On a recent weekend trip to Sacramento, CA, I realized that I took everything that I really need to survive. My Computer, cell phone pda, a few clothes, and the most important; beer are all the important items that I really need.
I have always tried to support the local businesses near my residents. Everyone should try and do the same.
My hair cut place, Perfect Cuts, is just one of local businesses. I have been going there since the opening about a year ago. As a person with short hair and hair that grows pretty fast (I have a hair cut every three to four weeks), it is important to find a place where I feel comfortable and is reliable. The bonus is that this place is blocks from my house making walking to it great.
Not only am I supporting local business, I am also seeing the business grow and mature. It is great to see the growth of a business like that. While I can get my hair cut anywhere, because I have been with them since the beginning I have more invested and want them to succeed. That is a cool feeling.
Find a local business of your own and support them. You will find it rewarding.
Sustainability both in use of environmental resources and in business has been something that I have been very interested in lately. Okay, really getting back into. It has beenli an interest since my days at UC Davis. I took a bit of course work in agricultural sustainabilty and international development.
I recently came across a TV show called Building Green on PBS. What a great show. While I would never call myself a hard core environmentalist, I am too practical, I believe building green is something that every can do. The techniques shown on the show can be done in the real world. It is using green building, but not making the finish product look like something that was just pulled from a junk yard, one of my biggest pet peeves.
Take a look at the highlight video of the here.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Barack Obama: The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
Jared Diamond: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed
Another good book. Right along the lines for Gun, Germs, and Steel.
Bruce Greenwald: Competition Demystified: A Radically Simplified Approach to Business Strategy
Very good book. Though, highly academic. I felt like I really just took a course from Greenwald.
James Surowiecki: The Wisdom of Crowds
Great book. Interesting to really think about. Over at AskSpace.com and TBE we are testing some of the concepts in the book. Check it.
Malcolm Gladwell: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
With my science background I found The Tipping Point an interesting read. In the past, the tipping point of events has always been an unconscious thought. I hope to bring those tipping points to my consciousness and harness and anticipate tipping points in the future.
Keith Ferrazzi: Never Eat Alone : And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
Good advice and maybe a different approach to networking for many. I enjoyed the personal stories used as examples throughout the book. I am going to see if I can put his advice to practice.
Jimmy Buffett: A Salty Piece of Land
A new one for all the Buffett fans. It is escapism at its best. This novel is peppered with Buffett's life and music. While reading ASPL I was wishing that I was exploring the world.
Sun-Tzu: The Art of War (Penguin Classics)
What can I say. A book of sayings from Sun-Tzu. His knowledge is relevant beyond war. As good as it is to read it in English, I wish that I could read and understand the orignal Chinese text.
Stephan Schiffman: Cold Calling Techniques: (That Really Work!) (Cold Calling Techniques)
Interesting read. Not that I currently make cold calls, but I found the techniques useful in regular phone and business interactions.
The book made me think about how to approach a sale (both as the sales person and consumer).
Guy Kawasaki: The Art Of The Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide For Anyone Starting Anything
A must read by anybody that wants to start a business. I enjoyed the examples of what "to-do" and "not-do."
I will be re-reading this book and continuing to make notes.
