Summary: AI is much more advanced and scarier than you think it is. Here’s a small example from a conversation I had with it last night. I’ve seen a lot of creative people trying to convince themselves and others that AI isn’t a real threat because, you know, it hallucinates, and it misuses em dashes…
Summary: Create a spot in your work environment where you can avoid distractions and do head-down, serious work. It’s hard to do concentrated, single-minded work while your computer, your phone, and your iPad are all bleeping at you. Offices need to be designed for quiet space, and that includes your home office. If you work…
Summary: Among your employees you have some who rise to the top in certain traits. Are you paying attention? Are you identifying them and putting them where they’ll be the most effective? Myers-Briggs and similar personality tests are unscientific and potentially harmful. Use this method instead. Observe employees’ natural tendencies and deploy them effectively throughout…
Summary: Kidlin’s Law and Rubber Duck Debugging show that writing or verbalizing an issue brings clarity and often reveals a path to the solution. This article explores mental models like the Five Whys, dialectical thinking, and structured procrastination to enhance problem-solving. This morning I heard about Kidlin’s law, which instantly resonated. It’s one of those…
Summary: Subtle signals can send an emotional message you didn’t intend. Businesses must recognize hidden triggers in e-newsletters, videos, and podcasts to maintain engagement and trust. When my kids were little, I noticed something strange when we watched movies together. Before anything scary happened, they’d already be afraid. They weren’t reacting to what was on…
Summary: ChatGPT sometimes fails math-based questions because it defaults to text pattern-matching. To get better answers, explicitly instruct it to calculate, provide structured data, and verify its responses. ChatGPT Fails Catechism Class! I learned something interesting about the way ChatGPT processes information that might help you get better results when using AI tools. A friend…
Summary: Changing fulfillment providers can be a nightmare, but it’s also an opportunity to simplify outdated processes. This article explores the complexity of publishing fulfillment and makes a case for radical simplification. Yesterday, I spoke with some publisher friends about the possibility of changing fulfillment companies. I’ve done that a few times. I’ve also had…
Summary: Choosing the right words can make all the difference in communication. You can use ChatGPT to analyze relationships between words and phrases to find just the right word to convey the sense and the tone you choose. “Those are good words,” she told me. That phrase stuck with me. I was having a conversation…
I write, and I read a bit about writing. Plenty of people advocate strict methods for writers: write a page a day, wake up at 5:00 to get the words down, and stick to a schedule no matter what. On the other side, you have those who idolize the strange habits of creative geniuses —…
Summary: Artificial General Intelligence promises progress in many ways but also poses serious risks, including manipulation, job loss, and loss of control over our destiny. We seem to have two choices: halt AGI now or risk an unstoppable force that will dominate our future. You wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee made…
Summary: To fix a nagging old tech problem, take one small step towards fixing it. I saw a post to this effect on LinkedIn. Everybody’s trying to use AI to transform their business. I’m wondering how to get payroll off an Excel spreadsheet. Everybody has this problem. You have some old timey, inefficient process you’ve…
Summary: I’ve discussed the topic before, but some readers have asked me to have a more comprehensive go at it, with more specifics about the technology and – most especially – what to do to prepare. In brief, the future of content discovery belongs to AI agents, and the change is coming very soon. The…
In the February edition of The Krehbiel Letter I discuss the contradiction between “done today is better than perfect tomorrow” and “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” In today’s podcast I discuss two contradictory proverbs from the King James version of the Bible. Proverbs 26:4-5 4. Answer not a fool according to his…
Summary: Marketing automation saves time and increases efficiency but can fail spectacularly if not managed properly. This article highlights common pitfalls, such as data errors, unintended campaign expansion, and system failures. It emphasizes proactive monitoring, collaboration, and regular audits to prevent costly mistakes. Marketing automation is a great tool. It allows companies to set up…
Business leaders should aggressively seek out second opinions from outside their organization. Here are ten reasons why. You’re working with incomplete information. No matter how much you’ve researched the topic, you almost certainly missed something. A second opinion may reveal gaps in your knowledge or alternative sources of insight. You’re surrounded by people who have…