7 Things HBO’s Chernobyl Taught Me About Devil’s Advocates

What can we do to avoid a catastrophe like Chernobyl?

Although your business may not be facing problems to the magnitude of a nuclear plant meltdown, it’s still possible to completely miss the warning signs that the ‘wheels are coming off the wagon.”

I have found that the best way to develop a resilient response to disasters is by relying on the feedback of Devil’s Advocates.

Continue reading “7 Things HBO’s Chernobyl Taught Me About Devil’s Advocates”

11 Ways Multi-Level Marketing is Like a Cult

We have the power to exert tremendous influence on others.

Sometimes, people use this power to take advantage of those who are vulnerable by exerting tremendous control on their choices and behavior.

Today I want to share some insights about why Multi-Level Marketing companies operate exactly like a cult and how to build risk intelligence to keep yourself safe.

Continue reading “11 Ways Multi-Level Marketing is Like a Cult”

Analyzing Profit Margins FAQs Part 2: Profitability

A company’s margin of profit is one of the most important indicators about its health.

In this second post, I share answers from my live video event including:

  • Which numbers should I be looking at?
  • What’s the difference between a Measure, Metric, and KPI?
  • Are “sales” and “profit” the same thing?
  • How do I expand without running out of cash?

This article also jumps into the topics of Transaction AvoidanceLottery Mentality, and self-sabotage as a business owner.

Watch part 2 of the recorded video here, or read the transcript below (including bonus content!)

Continue reading “Analyzing Profit Margins FAQs Part 2: Profitability”

Analyzing Profit Margins FAQs Part 1: Perceptions

Can our personal beliefs about money influence our company’s success?

How do our perceptions impact business decisions?

Why is the “Fake It Till You Make It” mindset dangerous?

I answer these questions—and much more—in my Live Facebook Video. Check out the recorded video here, or read the transcript below (including bonus content!)

Continue reading “Analyzing Profit Margins FAQs Part 1: Perceptions”

How to Use Good and Bad Pain in Decision-Making

This is the second in a 3-part series about Pain and Decision-Making.

 

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

 

Although pain is usually viewed as harmful (“bad pain”), it can also help us (“good pain”). Let’s examine the useful kind.

Continue reading “How to Use Good and Bad Pain in Decision-Making”

What is Strategic Risk, and Why Does It Matter?

When you hear the word “risk,” you probably think of either something dangerous (“don’t do that, you could get hurt!”), or an action that is likely to fail (“if this works out, we’ll be rich; if not, we could lose everything”). But risks are actually neutral; they’re neither good nor bad, but simply describe a degree of uncertainty.

We tend to say that risks are either “positive” or “negative.” But what we’re actually describing is the outcome. If a risk brings a positive outcome, we might enjoy new opportunities and pleasant surprises. If a risk brings a negative outcome, we could experience damage, injury, liability, or loss.

The factors that contribute to outcomes are called threats. Although most threats can’t be eliminated (such as consumer purchase habits, economic instability, and increasing reliance on technology), we can definitely reduce the chance that we will suffer from a negative outcome.

I’m passionate about helping leaders to recognize vulnerabilities in their organization: areas where an attack or loss is likely to occur. In this article, I explain the importance of developing your awareness of risks in a strategic context, the “perfect blend” of strategy and risk, and suggestions for managing them.

Continue reading “What is Strategic Risk, and Why Does It Matter?”