Greensburg has Taught Us Everything

May 4, 2009 – 11:11 am

Greensburg has taught us everything, if we have listened.

I have always told my broker only half jokingly that they always ring the bell at the bottom and at the top of major market moves.  Only the really astute though are listening.  (He finally heard it the other day when the Merrill Lynch elevator got to the basement.  He called to tell me he was leaving.)

Two years ago, they were ringing the bells loudly in Greensburg, Kan., marked even by audible sirens as 95 percent of the town was literally blown away.  While the last two years since the tornado have been a challenging journey for them, they are now two years ahead of some, and they may be 10 years or more ahead of everyone else.  A clean slate provides exactly that.  A fresh start. (more…)

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Now Is the Time

April 22, 2009 – 12:05 pm

We’ve been through a long, cold winter—It’s time to take stock in what the future holds.

First, let me be an early deliverer of the news.  The economy IS getting better. It will be a while, and it will also take a number of months for jobs (and profits) to recover, but we need to be thankful that it is getting better.   On a side note, I also would like to give no credit whatsoever to the politicians.  D.C. is still screwed up, and that is unlikely to change any time soon.

Now, let’s get down to business.  I will, over the next few weeks, share some observations and learning that will help you regardless of your place in a corporation, entrepreneurial company or on the sidelines.   Who gave me, an executive recruiter, the soap box to be an expert?  I won’t answer that directly, except to say that I have some pretty decent experience and also a decent level of business instinct that has been sharpened not only through decades of business, but through working with dozens and likely hundreds of varied companies, products, senior leaders and business units.

Let’s start with one message.  Be brave. About everything that can happen to you likely already has.  It potentially has not left you in the best situation financially, but don’t despair.  Even your checkbook (and your business) will come back someday.

Be brave in hiring. Some of the best people in the world are now available in the marketplace.  Take advantage of that in a good way.  Don’t try to screw them to the ground in negotiations.  You’ll regret every minute of that.  Instead, be brave.  Be trusting.  Trust, but verify. And start building your organization with world class people.

I’ll close with a quote.  Notice the date.  Five years is not yet up.  I’ll provide more background in subsequent posts.

“Five years from now, you will look around and realize that the best employees can be found working for the companies who were paying the most attention.”

—Dave E. Anderson

Alpha Scouts

July 15, 2005

Dave E. Anderson President/Founder of NeuVision Group and Principle and Co-Founder of Alpha Scouts

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First Light in America

November 20, 2008 – 9:26 am

Each time we go through a period of distress, either personally or professionally, there is often a silver lining. When we’re in the middle of a major funk it’s hard to see reality and also hard to be optimistic.

If you think you see a beacon of light in the darkness, it can be difficult to know whether it’s the light at the end of the tunnel or a freight train coming right at you. (more…)

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