Articles written by Lao Ke

What is Helium

About me - Lao Ke

A third of my adult life was spent in Asia and that wonderful experience colors most of my perceptions and ideas.

Luck has been on my side. I have three wonderful daughters whom I love and cherish. My photo album is filled with memories from far away places,

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Jobs & Careers > Office Politics Ethics in the workplace: 1 of 24
What is ethical business? Many people consider this an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms, in that business dealings are never truly ethical. Ethics is a topic that has been fiercely debated since the time of Socrates and the other great Greek philosophers. But what is meant by ethical anyway? The most common understanding is... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Economy How the Iraq war has affected the quality of life in the US: 1 of 8
The current administration definitely struck a raw nerve recently with its misplaced and totally inappropriate statements that we could and would not abandon the Iraq people to the brutal legacy we left in Vietnam. Anyone with an inkling of Vietnam today finds this utterly preposterous. Perhaps there is some basis to link the... More..
Business > Business Strategy The most important aspects of a business: 2 of 12
Peter Drucker's insightful and timeless definition remains the only correct answer, and that is "the purpose of a business is to create and keep a customer". A business serves to do only one thing, and that is to provide a product or service that has sufficient value in fulfilling a need that the business can be sustained. Th... More..
Business > International Business & Trade Will warnings about the safety of Chinese products reduce China's dominance in global manufacturing and trade?: 3 of 17
My goodness, what short memories we have! Firestone tires, e-coli tainted spinach, the Vioxx debacle; even "deadly" contact lens solution was a headline grabber for months! Did any of these products originate in China? Don't get me wrong; I am a staunch defender of the right of each and every consumer to expect a safe and wel... More..
Entertainment > Music (Other) Why is karaoke so popular: 3 of 15
Karaoke, Khakis and the Art of the "Deal"A Beginner's Guide to Karaoke in AsiaImagine this. Two middle-aged executives, their inhibitions blissfully sleeping under the influence of way too much Chivas and green tea, throwing all decorum aside as their vocal chords strain to unleash a heretofore never achieved destruction of "... More..
Business > Leadership Strategies What are key performance indicators (KPI) or key success indicators (KSI): 1 of 5
Key performance indicators (KPI) or key success indicators (KSI) are the vital signs that measure the health of any organization whether business, institution, for-profit or non-profit, and just like the vital signs of our body, they should be routinely and systematically measured and known to all in the organization. First d... More..
Health & Fitness > Nutrition & Health Issues McDonald's Big Mac turned 40 in 2007: Time to retire this icon of unhealthy fast food?: 19 of 74
What a silly idea?! That would be like asking should General Motors stop making Chevrolet, as that ecologically wrapped, handful of heart horror known as the Big Mac literally defines the McDonald's brand. Mickey D's without Big Mac is Paris without Hilton."Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions... More..
Business > Customer Management Dealing with difficult customers: 2 of 7
No matter what product or service today, the intensive competition for your and my dollar has driven the mantra that the "Customer is King" to sometimes absurd levels, if you have any doubts watch some of the wildly hilarious TV commercials out there today. Read the mission statement, value proposition or strategic plan of al... More..
Business > Project Management Presentation skills for effective project managers: 2 of 7
The innocent victim of hours of boredom induced by staring at a secession of MS Project progress charts, each competing with the other to see which could be most illegible, I find great solace in the chance to offer one manager's view of a "perfect' project management presentation. If this is a new project, then what I want t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics in Latin America What sanctions against Cuba mean to the average American: 2 of 7
My how time flies. Has it really been almost half a century since the US first imposed sanctions against Cuba, or more specifically, those heavy-handed left wing radicals mucking up the political landscape in Latin America who called Cuba home? It is hard to imagine what life was like when it was possible to find a hand rolle... More..