Operations and Productivity

Summary: The author criticizes articles that make generalizations about generations like Gen Z. While there are averages, individuals within a group can vary widely. Instead, focus on managing people based on their specific characteristics and needs rather than labeling them based on demographics. However, such articles can be valuable in pointing out issues that may…

Summary: This article emphasizes the importance of staying within one’s area of expertise when creating content. The author recounts a podcast interview with a priest who made compelling arguments in his field but sounded foolish when discussing geology. The article advises content creators to stick to what they know and seek expert input when venturing…

Summary: “Yes” represents the allure of possibility and affirmation, while “no” signifies discipline, focus, and resource control. “Yes” is alluring, but can lead to illusions. “No” is a tool for maintaining focus, setting boundaries, and adhering to principles. “Yes, and” is a good tool for creativity, and “no, but” is suggested as a way to…

Summary: Buzzwords are both annoying and necessary, often used to sound knowledgeable without conveying meaning. However, they reflect current trends and ideas. When you can, replace a buzzword with something else. When the buzzword fits, back it with data and examples. Think of buzzwords as symbolic, encapsulating larger meanings. Critique (and limit) their use, but…

I like lists because they force the author to distill his thoughts down to a pithy, short, descriptive saying. That’s what I’m going to try to do here, riffing off the article “Publishers: 12 ways to overcome common innovation roadblocks” by Damian Radcliffe, which Bo Sacks distributed recently. Innovation has to solve a problem. It’s…

Summary: This article explores the traits and tactics of untrustworthy salespeople, contrasting an honest experience with a manipulative one. It outlines behavioral “tells” and deceptive email tactics often used by insincere salespeople. In the last few weeks I have had two radically different experiences with people trying to sell me their services to help me…

Brainstorming doesn’t work that well unless you follow the right procedures. The typical “brainstorming” session involves announcing a topic and inviting people to propose their ideas in an allegedly non-judgmental environment. A bunch of people get together in a conference room and say whatever they think. There are several problems with this model. People don’t…

You’ve heard of WordPress, but have you heard of WordCamp? It’s a great opportunity to learn more about WordPress, but also to get some general ideas about content, publishing, e-commerce, software development, and many more things. It’s worth your time even if you don’t use WordPress. I did a talk there a few years ago….

I recently learned about “Gall’s Law,” which is a principle in software development, but I think it’s far more applicable. I absolutely love it. It goes like this. “A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot…

Amy Kean, the CEO and Creative Director of Good Shout, says that if you want to differentiate your media business, you should hire more weirdos. Media is a small, fairly tight-knit community, and most people want to fit in. But that can stifle creativity. There’s been an influx of “really average people,” Amy says, and…

Should we always defer to the lawyers when writing terms and conditions? No. Sometimes their overprotectiveness ruins opportunities. (If you’d rather watch and listen, here’s a link to the podcast version.) I have a contact who wants to be on this show, so he wanted me to send him one of those links where you…