I rarely step foot into a bank any more. With online bill pay, depositing checks with my smartphone, and using an ATM for when I need cash, there's little need to do so. And so when I do need to go to a bank, it is usually something I want to get over with as quickly … Continue reading Thank You, Bank of America, for a Job Well Done
Stay in Touch – Courtesy of United Technologies
While I was in grad school at Carnegie-Mellon from 1979-1981, United Technologies ran a series of full-page ads in the Wall Street Journal that never mentioned UT or its products, but instead provided words of wisdom and inspiration. The ads stuck with me, and I recently tried to find the ads on the web. I … Continue reading Stay in Touch – Courtesy of United Technologies
Saying All the Wright Things
It wasn't supposed to end this way. A number one seed losing to a number eight seed. A team that the President of the United States had picked to make it to the National Championship game against Kentucky. Two days after one of the team's best performances of the year it all came crashing down last … Continue reading Saying All the Wright Things
Economies of Scale vs. Economies of Scope
Wikipedia defines economies of scale as reductions in the average cost (cost per unit) associated with increasing the scale of production for a single product type, whereas economies of scope refers to lowering the average cost for a firm in producing two or more products. The notion of economies of scale dates back to the 1700s … Continue reading Economies of Scale vs. Economies of Scope
Fear of Falling vs. Fear of Failing
Last week I wrote about how fear of falling is a serious health concern, particularly for the elderly. Such a fear prevents them from living their life to its fullest, and often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. There are ways to deal with such a fear. One approach is to improve your balance so as to … Continue reading Fear of Falling vs. Fear of Failing
The Difference Between Walking Away and Quitting
Seth Godin’s blog today was about the difference between commitment versus technique. I agree 100% with the value of teaching commitment, but I also believe it is just as important to teach the value of knowing when to walk away from something you may have committed to. Seth has talked about this before: “Part … Continue reading The Difference Between Walking Away and Quitting
Teaching, Curiosity, and Nursing Homes
Today I had the opportunity, along with two other teachers, to observe and evaluate another faculty member’s teaching. After the class, the three of us met to discuss what we had just observed and to gather data for our written report. While I’m not at liberty to share anything about our classroom visit, one item … Continue reading Teaching, Curiosity, and Nursing Homes
Favorite Commercial of the Week: Dear Sophie
Google has put together some great commercials over the years, but this one from 2011 is probably my favorite. Dear Sophie is designed to showcase the variety of products that Google offers, and is successful in that regard. Like many effective marketing messages, the commercial tells a story. In this case, Dear Sophie is a Gmail … Continue reading Favorite Commercial of the Week: Dear Sophie
I (Don’t) Hate Christian Laettner
ESPN had a great 30 for 30 documentary last night about Christian Laettner, the former Duke basketball star. The title of the documentary was "I Hate Christian Laettner", and focused on some of the reasons why Laettner was so despised while he was at Duke, and is still hated by many fans over 20 years … Continue reading I (Don’t) Hate Christian Laettner
Let the Madness Begin!
For the sports fan, it's one of the best times of the year - March Madness. My school, Villanova, is one of the prominent teams in this year's tournament, having earned a number 1 seed after winning the Big East championship. The campus is buzzing with excitement, and I am sure it will be pretty … Continue reading Let the Madness Begin!
Borden's Blather 