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If you have cost drivers, you’re doing it wrong. When considering whether to accept a marginal cost, it’s only a sustainable business choice if it creates a larger marginal profit. The marginal profit might be paid off instantly, or in several years, but for it to be a sustainable business choice, it definitely has to pay off. This isn’t just sometimes-true. It’s always true. The ONLY time it’s a good idea for a business to take on a marginal cost, is in expectation of a larger marginal profit as a result....

I spent the evening picking up trash. Literally picking trash out of the gutter. There are many reasons to do this. Trash needs to be removed, not left dirtying the streets. By making completely clean spaces, all the social proof that says “it’s OK to litter here, everybody does it” goes away. Without social proof, it’s a lot harder to be the first person to drop something. By showing up and picking up trash – being seen by people – it becomes clear that someone actually has to pick up trash....

I caught myself saying (and meaning): “that shouldn’t even be a factor”, about an emotional influence on a business decision. It shouldn’t even matter. … Because that’s what business has been all about, ever since The Wealth of Nations, and the notion that business is about profit first and only. I didn’t realise how indoctrinated I was! It took me several hours to realise the depth of the wrongness of that moment....

Grinding it out is important. Totally dominating the to-do list. Inbox 0. Getting things done. Daily elevation is equally vital. Getting into the helicopter, and getting the 5000 foot perspective on things. Making sure that projects are prioritised correctly. Evaluating impact on overall business metrics. I always forget how important it is to go further than that. Get right into outer space, for a 10 mile high perspective. Are we in the business we think we’re in?...

Zombie flicks have layers. Zombies are bad, and they want to eat brains. Usually, there’s some extra evil human villains doing messed up stuff. Those people are super nasty. And finally, some of the good guys break. They lose it. Their inherent human flaws win out. Zombies are the baddies kids see. Villains are the real bad guys adolescents see. The human condition, and the constant flux it creates is what adults see....