A conversation with Ephraim Cohen.

What historical figure do you most identify with and why?

I would have to say that I identify with U.S. President Harry S Truman. He was always underestimated, he was focused on the bottom line, and he tried not to care too much about what others thought of him. He was also willing to take on the popular guy when he thought it was the right thing to do, even when most people disagreed with him, such as when he fired a top general [Douglas MacArthur] who was a hero to many Americans at the time.

Which word or phrase do you think is overused right now?

My answer to this constantly changes, but right now l would say blogs, blogging and the blogosphere. Blogging certainly is an incredible phenomenon that is changing how information is communicated, but it's simply doing what everyone has been promising of the Internet for years--democratizing the distribution of information. This is just the latest version of the "cool word of the day," previous ones being discussion groups, listservs, social networks, etc.

How would you explain your profession to a child?

You mean, how do l explain it now? "Daddy goes out, brings back money, and buys you toys and junk food." When my kids are older, I'll explain how I sit in the office and talk, and I tell people what to say and then they don't listen to my advice, and that you shouldn't be like those people.

What did you have to learn the hard way?

I've learned several lessons the hard way, but one that really sticks out in my mind is not to take a sharp curve at a high speed--especially before you have your drivers license. I say this both figuratively and literally.

What do you sing or hum when you're alone?

Whether alone or in company, I find myself humming "Bob the Builder" (I have a 3-year-old son). I also lean toward whatever hummable tunes are on my MP3 player.

What talent would you most like to have?

I'd like to have the mental reflexes of a stand-up comedian, the way they handle hecklers. Their ability to react and control the situation while keeping everyone entertained would be really useful in certain business meetings.

If you could choose another profession, what would it be?

Pizza maker. It's already a fairly serious hobby, and my current retirement plan includes opening a small pizzeria. Plus, pizza has a fantastic client satisfaction and retention rate.

What movie character would you like to portray and why?

Eric "Otter" Stratton from Animal House [played by Tim Matheson]. He always had fun, he was a good manager who got things done (even if they weren't all legal), and his team never gave up.

Is there a book that changed your perspective on life?

I've read a lot of great books, but I haven't read any that changed my outlook on life. I think books have a cumulative effect. But history books probably have had the biggest impact, because they've allowed me to learn more about life based on what so many people have already been through.

What's the best reward for a job well done?

Seeing that you've made a lasting difference both by what you've done yourself and by teaching other people how to do something, whether it's educating a child or helping a client implement a new approach. That said, professionally, no reward feels complete without the paycheck. Anyone who says otherwise won't do too well in business.

What is your personal motto?

"Diplomacy is the art of letting someone have your way."

What's your personality? Download and complete our questionnaire at www.iabc.com/personality, and you could be featured in a future issue of CW.