Category Archives: Aha!

Challenging the 80/20 Rule

Smartphone manufacturers say that it’s best to charge cell phones up to a maximum of 80%.  Not charging beyond 80% would ensure a longer battery life of the cell phone, the manufacturers say.  Liquid petroleum gas suppliers fill cooking gas cylinders up to a maximum of 80% of design capacity.  They say the remaining 20%Continue reading “Challenging the 80/20 Rule”

What Did They Say?

I was a staff industrial engineer in a multinational consumer goods corporation and I was in a meeting with two (2) senior accountants.  We were discussing why the budget for operating expenses was going up for the department I was assigned to.  Whenever I replied to questions about expenses, both accountants would huddle and talkContinue reading “What Did They Say?”

The Un-Ease of Doing Business

I hate January. Every January of every calendar year, enterprises must renew their business permits with the cities and towns they have their offices located at.  On top of the hefty fees & taxes, the process of renewal is tedious.  Every enterprise must submit numerous requirements such as but not limited to securing clearances forContinue reading “The Un-Ease of Doing Business”

The Pensées By Blaise Pascal

Pensées (pronounced pahn-sáy) was nothing more than Pascal’s collection of his notes and musings, for what academics believed was supposed to be for his unwritten book about Christianity.  Yet, when the Pensées was published into a book in 1670, readers hailed it as a historical masterpiece. Students of science and religion have cited the PenséesContinue reading “The Pensées By Blaise Pascal”

The Low-Key Professional

Famous people are usually politicians, business titans, military generals, artists, star athletes, and inventors.  Hardly does one find a famous administrator, logistician, or accountant.  Why is that? Recognition gravitates to one who leads an earth-shaking change or just happens to introduce something that resonates with just about everyone.  Credit goes to the individual who introducesContinue reading “The Low-Key Professional”

Where is the ‘How’ in Fixing Problems?

Opinion-editorial writers fill newspaper columns with what they believe are wrong with the world.  They cite theories and recommend what needs to be done, which may range from legislating news laws, kicking out incompetent people from political office, to reducing red tape. Absent in many of these op-eds is the how. How would what theseContinue reading “Where is the ‘How’ in Fixing Problems?”

Paperless Productivity is a Myth

To pay for my company’s taxes, my accountant logs into the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) website and types into forms on the computer screen.  Once filled, she checks and mouse clicks a button to submit the form.  She logs out of the BIR website and then tells me to log into the company’s bankContinue reading “Paperless Productivity is a Myth”

Scolding My Subordinate Was Wrong

I scolded my subordinate manager the other day.  Yelled at him, in fact.  It was wrong.  I should not scold, much more yell, at a person whether he works for me or not.  When I scolded my manager, I negated the value of pointing out his mistake.  The manager ended up not realising his errorContinue reading “Scolding My Subordinate Was Wrong”

Goals Lead to Tangible Benefits

In one scene from the movie, Rocky, the title character played by Sylvester Stallone, is seen waking up at 4:00am, helping himself to a glassful of raw eggs, and then starting a jog. Rocky’s jog is the start of his preparation for his boxing fight with Apollo Creed, the current heavyweight champion in the movie. Continue reading “Goals Lead to Tangible Benefits”