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…
Posts By:Burleson Seminars
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…
Ashley Goodall worked as an executive at Deloitte and Cisco Systems. She has a new book coming out, The Problem With Change. In a recent article, she takes Silicon Valley to task, saying, “the home of so many technological and workplace innovations, is rolling out another one: the unnecessary layoff.” Goodall continues, “After shedding over 260,000 jobs last year, the greatest carnage since the dot-com meltdown more than two decades ago, the major tech companies show little sign of letting up in 2024 despite being mostly profitable, in some cases handsomely so. In their words, the tech companies are letting people…
Cal Newport, a distinguished computer science professor at Georgetown University, has become a leading voice in the realm of productivity and professional fulfillment. His notable contributions to this field include the influential book, Deep Work, where Newport explores the transformative power of focused, undistracted work in an age of constant connectivity. Published in 2016, Deep Work gained widespread acclaim for its insights into cultivating profound concentration and delivering exceptional results in various professional domains. Newport’s work challenges prevailing norms of constant busyness, urging individuals to embrace a more deliberate and immersive approach to their tasks. As a precursor to his…
As Cupid prepares to draw back his bow, we wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of our amazing orthodontic community members – that means you! Your unwavering support and dedication to creating beautiful smiles have made our journey together truly special. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’ve got a little something special for you. Drumroll, please… FREE Valentine’s Day Marketing Templates We know running an orthodontic practice comes with its unique set of challenges, and we’re here to make your life a bit easier. Our team has crafted some delightful…