CEO Blog

MARCH 31, 2018

A start up CEO needs a different skill set than a growth CEO or a steady state CEO. In most respects it is a harder role. Recently I was asked for advice. I have found it very difficult to know what to advise - all start ups are different. And by nature - entrepreneurship is uncertain and there is no one right answer. Some rules and secrets on how to deal with things: 1 - You have no money.

CEO 178

CEO Succession Advice Learning-by-Doing 178

CEO Blog

MARCH 11, 2018

I had a wasted day yesterday. Or perhaps a better way of looking at it was I relaxed and recharged. One article I read (while wasting time reading) was on how much time we waste reading and how so much of it is pointless. I do know reading politics these days is stressful (even though I do not do politics) and mostly pointless. ++ I have never been more excited by what we are doing at Danby Appliances.

Politics 100

Politics Article Stress Energy 100

CEO Blog

FEBRUARY 20, 2018

I recently read Amanda Lang's new book - The Beauty of Discomfort. Great book - simple messages. She told a number of stories of people who had suffered great adversity (like paralysis, blindness etc) and had still managed to become great successes in life. There is a section on Linda Hasenfratz who has build Linamar into the powerhouse that it is today.

Collins 113

Collins Article Learning-by-Doing Review 113

CEO Blog

JANUARY 27, 2018

I am just back from China. Some business, some sightseeing/vacation. I am writing this on the flight (of course cannot post until I hit live internet). I find long flights are excellent times to think and reflect. China has come a long way. It is smoggy but not as bad as it was. The automation in the factories has definitely increased a lot. Quality is world class (and automation helps that).

Marketing 177

Marketing Class Blog Definition 177

CEO Blog

NOVEMBER 5, 2017

Sears Canada is closing for good. This will leave 74 malls without and anchor tenant (this does not include the 8 Home Stores and 49 Hometown Stores). These are large retail spaces and it is unlikely there is another retailer big enough to take most of them. Most established players like Walmart, Canadian Tire, Brick, Best Buy etc already have stores close to most of these.

Retail 100

Retail Reputation Cost Video 100

CEO Blog

OCTOBER 19, 2017

I notice a pattern. Successful people say they are lucky, Unsuccessful people have things happen to them. What I have learned is you need to choose the former. I meet people who tell me about all the great things they did and how they did it all on their own. It tends to be those same people who have things happen to them. It is almost as if "everything I did was perfect BUT then something happened that was not in my control.

Morale 100

Morale Article Succession 100

CEO Blog

AUGUST 30, 2016

Danby is Canadian. People like to buy Canadian. In Canada it means local. In the US, it denotes quality and North American. Everyone does not know Danby is Canadian and even if they do, they may not know our language. We we put up a simple Canadian Translator. Simply type in the word or phrase you want translated and it speaks back what that is in Canadian.

Marketing 100

Marketing Price Books Learning-by-Doing 100

CEO Blog

SEPTEMBER 11, 2016

Headline says it all. Brother to Baby Elizabeth who now likes to be called big sister Elizabeth. Wondering what exciting things his life will bring. Must be colder in Ottawa than here - he is wearing a hat.

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CEO Blog

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

I had a great COO working for me at SYNNEX who talked about "Conditions". Conditions are those things which you cannot change - you can only choose how to react to them. For example - the exchange rates or if an accident has already happened. It is done - now you can only react to the Condition. Or as someone once wrote "you cannot ought to have done anything".

COO 100

COO Article Mentor Entrepreneur 100

CEO Blog

NOVEMBER 9, 2016

Most things that happen - positive or negative happen because of our reactions. It is not what happens - it is our reaction to it that is important. I do not do politics. The Trump victory will cause massive reactions in the stock market, housing prices, oil prices, gold prices, currency etc. There will be great uncertainty while people try to figure out what is going to happen.

Uncertainty 100

Uncertainty Price Politics Positioning 100

CEO Blog

DECEMBER 5, 2016

Please help my young videographer friend Liam who is doing his part to help Syrian refugees. See his Indigogo campaign. Speaking of helping refugees - I have learned though this process that rugs and carpets are as important to Syrians as kitchen tables. If you have any lightly used ones, we need them. I was visiting a Syrian family on the weekend and the 80 year old grandmother chose to sit on the floor rather than a chair.

Banking 100

Banking Learning-by-Doing Examples Process 100

CEO Blog

DECEMBER 12, 2016

“Resolutions: So many will fail; NOT because they didn't set goals, but because they didn't set behaviors.” ― Steve Maraboli It is getting time to work on my goals. I do not call them resolutions. And I do them about 3-4 times per year. I like to work on 3-5 goals at a time. Each broken down with an action plan. One rule I have is - it cannot be on my list unless I am prepared to spend an hour per week on it.

Simon 100

Simon Video Goal Project 100

CEO Blog

DECEMBER 28, 2016

Indispensable Time Management Hacks to Get More Out of Your Work Day I rarely use guest blog posts but I thought this one was quite good. And my time management tip for me might be to use more guest blogs (since they take less time). Thanks to Surepayroll for these tips. - See more at: [link].

Management 100

Management Tips Blog 100

CEO Blog

JANUARY 2, 2017

With New Years comes examination of my systems. I read a book - Checklist Manifesto written by a doctor with many examples of how checklists save lives. He implemented checklist in operating rooms by being inspired by airline pilot checklists. It has inspired me to do my own checklist. The one I am experimenting with is a weekly 1 page sheet with some things to do daily (like pushups and meditation) and others to do weekly (like checking in with key people).

Airlines 100

Airlines Politics Operations System 100

CEO Blog

JANUARY 15, 2017

My refugee sponsorship story has gone international with mentions on BBC and The Guardian. I did not do this project for fame or publicity. At first I resisted publicity but now welcome it. It helps leverage. It helps get things done. The downside is it generates a lot of volume. People read it and ask for help. Or people want to express an opinion.

Resistance 100

Resistance Crisis Project Training 100

CEO Blog

JANUARY 22, 2017

I am just off a weekend with my brothers. This is a 25+ year tradition. We get together and solve the problems of the world (so it was a tough weekend), predict the future and then figure out how to influence it. I actually ended up with too many things on my to do list from it. And of course we have a lot of laughs, walk and play some cards. We always miss my brother Mark who died in Dec 2008.

Covey 100

Covey Sports Course Video 100

CEO Blog

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

I am pleased Danby has the herb grower out. It is called Danby Fresh. I love it because: 1 - it is good the the environment. We re-use the shell of a wine cooler. Much better than recycling it. 2 - I am a health guy and love fresh herbs. When you buy at the grocery store, they are often old. And the quantity is not right so there is waste. 3 - I know what I grow is organic. + We tend to overestimate what we can do in a day and under estimate what we can do in a decade.

Storytelling 100

Storytelling Resistance Video Long-term 100

CEO Blog

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Someone said "Your in box is a convenient way for others to put things on your priority list". I am finding this. My email volume is incredible. So my natural inclination is to figure out how to process it all efficiently. Questions I have and some thoughts: 1 - Should I politely reply to every enquiry? I try to do this now. Or just delete? 2 - I like to triage.

Market Segmentation 100

Market Segmentation Stress Travel Politics 100

CEO Blog

MARCH 2, 2017

Lent made me think. "not doing something is a decision and can often have more impact than actually doing something". We make decisions by lack of action. It is interesting that people give things up for lent and not take up doing something new. Either can have a positive effect. Give up eating sugar or add lettuce to every meal (yum - goes great on oatmeal).

Blog 100

Blog Tips Report Positioning 100

CEO Blog

MARCH 21, 2017

I think a lot about my habits (of course thinking about them and doing them are not always the same). When I get a good Success Habit , I work hard to make it into a habit. It got me thinking on why some habits stick and others fall by the wayside. I have found I have certain linch pin habits. If I do them, then I do the rest of the habits or if I do them, I fail or do things that do not help my productivity.

Software 100

Software Stress Follow-up Productivity 100

CEO Blog

MARCH 31, 2017

I recently read a book by John Wilson - Great CEOs and How They are Made - The 7 Imperatives. The first imperative - EQ. I have long known EQ is critical for success. I also believe in AQ (ability to deal with adversity). I know my IQ is not as high as many people (hopefully than most of my staff) so have to make up for it with EQ. The Second is Ability to Inspire.

CEO 100

CEO McCarthy Learning-by-Doing Mentor 100

CEO Blog

APRIL 3, 2017

In my last post, I spoke about leadership ego. A friend then asked me how to keep leadership ego in check: “Leadership ego is what kills most companies.” I hear this message a lot, and try to live by it, but I haven't had much luck finding information on how to make this value actionable, beyond things like valuing ideas over seniority, avoiding a superstar culture, and empowering the people on your team to shine more brightly, even if it means personally being in the background.

Leadership 100

Leadership Comparison Travel Learning-by-Doing 100

CEO Blog

APRIL 11, 2017

I just finished reading - T he Happiness Equation; Want Nothing+Do Anything=Have Everything by Neil Pasricha. It is a great book. I like that the book started saying something like take what parts you like and it is ok to not agree with everything because I do not agree with everything. Some of the ideas I liked: 1 - He believes in exercise. 2 - He has a concept of the 20 min replay.

Efficiency 100

Efficiency Books Course Power 100

CEO Blog

APRIL 17, 2017

Many companies know who their target customers are. In many cases their targets are limited. For example - at Danby Appliance , we might target appliance stores. There are only so many of them. So the key is persistence. One suggested process: 1 - call them and introduce yourself, get an email address. 2 - follow up with snail mail with a hand written note. 3 - stop in for tea. 4 - Connect with your main contact on Linkedin (I love Linkedin). 5 - Send Daily or every other day Linkedin updates.

COO 100

COO Follow-up Reference Politics 100

CEO Blog

MAY 13, 2017

There was a video that went viral on my Syrian project. 11,283,000 views so far. I did not know videos could get that many views. It spread on Facebook. One interest side effect - other videos that featured me and this project also got more views. Pervious videos increased by 200,000 views. Not even sure why it went viral. It helps the cause but also creates volume.

Power 100

Power Seminar Video Bottom-up 100

CEO Blog

MAY 31, 2017

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela But education is not just school. It is more about learning. I pride myself in being a constant learner and want that to be part of the Danby Appliance culture. When I have a challenge, I devise a deliberate study plan. I have learned about learning from my Syrian project.

Advertising 100

Advertising Price Library Learning-by-Doing 100

CEO Blog

JUNE 18, 2017

Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny. Mahatma Ghandi To this - I say - possibly. Or is it the other way around mostly. Your habits become your actions, your actions shape your destiny. I am a big believer in habits.

Review 100

Review Motivation Productivity Products 100

CEO Blog

JULY 2, 2017

Happy post Canada Day. Danby has a couple of Canada Day things. Our Canadian Translator is cute. Would love to get that to go viral so please share it. And this video on why we should be grateful - Danby New Canadians. We are lucky. + This blog post is inspired by one Randall Howard wrote here. Canadians, and others living in Canada, have the privilege of living in a great country.

Comparison 100

Comparison Stress Video Blog 100

CEO Blog

JULY 10, 2017

That is a title of one of Seth Godin's books. Seth and I go way back - he was an early blogger as was I. We communicated a bit in those early days before he became famous. I also met him a couple of times at YPO events. And we traded some email over a business venture he was coaching. He is brilliant and insightful. Like most of his books - What to do when it's your turn is about branding and marketing.

Godin 100

Godin Efficiency Learning-by-Doing Brand 100

CEO Blog

AUGUST 21, 2017

I suffer from great blogger guilt. I have not posted for quite a while. Not that I have not been doing anything but. I read a great book by Jim Clemmer - a famous local motivational speaker. The book is " Growing @ the Speed of Change ". Clemmer is a prolific author on leadership and motivation. Clemmer is a story teller which makes the book more interesting - personal anecdotes interspersed with advice.

Comparison 100

Comparison Licensing Tips Motivation 100

CEO Blog

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

I thought this article from Nathan Collier was good so: 5 ways we lie to ourselves Confirmation Bias: We look for evidence that confirms what we already believe and we discount that which makes us uncomfortable. Related to the Belief Bias; evaluating information not on the worthiness or credibility of the source but more upon how we feel (i.e. our beliefs) about the issue at hand.

Advertorial 124

Advertorial Discount Uncertainty Advertising 124

CEO Blog

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

I thought this article from Nathan Collier was good so: 5 ways we lie to ourselves Confirmation Bias: We look for evidence that confirms what we already believe and we discount that which makes us uncomfortable. Related to the Belief Bias; evaluating information not on the worthiness or credibility of the source but more upon how we feel (i.e. our beliefs) about the issue at hand.

Advertorial 100

Advertorial Discount Uncertainty Advertising 100

CEO Blog

JULY 10, 2017

That is a title of one of Seth Godin's books. Seth and I go way back - he was an early blogger as was I. We communicated a bit in those early days before he became famous. I also met him a couple of times at YPO events. And we traded some email over a business venture he was coaching. He is brilliant and insightful. Like most of his books - What to do when it's your turn is about branding and marketing.

Godin 100

Godin Efficiency Learning-by-Doing Brand 100

CEO Blog

JULY 2, 2017

Happy post Canada Day. Danby has a couple of Canada Day things. Our Canadian Translator is cute. Would love to get that to go viral so please share it. And this video on why we should be grateful - Danby New Canadians. We are lucky. + This blog post is inspired by one Randall Howard wrote here. Canadians, and others living in Canada, have the privilege of living in a great country.

Comparison 100

Comparison Stress Video Blog 100

CEO Blog

JUNE 18, 2017

Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny. Mahatma Ghandi To this - I say - possibly. Or is it the other way around mostly. Your habits become your actions, your actions shape your destiny. I am a big believer in habits.

Review 100

Review Motivation Productivity Products 100

CEO Blog

MAY 13, 2017

There was a video that went viral on my Syrian project. 11,283,000 views so far. I did not know videos could get that many views. It spread on Facebook. One interest side effect - other videos that featured me and this project also got more views. Pervious videos increased by 200,000 views. Not even sure why it went viral. It helps the cause but also creates volume.

Power 100

Power Seminar Video Bottom-up 100

CEO Blog

APRIL 17, 2017

Many companies know who their target customers are. In many cases their targets are limited. For example - at Danby Appliance , we might target appliance stores. There are only so many of them. So the key is persistence. One suggested process: 1 - call them and introduce yourself, get an email address. 2 - follow up with snail mail with a hand written note. 3 - stop in for tea. 4 - Connect with your main contact on Linkedin (I love Linkedin). 5 - Send Daily or every other day Linkedin updates.

COO 113

COO Follow-up Reference Politics 113