Summer reading has prompted me to share the following thought.

I think we can all agree that two important concepts in business are “communication” and “response.” Curiously, both words have a noun and a verb form, and “to communicate” well and “to respond” quickly are essential skills to develop if business is to proceed at a pace that is most desirable for all parties. In terms of response time, bis dat qui cito dat is a useful Latin phrase to keep in mind. It means “quickly given is twice given,” which applies to giving and receiving payments, salaries, and recognition–just about anything. If you plan on rewarding someone, do it quickly; don’t hesitate, because a timely reward is much better received that one that the recipient has to wait for.

Also, without good, clear, crisp, unambiguous communication, and timely responsiveness, business comes to a standstill.

Another important concept is “nudge.” In this case the same form of the word is both a noun and verb. To learn to nudge (or to give a nudge) without being a noodge is a good skill to develop. “Noodge” is something else altogether, and to be one is counterproductive in almost any circumstance. People respect a thoughtful nudge from time to time, but disdain an annoying noodge. It’s a distinction with a difference. To nudge and not to noodge, that is the . . . goal. The book of the same name by Thaler and Sunstein is an excellent read, and a great companion to one of my favorite books of all time, Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. (Read Kahneman first because so much of Nudge the book depends on understanding what Kahneman brings to psychology and our decision-making.)

Enjoy the rest of the summer–on this I promise not to nudge or noodge you.