Business articles by Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD It was an emergency run to the eye doctor. Being far-sighted and using a computer all day makes glasses an indispensable tool—one that I treat with the utmost care. Imagine my dismay when in the midst of my morning cleaning routine, I heard the frame snap and a lens landed […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD Getting my annual income tax return done is one of my most dreaded tasks. Though I keep good records, plan ahead, and take a conservative approach, “tax season” is a source of personal anxiety and trepidation. As I organized this year’s batch of requisite documents for my accountant, I stumbled […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD In my office is an evocative black and white aerial photo of my grandfather’s chicken farm, circa 1960. Grandpa and Dad ran the farm, along with a revolving assortment of hired help. The farm consisted of five barns, in two interconnected groups. Together they accommodated 15,000 hens. Four buildings housed […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD On Monday this week (in the United States) we had no mail delivery because of Veterans’ Day. To miss mail for one day is not a problem, but what if this occurred on a regular basis? What if Saturday delivery was omitted or we only received mail three days a […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD There’s a certain brand of wool socks that I like. Okay, I really, really like them. I’m wearing a pair right now. I wanted to try a different style, but the local outlets didn’t carry it. Though I prefer to buy online and bypass the “experience” of going to a […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD It was a lazy summer afternoon, a Friday. Things were a bit slow at the office and upper management had all left to get an early jump on their weekend. I, being a front-line manager, did not have that luxury. Besides, I had work to complete before the weekend. My […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD It’s been said Gene Roddenberry pitched the original Star Trek TV show as “a western in outer space.” I can appreciate the simplicity of that statement, but think it’s a bit off the mark. However, that would’ve been perfect for the TV show Firefly. Firefly truly was a western in […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD As businesses ponder future economic conditions and how it will affect sales and their bottom line, there are three ways to respond: The first response is a quick path to disaster. The second option, while a viable consideration, may not be the best one. It’s the third possibility, however, that holds […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD “You need a hobby,” my wife once exclaimed in exasperation. I don’t recall the circumstances, but it is safe to assume that I was doing something she deemed a nuisance. Regardless of the cause of her frustration, her impromptu advice gave me pause. Yes, a pastime, a relaxing diversion, would […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD A few years ago I bought a new car. Although it wasn’t my practice to take my car to the dealer for maintenance, a new car changed that habit. After all, there was warranty work to be considered and their coupons for low cost oil changes were enticing. About the time […]