by Brooks Mendell | May 8, 2024 | Communication Skills, Forestry, Thinking/Analysis
The growth of ESG investing – which screens investments and firms based on environmental, social, and governance criteria – and markets for forest carbon and other environmental “services” highlight the importance of clear communication skills and the value of those...
by Brooks Mendell | Apr 14, 2024 | Learning, Thinking/Analysis
Classic lessons and finance fundamentals inform my approach to investing. Start saving and investing early to crank the flywheel of compounding interest. Minimize costs to keep more of what you earn. Diversify to mitigate risk. Commit to regular and systematic...
by Brooks Mendell | Mar 23, 2024 | Leading/Managing, Thinking/Analysis
In graduate school, I conducted research on managing risk in the forest industry. My working assumption was and remains that vigorous management of organizations requires the deliberate identification, assessment, and management of risks. In forestry, these include,...
by Brooks Mendell | Feb 18, 2024 | Communication Skills, Leading/Managing, Thinking/Analysis
Simple approaches can focus the mind. When thinking through the means and mechanisms by which disruptions could affect my business, my community, or the economy, I often ask two simple questions rooted in economic fundamentals[1]: Big or small? In other words, how...
by Brooks Mendell | Jan 20, 2024 | Communication Skills, Leading/Managing
A new manager, whether promoted from within or hired from abroad, must learn to communicate and model the values and expectations of the organization. For the internal hire, that person has the advantage of in-house experience and a demonstrated potential to manage....