Jim Collins is a student and teacher of enduring great companies — how they grow, how they attain superior performance, and how good companies can become great companies. Having invested over a decade of research into the topic, Jim has authored or co-authored four books, including the classic BUILT TO LAST.
Executives spend too much time wordsmithing vision statements, mission statements, values statements, purpose statements, and aspiration statements—and nowhere near enough time trying to align their organizations with the values and visions already in place.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
6 Principles of Influence
From the Inside Influence at Work Blog:
Reciprocity
People are more willing to comply with requests (for favors, services, information, concessions,etc.) from those who have provided such things first.
Commitment/Consistency
People are more willing to be moved in a particular direction if they see it as consistent with an existing commitment.
Authority
People are more willing to follow the directions or recommendations of a communicator to whom they attribute relevant authority or expertise.
Social Validation
People are more willing to take a recommended action if they see evidence that many others, especially similar others, are taking it.
Scarcity
People find objects and opportunities more attractive to the degree that they are scarce, rare, or dwindling in availability.
Liking/Friendship/Attractiveness
People prefer to say yes to those they know, like and find attractive.
Reciprocity
People are more willing to comply with requests (for favors, services, information, concessions,etc.) from those who have provided such things first.
Commitment/Consistency
People are more willing to be moved in a particular direction if they see it as consistent with an existing commitment.
Authority
People are more willing to follow the directions or recommendations of a communicator to whom they attribute relevant authority or expertise.
Social Validation
People are more willing to take a recommended action if they see evidence that many others, especially similar others, are taking it.
Scarcity
People find objects and opportunities more attractive to the degree that they are scarce, rare, or dwindling in availability.
Liking/Friendship/Attractiveness
People prefer to say yes to those they know, like and find attractive.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The next step in online IP management: Zmags
Interesting white paper about how to manage your brand image by preventing your content from being pulled apart by bloggers .
Zmags Social Media Whitepaper Series
As you can see below, it's not completely foolproof.
I really didn't like the blinking bullets embedded in the white paper.
Zmags Social Media Whitepaper Series
As you can see below, it's not completely foolproof.
I really didn't like the blinking bullets embedded in the white paper.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Honoring fallen military and keeping facts straight
I first saw this on facebook and then found it replicated all over the web, where it has been re-posted thousands of times in the last few days. I agree with the sentiment, but found the facts less than 100% accurate.
I rarely re-post something like that, but I felt this was compelling so I checked it out in more detail. It turns out that all 12 were killed serving in Afghanistan between July 10 and 16, not this week, all were Americans except Brett Linley, of Birmingham UK, who served in the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment,The Royal Logistic Corps. Nine of the 12 served in the US Army, not the Marines. Extensive searching found no record of Justus Bartett, but I was able to find an obituary for 27 year old Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt , of Polo, Ill, and I concluded that his name was likely transcribed incorrectly at some point.
Here are more details on each individual with references. God Bless them and their families for their courageous self sacrifice.
Justin B. Allen, 23
Sgt. Justin B. Allen, 23, of Coal Grove, Ohio, died July 18, 2010 in Zhari, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was shot by insurgents while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
refs: Warriors' watch Riders Forums
militarytimes.com database
//////////
Brett Linley, 29
Staff Sergeant Brett George Linley of Birmingham, from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment,The Royal Logistic Corps, serving with the Counter-IED Task Force, died in Afghanistan Saturday 17 July 2010.
Staff Sergeant Linley was 29 and from Birmingham. He and his team were working to clear Improvised Explosive Devices from a vital route in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province when he was killed by an explosion.
Sources BBC: July 22, 2010
http://www.thisisannouncements.co.uk/5913068
////////////
JACKSONVILLE - Staff Sergeant Matthew W. Weikert, 29, of Jacksonville was mortally wounded on Saturday, July 17, 2010, while serving with the U.S. Army near Orgun, Afghanistan.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in August of 2001 serving three tours in Iraq over four years. He later joined the U.S. Army serving with the 101st Airborne completing a tour in Iraq and was currently deployed in Afghanistan. As a military team leader, Matt was adamant that his personal mission was to properly prepare the soldiers under his command and keep them safe from harm.
refs: legacy.com/obituaries
http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-sgt-matthew-w-weikert/4716077/
////////////
Justus Bartett, 27 >> extensive searching produced no results for Justus Barett; however, there was a Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt, who Died July 16, 2010 serving in Afganistan
Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt 27, of Polo, Ill.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
The Associated Press
Justus Bartelt was born on the Fourth of July and decided roughly a dozen years later that he would to serve the country whose independence that day celebrates.
“He was a best friend to those who knew him as a friend,” she said. “He was a true and loyal family member and he was a true and loyal marine.”
Bartelt joined the Marines after graduating from Polo Community High School in Polo, Ill., in 2001.
When he was deployed in February, he instructed his mother not to worry.
The 27-year-old died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province during his third tour of duty. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
ref: militarytimes.com
////////////
Dave Santos, 21
Marine Cpl. Dave M. Santos died July 16, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Rota, Marianas Islands of the Pacific; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Ref Military times database
////////////
Army Spc. Chase Stanley died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Napa, Calif.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Army Specialists, Stanley, Reed, Johnson, and Fisher were killed in the same IED attack on July 14.
ref: Military times database
////////////
Army Spc. Jesse D. Reed died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
26, of Orefield, Pa.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
ref: military times database
////////////
Army Spc. Matthew J. Johnson died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Maplewood, Minn.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
ref: military times database
////////////
Army Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
24, of Ballwin, Mo.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
ref: military times database
////////////
Army Pvt. Brandon M. King died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
23, of Tallahassee, Fla.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died July 14 at Combat Outpost Nolen, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire.
ref: military times database
///////////
Army 1st Lt. Christopher S. Goeke died July 13, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
23, of Apple Valley, Minn.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
ref: military times database
///////////
Army Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate died July 13, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
27, of Hinesville, Ga.; assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
ref: military times database
///////////
updated : Sept 27, closing the loop. Further searching seems to confirm my conclusion that the name of Justus Bartelt was misspelled somewhere along the way. Here is a very similar comment posted July 26 on a TMZ website. This version has 10 of the 12 names, with the correct spelling of Bertelt's name, and no reference to which branch of service they served.
Lindsay Lohan, 24, is all over the news because she's a celebrity drug addict. While Justin Allen, 23, Brett Linley, 29, Matthew Weikert, 29, Justus Bartett, 27, Dave Santos, 21, Chase Stanley, 21, Jesse Reed, 26, Matthew Johnson, 21, Zachary Fisher, 24, Brandon King, 23, Christopher Goeke, 23, and Sheldon Tate, 27 are all Marines that gave their lives this week, no media mention. Honor THEM by reposting.
I rarely re-post something like that, but I felt this was compelling so I checked it out in more detail. It turns out that all 12 were killed serving in Afghanistan between July 10 and 16, not this week, all were Americans except Brett Linley, of Birmingham UK, who served in the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment,The Royal Logistic Corps. Nine of the 12 served in the US Army, not the Marines. Extensive searching found no record of Justus Bartett, but I was able to find an obituary for 27 year old Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt , of Polo, Ill, and I concluded that his name was likely transcribed incorrectly at some point.
Here are more details on each individual with references. God Bless them and their families for their courageous self sacrifice.
Justin B. Allen, 23
Sgt. Justin B. Allen, 23, of Coal Grove, Ohio, died July 18, 2010 in Zhari, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was shot by insurgents while conducting combat operations. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
refs: Warriors' watch Riders Forums
militarytimes.com database
//////////
Brett Linley, 29
Staff Sergeant Brett George Linley of Birmingham, from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment,The Royal Logistic Corps, serving with the Counter-IED Task Force, died in Afghanistan Saturday 17 July 2010.
Staff Sergeant Linley was 29 and from Birmingham. He and his team were working to clear Improvised Explosive Devices from a vital route in the Nahr-e Saraj District of Helmand Province when he was killed by an explosion.
Sources BBC: July 22, 2010
http://www.thisisannouncements.co.uk/5913068
////////////
JACKSONVILLE - Staff Sergeant Matthew W. Weikert, 29, of Jacksonville was mortally wounded on Saturday, July 17, 2010, while serving with the U.S. Army near Orgun, Afghanistan.
He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in August of 2001 serving three tours in Iraq over four years. He later joined the U.S. Army serving with the 101st Airborne completing a tour in Iraq and was currently deployed in Afghanistan. As a military team leader, Matt was adamant that his personal mission was to properly prepare the soldiers under his command and keep them safe from harm.
refs: legacy.com/obituaries
http://militarytimes.com/valor/army-sgt-matthew-w-weikert/4716077/
////////////
Justus Bartett, 27 >> extensive searching produced no results for Justus Barett; however, there was a Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt, who Died July 16, 2010 serving in Afganistan
Marine Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt 27, of Polo, Ill.; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
The Associated Press
Justus Bartelt was born on the Fourth of July and decided roughly a dozen years later that he would to serve the country whose independence that day celebrates.
“He was a best friend to those who knew him as a friend,” she said. “He was a true and loyal family member and he was a true and loyal marine.”
Bartelt joined the Marines after graduating from Polo Community High School in Polo, Ill., in 2001.
When he was deployed in February, he instructed his mother not to worry.
The 27-year-old died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province during his third tour of duty. He was assigned to Camp Lejeune.
ref: militarytimes.com
////////////
Dave Santos, 21
Marine Cpl. Dave M. Santos died July 16, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Rota, Marianas Islands of the Pacific; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died July 16 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Ref Military times database
////////////
Army Spc. Chase Stanley died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Napa, Calif.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
Army Specialists, Stanley, Reed, Johnson, and Fisher were killed in the same IED attack on July 14.
ref: Military times database
////////////
Army Spc. Jesse D. Reed died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
26, of Orefield, Pa.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
ref: military times database
////////////
Army Spc. Matthew J. Johnson died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of Maplewood, Minn.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
ref: military times database
////////////
Army Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
24, of Ballwin, Mo.; assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 14 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.
ref: military times database
////////////
Army Pvt. Brandon M. King died July 14, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
23, of Tallahassee, Fla.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died July 14 at Combat Outpost Nolen, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire.
ref: military times database
///////////
Army 1st Lt. Christopher S. Goeke died July 13, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
23, of Apple Valley, Minn.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
ref: military times database
///////////
Army Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate died July 13, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
27, of Hinesville, Ga.; assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
ref: military times database
///////////
updated : Sept 27, closing the loop. Further searching seems to confirm my conclusion that the name of Justus Bartelt was misspelled somewhere along the way. Here is a very similar comment posted July 26 on a TMZ website. This version has 10 of the 12 names, with the correct spelling of Bertelt's name, and no reference to which branch of service they served.
Lindsey Lohan who? I cant believe the news coverage being given to a spoiled 20-something yr old. Here are a few 20 yr-olds worth knowing about: Justin Allen 23, Brett Linley 29, Matt Weikert 29, Justus Bartelt 27, Dave Santos 21, Chase Stanley 21, Jesse Reed 26, Matthew King 23, Christopher Goeke 23, & Sheldon Tate 27. These 20-somethings gave their lives for you this week. Repost if you support the Military
Saturday, September 11, 2010
MS XL Index & Match functions
I needed to reference the column heading for each row based on the max value of a series of columns. This post on the Ozgrid Excel Help & Best Practices Forums provided the quick answer using the INDEX & MATCH functions. http://www.ozgrid.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67827&page=1
Shows how to reference the value of the row (or column) headings in a matrix at which a maximum value in each row (or column) of the matrix is located.
Shows how to reference the value of the row (or column) headings in a matrix at which a maximum value in each row (or column) of the matrix is located.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Recovered lost password for MS Outlook 2007 .pst file with pstpassword 1.12 from nirsoft
I had success with pstpassword 1.12 recovering my lost password on an Outlook 2007 .pst file!
How I got in this situation in the first place: My backup program was generating errors related to an Outlook email archive, so my system admin advised me to close the archive to try to resolve the problem. Oops! I didn't think to reset the password on the pst file before closing it.
With a company policy that requires changing passwords every few months and at least one upper case, lower case number and special character, and being admonished, don't write down your passwords, the odds of me remembering the password on an email archive I created over a year ago were slim and none. So there I was stuck with all my 2010 emails through July locked just out of reach.
I went looking online for a freeware password recovery tool for Outlook and found plenty of commercial offers and dubious looking claims, but pstpassword 1.12 from nirsoft.com seemed to stand out from the noise. After extensive searching, I couldn't find anything really bad about it. There were some discussion on a PCReview forum in the UK about it being tagged as a false Trojan. The discussion made sense to me, so I downloaded it (on my home PC). I made a copy of the .pst file on my portable USB drive and was able to run pstpassword against it (after extensive scanning the download with antimalware and antivirus programs).
It quickly gave me three passwords to try against the file. The first one looked like part of an old password that I might have used, but didn't work. The 2nd didn't work at all, but the third opened it right up. I copied the emails out of the old archive to a new one and I'm back in business. And now that I know how easy it is to crack the passwords on an email archive. Don't think you can hide something in there that you don't want found out!
So I'm satisfied. I wanted to document this so hopefully people will find it assuring that a real person found pstpassword 1.12 performed as described for me.
How I got in this situation in the first place: My backup program was generating errors related to an Outlook email archive, so my system admin advised me to close the archive to try to resolve the problem. Oops! I didn't think to reset the password on the pst file before closing it.
With a company policy that requires changing passwords every few months and at least one upper case, lower case number and special character, and being admonished, don't write down your passwords, the odds of me remembering the password on an email archive I created over a year ago were slim and none. So there I was stuck with all my 2010 emails through July locked just out of reach.
I went looking online for a freeware password recovery tool for Outlook and found plenty of commercial offers and dubious looking claims, but pstpassword 1.12 from nirsoft.com seemed to stand out from the noise. After extensive searching, I couldn't find anything really bad about it. There were some discussion on a PCReview forum in the UK about it being tagged as a false Trojan. The discussion made sense to me, so I downloaded it (on my home PC). I made a copy of the .pst file on my portable USB drive and was able to run pstpassword against it (after extensive scanning the download with antimalware and antivirus programs).
It quickly gave me three passwords to try against the file. The first one looked like part of an old password that I might have used, but didn't work. The 2nd didn't work at all, but the third opened it right up. I copied the emails out of the old archive to a new one and I'm back in business. And now that I know how easy it is to crack the passwords on an email archive. Don't think you can hide something in there that you don't want found out!
So I'm satisfied. I wanted to document this so hopefully people will find it assuring that a real person found pstpassword 1.12 performed as described for me.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Clayton M. Christensen article on personal success
Clayton M. Christensen wrote in Harvard Business Review about allocating personal time, energy, and talent to ultimately shape your life's strategy. He asks his students use management theories to find answers to three important questions of life: How can I be sure that I’ll be happy in my career? How can I be sure that my relationships with my spouse and my family become an enduring source of happiness? How can I be sure I’ll stay out of jail? Here are some highlights. The full article is a must read. Access to the article is free for the month of August.
1. Know your purpose: Christensen promises his students that if they figure out their life purpose, they’ll look back on it as the most important thing they discovered at Harvard Business School. If they don’t figure it out, they will just sail off without a rudder and get buffeted in the very rough seas of life. Clarity of purpose trumps many any other kinds of knowledge.
2. Allocate resources: Your decisions about allocating your personal time, energy, and talent ultimately shape your life’s strategy.
3. Build a culture: There comes a point when parents wish that they had begun working at a very young age to build a culture at home in which their children instinctively behave respectfully and choose the right thing to do. Families have cultures, just as companies do.
4. Avoid the marginal costs mistake: It’s easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98% of the time.
5. Remember Humility: If your attitude is that only smarter people have something to teach you, your learning opportunities will be limited. But if you have a humble eagerness to learn something from everybody, your learning opportunities will be unlimited.
Quoting from the conclusion:
1. Know your purpose: Christensen promises his students that if they figure out their life purpose, they’ll look back on it as the most important thing they discovered at Harvard Business School. If they don’t figure it out, they will just sail off without a rudder and get buffeted in the very rough seas of life. Clarity of purpose trumps many any other kinds of knowledge.
2. Allocate resources: Your decisions about allocating your personal time, energy, and talent ultimately shape your life’s strategy.
3. Build a culture: There comes a point when parents wish that they had begun working at a very young age to build a culture at home in which their children instinctively behave respectfully and choose the right thing to do. Families have cultures, just as companies do.
4. Avoid the marginal costs mistake: It’s easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98% of the time.
5. Remember Humility: If your attitude is that only smarter people have something to teach you, your learning opportunities will be limited. But if you have a humble eagerness to learn something from everybody, your learning opportunities will be unlimited.
Quoting from the conclusion:
The metric by which God will assess my life isn’t dollars but the individual people whose lives I’ve touched. I think that’s the way it will work for us all. Don’t worry about the level of individual prominence you have achieved; worry about the individuals you have helped become better people. This is my final recommendation: Think about the metric by which your life will be judged, and make a resolution to live every day so that in the end, your life will be judged a success.
Christensen is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Read more on Success by Bessie Anderson Stanley of Lincoln, Kansas
Best,
Chuck
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