“Control your own destiny or someone else will.” This quote from Jack Welch, GE’s famed former CEO, is the inspiration for today’s Lesson Found.
I recently came across an article reconsidering the maxim “The Best Predictor of Future Behavior is … Past Behavior”. While the article’s focus is not business oriented, it does offer lessons on the current business environment. (more…)
There are many different ways to react to the disruption from coronavirus and the resulting downturn. My clients have come to recognize it as an opportunity both for their business and for Lessons Found.
We have three choices in the face of a crisis. 1. Give up; 2. Act like nothing has changed; or 3. Adapt. (more…)
It’s Girl Scout Cookie season. And the Girl Scouts’ new alliance to promote their cookies is the source of this week’s Business Lesson Found.
When you indulge in Girl Scout Cookies do you ever think: “This would make a great cake!” The Girl Scouts have teamed with the Food Network to make this a reality. In a new show, Girl Scout Cookie Championship, bakers are challenged to feature the cookies in original baked goods. From a marketing perspective, this show is a great way to extend the Girl Scouts’ reach. (more…)
Last week I went to have my blood drawn for my annual physical exam. The results included a Business Lesson Found.
The technician’s first question was if I was there for a “wellness visit”. After a moment to consider whether an “annual physical” is considered a “wellness visit”, I said “yes”. (more…)
Remember 25-years ago when hotel reservations were made by calling an 800-number? I recently reverted back, making a phone call to book my hotel reservation and, in the process, gained a Lesson Found. (more…)
Lessons Found for businesses can truly materialize from unexpected sources. For instance, a valuable Lesson Found on business goals can be gleaned from a podcast contrasting two approaches to teaching (more…)
A recent article highlighted 94-year-old Martin Gerstell’s regular use of Uber. Uber’s and Lyft’s efforts to market to Mr. Gerstell and his peers are the inspiration for this week’s Lesson Found.
It seems counterintuitive for Uber and Lyft to be directing marketing toward seniors. But a closer look reveals the opportunity. (more…)
I was reminded of the alternative definition of “assume” during a recent visit to the hospital with my mother. That definition offers us a Lesson Found on the importance to business owners of looking beyond their assumptions. (more…)
Speech scientist Rapul Patel remembers watching a little girl and a grown man conversing but only hearing one voice, no matter who was talking. That is where our Lesson Found begins.
The little girl and grown man were both using synthetic voice devices that generated the exact same adult-male voice. Clearly, that voice did not accurately represent the individuality of at least one of the speakers. Situations like this spurred Dr. Patel to found VOCALiD, (more…)
Eight decades after its introduction, the last Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the assembly line on July 10th. The innovations that extended the Beetle’s life are the source for these Lessons Found.
Total sales of the VW Beetle topped 23 million cars, making it the world’s fourth most popular car model. This success is based on a history of innovations well beyond model updates. For example, the Beetle’s “Think Small” advertising campaign was (more…)