Author Archives: Tom Bengtson

Better business results at beginning of trust continuum

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Tom Bengtson

Business is ultimately about relationships – the interaction you share with your employees, colleagues, shareholders and customers. Trust is the natural product of a good relationship. When there is a high degree of trust, people become willing to take risks. … Continue reading →

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Posted in business, Inspiration | 54 Comments

Guthrie’s Time Stands Still poses thought-worthy question

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Tom Bengtson

Wars, tragic accidents, natural and man-made disasters – the world can be an awful place. Do any of us get to stand on the sidelines and record the chaos for posterity, or by our inclusion in the human family are … Continue reading →

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Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

New U of M president makes funding case

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Tom Bengtson

I had an opportunity recently to listen to Eric W. Kaler, the new president of the University of Minnesota. About the time I was graduating from the U in the early 1980s with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English … Continue reading →

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Posted in education | 77 Comments

A primer on next year’s election

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Tom Bengtson

 If President Obama wins reelection in 2012, it will be difficult for him to advance a domestic policy agenda because Republicans are likely to retain control of the House of Representatives, said Larry Sabato, the political expert from the University … Continue reading →

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Posted in government | 218 Comments

Change starts with you

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Tom Bengtson

The only person’s behavior you can change is your own. Bryan Dodge, a Texas-based inspirational speaker who addressed a meeting I attended recently, encouraged the audience to think about this familiar maxim. Are you unhappy? You have a much better chance … Continue reading →

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Posted in business, Inspiration | 48 Comments

Lessons from 1776

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Tom Bengtson

One of my favorite books is “1776” by the popular historian David McCullough. While I learned a lot about the Revolutionary War by reading this book, I also picked up at least four lessons that I think any small business … Continue reading →

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Posted in business, Inspiration, reflection | 68 Comments

Forgiveness mends tragic hurt in Parkersburg, Iowa

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Tom Bengtson

I had the privilege of listening to Aaron Thomas speak at a meeting I attended last week. Aaron is the son of Ed Thomas, who coached the football team at Parkersburg High School in Iowa for three decades. In spring of … Continue reading →

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Posted in Inspiration | 103 Comments

Wimbledon fortnight memories

Posted on July 5, 2011 by Tom Bengtson

I get to relive one of the great personal joys of my life every year at about this time. The Wimbledon tennis championships concluded over the weekend, Petra Kvitova winning the women’s singles title on Saturday and Novak Djokovic winning … Continue reading →

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Posted in memories | 6 Comments

Allen shows there’s no time like the present

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Tom Bengtson

“Midnight in Paris” is Woody Allen’s thoroughly charming film about an American writer visiting Paris who dreams of living in the city’s golden age of the 1920s. Through the magic of film, he gets his chance, meeting Hemingway and Fitzgerald, … Continue reading →

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Posted in reflection | 58 Comments

The best is often home-made

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Tom Bengtson

My wife’s birthday is this weekend. The kids will make cards for her and I plan to bake a cake. We could buy those things but we prefer to make them. If you think about the difference between buying something … Continue reading →

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Posted in education | 15 Comments