Anyone who does mechanical work appreciates the impact the right tool can have on a job. For instance, the other day I needed to open up a cover that was held down by six screws. I first tried a screw driver. The screws were so tight, they didn’t even budge. But because the screws had shaped heads I was able to use a wrench instead. Minutes later the cover was off and I was examining the impeller for a seawater pump. Well, the same lesson of course applies much more broadly including processe...

Anyone who does mechanical work appreciates the impact the right tool can have on a job. For instance, the other day I needed to open up a cover that was held down by six screws. I first tried a screw driver. The screws were so tight, they didn’t even budge. But because the screws had shaped heads I was able to use a wrench instead. Minutes later the cover was off and I was examining the impeller for a seawater pump. Well, the same lesson of course applies much more broadly including processe...

I am certain that I am not the most productive at using email, but I am pretty happy with the simple system that I have come up with. It has two key components. The first is to answer the bulk of emails when I first open them. This is possible because most emails require only a very short response and often only a minimal action (confirming a meeting, making an introduction, etc). There is a temptation (at least for me) to read such emails and think that I will get back to them later. But I w...

I am certain that I am not the most productive at using email, but I am pretty happy with the simple system that I have come up with. It has two key components. The first is to answer the bulk of emails when I first open them. This is possible because most emails require only a very short response and often only a minimal action (confirming a meeting, making an introduction, etc). There is a temptation (at least for me) to read such emails and think that I will get back to them later. But I w...