What Captures Your Attention Controls Your Life – HBR

A few years ago, DisneyWorld executives were wondering what most captured the attention of toddlers and infants at their theme park and hotels in Orlando, Florida. So they hired me and a cultural anthropologist to observe them as they passed by all the costumed cast members, animated creatures, twirling rides, sweet-smelling snacks, and colorful toys. But after a couple of hours of close observation, we realized that what most captured the young children’s attention wasn’t Disney-conjured magic. Instead it was their parents’ cell phones, especially when the parents were using them.

via What Captures Your Attention Controls Your Life – Kare Anderson – Harvard Business Review.

How many people are not really where they are but someplace else?

Italy’s Generali Board Ousts Chief Executive – WSJ.com

The board of Assicurazioni Generali SpA ousted the insurer’s chief executive on Saturday, the company said in a statement, in a management coup that leaves a question mark over the future strategy of one of Italy’s most important companies.At the hastily-called meeting, 10 out of Generali’s 17 board members approved a motion of no-confidence against Giovanni Perissinotto, according to the statement and a person briefed on the vote tally. The board also named Mario Greco, chief executive of Zurich Insurance Group as Generali’s new CEO, the statement added.

via Italy’s Generali Board Ousts Chief Executive – WSJ.com.

Mr. Perissinotto said the reason for his ouster was political.

Really?

How to Be Happier at Work – Start Something!

Start something. More specifically, start something outside of work.

via How to Be Happier at Work – Leonard A. Schlesinger, Charles F. Kiefer, and Paul B. Brown – Harvard Business Review.

Before you get mad at me take note of where this article comes from.  Harvard Business Review Blog Network is the source of this article.  This article reminds me of what I did several years ago.  I started something.

When I started something I had no clue what it was I started.  What I thought I started was not what I am doing today.  In other words, my original plan failed but ultimately my little business succeeded.

Take a risk.  Start something!

  What are you avoiding doing that you know needs to be done?”  We seem to have a talent for burying the truth, covering it up, distracting ourselves from it… When was the last time you took a risk in the direction of your dance?

Laurie Beth Jones

 

Teleworking Triples Over the Last Decade

In its report, “The Incredible Disappearing Office: Making Telework Work,” The Conference Board finds that the advancements in home networking over the last decade have been accompanied by teleworking gains among a number of these technology-reliant professions, including insurance underwriters 4.5 percent, up 275 percent since 2001-2003 and computer software developers 6.1 percent, up 127 percent.

via Teleworking Triples Over the Last Decade – Insurance Networking News.