Do you know what it means to be competent? It means you can get things done. That’s all. Do you know someone who gets things done? I’ll bet you know fewer people who get things done than you think you do.

Do nice guys finish last in business? What does it mean to be “nice”? When you’re running a business is it better to be a mean guy or a nice guy? Does being the nice guy sometimes mean you’re the mean guy in the end and vice versa? I’m fairly convinced that being a nice…

By no means is this list inclusive, but if you don’t want to read 100 things I’ve learned then we better stop at 10. 1. Personality-wise, there are givers and there are takers. Know the difference, be a giver, and work with givers.

I’m currently writing a recommendation letter for a former employee who is applying to the Wharton MBA program at the University of Pennsylvania. One of the questions they ask is “How would you describe the applicant’s sense of humor (seriously)?” Yes, that is the question they ask–verbatim.

I have to admit that although I don’t watch much TV, and while I certainly don’t consider The Apprentice reality TV, I do find it mildly entertaining if I’m forced to watch it. What I have a hard time believing is that out of a million applicants these are the best people they could find.…

I recently sent an email to the founder and CEO of a large online retailer. His company had recently created a new brand and a new advertising campaign to match. In my humble opinion, the branding as well as the ad campaign were poorly conceived, and I sent an email to the CEO offering my…