24 June 2007

Protecting Your Data (an Intro)

I would like to take this time to introduce you to something that people talk about as important but only truly worry about when its gone. Data Protection/Data Integrity/Data Security. In the coming weeks, I will be posting to this blog, uploading some PDF files and even creating a PodCast or two talking about this subject. I will cover topics such as what you can do to protect your data on you PC, Laptop, UFD (Universal Flash Drive), and other data storage devices as well as ensuring that your data is safe and available every time you need it.

So get your thinking caps on because Summer School is in session. No, its not going to be that bad but we will be talking about some serious stuff so it might get a little sticky but nothing dangerous.

Talk to you soon,
Dave

21 June 2007

Two Hotels, One Month, One Owner

Within the course of three weeks I have stayed in two hotels in two different cities both owned by the same company. The company happens to share the same name as that media hog (omit the letter g) that is FINALLY doing time for violating probation. Like all good criminals she is paying her debt to society, like it or not SHE IS A CRIMINAL, but I digress.

One stay was strictly for pleasure (well I thought it was for pleasure) the other was strictly for business.

The month of June started with the family and I hitting the Texas Highways to San Antonio for some R & R & R (Rest, Relaxation, and Recreating). Well that was the intent. Of ALL THE HOTELS that SAN ANTONIO has to offer to its visitors, we picked the HAMPTON INN. It, like others in the area, offered easy access to the Interstate (I-410) and proximity to the sites. Well, upon arrival (DAY 1) we were placed on the 5th floor. If there could be a smaller room it would have been appreciated. Don't get me wrong I must commend them for oh so delicately cramming two double beds in that room. Well not more than a few hours in, it happened. Someone had to use the bath room. Yep, you guessed it, it backed up. Well I called the front desk and told them our dilemma. The young man that answered said and I quote "I will try to find you a plunger so you can fix it." WHAT THE F**K???? OK, I did not say that but you can assured, dear reader, that was exactly what my mind was screaming.

We pressed on and went to dinner (Marie Callender's). Two hours later we came back and still no resolution. I called again to the front desk, I asked if he had found the plunger. He said that a guest had taken it and has not brought it back. I asked him if there was only ONE PLUNGER for the entire hotel? He said yes and that he would really try to find one for us. I asked him if he could get maintenance on it (I understood that maintenance was gone for the day) he said yes.

Well the next morning (start of DAY 2), after and VERY GOOD BREAKFAST the hotel offered (and by VERY GOOD I mean it was actually VERY GOOD and the lady running the breakfast show was TOP NOTCH, she took time from what she was doing to ask if we OK?, did we need anything, and wished us a good day) I called the front desk as to when Maintenance would be there to fix the toilet? The response was that he did not know there was a problem. I explained to him the previous evening's communication with the overnight front desk staff. The person I was talking to said that he would get Maintenance up there ASAP. Well within the hour the Maint Tech was there and solved the issue. We were happy campers, or so we thought.

DAY 2: Evening: The day found us at SEAWORLD SAN ANTONIO. That place ROCKS! A quality place, quality shows, quality rides, and nothing but quality people. Well it was back to the hotel for some freshing up and then dinner. Surprise nothing wrong, so far.

DAY 3: No problem...funny thing though the Maintenance guy saw me in the Hallway and said that he would be by to fix the toilet. I told him nothing is wrong. He said that he had a call from someone on the 5th floor that their toilet was not flushing properly. FINALLY we are not alone in this.

DAY 4: Yep its back, backed up again. Called Maintenance, this guy was patient and got it resolved.

DAY 5: Morning: Yep it did it again, we called to complain once again. It got fixed. However this time it did not last by dinner it was backed up again.

DAY 6: We left and they still had a backed up toilet.

Please, note that they did offer to move us to another room. However as we met up with out of state family there it was convenient to have adjoining rooms so we opted out of the move. The offer came on DAY 2 and not the first night.

The takeaway from this is simple. Being a hotel that primarily caters to tourists they should try hard than what they did. Mind you the only individual that needs to brush up on his CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS is that night clerk, it sounded like the customer's toilet backed up was an inconvenience to him. I gotta tell you those 5 NIGHTS and 6 DAYS we spent approximately $700 dollars in hotel room alone and anyone would expect a little more for a hotel that wants a part of the tourist dollars that San Antonio, Texas brings in.

As aside from the toilet troubles this guy ruined the entire trip. His lack of attention to detail (by not entering the Maintenance Request) and trying to find a plunger for us to fix the toilet really signified a ROCK BOTTOM approach to TAKING CARE OF THE CUSTOMER. Then again, that might be why this guy was working the overnight shift.

Now let's fast forward to this week. I found myself in CORPUS CHRISTI, TX on official business. I took another chance at a HILTON hotel: EMBASSY SUITES. Talk about DAY and NIGHT. From the moment I entered the building, the guy at the reception desk greeted me and seemed genuinely happy that I was at his hotel. He told me about the Manager's Reception, breakfast. This guy was sharp.

DAY 1: EVENING: I walk into the room and am I surprised. Everything that was mentioned on the webpage was available. They got it right. I slept like a log that night. It was a great night's sleep.

DAY 2: MORNING & CHECKOUT: HOT WATER!!! No waiting...I sure hated getting out. The shower head ROCK. Ingenious how they put their 1-800 number on it, just in case you want one. Well I do want one but I can't remember the number. BREAKFAST: Was HOT and best of all COOKED TO ORDER. While it was not the best Ham, Mushroom, and Cheese omelette, it was the best one I have had all month. It was fantastic. Coffee was hot and the best part of the entire stay was when the HOTEL MANAGER stopped by my table and asked me how was everything then (it gets better) dove right in and started busing tables. They had plenty of staff to do that. This manager had no problem picking up half empty bowls of cereal. BRAVO!!!! That act alone convinced me that Hilton Hotels are not just about the money but they want to do right by the customer. This manager is a shining example of that.


SIDE NOTE: INTERNET SERVICE. Both hotels offered in-room WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS. What I find strange is that at the HAMPTON INN the access is FREE. However, at the EMBASSY SUITES the access was $10 for 24hours, which by the way did not let me access after 10 hours. This makes no sense...no sense at all. It should be FREE AT ALL HILTON LOCATIONS or its NOT AVAILABLE. Mixing the services will definitely lead to building many different brands and NOT one unified brand: Hilton Family hotels.

02 June 2007

A Few Choice Words from about the House

I spoke at and hosted my first Business Luncheon and Work session today. It was with a company that I have been working with for over 10 years. It was the first time that I had anything remotely social with any of my clients. From the first view out, I would have to say that everyone had a great time, enjoyed the food, and were able to open up when we went into the work portion of the afternoon.

The company is a Medical Records Billing organization. They have two locations right now and are looking to expand their operations. Having worked with them for over 10 year I have a warm spot for them—they were my first "major" client, until then the were some hit and miss operations but for the most part none have lasted this long. They face enormous challenges—as every aspect of medical records services becomes more and more stringent when it comes to security. These guys are on top of the security issue but could always stand to do more. That was what today was all about: Make their application an all encompassing app that is built according to the stakeholder specifications.

While it is great to be at home. It is even better to wake up, have breakfast, move the backyard, then fire up the Barbecue pit and then have a Business Meeting with a bunch of great people. As Tom Peters said, "One can push and prod far more effectively in one's own culture." Nothing could be more spot on. I was in my groove today. Everyone opened up, everyone shared, everyone was happy. We meet again at the end of the month.