I’m not a huge fan of making technical posts; there are a lot of people a lot smarter than me when it comes to most of these topics. Every now and then though there is so much wrong information out there that I don’t mind dipping my toe in Nerd Lake.

Despite what you may have  heard or read, it is possible to move files from a Mac to an NTFS-formatted (PC) external hard drive. That being said, in Steve Jobs’ infinite wisdom, NTFS drives are not natively supported by Apple computers.

You’re going to have to follow these steps to make the your computer work like it should:

1. Disconnect the external hard drive from the Mac
2. Download and Install MacFuse (website)
3. Download and Install NTFS-3G for Mac (website)
4. Restart your computer
5. Plug in your external hard drive.
6. Start moving files

That’s about as straight forward as it gets. Usually with Macs, they just work like you think they should. This is one of those rare cases where they just don’t. Hope this post saves you the headache I had.

• 1 lb Asparagus
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• ½ tsp Kosher Salt
• ¼ tsp Black Pepper
• 1/3 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese

1. Preheat oven to 425˚ F
2. Cut and throw away bottom 2 inches of Asparagus
3. Cut remaining Asparagus into 1-2” lengths
4. Mince Garlic
5. Place Asparagus in mixing bowl and toss with Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, Garlic, and Pepper
6. Spread Panko Bread Crumbs in a 13”x9” metal cake pan and place in oven for 2 minutes
7. Remove Bread Crumbs from oven and add to bowl with the Asparagus mixture
8. Toss the bowl to combine the ingredients
9. Add the entire combination to the cake pan and place in oven for 12-14 minutes
10. Remove from oven, toss in Parmesan Cheese, and serve

Truffle oil can be very expensive and you don’t always get what you pay for. After a lot of research and testing, La Tourangelle Infused White Truffle Oil is an inexpensive solution that has all the flavor of it’s more expensive counterparts.

Bouquet Garni comes in many different forms, but Penzey’s just seems to do the trick better than any others I’ve come across.

This recipe can be cut down by a third with the same results. Modifications that aren’t exactly divide by 3  include: 1 Gallon Water, 1 Cup Salt, and 1 Can Sprite.

Perhaps the most talented generation of employees, the Millennials, are entering the workforce. They are trying to figure out where your company fits in their lives. Not where they fit in your company. Engaging this generation in a way that understands that mindset while still maximizing their potential is one of the biggest competitive advantages in the market today.

Understand
Millennials grew up in a world where contributions were more important than credentials. When they upload a video to YouTube or post their latest blog no one is asking what film school they attended or where they received their journalism degree. Creating an environment of meritocracy resonates. If you truly listen, trust and loyalty follow – and from a group that grew up in a world of globalization, outsourcing, and corporate bankruptcies that’s significant.

Connect
This group has received more respect from their parent’s and teachers than any generation, and the quickest way to get them to shut down is to talk down to them. On the flip though, the best way to engage them is to really get to know them. Know their names, the projects they’re working on, and spend enough time with them on a regular basis to set them up for success. Set clear boundaries and a structure that the employee can have autonomy in. Avoid generic advice. Give something that is concrete and actionable. They need to understand we’re all on the same team, and we’re working toward a particular goal together.

Retain
There is nothing more exciting/nerve-wracking than the first day on a new job. New hires walk in on fire, and you’re either going to throw water or gasoline on the spark. Millennials want to hit the ground running. Sticking them in an office and paying them to fill out forms and wait on things is a fast way to turn a good hire bad. They will feel you are wasting their time. You also don’t want to be put in a sink or swim situation either. Day 1 should be about connecting them to your mission. Make them feel like they belong, and build the foundation for continuous learning. A good hire will respect what you bring to the table, and they want you to respect what they bring to the table. Give them work they’re fired up to do, and have someone take the time to train them.

Grow
Millennials are more than just the latest generation entering the workforce; they are the future of your company. Part of setting them up to succeed is teaching them:
• how to shine in presentations and meetings
• how to deal with big shots.
• the basics of customer service. One of our first growing employee assignments is to have them read a great book on customer service called, Customer Satisfaction is Worthless.
• show them how to set priorities and eliminate time wasters
• even how to use a checklist.

You’ll need to understand how to communicate with them, and show them how to take control of their destiny. Be that allowing them to develop their own learning plan or showing them how to rack up points in your company’s points banking system.

Millennials may be the most high maintenance workforce in history, but if managed correctly, they will also be the most high performance workforce in history. The juice is definitely worth the squeeze.

In times of change learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. – Eric Hoffer

For many of us social media is brushing our teeth. We don’t think about it – it’s just part of our daily routine. We forget some of you are still trying to convince some of “them” that your organization is risking irrelevance. With no less than your company’s future at stake, here are three board room winners to help you fight the good fight.

If you want people to pay you, you have to pay attention to them.
People may not understand the warm fuzzy side of social media, but everyone understands money. A recent study shows users are 67% more likely to buy and 79% more likely to recommend if they follow you on Twitter. The game has changed whether “they” realize it or not. The 4Ps we learned in marketing 101 have been replaced by the 4Cs. Communication trumps Promotion, and this shift is growing more pronounced every day.

Facebook is not a country.
If it were however, it would be the 3rd largest in the world with over 400 million people, 200 million of which logged on yesterday. When grandma friend requests you, you know social media has become ubiquitous. There are several studies out there that show just having a link to your social network sites makes users feel you are more customer friendly. 93% want you to have a social media presence. People expect you to be on Twitter. If you’re not, you’re already not meeting your customers’ or your potential future employees expectations.

Interact with tomorrow’s leaders.
The Millennial Generation grew up in this always on, constantly connected world. These are the employees you’ve hired over the last few years and will be hiring for the next several. In order to hire, retain, and grow the best and brightest, organizations are quickly realizing social media is this groups primary method of communication. Understanding and implementing a social media strategy is more than just jumping on a growing trend. It’s insuring your future.

I hate to be the crazy guy standing on the corner with the “end is near” sign, but I’m confident if your organization doesn’t evolve it will be.

The website is back up and running with some nice behind the scenes upgrades. I will miss the irony that the last post was about being lazy, but I’m looking forward to adding several new articles over the next couple of weeks.

The only downside – and it is a huge downside – is that all of the user comments to the articles and posts have been lost.

I’ve always felt the success of my website is directly related to the comments and discussions that took place after the initial post. Fortunately, the feedback and constructive (and sometimes not so constructive) criticisms have been incorporated into the enhanced site.

Unfortunately, the great debates that would really allow a new reader to see where some of the discussions ended up are simply gone.

I hope the conversation can be picked up where we left off, and new readers jump in where we all left off.

• 2-3″ thick Beef Tenderloin
• 3 Tablespoons Butter
• Kosher Salt
• Cracked Black Pepper

Directions

1. Start coals on grill.
2. Completely cover steaks in Kosher salt (should look like a cow lick) for 15 minutes.
3. Wash all of the salt off the steaks and pat dry.
4. Melt butter in a microwave or on the stove and set aside.
5. Add a chunk or two of your favorite smoking (fruit or nut tree) wood to the coals to add smoke flavor.
6. Crack pepper and apply to steak (to taste )
7. Generously coat 1 side of steak with butter and place coated side down of the grill.
8. Apply butter to other side of steak and cover grill.
9. After approximately 3 minutes rotate steaks 45 degrees to get a good presentation.
10. Allow to cook an additional 2-4 minutes on same side.
11. Apply additional butter top of steak and flip.
12. Apply butter to top (cooked side) of the steak.
13. Cover and allow to cook an additional 3-7 minutes.
14. Remove steak from grill and place on a plate.
15. Tent the steak with foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
16. Serve.

Notes:

A cheap 2-4″ paintbrush is great for applying butter.
Adjust amount of time steak is covered in salt by applying salt 6 minutes per inch of steak thickness.
The recipe says beef tenderloin, but any cut of steak (strip, T-Bone, porterhouse, etc.) will work with this technique.

Sure I would like to be famous. Who wouldn’t want to get an invite to speak at TED on managing millennials or modern project management. Walking around the conference where everyone knows your name and wants to buy your drink – that’s the pinnacle of career success. At least it seemed like a good goal to put up on my Oprah® approved Secret* vision board.

So I dug in and read all the big blogs and books on personal branding. I was even tricked into reading Dan Schawbel’s rambling, self-serving, never get those three hours of my life back, take on the subject*. (Book Review Here)

About half way through my research, I was prepared to spend countless hours adding to my twitter followers and blogging every day. All I had to do, according to pretty much every expert in the field, was to start telling a lot of people I’m famous. It was self-help 101, you become a self-fulfilling prophecy. That’s right; that’s the secret: you tell enough people that you’re famous and you become famous.

As it turns out, it’s also quite a bit of work: find, follow, tweet – find, follow, tweet – find, follow, tweet. Comment on popular blogs and link back to your site (even if you don’t care about the content). Get out and be seen at the conferences and shows. That’s just too much work doing nothing.

I’m too lazy to be famous. I guess I’ll just have to stick to trying to be better at my actual job.

*These are hyperlinked ironically. You shouldn’t actually buy these books. They’re horrible.