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Category Archives: GRC Education
A Proverbial Approach to Success
I am a quirky individual. One quirk, of which I am acutely aware, is my tendency to reference traditional English proverbs to summarize a point. We have all heard and used one or many of these famous proverbs at one time or another. While my wife, kids, friends and coworkers love to roll their eyes and give me grief for this particular personality trait, I am a firm believer that many of these proverbs have stood the test of time for a reason, and several of them are used quite frequently to this day (Check the origin stories for many of these proverbs.) Continue reading
Failure Is an Option
I am a failure.
It’s time to come clean and admit that I have frequently (and at times remarkably) fallen short of what’s expected of me. Whether we choose to admit it or not, everybody fails. Einstein was written off as a dullard by his teachers. Abraham Lincoln failed at business, went bankrupt twice and was defeated in numerous campaigns for public office. Thomas Edison’s teachers told him he was “too stupid to learn anything.” JK Rowling was divorced, broke, depressed and on welfare. The list goes on and on. (You can read about more of these “failures” here.)
While I am certainly not trying to compare myself to these great men and women, the point is valid – no matter how successful one is perceived to be, the road taken to get there is often a bit bumpy. However, these bumps are often what jolt us forward and propel us to new discoveries. Continue reading
Left Brain/Right Brain: Broaden Your Perspectives with Creative Pursuits
I’ll be the first to admit that my brain gets really, really tired sometimes. I’m sure we can all relate to the mental fatigue that comes with staying singularly focused on identifying, analyzing and solving problems, moving seamlessly between addressing one issue and moving directly on to the next. Most of our minds are likely occupied with numerous issues, concerns, paradoxes and so forth, and it’s all we can do to keep focused on the task at hand. I’m also guessing that many of us have had a strong desire to simply turn off our brains and enjoy a bit of mental silence. It is with this in mind that I write this blog. Continue reading
What’s Your Elevator Pitch?
This week marks the anniversary of the birth, and death, of a true American original, Major General George Owen Squier (March 21, 1865 – March 24, 1934). Besides his distinguished service record, Squier was a scholar, holding a Ph.D. from John Hopkins and being an elected member of the National Academy of Science. He was also an accomplished inventor, having discovered a way for the telephone to send multiple messages across a single line (multiplexing). However, the general’s most recognized achievement is one designed to not be recognized at all. Whether you’re shopping, having your teeth drilled or riding in an elevator you’ve likely been exposed to (don’t worry, it’s not contagious) Muzak – a term the general coined himself. Continue reading
When KC Freezes Over: Don’t Delay Your Business Continuity Planning
For the first time since I moved here in 2003, I’ve seen snowfall in the Kansas City area that rivals that of my hometown in Minnesota. February 2013’s 20.5 inches of snow ranks as the 7th snowiest month over the past 125 years across the KC metro area. While my friends back home may roll their eyes at this total, 20 inches of snow over two weeks was more than enough to impact a variety of activities across the region. However, throughout this weather, I’ve been intrigued at how our daily work activities and overall productivity has remained constant during the snowy conditions. Through planning for these types of scenarios and having the right technology in place, our jobs – and our business – did not come to a screeching halt. Continue reading
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