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  • A recipe for efficiency

    Getting shown the ropes those first days, I tend to notice a dozen procedures that strike me as odd. I chalk it up to my ...

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  • All in the family

    Our family has had the good fortune of owning and operating our business – McGuckin Hardware in Boulder – since 1955.  We are well into ...

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  • Best of CoBiz: Selling to birds of a feather

    We are fortunate in Colorado to have a highly entrepreneurial population. It is these companies and individuals that are going to lead our future growth ...

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  • Marketing gurus—inside or outsource?

    I don’t know where along this spectrum your company falls, but CEOs and their marketing leaders are faced with a dazzling array of ...

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  • What puts the ape in apricot?

    Presiders are most often hired guns with large salaries who don’t have the chutzpah, passion or confidence to take courageous action. They continue ...

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  • Do-it-yourself investing

    DIY investors often do not have a written, well-defined investment plan.   A good investment plan includes strategies for both bull and bear markets. ...

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  • Paying for health care

    Recent media stories illuminating the wide variation in hospital rates for the same service points to a well-known problem in the health care industry.  ...

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  • Avoiding interview blunders

    Interviewing is one of the most important steps in the recruiting proces. It allows the employer to see you in action and ask additional questions ...

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  • When failure is the best option

    I strongly believe that there are times you should call it quits on a business. Not everything works. And — even after trying incredibly hard, ...

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  • Is the market over-valued?

    There are thousands of opinions on this. Most fall under two camps: bullish or bearish. Some of the more famous bears, like Robert Schiller, with ...

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Readers Respond

Leading by lying

Surveys show people are becoming increasingly less trusting, and this is being compounded with a luck of trust for politicians, bankers etc. At work the lack of trust from society somehow has to be overcome by employers to ensure that employees are engaged and delivering their best by trusting the company and it's managers. The D Day landing was about a bigger mission - although winning the beaches was an important tactical activity, maintaining a free world was the overall vision and strategy. If leaders can create a great vision that is compelling and they bring their teams along with them they too will be able to overcome the challenges that get in the way without having to lie. I fear it is those leaders that do not have the support of their people that may need to resort to this approach. By Frazer Rendell on 2013 05 24

What puts the ape in apricot?

Loved the cowardly lion quote. What a great icon he is for courage. Like you, I have found courage is a differentiator of business leaders (and others) who become great. In fact, the courage to fail in order to create great success is one of the characteristics of all whom become great in their fields. By TC North on 2013 05 23

Avoiding interview blunders

Lida, I've seen the Rockies outfit! Classic example. Thanks for your thoughtful response. By Shawna Simcik on 2013 05 22

Avoiding interview blunders

AJ, you are right too! How you approach others in the office to find out more information is so important. Don't cross the line to creepy or desperate but a nice level of persistence and tenacity will go a long way! Also, it demonstrates that you are really interested in the company, culture and position; that is, if you take the time to do your research. “Oh, you also talked to Bob to learn more about expectations and the role.” “No one else took the time to do that” . . . this extra effort could possibly put your name to the top of the pile. It also helps you craft your answers more effectively to really hit home how you would be a great fit within their company, culture and can immediately help them solve problems they are facing. Thanks for the comment! By Shawna Simcik on 2013 05 22

Avoiding interview blunders

D Louis - Jeff is right! You can obtain more information about the interviewer or hiring manager by exploring LinkedIn, Twitter and other social media sites. Additionally, if you have champions within the organization, ask them for 10-15 minutes to chat. Ask about the interviewer’s personality and "hot buttons" - what are they looking for and what will get you removed immediately. Thanks for the question and comments! By Shawna Simcik on 2013 05 22

Avoiding interview blunders

D. Louis, To get more information on the interviewer, try using LinkedIn and look up the interviewer's name. By Jeff Cann on 2013 05 22

Avoiding interview blunders

I agree with everything except the getting more information on the interviewer. The only way to do that would be to call other people in the office and to me, that borders on the creepy/desperate. Paying close attention to how the interview begins and the questions they ask will give you enough information to adjust your style. Then asking the interviewer about their leadership and communication styles is a great way to determine your fit for the organization. By AJ on 2013 05 22

Leading by lying

Trina, thanks for the comment, I think you've got it right. Bill, I bet you got to hear some interesting stories. Side question: Do you think names like "Easy Green" were given to be psychologically "easier" sounding routes? By David Sneed on 2013 05 22

Avoiding interview blunders

Great article, Shawna. While it might feel like we tell interviewers these same (practical) bits of advice ad nauseum, it's amazing how often a candidate will ask the interviewer "So, what does your company do..?" and dress like they're headed to a Rockies game as soon as the interview is over. Thanks for providing the information in such a concise and entertaining way! By Lida Citroen on 2013 05 22

Avoiding interview blunders

How do you get more information on the interviewer? By D Louis on 2013 05 22

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