Motivation influences how we make decisions.    According to the expectancy theory proposed by Victor Vroom, employees in an organization are the most motivated when they think an effort will result in better performance, and that better performance can lead to rewards they value.  Based on the same theory, Professor Richard W. Scholl of the University [...]

The current unfortunate situation in the Gulf of Mexico has made me very aware of the importance of risk awareness.  Risks are everywhere.  We take them all the time. Sometimes we are not even aware of the risks involved or the consequences those risks entail. Databases are at the heart of today’s corporations.  They make [...]

There is a field of forces that plays into our decisions.  Identifying, visualizing, and analyzing these forces can be a useful exercise for important decisions.  I have devised a form to help you do this easily.  Your intention or the decision you want to make goes in the center box.  The driving forces go in [...]

The human brain is lazy.  It does not like to work very hard.  This is a scientific fact!  Our brain is “programmed” to conserve energy.  This is because it needs to be ready to operate under danger (mostly from the olden days).  Thinking too hard takes energy and uses brain resources that can peg our [...]