John Bradley "JJ" Jackson

Extroverts vs. Introverts at Work

“Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me?” – Walt Whitman Extroverts and introverts bring different strengths to the table, but in business, extroverts often have the edge. Outgoing, talkative people naturally attract attention, build networks, and earn promotions because

Understanding Millennials (And Who Came After)

Each generation is shaped by the events, culture, and technology of its time. You’ve probably heard the term “Generation X” used to describe the young rebels of the late 20th century. Then came Millennials, a label once new and sometimes controversial, but now widely accepted. Millennials, born roughly between

As Seen On TV

“As seen on TV” is a marketing label originally tied to products advertised through direct-response television commercials and infomercials in the United States. These ads, often two-minute spots or 30-minute programs, promoted gadgets, household tools, exercise equipment, health and beauty items, toys, and more, with ordering via toll-free phone numbers.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Most of us played rock, paper, scissors as kids. It’s a simple hand game where two players count to three and then reveal either a fist (rock), a flat hand (paper), or two fingers (scissors). The winner is decided by the rules: rock crushes scissors, scissors cut paper, and

Someone Left the Cake Out In The Rain

Life transitions, such as graduation, breakups, career changes, moving, or growing older, are often like "cakes left out in the rain"*. A cake represents something we’ve poured time, effort, and love into: relationships, careers, dreams, or identities. When the rain comes, it dissolves the structure, blurs the

Past Is Prologue

“Past is prologue” is a shortened version of William Shakespeare’s line from The Tempest: “What’s past is prologue.” The phrase reminds us that the past is not irrelevant—it sets the stage for the present and the future. History shapes what comes next, often providing clues about the

Millennials in the Workplace

Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are now between their late 20s and early 40s and make up a large share of today’s workforce. Once labeled “young and demanding,” they now set the tone for modern work culture. Millennials value flexibility, purpose, and balance. They prefer hybrid schedules, casual

Why Your Twenties Matter

Once upon a time it was typical for a college graduate to secure a high-paying job, find your life partner, buy a home, and begin a family all by the time you were in your mid to late twenties. This expectation expired decades ago.  While difficult, this doesn’t mean

Accountants vs. Entrepreneurs: A Tale of Two Risk Approaches

When it comes to risk, accountants and entrepreneurs see the world through very different lenses. Accountants are trained to be cautious. Their focus is on stability, compliance, and minimizing potential losses. They safeguard a business’s financial health by identifying vulnerabilities and putting systems in place such as internal controls,

We Are Awash in Bullshit (BS)

An unfortunate reality of our current society is the proliferation of baloney and outright lies. It permeates social media, politics, literature, and our news-feeds. Sadly, the lies are propagated by many, if not most people. We are awash in bullshit (BS). Carl Sagan, the legendary astronomer and science communicator, believed

When Shall We Meet Again

In business development, whether with with new prospects or existing customers, the smartest move is to keep the conversation alive. Even if today’s answer is “not now,” tomorrow may bring a new opportunity. That’s why one of the best questions to close a call or meeting with is,

The Brand as a Hero

Customers don’t buy products or services simply for their features—they buy solutions. They want something that eases pain, solves a problem, or brings joy. A good offering does exactly that. But in a crowded marketplace, it’s not enough to deliver. You must also be remembered. That’s

Brown Shoes in a Tuxedo World

“Did you ever get the feeling that the world is a tuxedo and you're a pair of brown shoes?” This line, credited to humorist George Gobel, captures the timeless feeling of being out of place. Gobel’s gentle humor highlights a truth many of us know well: sometimes

Gift or Bribe?

In business, the line between a gift and a bribe can be surprisingly thin. A gift, at its core, is given with no expectation of return as an expression of goodwill, gratitude, or relationship-building. A bribe, on the other hand, carries intent. It seeks reciprocity: a decision swayed, a favor

Will You Be My Friend?

Friendship plays a vital role in our lives, yet our capacity for social connections is surprisingly finite—studies estimate a typical person's network ranges from approximately 250 to 5,500 individuals, though real close friends are far fewer—around 10 to 20 trusted confidants. Interestingly, this circle is

Differentiation by Personalization

How do you stand out from the thundering herd of competitors? Put another way, how can you create a clear competitive advantage that makes choosing your product or service the easy and obvious decision? Harvard strategist Michael Porter defines competitive advantage as the qualities that make a product or service

Stranger Danger

We’ve all heard the phrase “stranger danger.” It’s been repeated so often that it feels like truth: strangers are risky, and the people we already know are safe. But life isn’t that simple. The message to kids is clear—don’t talk to people you don’t

No Caption Needed

In the workplace, clarity is a gift. Too often, messages get buried under jargon, half-truths, or politics. People hedge their words to protect themselves or please others, but that rarely serves the team or the mission. Honesty, delivered with straightforward language, is more powerful than any carefully polished statement. It

Some Assembly Required

If you’ve ever bought IKEA furniture, you know the phrase: “some assembly required.” The box arrives flat, the instructions are cryptic, and halfway through you wonder if you’re missing a screw—or your sanity. Startups are much the same. They don’t arrive fully assembled. They show up

IPOs: Darwin on Steroids

Recently, PitchBook reported that "15.9% of venture-backed deals (Initial Public Offerings or IPOs) in 2025 have been “down rounds” (i.e. is when the company’s public offering price than the private valuation). This statistic is the highest in a decade. Moreover, almost every major IPO listing in

Changed My Mind

"Only the wisest and the stupidest of men never change." This quote is attributed to Confucius. I guess there are two ends of the spectrum: the wise and the stupid. The wise don't necessarily avoid change, but rather are so attuned to the world and its

Walking a Chosen Path—or Just Wandering?

Rumi* said, “When you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” Plans are tidy. Strategies look smart on paper. But here’s the problem. Both are built on what we already know, and life isn’t that predictable. In my experience, life is mostly improvisation. You can’t

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Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is the process of learning through experience, and is more specifically defined as learning through reflection on doing. David Kolb (Weatheread School of Management, 1984) states that “experiential learning is distinct from rote or didactic learning, in which the learner plays a comparatively passive role. In order to

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Tough Questions

Tough questions: Rebounding After COVID-19 How will your company recover and rebound from the impact of COVID-19? What must be done now to maximize your company’s performance in the months ahead? Our CSUF student teams are ready to help assess the opportunity for your firm. Beginning the second week

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How Can We Repair the Economy After COVID-19?

The phone rang unexpectedly earlier today. I was home in my personal bubble hiding from the Coronavirus and was safe with my family and my loyal golden retriever, Augie, by my side. Mandated by CSUF, I have been teaching my Entrepreneurship classes remotely and coaching startups in our Incubator by