[Life Back West] August 2012 – “One Degree of Bacon”

Even in the big planet we call earth, life exists like it’s one small town.

My friend Wendy Yanowitch’s saying that “Life is made up of six people and lots of mirrors” plays out in my world weekly, and I suspects plays out in yours as well if you start watching the connections.

If this small world theory is really the case, it means that what you say, and even more important, what you do, sticks with you wherever you go.… Read the rest

Managing Your Career: The End of Privacy

There was a minor kerfluffle with an organization with which I’m associated; a blog stalker noticed that a post I wrote quoted somebody from the organization by name (accurately, and within context, btw) and took exception.

Like the swimmer who admires the beauty in the whites of a sharks’ teeth before realizing they are about to be eaten, there are far bigger issues for anyone to worry about than someone quoting somebody else accurately on a blog.Read the rest

Tips for Great Communicators: Match Medium & Method with Message

You can lack efficiency and effectiveness in how you communicate.

Or you can have both. Here’s how.

As background, it always helps to be clear about what you’re trying to communicate. Simply pass on information, or engage in a discussion and check for understanding? Ask for feedback, or do a data dump and run?

Great communication starts with focus about what you’re trying to accomplish, and what you’re trying to avoid.… Read the rest

The Talent Secret: The 4H Club

Tech valuations are popping (frothy is the well-used word) in the San Francisco Bay area. And the requirement to have high performing talent to quickly scale and produce a winning product may drive it all.

The scalp price for hiring or retaining top engineers was recently tabbed at $500,000 and the talent acquisition strategies of firms like Facebook includes the purchase of small start-ups only to shut them down and employ the newly acquired talent.… Read the rest