[Life Back West] Early Autumn 2014 – The Big Reset

We might sell our Dolores Park area home, a house we’ve lived in for 20 years.

But then again, if the price isn’t right, we might not.

English: Value function in Prospect Theory, dr...

We might pare down early – accelerating a plan 10 years out – and buy a place in Stanley Saitowitz’ minimalistic 8 Octavia in Hayes Valley.

But then again, if we don’t sell our home in Dolores Park at the right price, we might not.Read the rest

What’s in Your Drinking Water?

A new cost of living index for 195 worldwide cities was recently published. If you’re living in San Francisco, only New York City is more expensive in North America – and the City by the Bay is the 9th most expensive worldwide.

Out of fog Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge a...

Data is here.

Places like Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Orlando, Salt Lake City and Austin look like bargains compared to New York City, London, Geneva, Olso, Singapore and Zurich.Read the rest

[Life Back West] July 2012 – “Misfit Toys”

If you live in a certain City by the bay, sooner or later little surprises you.

Avengers (comics)

Annoy you? Yes. Delight you? Often. Alarm, disappoint, thrill, and endear? Always.

It’s those differences that make the place so special. Take away those difference and ultimately it leads to one destination; the land of boring, common, even mediocre.

Some workplaces are just like that City.… Read the rest

[Life Back West] June 2012 – “Perfect”

Indian grandmothers, perhaps the same ones that shared my Cathay Pacific red-eye from Hong Kong earlier that day, dotted the crowd helping out with their grandkids.

English: Baker Beach and Golden Gate Bridge

Rachel Herbert, successful entrepreneur and owner of three hit restaurants (all three parks + dogs with Dolores Park Cafe, Duboce Park Cafe, and Precita Park Cafe) was doing her part collecting donations as a volunteer, working the crowd of several thousand before showtime hit.… Read the rest

The Problem with Inclusion

There’s a problem or two with diversity and inclusion efforts.

It’s just not the one(s) you probably think.

Similar to the efforts to increase employee engagement – if you can just win the hearts and minds of employees they’ll be more productive, have less turnover, and engender greater customer satisfaction  – inclusion and diversity efforts in some organizations struggle with the proper effective positioning (think marketing) and the changed culture required to be effective.

Read the rest