Kula Consulting Blog

Now that summer is over and vacations are becoming a faint memory, it’s time to buckle down and finish 2009 strong.  For those out there who have filed two extensions for their 2008 income tax returns, you have about a month to complete and file them.  But that’s personal stuff. 
Here’s what’s ahead on the work […]

We just ran across an issue that, I believe, could become a significant source of friction between management and Generation Y (Millennial’s) employees: Using an employer’s electronic equipment for personal business.  When an employer provides a laptop, work station, iPhone, BlackBerry, anything with internet access, or communications ability, are employees at risk for losing their […]

Someone once told me that I was one of the most optimistic people they had ever met.  Since the person was a banker reviewing my business plan, I’m not sure he meant it as a compliment.  But, I’ll take it as a positive trait!  With that caveat, I would like to announce the following additions […]

Does this experience sound familiar?  After two rounds of interviews, the first round with the hiring manager and an H.R. representative and the second round with a prospective colleague, the company brings you back for a “courtesy” interview with a few of the executive staff, or the CEO, or your prospective team.  It’s billed as […]

Have you been receiving 15, 20, or even 25 calls a day from recruiters?  Including several from different members of the same recruiting firm?  If you have, I’ll bet you are tired of them and are just about ready to unload on the next recruiter that calls.  Some of you may have already unloaded!  Here’s […]

 I’m old enough to remember Al Franken on Saturday Night Live. Heck, I’m old enough to remember George Carlin when he was a teenaged comedian!  I used to love Al’s “Deep Thoughts” segment and his ending affirmation that he was “smart enough”, “nice enough” and, dog gone it, “people like me”-enough that I’m doing this […]

Does it sometimes feel that you are always in the close cycle?  Either month, quarter, or year end close?  We believe that must be the case as we hear the following everyday:  “I can’t talk now, I’m in close.”  This is usually said in a hurried, almost whispered voice.  Closing is stressful; we know - […]

Eleven percent!  Did I read the EDD press release correctly?  The unemployment rate in the heart of the Silicon Valley is currently eleven percent.  In March, 2008, four months into the recession (that we officially learned about in late August, 2008), the rate was five-point-three percent (5.3%).  We have doubled the unemployment rate in one […]

Last week’s posting ended with this question: “What does a poorly run financial institution have to do to get a qualified opinion from its auditors?”  Evidently I’m not the only person asking this question.A small army of lawyers is asking or planning to ask Big 4 bigwigs the same question - in court.  […]

Does anyone remember the old banking maxim: “If you owe the bank a little bit, the bank owns you — but, if you owe the bank a lot, you own the bank?”
Looks like this is a truism, because “We the People” now own the banks, and the insurance companies, and the investment banks, too. What […]