. That's only possible if you take maximum care of your own core asset - yourself.

Posted by Jay Leppir at March 26, 2009 10:15 AM

Hmm, this has got the juices flowing. So, on Judith's exhortation, can I also proffer:

Fight like crazy to retain your integrity, whatever form that takes.

Find out (if you haven't already) a whole lot more about how your company works than just your own department or function. You just might be someone else's solution, and vice versa.

Posted by RobCH at March 26, 2009 10:17 AM

Wonderful!

Posted by tom peters at March 26, 2009 11:04 AM

Thanks Tom for sophisticated thoughts.

Posted by Fabio Platero at March 26, 2009 11:12 AM

So I am not the only adult who loves swings!!! - wasted on children

If you manage a team - more then ever look out for their emotional state, position on the change curve - and do have some fun!

Exception to the rule about hanging out with negative people - if you manage them - seek them out, support them - help them refocus (and in a genuine way - not with "we need you all to stay focussed right now")

Posted by PaulH at March 26, 2009 12:10 PM

• Don't be in the office on a Sunday watching other Mums/Dads/Grandads/Grandmas playing with their kids

• Smile to your colleagues and your customers

• Say yes when someone asks if you will do it for much less

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 26, 2009 12:16 PM

"Exception to the rule about hanging out with negative people - if you manage them - seek them out, support them - help them refocus (and in a genuine way - not with "we need you all to stay focussed right now")"

This is great, PaulH! Thank you!

By the way, I LOVE swings!

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 12:26 PM

Ask everyone three levels above and as low as you can go below you "What Can We Do?" Folks can feel as if they have a role to play in determining the outcomes or feel helpless and worry like hell!

Posted by dave wheeler at March 26, 2009 1:49 PM

Ironic how we move from...

Why, Dear God, Why? at the end of the last post to...

And then pray of this post.

I say fire all the negative people anyway, you need to cut costs.

Posted by Scott Peters at March 26, 2009 2:49 PM

Thanks...

I needed that today.....

Posted by T. Spare at March 26, 2009 3:30 PM

"I say fire all the negative people anyway, you need to cut costs."

Brilliant Scott - I agree.

BTW as we both know, God knows all the answers and indeed He knows the questions .... before they are asked of course :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 26, 2009 3:41 PM

I'm thinking one persons perception of negative is another persons idea of an opportunity. Negative exists for a reason and feedback can be a marvelous thing! Fire the incompetents that caused the issues in the first place and you will save much more. I'll take negative over arrogant and stupid any day.

Posted by dave wheeler at March 26, 2009 3:54 PM

Hi Dave - negative incompetents must definitely be fired :-)

Rather than fire the ‘cynics’ and ‘negatives’ maybe we could put them all in an office to work together on the new AIG mission statement.

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 26, 2009 4:01 PM

This talk of firing is easier said than done and there are various levels of incompetence and the other negatives mentioned.

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 4:13 PM

All true. As usual.
But it really is not much different during any other times when things are going 'well' for everybody, these 'secrets' apply if you want to succeed ANYWAY & ALWAYS

Posted by Dennis at March 26, 2009 4:28 PM

Judith is right about the difficulties of firing people. It's just as hard (harder?) but much, much, much more worth the effort: don't hire duff people in the first place.

Posted by Mark JF at March 26, 2009 5:25 PM

The worst job I ever had as a manager was to sack someone 2 weeks before Christmas. It is not easy. It should not be easy. It must be the last resort (another mention of the great song there Mark) and not something anyone enjoys surely. My comments above were slightly tongue in cheek.

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 26, 2009 5:44 PM

Dave,

Good point. I say fire the incompetents and negative people, especially if it's hard to tell the differenct between 'em.

Trevor...I like tongue and cheek.

Judith...you're fired too.

Posted by Scott Peters at March 26, 2009 6:10 PM

Scott - Good one. All you need is a TV show and all I need is a blackboard. The "F" I see was duly noted. :-)

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 6:54 PM

"Lean & serene" - it is all Love. Sometimes we have a cadre of our best zillionaire customers visit us for a snack of lobster, caviar & champagne.

Casually then we select (actually a preselected minion) a front liner to be fired in full view of the zillionaire elite.

"Fire her lazy fat backside ... " they chorus as they get in the spirit of things - " ... cut the middle women so profits are higher for we elite customers ..." - they proclaim in unison as a team building exercise.

Joyful times here - love to share it with you too - lean & serene indeed once the front line is kicked to the curb: dealing with recessionary times. :>)

Posted by C Love at March 26, 2009 6:55 PM

MarkJF - I assume that we are not going to always hit the mark when hiring. I remember reading TP's slides on interviewing in a PowerPoint presentation that would be good to consider before hiring. I must say that when I was a manager of a large mixed used hotel I had a knack for it. I'm also pretty good at hiring various construction professionals for the many houses I rehab.

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 7:01 PM

Oh C Love,

I started laughing so hard that my wife had to ask me what I was laughing at...

The sacrificed front liner in full view of the zillionaire elite...God, that was funny right there, I don't care who you are.

Posted by Scott Peters at March 26, 2009 7:05 PM

Blackboards have now become personboards to maintain an overly sensitive, PC American culture...

The "F" reference I do not follow.

Posted by Scott Peters at March 26, 2009 7:08 PM

I've grown to love you C Love ... wickedly funny sense of humour - please note correct English spelling of that word - learned on the ‘front line’ of Socialist British education system of course. I refuse on principle however to join your newly created C Love multi-million dollar affluence protecting and wealth-creating business known as FLIP (Front Liners In Peril). Rituals such as the monthly flogging of a poor front liner is simply taking matters too far :-)

Good to know we can laugh on this forum.

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 26, 2009 7:40 PM

Yadda Yadda Yadda...Yabba Dabba Do!

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 26, 2009 8:02 PM

Fire Negative people? These are your most valuable assets why would you fire them?

I think it is important to distinguish between cynical negative (get rid of) and people who have a skill of seeing problems and issues and being able to flag them. A strong manager uses this ability constructivly and builds boundries around the behaviour. i.e. helps the person to know when to bring out Mr Black Hat. Ed Debono's six thinking hats is a great example of how you can give a group or individual permission to be negative within a framework.

As someone who is a natural black hat (you may have noticed sometimes!) I really developed my self awareness under a manager who used this talent constructively ("Paul this document needs to be right - can you rip it apart for me - but please try to distinguish style problems from real show stoppers"). Basically by deliberatly using it she also showed me when to keep my trap shut.

Frankly we wouldn't be in this mess if we had listened to more "negative" people.

Posted by PaulH at March 27, 2009 3:07 AM

How to manage in recessionary times is the big question for business owners.
A great list to print out and keep in the car on the way to work!
I particularly like the comment about no metter how your tummy feels when you get bad news, get back up on the horse. My personal instinct is to stick with good news and "do the ostrich" with the bad news. Once I learnt (as an entrepreneur) there were always going to be bad news times and that you could manage these by getting on with work, I became a better entrepreneur and leader. I heard Christopher Reeve asked what he did when he had a tough day and he said that he would throw himself into his spinal cord foundation work. He achieve so much with the tragedy in his life.
So thanks for the push - tummy is a bit off today but I will be saddling up and riding out there.

Posted by Jacoline Loewen at March 27, 2009 3:08 AM

PaulH - happy Friday to RB from (whisper it) SC. You are NEVER a Black Hat – I simply can’t believe that :-)

I understand what you are saying. I wouldn’t suggest we fire people who are just having a bad day or a bad week - we all have those. I'm not even talking about those who are half empty glass folks – they can be a great leveller to the hyper-active rose tinted optimism junkies. I'm talking about those who have no water in the glass – in fact they don’t even own a glass. They are damaging to the organisation, to the morale of others and potentially to themselves I suspect – they are in the wrong place. You know the sort I mean Paul - when everything is wonderful and everyone’s happiness and motivation levels are high - they only have to enter the room and the happiness level drops a degree or ten. Please don’t misunderstand I am not wishing to be unkind either by saying this about those who may be depressed – I’ve been there too – that not funny. The ‘not ill’ doomsayers can pollute the rest of the folks trying hard to keep up their own spirits. I guess at this time especially we need all the help we can get to try and remain cheerful. Victor Meldrew would not be my idea of an inspiring work colleague.

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 27, 2009 4:39 AM

Great insight, Tom. As others stated, taking care of yourself is so critical. It may be tempting to stay up a little later to relax and unwind, but adequate sleep is a key part of keeping the attitude in check.

Posted by Hayli @ Rise Smart at March 27, 2009 4:45 AM

"You work longer. You work harder."
Yes, but working longer and harder painting the deck of the Titanic will not save the ship (or the RV industry in Elkhart). So perhaps the first advice should be, as TP points out in other contexts,
"You think carefully."
"You educate yourself."
"You seize opportunities."

Posted by Mike L. at March 27, 2009 5:54 AM

You learn new conniving & nefarious ways to fire the front line.
You network like a Satanic Gay-Cult member "anything goes" you often chant.
You defile others & their issues & call it "ready fire aim".
You give new meaning to the words "minion, lapdog & lazy-fat front liner."
You say up is down & down is up depending on your mood as an elite luxury driven manager.

Posted by C Love at March 27, 2009 6:22 AM

"Frankly we wouldn't be in this mess if we had listened to more 'negative' people."

Yeah, like Taleb and Roubini. The former was labeled "negative" and the latter "Dr. Doom." Both were right and both are quite positive people. Sometimes we label people negative when we don't want to hear the truth.

Jacoline - Thank you so much for your words. They too are inspiring. I tell myself, "whatever you do keep moving."

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 27, 2009 7:33 AM

Quite frankly that list depresses me. To summarize that list would be to say: "work your ass off, live an unbalanced life, rid yourself of distractions like family, hobbies, etc. and do whatever it takes to succeed. In my humble opinion, recessions should teach us to live below our means - live simply! That way in good times and in bad times, we can strive to be balanced, emotionally and spiritually healthy and not have to "knock it out of the park every day".

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Posted by Dennis Kuntz at March 27, 2009 8:53 AM

You can be critical and positive. Being negative is destructive. We need "creative destruction" that only positive, optimistic people can bring. The negative will only bring the end of all things. Fire them!

Posted by Steve Robert at March 27, 2009 9:15 AM

"You can be critical and positive. Being negative is destructive."

Perception is the problem here. It varies depending on many factors.

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 27, 2009 10:27 AM

THere's a huge difference between "negative" as in looking at all sides, playing devil's advocate, and not blindly drinking the kool-aid...and the "suck all the creative air out of the room and predict doom and gloom for every new idea" crew.

And, I always have to chuckle a bit (wryly) when I see C. Love's caustic comments. "Love?"

Posted by Mary Schmidt at March 27, 2009 12:28 PM

Jay,

Don't get too depressed. Let's not forget that TP likes to wipe down toilets regularly (airplanes, trains, rest areas, Port-0-Potties, etc.). You can't take all of this too seriously. Just to be a little rebellious, I was at the airport today, went into the ladies room, and pissed all over the seat and left.

Peace and C Love

Posted by Scott Peters at March 27, 2009 4:10 PM

Very Inspiring !! Am going to share this with everybody I know.

Posted by Rahul H Desai at March 27, 2009 4:30 PM

Whacked!

Posted by Judith Ellis at March 27, 2009 4:54 PM

You are kind to those that create mega cash flow to your offshore accounts.
You rig the blame game so you are always a winner - while branding others as sniviling losers.
You become a paragon of luxury & excess & G20 deviousness.
And then you celebrate similar true love during a heavenly day of rest & atonement.

Posted by C Love at March 27, 2009 6:43 PM

Treat every work day like Saturday! That's the way it should be, in good times and bad. I wholeheartedly agree with the need to be positive!

Posted by David Cameron at March 28, 2009 10:14 AM

... and the common thread: It's about what YOU do. (not what the economy, or Obama, or the stock market, or AIG do)

Posted by Steve Yastrow at March 29, 2009 3:35 PM

Agree Steve and what's more 'twas ever thus :-)

Happy Sunday!

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 29, 2009 5:10 PM

Whilst I dont disagree with anything Tom wrote here I think that he misses the biggest opportunity of all. Over the past few years most / many of us have worked for companies that have binged out on debt and made poor business decisions as a result - a few senior managers have made a fortune directly as a result of this. Now we are all asked to work longer for less money to sustain these anachronistic business models - I for one think that the best opportunities exist once many of these business go bankrupt and we can start again.

Posted by Paul Fisher at March 30, 2009 6:12 AM

Paul,

I'm not working longer hours, I'm not following most of the list for that matter.

I am blogging a whole lot more, which may be the least productive path I could have ever chosen.

Until Corporate America can begin to value the very asset, or liability, of EMPLOYEES, I recommend that people don't work harder. Family time, personal health, and a good scotch are my best solutions.

Even people that are working their asses off are still getting the hatchet. Not me...no way...never again.

Posted by Scott Peters at March 30, 2009 10:47 PM

Scott,

Completely agree - we are now being called upon by corporations to make sacrifices for the organisation - with no idea as to whether these will actually save jobs - I for one think this is very unlikely - CEO's who have made millions over the past few years are now calling on lowely paid staff to make sacrifices to save their over bloated / indebted organisations - bring on Chapter 11 / administration for them so we can all start again.

Posted by Paul Fisher at March 31, 2009 4:08 AM

Scott, Paul

I have similar emotions but I refuse to agree. I don't do what I do for the sake of the company and the rich bosses - I do what I do because I believe in it. I can't agree with Section 11 If the company I work for went under it would cause massive (potentially terminal) problems for thousands of organisations world wide. I want to help make sure that doesn't happen.

Don't do it for the bosses.
Don't do it for the company.
Don't do it for the shareholders.

Do it for the little people you work with everyday
Do it for the customers who rely on your work
But above all -
Do it for yourself

Posted by PaulH at March 31, 2009 7:21 AM

"Non-avian dinosaurs suddenly became extinct approximately 65 million years ago. Many other groups of animals also became extinct at this time, including ammonites (nautilus-like mollusks), mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, pterosaurs, herbivorous turtles and crocodiles, most birds, and many groups of mammals...suggested that dinosaurs' failure to diversify as ecosystems were changing doomed them to extinction." The above is from Wikipedia on Dinosaur extinction...sounds familiar only the dinosaurs didn't have the US government to put them on life support!!

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Posted by Paul Fisher at March 31, 2009 11:22 AM

PF,

The dinosaurs may have gone quicker if the US government would have been ruling 65 million years ago. Thanks for the lesson in diversification! I thought Obama discussing GM was stupid. Hinting at Chapter 11 will only have suppliers shy away from continuing to feed this tiger of an auto company. Dumb move...they should file tomorrow because people are going to cut them off anyway. Obamasaurus...Pelosisaurus...and Geitnerasaurus.

PaulH,

Thanks for disagreeing and I appreciate your words of encouragement. When I read "the little people" I couldn't help think of Christmas Vacation.

Mr. Shirley to Clark..."It's the little people like you that matter most". What a funny movie, thanks for the memory. Then he calls him Bill, Greaseball, or whatever else.

Posted by Scott Peters at March 31, 2009 10:45 PM

I am new to your blog and was reading this post seeing a simple truth - that sometimes you just need to gut it out. We hear so much of the bailouts, sidesteps, and other ways people are not buckling down and we wonder. Bottom line is we need to gird our loins, do the work, sweat the small stuff, offer excellent service, be great to people, and PRAY TO GOD. Thanks for the list....loved it.

generic viagra with echeck Posted by Jason Monastra at March 31, 2009 10:55 PM

"I thought Obama discussing GM was stupid."

This very statement is stupid, especially as it comes from Scott Peters who appears to have such tunneled views and seems to have missed both the straightforwardness and nuisances of the President’s task with the auto companies to both lead AND protect. This kind of great leadership is what is often not seen from he who has written the words above, not to mention the myriad of words beforehand often written on this blog.

The whole comment is rather glib and thoughtless, especially when considering that Scott Peters failed to understand the simplest lesson of attire in a previous post and missed out on a deal that may have been helpful after having taken a frontline job, walking away from a corporate one in order to punish himself, absolving his guilt, and feeling the pain of ordinary people. (These are not my words but his in earlier posts.) Obviously, he could not feel such beforehand as an executive or did not have the leadership ability need to make change on that level.

The issue here may not be the problem with ordinary people but with extraordinary naivete and simplistic crass and crude thinking. Yet, Scott Peters makes such a statement above about the thoughtful, intelligent compassionate President of the United States. Please! Hopefully, Scott Peters will consider his position and words, and then perhaps the next time he emerges his comments will be more thoughtful; maybe he should also buy a collection of Barack Obama DVD’s and listen and learn the lessons of thoughtfulness and intelligence during these first 70 days, for the President thinks before he speaks.

The whole issue of an orderly bankruptcy that protects warranties, saves jobs, and quickens the court procedures is something now worth considering—whatever will save the American car industry and jobs, and repay the American taxpayer is good. Maybe this should have been a consideration in the first place. I initially did not think that an orderly bankruptcy would work best. But as the President spoke the other day and Fritz Henderson, the new GM CEO, spoke the following day, as well as senior executive industry friends, I can now see this as a viable solution. I’m for whichever works best. Regarding global concerns, President Obama has spoken with those countries that will be most impacted and have found agreement.

By the way, Scott Peters often writes as if there have been no improved relationships or mutual respect between management and the frontline. He writes as if we are revisiting in this country such fundamental worker issues such as those during the coal mining days. While there is a necessity to improve work relations on both sides and on various fronts, including women and minorities, there have been great strides forward and many of us will continue to work for change. How we do so overall will matter in systemic change. I am proud of where we have come, where we now are, and where we are heading.

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Posted by Judith Ellis at April 1, 2009 6:04 AM

As a laid-off, clinically depressed, recovering from burnout survivor, this list is just... scary.

And what scares me even more is reading how so many people I respect -- not only TP but many commentors as well -- seem to think that's the only way to get ahead.

Is there another way to cope in this country right now? I feel like I'm at a crossroads, and I can't find any maps other than the one that this list represents.

Posted by Carikate at April 5, 2009 3:57 PM

"Is there another way to cope in this country right now? I feel like I'm at a crossroads, and I can't find any maps other than the one that this list represents."

Remaining positive is one way, Carikate. Often times when we are negative it is impossibe to see another avenue. We have all been there. Being positive, even in harrowing situations, leads to a more positive outcome. Being positive opens up avenues that we could not otherwise see and draws like-minded people together. Maybe then you will be able to create your own list that will get you through. During this season it might be good to hang around super positive people. Sometimes we even have to fake it until we make it. Many of us have been there too. Wishing you the very best today, tomorrow, the day after, etc...

Posted by Judith Ellis at April 6, 2009 1:29 PM

I have to say that Tom's original list was not inspiring, and I agree with the commenters who pointed out that it looks like a good recipe for burnout. I think that in this tough time, we all need to look out for our mental and physical health first of all. I also agree that we should be asking awkward questions. Right now, in the current environment, employees are being asked to do 1.5 or even 2 jobs because work colleagues have been let go. It is right to ask awkward questions like "what part of job #2 is the priority here?", or to point out that process changes are needed in order to make it possible for an organization to shrink. I also believe we all have a duty to speak up about leadership failings, of which there are many. I have watched numerous work colleagues keep their heads down and lose their jobs. To hell with that. I am going to call BS on BS if i see it. That's not being negative, it's being upfront and candid.

Posted by Graham Shevlin at May 11, 2009 11:49 PM

Graham,

Let's take a little journey. Imagine the mind and voice of a customer...

My money is tight because of the current economic climate. I hesitantly approach a company to do business with them because the cash flow is minimal, but I'm willing to (or forced to) do business with them. Upon doing so, I am greeted and served by a bunch of employees who are obviously stretched from doing 1.5 to 2 jobs, and (because they are more interested in their mental and physical health) I get minimal service. Pleasing the customer (me) is obviously not the most important thing on their "to do" list, and they certainly are not interested in exceeding my expectations.

I find out there is another company out there that offers the same goods or services but with better customer service and at a comparable price.

My business goes elsewhere -- to company #2. And so does the business of other customers. Cash flow for company #1 gets worse. More layoffs. Now folks are doing 2.5 to 3 people's jobs. Burnout chances at company #1 are now higher than ever. And when economic conditions improve and I can afford to partake of more of such goods and services, it means more cash flow for someone besides that company. The damage is obviously done. I'm hooked up with someone else now.

Meanwhile, that competitor is rewarding its employees for having weathered the storm of the economic crisis and growth is good. Leadership and the employees of that company knew that if you don't put forth the effort when the going's tough, there's less likelihood of reaping the long term rewards when conditions improve.

Company #1 just created its own economic bust that lingers far beyond any "global" or "national" economic recession. And they're probably naive enough to continue to blame it on "the economy." When their competitors start enjoying double-digit growth, they will still be singing "The economy is the problem."

Good times or bad times, the company that does the best job stands a much better chance of thriving over the long haul. That takes more than just doing what it takes to get by.

It still requires excellence. That comes from the people. It comes from those people doing more than just thinking and acting like "All this customer service and excellence stuff is B.S."

Is all this stuff really B.S.?

Will such thinking seem so legitimate when the doors are chained, the office building has an "Auction" sign in front of it, and the former employees are existing on unemployment and losing their homes?

Posted by Dan Gunter at May 12, 2009 6:27 AM

Tom, I've been a fan of yours for a long, long time. Your list is inspiring and motivating. But "Work longer," "Get there earlier," and "Stay later" is difficult/impossible for working parents like me to implement. Please don't advocate this.

Jennifer
iParentblog.com

Posted by Jennifer at May 15, 2009 6:06 PM