Yesterday I saw a jacket lettered on the back “Occupy Boston.” Although the jacket was not crisp-looking and might even be viewed as ratty, it suggests some steps for the commercialization of this social protest movement. Normally, causes advertise themselves … Continue reading
Back from three days in a cabin in the mountains with almost no contact anywhere, hiking with deer and porcupines and nameless large poop that made us think “bear,” I return to learn, indirectly, that “Papelbum” is gone. For some … Continue reading
My father lived to almost 101; as for birthdays, he started counting at 39. So for me today, November 10, I am by my dad’s count 39 years old for the 31st time. It of course feels no different from … Continue reading
Employees sometimes post unfavorable comments about their bosses or companies on Facebook or other social media sites. Employers sometimes don’t take too kindly to such criticism and may take adverse job actions in response. So far so good. But what … Continue reading
I don’t want to re-engage here the by now much-overworked debate as to whether there is a coherent message or an identifiable plan emerging from the “occupy” movements, or whether those movements will survive the winter snows of Boston or … Continue reading
On November 3, 2010 a US citizen returning to Cambridge, MA from a trip to Mexico was questioned at the airport by the Department of Homeland Security. It is not clear where Homeland Security gets its lists of suspicious folks … Continue reading
The National Association of Corporate Directors reports the median pay of a Fortune 200 director at $228,058, a tidy sum although not nearly enough if a derivative suit is filed against the board. NACD does not report on any relationship … Continue reading
Public companies are required by Sarbanes Oxley to avoid adverse employment action against employees who in good faith suggest that certain laws are being violated by their employer. The enforcement of anti-retaliation protections rests in a Review Board of the … Continue reading
Today I write about the breakdown of the American social compact. The Congress cannot engage in dialog on important issues. We do not speak to each other, we do not listen. Republicans stonewall. The President campaigns rather than inspires a … Continue reading
At this morning’s meeting of the New England Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors, the panel of senior board members counseled a level of board activism that is at odds with the common wisdom that directors should set … Continue reading