Blog
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Blog / ChangeThis
Ending the Illusion of Control: Let's Kick This Bad Forecasting Habit
By Porchlight
"Many reputable institutions issue regular economic forecasts that are widely cited in the international press. And yet, how accurate are these forecasts? Should we really trust them? [...] In this manifesto, we note the dismal historical track record of much if not most economic forecasting. Despite this reality, however, people still have an insatiable need to issue and consume forecasts. We therefore make three proposals that can make forecasts both more relevant and useful."
Categories: changethis
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Blog / ChangeThis
Who's Got Your Back: Why You Need the "Lifeline Relationships" that Create Success and Won't Let You Fail
By Keith Ferrazzi
"Behind every great leader, at the base of every great tale of success, you will find an indispensable circle of trusted advisors, mentors, and colleagues. These groups come in all forms and sizes and can be found at every level and in nearly all spheres of both professional and personal life, but what they all have in common is a unique kind of connection with each other that I've come to call lifeline relationships. These relationships are, quite literally, why some people succeed far more than others. There's a good chance that you've already experienced the power and potential of lifeline relationships at some point in your life. Imagine some of the attributes of the best bosses you've ever had—the kind of boss who encourages you, who gives you space to grow, who appreciates your efforts, who doesn't micromanage but guides your development with wisdom, and who handles your slip-ups with firmness, understanding, and candor. Or think back to that good friend or family member who dropped everything to be there for you at a critical juncture in your life and didn't let you fail.
Categories: changethis
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Blog / ChangeThis
Destination: Work - Thriving in a Tough Economy by Tapping Into the Discretionary Effort of Your Employees
By Harry Paul
"Has your company's bottom line taken a serious hit because of today's lousy economic climate? Has your company tried to fix the situation by undergoing a round or two of layoffs only to see your productivity plummet because of reduced morale and your better performing employees jumping ship to other companies or surfing the internet for job postings on your time? If so, would you like to turn your situation around instantly—as in overnight? If you think something like this is impossible, think again. The secret for turning things around is to tap into the discretionary effort of your employees—get them excited about coming to work and applying every bit of energy, creativity and passion they have toward performing their jobs instead of doing only what they have to do to in order to stay employed."
Categories: changethis
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Blog / ChangeThis
Before You Open Your Mouth: The Keys to Great Public Speaking
By Nick Morgan
"Why is most public speaking so awful? Why do we subject our fellow human beings to this form of torture when there are so many better things we could all be doing, like cutting our toenails, baking snickerdoodles, or watching re-runs of The Prisoner? You're in a ballroom with no windows in some random airport hotel. The lighting is dim. The whir of the heating system fills your ears with white noise. The colors around you are shades of grey and beige with puce trimmings. You're only awake because you've had 1300 cups of coffee from the urn in the hallway. Let the speaking games begin. It's a diabolical sensory deprivation experiment. Why is most public speaking so awful? Beyond soulless venues and Death by Power Point, speakers make the same four mistakes over and over again, continuing the sorry state of the art."
Categories: changethis
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Blog / News & Opinion
ChangeThis: Issue 58
By Porchlight
The 58th issue of ChangeThis has been published for your perusal and enjoyment. Excerpts and links below. ::::: Creative Elegance: The Power of Incomplete Ideas by Matthew E.
Categories: news-opinion
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Blog / News & Opinion
Signed Copies of Ignore Everybody?
By Porchlight
Hugh MacLeod at gapingvoid is running a special promotion for his new book Ignore Everybody, (coming out from Portfolio on June 11th). Hugh is giving away a free, autographed copy of the book to the first 1000 people who pick one up from your retailer of choice, and send him proof of purchace. There are a lot of Hugh MacLeod fans out there, so check out the details of the offer before the books are gone.
Categories: news-opinion
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Blog / News & Opinion
A Lesson in Listening
By Porchlight
Jerry Weissman, author of the The Power Presenter and Presenting to Win has been busy on the blog front lately. There is an interesting post from yesterday entitled, A Lesson in Listening from Obama that's worth the quick read. You can dig a bit deeper into everything that Jerry is doing by visiting his Power Presentations website.
Categories: news-opinion
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Blog / News & Opinion
Business World/Ancient World: New Content, Same Questions
By Porchlight
This is the title of an event coming up on Wednesday, May 13 in Asheville, NC at the WriteMind Institute for Corporate Contemplation. There, Todd Sattersten will discuss the meta-themes he and Jack Covert discovered while writing The 100 Best Business Books of All Time. The conversation will be with WriteMind Institute founder Jonathon Flaum.
Categories: news-opinion
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Blog / News & Opinion
100 Best: Jack interviews Jeff Fox, author of How to Become a Rainmaker
By Porchlight
How to Become a Rainmaker is Jeff Fox's bestselling book about sales. Written with to-the-point lessons on becoming a great salesperson, both the book and the podcast reveal Fox's insight into the characteristics of Rainmakers; lessons he learned over the years, and continues to share with his employees. This book is one of the books in Jack and Todd's book The 100 Best Business Books of All Time.
Categories: news-opinion
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Blog / News & Opinion
Escape From Cubicle Nation: Todd interviews author Pamela Slim
By Porchlight
Todd Sattersten talks with author Pamela Slim about her new book Escape From Cubicle Nation, which reveals why you should leave your job and pursue your passion. Even if you don't know what that passion is, Slim discusses how to examine what that might be, and how to find fulfillment and financial success in the process. [podcast]http://800ceoread.
Categories: news-opinion