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The Top 20 Movies of 2010

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Here’s my list of the top 20 movies of 2010, as well as some predictions for major Academy Awards. Nearly all my favorites are story-driven; I prefer them to special effects and animation. My favorite trio of films, starring the magnificent Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander — The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl […]

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How to Succeed with A High Turnover Sales Force

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I am never surprised to walk into an organization that doesn’t have a stable, efficient sales force. Many don’t deserve one; they disrespect sales and blame the force for every conceivable (and sometimes inconceivable) dysfunction. Other companies  don’t even want tenured people selling for them, preferring to lure in inexpensive workers with false hopes and […]

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Black Swan & Seven Other Movie Reviews

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Black Swan. The winter’s most talked-about film so far, Black Swan is the riveting story of a beautiful ballet dancer’s self-destructive downward spiral. Natalie Portman prepared for a year to play this role and will be Oscar nominated. French actor Vincent Cassel is outstanding as the ballet company’s manipulative artistic director and doe-eyed Ukrainian beauty […]

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Nine Quick Movie Reviews

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With the weekend upon us, here are nine thumbnail reviews. Let me know if you agree or disagree. Some are little indy films, some are studio efforts. Sunday I’ll post nine more, including Black Swan. See you at the theater! Hunting and Sons. The saddest, sickest, and most depressing film I’ve seen in years, this […]

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Why Changing a Sales Culture is Difficult

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I was in Florida recently, working with the senior leadership team of a service provider that competes in a cost-sensitive services industry. They face a difficult decision: Keep playing musical chairs with a handful of competitors for the same customers or make a strategic gambit to try and grow more aggressively. There is no simple […]

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Why Men Go Through a Midlife Crisis

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I am a man, at midlife, and quite familiar with crises. I’ve caused a few and watched others. And refereed a really good one. In fact, all of my peer group buddies have have either had a midlife crisis or dream of having one. Perky young girls are often involved, as are cars, hotels, diets […]

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Why A Good Question is Always Worth Asking

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On average, once a week someone contacts me to talk about writing. Usually they are friends of friends aspiring to write. Their motivations vary. If their reasons seem pure I try to help. Having reviewed a lot of books throughout the years to the joy and angst of may, my reputation is that I’m somewhere […]

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Snapshot Movie Reviews

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As many of you know, I do not listen to radio and despise commercial TV. Instead I go to the movies and see about 200 films a year. If you don’t go that often, here’s a thumbnail sketch of some of the films out now. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. (R). Final film […]

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Why Politics is a Cesspool

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It’s an important day today, mid-term election day, and for the life of me I cannot figure out how the democratic process that built this great country has slid so far, so fast, without the Marx brothers somehow being involved. And I mean Groucho and Harpo, not Karl and kin. I am beyond embarrassed by […]

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News Fit for a Monday

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So begins another week at the saw mill. In honor of Mondays everywhere, here are ten (true) vignettes abridged from News of the Weird to help you launch your day. 1. You only get one mom In a heartwarming climax to an adopted son’s emotional search for his birth mother who gave him up for […]

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