As the last days of summer and the long sunny days have started to dwindle, I’ve taken every opportunity to enjoy the evenings exploring Cleveland. As an east-sider, I have not crossed over the bridge to the west side as often as I should have to see the treasures that make up this great city. As you may have noticed from my many posts, I am becoming more and more interested in honing my photography skills with newer lenses and...

It’s a claim I hear all the time in business: “I’m a perfectionist!” Many people seem to think perfectionism is a virtue, so they proudly admit their obsession with perfection. But the truth about perfectionism is far darker. More often than not, perfectionism in business is simply an excuse for procrastination. It even reflects self-doubt, and lack of belief in one’s own abilities. In fact, perfectionism is the number one disguise for fear of rejection from others. People drag their...

I had the privilege of attending my first political rally today on the west side of Cleveland. Cleveland is still exploding with the excitement of the Cavaliers’ championship win, as the host city for the Republican convention and today, the whirlwind stop of the Clinton campaign to deliver a message to Northeast Ohioans. I packed my backpack full of my newest and most highly powered camera lenses to get a variety of shots and come as close to the action...

I’ve been on a continual quest to develop unique and powerful ideas that profoundly help others. One of the most often asked questions is, where do such ideas come from? As I was reflected on this question it occurred to me that a few years ago I wrote the article: I Think I’ll Invent Something New — What Are the Best Ways of Developing New Ideas. So in the spirit of improving upon what I already created and since I...

This week’s reflection point: When was the last time you updated the photos on your web site and for your marketing collateral? I find it funny when viewing peoples’ sites that the photos used are nearly vintage ones taken at the time when the light bulb was invented. Okay, not really that old, but definitely not recent! I am often asked what are the best ways to take new photos. I solicited the feedback of my creative design team and...

This week’s reflection point: Have you noticed how most babies get immediate gratification when that pacifier is placed in their mouth? I believe this early habit contributes to shape one’s mindset, which continues into adulthood. Over the years, I’ve observed that quite a few individuals look for what I call the “pacifier effect” or the silver bullet approach. Like babies demanding their pacifiers, adults too (some are clients of mine) search for immediate gratification and especially when things are not...

We are in the midst of the Republican National Convention this week in Cleveland and I couldn’t help avoid the intense media focus on Melania Trump’s speech and subsequent charges of plagiarism. She was accused of stealing verbatim from Michelle Obama’s convention speech from 2008. I listened to Governor Chris Christie defending this during an interview this morning. He acknowledged the fact that he would be thrilled if only 7% of his own speeches are plagiarized. Several years ago I...

Many of us struggle to bring products from that initial idea phase to actual completion. Projects are started and then quickly abandoned, never fulfilling their potential. And as a result, great opportunities for business growth are lost. Recently, the Chad Barr Group completed a project that had long been on the back-burner of my mind—and I want to share the important lessons I learned along the way. First of all, I’m thrilled to announce the debut of three new books...

This week’s reflection point: How will future generations remember you? This is a question many people are too afraid to ask themselves—and as a result, they avoid creating a lasting legacy for themselves and their businesses. I recently came across a quote that went something like this: “Are you going to be one of the many people who coast through life, their genius always sleeping within them?” So why not awaken the genius inside you and share it with the...

This week’s reflection point: What are the best strategic questions you ask yourself and your clients in order to create a successful future? The right strategic questions hold the power to paint, craft, and navigate your remarkable future. While tactical questions answer the how, who, and the when, strategic questions are the ones that answer the why, where, and what. Here are my favorites: Why do you exist and what is your purpose? Where do you see your organization a...