A high-rise building (let’s call it Building A) has been fixing its nine (9) elevators for the last twelve (12) years. Several times an elevator would fail, and passengers would get stuck, causing trauma and panic. Fortunately, the building’s security quickly rescued trapped passengers and suspended access to the dysfunctional elevators. But for the building’sContinue reading “Five (5) Lessons from an Elevator Story”
Category Archives: Aha!
Four Remedies to Mitigate Bias
I won’t lease an office to a Korean. Every Korean I did business with didn’t pay the rent on time. Many golf country clubs in the Philippines won’t accept Korean golfers as members. This is because Koreans don’t follow proper etiquette at the golf courses. They shout at other people, don’t wait their turns,Continue reading “Four Remedies to Mitigate Bias”
If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Kitchen
I went to a lunch with former high schoolmates I’ve not seen in years. Most of us were glad to see each other. One of my schoolmates, an esteemed cardiologist, however, didn’t want to make conversation with me; he seemed to prefer to talk to other schoolmates who were either medical doctors or scientists withContinue reading “If You Can’t Stand the Heat, Get Out of the Kitchen”
Multi-Tasking: Burning the Candle at Both Ends
We work in a world where multitasking is the norm. If we don’t work on at least two (2) things at the same time, chances are we won’t get much done in a day. Some of us admire those who multi-task while some others frown on those who do. Those who are against multitasking argueContinue reading “Multi-Tasking: Burning the Candle at Both Ends”
The Two Fundamental Tasks of Business
A business enterprise has two fundamental tasks: All activities of an enterprise revolve around these two tasks. Demand creation is about cultivating an idea, enrolling followers to that idea, and manifesting that idea in products or services that the followers would buy. Demand fulfilment is about making available or delivering those products and services thatContinue reading “The Two Fundamental Tasks of Business”
My Phones Die Once a Month
Every month, like clockwork, the telephones at my office and warehouse die. As in no dial tone. As in no one can call in and no one can call out. Sometimes they are dead for a few minutes; sometimes they are dead for a week. The point is they die at least once a month,Continue reading “My Phones Die Once a Month”
Burning the Midnight Oil & the Work-Life Balance Myth
Not a very long time ago, people avoided working at night because they didn’t have enough light. But for those who did have to work at night, they had to make do with whatever source of light they had. Up to the early 20th century, people had little in the way of light after dusk. Continue reading “Burning the Midnight Oil & the Work-Life Balance Myth”
The Last Squirrel
There was a time when every early morning, I’d see a family of squirrels scamper on the treetops above our yard. The squirrels would leap from one branch to the other, from one tree to the next, searching for something to eat. The squirrels ate anything they’d find edible, from small fruits & seeds toContinue reading “The Last Squirrel”
Climate Change vs. Pollution: Collaboration Comes First
When I was in elementary school, I had an assignment to write & present a report on pollution. It was the 1970s and pollution was a global issue; politicians and the press were talking about it as a crisis that needed to be addressed. My report to the class explained what pollution was and IContinue reading “Climate Change vs. Pollution: Collaboration Comes First”
Pets Are Worth It…I Think
Having animals for pets help us stay healthy and happy. Or so we say. My family household adopted four (4) birds, ten (10) cats, and four (4) dogs. We clean the bird cages and feed the pets every early morning and late afternoon, with periods of snacks in-between. Our big dog, Lucas, always vies forContinue reading “Pets Are Worth It…I Think”
Ellery's Essays 