Basil’s Blog

Who would you pick to run for our next President?

George Allen, Senator from Virginia, former Governor. He picks the right kind of people for his team. Becky Norton Dunlop, Kay Coles James, Clarence Carter, Martin Brown. Personnel is Policy as Reagan said. (And, well, years ago, the Senator’s dad was the Redskins’ coach.)

What was the first marathon you ever ran?

Charmaine and I first ran The Crestar (product placement) Richmond Marathon in November 1999. Actually, we ran the course for the marathon a few weeks before hand to see if we could do it. 26.2 miles is a long way to drive, let alone run.

Thank you for not asking our elapsed time.

What got you interested in running?

Charmaine and I were joggers since high school. So we were looking to keep in shape. Expand our horizons! Reach a goal! And have a bullet point for our resumes.

Of what accomplishment are you most proud?

1. Wrestling Charmaine to the alter.
2. Professionally, it would be spending $35 million and got nothing. I was acting as a CIO during the Y2K rollover. When nothing happened at 2000. (This was before many of Basil’s readers were born.) Spend money; nothing happens. Now I’m a consultant. Hire me! I’m trained to get nothing done!
3. But nothing beats the Penta Posse. (Our five wee-ones.)

What is your favorite Cartoon and why?

Calvin and Hobbs. But what I love to look for are Dilbert cartoons. Especially those tacked up in clients’ cubicles.

It has been established that the greater the number of Dilbert cartoons festooned about an office, the lower employee morale. Which means problems. And problems employ Your Business Blogger. And the converse holds: no Dilberts means high morale, means no problems means consultants have to look for real jobs.

So. Consultants: Look for Dilbert; and laugh…

Who was the greatest president of your lifetime? Of all time?

Ronald Reagan, for winning the Cold War

Lincoln for winning the Civil War

Honorable Mention: George Bush for winning our present war.

Coke or Pepsi?

Coke. Was a life long habit. But Pepsi’s CEO Indra Nooyi has made Coke a Patriotic Preference. Re: Digitus Impudicus.

What’s your favorite song?

Meat Loaf – Paradise By The Dashboard Light

Of the places you were stationed, where did you enjoy most?

Fort Knox. But I did very much enjoy temporary duty at Eglin AFB on the Florida panhandle … in the dead of a November’s winter.

Did you know it doesn’t snow in Florida? Florida in Winter. A glimpse of Heaven.

What law would you like to see removed?

I’d like to see the Siljander Constitutional Amendment enacted. Simply states that life is recognized not at birth, but at conception. Nice bright line.

Who has had the biggest influence on you?

Randy Yeager, Ph.D., My Greek and Sunday School teacher. He demanded that his students learn and test facts and theories for ourselves. Then come debate him, if you dare.

How did you and Charmaine meet?

Classified Ad. In my mate search I organized a social tennis group meeting on Wednesday nights. To check out the chicks. And placed ads in our local church bulletin. Charmaine showed. We wed. (I wish I still had one of those bulletins. Best ad copy I ever wrote.)

What is the best way to make money?

As a Free Agent as Dan Pink says. (He was a Gore speech writer; and, oddly, Dan and I have met and get along quite well.) The best security and best money on this side of eternity is working for yourself. A 1099′er. Or a sales rep on a commission structure. Do what you love and the money will follow. (I love to write and don’t mind cat food.)

What is one book you’d recommend everyone read?

Apart from the Bible, I’d suggest Managing Management Time by the late Bill Oncken. I’ve hired Bill Oncken III, his son, a time or two in past jobs. Winston Churchill once said that if a book is not worth reading twice, it’s not worth reading once. MMT deserves multiple reads.

Full Disclosure: I have a blurb in the new edition.

Whom do you most identify with of the following: Ron White, Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy? And why?

Larry’s the best model for business: Get ‘er done!

Ginger? Or Mary Ann?

Mary Ann. Ancient Jewish tradition says we should consider only women who are virtuous and industrious. Or is that Ginger? Hollywood is so confusing.

Our Business Motto is delectare et docere

I hope this writing has been as pleasing and instructive as Basil’s Blog.