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Sweet Carrots and Sharp Sticks

Wow. Just … wow.

Airplane vs. Office

“One hour of work on an airplane is equal to three hours of work in the office.” –Mark Shead

For those of you who travel frequently, do you find this to be true?

Evernote Tips – Let’s Hear ‘Em!

I have Evernote sitting on my desktop. It feels like a slumbering giant, waiting to be awakened into a fit of productive fury. I just don’t know how to rustle it from the deep slumber that my lack of creativity has put it in.

So I turn to you: How do you use Evernote? What’s the best tip you can offer me? How has Evernote bettered your life?

One tip I can offer is the super secret email address. You can use it to have receipts from online purchases sent directly to Evernote. It’s slick.

With that, I beg you … School me!

A Fascinating Look at Facebook

If Mark Zuckerberg can launch Facebook–arguably the most recognized brand name in the US–out of his dorm room, what can you do?

There are people reading this post right now who are sitting on a Facebook-sized idea. What will it take to put it into action?

Infographic after the jump…

(more…)

David Slew Goliath

“Down goes Kansas! Down goes Kansas! Panthers win! Do you believe in miracles? I love this team!” Gary Rima, voice of the UNI Panthers.

As If Ostriches Weren't Scary Enough

Now they will bite your hand off.

Data as the Pulse of the Earth

Mind. BLOWN.

Keep Yourself From Getting Fat

I heard once from a mortician that when people die, their bodies are taking longer to decompose than they did 50 years ago. He told me that all of the preservatives and additives we’ve placed in our foods (and consequently ingested) are actually preserving our dead corpses longer. Gross.

The preservatives that are in our foods also have an effect on our living bodies as well. We’re fat–we Americans. We even make websites that chronicle why we’re fat. Our eating habits, as a nation, are atrocious (and it shows).

I was refreshed by this simple reminder from Zen Habits that it doesn’t take a Herculean effort to stay healthy. Just common sense and a little bit of exercise.

1. The ideal human diet should consist of only whole, unprocessed foods – meat, fish, fowl, plants, fruits, and nuts. Whatever you can kill, pick, or dig up and eat on the spot. This is what your ancestors ate and what your body is meant to consume.

2. By the same token, the best exercise consists of natural, full-body movements – lifting heavy things, sprinting, walking, swimming, hiking, climbing, crawling. This is how your ancestors moved and how your body is meant to function.

Americans are getting fatter by the minute. Isn’t it time you put down the Twinkie (with the Mountain Dew chaser) and do something about it?

Best Jobs in America … Do You Have One?

Look who’s making BANK!

(Click on image for larger view.)

What the Faceless Corporation Means for You

Paul Omerod gives a fascinating perspective on organizations in his book Why Most Things Fail. He says that when businesses in the U.S. were given “personhood status” the age of the faceless corporation began. In the early 20th century, LLCs (limited liability corporations) could be formed and operated as something completely separate from the person(s) who incorporated them. It’s why a business can claim bankruptcy and leave the owner relatively unscathed. Businesses became faceless.

A friend once told me:

If a company and an employee cannot come to an agreement on terms (salary, benefits, etc.), it is on the company if the employee walks away.

I like that.

I like thinking that a company or organization has a role in retaining their employees. It’s not simply, “Hey, worker bee, this is what we’re offering you. Take it or leave it.” It is the organization taking initiative in seeing the value of their people.

Of course, not every employee brings value to an organization. But those who do (Seth Godin calls them a “linchpin“) need to have that value acknowledged. Part of that value comes in negotiations.

Unfortunately, most of companies would prefer to remain faceless and treat employees as replaceable. Most organizations would prefer to hide behind a long-standing rule or employee handbook. Most companies would prefer to blame “the organization” rather than treating their employees like human beings.

  • “We’d love to accommodate your request, unfortunately….”
  • “If we made an exception for you, we’d have to make it for everyone…”
  • “The employee handbook states….”

Here’s the thing: Most businesses are set up to be faceless. At the root of it is a desire to pass the buck. Financially and relationally. In the end, no one wants to be accountable.

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