A Minty Fresh Chart

Because I like data analysis so much, I often think that sweetest gig in the world would be working at someplace like Google where you have tons of data that you could mine for interesting behaviors and trends. I think Mint.com is the same thing. Although, they often do post cool charts with all of that data on the Mint Life blog. Although, they have a lot of other worthy stuff too. I liked this job growth chart that they posted this past week.

Predictably Irrational Reading

For some reason lately I have been reading a lot econ stuff. Which is funny because I did not read econ stuff when I took econ...Its funny there have been a proponederanceof books about a return to irrational markets. Justifiably so given the markets swings as people seek to explain and understand that. I ready predictably Irrational by Dan Arley and enjoyed it immensely. Dan's book reads a little more like a text book than something you might read in the Times Magazine, but that does not stop it from being a glass of fun juice.

Key Takeaways (a month after reading it):

• Its better not to ever charge the parents of children in daycare for picking up their children late. Guilt is a much more powerful motivator.
• Students, even ones at Harvard, cheat on exams.
• "Free" is a a powerful thing, even if people don't need the item. E.g. buying a $20 Amazon gift certificate for $7 is better than getting a $10 one for free.
• Make sure your potential brother-in-law is a deadbeat. it will give you much better chances with attractive mates.
• We overvalue what we have. I know this from trying to sell a lot of stuff after I sold my house.
• Options have values, except when you try to go back through open doors.

I strongly recommend this. As I think back about it, it makes me want to reread it and make sure I am not procrastinating anything.

My Personal Pollan Fad

Ever since I watched the documentary "The Botany of Desire" I have been hanging on every word of Michael Pollan's. I am sure this is some sort of fad that I will laugh about in the coming years, but it has had a significant impact on my thinking if not my habits. This is surprising because I read part of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" a few years ago but I did not make it all the way through before the library recalled it, and I never renewed it, which tells me something in itself.

However, I recently read his "Food Rules" and enjoyed it immensely. It is a fun little collection of 64 rules divided into three parts: 1) What should I eat? 2) What kind of food should I eat? 3) How much should I eat? (answers below)

Here are the rules I remember after reading the book over a week ago:

Section 1: Eat Food; Eat only foods that will eventually rot; Avoid Food products that contain more than five ingredients; Buy only foods with ingredients you can pronounce
Section 2: Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk; Eat like the French. Or the Japanese. Or the Italians. Or the Greeks. (i.e., not like Americans)
Section 3: Cook; The Banquet is the First Bite; Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince, Dinner Like a Pauper; Do All Your Eating at the Table (this one is especially tough)

answers: 1) Food 2) Mostly Plants 3) Not Too Much

Rent v. Buy: Ask a Dinosaur

When I am in the right mood (no not that mood pervert!), I find the dinosaur comics make me laugh. I like to read them with a childish dinosaur (think husky) voice. This one goes back and forth about rent vs. buy, so I could not resist linking to it.

Enjoy..

Book Review: The E-Myth Enterprise: How to Turn A Great Idea Into a Thriving Business; Michael Gerber

The E-Myth Enterprise: How to Turn A Great Idea Into a Thriving Business

I borrowed this from the libary because it was recommended by the author of another book I read. Actually, it recommended a different "E-Myth" book and I mistakenly checked this one out of the library.

It was an easy read but not very prescriptive. This was the first book in the "E-Myth" series that I have read.

My takeaways:

• Business is a creative action
• Successful business solve customer problems (Duh!)
• The best companies are process driven not people driven. That was counter-intutive when I first read it, but I have seen this in a number of the places I have worked and I really agree with it. Some employers (managers) blame the person and wrongly believe if only they had a different person, the outcome would be different. Process driven companies believe that they can perfect the process, even with imperfect people employing it. Now, I am not saying that people should not be dismissed, but I do believe that we should all aspire to delivering a process that ensures success and constantly refine and reinvent that process.
• There is a great anecdote about a guy who started a business in Arizona called "Three Day Kitchens". The description was really fun and I think it is something everyone who has owned a home and contracted out work can sympathize with.

I recommend you check it out if you would like a quick read with some fun business anecdotes. It is relevant to entrepeneurs and employees and I hope to check out another one of the E-myth books soon.