Okay. I can't be the only one who is annoyed with how the media is using "sequestration" to talk about the huge U.S. budget decisions that have been kicked down the road. It's all the buzz in the news media, and the latest shorthand for a huge quagmire of problems related to the government's (mis)management of our tax dollars. But why the need for a single handle to talk about the situation? I … [Read more...] about “Sequestration” and the fine art of obfuscation
On My Mind …
Thought for the day ... Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. ... Benjamin Franklin … [Read more...] about
Thought for the day ... In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. . . . Henry Wadsworth Longfellow … [Read more...] about
SEC “sez” plain language can fix financial literacy
Just how savvy are U.S. investors? Not as smart as most investment companies would like to think, says the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). According to their Financial Literacy Report, released this summer as part of the Dodd-Frank Act: Investors do not understand the most elementary financial concepts, such as compound interest and inflation, diversification or the differences … [Read more...] about SEC “sez” plain language can fix financial literacy
Thought for the day ... Think like a wise man, but communicate in the language of the people. --William Butler Yeats … [Read more...] about
200 words to make your readers feel smarter
Editing a particularly difficult document this past week -- full of extra words and turgid, academic prose -- I was reminded of Elizabeth Swann's priceless line from the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Using the most pretentious dialogue she can muster to confound Jack Sparrow, Swann says, "I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request." In other words, "No." Which … [Read more...] about 200 words to make your readers feel smarter
Thought for the day: Drawing on my fine command of the English language, I said nothing. Robert Benchley … [Read more...] about
Thought for the day: Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery. Dr. Joyce Brothers … [Read more...] about
Can a good phone interview replace face-to-face?
Looking back at last month's post about real vs. virtual meetings, I got to thinking today about whether virtual interviews are adequate substitutes for the real thing. Of course it depends on the purpose of the interview. If you need to capture the essence of someone's personality and mannerisms, then the answer is probably NO. But for the most part, as verified by the hundreds of satellite … [Read more...] about Can a good phone interview replace face-to-face?
The power you get from “real” meetings
This post from financial writer/editor Art McPherson was written as a follow up to our recent discussion about the virtues and pitfalls of today's "virtual" meetings and the value of meeting face-to-face with real people. Perhaps his most cogent point: "A virtual beer just doesn't taste the same." What do you think? --PJW (Thanks, Art!) ________________________ By Arthur MacPherson … [Read more...] about The power you get from “real” meetings