Jo Gorissen

Here in Florida, it is a warm sunny day. My friends from above the Mason-Dixon Line talk about raking...

Recently, as I checked out at my favorite market I overheard the man behind me say to his companion,...

This time of year I wish I had the mythical gifts attributed to Janus, the ancient Roman god of beginnings and transitions. Janus knew the past – not so hard – but he also is said to have known what was to come – tricky indeed. He is depicted with two faces, one looking back and one looking forward.

This week a business management book review caught my eye. In the first paragraph the reviewer expressed his dislike for most books written by CEOs and books proclaiming, for example, “Three Easy Steps to Becoming a Fortune 500 Company.” I resonated with these sentiments and kept reading the review in “The Economist.”

Recently I returned from spending several weeks in The Netherlands. You know how these holidays can go – among your souvenirs you bring home new ideas, inspiration for change, certainly more knowledge about this planet – and usually about yourself as well. I unpacked all of the above along with warm memories of time spent with family and friends.

It is safe to say that most business organizations were launched by one or more people with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. The word “entrepreneur” is borrowed from the French, and describes a person who is willing to take risks, who makes money through his or her own initiative and creative problem-solving skills. The entrepreneur is ready to take full responsibility for the outcome of the opportunities he explores.

I'm doing some writing in philosophy and came across the "Twelve Rules of Native American Philosophy." It struck me that most of these rules would make a powerful guiding light for any business organization. (These rules were posted anonymously on the Internet.)

Tennis is on my mind lately for several reasons. My condo in Florida is within a “yacht and tennis community,” so I’m surrounded by courts and the pleasant “whack” of a racket on a ball. (No yacht of any kind.)

For some time I subscribed to a magazine called "Bottom Line/Personal." This publication offers advice from experts in a wide spectrum of fields, from investments to relationships. Somehow, when I moved to Florida I failed to keep up with this helpful newsletter. I think I'll get back on their subscription list.