tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188759992011-11-01T12:09:08.285-07:00The concept of a Random Walk, first identified by French economist Louis Bachelier, has been applied in mathematics, economics and other fields of study. Generally a Random Walk implies that, from a given position, each successive step is in a totally random, and therfore unpredictable, direction.Jim Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18011895255435322131noreply@blogger.comBlogger61100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18875999.post-80298344746025020262009-06-07T09:40:00.000-07:002010-02-16T11:53:49.325-08:00

I have a couple of thoughts buzzing around in my head this morning, so I thought I'd share them with you and see what you might have to say about these topics. These thoughts grow out of a statement made by Jim Collins in the book Good To Great. In summary, Collins says that bureaucratic cultures arise to compensate for incompetence and lack of discipline, which arise from having the wrong

Jim Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18011895255435322131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18875999.post-77053790998255073842007-12-31T08:00:00.000-08:002009-01-05T18:27:33.773-08:00

Here is a short (5 minute) slide show that may give you some food for thought.We live in a world that is changing so rapidly that even these facts will be out of date by the time you see this, but invest the 5 minutes anyway.

Jim Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18011895255435322131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18875999.post-90306386427665103362006-12-02T23:04:00.000-08:002006-12-03T14:06:06.057-08:00

Consistency has become a hallmark of our society. We place a high value on consistency in our laws and legal system, our public figures, our politicians, our religious leaders. We expect it from our parents, our children, and even expect it from ourselves.A well placed emphasis on consistency is one of the things that make our society predictable, safe, fair and just; it is an important part of

Jim Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18011895255435322131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18875999.post-64628966698057156872006-11-21T11:05:00.000-08:002010-03-05T20:50:17.542-08:00

The drama that takes place every day in governmental chambers across the nation deals with the interface of the individual and the community. Each debate, discussion or dialogue has its own tone, hopefully a civil one (see two earlier postings in this blog), all dealing with this sensitive space between the individual (or groups of individuals in association: see the works of John McKnight,

Jim Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18011895255435322131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18875999.post-76292493209378741422006-11-05T15:15:00.000-08:002006-12-22T20:43:21.309-08:00

Although it is true that we live in a democratic country, it is also true that the form of democracy that is practiced in the majority of the communities across this the United States is Representative Democracy.In a true democracy all citizens have an equal vote or voice in shaping policy. And, although this is a noble thought, as the numbers of citizens increases the efficiency of a pure

Jim Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18011895255435322131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18875999.post-72099446494431198612006-10-28T08:39:00.000-07:002011-10-31T14:09:15.520-07:00

There are thousands of cities and towns in this country (and in democratic nations around the world), the majority of which operate under what is called the "Council - Manager" form of government. In each of these cities and towns the citizens elect a group of people to act as their board of directors - their City or Town Council - that is charged with running the operation of the local

Jim Elliotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18011895255435322131noreply@blogger.com0