The Manager's View

 I have often looked at  Coca-Cola  as a benchmark when it comes to  well-crafted mission and vision statements . Why? Because they separate the two cleanly, express them clearly, and most importantly,  align them strategically . This alignment is key for any organization aiming to thrive long-term—not just in its current industry, but across multiple opportunities that may emerge in the future. 💡 The Power of a Broad, Purpose-Driven Mission A  mission statement  provides the  purpose  of an organization. It describes what the organization hopes to accomplish—not the products it makes or services it sells, but its reason for being. This is important. A narrowly defined mission can limit what a business thinks it  can  do, and over time, that can restrict innovation and growth. Coca-Cola’s mission statement is a great example of how to do it right: “To refresh the world, bring moments of optimism and create value and make a differen...

We live in a time of digital dominance. Shopping, banking, making appointments, reading news—nearly every aspect of life has migrated online. These digital tools are efficient, convenient, and essential. But as any seasoned manager will tell you, when problems arise, success hinges on something less technical and more timeless: the human connection. Today, many companies lean heavily on chatbots and AI tools to handle customer service. From a cost perspective, that makes sense. Automation cuts expenses. But what’s less obvious—and more dangerous—is the growing gap between companies and their customers. Most chatbots offer limited help, often sending users in circles or directing them back to the very website they’re struggling with. That’s not service. It’s deflection. In markets where a product is indispensable, customers may tolerate poor service—at first. But when a disruptor comes along offering a more customer-centric experience, those same customers jump ship. The businesses that...

 We have all heard that "entitlements" are a drain on the economy and that we would be better served to provide tax reductions that allow individuals and banks invest in the economy. It probably is not a good time to discuss the economic topics of marginal propensity to save and the multiplier effect. But I think an understanding of how "entitlement" programs and subsidies affect the economy is important. Individuals in the lower economic classes receive healthcare through medicaid, food through SNAP,  housing assistance and supplemental income through welfare payments and social security. This group represents about 11% of the US population. Individuals in this group, which is considered poverty level, save very little and therefore spend all of the money they receive through "entitlements". This money is spent with companies that provide products and services. In 2025 the federal government is projected to spend $1.2 trillion on providing programs to tho...