Shopping online is becoming the de facto route of choice for many during the festive season – comScore, a leader in measuring the digital world, earlier reported that holiday season spending thus far had topped $15 billion in the US alone, marking a 15% increase over last year. How much of that did you spend? And how much time did your employees spend shopping online (and on the clock) during this holiday season? Apparently, for many, enough to get on the naughty list.

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Which retail workers are merry, jolly and happy to serve you this holiday season? PayScale.com asked retail workers at various major outlets to rate their levels of stress and satisfaction on the job and came up with a happiness score for each group. It turns out that some holiday workers like their retail gigs much more than others – and pay and benefits don’t always make the big difference.

Drugs, as anyone with more than a passing interest in global black markets knows, are big business. According to the United Nations World Drug Report of 2011, 210 million people use illicit drugs every year. That’s a huge market, and as we shall see, there are any number of criminals eager to capitalize on this demand. Join us as we take a look at 10 of the largest illegal drug trades on Earth.

10. Khat

Khat is a plant found in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula at contains a stimulant akin to amphetamines. Estimated to be used regularly by several million people, it causes a high that can create excitement and euphoria as well as stifling the appetite. The drug, which is usually chewed by the user, is extremely popular in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen, where it is part of the fabric of society — and where its cultivation can generate income several times that of fruits for local farmers. In the United States and most of the Western world, however, it is a controlled illegal substance and huge profits are obtainable for dealers in the drug. According to one source, in 2006 the US street price of khat was around $700 a kilogram, compared to $1 a kilo in East Africa.

9. Temazepam

Temazepam is a potent hypnotic benzodiazepine — a group of sedatives sometimes known colloquially as “benzos.” Used as a prescription drug in anti-anxiety treatment, it also has another life as a powerful and sought-after street drug. Taken in higher doses, the effects can be similar to alcohol, with increased confidence and a lack of inhibitions shown by users. Surveys conducted in many different countries have found that temazepam is one of the most abused drugs in the world. To supply this demand, and line the pockets of drug traders, numerous illegal “jellie labs” that manufacture the drug have been set up — and shut down — in Russia and Eastern Europe.

8. Ketamine

Ketamine is a drug primarily intended for use in veterinary medicine, and although used on many different animals it is perhaps most popularly known as a horse tranquilizer. This gives an idea of how strong a drug it can be when humans make use of it recreationally. Sometimes known “K,” ketamine produces a powerful dissociative state, and its users may experience what is known as a “K-hole,” a condition which purportedly replicates schizophrenic or out-of-body experiences. Although figures are scarce on the profits generated by the illegal trade in the drug, in 2009, 6.9 tons of ketamine were seized across Asia — a haul that, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, represented 85 percent of the global total.

7. LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD or simply acid, is a well-known psychedelic drug first synthesized by the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann back in 1938. Since the ’60s, its history has been inextricably linked with notions of cultural revolution popularized in music and by figures such as Timothy Leary, who famously called on people to “turn on, tune in, drop out.” Yet a man known as William Leonard Pickard did possibly more than anyone else past or present to distribute the powerful hallucinogenic drug across the world. Following the arrest of Pickard and his partner Clyde Apperson in 2000 — the largest LSD-manufacturing bust of all time — there was reportedly 90 percent decrease in the global availability of the drug. It’s claimed the pair produced a kilo of LSD every five weeks, worth about $2.97 million to them and a quantity capable of providing tens of million of doses. Which producers and traffickers have since filled the gap in the market remains to be seen.

6. Ecstasy

Ecstasy, known as a clubbing drug and commonly taken in pill form, is responsible for $16.07 billion worth of global sales and used by 19.5 million people worldwide according to Havocscope.com, the online database of black markets (and based on findings by the UN World Drug Reports of 2005 and 2011, respectively). The production and export of “E” or “X” has for many years been associated with Europe, although the market has increasingly moved elsewhere in recent times. In fact, according to the UN’s World Drug Report of 2011, “Europe’s share in global ecstasy seizures declined from 90% in 1996 to 18% in 2009.” In the United States, meanwhile, officials are looking to stem the flow of ecstasy from Canada, with the drug selling for two to three times the price in the US as compared with north of the border. In 2010, American customs officers seized 1,460 pounds of the substance at the Canadian border.

5. Amphetamines

According to Havocscope (based on the findings of the UN World Drug Reports of 2005 and 2011) trade in amphetamines makes up $28.25 billion of the global black market, while the number of users worldwide is believed to currently stand at 35.5 million. The drug, commonly known on the street as “speed,” was used by more people (60%) in Asia than anywhere else as of 2004, but overall the manufacture of the drug appears to be centered in Europe. According to the United Nation’s World Drug Report of 2011, 44 of the world’s amphetamine laboratories were reported to the authorities in 2009; the majority were located in Europe.

4. Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine, not to be confused with amphetamines more generally, is commonly known as crystal meth and has been dubbed the “most abused drug on Earth” by the United Nations. The powerful psychostimulant drug, which produces an intense high by releasing high levels of dopamine in the brain, is also highly addictive, making it an attractive commodity for drug dealers. Time magazine has estimated the value of meth originating in Mexico from the labs of illegal drug cartels, then entering and sold on the streets in United States, at $20 billion. Meanwhile, the head of the DEA, Karen Tandy, claimed in 2006 that the users of the drug outnumber the total users of cocaine and heroin worldwide.

3. Heroin

Heroin is an opiate widely held to be one of the most destructive drugs in the world. Highly addictive, when used with sufficient regularity it can control and dictate users’ lives, leaving them quite literally desperate for a dose. Nowadays, the vast majority of the world’s heroin originates in Afghanistan: in 2007, 93 percent of opiates worldwide could be traced back to the cultivation of opium poppies in the war-ravaged country. With an export value of around $64 billion, the opiate production in Afghanistan represents a huge chunk of the global drug market (with the total value of the heroin and opium market placed at $68 billion by the UN’s 2011 World Drug Report). Another big player in the world heroin market is Myanmar (formerly Burma), which represents the hub of the “Golden Triangle” and was, until the 21st century, at the top of the tree for production of the drug.

2. Cocaine

Based on the UN’s 2011 findings, Havocscope puts the world black market value of cocaine at $85 billion, though some other sources suggest an even higher; $122 billion, estimates Morss Global Finance. Whatever the true figure, cocaine is without doubt one of the most sought-after and fought-over drugs in existence. Approximately 1.1 million kilograms of cocaine were produced (using the leaves of the coca plant) in 2009, while it was used by an estimated 17 million people. Much of the vast quantities in circulation are believed to have been traded by Joaquín Guzmán Loera, known to authorities as the biggest cocaine dealer on the planet and the FBI’s and Interpol’s most wanted man. Using trade routes from Colombia and Mexico to the United States, his Sinaloa cartel is responsible for much of the world’s cocaine sales, and the man they call ”El Chapo” (“Shorty”) is himself listed by Forbes as being personally worth $1 billion.

1. Cannabis

Cultivated worldwide, cannabis has a market value of $141.80 billion according to 2005′s UN World Drug Report, though as with cocaine, other sources estimate a much higher figure — $410 billion, say Morss Global Finance. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, America saw a marked increase in cannabis use between 2002 and 2009. The survey discovered that 16.7 million Americans aged 12 and above had taken the drug at least once in the month before the survey was conducted. However, perhaps more surprising than the numbers pertaining to the widespread use of the weed — thought to be used by 164 million people globally — are the findings of a recent poll conducted by Gallup, which discovered that half of all Americans would be in favor of legalizing marijuana.

Figuring out Where Money Goes

The first step to creating a budget that works is to sit down with the past two to three months of bills. Going through each line item and determining where money is spent is crucial in understanding spending habits. There are usually several categories that must be included in any budget:

• Housing expenses, which typically include mortgage or rent payment, homeowner’s association fees, and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies
• Personal care, such as clothing, health and beauty items, grooming and maintenance
• Groceries
• Utilities
• Entertainment, such as television, cable, going out, and travel costs
• Transportation, including auto insurance, gasoline, car loan payment, and maintenance
• Gifts
• Savings
• Other loan payments, if applicable
• Pet expenses, if applicable
• Taxes, if applicable

Organization

After determining how much is usually spent in each category, individuals can compare the total of expenditures against the amount of income that is received each month. Those creating a budget can then organize their lists in order of most important to least important. This way, bills are paid on time, and individuals can save their money to put toward expenses such as travel, entertainment, and other more enjoyable ways to spend.

Methods of Tracking

Some people prefer a handwritten budget, while others like to use free websites, which can pull transaction records from credit card and banking websites. Some like to use Microsoft Excel or QuickBooks, which produce logs for tracking each expense and category. Determining how much goes to each necessity is usually the final step in creating a budget that will work. It must be doable; for example, a person who drives 30 miles to work every day cannot budget for one tank of gas per month. All members of the family need to be on the same page about the expenses, so that each will stick to the amounts budgeted in all categories.

Emergency Funds

When an unexpected emergency arises, such as a medical bill or a large home or car repair that must be completed, even the most prepared budgeter can be caught off guard. In such cases, a loan can be obtained from plaingreenloans.com. This allows for a lump sum to be borrowed in order to pay for a sudden expense.

Preparing for the Financial Future

Creating a budget is a great way to keep closer track of monthly expenses. This will allow those using the budget to feel much less financial strain when bills are due each month, and will provide feelings of calm when thinking about the financial future. What are other methods of tracking spending each month?

Many people think that mind mapping is a process best used by creative individuals. But there are many ways that mind mapping can help in a business setting as well. It’s important to remember that a business is nothing more than a collection of individuals working together for a common goal. Consider the following ways that mind mapping can help in a business setting.

Find Areas You Can Improve

Mind maps are graphical representations of thoughts. You may not know that you can improve an idea, a product, a service, or a product until you see a road map for that area. If you have a section on the map that seems sparse, it’s time to brainstorm new ideas.

Give Thoughts Structure

Business professionals can use mind mapping to keep track of ideas that pop up in random places. That conversation at the water cooler may translate into your next great marketing strategy when you add it to what already exists on your mind map.

Design a Flow Chart for Change

Any time your business implements a change, you can expect problems to arise. Mind mapping can help your business design a flow chart so that the change is implemented more smoothly. You can track what things need to happen in order to notify all staff of the changes, and you can brainstorm potential problems and solutions before you attempt to implement the change.

There are many cloud computing based mind mapping programs (accessible from anywhere), as well as smart phone apps.

Understand Complexity

A business rarely has a simple structure. You may have several departments working together or a series of processes needed to create one product. With mind mapping you can track how one concept relates to another. You can also see how many sub-elements each main concept has.

Track Information

When you use a mind-mapping program, like FreeMind, you have a method you can use to track information. Summarize reports, add a hyperlink to a specific article, incorporate a graphic, or track other important information all in one location. Additionally, you can see how the information fits into your business model.

See Your Business Pipeline

Do you know what it takes to move an idea into a finished product? What does each department need in order to complete a task? Mind mapping allows you to create a graphical image of your business pipeline. You can track what Sally needs to do in order for John to do his job so that Peter can finish his task.

Enhance Recall

The mind works by connecting ideas to one another. Children learn how to read by being able to associate letters with sounds. When you use a mind map, you are making connections similar to the ones that your brain will make. This process can help expand your mental cognition about your business. You may be able to know the workers in an office by thinking about your mind map and its breakdown of departments.

Mind mapping isn’t just a tool for the creative individuals of the world. Businesses can take the same process and use it to understand the complexity of the company’s model better. With mind mapping, a company can gain the necessary tools to surpass the competition.

False accusations can do irreparable damage to the reputations of major corporations. These companies often have to pay fines to restore their good names, to say nothing of the costs incurred due to advertising campaigns to regain the public’s faith.

From Taco Bell to Toyota, many corporations have been forced to shell out big bucks due to false accusations made about their products. Here are five of the most memorable incidents.

1. Toyota

LOSSES: Up to $5,548,800,00.00 ($5.55 Billion)

After the storm, the amount of damage to the brand is often unknown.

False Accusation: Faulty electronics caused certain Toyota cars to accelerate out of control, contributing to at least 50 deaths.

The Truth: NASA released a statement reporting that allegedly ‘sticky’ accelerator pedals, which led to a recall of nearly eight million cars last year, were not in fact the result of faulty electronics.

“We enlisted the best and brightest engineers to study Toyota’s electronics systems, and the verdict is in. There is no electronic-based cause for unintended high-speed acceleration in Toyotas,” said US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

I’m guessing these guys know a thing or two about engineering.

Cost to Company: According to Huffington Post, the recall cost the company between $2 and $5.5 billion, due to a combination of lost sales and repairs. On top of that, the company was also fined $48.8 million by the U.S. government.

2. Taco Bell

LOSSES: More Than $8,900,000.00 ($8.9 Million)

False Accusation: “Your ‘beef’ is only 36% beef!”

The Truth: Last month, Alabama law firm Beasley Allen filed a class action lawsuit against the fast food chain, alleging that their beef taco filling was only about 1/3 beef, with the rest of the mixture containing fillers like “isolated oat product” and “autolyzed yeast extract.”

Taco Bell immediately launched a counter-suit, taking out a full page in several major newspapers that read, “Thank you for suing us.” The company has stated that their seasoned beef filling contains “88% Beef, and 12% Secret Recipe.”

Perhaps paying for celebrity visits will bring back the customers.

Cost to Company: The company just launched a promotion to give away ten million free tacos, prompted by the recent “Where’s the beef?” allegations.

A crunchy beef taco usually costs 89 cents, meaning the company is giving away the equivalent of $8.9 million. And don’t forget the cost of taking out ad space in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and USA Today.

3. Wendy’s

LOSSES: Up to $21,000,000.00 ($21 Million)

Once you wonder what’s in the chili, the company has already lost.

False Accusation: In 2005, a woman in Northern California told authorities that she found a severed finger in a bowl of chili at Wendy’s.

The Truth: The woman, Anna Ayala, made it all up in an attempt to extort money from the fast food chain. She bought the finger from a man who had lost it in an accident, and then staged the event. Police sorted out the truth, and Ayala spent four years in jail.

Clearly the scheme went the way she had planned.

Cost to Company: Wendy’s International Inc.’s earnings dropped one percent in the second quarter of 2005. That may not seem like a lot, but when you are the third-largest burger chain in the US, one percent of your revenue is a significant chunk of change.

For the first six months of 2005, profits fell to $122 million, compared to $124 million in 2004. And other estimates say that Wendy’s may have lost as much as $21 million in revenue due to the incident.

4. Pringles/Proctor & Gamble

LOSSES: Unknown

Support of Satan, or the creation of bored viewers?

False Accusation: P&G subsidized Satanic cults.

The Truth: The rumor about Satanic subsidies was started by four rival distributors. The matter lingered in a court case that took 12 years to resolve, but eventually the false rumor was dispelled and P&G was awarded $19 million.

As if the first “example” wasn’t a big enough stretch, here’s a second.

Cost to Company: There’s no word on how much revenue was lost due to consumers who believed the story about Satanic cults, or how much P&G paid its legal team for 12 years of courtroom battles.

Based on some of the other costs above, however, it seems reasonable to guess the company lost at least a few million dollars over that 12-year period.

5. McDonald’s

LOSSES: Unknown

Consider how long this image will stay with you, for example.

False Accusation: During the infamous “McLibel” case, which ran for over a decade in Europe, McDonald’s was accused of a number of outrageous activities. Members of London Greenpeace claimed the following statements about McDonald’s business practices were true:

• buys from greedy rulers and elites, practicing economic imperialism;
• destroys rainforests with poisons and colonial invasions;
• alters its food with artificial chemistry;
• exploits children with its advertising;
• poisons customers with contaminated meat.

The Truth: In 1997, the courts ruled in favor of McDonalds, awarding the company £40,000 (about $64,000 in U.S. currency). The company never claimed the money. Later, members of London Greenpeace continued the court battles.

In 2005, the matter finally came to a close. The controversy spanned a total of twenty years, between a decade of courtroom battles and the additional years spent in appeals and higher courts.

Cost to Company: McDonald’s reportedly spent “millions of pounds” to defend themselves against the McLibel accusations. No firm figures exist for how much the company may have lost in potential sales due to the bad press surrounding the court cases, but over a twenty-year period, those figures could have been in the tens or hundreds of millions.

Conclusion

The next time you hear a story about a major corporation’s flaws, take a moment to think about all of the false accusations above. No corporation is perfect, but it’s important to take every negative news story with a grain of salt.

1. Readers Digest

While it was once the top-read magazine in the world, it went into (and came out of) Chapter 11 bankruptcy so it could decrease debt. It also cut down the number of issues it produces, and now only handles 10 issues a year instead of 12. In the past, advertisers were guaranteed a circulation of eight million. Now, the company only guarantees five-and-a-half million readers. While that might seem like a lot, it’s a far cry from eight million. Advertisers care about things like that.

2. Blockbuster Video

For almost 20 years, Blockbuster led the video rental business. Now it’s facing bankruptcy while losing millions of dollars each quarter. Companies like Netflix and Redbox are getting a lot of the profit that Blockbuster used to get. They’re much more convenient and they’re the wave of the future where watching movies is concerned. Getting DVDs by mail and getting movies on demand through satellite and cable are also big reasons for Blockbuster’s demise.

3. Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group

The car rental company has a couple of potential buyers like Hertz and Avis, but even if they buy the company, they probably won’t keep the brand. Dollar Thrifty only made $27 million in a quarter and has more than $1.5 billion in debts and “other obligations.”

4. T-Mobile

While it’s a popular company with some people and it generally provides good service, it’s just not the top dog in a market that can only support a couple of wireless carriers. At #4 in the rankings, and with revenues steadily declining, it looks like T-Mobile may be on its way out.

5. BP (British Petroleum)

With the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill, it’s possible that BP will withdraw from the limelight, separate into different parts, and rename them so that it can get a bit of a fresh start. It’s having some financial problems, too, but not to the extent that it would have to shut down. The brand may disappear, but the company itself will likely just continue under some other name that people don’t readily recognize.

Managing  a brand is tough. From the fierce competition, to the negative press, and everything in between – a brand’s reputation and success is always in jeopardy. While it’s possible that these brands will still be active, and maybe even still popular as 2011 draws to a close, it’s really not that likely. They don’t have the staying power to last that long; they may be replaced by something that people like better or fall apart in the face of financial challenges.

“Snail mail” still has a valuable place in customer service, satisfaction and feedback. Online feedback forms, however, are quickly becoming the chosen method for gathering customer opinions. By using any of the eight following methods, you can provide ways for your customers to give you their honest feedback.

1. “Snail mail” – Using the postal service to deliver surveys, feedback cards and polls is a classic method of getting customer opinions. This method provides a personal touch because you can add a handwritten note to each form, encouraging customers to be honest.

2. GetSatisfaction – This unique feedback program utilizes a knowledge base created by your company and customers. Customers can quickly search other questions, ask their own question, make suggestions, and even offer praise. GetSatisfaction features an easy setup interface and a free trial.

3. KISSinsights – This exceptional online survey software operates differently than other survey software. A small widget slides up from the bottom of the screen, asking customers no more than two questions. Customers can quickly enter their honest answers with minimal effort. KISSinsights includes a free plan with ready-made questions or you can create your own questions with the affordable premium plan.

4. Zoomerang – This survey software features embedded surveys for your website, detailed reports and easy-to-read graphs for analyzing results. Tutorials and guides help even the inexperienced user to create a useful and detailed survey. Zoomerang offers a free plan that allows you to create surveys containing up to twelve questions. Two annual plans offer unlimited questions.

5. Usabilla – Usabilla is a program that allows you to test your website at any stage of development. Simply create your test, invite your customers to participate and review the results. This program includes a free plan and makes it easy to see what people like about your website and which areas need improvement.

6. QHub – This easy-to-use program takes the guesswork out of creating a question and answer form. With a fifteen-day free trial, you can quickly create a simple question and answer website for your business. Users can ask their own questions, search other questions, answer questions, and leave feedback.

7. IdeaScale – This simple interface allows customers to leave their ideas and feedback for your website. They can then vote on ideas and the ones with the most votes rise to the top of the list. This makes it easy for you to see which ideas concern customers the most. IdeaScale has three pricing plans, including a free option.

8. CrowdSound – This interactive software encourages feedback from customers and lets them track your responses. CrowdSound is available as a separate website or as a widget and comes with a free plan.

Although “snail mail” surveys and feedback cards are still useful, especially for the personal touch, online feedback forms are more convenient.

By utilizing one of the many ways to gather customer feedback, you can encourage your customers to participate, build relationships with customers and improve your website and business.

Before she says a word, Bob says, “I’ll give you $800 to drop that towel.” After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob After a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, “Who was that?”
“It was Bob the next door neighbor,” she replies.
“Great!” the husband says, “did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?”

Moral of the story : If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with
your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2

Image: DeusXFlorida/Flickr

A priest offered a nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident. After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?” The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, “Father, remember Psalm 129?”
The priest apologized “Sorry, sister, but the flesh is weak.”

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, “Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.”

Moral of the story: If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great
opportunity.

Lesson 3

Image: Pip R. Lagenta/Flickr

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out.

The Genie says, “I’ll give each of you just one wish.”
“Me first! Me first!” says the admin clerk. “I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.”

Puff! She’s gone.

“Me next! Me next!” says the sales rep. “I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.”

Puff! He’s gone.

“OK, you’re up,” the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, “I want those two back in the office after lunch.”

Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4

Image: rossjl/Flickr

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, “Can I also sit like you and do nothing?”
The eagle answered: “Sure, why not.”
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson 5

Image: Steve Voght/Flickr

A turkey was chatting with a bull. “I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree,” sighed the turkey, “but I haven’t got the energy.”

“Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?” replied the bull. “They’re packed with nutrients.”

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally, after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story: Bull might get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there.

Lesson 6

Image source

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:

(1) Not everyone who’s on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of is your friend.
(3) And when you’re in deep, it’s best to keep your mouth shut!

Here’s to a fruitful new year of management!

We were held down by AK47 fire in the middle of a crowded city. All the civilians scattered while the bullets whizzed and cracked into walls, gouging holes in the mortar and sandstone. For a moment all was chaos, we didn’t know where the fire was coming from. In the haze and noise we heard the booming voice of our captain yelling out orders.

Suddenly our training kicked in, and we fell into defensive formations. Each step of the way, we were guided by his strong and present voice. We gathered the wounded, started suppressive fire, and evacuated the area. Thanks to our captain’s leadership, we all made it out that day.

A good leader holds the same principles whether they are in charge of a platoon of soldiers, or if they’re the CEO of a company. Generals and CEOs need to have the same sense of vision, drive, and planning in order to make their teams survive and thrive.

In today’s economy, a sense of battle in the marketplace is apparent, as competition for customers and profits is high. In battle, it’s the goal of an army to make enemy attacks less effective, and eventually conquer.

This lesson is especially apparent to me as I’ve gone from being a soldier on the front lines to a supervisor of a small group of office workers. In my efforts to learn more about strong leadership I find myself going back to my former commanding officers, as well as famous American generals, for lessons and guidance.

Here are some pearls of wisdom from the military world that can readily be applied to the workplace:

“I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.” Robert E. Lee

The strength of an Army can be seen from the strength of its leaders. Your team will follow you, and will only work as hard as you show them too.

If you tell your team you expect absolute excellence from them, you have to show absolute excellence in everything you do. You put in the extra hours, you’re the last one to leave, and nothing surprises you because you’re commanding every aspect of your operation.

“The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with
me the sunshine of my prosperity.” Ulysses S. Grant

A great leader also has to have great lieutenants. These are people who you know you
can rely on when situations become hectic or stressful. In a battlefield they can take command when need be, watch your flanks from attack, and scout ahead of the unit. They naturally possess an element of self-motivation and tenacity.

In the office, they are the people who are Johnny-On-The-spot, who have the files you’re about to ask for in their arms and your appointments scheduled. You want to try and encourage individuals that show this promise by giving them more responsibility.

CEO Bill Gates put it best when he said, “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” By encouraging growth, your team stay competitive in the market, and you help the company grow as a whole.

“Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.” George S. Patton

Growth happens when you are challenged. Maintaining the status quo means you’re giving someone else the chance to blaze right by you.

In larger corporations, this can be evident. I know friends that work in teams competing on the same projects for approval. You can guess that the teams whose projects get chosen most often are the first pick when its time for promotions.

If your team becomes relied upon, then you are seen as the hardest working group. Thus, you produce the most value for the company and you’ll quickly make a name for yourselves. You won’t be doing it through office politics or rumors, but through the simple, hard, and constant application of firepower and force on your goals and projects.

Bill Gates is the master of staying ahead of the pack. He says of the software world, “In this business, by the time you realize you’re in trouble, it’s too late to save yourself. Unless you’re running scared all the time, you’re gone.” Those who aren’t growing are falling behind. Rather, if you’re not shooting, you end up being the one getting shot at.

“Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.” George Washington

“We need to learn to set our course by the stars, not by the light of every passing ship.” Omar N. Bradley

The successful leader is the one whose goals encompass the longer term. They measure success in years and campaigns, rather than days and individual battles.

For example, there’s the young and talented doctor who made it through medical school years younger than her peers. Or the CEO who started a company from scratch and became a millionaire before reaching the age of 35. That medical student had to study countless late night hours to earn her degree. The CEO had to travel all over the United States in order to network and bargain for every dollar of profit. Through persistence and dogged determination, they pushed themselves inch by inch into their success.

As a manager you need to keep that sense of scope. If you make mistakes, that’s fine too. CEO Jack Welch says, “Mistakes can often be as good a teacher as success.” You can learn from your mistakes and adapt.

Now that I’m somewhere in the middle of the chain of command, I can see the progress of those new recruits just starting out. One of my former commanders told me, “To lead an army you must never forget what it feels like to be a soldier on the ground.” With all these lessons in mind and my own experience, I try to lead my staff, my soldiers, into battle to win.

John Durfee is a Gulf War veteran and the marketing manager for Airsplat, the nation’s largest retailer of Airsoft Guns including Spring Airsoft Rifles.