May 06th, 2010
By Mark
These are some conclusions about running a business that I have come to after 19 years in Vistage and working with hundreds of CEOs.
1) If you are worried about an action that has to be taken, you have already waited too long so do it now. (more…)
April 29th, 2010
By Mark
When I saw some of the news clips and read some of the accounts of Congress grilling the Goldman Sachs executives, I was struck by the irony of the situation. Below are the steps to the national/global financial meltdown:
1 - Congress and the President encourage expanded home ownership via the Community Reinvestment Act
2 - Banks are pressured by government to make loans to many people who can’t afford homes (more…)
September 09th, 2009
By Mark
I made an offhand comment to a friend that there were many simple solutions to some of the problems that we Americans face. She challenged me to get specific. She’s right to challenge me. We should challenge our politicians for specifics. Put them on the spot. Make them answer. Be relentless.
Today, I am going to take a stab at Social Security. My parents have passed away, but during their years of retirement, Social Security helped them. (more…)
February 02nd, 2009
By Mark
Last Saturday, I attended the funeral of Brandon Zucker. In 2000, Brandon Zucker, aged four, was seriously injured at Disneyland after being trapped under the Roger Rabbit ride for about 10 minutes. He had brain damage as a result. (more…)
January 26th, 2009
By Mark
Diane - I liked your editorial that was carried in the Union Tribune in San Diego on January 25, 2009 titled “California’s undeclared bankruptcy.” A copy of it is below my note to you. Yes, we need to know our borrowing limitations. More importantly, we need to balance a budget. I am embarrassed to live in a city (San Diego) that is near bankruptcy, a state (California) that is near bankruptcy and a federal government that is on its way to bankruptcy.
As stated in an editorial in the UT on January 26, 2009, California already has the nation’s highest sales tax, personal income tax and gasoline tax. Our corporate tax rate is the highest in the west and our property is at par with the nation. We have a problem and the first place to look is our expenses.
This is not rocket science. This is gut wrenching work and elected officials need (more…)
December 14th, 2008
By Mark
This week I was stringing Christmas lights on my back patio. I always plug in the lights before I start hanging as it helps me prevent hanging a bad string. I was hanging them across a ledge that goes over my Jacuzzi and knew I was taking a risk if I dropped the string in to the water. I also knew that my home had been inspected by city inspectors while it was being constructed so I had appropriate safeguards in the electrical wiring. I figured the risk was very low that I would electrocute myself if I dropped the string of lights in the Jacuzzi. (more…)
November 09th, 2008
By Mark
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income. (more…)
September 02nd, 2008
By Mark
This is a poem I wrote in a Vistage Chair training class. I am continually reminded how fear gets in the way of good decision making for managers. I am also continually reminded how I am hampered by fear. Of course, I deny the fear in me more than I should. It is easy to attribute your actions or lack of actions on things besides fear when fear is the issue at hand.
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I want to write about fear.
There is no metal, but the chains are strong.
I am afraid, what will they think? (more…)
January 03rd, 2008
By Mark
1 - Seems to me that the media controls who are viable Presidential candidate. The network news, major newspapers and talk radio can promote a candidate by simply providing coverage. Why should we allow these organizations to control who our Presidential candidates are. Seems to me that the voters with the power of the Internet could take that power away from the media. Seems to me that power should be with the voter. (more…)
December 16th, 2007
By Mark
Random thoughts on how to make the USA a better place.
1 -Seems to me that the Congress should work on substantial issues like immigration and the budget.
2 -Seems to me that if a borrower can’t make a payment on a loan, the lender and the borrower should deal with the consequences.
3 - Seems to me that Congress should balance the budget. If not, they should be fired. CEOs that can’t figure budgeting out get fired.
(more…)