Charles Dickens has some thoughts on crying. He makes some blanket statements about the three ways expressing negative emotions improves you. Does it apply to the workplace? Mike and Mark are #twoguyswithoutlookswithbooks. The excerpt and study guide for this episode, “No shame in tears,” is available for free download. We would love your questions and comments (and book ideas!) for …
Podcast 93: The Workplace Book Club — Conviction vs. Friendship
What’s more important, logic or relationships? Truth or friendship? Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” has something to say about that–yes, even at work. Another episode of #guyswithoutlookswithbooks, where we bring the book club to the workplace. The excerpt and study guide for this episode, “Conviction vs. friendship,” is available for free download. We would love your questions and comments …
Podcast 92: Introducing the Workplace Book Club — #guyswithoutlookswithbooks
Mark puts his money where his classically educated mouth is: He and Mike read and discuss a bit of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” What in the world does this have to do with the workplace? A lot, it turns out. Do you know anybody who is proud of their defects? Welcome to #guyswithoutlookswithbooks. The excerpt and study guide for …
AR and VR: How bad it could be
As mentioned in the first post in this series on AR, VR and the metaverse, young Mark Ramsay loved cyberpunk novels. Introduction to cyberpunk Perhaps your thoughts range from, “Really, Ramsay? Who cares?” to, “Why study cyberpunk novels and films?” Here’s why. They are entertaining. The genre’s greatest voice, William Gibson, has novels that read like modern-day Raymond Chandler, thrilling …
Mental health stigma: Transparency is profitable
This lengthy article from McKinsey & Company covers how to address the stigmas (they say there are three of them) against mental health in the workplace. Buried down in the article is this point: Encourage leaders to share their experiences with behavioral-health challenges. This often-undertapped channel (only 24 percent of employers reported using their C-suites to communicate about mental health) …
AR and VR: What you need to know
Everybody is now talking about VR, AR and the metaverse. I’ve been thinking about them since reading cyberpunk novels in my teens. If that sounds silly, stay tuned. VR/AR are here. They are helpful. And those novels paint a dire warning about what’s to come for your work and family. Introduction to AR You’ve probably been experiencing AR—augmented reality—for some …
Podcast 86: Lessons from the Lockpicking Lawyer: messages to your tribe
An anonymous attorney who picks locks on YouTube has a valuable lesson for anybody trying to attract employees or customers who really “get you.” Three lessons, to be exact. (Note to audience: Mark managed to make it through this entire episode without once mentioning Mitchell and Webb’s classic Padlockigami. But watch and enjoy.) We would love your questions and comments …
Podcast 76: What does your brand promise?
The name of your organization–even your name–can raise or lower the value of anything connected to it. How do know if it’s valuable? And how do you increase that value? We would love your questions and comments for future episodes: Email Mike and Mark. Listen here … subscribe on Spotify or Apple … or view below.
Selling used cars: serious roadblocks, clever solutions
Automotive News periodically creates great videos showing how a dealership solved a problem. Even if you’re not in automotive, this is a good one. Like many dealerships, Chuck Anderson Ford is small, with new-vehicle inventory low and used-vehicle costs skyrocketing. Also like many stores, the dealership wrestles with buying a used car and getting it reconditioned by its Service staff …
Podcast 69: No one is the bad guy in their own movie!
No one is the bad guy in their own movie! Mark and Mike provide examples of people convinced that they are the heroes in their story. They also discuss how this mindset impacts how you approach and coach these people. This podcast actually raises more questions then it answers. Check it out! We would love your questions and comments for …