Category Archives: Aha!

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”

Seen and Not Heard, Speak Only When Spoken To, Why It’s Good to Listen

In the old days (as late as the mid-20th century), many parents told their kids that children were meant to be “seen not heard” and that children can only “speak when spoken to.” This rule prevails among many families, never mind if it’s the 21st century and some people say we should be more liberalContinue reading “Seen and Not Heard, Speak Only When Spoken To, Why It’s Good to Listen”

How to Save Money When Renewing the Dreaded City Business Permit

Every time we enter a new year, many of us reflect on the past and make resolutions for the future.  When the first working day arrives, however, we face reality.  One of those realities is the dreaded city business permit renewal.  Town and city governments in the Philippines require enterprises to register before they canContinue reading “How to Save Money When Renewing the Dreaded City Business Permit”

How to Deal with Insults

I was insulted the other day.  A senior director on the board of trustees of a high-rise building said I lacked technical education and experience.  For a person who is an engineering graduate and has been in business for almost 40 years, that sounded very much at least like an insult.  It’s not the firstContinue reading “How to Deal with Insults”

Managing Multiple Risks

Threats of fire, natural disasters, and supply chain disruptions don’t take breaks.  They don’t necessarily come one at a time.  Risks are mutually exclusive.  They can occur simultaneously.  Ongoing threats make our lives complicated. We are constantly stretching resources to keep workplaces and homes safe and secure from risks.  We need to always consider thatContinue reading “Managing Multiple Risks”