Jim Blasingame

Business futurist, award-winning author, speaker and columnist

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work-life balance

Parental Paradox: Why A Father’s Tough Love Is The Harder Job

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Parental love is a paradox, simultaneously delivering the expectation of safe harbor with the consequences of discipline. As the father of an adult daughter and son, plus the grandfather of four knucklehead boys (Hurricane, Tornado, Crash, and Train Wreck), I’ve learned some things about this paradox.

All the hours logged as Dad and Poppy have often caused me to contemplate how different are the roles of mother and father, especially in the overt demonstration of parental love. And it’s fascinating how the manifestation of this love differs between mother and father – biologically, emotionally, and experientially. [Continue Reading]

We interrupt the pandemic transition to bring you a Memorial Day message

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This is my traditional Memorial Day column with a post-pandemic component, which we’ll get to in a minute. But first …

Reasonable people disagree on the exact origins of what is now called Memorial Day. But most accept that the practice of decorating the graves of Americans who died defending their country began in earnest by women of the South during and following the Civil War.

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, National Commander of the Army of the Republic, was the first to make Memorial Day official. With General Order No. 11, he stated in part that “the 30th day of May, 1868 is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country.”

Since then, [Continue Reading]

Do you – and your company – need a vacation this year?

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Could you use a vacation this summer? You know – like for an entire week.

Well, according to our most recent online poll, over two-thirds of respondents allowed that they’re going to take a vacation for at least a week. Pretty sure this is close to a record on this topic, and it’s probably some kind of a pandemic-in-the-rearview-mirror reaction.

It must be said that, for small business owners, a vacation isn’t just for the rest and relaxation. Most of us realize time away gives any leader a better perspective upon returning. This brings us to what for entrepreneurs may be a better question: Could your business use a vacation from you? Of course, it could. Your absence will reveal organizational weaknesses that need attention, as well as strengths you may have overlooked.

Regardless of your motivations, here are four ideas to help you consider taking more time off.  [Continue Reading]

Entrepreneurial intangibles are essential to tangible success

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Now in my fourth decade as a business owner, this Baby Boomer has been reflecting on what’s been learned that would benefit the next generation of entrepreneurs.

It’s understandable to focus most of our attention on the many hard fundamentals of how to sustain a successful small business operation. But after logging many hours in that tangible mode, you’ll discover that it’s just as critical to respect the softer entrepreneurial intangibles that tend to the human being behind the venture. And those who recognize and incorporate these in their approach to ownership are more likely to achieve that elusive holy grail of human intangibles: happiness.

In that spirit, allow me to offer two intangibles that are just as essential to business success as cash flow and profitability:

[Continue Reading]

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