Nine great links from the last week:
First, a couple of posts about memory. Tim Sanders asks if Google and other on-line tools are allowing our memories to atrophy. On the other hand, Bob Sutton reports on research suggesting that by forgetting some of this stuff we can easily find on-line, we might be improving our capacity to remember important stuff that is not available on Google.
Next, a trio of offerings about coaching. Buffalo Business First explores the world of Life Coaching, one branch of the profession. Be Excellent blog reports on an International Coach Federation study of coaching for small businesses, and concludes that "coaching is one of the four requirements for achieving lasting business excellence." In spite of that value, Seth counters that you might not be coachable, and gives you a list of symptoms to check yourself against.
Having trouble making that call? Dave Opton suggests you might be suffering from "fear induced lethargy" and prescribes a good dose of information to break the logjam.
Anna Farmery is a confused customer, as am I in the situations she describes. Daniel Sitter, perhaps realizing that customers sometimes confuse us more than they should, suggests that there may be customers you should fire.
And to close out the list, a really cool website. Deborah Wear-Finkle dropped by this blog last Tuesday and left a brilliant analysis of that day's tough question. As is my habit, I checked out her website before dropping her a line to thank her for her comment - and I absolutely loved it. There is so much I love about this website, and I am busy mining it for ideas to spiff up my own on-line image. Here are my three favorite bits for your enjoyment:
- What's in your wall? - what a great way to work a cool photo into the site.
- 20 good reasons NOT to use us - If I didn't agree with most of these reasons, I'd hire Deborah on the spot! (Kidding) What a great and gutsy sales technique. Wish I had thought of it first.
- The Cliff's Notes version of what they offer, one more sign that Deborah has a sense of humor. Wouldn't you love to work with her in your company? I would.
