An edited version of this column appeared on Business Week on April 15, 2010

 

I get this stupid idea every few years.  As softball season approaches, as it is now, I go the sporting goods store and upgrade my equipment.  Some years I’ll drop hundreds of dollars on a glove,… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared on Business Week on April 6, 2010.

 

Nine months ago I wrote about healthcare reform and how it would affect small companies like mine.  At the time I said I was in favor of the proposed legislation.  At the time I said it… Read full post »

This column appeared in American City Business Journals on March 26, 2010

You’d think at the age of 44 I’d have figured out how to stop wasting so much of my time. But I’m just not that smart. I sit in traffic instead of planning my route. I go to parent-teacher… Read full post »

This column appeared in Business Week on March 13, 2010

I was at my daughter's swim team banquet the other night and my BlackBerry saved my life.

No, I didn't receive any important client e-mails or text messages. I wasn't working on a last-minute estimate for that client who wants us… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in American City Business Journals on March 12, 2010

Growing up, I once knew a sadistic pest of a kid named Josh. He would tell me that when he was on vacation with his family he would catch frogs and throw them high in… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Business Week on March 5, 2010

 

When I coached little league I always tried to say the right things.  Like  “Just meet the ball.” Or “A walk’s as good as a hit.” Or “hey catcher - did you wear your cup?&r… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Business Week on February 17, 2010 

 

I'm not a big fan of change. I've lived in the same city all my life. I go to the same supermarket every week. I read the newspaper every day. I drive non-hybrid American cars (thank… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Business Week on February 12, 2010

 

The airline industry is guilty of sharing Too Much Information. A few days ago the media was full of reports that American Airlines (AMR) was going to start charging passengers $8 for a blanket. This would… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Forbes on February 10, 2010

 

Did you know that city of La Junta, Colorado is the most populous city of Otero County (7,568 people)?  Did you know that it once had a nearby Army Air Force training base during World War II?  Or…

Read full post »

This column appeared in American City Business Journals on February 5, 2010

An edited version of this column appeared in Business Week on January 26, 2010

How do I know when the next recession will occur? All I have to do is ask my wife. That's because women know this answer. Not men.The Federal Reserve is run primarily by men. That's why it… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in American City Business Journals on January 22, 2010

 

John Harbor doesn’t mow his lawn.  “That’s what landscapers are for.”  He says.  He doesn’t fix that leaky toilet in the guest bathroom.  “Th… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Business Week on January 21, 2010. 

 

I’ve listened to The Howard Stern Show on Sirius/XM radio for years, along with millions of others.  I’ve never once called in, nor do I ever intend to.  And I don’t yell “Ba… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared on Forbes on January 11, 2010

 

I recently sought the advice of a podiatrist, Dr. Jeffrey Galitz.    Except there’s nothing wrong with my feet, other than a few offensive looking bunions. 

The advice was about how a company can… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in American City Business Journals on January 8, 2010

 

My friend Jake is a study in contradictions.  He’s afraid to fly, even though it’s proven to be the safest form of transportation.  So instead he drives more often (which is pr… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Business Week on January 8, 2010

 

I read recently that a Swiss court fined a motorist $290,000 for going 35 miles over the speed limit.  Good for them.  In fact, I’d like to see that fine go up. 

In fact, I hope

… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Forbes.com on January 6, 2009

I live in a pretty nice area outside of Philadelphia. My kids go to the local public high school and on their first day of classes were issued brand new Apple Macbooks. That's pretty nice. Not that they… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Forbes.com on January 6, 2009

I live in a pretty nice area outside of Philadelphia. My kids go to the local public high school and on their first day of classes were issued brand new Apple Macbooks. That's pretty nice. Not that they… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Business Week on December 28, 2009

I outsource all the things I can't do well. 

For example, I'm a Certified Public Accountant, but a lousy one.  So I outsource my taxes.  I'm bad at gardening, so we have a landscaper.  I can't change… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in American City Business Journals on December 18, 2009

 

The fact that Michael Leonard usually doesn’t shower over most weekends isn’t really important.  The fact that the backseat of Michael’s ’01 Camry still has left over… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Business Week on December 22, 2009.

 I recently learned some very, very upsetting news. 

No, I'm not talking about the economy.  I'm talking about the fact that almost 2.5 million people watched MTV's "Jersey Shore" last week.  2.5 mil… Read full post »

An edited version of this column appeared in Business Week on December 15, 2009

This week Ben Bernanke and I bought a new car for my small business.

I traded in my beloved 2007 Jeep Wrangler.  Very noisy.  Very bumpy.  The roof leaked.  Sometimes it shuddered violently when going… Read full post »