Dr. Don Daake is a Professor of Business at Olivet. . His expertise is in strategic management and planning, market research, economic analysis.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Don Daake
Main Street: Taylor vs. Fanny: Who will have the most impact on our culture in the long run?
Note: During 2025, one topic area I plan on writing more about is historical figures often forgotten by most of the population that have nevertheless had a profound effect on our culture and world. Taylor Swift has been a phenomenal success both as a songwriter and a composer. She appeared on the most recent cover of People magazine. While she has millions of fans around the world, like any famous person, she has her detractors.
Main Street: Christmas is a time of stories, including yours
Stories can make us laugh, cry, inspire us and motivate us. Kids relish the stories about Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus and the Grinch. And of course, The Babe in the Manger story. So much of the Christmas season with family and friends is making new memories (stories) and recalling fun and even challenging times.
Main Street: We all have a little Eddie Haskell in us
“The insincerity of man-all men are liars, partial or hiders of facts, half tellers of truths, shirks, moral sneaks.
Main Street: Make good decisions and avoid getting framed
“Truly successful decision-making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive thinking.” – Malcolm Gladwell Ask the average person about making a decision, and they will likely tell you two things. First, they will tell you they make them all the time, and, secondly, they think they are pretty good at it. However, extensive research by Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman in recent years challenges the conclusion that we generally make good decisions.
Main Street: Aug. 28, 2024
Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a column written in May 2019 ”Those who tell the stories rule the world.” — Anonymous “We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.” — Jonathan Gottschall. When you think about it, stories dominate our lives. Whether we read books, watch TV, or watch movies, almost all of them are, in some way, stories.
Main Street: July 24, 2024
Editor’s note: This is the second part of a two-part series. In part one in June, Dr. Daake made the case against change. In other words, keeping the status quo. You can find a copy of that article on his Blog for reference www.daakecomments.wordpress.com It was pointed out this past month that hundreds of books and articles have been written across the years about how everything is constantly changing and why we should too. And almost none of them are against change.
Main Street: June 26, 2024
Editor’s note: This is an updated version of an article first published in August 2016. It is the first part of a two-part series. In part two, the case will be made If you decide to change what safeguards you must take. Everywhere we turn, we are confronted with calls for change. We must change because the world is changing, technology and globalization are fluctuating. Job skills are shifting.
Main Street: May 22, 2024
“Resilience is the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” — Oxford Languages It’s your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself that determines how your life’s story will develop.” — Dieter F. Uchtdorf Virtually everyone reading this column has been knocked down by life once or multiple times. Getting back “up on the horse” may be easier said than done. Sometimes, whole communities suffer traumatic experiences.
Main Street: Celebrating 15 years of writing for our community: Over 780 Main Street columns and counting
By Dr. Don Daake and Dr. Edward Piatt It doesn’t seem that long ago. In 2009, after we had both written for the Daily Journal’s B2B publication for several years, B2B announced that the business magazine would be discontinued. Ed set up a meeting with the then-editor Susy Schultz to explore future possibilities. During that meeting, we agreed that a weekly column on various business issues would be valuable to the community.
Main Street: April 17, 2024
Last year, during the height of inflation, I wrote a two-part series on taming the beast. It was widely expected that the rate of inflation would fall dramatically this year. While it did seem to be slowing, it has again accelerated. Many in the investment community were counting on up to six rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year. Now, there may be only one to two at the most.
Main Street: March 27, 2024
I’m using hyperbole to draw your attention to the fast-developing AI (artificial intelligence) revolution and emphasize how quickly AI is entering our lives. In 2020, most of us had only heard vague notions about it. In 2024, it is dramatically affecting our lives. All of us, from 8 to 98, must understand its capabilities to better our lives, give us huge opportunities, and yet pose some serious risks. AI is not just for IT tech people but for all of us.
Main Street: March 20, 2024
“An elderly person at home [is like] a living golden treasure.” — Chinese saying “For there is assuredly nothing dearer to a man than wisdom, and though age takes away all else, it undoubtedly brings us that.” — Roman philosopher Cicero ”Youth is wasted on the young.” — George Bernard Shaw When we were young and even middle age, we laughed at the image portrayed by the term “Geezer.” Then, one day, we wake up and find out we have met the geezers, and they are us.
Main Street: March 13, 2024
”If you want to do something, just do it. No one is going to do it for you.” —Jaime Pressly You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” — Abraham Lincoln “Someday is not a day of the week.” — Janet Dailey Oh, the perils of procrastination. Most of us do it now and then. The other day, I got up feeling listless, and even two cups of my cheap Folgers coffee barely moved the needle. Then, quite by accident, I discovered it was National Sloth Day.
Main Street: March 6, 2024
It has been a great last six months in both professional and college sports. Whether you run a business, are an employee, or for personal improvement, much can be learned from the best of these people. Besides providing entertainment for millions of people worldwide, there are many examples of how athletes benefit their communities and the country. It’s always sad for football fans when the college bowls are finished, and the Super Bowl champions are crowned.
Main Street: Feb. 21, 2024
Buying and selling real estate in the past 15-20 months has been a major challenge. We have faced both increasing prices and a relatively sharp increase in interest rates from 3½% to as high as 8% and a current rate of about 7.0%. From my being both a buyer and seller in the last 20 months, I recommend using a professional Realtor.
Main Street: Feb. 7, 2024
”If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” — Milton Berle ”I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” — Steve Jobs ”Dream big. Start small.
Main Street: Jan. 24, 2024
I’ll admit it. I sometimes enjoy complaining and even whining about the weather, the economy and our politicians. But in my defense, some discontent with the things that are not going well is OK if it leads to changing and improving a situation. One of the things I most looked forward to in moving back to Iowa was participating in the first in the nation caucuses. I had the chance to see former President Donald Trump, Ambassador Niki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in person.
Main Street: Jan. 10, 2024
Each year, as the new year breaks, we see forecasts about the future. Bold predictions are made, from the economy and politics to sports outcomes. As it turns out, some are right and some are wrong. And without exception, things no one could have predicted happen. That is the nature of risk and, frankly, if approached in the right way, there is opportunity for all of us as individuals, companies and other organizations.
Main Street: Dec. 27, 2023
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and I wish you a Happy New Year. For over 14 years, I have enjoyed writing for the Kankakee Daily Journal. My thanks to Chris Breach and the Daily Journal staff for making this possible. Each year Dr. Ed Piatt and I each write 25 or 26 articles. Of course, I always have a few favorites. Over the years, I have had many readers tell me they send copies to their children and grandchildren. That is both a humbling and exhilarating experience.
Main Street: Dec. 37, 2023
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and I wish you a Happy New Year. For over 14 years, I have enjoyed writing for the Kankakee Daily Journal. My thanks to Chris Breach and the Daily Journal staff for making this possible. Each year Dr. Ed Piatt and I each write 25 or 26 articles. Of course, I always have a few favorites. Over the years, I have had many readers tell me they send copies to their children and grandchildren. That is both a humbling and exhilarating experience.
Main Street: Dec. 13, 2023
I believe this column will strike a chord with many Kankakee Daily Journal readers, but I also know some readers will disagree, which is fine. Either way, I would love to hear from you. My “thesis” is this: In the process of Christmas becoming an increasingly secular holiday, people are being robbed of the complete joy that can come from celebrating the birth of Christ, along with the more secular aspects. It doesn’t have to be an either-or situation.
Main Street: Nov. 29, 2023
Editor’s note: Please see the important note at the end of the column. As much as you might be tempted to read it first, please wait to get the full meaning and impact. Small business plays a large role in our local, regional and national economy. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics tells a sobering story — 22% of all companies will fail in their first year, 30% won’t make it past their second year, 50% will suffer failure within five years, and more than 70% won’t make it past 10 years.
Main Street: Nov. 15, 2023
In the past 14 years, I have written about change. In August 2016, I wrote, “In defense of the status quo: When change needs to be questioned or rejected.” Of course, a lot has transpired since then. We have been going through a lot of turmoil in the last five years, and a lot of upheaval has been forced on us. To stay current with the revolutions in business, we must constantly monitor the external business environment. Nevertheless, caution regarding change is essential.
Main Street: Nov. 1, 2023
Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Two weeks ago, Karen Moore and I shared some general principles for becoming a successful entrepreneur. Let me review these five critical points from Part 1. 1. In your early years and jobs, develop yourself, skills, and contacts. 2. Know your values and stay focused. 3. When hiring, hire the best and brightest and be an inspiring leader. 4. Do more than simple networking, rather connect with your entire community. 5.
Main Street: Oct. 18, 2023
Editor’s note: Dr. Daake is sharing thoughts about entrepreneurship and also ideas from one of his former Florida State University colleagues, Karen B. Moore. She has created one of the largest and most successful PR and marketing companies in Florida and the Southeast. This is part one of two parts. In part I, I will share some of my thoughts on entrepreneurship and then describe how Karen built a successful, award-winning business and provide five key lessons that we can learn from her experience.
Main Street: Oct. 4, 2023
Whether it is the inconvenience of getting hacked on Facebook or the sheer agony of having to pay tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in ransomware. I would venture to say that most of us in the last year have received at least one or more letters informing us of a data breach that might have released personal information. The companies apologize and promise free credit monitoring for a year or two.
Main Street: Sept. 20, 2023
Ten years ago, I wrote one of my favorite articles about the problem of gatekeepers. In an era of more and more automation, it is more acute than ever, so it must be addressed again. You notice two angels. There are no wings here, but they are attractive, courteous and pleasant. The angels know why you are here, but explain that only the gatekeeper, Saint Peter, can let you in. When will he be back you ask impatiently. We don’t know.
Main Street: Jan. 6, 2023
“Facts tell, stories sell.” — Anonymous About four years ago, I wrote an article titled “Let me tell you a Story. The Magic and Power of Stories.” I had a lot of positive feedback from readers. Everybody likes a story, whether it is the 5-year-old or the 95-year-old. I want to update that article and add some new points as well. As a former professor, it did not take me long to realize when I had students’ attention and conversely when their eyes were glazing over.
Main Street: Aug. 23, 2023
The “Andy Griffith Show,” still shown worldwide after almost 63 years, has been a source of folk wisdom for three generations of viewers. Some of us have seen the shows so many times that we can utter the next line. Andy repeatedly said it was Don Knotts (Barney Fife) who made the show funny and successful.
Main Street: Aug. 9, 2023
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the times when my mother would say to me when I was being a little cranky, discontented, bored or uncooperative, “You are being a Contrary Joe." I pled guilty. Even today, I still sometimes get contrary. I also recall another expression she used but one that was more positive. When she saw somebody working hard, fast and intensely, she would say about them (and sometimes me) "We were going a pace." While optimistic, there was the implied caution of overdoing it.
Main Street: July 26, 2023
Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Part 2 proposes some practical solutions and techniques for turning what could be destructive disagreement into a force for better decision making. Two weeks ago, I defined what it means to be a Contrary Joe. To summarize: it is being a counter-intuitive thinker or someone that goes against the majority’s prevailing viewpoint. But there is a danger of fostering an atmosphere of negativity and pessimism. That is not what I’m talking about.
Main Street: July 12, 2023
Editor’s note: In Part 1, Dr. Daake will define the issue. In Part 2, he will propose some practical solutions and techniques for turning what could be destructive disagreement into a force for better decision making. “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” — Peter Marshall, Former U.S. Senate Chaplain.
Main Street: June 28, 2023
Whether you are a business owner, employee, or retired, taking steps now to prepare for a recession is long overdue. I have heard the somewhat foolish phrase by “rah-rah” motivational speakers, “When the next recession comes, I’ll choose not to participate!” Nice sentiment, but dangerous.
Main Street: June 14, 2023
Many of you will remember or have at least heard the classic song “Signs” by the Canadian rock group The Five Man Electrical Band, released in 1970 and rereleased as a single in 1971. It reached No. 3 on the Hot Billboard Chart and became the signature song of the group and went on to sell 2 million copies worldwide. In writing this column for so many years, I have dished out so much advice. A bit like the song but with a twist.
Main Street: May 31, 2023
Editor’s note: This is an updated version of an article Dr. Daake first published in 2012 that is more relevant than ever. In 2023, more than ever, we are in a time of hyper-turbulence and hyper-change. Managing the change, we want is difficult enough. Still, most of what managers and leaders face today is the change that is forced by economics, politics, social trends, technology, and so forth. Just think about what has happened in the past two years. Mortgage rates of 3% are now about 6 1/2 %.
Main Street: May 17, 2023
Sometimes humble straightforward ideas can result in immense changes for the better. And yet, if you have read my columns over the years, you’ll know I am very skeptical of simple, one-size-fits-all solutions to changing human behavior. The world is filled with books, articles, and presentations that claim if we do “thus and so-Shazam,” — life will be better — whether it is losing weight, becoming wealthy, wiser or more productive.
Main Street: May 3, 2023
If someone tells you, “You are alright,” you might be puzzled as to whether you should take it as a put-down or some sort of compliment. How you might interpret it will depend on the person, context, and the particular emphasis of the words. For example: YOU are alright; You ARE alright; and you are ALRIGHT can provide different shades of meaning. So where did this unusual idea for this column come from?
Main Street: April 29, 2023
Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part series on inflation. In part 1, I explained some basic terms and laid out the country’s situation. This week’s column will concentrate on several things we, as individuals and businesses, can do to lessen the effects on us. First of all, here is some relatively good news. While still not good, the inflation rate cooled a bit in March to 5.0% year over year. Wages, while still rising for some workers, are not keeping up with inflation.
Main Street: April 5, 2023
Editor’s note: This is part one in a two-part series. While this first article paints a realistic picture, it is also a bit dismal. (Economics is sometimes defined as the “dismal science.”) In part two, I will suggest several strategies both individuals and businesses can take to lessen the impact inflation has on you now and in the future. In most national polls, a majority of people consider inflation the No. 1 issue facing them.
Main Street: March 22, 2023
Since about 1956, when my parents purchased our first TV, I’ll admit that TV has been a big part of my life. Just as many of us rail against the overuse of phones, tablets, and other electronic devices, I’m sure our grandparents were sometimes appalled at the content of what we were watching and the sheer number of hours. Many people (perhaps wisely) have thrown their TV sets out the door. I could be a bit self-righteous and say I only watch educational TV, but that would be a lie.
Main Street: March 8, 2023
In September 2021, my guest columnist Marva Mingledorff and I co-authored an article, “What is the gift of encouragement? A gift that keeps on giving!” Like air, encouragement is something we need on an ongoing basis. The original article can be found at daakecomments.wordpress.com/2021/09/03/what-is-the-gift-of-encouragement-a-gift-that-keeps-on-giving/) Today, I want to affirm the values of encouragement but add two new themes. Giving encouragement to others is like any other habit.
Main Street: Feb. 22, 2023
Incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial! Anyone who grew up watching the Perry Mason Show, or has ever watched the reruns over the subsequent 65 years, will recognize the phrase. While not created by the Mason Show, the program undoubtedly made it famous. Most often used by the beleaguered District Attorney Hamilton Burger, who, along with the troll-like Lieutenant Tragg, could not win against Mr. Mason.
Main Street: Feb. 8, 2023
This week I’m going in a very different direction. The column starts out relatively light-hearted but leads to a serious issue that can have for life and death consequences. Punxsutawney Phil was once again up to his old tricks this past week. His forecasts are about as accurate and laughable as throwing darts blind folded. But it is good fun. Chances are most of you have seen the 1993 award-winning movie “Ground Hog Day.” It features Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.
Main Street: Jan. 25, 2023
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” — Hebrews 13:16 In my column on Nov. 30 titled Planning for 31 Days of Random Acts of Kindness: A Pre-New Year’s Resolution, I laid out a plan to perform these actions. In that article, I mentioned I would give a report on things I learned from that experience. To summarize the column, let me briefly quote from it “(Ben) Franklin was a master at planning and kept a journal of his actions.
Main Street: Jan. 11, 2023
Editor’s note: This is the second part of a two-part column on reliability. Two weeks ago, I focused on the reliability of companies, products and services. In the past week or so, we have seen significant damage done to one of the companies I have written about across the years that I have admired for their reliability and service-Southwest Airlines. I remain a loyal customer for various reasons, including saving me thousands of dollars in baggage fees, change fees, etc.
Main Street: Dec. 28, 2022
Editor’s Note: This is the first part of a two-part article. In part one, Dr. Daake will discuss product and service reliability. In part 2 on Jan 11, Don will then examine how personal reliability is critical to ourselves and others. Reliability means consistent behavior and results you can count on time after time. Synonyms include dependability, consistency, durability and trustworthiness.
Main Street: Dec. 14, 2022
“We often miss opportunity because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work” — Thomas A. Edison “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” — Tim Notke, basketball coach A wise friend of ours says that in tough times at work “The good give up and leave … the bad give up and stay.” A clarification – bad and good here does not necessarily refer to a person’s character, but rather their work habits and effort. We have seen this “go or stay” phenomena play out in the past three years.
Main Street: Nov. 30, 2022
OK, so I’m asking a lot. New Years’ resolutions are notorious for only lasting a few weeks, or even days. Some main reasons: They are overly ambitious, unrealistic and come at a time after we are all worn out from the holidays. But doing nice things for people goes with the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Anne Herbert’s book was written 40 years ago now. It has stimulated a worldwide movement. In any season, every once in a while, we are allowed to “commit” a random act of kindness.
Main Street: Nov. 16, 2022
Most people and businesses start thinking about their goals and well-intended resolutions at the end of December. But now is really the best time to do it, and here is why. There is still plenty of time this year to do beneficial things that may disappear as the New Year’s ball drops at Times Square. This is particularly true regarding flexible spending accounts, planned purchases, savings opportunities, and financing options. Let me illustrate just four items that might be available to you.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Don
Contact Don, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack