Bradley Talbot
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Bradley Talbot commented on Lenny Mendonca: How Can You Make The Most Of Technological Revolution? on June 11, 2009, 7:46 PM
I think Mendoca is right that technology has indeed changed business forever, but I'm not sure about his conclusion that it is for the better. I've used teleconference and videoconference a good deal in my work - and even with these technologies used in tandem with personal interaction it is still not the same. I strongly beleive that technology has harmed the relationship side of business interactions a great deal. Does effectiveness of one's time take priority over the level of trust and understanding that one can develop through a live personal interaction instead of a virtual one? I don't think so.
Bradley Talbot commented on Your Guide to Recession Entrepreneurship on June 11, 2009, 7:40 PM
It is interesting that Roven says the best advice he ever received was to have an unhealthy amount of focus - and the realization that he is still not focused enough today. For a very smart person, who has devloped a very innovative company, it seems like such simple advice. Hearing him talk about this made me take a step back and consider some of the simple things that I might be missing in my own work - and life. For a CEO, it important for him to do many tasks - and do them well. How then does he mix his own advice to do less and be excellent, with his own role of doing a great deal? I'm curious about how best to find a balance.
Bradley Talbot commented on Thomas Cooley: How Do You Succeed In Business During a Recession? on June 11, 2009, 7:30 PM
Congrats to Billy Gonzales for graduating! That is a terrific accomplishment. I think that most of the big companies out there do tend to focus on the older demographic as that is what most of their work force is populated with. The younger, more nimble, more future focused firms tend to focus on younger trends. Who knows? The Fortune 500 is vastly different than it was a generation ago - and new companies who see the trends correctly and that serve the younger demographic are likely to take the place of those listed there today.
Bradley Talbot commented on How Do You Succeed In Business During a Recession? on June 11, 2009, 6:41 PM
Stewart lists off three GREAT concerns for CEO's to start, but I have serious doubts about the ability of CEO's to handle the third suggestion: looking for strategic opportunities. First, I think that cost cutting and leanness and financial viability are forefront on the CEO's mind. It is an entire switch to think of building operations in any capacity when cutting is first. Second, within the company itself, I think that it is a potentially very big hit to employee morale when friends are being cut from one division and new people are added to another.
Bradley Talbot commented on Tom Stemberg: How Can You Make The Most Of Technological Revolution? on June 11, 2009, 7:56 PM
In response to Skipper, I think that you pose a very tough question. In my experience the first and foremost pitfall is that companies don't look to invest. All too often it is smaller companies that take larger risks in periods of down economies - in many instances they have less to loose should things not go as planned. One example that comes to mind of a launch that failed in a down period was Amazon launching a travel site in 2001. That jet did not fly too far... What did they learn? Perhaps that it is important to stay within your area of expertise - their core is retail.To your own self be true!