For me, one of the worst things about the Covid-19 crisis is the social distancing piece. While I understand the need to do it, it pains me. You see, I am one of those people you might call a “hugger.” I tend to hug people when I see them. It’s a practice I grew up … Continue reading The business lesson in social distancing.

Aarrgghh! The NCAA sports for spring have been canceled. While for many that is no big deal, in my family with an NCAA athlete, it is. My son, Matt, plays lacrosse at a small Division III college and he has had a pretty big roller coaster ride of a career through his four years. His … Continue reading The best way to respond to challenges.

“We will not drift to greatness. If we go there, it will be because of disciplined and thoughtful actions executed consistently over time.” This is perhaps my favorite quote in Mark Miller’s book, Win Every Day. This line speaks directly to my belief that the key to executing anything well, whether in business, sports, cooking, … Continue reading Book Review: Win Every Day by Mark Miller

These days employee engagement is big talk in the business world. People want to know how to improve it. Many things get tried including the extremes of free lunches, paid family leave, daycare, and pool tables in the break room, however, these perks are just that, perks, and while nice and thoughtful, are not getting … Continue reading How to improve engagement on the cheap.

I am a big fan of Marmite. And for those of you who are scratching your head as to what this stuff is, Marmite is a British condiment that you typically spread on toast or have in hot water as a sort of tea. It is an acquired taste that is salty and a bit … Continue reading Friendlier jar, friendlier experience. Is that possible?

People want the human touch, it’s a key component in building the trust businesses need to create loyalty. We know from the work of psychologists that the first thing people look for in trusting others is whether intentions are good or evil, selfless or selfish. Only when our brains are satisfied with the intentions of … Continue reading Why you may be hindering your success by taking away the human element.

I was in the grocery store recently and decided to use the self-scan gun that you can take with you while shopping and do all of the scanning and bagging of your stuff as you pick it up. This is all under the aegis of making it easier for you by saving you time and … Continue reading Ease. Is it the new battleground for customers?

The concept of warmth and competence, the dimensions we humans use to size each other up and decide whether to extend trust and carry on with relationships, was formalized by Susan Fiske of Princeton University fame and has become more popularized by TED star, Amy Cuddy, and Human Brand author, Chris Malone. The idea though … Continue reading When it comes to experiences, balancing warmth and competence isn’t just about people.