tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9713545009641295042024-10-18T20:59:16.663-07:00You came into the world alone, as the sole proprietor of your soul. You live your life as the sole proprietor of your soul. During your time on this planet you are required to sell or trade off part of your life to others in return for those things you need to sustain yourself. How do you make your choices ?Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-72802480906536041232012-08-04T13:04:00.000-07:002012-08-19T14:01:31.006-07:00

In 1964 I joined the Peace Corps out of college and in 1968, I worked evaluating a local OEO Community Action Program. From 1969 to 1970 I worked for a Legal Services Program on an Indian reservation in Arizona. All were the creations of Sargent Shriver -- A Good Man. I recently completed reading  A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver by Mark Shriver and was struck by

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-72994597747722633012012-07-25T08:15:00.000-07:002012-07-25T08:18:40.695-07:00

Changing careers is a daunting step for anyone, especially if you have been invested psychologically and financially in your previous career. Career change is often forced upon us by circumstance, rather than as a conscious choice. There are many factors which may lead to the decision. The most common is lose of our present job. When this happens our first response is to look for a position of

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-19467025730075153942012-07-25T06:50:00.000-07:002012-07-25T06:50:24.977-07:00

In this Blog I have emphasized personal responsibility and a certain point of view that might suggest that we, you or I, can make it on our own, that we are the masters of our own destinies. It may seem that I am advocating an ego-centric, Ayn Rand/Rand Paul libertarian philisophy. If you, dear reader, have this opinion, let me make it clear that that is not the point. The current political

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-46768681261598655712012-05-04T09:57:00.002-07:002012-05-04T10:00:33.902-07:00

I have the feeling that many of you are in the process of a career change. In today's dynamic economy where whole industries are disappearing or going off shore, technology is replacing the human worker, retraining is becoming more and more expense for employee and employer in terms of both time and money, and most jobs are in the long run temporary, the challenge for older workers, as well the

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-41184416604239220862012-05-03T07:32:00.000-07:002012-05-03T08:37:32.084-07:00

 During the current election, the question of jobs and the economy are setting the agenda. One of the proposals being made is that increased tax cuts and extending tax cuts will lead to more investment, more entrepreneurship and thereby solve the economic problems the country faces. An entrepreneur is defined as: "one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0Barrington, RI 02806, USA41.713930073371294 -71.295776367187541.334475573371293 -71.9274903671875 42.093384573371296 -70.6640623671875tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-56160917495323890112012-04-27T17:26:00.000-07:002012-05-03T08:04:02.588-07:00

  I recently had a conversation with an individual I will call John Doe. John is facing doubts about his current job and where it is leading. The routine of the job has started to wear on him, and he is wondering if there is anything else. This is all too common at certain stages of your life. John is a college professor who teaches anthropology (specifically archaeology) and is tenured.

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-40764109976627488382012-04-26T18:12:00.000-07:002012-05-05T06:33:03.874-07:00

We tend to discuss a lot about how to get a job.   But there is another side to the job issue. That is keeping one.  Sometimes when things get difficult on the job or at the company, we react in ways that are actually counterproductive to our interests or are interpreted by others as being counterproductive to the morale of the organization. We feel like taking drastic

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-50373022355468697152012-03-02T08:18:00.001-08:002012-03-02T08:21:33.327-08:00

I was recently asked: How do you decide when you have enough information and it's time to execute on your plan? My response is fairly straight forward: When you find yourself reading the same thing over and over, doing the same thing over and over and not finding or accomplishing anything really new. And, when you begin to feel that enough is enough. The trick is to NOT let

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-58137427241274437102012-01-29T15:31:00.000-08:002012-01-29T15:31:05.879-08:00

This video is from the TED Channel Gayle Tzemach Lemmon: Women entrepreneurs, example not exceptionEntrepreneurship is "one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise."

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-49932862927913857752012-01-21T17:31:00.000-08:002012-01-21T17:31:27.901-08:00

 Bill Gates has some ideas that we all should take to heart. The realities of life are the realities we must adapt to in order to lead a successful life.

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-32660495722619331612012-01-17T08:54:00.000-08:002012-01-17T08:54:13.635-08:00

There has been a on going discussion on LinkedIn in the Adjunct Network about making recommendations for students and what different professors feel about the process. While cast in the context of teacher student recommendations, it really strikes at a broader concern -- what is the value of a recommendation in any context? Some have said that they would only give a recommendation to someone who

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-48798058462221280412011-12-23T15:25:00.000-08:002011-12-23T15:25:33.592-08:00

In the broad global context of taking charge of your life, I think it is important to note that "progress" is a concept that encompasses a hope, optimism and reasoning based on a belief in that particular human ideal of "free will." Progress is only possible if you believe that the individual has the power to take destiny in his/her hand and make of it what he/she desires. There is no progress

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-31455739700253039352011-10-14T08:31:00.000-07:002011-10-14T13:16:48.550-07:00

Are you a valuable human resource or a self promoting celebrity?   A recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education by Allison M. Vaillancourt reminds us that, as the sole proprietor of our own career, we need to focus on how we go about marketing ourselves. Vaillancourt makes 5 sound points that we all should consider.   1.  First, do no harm.    2.  Be

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-25695158463790112212011-10-03T07:30:00.000-07:002012-03-18T10:29:04.509-07:00

Becoming a successful a sole proprietor means that you are both your own boss and your own product. To succeed is hard work Hard work is having a clear idea of who and what you are. Hard work is networking and more listening than talking. Hard work is active and proactive research. Hard work is learning what an employer or customer is looking for and what they can afford. Hard work is remaining

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-26120913771668862082011-08-01T11:23:00.000-07:002011-08-01T11:23:08.068-07:00

 This is the first is a series of postings on the process of selling your business. As a sole/soul proprietor your business is your life and there comes a time when its time to retire or change your life. The time, money and effort you have put into your business up to this point has been building equity for you. But the only way that you collect on that equity and have it available for the

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-7133382506451648972011-04-22T08:54:00.000-07:002011-04-22T15:37:20.920-07:00

    "Trust me!?"   (click on graphic to enlarge) How often have you heard this? How often have you been asked this question? How often have YOU asked the question? Some people believe that trust is a competency, an individual talent, that people are born with.    Some people may even label and categorize others as trustworthy based on

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-64704558426853633362011-04-07T13:42:00.000-07:002011-04-08T06:30:21.099-07:00

 The seller and the client relationship can sometimes become really tricky, especially when you are selling a service. Here is a fun example.

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-42289129487559100352011-04-01T16:37:00.000-07:002011-04-02T08:08:45.726-07:00

 I am some times asked about pricing and billing for consulting services. One of the sticky points is: Who pays for travel and travel time?" Basically the question comes down to what have you negotiated with the client or the consultant. There are two parts to travel, a) the out of pocket expenses incurred by the consultant and b) the consultant's time consumed by traveling. Out of

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-70932957506616729342011-03-23T09:25:00.000-07:002011-03-23T09:33:57.873-07:00

To be human is to have freewill! Or at least that is how I see it. To have freewill means that we have choices. The problem with choices is that we have to make them. We have to take responsibility for them. Many people would prefer not to take responsibility for their choices, rather they will let others make their choices for them. Then they can blame the other for making a "bad" choice.

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-78575133319577332402011-03-14T12:38:00.000-07:002011-03-14T12:38:01.275-07:00

There are many different reasons to set up a business or a career where one does. To be close to suppliers, raw materials, customers, transportation, etc. are some of the most common reasons. In the complex world of international commerce, these choices are even more critical. The commitment to locate is not a short term decision, despite the internet. Cost advantages in one sphere may be

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-13998648603303082332011-03-01T10:04:00.000-08:002011-03-01T10:04:02.607-08:00

Entrepreneurship is not just a "capitalist" idea for making money. It is the dream of creating value where an opportunity is perceived. Social entrepreneurs see opportunities in the problems our society faces. They see the challenge and are willing to assume the risks of finding solutions to these problems. What are the Key Traits that go into making a successful social Entrepreneur? This

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-31916610679405771742011-02-28T11:18:00.000-08:002011-02-28T11:18:32.850-08:00

One of the great inventions and business competitions of the last 30 years is the personal computer and the Apple vs IBM-based PC. An icon of this period is Steve Jobs. An entrepreneur who turned the idea of design into a major marketing tool in a world that had only considered functionality, Jobs is model for any aspiring entrepreneur. Here in this 2005 speech to the graduating class at Stanford

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-72786622978550809912011-02-27T15:43:00.000-08:002011-02-27T15:50:47.253-08:00

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Mohandas Gandhi Finding balance in your life is the goal of becoming a sole/soul proprietor. Nigel Marsh presents on perspective on "How to make work-life balance work"

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-12401019189121249162010-06-19T13:10:00.000-07:002010-06-19T13:13:49.615-07:00

Recently, a colleague in the nonprofit sector asked me "In these tough financial times, what should be the major criteria in selecting an individual to head up our agency's fund raising efforts: a record of successful selling; or strong personal ethics?" I told him, "Ethics, of course." He asked, "Why? The difference, as I see it, is that when soliciting funding for a non-profit, it is the

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-971354500964129504.post-82104838351078409112010-06-19T08:06:00.000-07:002010-06-19T08:20:21.521-07:00

I work, and have worked, a lot with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial "want-a-bes" in the earliest stages of their enterprise formation. After listening to the things which fire their passion -- the germ of their idea, their pride of inventiveness, and their dream of wealth - they will ask for my help to find money for the project. Before I even consider the project, I ask them one key question,

Barry R. Bainton, PhD, MBAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13661599646706166029noreply@blogger.com0