parenting

Economics: Economists are Irrational!

Dr. Jim Taylor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:03:02 -0500

I recently read an article
by the Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman in which he described
the renewed battle between so-called freshwater economists (so named
because they are largely based at the University of Chicago and other
Midwestern universities) and saltwater economists (based primarily at
Princeton, MIT, Berkeley and other coastal universities). The

Psychology of Technology: Horse or Cart: Technology is Actually in Front

Dr. Jim Taylor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:37 -0500

A fascinating new book, The Nature of Technology: What It Is and How It Evolves,
by the economist W. Brian Arthur, was just published that challenges
much of the conventional wisdom that we hold about the relationship
between science and technology. Most notably, the notion that science
is the horse to technology’s cart; in other words, scientific
advancement results in technological innovation.

Work/Life Balance: Part II

Dr. Jim Taylor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:23:39 -0500

In my September post, I introduced you to my perspective on work/life balance: what it is,
the causes of work/life imbalance, and the basic process for how you
can create better balance in your work and personal lives. This post will focus on specific and practical strategies you can use to actually
establish better work/life balance.

Warm Fuzzies

Parenting-App Developers Hot in Pursuit of Exploding "iPhone Moms" Market

Clay Dillow — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:20:02 -0400

People tend to think of iPhone users as young, tech-savvy professionals. But there's an emerging consumer segment could be an attractive target for app developers and advertisers: the "iPhone mom." A Greystripe research report (PDF file) on mothers of children ranging from infants to 17 years of age shows not only that iPhone moms make up nearly a third of total iPhone users, but that more than 59% of them let their children use their iPhones.

Prime Business: A New Perspective on Corporate Performance

Dr. Jim Taylor — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:45:53 -0400

What level of performance do you want to attain? Do you want to achieve "peak performance?" For many people in the business world, that is the goal to which they aspire. Peak performance has become part of our language of achievement, first used by coaches and athletes, it has since been adopted by businesspeople, consultants, and motivational speakers. People typically think of peak performance as performing their best, as being at the top of their game. That sounds good, doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want to achieve peak performance?

Psychology of Technology: Ad Out!

Dr. Jim Taylor — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:15:13 -0400

No, I’m not talking about the U.S. Open Tennis Championships being held in New York recently. I’m talking about the invasion of Web site real estate by all manner of ads. Have you looked at your most frequently visited Web sites lately, I mean really looked at them. Go back to a few and take a really careful look. What do you see? That’s right, you may not have noticed it before because you’ve become so inured to them, but you may actually see more ads than content on any given Web page.

Psychology of Technology: The Blogosphere Jungle

Dr. Jim Taylor — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:55:57 -0400

I can tell you this: It’s a jungle out there. I don’t mean the real world in which most of us inhabit; that world is pretty tame. I’m talking about the blogosphere. I’ve been blogging for about eight months now and, up until recently, it was a pretty unexciting experience. I would post a…post (I still haven’t figured out how to use post when it is both a noun and verb, but that’s another discussion) and receive responses that were thoughtful and reasoned.

Work/Life Balance: Part I

Dr. Jim Taylor — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:47:54 -0400

With the challenges we all now face in the global economy, many people feel pressure to work harder and put in longer hours at work. That commitment may enable them to keep their jobs or maintain a certain lifestyles, but at what cost? In my consulting practice, I have seen a rise in stress levels, unhappiness, and family conflict among businesspeople with whom I work. Clearly, the lives of many businesspeople are out of balance.

Does Technology Connection Mean Life Disconnection?

Dr. Jim Taylor — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:47:24 -0400

Has computer and communication technology allowed us to connect more deeply with life? Or, as we become more connected with this technology, are we becoming more disconnected from life?

As someone who has made his life’s work the study of human behavior and who is fascinated by the nexus of humanity and computer and communication technology, my interest lies in how the lives of ordinary people (defined as those not involved in these technology industries) are impacted by this technology.

Psychology of Technology: Twitter Attack: Crisis of Disconnectivity

Dr. Jim Taylor — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:25:31 -0400

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you’ve heard that Twitter was the victim of a cyberattack causing the popular social media to shut down for two hours last week. Well, if you live in the Land of Twitter you would have thought that it was 9/11 all over again. CNN.com

Psychology of Technology: Microsoft Has Lost its Mojo: An Open Letter to Bill Gates

Dr. Jim Taylor — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:59:43 -0400

Dear Bill,

I know you’ve been retired from Microsoft’s day-to-day operations for about a year now and Steve B. is running the show, but you are still Chairman of the Board and the public identity of Microsoft. That’s why I’m writing you, Bill, because Microsoft is still your company and it needs you. Think modified Pottery Barn rule: you own it, you broke it, you fix it.

The Myth of Multitasking

Dr. Jim Taylor — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:25:11 -0400

Like many businesspeople, you probably take great pride in being a multitasker. You talk on your mobile phone, send email, check the stock market on line, and perhaps even read a letter and jot down notes for an upcoming meeting all at the same time (or so you think). Why do you multitask? Well, how else are you going to get everything done that you need to get done (and still have time for a life!). You believe you are the epitome of efficiency, getting so much done all at once.

Psychology of Technology: Disconnectivity Anxiety

Dr. Jim Taylor — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:54:09 -0400

Do you freak out when you lose your mobile phone signal? Do you get stressed when your Internet goes down? Are you mortified if you have to use dial-up to access your email? If so, you may be suffering from “Disconnectivity Anxiety.” Though not an official psychiatric disorder, I see it as a growing problem in our “gotta be connected 24/7″ culture.

Master of Crisis

Dr. Jim Taylor — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:00:50 -0400

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

Transformative Leadership

Dr. Jim Taylor — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:51:36 -0400

Over the past two years, we have seen what some have called a
transformative demonstration of leadership. This process culminated on
January 20th with the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. Whether or not you agree with his politics (and Prime Business Alert!
is decidedly nonpartisan), you have to respect his journey and
appreciate his leadership capabilities. You can also learn a great deal
about effective leadership and sustained, high-level performance by
studying his improbable and meteoric rise.

Turn Off Your Blackberry

Dr. Jim Taylor — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:13:02 -0400

The Blackberry has become a ubiquitous status symbol of and tool for
businesspeople doing business. In offices, on the streets, and in
airports, what self-respecting businessperson doesn’t have his or her
Blackberry (or other smartphone) at the ready to make the deal, provide
support, change the plan, or just stay up to date on his or company’s
latest developments at a moment’s notice.

From Kindergarten to the Boardroom

Tom Stern — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:20:08 -0400

THE LONG-GAME: Why the doldrums are more critical than the fanfare.

Ben Murphy — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:01:22 -0400

THE LONG-GAME: Why the doldrums are more critical than the fanfare.

I love coming out with something new and exciting - a new brand, a new website – and having it lauded… I love the hype! Love the fanfare!

And than come the doldrums…

“C’mon, everyone!” you say to yourself. “We built it, now come use it!”

Let me pose to you that the doldrums are, in fact, infinitely more important than the fanfare.

Anyone can generate hype. Few can back it up.

Free Barbie!

Patty Nolan — Fri, 02 May 2008 08:49:56 -0400

The Barbie Thing

A few days ago, in a conversation with women in the office, the topic of Barbie dolls came up. As the mother of a 23-year-old daughter, I wondered what these younger women thought.

Coming Soon: Nontrepreneur Nation

Bernard Moon — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:57:18 -0400

Coming Soon: Nontrepreneur Nation

How parenting and education are killing American entrepreneurship and innovation

Despite how U.S. students continue to lag far behind those in
Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan in math and

Women With Children First?

Keith H. Hammonds — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:39:31 -0500

Want to get a rise out of your local human-resources manager? Ask her this: Does your company value employees with kids more than those without?

Of course, the answer invariably will be some version of: "Zedco values diversity, and we value all our employees." But consider: Don't workers with kids typically get more valuable health benefits? Are they more likely to take advantage of flexible work schedules? Are their childless colleagues often left holding the bag?

I Spy

Keith H. Hammonds — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:04:44 -0500

I'm in the office, following my daughter's trip to school. At 7:48 a.m., Clare is heading south on Narragansett Avenue; two minutes later, she's going southwest on Croton Avenue. By 7:54, her bus has arrived at the school's door. (Hooray!)

Preparing Kids for the Future Economy

Shoshana Zuboff — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:55:44 -0500

How much thought have you given to developing a theory of your kids' future? According to the Kaiser Family Foundation's latest report, kids ages 8 to 18 spend an average of six hours daily with electronic media (mostly TV, followed by computers, then video games) and less than half an hour reading books.

Hot Wheels

Ryan Underwood — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:52:19 -0500

Despite appearances, a futuristic new stroller that's making a splash among well-heeled parents didn't fall from outer space -- just Scandinavia. Stokke (pronounced Sto-cah), a Norwegian furniture company founded in 1932, has thrown a $749 stroller called the Xplory into a growing market for high-end child gear. It's a sort of rolling version of the company's most famous design, a high chair introduced in 1972 called the KinderZeat, which is a Z-shaped chair made to grow with kids from as young as 18 months to well into their teens.

Balance Balance Sheets

Jena McGregor — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:50:24 -0500

As April 15 looms at accounting firm Plante & Moran, the lights are dimmed and the vertical blinds are drawn in the third-floor conference room outside the managing partner's office. But CPAs aren't huddled around the room's large oval table on this sunny Saturday afternoon in late February. Instead, two angelic tots sleep soundly on the floor and in a portable crib, their faces shadowed by the brass legs of boardroom chairs.