Every author/speaker has probably heard a client make a statement like this: “Well, my guys won’t read the book.” But there’s one executive in the tractor parts industry who, thinking creatively, found a way around that objection. Here’s his solution. Enjoy and pass on! John, it was a pleasure to hear you speak at the…
Continue ReadingI delivered a “Personal Accountability and the QBQ!” session to a 60 person department of a university in Salt Lake City. Since QBQ! applies to all people, I always mention our new Parenting the QBQ Way book. I also made the comment to this fine group that there is a trend toward “wimpy parenting.” The response? A…
Continue ReadingThis story came to us at QBQ, Inc. by way of a QBQ! reader/reviewer who found it posted on his blog: Over the past few weeks I’ve been getting frustrated with my dad who hasn’t been calling me. Several times he’s accidentally dialed me and when I answered he’d say, “Oops, I’m actually in a…
Continue ReadingDon’t miss the poll below! So often people say, “There’s plenty of blame to go around!” (It’s a favorite phrase of the media). It seems to be our human nature to immediately ask Whodunnit?! when something happens that was unplanned, painful, disappointing—or embarrassing. When it all goes wrong—even if we know in our heart that…
Continue ReadingLittle did we know on that first date as teens in November 1976 in Ithaca, N.Y. that we’d someday parent seven children and put together a book on just that subject. Thanks to all of you who humbled us through the years by asking for a product that connects the QBQ! message of personal accountabiity…
Continue ReadingGrab past QBQ QuickNotes here. Note: This QuickNote is longer than most, but covers a critical subject matter. So grab a cup of coffee or a Diet Coke and enjoy—and then forward to every manager you know! I sometimes coach a pastor whose church is thriving. This man has many skills and gifts. He…
Continue ReadingEnjoy two new “fast and fun” QBQ! interviews and a 12 minute podcast with Dave Ramsey: http://outstandingorganization.com/podcasts/ One definition of the trendy word “occupy” is to “dwell in a space.” Too often, we humans do this—we just take up space. Sometimes, we just take up … time. Time, as we all know, can be measured…
Continue ReadingIf someone asked me, “John, why do you and your team teach ‘Personal Accountability and the QBQ!’ wherever you go?” I would say, “Well, let’s have Steve with AutoTrader.com answer that!” Steve’s story: John, in February 2011 you spoke at the AutoTrader.com annual meeting in Atlanta. I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of…
Continue ReadingNow that we’ve launched what we call the “gentle rewrite” of the QBQ! book a decade and one million copies later, people are asking the obvious question: What’s new in QBQ!? So let’s answer that question. But first, a matter of integrity: As the author, I don’t and won’t tell anyone who has the original…
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Allow me to share The Miller’s personal financial journey …
I had been working for a fine firm called Cargill as a grain trader in Mankato, Minnesota since 1980 when, in June of ’82, the company transferred Karen and me to Great Falls, Montana. Exciting! At 24 and 22 years old and originally from UpState, NY, we were going to the great state of Montana—and with a raise! I had been making $19,500 annually and Cargill bumped me up to $22,000 Whoo hoo!!!)
So we did …
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