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Always Have a Project with Your Partner

November 6, 2018 Matt Sparks

In order to maintain a strong relationship over the long-term, always work on a project together. Raising a child is…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Everyone a CEO Hires Wants to Be CEO

November 5, 2018 Matt Sparks

Every person a CEO hires wants their job. They all think they could do a better job and deserve to…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Lead with Our Own Style

Matt Sparks

Everyone must lead with their own style. However, know that freaked out leaders do not inspire confidence. As The Hitchiker’s…

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Posted in: Uncategorized

Influence Is More Important than Authority

November 4, 2018 Matt Sparks

Influence is more important than authority. Sure, we can tell subordinates what to do, but can we influence, educate, and…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

What Can We Fix for $1000?

November 3, 2018 Matt Sparks

It’s good to periodically ask our employees what we can fix for $1000 or $10,000. They’ll nearly always have ideas…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Hiring is a Long-Term Commitment

November 2, 2018 Matt Sparks

Hiring is a long-term commitment. Don’t hire without a long-term commitment, even if we have a strong short-term need. Further,…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

People Leave Managers

November 1, 2018 Matt Sparks

People don’t leave companies. They leave managers. If we want to understand why people are leaving our company, we need…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

We’re the Villain

October 31, 2018 Matt Sparks

When we wonder why no one is on board with our idea or plan, it’s because we’re the villain. We’re…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Mentors Don’t Look Like Mentors

October 30, 2018 Matt Sparks

We often have a low opinion of our mentors when we first meet them. We might not recognize them as…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

People Aren’t Resistant to Ideas

October 29, 2018 Matt Sparks

People aren’t resistant to ideas, they want to be heard. If we’re trying to convince or persuade someone, we can…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Minimize the Trauma Effect

October 28, 2018 Matt Sparks

All change of any kind results in a trauma effect. The effect could be as mild as someone saying to…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Presenteeism Costs More Than Absenteeism

October 27, 2018 Matt Sparks

Presenteeism is far more costly than absenteeism, as measured in terms of lost productivity, damaged relationships, infesting company culture, and…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

The Best Way to Prepare a Talk

October 26, 2018 Matt Sparks

The best way to prepare a talk is to provide the information you want to tell yourself three years ago.

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

There Are No Ordinary Moments

October 25, 2018 Matt Sparks

We can learn from any experience, even the most ordinary of moments. This is because there are no ordinary moments.…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Positive Messaging with the Theory of Negativity

October 24, 2018 Matt Sparks

The Theory of Negativity for marketing is like the law of attraction plus reverse psychology. It’s where a company’s brand,…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Frequency Affectation for Online Marketing

October 23, 2018 Matt Sparks

Sales gurus often claim it takes seven touch-points to make a sale for many real life sales transactions (as opposed…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

The Best Messaging Is Incomplete

October 22, 2018 Matt Sparks

The best messaging has the courage to be incomplete. Don’t be all things to everyone. For example, if you’re doing…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Long Hours Reduce Productivity

October 21, 2018 Matt Sparks

I’ve been a little short on sleep all week. I had trouble learning ASL in class tonight. My brain just…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

(Most) Software Is Pointless and Destroys Value

October 20, 2018 Matt Sparks

Just about every software idea I can come up with is already being done by 27 other companies, half of…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

Everyone Can Create Evergreen Art

October 19, 2018 Matt Sparks

Everyone can write evergreen content (a.k.a. perennial sellers), create timeless high-quality products, or build businesses that last generations. Unfortunately, most…

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Posted in: Lessons Learned

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