The Day the Congress Stood Still On December 18, 2024, Elon Musk delivered on the social media site, 𝕏 the death knell of a 1500+ page so called Continuing Resolution that was to stave off a Federal Government shutdown. Later it was replaced with a much shorter (100+ page) bill that passed largely intact. This
Eagles Soar, others flock. Post the US election, it seems that many on the losing side are circling the wagons and pointing to the ‘other guy’ to blame for a series of political sins. Like fish in a school, the belief seems to be that the crowd provides an element of protection. But is this belief
This Blog is dedicated to the memory of Eugene Lindsay, 1931-2015. For many years, Gene was one of my sales representatives, confidant and a friend. The title of this piece is attributed to him. The United States is still in the throes of the election aftermath and the President just pardoned his son; something he
“The only rules are the ones dictated by the laws of physics. Everything else is a recommendation.” — Walter Isaacson/Elon Musk We live in a spreadsheet society. Columns of Categories of People and Rows of Wants, Needs, and Desires. This model is too simplistic. What is needed, and Big Data can provide, is a more sophisticated approach.
In 2025, our new book, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making will be released by CRC Press. This is an accompanying book to our 2023 book, Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability. Both books focus on the use of advanced information technologies to attain and sustain Operational Excellence. Today,
This author is working on a book to be published in early 2025 that addresses issues about the decision to procure and implement today’s exploding technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). So, for this edition, we wanted to try something new. We are going to ask Chat GPT how to sell Artificial Intelligence and glean knowledge
The world is abuzz, not with the US presidential election, but with Artificial Intelligence (AI). How do you feel about this game changing suite of technologies? Whether we agree or not, the AI tsunami is coming ashore. What we, as individuals do about this phenomenon will dictate the remainder of our career and even quality
In the current calendar year, I have personally not been negatively impacted by hurricane Beryl and other extreme weather events that have hit the Houston metropolitans area. Friends and colleagues have not been so lucky with several enduring power failures multiple times. So why have I been so lucky? We usually ask the title question
Creative destruction is the dismantling of long-standing practices in order to make way for innovation and is seen as a driving force of capitalism. We live in an era of hyper-change. Technology to be sure, but all social constructs are under duress. The question is, how will all of us at an individual level deal with
We all rely on Apps for most of our decision making. But, how do we know the app is providing the correct answer? The stories about spreadsheet errors are legendary and are usually the result of human ‘data entry’ or ‘calculation’ errors. However, software can be the root cause for problems. Software bugs are classified into
Some still believe that an individual’s word is his/her bond. Or that the Marquess of Queensberry Rules still apply. Sadly, for many, these statements are outdated. Blockchain is a, “decentralized digital ledger that securely stores records across a network of computers in a way that is transparent, immutable, and resistant to tampering.” This is the
Oh My, I am Swamped by this Firehose of New Technologies. How can I Understand, Much Less Use These Tools? Like most of us, our job is not about new bigger, better, faster IT. We have the daily grind to attend to and quarterly metrics to make. What we need from IT providers (internal and
Call Center robotic humans and/or maybe AI reading their scripts and/or sending stupid texts. We a get them everyday. The opportunity of a lifetime. Since your D&B rating has recently increased, we are please to announce that you can borrow a ridiculous amount of money at a low interest. This blogger has never responded but
“Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes.” — Verywellmind Typically, we associate this behavioral issue with individual humans. Yet, aren’t organization comprised of human beings? Well at least until the AI robots take over. There can be many issues causing individual and collective angst and some
“I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.” – Richard Feynman “I am the science.” You have got to be kidding me Mr. Fauci. Clearly, you have no training in the Scientific Method or maybe your just plan arrogant. Home many lives have you and you colleagues destroyed,
With a Big Smile and a hand stretched out, customers are greeted as if they are long lost cousins. Sound like the used car sales guy of the 1950″s? Perhaps, but still fairly typical today in many cases. So how does one assess the honesty of a business executive, sales representative, customer service or anyone
The days of the so-called gentlemen’s/gentlewoman’s handshake agreement are over if they ever truly existed. One of the most famous handshake deals was the 1983 acquisition of Getty Oil by Pennzoil. Texaco sought to sweeten the deal with a superior offer that Getty accepted. The original deal made in New York was later upheld in the
The word Systemic is tossed around quite loosely these days. Especially when discussing social issues and politics. But what does it really mean when we say something is systemic by nature? By one definition it is, “Of or relating to a system or a system and other relating to or affecting the entire body or
Are Leaders born or made? I was the executive officer for an air defense (military) battery. The battery Commanding Officer was not someone I would walk across the street to follow. At the same time, there was a three star general that I would have followed to hell and back. A one star general I
Why, How, When or Does It Matter? It seems at times we have more questions than answers. And, sometimes the questions seem unanswerable. Yet we continue to seek a response. I guess it is the human nature that makes us so inquisitive. Certainly the advent of the Internet has changed the very nature of research–which all
Listen closely and pay attention as our menu has changed. The frustration to the automated phone operator are legend. All of us have had our issues with this form of (non) customer service. Recently this pundit placed a call at a number provided by the vendor and went though all the (voice) menu items, only
According to no less than the Cleveland Clinic, ” Studies (regarding multitasking) show it makes us less efficient and more prone to errors.” Cleveland Clinic goes on to make the case: When tasks are easy and routine such as, “like listening to music while walking, or folding laundry while watching TV,” these are generally not
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all the rage but are these laudables premature? Is it in really Artificial Unintelligence (AU) or just latest manifestation of the 30+ year old Expert System and a passing fad? Recently, none the less than Google (parent Alphabet) suffered a $100 billion market setback when their AI strategy suffered a lack
Burr! Its winter in the northern hemisphere and many shiver from the cold. The ‘Many’ include batteries. We have know for generations that cold weather negatively affects electrical batteries. So, it should come as no surprise that Electric Vehicles (EVs) performance can suffer greatly when the temperatures are extremely cold. This phenomenon is not limited
Once Again Organizational Safety Cultures Have Failed. Why Does This Keep Happening? The controversial Normal Accident Theory suggests that in complex systems accidents are enviable. So it would seem with continued major disruptions in Critical Infrastructure Sectors. We have argued that this is not necessarily correct. Systemic Safety Culture Following the Deepwater Horizon incident in
Organizational Conflict may not be visible. Passive Aggressive executives may not exhibit the classic signs of stress. The stresses of everyday business are well understood by those in that mix. Each individual has an agenda based on his/her personal desires as well as organizational job description and target (goal) requirements. By definition, this puts all
The (credited to) Chinese saying, “May you live in interesting times” was once reframed by a colleague of mine. He suggested, “May we live in less interesting times.” His statement was made years ago in yet another major economic downturn. Today, we are living in the turmoil of economic inflation as well as civil unrest,
How many times have you seen someone do something incredibly stupid, even risking their life? What a turkey! Story goes that Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the American National Bird. Almost 250 years later, this bird often carries a different connotation. Often maligned, this tasty fowl has its day once a year. Even two are
Incredible!! The level of hate as shown on any media today is just that, incredible. Thieving, beating, sexual abusing and murdering seem taken as the “New Normal.” Young people are throwing away future careers as they appear in the omnipresent media shouting hate towards one group. Wearing masks simply make them look like common criminals.
According to one source, “The (Halloween) tradition originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.” Is your organization dressing up to fight for an old dead culture? The Answer is NO, Even if it Kills Me!! Decades an organization I know well acquired
