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Books Shelved: Arizona Opening First All-Laptop High School

© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2009

The school will loan $850 laptops to its 350 students.

We had one computer with a tape recorder to save programs. For something like 300 students… Boy, that seems like centuries ago!

Caligula’s Boast

© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2009

As you might know I am writing a book about managing people right now and Alan M. Perlman, PhD from Perlman Communications, Ltd. did not only shared this wonderful article of his with me, he also allowed me to post it in my blog. Thank you Alan!

Caligula’s Boast
On the Allure of Management and the Inevitability of Bad Bosses

“Are We Any Better at Managing People?” asks the cover of the September/October 2002 issue of Across the Board magazine. Inside, various experts dance around the question, their answers ranging from “not much” to “yes.”

My response to the question had formed in my head even before I opened the magazine: better…compared to what? During 10,000 years of civilization, we have improved, refined or discarded almost all the institutions and practices of our primitive and ancient ancestors, with one glaring exception: when it comes to marshaling and managing human talent, we have barely progressed beyond slavery.

After over twenty years of observing, reading about, and participating in corporate life, my conclusion is that almost everywhere, autocracy and totalitarianism are the reality and the rule. With few exceptions, they are the essence of management and leadership. And regardless of how much the organization says that it prizes autonomy, the main motivator of human behavior is (and always has been) fear of the boss—because the power of the boss is very nearly absolute. Somebody gets put in charge, generally with little or no involvement of those over whom he or she is to exert power, and from that moment forth, the person can boast, with the Emperor Caligula, that “I have the right to do anything to anyone.” Read the rest of this entry »

Controlling

© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2009

Adam H. Baker writes in his LinkedIn profile:

To me, having too many connections is like having too much MONEY.

Bring me the connections, and bring me the money! People seem to think that a person who has “too many connections” doesn’t have a life. Though that may be true :-), it’s not because he/she has too many connections.

This issue seems to be one of “control”. People are busy. They think that by “managing” their number of connections, that they are managing their time, and or their reputation. The fear is that by having more connections, that there must be a correlating requirement of time to manage LinkedIn requests.

I can tell you emphatically that this is NOT TRUE!

Would you agree? Is it about control?

Or isn’t it true that only via a big network you can fast and easily find those you need to talk with?

PS: My profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=79118

Blog or Die?

© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2009

Blogs Will Change Your Business

Are you blogging?

Is your company?

Anthony John Gray

© Copyright Frank D. Kanu 2000-2009

A friend of mine has recently taken on the task of helping a British Artist get back on his feet again after a 12 year gap away from the market. See www.anthonyjohngray.com

His life was turned upside down when a business partner of his borrowed funds from the bank using Tony’s work as colllateral. This partner then left with the money leaving Tony with huge debts. He lost his home and financies and he and his family had to move into sheltered accomodation. For 5 years they went through a living hell of being poor and destitute. The only thiny that kept Tony sane was his painting.

He is now getting his life back in order and wants help to get his name known again.

If you take a look at his biography on the web site you will see that he did many art shows in the US and was even given a Honery Member of the Town of Palm Springs.

The stories behind each of his paintings is fascinating. I have asked him to start writting documents to describe each piece which will be sold with the work.