“We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into inaction.”

Bill Gates

Founder of Microsoft

“Technological developments are always overestimated in the short run and significantly underestimated in the long run.”

 Arthur C. Clarke

Pioneered the concept of the telecommunications satellite and author of “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

 The Greatest Fear (and it’s not Death)

Years ago someone did a survey asking people to rank their greatest fears. Can you guess the winner? It wasn’t death  (that was eighth). The greatest fear was PUBLIC SPEAKING. Life is a first impression business and we pay attention to the people who can handle the front of the room. Here’s a very simple but compelling piece of advice that will get you in command of the room and help you banish your fear .

 The Amazing Power of “Don’t” versus “Can’t “

 As Vistage Speaker Mary Lore points out, the words we choose to use affect our relationship with others….and even more importantly our relationship with ourselves. Our “self-talk” can be a powerful influence on our behavior and success…and sometimes it can be a single word.  Enjoy this quick tutorial from a prominent social psychologist about The Amazing Power of “Don’t ” versus “Can’t. “

The Once and Future Apple: Why your next laptop may already be in your pocket!! 

Anytime a company’s stock price plummets from $236 per share to $10, an explanation is in order.  What happened to Blackberry? It once dominated the business market for smart phones only to be rapidly displaced by Apple. But nothing lasts forever and the death of Apple Founder Steve Jobs and the invasion of the Google Android have led others to speculate that Apple might be the next to fall after resting too long on its laurels.

Every CEO with a successful product would do well to read this two page analysis from the New Yorker of what really happened to Blackberry.   When you’re done, consider Apple’s future by reviewing a thoughtful and concise exploration of why (and how) Apple is just warming up. Technology writer Robert X. Cringely looks at the implications of Apple’s new operating system, ios7, and concludes that  Apple is now primarily a phone company and will soon replace your laptop, be it a MAC or PC  with….your IPhone!…and very soon. These two articles are more about what makes a successful business model than just another winning technology. 

Econ Recon: Lies and Hot Money?

It can be hard to keep in mind, given the media’s slant on unemployment rates, that the U.S. economy has been in slow but steady recovery for over four years. Economist Brian Wesbury provides a helpful one page overview of common misinterpretations of economic data such as unemployment rates and debt. These metrics can be confusing, Dr. Wesbury admits, but maintains that the government isn’t lying to us, though he does feel it could get out of the way!

Vistage Staff economist and ITR Economics Principal Alan Beaulieu muses about the appointment of Janet Yellen to head the Fed and worries about “Fed Taping or the lack thereof”, more hot money and the inflation that will follow.

Shameless Self Promotion Department.

Five Organizations: Every CEO Should Belong to at Least One

We celebrate individual success because it’s a simpler story to tell than that of an entire group. It’s also easier (and more fun) to relate to stories of other individuals whom we might emulate. The truth however is that, in business, at least, the real success story is always a function of whom the CEO is supported by and influenced by.

Whom have you chosen to influence you?  This article from CEO.com profiles five organizations which have proven themselves over the years as best of breed in providing support, advice, education and accountability to their members. (Naturally, Vistage is among them).  Which ones do you belong to?