Don’t Just Score – The Clemson Win Applied to Business

Posted by on Jan 20, 2017 “When they scored, I just looked at the clock, it was 2:01 & I smiled & told myself, they left too much time on the clock.” – Deshaun Watson Having lived in Clemson until I was 15, I can’t help but comment on the Tigers’ win in the NCAA championship game earlier this month. After all, I found something to say last year when they lost. Let’s start with Clemson quarterback...
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How to Be a Tech Billionaire

Posted by on Nov 16, 2016 One billion: that big number that uses three commas to separate nine zeros. Billionaire: someone who can flaunt three commas. Celebrity investor Marc Cuban has taken up the “three commas” mantra. In 2015, he co-launched a brand of the same name, selling t-shirts bearing these punctuation marks. Interesting business, this “aspirational brand.” Even if you include billionaire wannabes...
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Trip to Philly and Cable-Tec Expo

Posted by on Sep 30, 2016 This year’s trip to Cable-Tec Expo required no planes, only trains and automobiles. Trip summary: Car ride to/from the Amtrak station, trains between Richmond and Philly, and uber to/from the hotel. There for less than 48 hours, I still had enough time to connect with friends and clients and make some new connections. The floor included not only booths, but also (much in the style of the...
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The Wired in Wireless

Posted by on Apr 15, 2016 It was once common to think that cellular communications were entirely wireless. If the public were polled, a large number would have thought that calls hopped back and forth from tower to tower until they reached their destination. The truth, of course, is otherwise. The all-wireless misunderstanding is less common today. All it takes is one look at a cell tower. While festooned with antennas...
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3 College-Football, Tech-Writing Lessons

Posted by on Jan 9, 2016 Two football teams are about to play for the national championship. I grew up in the shadow of one. Which raises the question: What I did learn in that town that relates to what I do today? Here are three college-football, tech-writing lessons, and a few related questions: 1) Brands matter. The local university adopted a new logo when I was in grade school. Decades later, it still triggers...
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Screw the Valley – Review Essay

Posted by on Nov 13, 2015 Silicon Valley gets plenty of attention. The Santa Clara Valley itself is beautiful, and companies based there have created staggering amounts of innovation and value. I have reported on and been happy to collaborate with many of them. So business reporters and analysts are right to focus on the Valley. But as important as it is, there comes a time when you just need to look beyond. Even players...
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