Tag Archives: Board Of Directors

BOD Family

Think back over the last few financial discussions you had in your home.  When did they occur? Where did they occur?  Who was present? What was going on? The same questions apply to any sensitive topic in your home: children, intimacy, in-laws, or religion.

For most of us, we usually discuss such topics during a commercial on TV or between rounds with the children. We don’t put a lot of thought or effort into scheduling time to discuss matters of importance like our mortgage, our retirement, and most importantly our family relations. When was the last time you scheduled time just to spend with your spouse?

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What Do You Want

What Do You Want?

Commander’s Intent

Ask 100 people what they want in life and 98 will be unable to articulate an answer. If you persist here are examples of their responses:

  • Security,
  • Money,
  • Fame and power,
  • Social recognition,
  • Ability to play the guitar or sing,

None of these will be defined or nor will there be a plan by which these ideas are accomplished. Success does not respond to wishes.

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The Power of Questioning

The Power of Questioning

It is often said that he who asks the questions is in charge of the conversation.  A person who is interested in others is easily entertained and never for wont of company whereas the companion whose focus is to be interesting is in constant search of an audience.  People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Voltaire’s advice is eternal:

“Judge of a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”

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Board of Directors

Communication 101

You have oft heard me say that the #1 cause of marital discord is not money or sex, but rather it is an inability to communicate on said topic.  Perhaps we struggle because we believe we should always get along.

Consider the following quote by William Wrigley Jr.

“When two men in business always agree, one of them is unnecessary.”

There is a big difference between conflict and contention.  Conflict simply means you don’t agree on something.  That’s why the Good Lord gave us the ability to communicate, so we could figure it out.  What fun would life be if we had no opposition?

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1/2 Yearly Resolution

On January 1st of every year many of us create our New Year’s Resolutions. Without trying to make anyone feel badly, most are usually toast by February. Those of you who have your Commander’s Intent and conduct your BOD meetings, will surely understand the power of these two tools. They are Poka Yoke’s for your resolutions. By having them in focus and discussing them with your partner, you give your system a better chance for success. (94% of all failure is a systems malfunction. -Deming- )

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Overweight: Intellectually, Physically & Institutionally

Today’s post starts with a quote from John Mauldin’s newsletter. If you have an interest in reading some of the best financial commentary that you will never see in print, you can subscribe at no cost by clicking on this link:

http://www.investorsinsight.com/blogs/thoughts_from_the_frontline/default.aspx

So on with the post:

Fooling With Inflation

By Bill Gross

You can fool some of the people all of the time,
and all of the people some of the time,
but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.
- Abraham Lincoln

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