Craig's Corner

This week we mark three milestones: the 90th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the last combat troops just left Iraq. Disparate as these events appear, I actually think that there’s some interesting connections between them. These incongruent events have a common lesson about the impact of planning during times of crisis. Crisis Management is a unique skill set. In my consulting business when people call it’s rarely because things are going well and they want to chat. Issues may have been simmering for a long time and then one day something happens that crystallizes all of the problems. And then we kick into action based on whatever circumstance has emerged.  The trick is to work on the underlying disease rather than the latest symptom. Women had been seeking the vote for more than a century. The 19th Amendment states: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by a...

Dr. Laura just channeled her inner Sarah Palin. She just quit her 32 year #3 rated radio show. Buh-Bye. I’ve never actually listened to Dr. Laura, or Rush, or Sean or Howard or any talk show personality but that won’t stop me from blogging about it! So there’s no mistake: I’m offended by Dr. Laura’s use of the “N” word (11 times!) and her ignorance on a range of issues (especially GLBTQ) and her simple-minded approach to complex issues. Imagine my surprise to find myself agreeing with her departing statement. “When I first started out in radio," she said, "people would disagree — they disagreed, they didn't hate. They didn't try to censor, they didn't try to destroy an opposing point of view. Instead, they just argued and debated, and argued and disagreed, and debated and argued." Now, she continued, "self-appointed activist types breed hate, breed anger, breed destruction should anyone hold up a mirror or dare to disagree.” It’s an interesting point o...

I didn’t win MegaMillions this week. Living by the motto that you have to “be in it to win it” I bought 10 tries for the $65 million prize. Nobody won…which somehow is totally satisfying. Why play the lottery? I have magic thinking syndrome. Magic thinking syndrome is not a real disease (according to WebMD ). It is, however, part of the human condition. And I am very human. I’ve been thinking about how this syndrome affects us individually, as business people and as citizens. Some years back I was in a committee meeting for a Church I was working with and we were looking at ways to balance the upcoming years’ budget. When the figures simply were not working I suggested that the expenses would have to be pared. Several of the members of the committee would not consider it. “God will provide,” they said. “Fine,” I said. “Let’s itemize how.” I have faith. I also believe in basic financial principals such as having expenses not exceed income – regardless of whether it’s for a charity, an...

The first week of the month and $324 flies out of my bank account to Blue Cross for Medical Insurance. Medical increased by 30% ($100) this year – even amidst all the brouhaha about Anthem’s rate increases assisted President Obama’s quest to remake the Health Insurance of Americans. Missourians voted Tuesday 3-to-1 to opt out of the President’s mandatory health insurance plan. What is the best way to provide Health Care to Americans? That question is different than deciding on the best way to provide Health Insurance to Americans. I have run many businesses and know that the cost of providing health insurance is significant ... the most volatile expense to budget for. There simply is no other expense line that increases 15, 20, 25% per annum while the provider simultaneously decreases services delivered. Several years ago I was implementing a restructuring of a small business. After a yearlong experiment where employees were charged 30% of the cost of insurance - t he owner...