I recently read a manifesto by Chris Guillebeau. He has traveled the world and been chronically self-employed.
For a free copy of the e-book, click here.
Archive for the ‘Business’ Category
Around the World in 279 Days
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009Personal M.B.A. (continued additions to the reading list)
Friday, December 26th, 2008I started this on a previous post…
I read these books and feel they too should be on every business person’s reading list:
1) Reposition Yourself-T.D. Jakes
2) The E Myth Revisited-Michael E. Gerber
3) 32 Ways to be a Champion in Business-Earvin “Magic” Johnson
First Impressions
Friday, November 21st, 2008Is it possible to sell snow at the North Pole? in Syracuse? During a recent meeting (panel discussion) in New York City, I saw a presentation by Mary Virginia Swanson where she talked about making the most of marketing efforts and having clear goals. Continuity and sustainability were two of the points that caught my attention. Swanson’s portion of the panel discussion was so impressive, I can’t remember the name of any of the other presenters (nor the firms they represented).
Brain Food
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008Author Seth Godin continues to crank out great business books, but he never calls them business books. In some ways this keeps his work from being lost in the pack. I enjoy his titles: Purple Cow, Free Prize Inside, The Dip, The Big Moo, etc.
Here’s a line from his latest offering, Tribes: “Leadership isn’t difficult, but you’ve been trained for years to avoid it.”
Before reading Tribes, I tackled the hefty supplement (a PDF he offered free from his blog/website), but found the book much more valuable.
In these uncertain economic times, a short manifesto like Tribes is just what every business owner needs.
Conserve to Preserve
Monday, November 10th, 2008
“Dig your well before you’re thirsty.” Businessman George Fraser said this during a recent interview on the New Inspiration for the Nation with George Kilpatrick. Fraser gave some good strategies to help navigate during uncertain economic times.
Inspiration
Monday, November 3rd, 2008A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet and gain insight from two pillars of contemporary photography: Chester Higgins, Jr. and Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. I thank Mr. Higgins for meeting me on the way to an editing session and for the gifts. Earlier during my NYC trip, Greenfield-Sanders suggested an alternative route for my next business venture. Thanks also to my business advisors Alton Ritter and Marc Mayo for their hospitality.
Pictures: Taking and Making
Friday, September 12th, 2008SU grad and photographer Stephen Wilkes spoke at Newhouse last night. He presented some incredible examples of layered story-telling from his travels to New Orleans (post Katrina) and China (pre Olympics). Wilkes said when he shoots commercially he makes pictures and when he works for himself he takes pictures. I was surprised to learn that he started out as a street photographer years ago.
Personal M.B.A. (first in a series of lists)
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008Here are a few books that should be on every business person’s reading list:
1) Let My People Go Surfing–Yvon Chouinard
2) True to Our Roots–Paul Dolan
3) How Did You Do it Truett or Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People–S. Truett Cathy
4) Talent is Never Enough or Thinking for a Change–John C. Maxwell
5) Take the Risk–Ben Carson, M.D.
6) Succeeding Against the Odds–John H. Johnson
7) The Big Moo or The Dip–Seth Godin
Don’t just be entertained…Study It
Friday, May 9th, 2008Animators rely on authenticity to create reality for their projects, according to Pixar’s Dylan Brown. Brown, who is the supervising animation specialist for films such as Ratatouille, visited Syracuse and gave a brief talk about new technologies at the Most Museum last week (as part of the Syracuse Film Festival). He was joined on this panel by Pixar post production supervisor Cynthia Slavens.
Brown urged the students in attendance to take advantage of their personal passions as well as pursue the goal of a traditional education. We [at Pixar] “ask why, not just how,” when it comes to examining possibilities, he said.
Slavens, a 1988 Fayetteville-Manlius graduate, gave illustrated examples of “fixes” she’s done to edit, translate and neutralize films for DVD and international audiences.
Both animators, armed with Mac Notebooks for their presentations, said they considered themselves fortunate to work in an industry that marries the disciplines of art and science every day.