March 26, 2025
July 30, 2021
Social Media and Life Guidance
Today is the Yesterday you will be embarrassed about Tomorrow.
It's good to always consider tomorrow (or the future) when you do or say something.
What may seem like a good idea today may put you in very bad stead another day and under closer, clearer inspection.
Think about the consequences for tomorrow and stop the stupid stuff today, online and in real life.
That is if you care about your long term image and reputation. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Social Media and Life Guidance
December 22, 2020
Porsche Branded Excellence
I have never seen such a clean garage.
Whether on the ground or suspended on the lift, the cars are immaculately cared for.
Porsche displays excellence in every aspect of their brand.
The perception is tangible and real! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Porsche Branded Excellence
April 3, 2016
Not Your B*tch
A person has someone working for them who hasn't been working out all that well.
Basically, the staff person is having challenges simply getting their job done.
The boss asks what the problem is and if there is anything they can do to help the person be successful.
The staff person blurts out to their boss that "Nothing is wrong--I just don't want anyone to say I'm your b*tch!"
For all the possible reasons for not doing your job this one was quite a shocking one.
Sure people have challenges--not everyone is good at everything and it's not always a right fit, but being worried about what other people think about your doing your job...uh, not a very good excuse.
Seems like something the boss is not going to be able to really fix...maybe a shrink. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Not Your B*tch
December 9, 2014
Hair Please Don't
I took this photo in the mall on Sunday of this mannequin head with hair in multicolors sticking up out of her head in all directions.
Uh, you gotta be kidding--is this actually going to sell anybody on a new hairdo (unless of course maybe you count it's shock value)?
See the mirror lying next to it too, so you can actually see how you would look in one of these get ups--if, of course, you really want to.
When the nice young Asian attendant lady saw me looking at this monstrosity, she runs over like can I help you, seriously.
Yeah, I'm doing some holiday shopping (Chanukah's right around the corner you know), and I'd like to get a new look JUST LIKE THIS!
Not today, but thank you. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Hair Please Don't
November 25, 2014
Pain Relief - SUPER SIZED!
The "value size" extra strength Tylenol (equivalent)--1000 pills!
Think about it that's something like 500 headaches...
It reminded me when I worked in the financial service industry in New York City.
The Comptroller of the corporation has a mega size bottle of aspirin right on the front of his desk when you walked in.
It was clear he was quite S~T~R~E~S~S~E~D out.
From a personal branding perspective (my wife is the expert at this), I would imagine that this is not the image you would want people to have of you all the time.
Anyway, pain relief for some is a very big bottle of Tylenol and for others a nice bottle of wine or some time at the beach.
My father used to tell me the joke, "If I have to give up wine, women, or song...I'll give up singing!" ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Pain Relief - SUPER SIZED!
October 10, 2014
Selfie Heaven
She has an extendable stick with an adjustable ball head that attaches to her smartphone, and a separate remote control for snapping the photos.
Here she is with the camera snapping away.
I looked it up on Amazon and this device is only around $6.
For a completely ego-centric society without friends, why not get this doodad and you too can take selfish selfies all day long. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Selfie Heaven
June 27, 2014
Not For Drinking {Funny}
It's cute in a certain miniaturized way, but I am not sure who would want to drink their coffee from this thing.
Or imagine this, you go to the leadership meeting at your important organization, and there sitting across at the table is the Big Kahuna executive with this mug.
No, it's not a great brand making statement, but it definitely is a conversation piece.
Hey, will they put Starbucks in here, if you ask nicely? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Not For Drinking {Funny}
December 30, 2012
Dyson Vs. Dirt Devil
Dyson, a British company has built a vacuum cleaner (and fan and hand dryer) empire with 4,000 employees and $1.5 billion in sales.
For a number of years now I have used Dyson including their super powerful (and expensive) "Animal" bagless cleaner--this thing actually ate up one of my phone cords and tore it to shreds.
I've also had other Dysons and my experience has been that while they look really nice in their bright yellows and grays, and sort of sleek for a vacuum, but they tend to break down--especially the motor for the brushes that work on the floor that I find accumulates hair and dirt around the spinner until it stops working.
The other thing that I've found with the Dyson is they come with so many annoying attachments, many with no place to actually attach them all--I think it is overkill for most people's basic cleaning needs.
After going through a number of Dysons, I finally got fed up with paying so much and getting so little, and we decided to stop "investing" in short-lived Dyson vacuum cleaners.
Instead we said let's get a simple, cheapo, Dirt Devil for like 50 bucks and run it into the ground. If it stopped working we could replace it 6-10 times for the cost of a single Dyson!
We purchased the Dirt Devil, and my expectations were very low--I actually considered it an experiment in purchasing this low-tech machine, and just seeing what we would get.
Well, it's been about 3 months and I can't believe the amount of vacuum you can get for so little money with the Dirt Devil--it is bagless like the Dyson and without scientifically measuring the amount of dirt it picks up, I'd say it is almost equivalent in getting the dirty job done.
Additionally, the Dirt Devil--doesn't come with all the useless attachments--a case where more is less--and it weighs only around 8 pounds, which is 1/3 of what the Dyson weighed--so it is much easier to use around the home.
Similarly, when I look at the cool Dyson fans without blades, it seems almost magical how they actually work, but frankly who cares if it cost $300-$450 and doesn't work as well as a basic floor Vornado that sells for about $120.
My opinion is that Dyson is generally overpriced and underperforms--but at least you'll have the image of innovation and performance, even if not the reality at the price point.
Anyway, If I had a vacuum cleaner dream, it would be to one day get one of those "commercial" vacuum cleaners that you see being used in the huge buildings--almost non-stop use--and they may cost a little more, but they actually give you more as well. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Molly DG)
Dyson Vs. Dirt Devil
December 30, 2011
Are You Thing 1 or 2?
Are You Thing 1 or 2?
October 4, 2008
Political Capital and the CIO
Leaders wield power through many means: formal authority, control of scarce resources, use of structures, rules, and regulations, control of decision processes, control of knowledge and information, control of technology interpersonal alliances and networks, and so forth. (Images of Organization by Gareth Morgan).
But one often-neglected factor when it comes to power is likeability, sometimes known as political capital: the late President Ronald Reagan was the epitome of this.
“Political capital is primarily based on a public figure's favorable image among the populace and among other important personalities in or out of the government. A politician gains political capital by virtue of their position, and also by pursuing popular policies, achieving success with their initiatives, performing favors for other politicians, etc. Political capital must be spent to be useful, and will generally expire by the end of a politician's term in office. In addition, it can be wasted, typically by failed attempts to promote unpopular policies which are not central to a politician's agenda.” (Wikipedia)
Every leader (including the CIO)—whether in the public or private sector—manages to get things done in part through their political capital.
For the CIO, this means that while their job is certainly not a popularity contest, they cannot effectively get things done over the long term without rallying the troops, having a favorable image or degree of likeability, and generally being able to win people over. It’s a matter of persuasion, influence, and ability to socialize ideas and guide change.
The CIO can’t just force change, transformation, modernization. He/she must expend political capital to move the organization forward. The CIO must make the case for change, plan and resource it, train and empower people, provide the tools, and guide and govern successful execution.
The Wall Street Journal, 4-5 October 2008, has an editorial by Peggy Noonan that touches on the importance of political capital:
“Young aides to Reagan used to grouse, late in his second term, that he had high popularity levels, that popularity was capital, and that he should spend it more freely on potential breakthroughs of this kind or that. They spend when they had to and were otherwise prudent…They were not daring when they didn’t have to be. They knew presidential popularity is a jewel to be protected, and to be burnished when possible, because without it you can do nothing. Without the support and trust of the people you cannot move, cannot command.”
Certainly if the President of the United States, the most powerful position in the world, cannot execute without political capital, then every leader needs to take note of the importance of it—including the CIO.
Lesson #1 for the CIO: effective leadership requires political capital duly earned and wisely spent.
Political Capital and the CIO