Ideas

A good friend gave me a book about building your business through referrals. The author believes, “The best marketing strategy is to be referable.” He is correct. He writes, “Referability means that your very best clients and customers are continually cloning themselves -- continually introducing you to those like themselves or better than themselves.”

A good friend gave me a book about building your business through referrals. The author believes, “The best marketing strategy is to be referable.” He is correct. He writes, “Referability means that your very best clients and customers are continually cloning themselves -- continually introducing you to those like themselves or better than themselves.”

Humans are inherently social beings. We thrive on making new connections, we love building personal networks and we deeply understand the value of a team's efforts in accomplishing success. To our ancestors, social interaction was a means of survival. Without exceptional communication, danger could wipe out an entire tribe.

What do managers do all day? Put their feet up on the desk and think deep thoughts? Spend the day keeping track of everything their subordinates do? Make broad policy decisions and command whatever resources are needed? Surely, life must get less complicated as the manager moves up the pyramid.

Ask any upper level manager and you're likely to get a long, low chuckle. Most of them will quickly tell you that these widely held notions are myths. Well, then, what does a good manager do that makes him or her a successful leader?

The best leaders I know have certain personal characteristics in common:

Edward Gilligan, the president of American Express and the heir apparent to the CEO, died recently during a business trip. Boards normally plan for the potential demise of a CEO, not the second in command. Now, American Express has to accelerate the development of its upper level managers in the search for a new number two

Timothy Smunt, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Lubar School of Business, is transitioning out of his leadership role back into a faculty position this summer, UWM announced on Thursday.

The Medical College of Wisconsin’s Neuroscience Research Center Board will host the annual Imagine More Dinner on Sunday at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee. The event focuses on research, prevention and treatment of diseases impacting the brain.

PAVE Milwaukee, an education-focused nonprofit organization, gained 1,000 square feet as it relocated its offices to the Matthews Building on Wisconsin Avenue on Wednesday.

The fun continues on Day 3 at Summerfest with the Summerfest Parade at 3 p.m.