Brad Rourke

Brad Rourke’s Blog

  • Electric Bicycles: Their Time Never Came

    Some of my friends know that, hidden in my dim, dark past, I used to do something involving electric bicycles. I’m here to tell you that, yes, it’s true and it was a colorful period of my life. While I was working for then-California Controller Gray Davis, I met up with a charismatic man who…

  • Peer-To-Peer Higher Education

    My friend Sutton Stokes drew my attention to this from Ars Technica: Internet connection + English = college degree. The University of the People wants to bring online education to anyone who can speak English and access the Internet, and to do it for as little as $15 a course. The goal? A real college…

  • Sorry Somehow: How To Apologize

    Like many Americans, I have kept a weather eye on two public figures’ recent fall from grace. Of course I am talking about Michael Phelps and Tom Daschle. Each had to apologize for having been caught being less than perfect, engaging in behavior they should not have. Most of what I have read about these…

  • Finding Talent

    Yesterday I wrote about the idea of using a portfolio instead of a resume when jobsearching. That got me to thinking. If I were hiring, how would I approach hiring differently than the norm? The answer: I would not wait for people to apply. I would continually be on the lookout for talent. There are…

  • Portfolios, Not Resumes

    I am not sure why, but I have been thinking a lot about jobs and job searching these days. Maybe it has something to do with the economy. In any event, as a thought experiment, I began toying with an updated resume. What would I include? How would I change my existing one? I quickly…

  • After Facebook

    As Facebook turned five years old last week, it marked the passage with a cute retrospective of its various profile page designs and a subdued message from founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, suggesting that members give virtual gifts to their friends. Facebook is a 21st century success story and is the giant in the room…

  • What's Your Rhythm?

    I recently had an exchange with a friend during which I recalled that at different periods, his energy level on certain issues seemed to go up and down. That got me to thinking about my own energy and attention levels. I have long been aware that my effectiveness and energy follow a pretty strong sine…

  • What’s Your Rhythm?

    I recently had an exchange with a friend during which I recalled that at different periods, his energy level on certain issues seemed to go up and down. That got me to thinking about my own energy and attention levels. I have long been aware that my effectiveness and energy follow a pretty strong sine…

  • Seven Things We Can Do These Days

    My friend Ed Corr forwarded this note from Stephen B. Polo, a partner at his firm: Dear Friends and Colleagues: “What looks large from a distance, up close ain’t ever that big.” — Bob Dylan Our current economic crisis is causing companies distress and uncertainty. None of us know how long or how deep the…