I’ve lost about 20 lbs over the last 3 months. I read over the South Beach Diet and applied the principles to my eating habits. I’m not very strict, but just reducing my carbs and fats while increasing my fiber intake has paid off so far.

Still, I wish I knew about Diet Television back then. I think this is brilliant. Cumulative referrals like this can be powerful.

Ironically, the South Beach Diet came in rather low when I dialed in my preferences. But offline word-of-mouth beat technology to the punch this time.

When hiring, Employers and managers probably believe recognizing untalented people is one of their largest concerns.

I disagree.

Untalented people (or better said, people whose talents aren’t a good fit) are fairly easy to identify. So, you can hire talented people most times.

So, it seems obvious that the issue is hiring people with the right talents doesn’t it?

Wrong again.

A few selective questions solve that issue.

So what do I believe is the true issue? Recognizing and addressing prodigals.

Prodigals aren’t untalented – they’re wasteful. That’s the definition of a prodigal, someone who wastes what they HAVE.

When hiring, we strive to find the prodigy full of talent and potential. What we fail to recognize is there is a fine line between someone who HAS talent and someone who WASTES it.

There’s not much separating the prodigy from the prodigal. The good news is there’s not much separating the prodigal from the prodigy either.

We are insanely driven to keep stuff from slipping through the cracks.

Can you say “Six Sigma?”

TiVO?

Voicemail?

How often do you check your junk mail folder for important messages? (it’s a weekly ritual for me)

Here’s the question:  Is life supposed to be more porous than we make it?  How about business?

Maybe we miss out on the important moments and opportunities because we’re too busy with what should have slipped through the cracks.

Michael Wagner reminds us that maybe what Father Knows Best is how to own a brand. It’s a great personal micro-story that tells the macro-story of branding.

A compelling ad campaign for Amnesty International. It brings a whole new meaning to “bringing it home.” (hat tip to Beyond Madison Avenue)

Ben & Jackie update us on the Diet Coke and Mentos meme. Apparently Coke isn’t as thrilled as you’d think. Come on. Get a sense of humor. (hat tip to Bill Kinnon)

I am trying to find a story that I briefly heard on NPR news.

Basically, it was about Jewish children separated from their parents during the holocaust. It included a story of one young man who was waiting to be reunited with his parents. He was shaking like a leaf as he turned to a friend and asked, “Who am I looking for?” He was so young when he was separated from his family that he did not know who he was.

If anyone can point me in the right direction or provide a link, I am grateful. My searches have been fruitless.