No sooner that I post about Training that someone goes out and proves me right.
Big Congratulations!!! to the “Big Unit” Randy Johnson, Pitcher for the San Francisco Giants on becoming one of only 25 professional baseball players to win 300 games as a pitcher.
Since 1988, at the age of 24, with the Montreal Expos Randy Johnson has been going the distance. Having played in over 600 baseball games and starting in 597 of them he is certainly a force to be reckoned with. Trust me, when it comes to winning half of all the games you play in you are a force.
As I wrote in my previous post, rest assured Randy Johnson did not walk out to the pitching mound one day in Montreal and say "I'm going to pitch 600 games and win 300 of them as a professional baseball player." Far from it, as a matter of fact it was a little more than three years from the day he was drafted by the Montreal Expos to the day he took to the pitching mound. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Johnson was drafted on June 3, 1985 and did not throw with the Expos until September 15, 1988, that’s 3 years and 3 and half months later. Think about this: most baseball draftees don’t ever get a chance to see the inside of a professional baseball stadium from field level.
Anyone care to guess what he was doing for those 3 years? He was training, practicing, training, and pitching in the minors until he got called up to play in the Big League. While waiting, he was paying his dues in the form of getting better and along the way proving to himself and those that drafted him that he was the star that the Expos saw in him when they drafted him.
So what is this mean to you? It means what you want it to mean. For everyone else, it means that you might just have to wait three or four years before you get your shot, but those are three or four years that you get to build your reputation, master your skills, increase your knowledge, and above all it means you mature and grow as an individual.
Of course, there are times it might not take three or four years, it may take longer or it may take less. Therefore, it is in your best interest to be ready for when that call comes, because if you don’t answer the call on the first try, it might just be a long time before the next call comes.
Remember, that when you get the call to the Big League, it means that someone has recognized your ability to produce what they want. Believe me, they will want nothing short of Excellence, I guarantee they will demand it and you better be delivering Excellence in everything you do.
The question I ask you is: Are you Training now to be ready for when the call comes?
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04 June 2009
Train…Train…Train
In this morning version of the Tom Peters Daily Quote, Tom wrote “Train! Train! Train! (Growing people outperform stagnant people in terms of attitude and output--by a wide margin.)”
When I read it I instantly thought of every Gold Medal Winner in the Olympics, every Super Bowl winning NFL team, and every World Series winner as great examples. They all trained and trained and trained and look where it got them: the top of the world. At that moment there are no others better than them, but rest assured someone is training to take their place.
But it is not all about sports, think about every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine that is serving or ever served. The government does not just put uniforms on people and then sends them off to fight a war. The military invests the resources into changing a civilian into a professional fighting person by training them. Training is what will save lives and accomplish the mission.
Everyone that works has had to train to get the job they have. No one ever walked up and got a job without knowing how to do the job. If they did, they didn’t last very long as their inability to do the job effectively was quickly realized. Besides, knowing what to do is the reason we went to school.
Every successful company trains. They train using simulations, long range forecasting, and they run readiness drills to ensure that things will go as planned and if not then as closed to planned as possible.
So what is the common denominator? Training.
Someone once said “Sweat more today and bleed less tomorrow”
This applies in the work place, the classroom, just as much as it applies on the battlefield.
Train! Train! Train!
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When I read it I instantly thought of every Gold Medal Winner in the Olympics, every Super Bowl winning NFL team, and every World Series winner as great examples. They all trained and trained and trained and look where it got them: the top of the world. At that moment there are no others better than them, but rest assured someone is training to take their place.
But it is not all about sports, think about every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine that is serving or ever served. The government does not just put uniforms on people and then sends them off to fight a war. The military invests the resources into changing a civilian into a professional fighting person by training them. Training is what will save lives and accomplish the mission.
Everyone that works has had to train to get the job they have. No one ever walked up and got a job without knowing how to do the job. If they did, they didn’t last very long as their inability to do the job effectively was quickly realized. Besides, knowing what to do is the reason we went to school.
Every successful company trains. They train using simulations, long range forecasting, and they run readiness drills to ensure that things will go as planned and if not then as closed to planned as possible.
So what is the common denominator? Training.
Someone once said “Sweat more today and bleed less tomorrow”
This applies in the work place, the classroom, just as much as it applies on the battlefield.
Train! Train! Train!
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• Dave Guerra • Tom Peters • Daily Quote • Trained • Training • Trained • School • Work • Success • Life • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
31 May 2009
Dave Carries On and On #1
Just a quick little something for you:
I got this in an email newsletter today. Thought I would share it with all the parents out there:
“The psychologist Erik Erikson discovered that, while little girls playing with blocks generally liked to create pleasant interior spaces and attractive entrances, little boys are inclined to pile up the blocks as high as they can and then watch them fall down: “the contemplation of ruins,” Erikson observes, “is a masculine specialty.”
Obviously, this guy never spent five minutes in my house.
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• Dave Guerra • My Son • My Daughter
I got this in an email newsletter today. Thought I would share it with all the parents out there:
“The psychologist Erik Erikson discovered that, while little girls playing with blocks generally liked to create pleasant interior spaces and attractive entrances, little boys are inclined to pile up the blocks as high as they can and then watch them fall down: “the contemplation of ruins,” Erikson observes, “is a masculine specialty.”
Obviously, this guy never spent five minutes in my house.
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• Dave Guerra • My Son • My Daughter
29 May 2009
Time To Get Set, Time To Get Ready
This is the last weekend before the start of the 2009 Hurricane Season. In a couple of days it will be June 1, 2009, and the 2009 Hurricane Season will begin. The season seems to be getting a head start as Tropical Depression 1 has formed over the Atlantic Ocean. According to the NWS as of 11:00am ET, the storm was located approximately 310 miles south of Providence, Rhode Island and moving out to the North Atlantic. While there is almost no chance of TD 1 striking land, it is an opportune time to think about the coming season.
Make this coming weekend the "your get ready weekend". Get your plan in order, run a complete data backup of your system, and make sure you and your organization share the plan with all the staff, especially when it comes time to ask for volunteers. As the storm is making landfall is not the time to be asking for help, you should already know who can and cannot help. It is that simple.
For those of you that live in the Gulf Coast region, share your plan with your family and friends that way they know what your plans are.
I will be sharing more with you throughout the season. So, for now go get ready.
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Make this coming weekend the "your get ready weekend". Get your plan in order, run a complete data backup of your system, and make sure you and your organization share the plan with all the staff, especially when it comes time to ask for volunteers. As the storm is making landfall is not the time to be asking for help, you should already know who can and cannot help. It is that simple.
For those of you that live in the Gulf Coast region, share your plan with your family and friends that way they know what your plans are.
I will be sharing more with you throughout the season. So, for now go get ready.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
2009 Hurricane Season, Weather Event, Tropical Depression, Tropical+Storm, Hurricane, Hurricane Season, DRBC, DRBC Planning, Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, storm, Flooding, Gulf Coast, Texas, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Houston, Galveston, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Mississippi, Gulf Port, Alabama, Mobile, Florida, Panama City, Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa, Miami, Dave Guerra, Deep South Texas, Give to the American Red Cross, Hire A Hero
28 May 2009
Something About Reading Business Books
Last night, I was turned on to an interview with Eduardo Castro-Wright, vice chairman of Wal-Mart Stores in last Sunday's New York Times by my good friends over at 800CEOREAD.com. This was rather timely considering that yesterday morning I posted a blog post about my Summer 2009 Recommended Reading list.
The interview while condensed seems to have covered a broad range of categories, chiefly centered on business (what else). There was one question that mentioned specifically reading business books, which by sheer luck and coincidence my reading list happens to consist of. The question was "So you find that people make business more complicated than it is" and the answer was:
To me, what Castro-Wright is saying is that if the business books say get a consultant, the new CEOs will get a consultant. If this is the case, then based on Mr. Castro-Wright's logic if the business books say CEOs to take their management team and have them jump off a bridge, they'll do it? Of course they won't do it, but I guarantee some CEOs will definitely think about it. Imagine the title of that book: "The CEO's Guide To Jumping Off A Bridge And Other Ways To Get Your Company Back On Track."
But I digress. Now, don't get me wrong I am not belittling Mr. Castro-Wright's 30 years of work in management. I have just about 24 years of work in management and leadership. I do understand where he is coming from I admire and respect that. Unfortunately, too many times I have been witness to some of the strangest and sometimes stupidest things that CEOs, field administrators, and branch managers have ever done and I know I will see that happen again in the future. I guarantee it.
What I am saying is, that no matter which are read and how you interpret it should not be a replacement for common sense. Common sense when used 100% of the time will take you places you've never been and gain you the respect you never had. When people respect you then you are a recognized leader. Therefore, when it comes to leading and managing people I am a firm believer in if it is not broken then we're not going to fix it. I also firmly believe that to break something just for the sake of breaking it, is also bad form especially if you are in a position of management and quite possibly a leadership you cannot afford to behave in such a manner.
We will talk more about this later but I do want to throw this out now to you: a manager is not a leader and a leader is not necessarily a manager. Please know and understand this, as the two are not synonymous but at times polar opposites. Like I said more on that later.
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• Dave Guerra • New York Times • Eduardo Castro-Wright • 800CEOREAD • Business Books • Recommended Reading • Leader • Leadership • Manager • Management • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
The interview while condensed seems to have covered a broad range of categories, chiefly centered on business (what else). There was one question that mentioned specifically reading business books, which by sheer luck and coincidence my reading list happens to consist of. The question was "So you find that people make business more complicated than it is" and the answer was:
"No doubt about it. I think that all of us read far too many business books. I’ve worked 30 years now in management roles, and a number of times I’ve seen a new C.E.O. come in, and the first act is typically to get the leadership team to an offsite. And you get a consultant - because you can’t do it without a consultant - and the consultant then helps the team design a vision. And then you’ve got all these words, and several thousand dollars and a couple of days of golf later, you go back to the company to actually try to communicate that vision throughout the organization. So you hire another consultant to do that. It shouldn’t be like that.
To me, what Castro-Wright is saying is that if the business books say get a consultant, the new CEOs will get a consultant. If this is the case, then based on Mr. Castro-Wright's logic if the business books say CEOs to take their management team and have them jump off a bridge, they'll do it? Of course they won't do it, but I guarantee some CEOs will definitely think about it. Imagine the title of that book: "The CEO's Guide To Jumping Off A Bridge And Other Ways To Get Your Company Back On Track."
But I digress. Now, don't get me wrong I am not belittling Mr. Castro-Wright's 30 years of work in management. I have just about 24 years of work in management and leadership. I do understand where he is coming from I admire and respect that. Unfortunately, too many times I have been witness to some of the strangest and sometimes stupidest things that CEOs, field administrators, and branch managers have ever done and I know I will see that happen again in the future. I guarantee it.
What I am saying is, that no matter which are read and how you interpret it should not be a replacement for common sense. Common sense when used 100% of the time will take you places you've never been and gain you the respect you never had. When people respect you then you are a recognized leader. Therefore, when it comes to leading and managing people I am a firm believer in if it is not broken then we're not going to fix it. I also firmly believe that to break something just for the sake of breaking it, is also bad form especially if you are in a position of management and quite possibly a leadership you cannot afford to behave in such a manner.
We will talk more about this later but I do want to throw this out now to you: a manager is not a leader and a leader is not necessarily a manager. Please know and understand this, as the two are not synonymous but at times polar opposites. Like I said more on that later.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • New York Times • Eduardo Castro-Wright • 800CEOREAD • Business Books • Recommended Reading • Leader • Leadership • Manager • Management • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
27 May 2009
A Little Recommended Summer Reading
In a few days, Summer 2009 will be well underway and with it, hopefully, you will have some spare time to lounge around by the pool or the beach or travel. No matter where you are and what you are doing, why not take that time and read a book or two (or three or four)? Here is a very short list of my recommended reading for Summer 2009. Please consider reading these fine books, especially, if you are soon to be out in the real world, earning your own money, fighting for that promotion or pay raise, or at least trying to survive in that cruel world.
1. The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman: It will change how you perceive the world forever.
2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki: It will change how you view money forever.
3. Re-Imagine! by Tom Peters: It will change how you view the business world forever.
4. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: It will change how you view yourself forever.
These four books will apply no matter what your vocation is or will be, because what they teach will transcend more than you can imagine. I ask that you pick one or two or all of them up and start reading.
Remember, while reading is not only fundamental it is also a great way to pass the time as you work on your tan.
Seriously, I do invite you to take a break and read at least one of these books as each one of them will certainly get you thinking and more importantly get you to start asking yourself some serious questions.
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1. The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman: It will change how you perceive the world forever.
2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki: It will change how you view money forever.
3. Re-Imagine! by Tom Peters: It will change how you view the business world forever.
4. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: It will change how you view yourself forever.These four books will apply no matter what your vocation is or will be, because what they teach will transcend more than you can imagine. I ask that you pick one or two or all of them up and start reading.
Remember, while reading is not only fundamental it is also a great way to pass the time as you work on your tan.
Seriously, I do invite you to take a break and read at least one of these books as each one of them will certainly get you thinking and more importantly get you to start asking yourself some serious questions.
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• Dave Guerra • Tom Peters • Thomas L. Friedman • Robert T. Kiyosaki • Stephen R. Covey • The World Is Flat • Rich Dad, Poor Dad • Re-Imagine! • 7 Habits of Highly Effective People • Summer Reading • Change Your World • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
22 May 2009
Memorial Day 2009
Before you go off the beach, the lake, the amusement park, or fire up that grill for the holiday weekend barbecue I do ask you take a little time to reflect on what this weekend is all about. Some people think it's about beer and barbecue, some people will think that it's about nonstop partying from Friday night till Monday evening, then back to work on Tuesday.
Monday, May 25, 2009 is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a Federal holiday that means no banks, no government offices, and most state, county, and city offices will not be open for business in observance of this holiday.
In 1868, it was celebrated to honor the Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. Then after World War I, it was expanded to include American casualties of any war or military action, this is to ensure that the nations remembers the sacrifice of America's fallen from the Revolutionary War to the present. For 140 or so years we as a nation honored those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, for you and me and our future.
There are several traditions that go with observing Memorial Day. Here are a couple: flying the flag of the United States at half staff from dawn until noon local time, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 PM eastern time, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars take donations for poppies in the days leading up to Memorial Day. Then the poppies are taken and placed on the graves of the fallen. The poppies have a special significance to Memorial Day as a result of the poem by John McCrae titled "In Flanders Field"
One of the longest standing traditions is the Indianapolis 500, which has been run on Memorial Day since 1911. While an important event the Indianapolis 500 has helped change the way people see Memorial Day. It was formally observed on May 30 but since it was moved to the last Monday of May critics have fought to return it back to its fixed traditional date. This VFW stated, "…changing the date really to create three day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."
I cannot agree more. While I, like everyone else, welcome a three-day weekend, I do not welcome the price this country and its brave men and women had to pay so that we could take some time off from work.
I do ask that sometime over the weekend, for you to stop for a minute, just one minute and think about those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines that never came home. Think just how much better your cup of coffee tastes because they did what they were called to do. Pause and savor that barbecue because you can, knowing that it was those men and women that made it possible.
Just remember them.
"In Flanders Field"
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)
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Monday, May 25, 2009 is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a Federal holiday that means no banks, no government offices, and most state, county, and city offices will not be open for business in observance of this holiday.
In 1868, it was celebrated to honor the Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. Then after World War I, it was expanded to include American casualties of any war or military action, this is to ensure that the nations remembers the sacrifice of America's fallen from the Revolutionary War to the present. For 140 or so years we as a nation honored those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, for you and me and our future.
There are several traditions that go with observing Memorial Day. Here are a couple: flying the flag of the United States at half staff from dawn until noon local time, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 PM eastern time, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars take donations for poppies in the days leading up to Memorial Day. Then the poppies are taken and placed on the graves of the fallen. The poppies have a special significance to Memorial Day as a result of the poem by John McCrae titled "In Flanders Field"
One of the longest standing traditions is the Indianapolis 500, which has been run on Memorial Day since 1911. While an important event the Indianapolis 500 has helped change the way people see Memorial Day. It was formally observed on May 30 but since it was moved to the last Monday of May critics have fought to return it back to its fixed traditional date. This VFW stated, "…changing the date really to create three day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."
I cannot agree more. While I, like everyone else, welcome a three-day weekend, I do not welcome the price this country and its brave men and women had to pay so that we could take some time off from work.
I do ask that sometime over the weekend, for you to stop for a minute, just one minute and think about those Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines that never came home. Think just how much better your cup of coffee tastes because they did what they were called to do. Pause and savor that barbecue because you can, knowing that it was those men and women that made it possible.
Just remember them.
"In Flanders Field"
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 - 1918)
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21 May 2009
Picking Yourself Up By Your Bootstraps
Today is my brother’s birthday. He might or he might not read this but I am going to post it anyway. He is my first brother, as I have three younger brothers altogether. Yep, that’s right, my mom had four boys.
If you know me and you know my brother then you know his story. If you don’t, well all that I am going to say is that it certainly has been a bumpy road for him. A lot has been because of bad decision-making on his part. Yet, there is one thing that I truly admire about him: No matter what, he has always been able to pick himself up by his bootstraps, dust himself off, and gets on with his life.
I wish him nothing but the best, as he deserves it. Good thing things are getting better.
Happy Birthday Brother…I Love You, Man!!!
P.S. Two more brothers and two more birthdays to come.
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If you know me and you know my brother then you know his story. If you don’t, well all that I am going to say is that it certainly has been a bumpy road for him. A lot has been because of bad decision-making on his part. Yet, there is one thing that I truly admire about him: No matter what, he has always been able to pick himself up by his bootstraps, dust himself off, and gets on with his life.
I wish him nothing but the best, as he deserves it. Good thing things are getting better.
Happy Birthday Brother…I Love You, Man!!!
P.S. Two more brothers and two more birthdays to come.
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20 May 2009
Own Your Attitude
In a May 15, 2009 blog post by someone whose opinion and knowledge I greatly respect and value, Tom Peters wrote: “Only You ‘Own’ Your Attitude! Does life suck sometimes? Absolutely.”
You better believe you OWN your attitude. You are the one that wakes up every morning and can either say to yourself "today will be a good day" or "today will suck" and you alone will make that decision.
Of course, we all know that there are people that are hell bent on making your day just as bad as they choose their day to be. They will certainly try to make that decision for you but why give them power over you?
That’s why you have to rise above them and rise above yourself. Most of all rise above your comfort zone. You know that comfort zone, that’s the zone you go to when you throw your arms up and say “I give up” or “it’s not what I expected” or “it hurts too much” or “that’s too difficult.”
It is really easy to fall into that zone, heck I have done it a few times in my life. Trust me there are some mornings that I would love nothing more than to pull the covers over my head and stay in bed. While that may sound like the best thing to do, it is not going to pay the bills or put food on the table or help change an attitude.
I leave you with these last few words: It's your decision to make and while it may be the only decision you make today, make your decision truly yours.
Here is the link to the Tom Peters blog post click here
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You better believe you OWN your attitude. You are the one that wakes up every morning and can either say to yourself "today will be a good day" or "today will suck" and you alone will make that decision.
Of course, we all know that there are people that are hell bent on making your day just as bad as they choose their day to be. They will certainly try to make that decision for you but why give them power over you?
That’s why you have to rise above them and rise above yourself. Most of all rise above your comfort zone. You know that comfort zone, that’s the zone you go to when you throw your arms up and say “I give up” or “it’s not what I expected” or “it hurts too much” or “that’s too difficult.”
It is really easy to fall into that zone, heck I have done it a few times in my life. Trust me there are some mornings that I would love nothing more than to pull the covers over my head and stay in bed. While that may sound like the best thing to do, it is not going to pay the bills or put food on the table or help change an attitude.
I leave you with these last few words: It's your decision to make and while it may be the only decision you make today, make your decision truly yours.
Here is the link to the Tom Peters blog post click here
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19 May 2009
Thing or two about relationships
Lately, I have noticed a rash of relationship problems. Not my problems directly but those closest to me seem to have their own problems with building and sustaining relationships. While not looking like I am interfering but then again, this is my blog, therefore I give you the following:
There is no simple trick to making relationships work, either they do or they don’t. Of course, both parties have to work at it…together. Otherwise what’s the point?
I offer these two things to remember:
1. Relationships are not solely about what the other person can give you. If all you want in a relationship is for someone to give you something, then you are in a relationship for all the wrong reason. Remember, in order to get something you must certainly be the one to give something first.
2. Relationships are about being genuine. If the other person(s) are genuine in how they feel about you and you are genuine about how you feel for the other person(s), rest assured the relationship will take you to the places yet undiscovered.
As I wrote this, it dawned on me that I left out what this really all about Being Persistent and Being Patient.
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There is no simple trick to making relationships work, either they do or they don’t. Of course, both parties have to work at it…together. Otherwise what’s the point?
I offer these two things to remember:
1. Relationships are not solely about what the other person can give you. If all you want in a relationship is for someone to give you something, then you are in a relationship for all the wrong reason. Remember, in order to get something you must certainly be the one to give something first.
2. Relationships are about being genuine. If the other person(s) are genuine in how they feel about you and you are genuine about how you feel for the other person(s), rest assured the relationship will take you to the places yet undiscovered.
As I wrote this, it dawned on me that I left out what this really all about Being Persistent and Being Patient.
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15 May 2009
Complacency will kill you
A couple of nights ago I was watching the latest episode of The Deadliest Catch. Talk about reality TV, this show has got it all; Real people doing a real job that is so dangerous that people have actually died during the filming of the show. If you've never seen it, I do invite you to watch every Tuesday night on the Discovery Channel.
Anyway, I was watching last Tuesday's episode and there was a scene where the crab pot slipped off the launcher and almost pinned one of the deckhands against another several hundred pound crab pot. Luckily, the deckhand's quick reactions saved his life as he managed to get out of the way the loose pot and the rope that connects it to a marker bouy. They say that if your feet get caught in that rope there's no place to go but over the rail and down to the bottom of the Bering sea before you realize what happened.
One of the other deckhand's was interviewed immediately after and he stated that everyone on the boat got complacent. It was complacency that allowed the crab pot to slip off the launcher as someone forgot to set the hook that keeps the crab pot in place until it is time to launch. It was complacency that prevented the deckhand from checking to see if the hook was in place. That deckhand's last comment of the interview was, "Complacency will kill you."
Nothing can be further from the truth. Think about your place of business, how many times a day do you find yourself in a situation that could harm you or quick possibly kill if you aren't on your toes? Of course, some people will find themselves in those situations more often than others. That does not excuse those that do not find themselves often in such situations.
Keeping your eyes open, keeping your ears open, and sometimes keeping your mouth shut month just save your life. Most of all, not being complacent will save your life. Let them call you paranoid but you will be ready for anything, at any time, no matter what the situation is.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Deadliest Catch • Discovery Channel • Complacency • Vigilant • on your toes • survival • paranoid • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Anyway, I was watching last Tuesday's episode and there was a scene where the crab pot slipped off the launcher and almost pinned one of the deckhands against another several hundred pound crab pot. Luckily, the deckhand's quick reactions saved his life as he managed to get out of the way the loose pot and the rope that connects it to a marker bouy. They say that if your feet get caught in that rope there's no place to go but over the rail and down to the bottom of the Bering sea before you realize what happened.
One of the other deckhand's was interviewed immediately after and he stated that everyone on the boat got complacent. It was complacency that allowed the crab pot to slip off the launcher as someone forgot to set the hook that keeps the crab pot in place until it is time to launch. It was complacency that prevented the deckhand from checking to see if the hook was in place. That deckhand's last comment of the interview was, "Complacency will kill you."
Nothing can be further from the truth. Think about your place of business, how many times a day do you find yourself in a situation that could harm you or quick possibly kill if you aren't on your toes? Of course, some people will find themselves in those situations more often than others. That does not excuse those that do not find themselves often in such situations.
Keeping your eyes open, keeping your ears open, and sometimes keeping your mouth shut month just save your life. Most of all, not being complacent will save your life. Let them call you paranoid but you will be ready for anything, at any time, no matter what the situation is.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Deadliest Catch • Discovery Channel • Complacency • Vigilant • on your toes • survival • paranoid • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
14 May 2009
Meet the New Silo, Same as the Old Silo
Some time ago an organization that I know underwent a drastic and dramatic change. Seems that their local branches became little silos independent of the organization as a whole. Seems that the local managers were running their own mini empires with almost little to no regard for the headquarters and the organization's mission and vision. Thus an immediate need for change was what had to happen.
Seems that with the local managers, taking a few words from Apocalypse Now:
"things get confused out there, power, ideals, the old morality, and practical military necessity. Out there with these natives it must be a temptation to be god. Because there's a conflict in every human heart between the rational and the irrational, between good and evil. The good does not always triumph. Sometimes the dark side overcomes what Lincoln called the better angels of our nature. Every man has got a breaking point. You and I have. Walter Kurtz has reached his. And very obviously, he has gone insane."
You could say that's exactly what happened to the local managers. They loved the power they had at their disposal. Once the command got ahold of this information, they deemed the local managers were "out there operating without any decent restraint. Totally beyond the pale of any acceptable human conduct. And [they are] still in the field commanding his [their] troops." Therefore they decided to terminate their command and "Terminate with extreme prejudice" they did.
After this purge, the organization felt confident that their troubles were over. It was just a matter of time before new silos were built. All that trouble to get rid of people and silos were built all over again. The management brought in new people to fill in the management positions that were vacated. They brought with them a value system that worked someplace else. At times, that value system seemed to be worse than what was being replaced.
Somehow, somewhere, somebody told these replacements that they were going out there to save the world. They were going to save everybody from themselves. Little did anybody know that their task went straight to their heads. No sooner had the past regime had been laid to rest that the new regime began erecting new silos.
Eventually, that regime went the way of the dinosaurs as well. It seems that in an effort to clean house all they were doing was replacing the old insanity with a new insanity.
The point of the story is that sometimes change for the sake of change, while necessary, is no change at all. This is especially so when what is being changed is people and not the value system. Changing the value system is certainly something that can be done with "extreme prejudice" but it has to be done with people that are already living the NEW set of values the organization is demanding.
Seems that with the local managers, taking a few words from Apocalypse Now:
"things get confused out there, power, ideals, the old morality, and practical military necessity. Out there with these natives it must be a temptation to be god. Because there's a conflict in every human heart between the rational and the irrational, between good and evil. The good does not always triumph. Sometimes the dark side overcomes what Lincoln called the better angels of our nature. Every man has got a breaking point. You and I have. Walter Kurtz has reached his. And very obviously, he has gone insane."
You could say that's exactly what happened to the local managers. They loved the power they had at their disposal. Once the command got ahold of this information, they deemed the local managers were "out there operating without any decent restraint. Totally beyond the pale of any acceptable human conduct. And [they are] still in the field commanding his [their] troops." Therefore they decided to terminate their command and "Terminate with extreme prejudice" they did.
After this purge, the organization felt confident that their troubles were over. It was just a matter of time before new silos were built. All that trouble to get rid of people and silos were built all over again. The management brought in new people to fill in the management positions that were vacated. They brought with them a value system that worked someplace else. At times, that value system seemed to be worse than what was being replaced.
Somehow, somewhere, somebody told these replacements that they were going out there to save the world. They were going to save everybody from themselves. Little did anybody know that their task went straight to their heads. No sooner had the past regime had been laid to rest that the new regime began erecting new silos.
Eventually, that regime went the way of the dinosaurs as well. It seems that in an effort to clean house all they were doing was replacing the old insanity with a new insanity.
The point of the story is that sometimes change for the sake of change, while necessary, is no change at all. This is especially so when what is being changed is people and not the value system. Changing the value system is certainly something that can be done with "extreme prejudice" but it has to be done with people that are already living the NEW set of values the organization is demanding.
13 May 2009
Das Ende der Luftbrücke / The Berlin Airlift Ends
Yesterday, a quiet holiday was celebrated in Berlin, Germany and to some degree here in the United States. Yesterday, May 12, 2009 commemorated the 60th anniversary of when the Soviet Union lifted the blockade of Berlin, thus ending the Berlin Airlift.
The Berlin Airlift has been described as the greatest humanitarian relief effort in the history of the world. Everyday for almost a year aircraft flew in to Berlin's three airports (Tegel, Gatow, & Tempelhof) carrying Food, Coal, and other life sustaining supplies to the citizens of West Berlin. In the end, the airlift carried over two million tons of supplies in approximately 270,000 flights (or sorties).
Talk about commitment. While the Soviets were trying to expand their sphere of influence and attempting to take Berlin (without firing a shot) the three other World War II allies (US, British, French) held their ground in their resolve to be in Berlin and honor the commitment to never let what happened in World War II ever happen again. When the Soviets finally let ground traffic move in and out of Berlin the Soviets knew that the Allies were a force to be reckoned with, even with being outnumbered, at times, 64 to 1. Yes, 64 Warsaw Pact Forces to every 1 US, British, or French soldier based in Berlin.
As a side note, there was one man who not only did his duty but also took that extra step. His name is Gail Halvorsen. Halvorsen was a pilot during the airlift. As he would approach Tempelhof airport he would notice children would gather to see the airplanes arrive every 90 seconds. It was on one of these flights Halvorsen tied handkerchief parachutes to candy and drop them out the window of his C-47 down to the children below. He and other pilots and airmen would later be come to be known as the Candy Bombers.
So my hat is off to each and every individual that participated in the Berlin Airlift as they set the standard for everyone that ever followed them into Berlin until the mission was accomplished and no longer were occupation forces needed in Berlin. I am proud to have served in the shadows of those that went to Berlin before me, and those that walked with me while in Berlin, and to have left my footprints for those that came after me in Berlin.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Berlin Airlift • Tempelhof • Tegel • Gatow • West Berlin • Candy Bombers • Gail Halvorsen • Resolve • Commitment • Perseverance • Sticking it out • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
The Berlin Airlift has been described as the greatest humanitarian relief effort in the history of the world. Everyday for almost a year aircraft flew in to Berlin's three airports (Tegel, Gatow, & Tempelhof) carrying Food, Coal, and other life sustaining supplies to the citizens of West Berlin. In the end, the airlift carried over two million tons of supplies in approximately 270,000 flights (or sorties).
Talk about commitment. While the Soviets were trying to expand their sphere of influence and attempting to take Berlin (without firing a shot) the three other World War II allies (US, British, French) held their ground in their resolve to be in Berlin and honor the commitment to never let what happened in World War II ever happen again. When the Soviets finally let ground traffic move in and out of Berlin the Soviets knew that the Allies were a force to be reckoned with, even with being outnumbered, at times, 64 to 1. Yes, 64 Warsaw Pact Forces to every 1 US, British, or French soldier based in Berlin.
As a side note, there was one man who not only did his duty but also took that extra step. His name is Gail Halvorsen. Halvorsen was a pilot during the airlift. As he would approach Tempelhof airport he would notice children would gather to see the airplanes arrive every 90 seconds. It was on one of these flights Halvorsen tied handkerchief parachutes to candy and drop them out the window of his C-47 down to the children below. He and other pilots and airmen would later be come to be known as the Candy Bombers.
So my hat is off to each and every individual that participated in the Berlin Airlift as they set the standard for everyone that ever followed them into Berlin until the mission was accomplished and no longer were occupation forces needed in Berlin. I am proud to have served in the shadows of those that went to Berlin before me, and those that walked with me while in Berlin, and to have left my footprints for those that came after me in Berlin.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Berlin Airlift • Tempelhof • Tegel • Gatow • West Berlin • Candy Bombers • Gail Halvorsen • Resolve • Commitment • Perseverance • Sticking it out • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
12 May 2009
When William Congreve wrote the immortal lines "Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast, To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak" he knew what he was talking about in 1697's The Mourning Bride.
Yesterday afternoon, I read an interesting article on CNN.com titled "The power of music: It's a real heart opener" The article talked about the power of music as a tool to reduce stress. It seems that Dr. Mike Miller, a Baltimore based research cardiologist, formally discovered what I had know for a long time.
Seems that when "he tested the effects of music on the cardiovascular system. 'Turns out music may be one of the best de-stressors -- either by playing or even listening to music.'" According to the research the "inner lining of the blood vessels relax, open up and produced chemicals that are protective to the heart." WOW! a Triple BONUS on that one.
Unfortunately, as I love to sing...my own way but I can't sing or hold a note to save my life, but I will sing my heart out in the shower, driving to and from work, in front of the PC, or as I write this blog.
When in public (family included), instead of doing my best William Hung impersonation, I would rather strum my six-string or play that FOOKIN' BASS. At least, I can somewhat pass for knowing what I am doing with guitar or bass.
So give it a shot...what have you got to lose but some stress?
I am more than sure Dr. Miller, would not be offended if I prescribed everyone a healthy daily dose of JAMMING and ROCKING OUT and SINGING TILL THE DOGS HOWL.
BTW, Here is the poem The Mourning Bride, -William Congreve
and Here is the link to the article on CNN.com: The power of music: It's a real heart opener
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Dr. Mike Miller • University of Maryland Medical Center • Baltimore • Music • Good for the heart • stress is bad • William Congreve • Guitar • Play the Fookin Bass • Singing • Sing out loud • Rock n Roll • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Yesterday afternoon, I read an interesting article on CNN.com titled "The power of music: It's a real heart opener" The article talked about the power of music as a tool to reduce stress. It seems that Dr. Mike Miller, a Baltimore based research cardiologist, formally discovered what I had know for a long time.
Seems that when "he tested the effects of music on the cardiovascular system. 'Turns out music may be one of the best de-stressors -- either by playing or even listening to music.'" According to the research the "inner lining of the blood vessels relax, open up and produced chemicals that are protective to the heart." WOW! a Triple BONUS on that one.
Unfortunately, as I love to sing...my own way but I can't sing or hold a note to save my life, but I will sing my heart out in the shower, driving to and from work, in front of the PC, or as I write this blog.
When in public (family included), instead of doing my best William Hung impersonation, I would rather strum my six-string or play that FOOKIN' BASS. At least, I can somewhat pass for knowing what I am doing with guitar or bass.
So give it a shot...what have you got to lose but some stress?
I am more than sure Dr. Miller, would not be offended if I prescribed everyone a healthy daily dose of JAMMING and ROCKING OUT and SINGING TILL THE DOGS HOWL.
BTW, Here is the poem The Mourning Bride, -William Congreve
Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform'd,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!
'Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last Night
The silent Tomb receiv'd the good Old King;
He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg'd
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at Peace?
and Here is the link to the article on CNN.com: The power of music: It's a real heart opener
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Dr. Mike Miller • University of Maryland Medical Center • Baltimore • Music • Good for the heart • stress is bad • William Congreve • Guitar • Play the Fookin Bass • Singing • Sing out loud • Rock n Roll • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
11 May 2009
Mother's Day 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009 was Mother's Day and I trust your Mom had a wonderful day. I do so hope my mother had a wonderful day. Seeing as my mom is over 300 miles away I won't know for sure but what I do know is that she didn't get my Mother's Day gift to her on time. As a matter of fact, it's still out there in the ether known as the US Postal Service. While I know they are taking great care of what I sent her and I am not blaming them, I am blaming myself.
The blame is in the fact that her gift was sent late. It was sent on Wednesday, which means it didn't make it out of the Post Office until sometime after the Sun set, thus giving it two and a half days of travel and sorting time. Hopefully, it will be in her hands on Monday. I know she did not sound too thrilled that what I sent she had not yet received.
I have really got to start getting a better grasp of time management as well as getting things back on track and focused. Lately, I have been letting a lot of the small stuff pass me and I have been focusing on things that are NOT important.
Let's talk about the four quadrants (remember the 7 habits of highly effective people). Recently, I have been living in the world known as NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT, while what is Important and Urgent has been kicked to the curb.
Of course, family, school, and work have been and will always be at the top and in that order, but the small stuff continues to get overlooked and unfortunately gets cast aside or altogether forgotten.
You know they say that admitting there is a problem is the first step to recovery. So now that you know that I know that I have a problem, what's step two?
Talk to you later,
Dave
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Happy Mother's Day • Mom • Time management • early to bed • USPS • 7 Habits • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
The blame is in the fact that her gift was sent late. It was sent on Wednesday, which means it didn't make it out of the Post Office until sometime after the Sun set, thus giving it two and a half days of travel and sorting time. Hopefully, it will be in her hands on Monday. I know she did not sound too thrilled that what I sent she had not yet received.
I have really got to start getting a better grasp of time management as well as getting things back on track and focused. Lately, I have been letting a lot of the small stuff pass me and I have been focusing on things that are NOT important.
Let's talk about the four quadrants (remember the 7 habits of highly effective people). Recently, I have been living in the world known as NOT IMPORTANT and NOT URGENT, while what is Important and Urgent has been kicked to the curb.
Of course, family, school, and work have been and will always be at the top and in that order, but the small stuff continues to get overlooked and unfortunately gets cast aside or altogether forgotten.
You know they say that admitting there is a problem is the first step to recovery. So now that you know that I know that I have a problem, what's step two?
Talk to you later,
Dave
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Happy Mother's Day • Mom • Time management • early to bed • USPS • 7 Habits • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
19 April 2009
Jumping the Shark
I have been meaning to write something on my blog. Just not too sure what to write about. There's been so much happening that I don't know where to begin or even to begin at all. Still it's been over a month since I last wrote anything and I figure if I write something it better be catchy, it better be trendy, it better be over the top. Above all, it better be good.
Speaking of over the top I am titling this post "Jumping the Shark."
Jumping the shark is a term used when "TV critics and fans to denote that point in a TV show or movie series' history where the plot veers off into absurd story lines or out-of-the-ordinary characterizations, particularly for a show with falling ratings apparently becoming more desperate to draw viewers in."(wikipedia.com)
The classic example or where "jumping the shark" got its name from was from the television show Happy Days. It's a show that ran in the 70s set in the 1950s. In one episode, one of the leads, Fonzie (Henry Winkler), wearing swim trunks and his trademark leather jacket, jumps over a penned-in shark while water skiing. In the story line, Fonzie does this to "prove a point" what it was no one remembers or cares.
Now fast forward to 2009 and the term "jumping the shark" now make sense, I hope?
So I'm not going to jump the shark just to get your attention again. There is already too much jumping the shark going on. Let's see where do we begin?
Enjoy the vid:
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Not Jumping the Shark • Happy Days • The Fonz • Fonzie • Writer's Block • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Speaking of over the top I am titling this post "Jumping the Shark."
Jumping the shark is a term used when "TV critics and fans to denote that point in a TV show or movie series' history where the plot veers off into absurd story lines or out-of-the-ordinary characterizations, particularly for a show with falling ratings apparently becoming more desperate to draw viewers in."(wikipedia.com)
The classic example or where "jumping the shark" got its name from was from the television show Happy Days. It's a show that ran in the 70s set in the 1950s. In one episode, one of the leads, Fonzie (Henry Winkler), wearing swim trunks and his trademark leather jacket, jumps over a penned-in shark while water skiing. In the story line, Fonzie does this to "prove a point" what it was no one remembers or cares.
Now fast forward to 2009 and the term "jumping the shark" now make sense, I hope?
So I'm not going to jump the shark just to get your attention again. There is already too much jumping the shark going on. Let's see where do we begin?
Enjoy the vid:
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Not Jumping the Shark • Happy Days • The Fonz • Fonzie • Writer's Block • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
10 March 2009
Too Much Information?
In this past weekend’s Wall Street Journal Weekend Edition was a very interesting article about the use of Twitter. This is not the first article on the use of Twitter as a social networking, business, and personal communication tool. Aside from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, there have been plenty of articles and commentary from such notable marketing and Internet communications proponents such as Joseph Jaffe, Donna Papacosta, and many more on and off Twitter.
Everyone comes to almost the same conclusion: if you are in business, you need to be using Twitter. Why? It is no secret that Twitter should be part of your arsenal when it comes to a complete Customer Relationship Management (CRM) process. This applies to any organization, no matter the size whether it is 1 to 10,000.
Of course, an organization should not solely rely on a CRM application to be the end all and be all for an organization. By this, I mean that it has to be part of a comprehensive plan that puts the CRM application at the hub. Everything else then projects out from the center and incorporates other applications, processes, and the various stakeholders (internal and external) that are part of the organization and thus creating a shotgun –type effect when engaging the customer in a conversation. While to some this may appear as inundating the customer with too much information, it is actually quite the opposite. By having more than one option to engage the customer with, the ability to pick and choose one, two, or all options is now in the customer’s hands.
Obviously, this was not always the case, because what companies thought was a two-way conversation was actually a monologue and not dialogue. Now with tools such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace the customer is empowered and can control the conversation. They now determine how much of the information they want to get and ultimately be a part of. This is a good thing as you have now given your current and future customers the ability to join the conversation as well as creating and sustaining valued customer relationships. The customer now can drive the relationship and not the other way around.
Speaking from the customer’s point of view: It’s about time. So, give Twitter a try it if you are not already doing so.
I am on Twitter here. Follow me and I will follow you.
Here are some Technorati Tags to go with this blog post:
• Dave Guerra • Twitter • Join the Conversation • Joseph Jaffe • Donna Papacosta • Wall Street Journal • Weekend Edition • empower • customers • clients • dialogue • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Everyone comes to almost the same conclusion: if you are in business, you need to be using Twitter. Why? It is no secret that Twitter should be part of your arsenal when it comes to a complete Customer Relationship Management (CRM) process. This applies to any organization, no matter the size whether it is 1 to 10,000.
Of course, an organization should not solely rely on a CRM application to be the end all and be all for an organization. By this, I mean that it has to be part of a comprehensive plan that puts the CRM application at the hub. Everything else then projects out from the center and incorporates other applications, processes, and the various stakeholders (internal and external) that are part of the organization and thus creating a shotgun –type effect when engaging the customer in a conversation. While to some this may appear as inundating the customer with too much information, it is actually quite the opposite. By having more than one option to engage the customer with, the ability to pick and choose one, two, or all options is now in the customer’s hands.
Obviously, this was not always the case, because what companies thought was a two-way conversation was actually a monologue and not dialogue. Now with tools such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace the customer is empowered and can control the conversation. They now determine how much of the information they want to get and ultimately be a part of. This is a good thing as you have now given your current and future customers the ability to join the conversation as well as creating and sustaining valued customer relationships. The customer now can drive the relationship and not the other way around.
Speaking from the customer’s point of view: It’s about time. So, give Twitter a try it if you are not already doing so.
I am on Twitter here. Follow me and I will follow you.
Here are some Technorati Tags to go with this blog post:
• Dave Guerra • Twitter • Join the Conversation • Joseph Jaffe • Donna Papacosta • Wall Street Journal • Weekend Edition • empower • customers • clients • dialogue • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
22 February 2009
"Easy" doesn't enter into grown up life
This past Saturday morning, somehow and through some nice twist of fate, turned out to be the third of what I hope to be many, "do nothing" Saturday mornings for 2009. By "do nothing" I mean there is nothing scheduled for me to do, nothing for the kids to do, nothing for anyone that has to be done. So what was the first thing I did after starting the coffee maker, I turned on the Telly and started surfing until I happened upon a Nicholas Cage movie; "The Weather Man" in which he plays Chicago weatherman Dave Spritz(el).
If you have not seen the movie, while I will try not to spoil it for you but I feel that I will have to reveal something in order to get to what I want to write about, therefore be warned: SPOILER ALERT!!!
In the movie, Dave Spritz is the son of a famous writer, he is also a father to two kids each with their own problems, ex-husband to a woman who has moved on but knows he hasn't. He has a job he likes, except for the fact that people throw food at him, however, he is being courted by a network to do their national morning show. Long story short, he is at a crossroads of needing to move forward but struggling with the fact, that moving forward means change. A change he is or is not ready for…hmmm when are we ever really ready for change?
There is one scene where Dave is talking to his father (who is struggling with his own mortality in the form of cancer) and the last bit of real fatherly advice that the Michael Caine characters gives Cage is "Easy doesn't enter into grown up life."
Family, Career, and one's self have to interact in harmony (or as close it as possible). We hear that all, we know it, yet we find it so difficult to do. However, we must constantly work at it. Constant work means that it will not be easy. Remember when we were young, our parents provide everything we needed; food, shelter, clothing, and money. Therefore, for the first 18 or so years of our lives it was easy. Then we were out on our own, we had to work to make money to buy things, to buy food, to live. Throw in a relationship or two and things get somewhat difficult.
Of course, some things are more difficult than others. It is usually when things get difficult that we start to realize that “easy” has quickly become a thing of the past. It is also at this point that we yearn for the past and all the "easy" stuff we had back then. As times change, no matter where we are or what we are doing, "easy" starts to become a distant memory and something that we see as the only answer.
Whether in our personal or professional life no matter how hard you try things will never be easy. We can try to get as close to "easy" as possible, but it just won't happen, I know I have tried one too many times.
FYI, here is the trailer for The Weather Man:
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • The Weather Man (movie) • Life • Easy • growing up • change • relationships • Nicholas Cage • Michael Caine • advice • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
If you have not seen the movie, while I will try not to spoil it for you but I feel that I will have to reveal something in order to get to what I want to write about, therefore be warned: SPOILER ALERT!!!
In the movie, Dave Spritz is the son of a famous writer, he is also a father to two kids each with their own problems, ex-husband to a woman who has moved on but knows he hasn't. He has a job he likes, except for the fact that people throw food at him, however, he is being courted by a network to do their national morning show. Long story short, he is at a crossroads of needing to move forward but struggling with the fact, that moving forward means change. A change he is or is not ready for…hmmm when are we ever really ready for change?
There is one scene where Dave is talking to his father (who is struggling with his own mortality in the form of cancer) and the last bit of real fatherly advice that the Michael Caine characters gives Cage is "Easy doesn't enter into grown up life."
Family, Career, and one's self have to interact in harmony (or as close it as possible). We hear that all, we know it, yet we find it so difficult to do. However, we must constantly work at it. Constant work means that it will not be easy. Remember when we were young, our parents provide everything we needed; food, shelter, clothing, and money. Therefore, for the first 18 or so years of our lives it was easy. Then we were out on our own, we had to work to make money to buy things, to buy food, to live. Throw in a relationship or two and things get somewhat difficult.
Of course, some things are more difficult than others. It is usually when things get difficult that we start to realize that “easy” has quickly become a thing of the past. It is also at this point that we yearn for the past and all the "easy" stuff we had back then. As times change, no matter where we are or what we are doing, "easy" starts to become a distant memory and something that we see as the only answer.
Whether in our personal or professional life no matter how hard you try things will never be easy. We can try to get as close to "easy" as possible, but it just won't happen, I know I have tried one too many times.
FYI, here is the trailer for The Weather Man:
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • The Weather Man (movie) • Life • Easy • growing up • change • relationships • Nicholas Cage • Michael Caine • advice • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
16 February 2009
It is never too early to start preparing for the next Disaster
A couple of weeks ago, an article in the trade magazine Processor titled "Resolving Disaster Recovery Problems: What To Do When Even The Best-Laid Plans Hit Snags" by Carmi Levy started dialogue on the issue of Disaster Planning. The article talked about issues that even the best Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) can face. Chiefly, the realization that DRPs are still subject to too many internal and external influences that can slow it down or stop it dead in its tracks.
Carmi Levy's article raises some very good questions, as well as providing some very good answers and ideas on which to build on.
As of today (2/16/09) we are 104 days from the start of the 2009 Hurricane Season. Folks, the clock is ticking and June 1, 2009 will be here before you know it. So, it is never too early to start preparing for the next one.
I invite you to read the article for yourself. You can get
• a PDF copy of the Carmi Levy's article in Processor Magazine (Volume 31 Number 6) for February 6, 2009.
or
• visit the Processor.com website to read the article there.
Check it out and find out who was so graciously quoted in the article.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Carmi Levy • Processor.com • Resolving Disaster Recovery Problems • Disaster Recovery • Business Continuity • Disaster Recovery Planning • Hurricane Season • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Carmi Levy's article raises some very good questions, as well as providing some very good answers and ideas on which to build on.
As of today (2/16/09) we are 104 days from the start of the 2009 Hurricane Season. Folks, the clock is ticking and June 1, 2009 will be here before you know it. So, it is never too early to start preparing for the next one.
I invite you to read the article for yourself. You can get
• a PDF copy of the Carmi Levy's article in Processor Magazine (Volume 31 Number 6) for February 6, 2009.
or
• visit the Processor.com website to read the article there.
Check it out and find out who was so graciously quoted in the article.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Carmi Levy • Processor.com • Resolving Disaster Recovery Problems • Disaster Recovery • Business Continuity • Disaster Recovery Planning • Hurricane Season • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
07 February 2009
Aren’t we the lucky ones?
This past Friday morning out on the Tom Peters website was a very interesting line that got me thinking: “I hear often that we are just unlucky to be leading in a very tough economic time…”
As you read you will see that I am taking the same affirming stand that, the author, of that line, follows within his blog post. However, to get there please read on.
In addition, earlier this week I read somewhere else about selling a house in tough economic times, such as now. In the article about selling a house, it was said that a seller should never use an agent who has not sold during an economic down turn. This makes sense in that how can someone sell your house when that person has no experience selling when no one is buying. If you are using one of those “Johnny/Janie Come Lately” real estate agents then you might as well resolve yourself to the fact that your house will sell once the economy turns for the better if you stick with people that are living in 2006. Their sales methods are still stuck on the notion that everyone is buying because everyone is selling and money is being made every time hands shake. So why not get with someone who has experienced the bad and most certainly the good?
Getting back to the “we are just unlucky to be leading in a very tough economic time” thing, personally, I feel very lucky to be living, leading, and managing in a very tough economic time. How can anyone feel unlucky?
Think about it, we worked and rose to where and what we are now: Leaders. Remember, we were given praise and applause as we were leading when the gravy was flowing and everyone was happy and gasoline was being poured at somewhere around $1.50 a gallon.
As the economy starts to sour things will only get worse before they can start getting better. Yet we have already seen the worst in the businesses and we have certainly seen the worst in people (a la Madoff).
There is an up side to all of this, in that we get to experience the world from both sides. Now we get the honor of leading people when times are tough. This means that as a leader you now become a follower. You get to follow and learn from the mistakes of those that caused the problems, which led to where we are today. You also get a chance to share the same learning experiences with your peers. You now will have to deal on a more personal level with the people you lead. You will, now more than ever, be allowed to enter their world of fears and insecurities. You now get to see how layoffs are affecting those that lost their jobs, but most of all you get to see the affects it has on those that are left behind. You will also get an opportunity to share common experiences with your peers.
All is not doom and gloom, after we come out of the economic turmoil as it always does, we will have a common point of reference that will continue to remind us that this will happen again. No matter how hard everyone tries to prevent it, it will happen but this next time we will be prepared. We will be prepared because we will be able to recognize events in the future that may lead an individual or organization down a path much like the one, which we are currently on. Remember the old adage “that which does not kill us, only makes us stronger” well my friends we will only get stronger. We will become stronger leaders and most importantly stronger individuals.
Rest assured as a leader during this time, the current economic downturn will certainly make us stronger; it is this kind of opportunity that comes once every two or three generations. As we are right smack in the middle of this opportunity I, and so should you, consider this the best Luck anyone can have.
image courtesy of ConsumerAffairs.com
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Economy • Leader • Business • Leadership • Tough Times • Recovery • Stronger • Individual • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
As you read you will see that I am taking the same affirming stand that, the author, of that line, follows within his blog post. However, to get there please read on.
In addition, earlier this week I read somewhere else about selling a house in tough economic times, such as now. In the article about selling a house, it was said that a seller should never use an agent who has not sold during an economic down turn. This makes sense in that how can someone sell your house when that person has no experience selling when no one is buying. If you are using one of those “Johnny/Janie Come Lately” real estate agents then you might as well resolve yourself to the fact that your house will sell once the economy turns for the better if you stick with people that are living in 2006. Their sales methods are still stuck on the notion that everyone is buying because everyone is selling and money is being made every time hands shake. So why not get with someone who has experienced the bad and most certainly the good?
Getting back to the “we are just unlucky to be leading in a very tough economic time” thing, personally, I feel very lucky to be living, leading, and managing in a very tough economic time. How can anyone feel unlucky?
Think about it, we worked and rose to where and what we are now: Leaders. Remember, we were given praise and applause as we were leading when the gravy was flowing and everyone was happy and gasoline was being poured at somewhere around $1.50 a gallon.
As the economy starts to sour things will only get worse before they can start getting better. Yet we have already seen the worst in the businesses and we have certainly seen the worst in people (a la Madoff).There is an up side to all of this, in that we get to experience the world from both sides. Now we get the honor of leading people when times are tough. This means that as a leader you now become a follower. You get to follow and learn from the mistakes of those that caused the problems, which led to where we are today. You also get a chance to share the same learning experiences with your peers. You now will have to deal on a more personal level with the people you lead. You will, now more than ever, be allowed to enter their world of fears and insecurities. You now get to see how layoffs are affecting those that lost their jobs, but most of all you get to see the affects it has on those that are left behind. You will also get an opportunity to share common experiences with your peers.
All is not doom and gloom, after we come out of the economic turmoil as it always does, we will have a common point of reference that will continue to remind us that this will happen again. No matter how hard everyone tries to prevent it, it will happen but this next time we will be prepared. We will be prepared because we will be able to recognize events in the future that may lead an individual or organization down a path much like the one, which we are currently on. Remember the old adage “that which does not kill us, only makes us stronger” well my friends we will only get stronger. We will become stronger leaders and most importantly stronger individuals.
Rest assured as a leader during this time, the current economic downturn will certainly make us stronger; it is this kind of opportunity that comes once every two or three generations. As we are right smack in the middle of this opportunity I, and so should you, consider this the best Luck anyone can have.
image courtesy of ConsumerAffairs.com
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Economy • Leader • Business • Leadership • Tough Times • Recovery • Stronger • Individual • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
04 February 2009
Salary Cap ain't just for the NFL
I have to tip my hat to President Obama on his move to put a salary cap on those executives who are part of organizations that stepped up with their hand out and received government assistance in order to help prevent the Total Collapse of the entire US economy. If a company asked for help and got it, the CEO and other top tier executives have had their salary cut to not exceed $500,000 until they have repaid what they asked for and got.
As a proponent of the Free Enterprise System, I am not for telling a company how much to pay its employees but when those companies find themselves in tough times then everyone has to do their part. Even if it means some at the C-Level have to take a pay cut.
The New York Times ran an article on the salary cap, "The new rules would set a $500,000 cap on cash compensation for the most senior executives, curtail severance pay when top executives left a company, restrict cashing in on stock incentives until government assistance was repaid and prod corporate boards to closely scrutinize luxury perquisites like private jets and country club memberships."
Therefore, I am fully behind this decision as plenty of others are. Really, I just can't see how anyone could be against it, especially if it is in the best interest of keeping the company alive, employees working, and the shareholders happy.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Shareholders • Employees • salary • economy • cutbacks • President • government assistance • CEO • Top Executives • American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
As a proponent of the Free Enterprise System, I am not for telling a company how much to pay its employees but when those companies find themselves in tough times then everyone has to do their part. Even if it means some at the C-Level have to take a pay cut.
The New York Times ran an article on the salary cap, "The new rules would set a $500,000 cap on cash compensation for the most senior executives, curtail severance pay when top executives left a company, restrict cashing in on stock incentives until government assistance was repaid and prod corporate boards to closely scrutinize luxury perquisites like private jets and country club memberships."
Therefore, I am fully behind this decision as plenty of others are. Really, I just can't see how anyone could be against it, especially if it is in the best interest of keeping the company alive, employees working, and the shareholders happy.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Shareholders • Employees • salary • economy • cutbacks • President • government assistance • CEO • Top Executives • American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
01 February 2009
Demanding Change = More Innovation
Over the past few months news reports have run rampant about how companies are having to cut back in order to survive. Clearly, an understandable route for any organization to take, especially when things are tough all over. However, some cut backs just don't make sense.
On Friday (01/30/09), the Wall Street Journal reported on how "Car-Industry Slump Imperils Role in Spurring Innovation." This is just another warning sign that as times demand change, change continues to look like the same old thing.
Think about this: The only real way that we are going to get out of this economic mess is for people (not banks, not big business, but real people) to spend money. The only way they are going to spend money is to be motivated to want something that catches their eye and stimulates their want and need part of their medulla oblongata, or wherever that is in the brain. The only way that is going to get stimulated is not by selling the same old looking car or truck or SUV, I refer you to the picture of the East German Trabant, you do remember East Germany don't you?
Having lived in what was then West Berlin, I can tell you that these little buggers were all over East Berlin and the East German countryside. They came in various Warsaw Pact colors such as Soviet Grey, Hungarian Green, Yugoslavian Yellow, Czechoslovakian Black, and Romanian White. However, with such a wide array of colors the people of the Soviet bloc had many choices, but for all their colors they all were pretty much the same style that you see here. It is difficult to imagine that at one point there was a six month waiting list to get a Trabi, which explains the fact that "it was in production without any significant change for nearly 30 years." No wonder Communism died a cold and bitter death in early November of 1989. The people wanted change and change meant that it was time to "tear down that wall".
Folks, this is not going to be that much different, I understand that times are tough but cutting funding to those things that will help set one company apart from another is not too bright. I mean there has to be some help from within to help foster change, to stimulate the imagination and ultimately make something that the customer wants.
If those that are making and selling cars are perfectly happy laying-off employees and shut down production for weeks at a time because no one is buying really should not consider going back to Washington, D.C. to ask for more of our money, especially if they have no intentions of making sustainable change with that money. I am talking about the kind of change that moves away from the Trabant mentality of "why change if it sells" to one of "Hey now, let's make something cool!!!"
Trabant image courtesy of KFZ.DE
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Change • Innovation • cutbacks • economy • autombile industry • Trabant • East Germany • Berlin Wall • Die Mauer • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
On Friday (01/30/09), the Wall Street Journal reported on how "Car-Industry Slump Imperils Role in Spurring Innovation." This is just another warning sign that as times demand change, change continues to look like the same old thing.
Think about this: The only real way that we are going to get out of this economic mess is for people (not banks, not big business, but real people) to spend money. The only way they are going to spend money is to be motivated to want something that catches their eye and stimulates their want and need part of their medulla oblongata, or wherever that is in the brain. The only way that is going to get stimulated is not by selling the same old looking car or truck or SUV, I refer you to the picture of the East German Trabant, you do remember East Germany don't you?
Having lived in what was then West Berlin, I can tell you that these little buggers were all over East Berlin and the East German countryside. They came in various Warsaw Pact colors such as Soviet Grey, Hungarian Green, Yugoslavian Yellow, Czechoslovakian Black, and Romanian White. However, with such a wide array of colors the people of the Soviet bloc had many choices, but for all their colors they all were pretty much the same style that you see here. It is difficult to imagine that at one point there was a six month waiting list to get a Trabi, which explains the fact that "it was in production without any significant change for nearly 30 years." No wonder Communism died a cold and bitter death in early November of 1989. The people wanted change and change meant that it was time to "tear down that wall".
Folks, this is not going to be that much different, I understand that times are tough but cutting funding to those things that will help set one company apart from another is not too bright. I mean there has to be some help from within to help foster change, to stimulate the imagination and ultimately make something that the customer wants.
If those that are making and selling cars are perfectly happy laying-off employees and shut down production for weeks at a time because no one is buying really should not consider going back to Washington, D.C. to ask for more of our money, especially if they have no intentions of making sustainable change with that money. I am talking about the kind of change that moves away from the Trabant mentality of "why change if it sells" to one of "Hey now, let's make something cool!!!"
Trabant image courtesy of KFZ.DE
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Change • Innovation • cutbacks • economy • autombile industry • Trabant • East Germany • Berlin Wall • Die Mauer • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
29 January 2009
Corporate Bonuses...my two cents
It seems that the gap between Wall Street and Main Street continues to get wider and wider. By now you may have heard of the $18.4 billion in corporate bonuses paid out last year and according to the NY Times that was the "sixth-largest haul on record, according to a report released Wednesday by the New York State comptroller."
Of course, to be fair some of those bonuses were paid before some of those organizations flew to Washington, D.C., begging to be saved from a collapse of their organization and the subsequent collapse of the entire U.S. economy. Oh, their story was full of doom and gloom and by their actions; it was also full of something else.
Well when I heard this I was most certainly not a happy camper, especially when a couple of those organizations I have done business with and in some cases handed over some hard earned cash to them. Uh, where’s my bailout?
Geez, when will these knuckleheads get it? The whole world is watching them to see how they will handle surviving through the economic downturn and they do something this crazy. Will they ever get it? Then again, how can they get it when their vision is clouded with $$$$ dollar signs and the stakeholders are merely trees in the forest and not the elephant in the room?
Please, do not get me wrong, I have no problem with organizations recognizing individuals who have excelled or went above and beyond what was expected of them. What I do have a problem with is when they seem to think that the only way to recognize someone is by paying out huge bonuses. Times are tough and they are only going to get tougher before they get better.
I am not saying anything new especially to those on Wall Street. They are the ones that told Congress the exact same thing as the same time they were extending their hand for a handout. These Corporate geniuses are bright, smart people and certainly there has to be something that they can do that will prevent the townspeople from passing out the pitchforks and torches because of their idiotic behavior of handing out huge checks to anyone who happens to sit in a C-Level office.
However, if history is any indication of what these corporate geniuses will do, we will be right back here wondering if they will ever get it. There will be something different then and that is that I will be the one passing out the pitchforks and torches.
I may be wrong but I doubt it.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Corporate Bonus • wall street • bad behavior • corporate geniuses • revolution • Call for Action • Call for Change • Call for Transparency • Where's my bailout • They don't get it • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Of course, to be fair some of those bonuses were paid before some of those organizations flew to Washington, D.C., begging to be saved from a collapse of their organization and the subsequent collapse of the entire U.S. economy. Oh, their story was full of doom and gloom and by their actions; it was also full of something else.
Well when I heard this I was most certainly not a happy camper, especially when a couple of those organizations I have done business with and in some cases handed over some hard earned cash to them. Uh, where’s my bailout?
Geez, when will these knuckleheads get it? The whole world is watching them to see how they will handle surviving through the economic downturn and they do something this crazy. Will they ever get it? Then again, how can they get it when their vision is clouded with $$$$ dollar signs and the stakeholders are merely trees in the forest and not the elephant in the room?
Please, do not get me wrong, I have no problem with organizations recognizing individuals who have excelled or went above and beyond what was expected of them. What I do have a problem with is when they seem to think that the only way to recognize someone is by paying out huge bonuses. Times are tough and they are only going to get tougher before they get better.
I am not saying anything new especially to those on Wall Street. They are the ones that told Congress the exact same thing as the same time they were extending their hand for a handout. These Corporate geniuses are bright, smart people and certainly there has to be something that they can do that will prevent the townspeople from passing out the pitchforks and torches because of their idiotic behavior of handing out huge checks to anyone who happens to sit in a C-Level office.
However, if history is any indication of what these corporate geniuses will do, we will be right back here wondering if they will ever get it. There will be something different then and that is that I will be the one passing out the pitchforks and torches.
I may be wrong but I doubt it.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Corporate Bonus • wall street • bad behavior • corporate geniuses • revolution • Call for Action • Call for Change • Call for Transparency • Where's my bailout • They don't get it • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
06 January 2009
New Year, New Passwords
It is the first full work week of the New Year and many of us are getting back to work after a long winter/holiday break. I do hope that you had a most wonderful time of the year. Remember, as of today (01/06/09) there are only 297 days till Halloween with the rest of the holiday season right behind, but I digress.
As we close in on the end of the first seven days of the new year, people are still working their resolutions and are diving head first into losing some of those unwanted pounds or read more or ____________(fill in the blank). Did you know that this is great time and opportunity to change your passwords?
Oh, Man....I don't wanna change my passwords.
Sorry folks, but it is good practice and it helps prevent hackers, phishers, and anyone other black hats out there from getting to your stuff. I am not saying anything new here; there are plenty of real world examples of bad guys doing bad things to Networks, PCs, and Credit Cards, so it’s up to you.
So take a few minutes and change your passwords and if possible change your ATM password as well. It is relatively simple and so very important. If you are running short of password ideas here are a few do's and don'ts.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Happy New Year • Passwords • Change • PC • atm • web sites • American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
As we close in on the end of the first seven days of the new year, people are still working their resolutions and are diving head first into losing some of those unwanted pounds or read more or ____________(fill in the blank). Did you know that this is great time and opportunity to change your passwords?
Oh, Man....I don't wanna change my passwords.
Sorry folks, but it is good practice and it helps prevent hackers, phishers, and anyone other black hats out there from getting to your stuff. I am not saying anything new here; there are plenty of real world examples of bad guys doing bad things to Networks, PCs, and Credit Cards, so it’s up to you.
So take a few minutes and change your passwords and if possible change your ATM password as well. It is relatively simple and so very important. If you are running short of password ideas here are a few do's and don'ts.
- Select a password you will not easily forget. While it is not advisable that you write down your password but if you must then you try the following. For example, if the password is “crayon” then you can write it on paper like this c _ _ _ o _ there ya go two letters and the appropriate number of blank spaces.
- Do not select a password that is a word you can find in a dictionary to include antidisestablishmentarianism. While you might be tempted to use a word, you can substitute numbers for letters such as the number 3 for the letter E, the number 1 for the letter L, and the number 0 for the letter O. As an example, the word “crayon” can look like this c r 4 y 0 n.
- The longer the better when it comes to passwords. As a rule, I tell people for it to be 8 characters in length or more. So do not the example of crayon because if everyone reads this post then everyone will know your password.
- In most cases passwords are case-sensitive, meaning that if your password has a capital letter you cannot use the lower case as a substitute. However, please mix it up with upper case, lower case and numbers and some symbols such as (! @ # $ % ^ & *) and even the space bar.
- If you have multiple accounts, please do not use the same password for all accounts. Mix things up as well. While it may be easier to keep track of one password, it will be easier for the bad guys to access all your accounts.
- Speaking of mixing things up, please ensure that your password does not consist of the same characters such as AAAAAAAA or 11111111 or a sequence of characters such as 12345678 or ABCDEFGH.
- Lastly, do NOT use any personal information. That means no birthdays such as JAN72009 or something that people could easily identify you with such as your license plate TXN127.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Happy New Year • Passwords • Change • PC • atm • web sites • American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
29 December 2008
I Know There's An Answer
Over the past couple of days a song has been playing inside my head and it won’t go away. No, it is not the Mahna-Mahna song even though I just wrote it, you just read it, and now it is in your head never to leave. Seriously, the song that has been rattling around my brain is one I had always heard but never paid attention to until this past weekend.
After really listening to it, the song got me thinking about how people treat other people.
There are numerous occasions that we find ourselves in situations of offering advice and “knowing” what’s right for someone. Whether they are blinded by love or hate or illness or just don’t want to be messed with yet, we know that we can help. I stand before you Guilty as charged. So what does this have to do with the song inside my head?
The song is “I Know There’s an Answer” by the Beach Boys from their classic album Pet Sounds. The song as described by Brian Wilson is about “the self-centeredness of people and how the singer tells them ‘...the way that they live could be better.’”
As I heard the song, not just listened to it, I paid attention to what was being sung and I really heard the words. I heard it for what it was: a warning.
The song serves as a warning to all of us; all of us that care but are not aware that what we offer is an answer that, unfortunately, is not the answer others need. This then leaves us in a unique situation of either having those people cut us off (because we are not helping) or we cut them off (because they don’t want our help). So what do we do? What does anyone do?
We stop and think about how sad life would be if people were constantly cutting each other off because no one wanted to hear or listen what the other was saying or would it be so sad? Imagine living in a world where no one would say “in my opinion” or “listen to what I am saying” or the dreaded twosome of “well back in my day” and “if you ask me.” Now that wouldn’t be so bad? And again, what does this have to do with the song?
As I wrote, I see this as a warning. A warning that you can take with you now and unfortunately, for others it may be too late. Especially, after the recent holiday gatherings, I know that there were many people that had discussions that started with the “if you ask me” header. I know that many people are going home angry, upset, sad, or deeper in the depression they started the holidays with.
Here is the take away: Think about what you are going to say and who you are going to say it to. The next time someone you truly care for tells you that they suffer from depression or just don’t want to be messed with, take it as a warning and keep your trap shut, no matter how you much you love that person. Especially if you think what you are going to say is the right thing.
Here is the song
Here are the lyrics:
I know so many people who think they can do it alone
They isolate their heads and stay in their safety zones
Now what can you tell them
And what can you say that won't make them defensive
I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
They come on like they're peaceful
But inside they're so uptight
They trip through their day
And waste all their thoughts at night
Now how can I come on
And tell them the way that they live could be better
I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
Now how can I come on
And tell them the way that they live could be better
I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • The Beach Boys • Pet Sounds • I know there's an answer • Holidays • Family • Friends • Loved Ones • depression • sadness • helping • American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
After really listening to it, the song got me thinking about how people treat other people.
There are numerous occasions that we find ourselves in situations of offering advice and “knowing” what’s right for someone. Whether they are blinded by love or hate or illness or just don’t want to be messed with yet, we know that we can help. I stand before you Guilty as charged. So what does this have to do with the song inside my head?
The song is “I Know There’s an Answer” by the Beach Boys from their classic album Pet Sounds. The song as described by Brian Wilson is about “the self-centeredness of people and how the singer tells them ‘...the way that they live could be better.’”
As I heard the song, not just listened to it, I paid attention to what was being sung and I really heard the words. I heard it for what it was: a warning.
The song serves as a warning to all of us; all of us that care but are not aware that what we offer is an answer that, unfortunately, is not the answer others need. This then leaves us in a unique situation of either having those people cut us off (because we are not helping) or we cut them off (because they don’t want our help). So what do we do? What does anyone do?
We stop and think about how sad life would be if people were constantly cutting each other off because no one wanted to hear or listen what the other was saying or would it be so sad? Imagine living in a world where no one would say “in my opinion” or “listen to what I am saying” or the dreaded twosome of “well back in my day” and “if you ask me.” Now that wouldn’t be so bad? And again, what does this have to do with the song?
As I wrote, I see this as a warning. A warning that you can take with you now and unfortunately, for others it may be too late. Especially, after the recent holiday gatherings, I know that there were many people that had discussions that started with the “if you ask me” header. I know that many people are going home angry, upset, sad, or deeper in the depression they started the holidays with.
Here is the take away: Think about what you are going to say and who you are going to say it to. The next time someone you truly care for tells you that they suffer from depression or just don’t want to be messed with, take it as a warning and keep your trap shut, no matter how you much you love that person. Especially if you think what you are going to say is the right thing.
Here is the song
Here are the lyrics:
I know so many people who think they can do it alone
They isolate their heads and stay in their safety zones
Now what can you tell them
And what can you say that won't make them defensive
I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
They come on like they're peaceful
But inside they're so uptight
They trip through their day
And waste all their thoughts at night
Now how can I come on
And tell them the way that they live could be better
I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
Now how can I come on
And tell them the way that they live could be better
I know there's an answer
I know now but I have to find it by myself
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • The Beach Boys • Pet Sounds • I know there's an answer • Holidays • Family • Friends • Loved Ones • depression • sadness • helping • American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
24 December 2008
08 December 2008
Holiday Time Off (something to think about)
It is Monday December 8, 2008 and we are a little over two weeks away from the big day when that jolly old elf comes down our chimneys. In the meantime, it might just be time to get yourself prepped for the days you and/or your organization will be closed for the holidays. While you are not preparing for a natural disaster but you are certainly preparing to have your doors closed for some much needed rest, relaxation, and maybe some hot buttered rum.
Seriously, there are a few things to consider before starting any prep work.
Know your calendar: Decide now which days you or your organization will be celebrating. Two things that make this decision quite easy; Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Thursday thus the perfect segue into a long, joyous weekend.
Days off vs. half-days: Now that you have decided on what days will be part of your holiday festivities. The next big decision is to determine if you will close shop for all the days (for the sake of the rest of this post let’s say the calendar days affected will be the two weeks that encompass Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s) or open for half days.
This may be a little lop-sided if you have employees, are you prepared to pay them for the time off from work if you decide to close for two weeks? Then would open all day with split shifts be the better solution? That way everyone gets a chance to come in, work a little, and keep their sanity ;)
Call forwarding vs. Voice Mail: If you are running a one or two person operation decide if you want your calls to be forwarded to your home office number or cell phone or keep it going to your voice mail. A word of advice, if you decide that you will keep your messages on voicemail then include in the outgoing message that you are closed for normal business but you will be checking your voicemail often and when normal business will resume.
Driving in vs. Remote Access: The next thing to consider that if you decide to do some work are prepared to do so? By this I mean, will you be accessing your computer at the office via a remote desktop application or will you be making the trek through the holiday traffic. I am more than sure that by your second trip in you will be scrambling to install TightVNC or setting up Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection software all in the name of protecting your sanity.
Let everyone know: Shout it from the highest roof tops…ok maybe not the rooftops, but most certainly give them a call, put it in an email, post it on a blog, upload it on your website, send a note. Of course there will always be at least one who won’t get the word. That’s OK, wish him a Merry Christmas or your appropriate seasonal greeting and move along.
On my next post, I will get into what you might need to do once you have made your decisions.
Happy Holidays!!!
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Holidays • time off from work • calendar • half days • call forwarding • voice mail • Remote Access • TightVNC • email • hot buttered rum • send a note • Happy Holidays • Give to the Salvation Army • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Seriously, there are a few things to consider before starting any prep work.
Know your calendar: Decide now which days you or your organization will be celebrating. Two things that make this decision quite easy; Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Thursday thus the perfect segue into a long, joyous weekend.
Days off vs. half-days: Now that you have decided on what days will be part of your holiday festivities. The next big decision is to determine if you will close shop for all the days (for the sake of the rest of this post let’s say the calendar days affected will be the two weeks that encompass Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s) or open for half days.
This may be a little lop-sided if you have employees, are you prepared to pay them for the time off from work if you decide to close for two weeks? Then would open all day with split shifts be the better solution? That way everyone gets a chance to come in, work a little, and keep their sanity ;)
Call forwarding vs. Voice Mail: If you are running a one or two person operation decide if you want your calls to be forwarded to your home office number or cell phone or keep it going to your voice mail. A word of advice, if you decide that you will keep your messages on voicemail then include in the outgoing message that you are closed for normal business but you will be checking your voicemail often and when normal business will resume.
Driving in vs. Remote Access: The next thing to consider that if you decide to do some work are prepared to do so? By this I mean, will you be accessing your computer at the office via a remote desktop application or will you be making the trek through the holiday traffic. I am more than sure that by your second trip in you will be scrambling to install TightVNC or setting up Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection software all in the name of protecting your sanity.
Let everyone know: Shout it from the highest roof tops…ok maybe not the rooftops, but most certainly give them a call, put it in an email, post it on a blog, upload it on your website, send a note. Of course there will always be at least one who won’t get the word. That’s OK, wish him a Merry Christmas or your appropriate seasonal greeting and move along.
On my next post, I will get into what you might need to do once you have made your decisions.
Happy Holidays!!!
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • Holidays • time off from work • calendar • half days • call forwarding • voice mail • Remote Access • TightVNC • email • hot buttered rum • send a note • Happy Holidays • Give to the Salvation Army • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
26 November 2008
USB Device Policy in the workplace
Happy Holidays Everyone,
Last week, on my podcast (Dave the I.T.Guy) I talked about how the U.S. Military has banned the use of all USB devices such as thumb drives, CDs, flash media cards, and all other removable data storage devices from their networks. For the time being that is, in an attempt to stop a serious malware condition from spreading any further.
It appears that the USB devices are being used by the troops tend to be privately owned, therefore, it is quite difficult for the military to control what the troops put on them or where they connect them. Therefore, the military has banned all "Personally owned or non-authorized devices."
There is a solution that the military is imposing. They will allow USB devices that have been screened and authenticated to be used, they will allow their own devices to be used and only military approved devices.
So what does this have to do with you and your business? A LOT!!!
Most importantly, if your organization has a Local Area Network then you certainly should be concerned. The concern should definitely come from the fact that you do not know what your network users are plugging into your USB drives and CD Drives. This is where you have to take a proactive approach and head them off at the pass.
Now is the time to address this very important issue with your network users. Remember, it is not just your livelihood at stake, it is theirs as well. Your network goes off-line, your users cannot do their work so and their livelihood suffers. Now is the time to enact an acceptable use policy for Universal Flash Drives (USB Memory Sticks).
This presentation is a simple Primer on how and why a USB Flash Device control in the workplace is essential
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • USB Devices • malware • virus • AUP • Acceptable Use Policy • UFD • ProActive • Universal Flash Drive • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
Last week, on my podcast (Dave the I.T.Guy) I talked about how the U.S. Military has banned the use of all USB devices such as thumb drives, CDs, flash media cards, and all other removable data storage devices from their networks. For the time being that is, in an attempt to stop a serious malware condition from spreading any further.
It appears that the USB devices are being used by the troops tend to be privately owned, therefore, it is quite difficult for the military to control what the troops put on them or where they connect them. Therefore, the military has banned all "Personally owned or non-authorized devices."
There is a solution that the military is imposing. They will allow USB devices that have been screened and authenticated to be used, they will allow their own devices to be used and only military approved devices.
So what does this have to do with you and your business? A LOT!!!
Most importantly, if your organization has a Local Area Network then you certainly should be concerned. The concern should definitely come from the fact that you do not know what your network users are plugging into your USB drives and CD Drives. This is where you have to take a proactive approach and head them off at the pass.
Now is the time to address this very important issue with your network users. Remember, it is not just your livelihood at stake, it is theirs as well. Your network goes off-line, your users cannot do their work so and their livelihood suffers. Now is the time to enact an acceptable use policy for Universal Flash Drives (USB Memory Sticks).
This presentation is a simple Primer on how and why a USB Flash Device control in the workplace is essential
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • USB Devices • malware • virus • AUP • Acceptable Use Policy • UFD • ProActive • Universal Flash Drive • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
15 October 2008
Dave's Blog Action Day Post Especially For You
Did you know that today is Blog Action Day and I am taking part. Blog Action Day is an annual nonprofit event that aims to unite the world’s bloggers, podcasters and videocasters, in posting about the same issue on the same day. The goal is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion about that issue. This year’s issue is poverty.
As I sat here thinking about what to write and say about Poverty and how we live in the wealthiest nation in the worlds and we produce more waste than Gross Domestic Product of many countries, it is well just sad. Yet, even close to home, may right down at the end of your street there is someone who is going to bed hungry tonight. Someone might just need more than a can of soup but a warm bowl of chicken noodle and a even warmer heart to help ease what hurts.
This keeps bringing me back to one of three of my all time favorite Christmas movies; Scrooged. At the end of the movie our hero Frank Cross, played by the immortal Bill Murray, discovers the true meaning of Christmas and in no uncertain terms Frank makes sure the world knows too. So I will let Frank Cross tell you in his own words and you will see how it applies to today (and everyday).
The video is 8 minutes long and the speech begins just after the 5 minute mark
Frank Cross: Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Tis the season to be jolly
Don we now our gay apparel
Troll the ancient yuletide carol
James Cross: We should be taping this.
Frank Cross: How did that happen?
That happened because it's Christmas Eve.
I'm not crazy. It's Christmas Eve.
It's the one night when we all act a little nicer.
We...we smile a little easier. We...we...share a little more.
For a couple of hours out of the whole year
we are the people that we always hoped we would be.
It's a Miracle, it's really a miracle because it happens
every Christmas Eve.
And if you waste that miracle, you're gonna burn for it. I know.
You have to do something. You have to take a chance
You do have to get involved.
There are people that are having trouble making their miracle happen
There are people that don't have enough to eat,
there are people who are cold.
You can go and say hello to these people.
You can take an old blanket out of the closet or make a sandwich
and say, "Here."
"I get it now."
And if you give, then it can happen, the miracle can happen to you.
Not just the poor and hungry, Everybody's gotta have this miracle!
It can happen tonight for you all!
If you believe in this pure thing,
the miracle will happen and you'll want it again tomorrow!
You won't say, "Christmas is once a year and it's a fraud." It's not!
It can happen every day! You've just got to want that feeling!
You'll want it every day! It can happen to you!
I believe in it now.
I believe it's gonna happen to me, now. I'm ready for it!
And it's great. It's a good feeling.
It's better than I've felt in a long time.
I'm ready.
===============================
So what can we do to keep the magic happening? GIVE...real simple GIVE. GIVE what you can: Give Your Time, Give Some Money, Give A Lot of Support...Just Give, remember a little goes a long way.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • poverty • Blog Action Day • Scrooged • Bill Murray • Frank Cross • Give • Share • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
As I sat here thinking about what to write and say about Poverty and how we live in the wealthiest nation in the worlds and we produce more waste than Gross Domestic Product of many countries, it is well just sad. Yet, even close to home, may right down at the end of your street there is someone who is going to bed hungry tonight. Someone might just need more than a can of soup but a warm bowl of chicken noodle and a even warmer heart to help ease what hurts.
This keeps bringing me back to one of three of my all time favorite Christmas movies; Scrooged. At the end of the movie our hero Frank Cross, played by the immortal Bill Murray, discovers the true meaning of Christmas and in no uncertain terms Frank makes sure the world knows too. So I will let Frank Cross tell you in his own words and you will see how it applies to today (and everyday).
The video is 8 minutes long and the speech begins just after the 5 minute mark
Frank Cross: Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Tis the season to be jolly
Don we now our gay apparel
Troll the ancient yuletide carol
James Cross: We should be taping this.
Frank Cross: How did that happen?
That happened because it's Christmas Eve.
I'm not crazy. It's Christmas Eve.
It's the one night when we all act a little nicer.
We...we smile a little easier. We...we...share a little more.
For a couple of hours out of the whole year
we are the people that we always hoped we would be.
It's a Miracle, it's really a miracle because it happens
every Christmas Eve.
And if you waste that miracle, you're gonna burn for it. I know.
You have to do something. You have to take a chance
You do have to get involved.
There are people that are having trouble making their miracle happen
There are people that don't have enough to eat,
there are people who are cold.
You can go and say hello to these people.
You can take an old blanket out of the closet or make a sandwich
and say, "Here."
"I get it now."
And if you give, then it can happen, the miracle can happen to you.
Not just the poor and hungry, Everybody's gotta have this miracle!
It can happen tonight for you all!
If you believe in this pure thing,
the miracle will happen and you'll want it again tomorrow!
You won't say, "Christmas is once a year and it's a fraud." It's not!
It can happen every day! You've just got to want that feeling!
You'll want it every day! It can happen to you!
I believe in it now.
I believe it's gonna happen to me, now. I'm ready for it!
And it's great. It's a good feeling.
It's better than I've felt in a long time.
I'm ready.
===============================
So what can we do to keep the magic happening? GIVE...real simple GIVE. GIVE what you can: Give Your Time, Give Some Money, Give A Lot of Support...Just Give, remember a little goes a long way.
Here are some Technorati Tags:
• Dave Guerra • poverty • Blog Action Day • Scrooged • Bill Murray • Frank Cross • Give • Share • Give to the American Red Cross • Hire A Hero
12 October 2008
Are Celebrity Endorsements Still Needed or Relevant for Local Businesses?
I am asking this question for all the marketing pundits to toss around and when an answer has been determined please let me know.
Today is Sunday and my TV screen is reserved for the National Football League Sunday afternoon presentations. It goes without saying commercials are also a part of my Sunday afternoon. So there are plenty of ads that are specifically for the Sunday afternoon audience. There is one set of ads in particular that have caught my eye (per sé).
There are two local Lasik Eye Surgeons who seem to have cornered the market on Sports Celebrities in their commercials. It seems that they have some kind of deal worked out with Professional Football Players from the Dallas area where in exchange for some eye work there is a simple endorsement via TV and Radio commercials.
Don't get me wrong I understand the need for endorsements, however, these guys just over do it. It is now to the point that these two "medical professionals" are in an all out shoot out to out do each other. Every commercial they have put out has been with at least one "professional football player from Dallas." There was one (and only one) exception to this: one commercial in which one of the eye doctors did have a few endorsements from several prominent doctors and one city mayor, still I have yet to see these two include an endorsement from an everyday bloke or lady.
Where am I coming from with this? My vision is not what it used to be and I have reading glasses (for now). Thus I have considered the option of the Laser surgery for my vision. However, these two guys in the need to compete against each other have started to place themselves out of the reach of everyday people. So I am losing interesting in what they offer as I fear that am not socially or financially within their reach.
I wonder if even one of these guys would consider bringing themselves back down to their intended customer's level and have possibly a Teacher or Police Officer endorse the service they offer?
So I ask this question: At what point does the celebrity endorsement stop having the effect it was intended to and start to create a sense of being out of reach for (or out of touch with) the target audience?
Anyone, please feel free to respond.
Technorati Tags: Dave Guerra, celebrity endorsement, professional football players, Dallas, Lasik, Eye Surgery, Eye Surgeons, Optometrist, Opthamologist, PRK, Advertising, Local Business, commercials,Local Business, marketing
Today is Sunday and my TV screen is reserved for the National Football League Sunday afternoon presentations. It goes without saying commercials are also a part of my Sunday afternoon. So there are plenty of ads that are specifically for the Sunday afternoon audience. There is one set of ads in particular that have caught my eye (per sé).
There are two local Lasik Eye Surgeons who seem to have cornered the market on Sports Celebrities in their commercials. It seems that they have some kind of deal worked out with Professional Football Players from the Dallas area where in exchange for some eye work there is a simple endorsement via TV and Radio commercials.
Don't get me wrong I understand the need for endorsements, however, these guys just over do it. It is now to the point that these two "medical professionals" are in an all out shoot out to out do each other. Every commercial they have put out has been with at least one "professional football player from Dallas." There was one (and only one) exception to this: one commercial in which one of the eye doctors did have a few endorsements from several prominent doctors and one city mayor, still I have yet to see these two include an endorsement from an everyday bloke or lady.
Where am I coming from with this? My vision is not what it used to be and I have reading glasses (for now). Thus I have considered the option of the Laser surgery for my vision. However, these two guys in the need to compete against each other have started to place themselves out of the reach of everyday people. So I am losing interesting in what they offer as I fear that am not socially or financially within their reach.
I wonder if even one of these guys would consider bringing themselves back down to their intended customer's level and have possibly a Teacher or Police Officer endorse the service they offer?
So I ask this question: At what point does the celebrity endorsement stop having the effect it was intended to and start to create a sense of being out of reach for (or out of touch with) the target audience?
Anyone, please feel free to respond.
Technorati Tags: Dave Guerra, celebrity endorsement, professional football players, Dallas, Lasik, Eye Surgery, Eye Surgeons, Optometrist, Opthamologist, PRK, Advertising, Local Business, commercials,Local Business, marketing
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