Good News on the Doorstep

Ram Returns with Response to Recession Recovery

Stand by over the next couple of hours when I share with you our friend Ram Charan's reaction and response to how American Government and Private Business have reacted to the global recession gripping us all.

Fast forward to May 21: After weeks of travel, I have returned to Jersey, ... and here is a collection of Ram's thoughts, grading President Obama and the ramifications thereoff.

Leadership for Hard Times Different for Good Times?

Ram Charan talks about "new rules" for getting things done in difficult times in his fine book, Leadership in the Era of Economic Uncertainty. While this leadership expert does not imply this, the question that must be asked is whether there is a difference in the requirments for a leader in bad times versus good. In fact, we might query, had business and governmental leaders read Charan's findings during the ... "good times,"  would we even be in such bad times today!!??

Time-Share Industry Getting Creative in "Hard Reset" of Business Models

It was once a recession-proof business. Now vacation time-sharing licks its wounds after the financial markets froze up last fall, bringing some of their business models into question. "Oh-oh, what do we do with this paper now? Yea, we can finance some of our new clients, but that hasn't been our business. Can we get help? Everybody needs a car, good for Detroit. But our history shows everyone needs a vacation, too, even in these times!! Can the government help us as well?"

Who's to Blame for the Financial Mess ... This Time?

It is what it is: a jittery economy reacting to a financial mess. The only consolation is that perhaps our generation will develop the kind of character that was cultivated out of our parents when they went through The Great Depression. They became known as "The Greatest Generation."

On the other hand, to deserve the term of "greatness" in a positive sense, like that generation that birthed us "Baby Boomers," they had to endure. Indeed, the situation did not make them, it revealed them. What will our generation be revealed as? We'll soon find out.

BLUEGREEN WINS STEVIE AWARD IN 2007 SELLING POWER SALES EXCELLENCE AWARDS!

It's deja vu all over again at Bluegreen. This time our Company is cited as the Best Timeshare Sales Organization of the Year! Two years ago the judges for the Stevie Awards named Bluegreen the Best Overall Company in America. Looks like we're a pretty good company, perhaps heading to greatness. www.bluegreenonline.com 

Alan Cervasio Speaks to Selling Power

My brother Alan was interviewed by Selling Power founder and publisher Gerhard Gschwandtner (pictured) earlier in January.

Take a look, it's good stuff!

Joe Sounds Off on Voice America Business

On August 15, Joe was the guest of Ms. Aldonna Ambler, CMC, CSP, the host of "The Growth Strategist." The subject on this national talk show was "Growing Your Business Thru Retaining Top Talent."

They have a great radio slogan: "The Bottom Line in Business Talk!"

It was a fun and free-ranging conversation about attracting and retaining top talent. Joe lends his thoughts on Talent Performance Management at Bluegreen Corp. He talked about the timesharing business, and a bit about his business life story.

To hear all that went down, click HERE.

And let us know what you think by commenting below!

No Rust on Jack

GE's Jack Welch has been an icon for so many of us in corporate America; particularly those of us who love to talk and do organizational, leadership, and personal development in a "for profit only" environment.

On the other hand, there have been moments when we were ready to challenge Jack's title as grand wizard of corporate strategists--moments when some of us felt that what may have been perfect for his times might not win him the MVP today.

A Question of Leadership

In my professional work around the country, there is one question I am always asked.

Are leaders born or made?

I have concluded that the answer is ... NEITHER!

Bluegreen named "Best Overall Company"

Unbelievable.

The business world has its own equivalent of the Academy Awards, put on every year by the American Business Awards. Theirs are called "Oscars" (no one knows quite why). Ours are called "Stevies" (the Greek word for "crowned")

This past Monday night, June 12, Joe's company Bluegreen Corporation was crowned as "Best Overall Company" (in the over 2500 employees category) for the preceding year.