- 1 (9)
- Business Management (21)
- Food Issues (7)
- Issues Management (14)
- Media (11)
- Mergers and Acquisitions (12)
- Personal Observations (37)
- Reputation Management (64)
- Social Media/Technology (47)
- Sustainability (53)
When at home do as the Romans?
Rome, Italy—It’s Sunday. You will not be able to buy a new wastebasket or an iPhone. It’s going to be tough if you didn’t get your prescriptions filled yesterday. Don’t plan on going out for that big breakfast (most any day for this last one). Since most things are closed on Sunday, commerce will take a little longer to get rolling on Monday. So, scuttle that plan to get out the door at 8 in order to accomplish neglected errands early.
Perhaps this is as it should be.
Our delightful accommodations in Rome (thank you bad economy) are in a residential neighborhood, which means we see the real people, ride the bus with them and eat in their restaurants. Often, I am the only one e-mailing or texting or reading wsj.com on my Blackberry.
Hmm … is that such a good thing for me?
Over the years, I have sometimes been frustrated dealing with European agencies and clients. Early conference calls—can’t do it most times. Vacations—theirs are seemingly endless. Schedules—measured, not frantic. It causes one to wonder how the heck they make a living over here.
Apparently, they do just fine.
As I was thinking about all this, I remembered a comment from one of my European colleagues from the Transworld Advertising Agency Network:
“At our agency, it’s not about hours, it’s about energy.”
He was giving a presentation on their structure and management philosophy. His comment struck me as oh so true. In the U.S. it seems our focus is too often on hours versus bringing intense, effective energy to the tasks at hand. Do you really need to e-mail while driving or do you need to e-mail effectively once you arrive? (Not to mention that you are 26 times more likely to kill yourself or someone else when you type while behind the wheel.)
In that spirit, my energies will be shifting elsewhere for a week. Ciao!
2 Responses to “When at home do as the Romans?”
Nice post, Mark. Couldn't agree more.
Just be glad you didn't visit in August, when many Italian businesses close for the entire month:
Recharge your energy, man. There's still a long year to go.
As my old finance director used to say, 'it's not how long your in here but what you do whilst you're here that counts.'
Nice piece Mark.
Leave a Reply
Support rally for overseas troops slated for Walworth County FairJanesville GazetteRaffle tickets will be available at the Support Our Troops Rally at
Belleville man is Walworth County Fair's first Senior IdolJanesville Gazette3, 2010 Four people competed Thursday evening in the finals for the fi
And ... they're off!Janesville Gazette (blog)That was the case Saturday at the Walworth County Fair. Saddle Horse Superintendent Rick Welsch of Da
Equestrian club stresses teamworkJanesville GazetteJillian Cline whips her way around a barrel during the barrel racing event at the Walworth County F
Walworth County Fair shows off Wisconsin's excellent chicken farmersFOX6Now.com MilwaukeeWith the Walworth County Fair underway, the rides and foo
Janesville GazetteWalworth County Fair officials expect boost in attendanceJanesville Gazette29, 2010 Kadir Ozdemir installs colorful flags on top of
Some nice words for Walworth County and a little adviceJanesville Gazette (blog)"It's a county fair, you never know what you'll get."
Focus on girls volleyballMilwaukee Journal SentinelTwo other players, senior middle blocker Meg Webber and junior outside hitter Cassidy Robers, were
Couple find all's fair in love, tractor pullingJanesville GazetteThe couple travels to fairs and competitions across the state and throughout neig
Rock, Walworth teens compete in big numbers at State FairJanesville GazetteIn the weeks between the state fair and the Walworth County Fair, Weisensel