Category Archives: Advice

01/28/16

Human Relations — Crawl, Walk, Run

Big Red Car here in the ATX after The Boss had a stint on the east coast for a funeral in Sandersville, Georgia, visiting sweet Wrightsville Beach during the big East Coast Storm of the Century, over to Charlotte to see the investment banker son, and down to Atlanta to see My Perfect Daughter and new husband.

Now, The Boss is back home to see his beloved Big Red Car and to get the Big Red Car a new paint job — come on, Boss, let’s get a  paint job for the faithful, loyal, steady, fabulous Big Red Car.

Dear Readers, work it with me. I need a damn paint job and The Boss is resisting the inevitable. I have threatened a stop work action and he has threatened a trip to the junk yard. Help me here, y’all!

It’s 33F this morning headed to 74F this afternoon. Don’t y’all love a Texas winter?

So, The Boss fields questions on the development of an HR (human relations) capability from four different CEOs of lovely businesses with 25-75 employees. Sometimes, ideas germinate at the same time but this is an uncanny coincidence. Maybe not? Continue reading →

01/15/16

Adaptability — Breaking in Corcoran Jump Boots, a Metaphor for CEOs — Adapt

Big Red Car here. It’s going to be 70F and sunny in the ATX. How about where you live?

I bet you would like our Texas winter season. Sorry, the Big Red Car can get really obnoxious at times like this. I hate myself for it sometimes. Sunscreen!

So, The Boss and I were talking to a CEO who was having trouble with a change that was forced upon him. Struggling really.

The Boss told him, “Adapt and drive on.”

The CEO made a face. “Adapt?” Continue reading →

01/11/16

Big Red Car, Who Wins the National Championship?

Big Red Car here fielding questions like the one above. It is a burden knowing the stuff the Big Red Car knows.

Here it is, y’all.

The Tide rolls. The Tide rolls big time beating Clemson University like a rented mule. Rented mules everywhere say, “Yep. I can feel your pain.”

Tide rolls and wins by 21 points making it look surprisingly easy. Roll Tide!

Nick Saban smiles for 11 minutes and 14 seconds whereafter he starts recruiting for next year.

The University of Texas tries to hire him and he says, “If you rename Austin after me, I’ll consider it.”

The University Texas approaches the legislature who say, “No way!”

The City of Austin renames Lady Bird Johnson Lake —– wait on it —– “Nickie Bird Saban Lake” to which Nick Satan responds, “Not good enough.”

But, hey, what the Hell do I really know anyway? I’m just a Big Red Car. Roll Tide!

01/11/16

Show Time v Go Time

Big Red Car here. Brrrrrr, winter in the ATX is cold, y’all. It is 33F headed to 54F. This is winter. Of course, it’s going to be sunny because it is Texas after all.

So The Boss is talking to a couple of brilliant CEO entrepreneurs and he says to one of them, “You have to know when show time becomes go time.”

The CEO, who is brilliant, says, “What does that mean?”

The Boss ‘mansplains it to him. If you are around The Boss for any length of time, you will hear him say, “Get in the moment. Stay in the moment. Make something happen. Now.” Continue reading →

01/10/16

Teams, Subteams, Relationships — For CEOs Only

Big Red Car here. Brrrr, it was cold yesterday. It is a single digit above freezing here in the ATX — what is going on, Mothah Nature?

OK, this is winter. Going to be 52F today and sunny but still, 33F on a Sunday morning? Don’t panic, Big Red Car, you can do this. Bit of brie with that whine?

So, The Boss is on a rant with a couple of CEOs who are talking up “team building.” Boring! Boring! [Big Red Car, shut up, please. Sorry.]

So what’s all the chatter about? Let me mansplain it to y’all, may I? Mothah Nature, may I? Continue reading →

01/9/16

Do Not Screw With the US Marine Corps — Marines — Good Advice for Enemies and Friendlies, No?

Big Red Car here. Well, the day has dawned and it is bright, sunny, and cold. Still flirting with 52F as a high. This is winter!

On Earth as it is in Texas. Winter good in the ATX.

So, the Navy Secretary, one Ray Mabus, has sent a scolding memorandum to the United States Marine Corps,the Marines, telling them to get with integrating women into the Marine combat arms including specifically the infantry.

The policy decision was made on 3 December 2015 but already the Sec Navy is in the “scolding” mode. Huh?

Mabus is a former Democratic Governor of Mississippi and has been a loyal Obama acolyte since his 2009 appointment as Navy Secretary. The Marines, of course, fall under the Navy in the Pentagon.

He also served as Bill Clinton’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Continue reading →

01/9/16

Founders, Co-founders, Sub-founders

Big Red Car here on a wintry but sunny to be day in the ATX. Little before dawn in that quiet moment when the wind is blowing and the house is creeping and The Boss is typing.

It is 50F headed to a high of 52F. Brrrr, Big Red Car, winter is here.

Haha, winter in the ATX is 52F and sunny. Sorry.

So, The Boss has been hearing a lot of chatter about founders and how they are going to work with co-founders. Today the Big Red Car invents a new category of founder, the sub-founder.

Read on, dear readers. Continue reading →

01/4/16

2016 Predictions

Big Red Car here on an exquisite ATX bluebird day. OK, it’s only getting to 60F today but, Hell, it’s winter, right?

Haha, ATX — on Earth as it is in Texas, y’all!

So, The Big Red Car is making some predictions for 2016. Here they are. 2016 predictions!

First, the rules — no half assed, politically correct, risk adverse predictions. Big, hairy, brass balled predictions. Only. Continue reading →