I am an observer. People fascinate me and I enjoy listening to their stories, challenges and triumphs. As the Managing Partner of Bell Oaks Executive Search, I have interviewed and spoken with thousands of individuals in career transition over the last 10 years. These interactions, along with my other experiences in executive search, have helped…
October 13, 2009
This is the second half of a talk I gave to the Catholic Business Leaders Breakfast at Sacred Heart Parish on October 9th , 2009. The first part of the talk was on my conversion into the Catholic Church in 2006 with my wife and sons after I spent 23 years in the “spiritual wilderness”—a…
October 8, 2009
Maybe it was just the kind of kid I was, but I’m guessing that most children are constantly reminded by adults to be more efficient. Maybe not exactly in those words. More likely it comes in the form of phrases like “don’t be late”, “use your time wisely”, “don’t waste money” or even “turn off…
October 3, 2009
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen. For quite some time, I have had a desire to write about my…
September 2, 2009
Friends-good morning. In Eucharistic Adoration this week I read a meditation from In Conversation With God, by Francis Fernandez, which absolutely got my attention. Here is an excerpt which I hope will resonate with you and make you reflect on your actions as it has with me. EXCERPT FROM In Conversation with God, by Francis…
U.S. ECONOMY Signs that the business cycle may have reached its trough strengthened as inventories were again reduced in the second quarter at a yearly pace, estimated by JP Morgan, of $162 billion. After 10 consecutive months of decline, replacement demand alone can be expected to support manufacturing activity ahead. Just as importantly, U.S. worker…
August 23, 2009
It is time for a little straight talk about the need for…straight talk. Over the last several years there has been an alarming increase in “doublespeak”, hidden agendas, political polarization and misrepresentation of the facts by our government. For the most part, they have been actively aided and abetted in their efforts by the media. …
August 21, 2009
Friends-good morning. I came across this passage from In Conversation With God and would like to share it with you. It really made me stop and reflect this morning and I hope you also find it helpful. Have a great day. In Christ, Randy Living Examples (An excerpt from In Conversation With God by Francis…
I recently read a meditation by Frances Fernandez from In Conversation With God on the topic of human respect which has stirred a lot of reflection and thinking over the last few days. Do we ever stop to consider how many times a day our thinking and actions are influenced by a concern for what…
July 25, 2009
by Fred Ruopp Fred Ruopp, a veteran investor named one of the Top Value Managers in the country, a serious Catholic, and founder of Chelsea Management, Fred Ruopp, Sr., provides a wealth of pithy insights on different economic sectors, beginning with national considerations. His insights follow: U.S. ECONOMY While U.S. economic activity has not yet…
July 8, 2009
“Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly.” — St. Ignatius Loyola What is the connection between surrender and strength? Surrendering to Christ and putting His will before my own for the first…
June 26, 2009
As the street protests in Iran move into their second week we must wonder, just what is it, that is taking place? There are so many questions and so little information from commentators with the experience to tell us just what it is that is happening. The first question that comes to mind is, just…
June 26, 2009
My wife and I are blessed with 2 wonderful boys, Alex and Ryan, who are 11 and eight respectively. The catalyst for this article occurred Wednesday night when we all went to dinner to celebrate my birthday. We went to a nicer restaurant than usual because of the occasion, which also served to elevate the…
June 20, 2009
I have been leading people since I was a 16 year old in high school working at a restaurant in the town where I grew up. Leadership has always been a passion for me and after years of study, reading dozens of leadership books, listening to mentors and accumulating great experience on the way to…
June 19, 2009
Here in the United States, we are preparing celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday June 21. This traditional holiday celebrates the unique contribution to the stability of our society that fathers make in their every day mission of guiding their families. We Catholics understand that the family is the individual building block upon which an ordered…
June 19, 2009
The ongoing demonstrations in Iran, touched off by public outrage at what is believed to be fraudulent vote counting in the recent Presidential election, has completed its sixth day. Not since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 has there been this much sustained, grass roots political protest in what is one of the world’s most closed…
June 8, 2009
by Mark McElrath Have you just found yourself downsized and feel the need to complete your Bachelor’s degree? Are you feeling empty in your current field of employment and want to work in a new career direction, maybe something related to the church but need further academic development or certification? Are you one of those…
June 4, 2009
When faced with an opportunity to fundamentally change your life, will you take it? Many of us want to answer this question with a resounding “yes,” but may think that reality is not attainable. Not necessarily so. Consider the possibility that the current recession may be providing the catalyst for meaningful lessons and positive life…
June 4, 2009
U.S. ECONOMY Preliminary estimates of 2009 first quarter GDP suggest only a slight improvement from 2008’s fourth quarter (-6.1 vs. -6.3); however, the massive federal stimuli coming forward point to a possible leveling and then rebound in the quarters ahead. Much of the last quarter’s contraction centered on decreases in exports (-30%) and a reduction…
June 4, 2009
When it comes to tapping into the competitive advantage of diversity, few companies succeed. Yesterday I was reminded why. Our firm was having a meeting to discuss important elements of our strategy and marketing efforts, when something really great happened—we got into an argument. Not a disagreement. A loud, contentious, uncomfortable and passionate argument. On…