Ok, I admit it, I bought an iPad. iPad – also an excuse to show a photo of my dog, Wyn It’s a third generation, or “new iPad”, as Apple insist on referring to it. I was one of the many thousands world-wide who bought the latest shiny thing, the first day it was available:Read… Read more »
The fact that millions of Americans are unemployed or underemployed is not news. Although we seem to be engaged in Einstein’s infamous trap of ‘doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.’ Policy makers are debating how to entice businesses into hiring more people and the unemployed are angry and frustrated overRead… Read more »
Every successful organization has at least one linchpin; some have dozens or even thousands. The linchpin is the essential element, the person who holds part of the organization together. Without the linchpin, the thing falls apart. – by Seth Godin in Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? (2010) Two American icons have been getting a bit ofRead… Read more »
The concept of borrowing money using collateral is called debt financing. Whenever a lender is considering financing a prospective client the very first hurdle that must be achieved is determining the borrower’s credit. It is important to provide ample information within and attached to a formal loan request that speaks to the potential credit question.Read… Read more »
Sounds great doesn’t it? Well that is exactly what businesses do everyday when they offer credit terms to their customers. Sure it’s considered normal to allow a customer thirty days to get their bookkeeping in order to pay the bills. But many large companies take advantage of credit terms and take 60 – 90 daysRead… Read more »
Explaining What You Do Have you ever been out in public and people ask “what do you do?” Of course you have. It’s one of the standard questions when meeting someone new. Being a public servant it is always funny to answer that question. When growing up, my father worked for the IRS. So whenRead… Read more »
Contracting issues will be on the front burner of the Obama administration, and the stakes are large. With the passage of the Stimulus Bill, having an effective federal contracting function will be critical to the success of the Bill. While many observers see the current federal contracting system as broken, the seminar participants identified aRead… Read more »
I didn’t quite realise the difference between NZ and the US until I joined the Working Parent group here on Govloop. There is a lot of discussion about school camps, creches, schools etc. I hope they realise how lucky they are to have things like a creche (if there is one where they work)! IRead… Read more »
The thin, knobby stick breaks easily when swung over the knee of the first obstacle in its way. The small bundle of sticks swinging freely together takes a hard step of obstruction to break and fall away. The large bundle of sticks proves unwieldy as each tries to wobble in its own direction. However; theRead… Read more »
It’s hard enough to be a parent, but add a full-time job outside the home and it’s just about impossible. Suddenly you realize why the 1950’s were full of “Mother’s little helpers” and such. (Side note: I say full time job “outside the home” because parenting in and of itself is a full time job.Read… Read more »