Two of my favorite things are strategy and Mexican food, but it’s tough to connect the two. So, a big thanks to Yum Brands CEO David Novak for making the link. In an interview this week in USA Today, David talked about his leadership of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut along with the other offerings under the Yum Brands umbrella. In the article, David was asked, “What’s the key to being a successful global company?” His reply, “You need to be… READ MORE

Good people of the business world, take cover! No, it’s not a tsunami, or hurricane or even a tropical storm. It’s the new scapegoat: headwinds. In a Wall Street Journal article entitled, “Sprint Loses More Customers,” Sprint Nextel CFO Joseph Euteneuer said, “We faced a number of competitive headwinds that became more pronounced in the second quarter.” Earlier in the week, Border’s began shuttering their roughly 400 remaining… READ MORE

As Borders began shuttering their roughly 400 remaining stores, company president Mike Edwards said, “We are saddened by this development. We were all working hard towards a different outcome, but the headwinds we have been facing for quite some time…have brought us to where we are now.” A heartfelt statement that craftily shifts the blame for their demise to external factors known as “headwinds”. Let’s call the downfall what it really… READ MORE

If you’ve ever dreamt of men wearing red flower pots on their heads, you’ve probably seen a Devo video. Harken back to 1980 and their hit “Whip It,” and you can see and hear why they stood out from the crowd. Fast forward to present day and they’re still standing out, sans flower pots. In USA Today, music reviewers Edna Gundersen, Elysa Gardner, Jerry Shriver and Steve Jones give their new CD “Something for Everybody,” three out of four stars… READ MORE