thinks

Am I the only one that thinks this is funny? USA Today notes a 2% drop in daily newspaper circulation. Where’d I read it? On USA Today’s website.

To be fair, some papers - The New York Times, Post, and Daily News, for instance - saw modest circulation gains. But other New York papers have declined more than most, indicating these local market gains merely represent shifting share. Worth Magazine has a cover story about “new media” folks like Mark Cuban investing in old media like newspapers, suggesting these folks know something other investors don’t or at least are willing/able to take a chance.

John Battelle explains why a Google-NBC marriage would be a bad idea. “A very dumb idea,” actually. I suggested CBS, but, hey, you can’t get everything right.

BNet recently looked at how regularly the best companies improve their processes. If you expect that the best in class companies work on that more often, you’re right. John Moore at Brand Autopsy provides a capsule review of Edward Hess’ “Road to Organic Growth” that provides further support (see point 6, in particular).

So, what’s next on your to-do list? Anything you care to move up that list?

This article at CNet is a classic example of where IT and marketing fail to get on the same page. The IT types look at CNet’s article and go, “We rock!” Meanwhile, marketers stuck in the last century continue to hose their customers. Maybe I’d be happier about it if the Mets beat the Braves this weekend.

As my friend Roger likes to say, “meetings are a great alternative to work.” Seth Godin points out some ways to put the lie to that comment.

So, what’s the most productive meeting you’ve attended recently?

I recently got back from a long-overdue vacation, during which I indulged my favorite passion. No, not that one. Reading, silly. While I normally write in-depth reviews of the business books I read, enjoy these capsules of some fun reading for a change.

• "Memory" - Possibly my favorite Lois McMaster Bujold book. Ever. Phenomonal read. If you don’t know Bujold, and her brilliant character Miles Vorkosigan, you’re missing one of the great writers in fiction today. Yes, I know it’s science fiction. So what? This book is brilliant. If you’ve never read Bujold and you need a Vorkosigan primer, check out "Young Miles". Also, you can read “The Mountains of Mourning”, an early Vorkosigan novella, online, for free.
• "A Civil Campaign" - Lois McMaster Bujold. Again. So, I really like these books. Sue me. It’s my vacation, no?
• "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" - David Sedaris is one funny man. Twisted. But funny. Apart from a few cringe-worthy moments, this collection of essays provides both an interesting memoir and portrait of one American family. Well worth the read.
• "You’re in Charge, Now What?: The 8 Point Plan" - OK, so I had to sneak one business book in. I recently started a new job and I appreciated the tips in Neff and Citrin’s plan. If you’re changing jobs anytime soon, or want to achieve change in your current job, take a look.