Author Archives: Yale

Denial – “It Won’t Happen to Us”

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Yale

A sudden explosion recently occurred during “happy hour” at a famous restaurant in the Midwest.  The building was destroyed, but even more tragically, an employee was killed. A business cannot be protected for loss of life.  I do not propose … Continue reading →

Posted in Backup, Discipline, Harvard Business School | Leave a comment

Discipline

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Yale

Standing at the window of my dorm room at Harvard Business School OPM, I was looking at the cold landscape after a 4″ snow. It was 28 degrees outside and there was a slight March wind. From inside, it was beautiful. … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Discipline, Education | Leave a comment

Why Am I Doing This?

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Yale

Three weeks ago, I was finishing up my second term at Harvard. I wrote this late one night when all was quiet and I was tired: WHY AM I DOING THIS??  Six to eight solid hours of classes every day … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Consulting, Business Growth, Business Opportunities, Education, Harvard Business School | Leave a comment

The Dynamic Process of Strategy for a Business

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Yale

Many a company executive has asked me over the years, “Why is it necessary to continuously look at our strategic plan? We work on it prior to the start of a new year, as you recommend, and now you’re telling … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Planning, Strategic Planning | Leave a comment

April Fools

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Yale

Look at the calendar! “April Fools Day” is right around the corner and the first quarter is coming to an end. On a day of practical jokes and pranks, you don’t want to be caught off guard by your P&L. … Continue reading →

Posted in April Fools, Business Opportunities, Business Planning, Strategic Planning | Leave a comment

Take Advantage of the Current Trends

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Yale

In our conversations with other business professionals around the Twin Cities, we keep hearing that sales are perking up and businesses are beginning to move forward again. The long, persistent business lag we have all endured has created a pent-up … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Growth, Business Opportunities, Business Planning, Economic Recovery, Management, Strategic Planning | Leave a comment

“What Goes Around Comes Around”

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Yale

As a young boy in my family business, Dolgin’s in Kansas City, my Father gave me three jobs: cleaning the silver hollowware display, displaying fountain pens, and straightening out the LAYAWAYS.   Oh … and in between those, I sold my … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Planning, Marketing Strategies, Sales Strategies | Leave a comment

Hewlett Packard Delivers Inconsistent Message to Consumers

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Yale

Whether in your business or personal life, one must deliver a consistent message.  Careful thought must be given to our words; our family role models have all told us to “think before you speak.” The business and IT community were … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Planning, Business Threats | Leave a comment

Spring is Here – You have Planned on it

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Yale

Spring is here, but snow continues to fall in the Midwest. The Twin Cities’ forecast warns of a “Winter alert” over the next 36 hours. In the middle of April, you would expect to see rains falling and flowers blooming; … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Planning, Business Threats, Plan Execution | Leave a comment

April 15 – It’s Time Again!

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Yale

Some think that April 15th is the time to file your taxes (or for this year, April 18th). For businesses, April 15th has a different significance. The end of March marks the close of the first quarter for most businesses. … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, Business Planning, Management, Plan Execution | Leave a comment