This has been a difficult year, and it’s easy to focus on the consequences and challenges brought on by COVID. But lately, I’ve been avoiding my usual stops on social media and finding more time for contemplation. I’ve come to realize that even in this dark and frustrating time, it’s easy to find things to […] Read More
I did something strange on Wednesday. I woke up, took a shower and drove to the office. The traffic was light, and many of the construction projects I once cursed have been wrapped up. It was a pleasant and familiar experience in a strange new world. The office was as I left it, although a […] Read More
“Words Matter” is imprinted on the side of my coffee cup. It isn’t a particularly original message, but amplifying language is the core function of our business. If words didn’t matter, More Vang wouldn’t exist. Words are essential to the process of creating belief—the core need of all More Vang clients. We don’t buy a […] Read More
The consequences of climate change are real. It’s time to focus on the opportunities. Last week, I found myself driving behind an early 1970s muscle car. It brought back memories: the gurgling sound of the V8 engine, the pea green metallic paint, Def Leppard on the radio, and the stink. Yes, it literally stunk—”roll up […] Read More
In the waning days of August, I managed to escape the confines of the Capital Beltway for a brief family vacation. We filed a plan with the state of Rhode Island, found a house with a workable kitchen and coordinated seven COVID tests. Even domestic travel today is complicated. The change of scenery and time […] Read More
Many years ago, in an attempt to create a broader middle class, the Clinton administration experimented with housing. They created a US mortgage market financed heavily through investment banks—which eventually led to the 2008 financial crisis—which in turn created greater wealth inequality and a lower labor participation rate—which created the frustration and anger necessary for […] Read More
This post is going to sound a bit dark for an optimist like me, but remember—optimism is about accepting a changed world; happiness isn’t a requirement. Few of us will forget 2020: a global health pandemic, a reckoning on racism, online learning for our children, online work for us, and yes, murder hornets. Just halfway […] Read More
In May, we announced that we had acquired the assets, talents and expertise of Ecoprint in an effort to shift our print and experiential manufacturing operations towards sustainability. Through our work with Ecoprint, we are learning more about a broad spectrum of environmental concerns, as well as concrete ways for each of us to improve […] Read More
Assorted wisdom for keeping a business open during COVID I’ve written extensively on our work experiences outside the office. I thought it would be helpful to share what we’ve learned through our efforts to keep the printing, mailing and fulfillment operations running smoothly. At the end of March, I asked a group of senior managers […] Read More
My wife is passionate about her alma mater. This week, she was texting friends about booking a house near campus for next year’s reunion weekend. “Really?” I asked. Her college is working on a plan to return students to campus in stages this fall. They plan to provide individual dorm rooms to each student and […] Read More