On some level people view Jobs as an artist first, a businessman second.

“Good artists copy, great artists steal” – Steve Jobs.

Sadly, the passing of Steve Jobs didn’t come a surprise to me.  My blog post dated August, 30th, stated as much.  ”Upon learning that Jack Layton had passed, I was stuck by the fact that so many people stated that they were shocked to hear the news.  If you watched his press conference in July, when he announced that he was stepping aside for health reasons, he looked like a man who has been told he should get his personal affairs in order.  Not to sound morbid but I have to wonder if the same doesn’t hold true for Steve Jobs.   (more…)

It’s day one of the World Business Forum, and it’s been a busy day.  The first session began at 7:30 am, a panel discussion, and it set the tone for the rest of the day.  The panelists were Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks & Chairman of HDNet, Kathleen King, Founder & President Tate’s Bake Shop, and Barbara Corcoran, Founder of Corcoran Group. They talked about their careers and what made them successful.  Three very diverse people with diverse backgrounds. 

Mark Cuban is an interesting man and a lesson not to judge a book by its cover.  He was sitting on the panel wearing jeans, a shirt about two sizes too big , and sneakers.  He looks like a frat boy, a very wealthy frat boy.  (more…)

I’m in New York this week attending the World Business Forum.  It’s been a few years since I’ve attended the conference, and I have to say that I regret that it’s taken me this long to go back.  The WBF subject matter and location is like no other.

“Learning is not about confirming what I already know.”

There’s a vibe and buzz to New York which is unique.  You can feel the difference as soon as you disembark the plane.  It’s difficult to articulate other than to say the energy level is almost palatable.  Everyone seems to do things quicker.  It doesn’t matter if it’s customer service or something as simple as walking down the street.  I get this sense that a New Yorker’s brain is wired to think “let’s go, let’s go, let’s go”. (more…)