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The Story of In-N-Out Burger’s Steady Success

This is the story of a guy trying to create a job to provide for his family and by keeping is simple created an empire.

The more I study successful businesses the more I learn they are run by leaders who have a simple vision and who are hyper focused. Harry Snyder and In-N-Out Burger is another great example. There is a lot to learn from In-N-Out Burger’s steady success.



Update: Click here if the video is not coming up

Update 2: Looks like Fora.tv is down for me in Berlin, September 25, 2009 at 8:48 am

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Managment.

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By Anthony Barba – September 25, 2009

Getting Things Done with Outlook

I tried the Getting Things Done Outlook Add-In years ago and was not impressed, but the latest one (Version 3) is terrific.

In my opinion the best update in Version 3 is having the GTD plug-in right on the Outlook Task ribbon. In the older version you needed to click on a top tab to get the GTD features and it was always tempting to just save and close before adding the necessary information. The program seems less-buggy and works much better with Outlook 2007.

outlook-gtd

The down side is the cost. It cost $75, but if I’m still using it as religiously as I have been this week after the 30 day trial it will be worth buying.

Posted in Productivity.

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By Anthony Barba – September 24, 2009

Getting Back on the GTD Wagon

Over the summer I’ve fallen off the GTD wagon, so this weekend I dusted off my Outlook tasks section, moved away from ActiveCollab and went back to the GTD methodology.

My Blackberry is my one trusted source that I can work and referrer to from everywhere. Something that was lacking with an online project management tool like base camp. I missed the ability to go to a cafe and review my tasks and projects from a different perspective you only get from being away from the office. I have a lot of work ahead of me in the next few months and I am glad to go back to a system that has worked wonders for me in the past.

Fast Company TV has a decent 30 minute video with David Allen to give you some GTD flavor.

Posted in Productivity.

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By Anthony Barba – September 22, 2009

Michael Jackson Google Doodle

Because I live in Berlin my Google default is Germany. Here is what I saw this morning. But why?

Michael Jackson Google Doodle

UPDATE: Mystery Solved thanks to @miriam_rupp & @xtnblue — Today would have been his 51 birthday.

Posted in Miscellaneous.

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By Anthony Barba – August 29, 2009

Secrets of Greatness: How They Work

schultzThere is an extremely interesting article in an issue of FORTUNE magazine called ‘Secrets of Greatness: How I Work‘ — a series of first-hand accounts of how some of the world’s busiest executives handle the constant flow of information around them.

One of those profiled is Howard Schultz, the chairman of Starbucks, who explains a few of his tips for staying one step ahead of the curve:

‘I get up between 5 and 5:30, and naturally the first thing I do is make some coffee; depending on my mood, it’s either an espresso macchiato or one of our Indonesian coffees in a French press. I’ll take my coffee, read three newspapers — the Seattle Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times — and listen to a voice mail summarizing sales results from the past 24 hours. This has been my routine for 25 years. [...]

At work the first thing I do is read the flash report, which is our road map of what we do that day. We manage day-to-day in our business. I’m proud that we are so nimble — we have great information flow to make that happen. So we attend to U.S. business during the day, and of course at night I’ll be speaking with Asia.

I’m always stopping by our stores — at least 25 a week. I’m also in other places: Home Depot, Whole Foods, Crate & Barrel. I was just i”

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By Anthony Barba – August 27, 2009

Reboot IBM ThinkPad

access_ibmI prefer to write on my old ThinkPad more then one my Desktop.  It has something to do with the size and feel of the keys. I just love the ThinkPad keyboard.

Because mine is a little older I reinstall Windows XP and format my hard drive about every 6 months to keep it humming and the ThinkPad makes that so easy to do.

To Reinstall Window to Factory Settings on a ThinkPad all you have to do is press the Access IBM button when the computer boots up.  That’s it. You’ll get a screen with a factory icon that says Factory Install.  Follow the instructions and you have a completely new computer.

Posted in Productivity.

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By Anthony Barba – August 27, 2009

4th of July Events in Berlin

Here is a list of of the goings on in Berlin for the Forth of July.

UPDATE:  This looks like a winner winner…

AMERIKA CAMP is: Apple pie, rope-a-steer, Chrysler vigil, patriotic hoobaloo, and camping!  Where? Tent Station. A 5 min. walk from Hauptbahnhof Bring: A tent (or you can rent one) if you plan to camp.  Burgers, dogs, buns (yours and your burgers’). The bar will be open for booze after 6, otherwise bring ‘em if you got ‘em. Cowboy hats and fake mustaches optional, but encouraged. When? 16 Uhr bis 24 Uhr Who? You and your hot body. Plus any Americans you can find.

Connect’s Annual Summer Highlight in the Tiergarten

4-jul-flyer-small

“Please bring along your picnic blanket or camping chair as we cannot provide benches and tables. If you would like, you can also bring your own cutlery, plates and cups (we do provide paper plates, plastic cutlery and serviettes” - Toyland

12,00 € Tickets include:

  • All food from the grills (meat, vegetarian, vegan), salad and dessert buffet (Please tell us in advance if you’re vegetarian/vegan)
  • Fun, games, music and entertainment
  • 0,50 € per  soft drinks
  • 1 € Bottle Beer &  Shots

uncle-sam-anon-clean-cutoutBig Raid 0r The Berlin Scientology Protest — arriving with sunglasses and caps – masks after police approval. ( image source google)

Hairy Mary’s 4th of July Party

Come celebrate America’s Independence with Drink Specials 4,50: Red Headed Slut, White Russian, and Blue Lagoon. There will also be a BBQ (weather pending). We’ll provide brats and bread, anything else is up to you!

McNair–Museum 4th of July Party

_wsb_491x429_4thofjuly

All Nations Festival –  For the ninth consecutive invite embassies and cultural institutions on 04 July 2009 11-18 clock in Berlin, at the embassy around the world not only behind the doors of diplomacy, but also the rich diversity of traditional and modern fashion trends on her head to see.  So far, following their participation Embassies: Ethiopia, Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Panama, Zambia , Zimbabwe, the Slovak Cultural Institute, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and the European house.

Posted in Miscellaneous.

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By Anthony Barba – July 4, 2009

Bezos @ MIT

I just re-discovered this video of Jeff Bezos speaking at MIT on my computer.  It’s long, but worth a look.

Posted in Shopping.

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By Anthony Barba – June 29, 2009

the Postal Service covers Phil Collins "Against All Odds"

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By Anthony Barba – June 19, 2009

Charlie Rose – Economist Milton Friedman

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By Anthony Barba – June 17, 2009