Google Lost and Found

I found a bank card on the sidewalk in front of our office yesterday and it did not belong to anyone within shouting distance.

As a frequent misplacer of all things, I considered leaving it in case the person  retraced their steps, but then I decided to grab it for safe keeping.

This morning my colleague was on an endless hold with the bank about the card when I suggested that she Google the Guy.  The probable match was made within seconds and it turned out that our Mr Ramirez*  works at a high-profile and high-security International Organization here in The Hague.   This made the process of contacting him a bit tricky, but after initial refusals from security, she was eventually “allowed” to leave a voice mail.   A surprised Mr. Ramirez called back within minutes and he was delighted.    He simply thought he left his card at home and hadn’t blocked it.  He appreciated the extra effort we made to find him.  At lunch time he was standing in front of our door with a big smile and a lovely bouquet of flowers.

Mr. Ramirez was reunited with his card and left only to return a minute later.  He just had to ask how we made it past security.  I assured him they were not forthcoming with any information, but he must realize now how easy it is to be found.  That of course can be good or bad!

Unfortunately for my colleague, she had the afternoon off and missed Mr Ramirez by 10 minutes.  So, the flowers are mine!

*Name changed to protect his top secret status (at least a little bit).

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Janitor in Chief

Hours after class, I was still grading stacks of papers when Timo popped in to chat and to ask how long I would be.  He was ready to lock up the building and on his way out of the classroom, he cleared away debris left behind by the students and straightened chairs as he went.  I waved Good Night as I left school a few minutes later and noticed Timo tidying up the other classrooms as he made the rounds to turn out lights.

Timo’s cleaning efforts instantly struck a cord with me.  What’s the big deal, you ask?   Well, Timo is not the Janitor, he is actually the Dean of the School.  But this is not an ordinary school, it is New Business School Amsterdam. NBS is a private enterprise; Timo and the Management Team are entrepreneurs.  This is quite a shift from the typical bureaucratic academic institution, which brings me back to the trash. Continue reading »

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Goldilocks, The Three Bears and Your Business Plan

Size does matter.  It mattered to Goldilocks as she tried out each of the bears’ chairs and beds in search of the perfect fit and it matters in your business plan too!

After five continuous  hours of  Business Plan Pitches from College Students in the Dragon’s Den today, I became Goldilocks in search of a business plan that fit “just right”.  The students fell squarely into 2 camps; those that would become instant multi- millionaires according to their plans, and those willing to take a vow of poverty.  The poverty route is often necessary for many bootstrapping starters in the short term; but hovering around the poverty line should not be your long term financial goal! Continue reading »

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Yes, Your Entire Life is Graded on A Curve

Teachers who say they don’t grade on a curve are lying!

Everything we do in life is relative; measured against the performance of others or against existing expectations, (which are based on the previous performance of others).

Today, as I gave feedback to business students on their assignments, a few of the students were searching for a glimpse of the least  impressive plan to compare to their own.  Their quest to seek comfort in being the second worst surprised me.

If someone told you that you were a little less unattractive than the ugliest person they had ever seen or that you were not quite as rude as the most horrible person they ever met, I am sure you wouldn’t take it as a compliment!  Why is it okay to tell yourself the same kind of things, that almost being the worst is good enough for you?

Do you strive to set the standard?  Are you always pushing to raise the bar or do you try to see how little effort you can get away with exerting?

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