From Bob's Cluttered Desk

I want you to watch this very quick video, before we discuss the story of a staple and a screw. The man in the video you just saw is named Christopher Onesti. He retired from his job as a policeman for the New Jersey Transit Authority at the age of 29. State authorities ruled he…

I’ve learned a lot from a cat named Coal. Coal was surrendered to the Humane Society of Sarasota at the age of 9 by a family who could no longer afford to care for him. He had been at the shelter for several months, and adopting him out was proving difficult. In addition to being…

Recently I wrote about “Innovation Through Communication”, and how proper communication was an essential ingredient for innovation within the workers' compensation industry. Another important ingredient, which is an offshoot of effective communication, is understanding the needs that your target audiences have, and what solution would best solve those needs. I had an interesting conversation a…

What the heck – We’ve recently published articles on how to be an effective vendor at workers’ compensation conferences, and how not to be a drunken, lecherous moron at these same events. I might as well extend my wit and common sense wisdom to improving your LinkedIn profile. Now that we have prevented you from…

LexisNexis has issued their “Top Workers' Compensation Blogs” award for 2013, and for the third year in a row, this blog is honored to be among them. It was one of 4 listed in the National Blogs category, along with Roberto Ceniceros , Thomas A. Robinson, JD, and Lynch Ryan's Workers Comp Insider. As in…

If ever there was a worthwhile charitable cause for the workers' compensation industry, Kids' Chance is it. The charity, comprised of 28 independent state organizations and a relatively new national entity placing them under a common umbrella, exists to provide scholarships and educational assistance to children of workers who have been killed or injured on…

Amsterdam, that progressive city known for solving prostitution, drug abuse and other social perversions by making virtually everything open and legal, has once again surged to the forefront in addressing problems of alcoholics. Their innovative solution? Hiring alcoholics to clean their streets, and paying them largely with booze. Let's all drink to that. Each member…

It was recently reported that a British coroner determined that the death of a young Bank of America Merrill Lynch intern was caused by fatigue from extreme working conditions. 21-year-old Moritz Erhardt was found in the shower of his London flat in August. He died of an epileptic seizure that may have been triggered by…

Several weeks ago we ran an article discussing how exhibitors at conferences could be more effective in their efforts. A recent discussion about behavior at workers compensation conferences has lead me to discuss how to be a better attendee at these events. A friend of mine was with a group of women at an afterhour's…

I watched an amazing piece on 60 Minutes last night, covering the continued growth and future plans of online retailing behemoth, Amazon.com. Included in the program was the revelation that Amazon is developing the ability to deliver product within ½ an hour of your ordering it using robotic drone aircraft. And here I was impressed…