Keeping Up With Technology – Buyer Beware

How many times have you purchased a product only to find that a better or new and improved version was just released? It happens to all of us, myself included. Advertisers or salespeople sell you what they think you can afford. I’m not offended by the question, “What’s your budget?” One of the reasons we may feel betrayed after making […]

Apple-opoly: It’s Not a Game

Some people can hardly contain their excitement when a company like Apple is thriving with sky high profits in the midst of a dismal global economy. Yet, this same excitement is seldom shared when banks or oil companies report similar results. Wouldn’t we all prefer reduced fees or lower gas prices over excessive profits from the very companies that portend […]

Microsoft – Scratching the Surface

There is always a better way and more than one solution This certainly seems to be true in the tablet world as Microsoft unveils one of its own – the Surface. Taking a note from Apple, Microsoft has integrated hardware and software into a unique solution that is sure to compete directly with the iPad. From a lean perspective, I […]

Anticipation – Wait For It!

Anticipation We’ve all said it, “I just can’t wait!”  We look forward to certain events, both big and small, with eager anticipation. We carefully plan for vacations, family events, a get together with friends, or major purchases like a new car or home.  Our minds race, eagerly waiting for that magic moment to arrive. Anticipation instills excitement and expectation in […]

The Art of Deception – All Decisions are NOT Equal

As I discussed in “What did you expect? Benchmarking and Decisions – For Better or Worse” we are confronted with decisions every day.  I even went so far as to suggest that an underlying benchmark is at the root of all decisions.  As you will soon find out, not all decisions are equal. Most of us understand visual or optical […]

PI: Discovery to Application – 1900 years

Mathematicians celebrate PI day on March 14 to honour of the number 3.14.  PI day was founded by Physicist Larry Shaw at the San Fransisco Exploratorium on March 14, 1989. Greek mathematician Archimedes of Syracuse (287 to 212 B.C.) was the first to calculate the value of PI, however, its use became wide-spread only after it was adopted by Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in 1737. Concept to […]

What did you expect? Benchmarking and Decisions – for better or worse.

What did you expect? Benchmarking & Decisions – for better or worse I recognize that benchmarking is not a new concept.  In business, we have learned to appreciate the value of benchmarking at the “macro level” through our deliberate attempts to establish a relative measure of performance, improvement, and even for competitor analysis.  Advertisers often use benchmarking as an integral component of their marketing strategy. […]