My mechanic, Diony, recommended I change the power steering fluid of my car. I use automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for the power steering because another mechanic said it was okay. But when Diony checked my car the other day, he said I shouldn’t use ATF for power steering. ATF is for automatic transmissions; power steeringContinue reading “Building Track Records of Trust”
Category Archives: Aha!
What Organising Really Means
There are four (4) basic functions to management: planning, organising, directing, and controlling. We can picture what planning, directing, and controlling are. They’re kind of straightforward and self-explanatory. Organising, however, is not. When we “organise,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? We perhaps think of putting our stuff in order, like filing awayContinue reading “What Organising Really Means”
Owning versus Managing: What’s the Difference?
Do you own the business or do you manage the business?* A senior member of the board of trustees of a high-rise building walked into its administration office and asked the accountant there to order parts for a diesel generator set. The senior board member believed that the generator needed a minor repair and notContinue reading “Owning versus Managing: What’s the Difference?”
Management is Not Leading, and It Isn’t Staffing Either
First thing I was taught as a management trainee at a large multinational corporation in 1985 was that there are four (4) basic functions to managing. These are: Planning, Organising, Directing, Controlling. In 2021, when I search for “management functions” on the Internet, the results mostly are: Planning. Organising, Leading, Controlling, and Staffing. Leading hadContinue reading “Management is Not Leading, and It Isn’t Staffing Either”
Twenty-Five Questions We May Find Ourselves Asking Everyday
Some of us ask very profound questions when we go to bed at night or wake up in the morning: “Why are we here?” “Where are we going?” “What happens when we die?” For many who work long hours and experience the daily adventures of hand-to-mouth jobs, however, these questions are quickly overtaken by moreContinue reading “Twenty-Five Questions We May Find Ourselves Asking Everyday”
The Case of the Half-Cut Tree; How We View Accountability
There’s a tree across the street from where I live that looks like it’s half of what it should be. The tree’s trunk is rooted on an empty lot. Its leafy side hangs over a street intersection. The tree’s leafy branches press down on telephone & internet cables. Over the years, especially when the windContinue reading “The Case of the Half-Cut Tree; How We View Accountability”
A Letter to a Life Insurance Company
The following is a letter I want to send to a life insurance company regarding their service. Identities are anonymous to avoid complications. Dear Chief Executive Officer of Life Insurance Company, I received your letter dated August 25, 2020 which arrived February 16, 2021. Your letter stated that you did not receive payment for pastContinue reading “A Letter to a Life Insurance Company”
We Don’t Need Deep Science to Implement Change
While depositing Philippine coins at the bank one morning, I couldn’t figure out which was which. The 1-peso coin looked like the 5-peso coin which also looked like the 10-peso coin. Each coin was silver in colour and almost the same size. I also had older and much more different 5-peso and 10-peso coins toContinue reading “We Don’t Need Deep Science to Implement Change”
Four (4) Suggestions for a Client-Convenient Website
The phone company needs a password whenever I want to look at my bill. I enrolled into the phone company’s “paperless billing” system more than a year ago. Before, the “paper” bills were arriving late such that when I received them, they were already past the due date. With paperless billing, the phone company notifiesContinue reading “Four (4) Suggestions for a Client-Convenient Website”
Paying Attention versus Getting Attention
A columnist at a leading daily newspaper writes every week about ghosts, spirits, reincarnation, or in other words, supernatural stuff. He is obviously popular as he’s been writing for the newspaper for decades. He seems to be doing well as he’s consulted for some people and spoke at gatherings. I laugh at how people canContinue reading “Paying Attention versus Getting Attention”
Ellery's Essays 