Mark French's blog

990... Its more than a number

Posted Wed, 01/13/2010 - 21:56 by Mark French

I have worked in accounting for Blueprint Education since 1988.It is a non-profit education organization.During that time I have signed a lot of IRS 990’s. The 990 is the form non-profits use to report financial activity for the year.Since there are no tax consequences, often the report gets very little attention.For years, my focus was simply to get the report mailed in on time.

Talent is Overrated

Posted Wed, 01/06/2010 - 17:31 by Mark French

So over my snowboarding endeavors and GPS running workouts at Christmas, I also managed to fit in some enjoyable reading.  The book I’m referring to is entitled “Talent is Overrated” by Geoff Colvin.

As its namesake suggests, talent is not the answer to great performance it is the learned skill accumulated over time and not a genetic gift endowed on man.

Education - Parents are Failing

Posted Thu, 12/24/2009 - 10:59 by Mark French

In the 1800’s people like Horace Mann and Thomas Jefferson sought to create common schooling.  “The common-school reformers argued for the case on the belief that common schooling could create good citizens unite society and prevent crime and poverty.

Big Macs and Credit Cards vs Defiance and Truancy

Posted Wed, 12/16/2009 - 23:33 by Mark French


I have monitored the health care debate over the last few weeks.  The cost to provide health care is growing, in part, because greater numbers of people require health services.  One idea to mitigate the problem is to have every American simply consume more healthy food.  Changes to dietary habits could save millions due to reduced obesity and lower cholesterol.


One solution offered in New York City is that the government should impose regulations to address the problem. 

Please Don't Jump to Conclusions

Posted Wed, 12/09/2009 - 17:41 by Mark French

The current popular opinion seems to assume that successful companies or people should be knocked down and that companies in particular should be accountable to every conceivable degree for the products they sell. The public wants hot coffee but it better not be too hot because if I spill that coffee in my lap it’s the company’s fault that I got burned.

How to Build a Time Machine

Posted Wed, 11/25/2009 - 10:16 by Mark French



Last summer I listened to a speech from Bill Hybels about dealing with crisis.  He used the analogy of a rogue wave.  In sailing, he explained, its not simply high waves that worry a captain, it’s the unexpected high wave.  He compared our country’s current economic crisis to the rogue wave.  One common sense statement he made still resonates with me.  “Cash reserves give you time to react when the rogue wave hits,” You need time to adjust your plan, time to find a solution, time to formulate a response.

Perspective is Everything

Posted Wed, 11/18/2009 - 17:22 by Mark French

Perspective is Everything

I once read a story about a ship’s captain out to sea.  He was in charge of a mighty ship and hundreds of sailors.

It was a foggy night and through the haze he saw the signal light from another ship.  He quickly realized the two ships were on a collision course.

So the Capitan signaled the other ship,” You are on a collision course with my ship change your course 10 degrees west”.

The response came back through the hazy air,” Change your course 10 degrees east”.

Who Won the Race?

Posted Thu, 11/12/2009 - 15:32 by Mark French

I am a NASCAR fan.  The race is in Phoenix this week and I have my tickets!

One great thing about racing is the instant measurement of results.  At the end of the day either you won or you didn’t. Everyone knows the final outcome. You can see it right in front of you.

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