I’m neck-deep finishing some work for a large international client and their marketing department. What the CMO likes to call “the hero’s journey” I phrase as a question for the entire marketing team: If we don’t know where they are, how can we help them get where they want to be? Most products and services are not marketed and advertised with this question in mind, but they should be if they want to be successful. From Broadway to Hollywood and Washington D.C. the story has been told a thousand times from “small town USA” and “rags to riches” the narrative…
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The Monty Hall paradox is a famous probability puzzle that continues to stump many people, highlighting the ways in which our intuitions about chance can lead us astray. The puzzle is based on the classic game show Let’s Make a Deal, where the host, Monty Hall, presents a contestant with three doors. Behind one door is a car (the prize), and behind the other two are goats. The contestant picks a door, after which Monty—who knows what’s behind each door—opens one of the other two doors, intentionally revealing a goat. Monty then offers the contestant the chance to switch to…
Orthodontic treatment is more than just straightening teeth; it’s about transforming lives through the power of a smile. In my recent feature on Orthotown, A Smile Transformed, I discuss the incredible impact a smile can have on an individual’s confidence, health, and overall well-being. At the core of orthodontic care is the ability to provide patients with more than just aesthetic benefits. A person’s smile is often one of the first things others notice. For patients with misaligned teeth, the effect on self-esteem can be profound. Orthodontic treatments, such as braces or aligners, help restore confidence by giving patients a…
Broken Windows, Broken Business by Michael Levine is a book we use frequently in my businesses, on stage at seminars, and in the practices of our members at Burleson Seminars. It’s based on a simple but powerful premise brought forward by criminologists James Q. Wilson and George Kelling. This theory posits that visible signs of disorder—like broken windows—can lead to more serious crime and antisocial behavior. Levine adapts this concept to the business world, arguing that seemingly minor issues, when left unaddressed, can spiral into significant problems that damage your company’s reputation, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, your bottom line. Why It…
In an interview with NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, the unconventional yet effective management style that has contributed to NVIDIA’s success was highlighted. Huang’s approach, characterized by having 60 direct reports, challenges traditional best practices in corporate management. Stripe founder Patrick Collison noted that such a structure is atypical, prompting an exploration of Huang’s reasoning. Breaking Down Barriers Huang’s philosophy centers on the democratization of information within the company. He eschews the conventional practice of one-on-one meetings, favoring a more inclusive approach: “I don’t do 1-on-1s, and almost everything I say, I say to everybody all the time. I don’t really…
The Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup this year. The story of their coach, Paul Maurice, as captured by Jason Gay in the Wall Street Journal, is a poignant reminder of the power of patience and perseverance in building a successful career. Maurice’s journey through the ranks of professional hockey, culminating in his ultimate triumph at age 57, serves as an inspiring example of how success is often a long game, requiring years—if not decades—of dedicated effort. Maurice’s career began with the now-defunct Hartford Whalers and saw him traverse a variety of teams and leagues, including stints with the Carolina…
The idea that failure is always a valuable teacher might need a rethink. A recent study suggests that people often overestimate the likelihood of success following a failure, which could make us less inclined to assist those who are struggling. Researchers from Northwestern, Cornell, Yale, and Columbia universities analyzed data from various online surveys, including over 1,800 adults in the U.S. They explored how people predicted the resilience of professionals such as lawyers, teachers, nurses, and even those dealing with substance use disorders and heart problems. “We wanted to see if people think about resilience wrong,” said lead author Lauren…
There are two things I know about your life for sure: you have a lot to accomplish, and your time is limited. On average, you have about 4,000 weeks to live. The real question is, how are you going to use them? As Dan Sullivan aptly puts it, “People who spend most of their time putting out fires are usually also the arsonists.” This highlights a critical point about time management: if you find yourself constantly dealing with urgent issues, it might be time to reassess how you’re managing your tasks. Among the three resources crucial for building an exceptional…
Jason Zweig wrote a really nice article in the Wall Street Journal about his friend and colleague, Daniel Kahneman, who passed away recently at the age of 90. Below, you’ll find my summary of the article and a few notes worth considering: Daniel Kahneman, the eminent psychologist from Princeton University and Nobel laureate in economics, together with his research partner Amos Tversky, fundamentally reshaped our understanding of human decision-making. Before their groundbreaking work, economists had clung to the assumption that humans were rational beings, making decisions based on self-interest and perfect information. Kahneman and Tversky shattered this illusion, revealing…
Eataly is an Italian fooderie that has opened stores in 31 cities in 12 countries around the globe. Before speaking to over 1,200 Italian entrepreneurs, Ashley and I took some time to visit the $118 million experiential park called FICO Eataly World. Located outside Bologna, Eataly World spans 25 acres with over 40 restaurants, pastures, food demonstration areas and learning centers. To get around the huge attraction, visitors can ride adult tricycles by famous Italian bike maker Bianchi. Farmers and chefs will teach 30 daily interactive workshops in the truest sense of farm to table. Eataly World plans to welcome…
