by Mark O'Brien | Apr 29, 2015
Here’s one of the most commonly dispensed, least-examined admonitions I can think of: “Don’t burn your bridges.” Provided you exercise at least a modicum of discernment and discrimination, why not? To establish the point, I offer this brief,...
by Mark O'Brien | Apr 20, 2015
Anybody who notices unpleasant facts in the have-a-nice-day world we live in is going to be designated a curmudgeon. (Paul Fussell, 1924-2012) I live in fear of becoming a curmudgeon. I think it’s because I prefer facts to fabrications. In that regard, I...
by Mark O'Brien | Apr 16, 2015
Since missing boats seems to be the story of my life, I shouldn’t be surprised that yet another one apparently sailed without me. To be more specific, I’m having trouble understanding what the big deal is about Harvard Business Review. (“Oh, my Gawd,...
by Mark O'Brien | Apr 3, 2015
Since it was clear I was more surprised than Biff was, I spoke up first; although, it was more a reflexive exclamation than a considered inquiry: “Is something wrong …?” “No,” Biff replied calmly. “What makes you ask?”...
by Mark O'Brien | Apr 2, 2015
Regular readers might remember the first case I reported in these pages. Hardcore masochists might even recall the second one. If not, don’t let it get to you. I beat the pavement as a private brand detective. The lion’s share of my cases have to do with...
