Tag: business vision

Making your vision a reality

by Dan Oswald Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. —Joel A. Barker Do you have a vision? Does your team, department, or company understand what you’re trying to achieve? Businessdictionary.com defines a vision statement like this: “An aspirational description of […]

Live generously: business with an eye on helping others

by Dan Oswald I was in Birmingham, Alabama, over the weekend visiting my daughter at college. While out for breakfast, I saw a local newspaper with the headline “Live Generously: How three Gardendale teenagers hope to change lives with new business.” The headline caught my attention for a number of reasons. I love the “Live […]

After setting goals, be vigilant in achieving them

by Dan Oswald If you’re like me, it’s time to turn your attention to 2014. As we move through the fourth quarter of 2013 and can see the end in sight, our thoughts turn to what we want to accomplish in the coming year. At our company, we’re in the midst of our budgeting process […]

Are you measuring the risk or the reward?

by Dan Oswald I read something the other day that asked, “Are you playing to win or not to lose?” It’s an interesting question. You may be wondering what the difference between the two exactly is. You may think that if both strategies are successful, the result is the same. But is it? Winning is […]

Letting go of yesterday

by Dan Oswald Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. Begin it well and serenely with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. —Ralph […]

Which came first—the people or the culture?

There is a lot written about the advantages of chemistry and great company culture, but what really are those things? A company is a social organization with rules that govern the relationships between people and among groups. There is a division of activity, and there is agreement regarding certain obligations of the various parties. This […]

Start the new year with an eye on the big picture

by Dan Oswald As we kick off 2013, it’s a great time to take a step back as a manager and assess your situation. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day activities of managing and lose sight of the bigger picture. The beginning of a new year provides a natural break for […]

The ultimate leadership challenge

by Dan Oswald The day after the 2012 presidential election, a colleague forwarded to me an interview with Michael Siegel, the author of The President as Leader. The interview was conducted by the Washington Post’s Tom Fox and centered around the top attributes of a great leader. In the interview, Siegel points to four leadership […]