The illusory comfort of confirmation bias
Every adult on the face of the earth has a set of biases deeply rooted in their brains. This is nothing to be surprised, ashamed, or confused about, it is the way we evolved. Our biases serve the purpose of freeing up cognitive capacity for more important,...
What makes seemingly sensible rules stupid?
When a rule is made by some institution, seemingly in the best interests of the community, most citizens accept the rule and do their best to adhere. This applies from the rules introduced by local councils to moderate litter, to the larger tax and commercial...
The practise of marketing needs more practice.
There is an enormous difference between knowing the name of something, and truly understanding it. Most move through school, university, and life by skimming, remembering bits about which questions are asked, and judiciously using jargon to get away with it....
Issues we will not hear about in this election campaign.
Following is the full version of the edited remarks published in Australian Manufacturing on April 29. I did the editing, as the following was way too long for the publication. What is blindingly absent from this election campaign, and politics in this country...
The expanding inflation rate: a cyclone, or a storm in a teacup?
Last Tuesday’s prime rate increase has been positioned as a disaster level cyclone by the opposition, and an inevitable but minor storm in a well-managed teacup by the Government. Which is it? Anyone who has been using their brain over the last months...
What is good for the financial goose is poison for the gander.
The Financial service industry is the last bastion of the defence of the 20th century business model where the seller had control over the vital product information. In those old days, you went to your bank branch where the manager knew you, your kids,...
The ‘water metaphor’ of process improvement
Any company that has grown bigger than about twenty or so employees has developed functional silos as a necessity. The bigger the company, the more focussed and powerful drivers of behaviour of functional employees those functional silos become. At some point,...
How important is your oppositions ‘psychological BATNA’ in a negotiation?
The BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) has become an essential tool in the negotiation toolbox, yet many leave it in the box. It is, in effect, your 'walk-away' point. However, before you walk away, there are always alternatives that can be...
What does the end of cheap money mean to manufacturing SME’s?
The inflation figures released this morning put the annualised inflation rate at 5.1%, up from 3.5% at the end of the December quarter last year. While it may bounce around given the volatility of fuel and food prices, the trend is very clear, and the current...
What did the Anzacs really fight for?
It is Anzac Day 2022, a day we remember those who fought to give us the choices we now have to shape the lives we lead. In homage to the sacrifices they made, we need to be thinking seriously about the choices we are making that will impact on those who follow...