Archive for the ‘General’ Category

For way too long, I was always the Martyr. Had the misplaced belief that, if I did my job with excellence, I’d be recognized for my work. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t work that way. If you’re not also tooting your own horn, the world just passes you by. Some will love you, most won’t know enough to miss you when you’re gone.

This is also one of the beauties of contemporary social media. It gives everyone who care to pick it up, a bull horn to serve their own purposes. Even today I’m probably too conservative in self-aggrandizing activity, but I’m working at it.

The article triggering the thought, originally is courtesy of Chris Guillebeau discussing what Hustling is.

Joey Roth created the artwork and I think you’ll agree, no words are needed beyond the labels.

(photo credit: Joey Roth)

Given current economic conditions it is hard to believe there may be a looming labor shortage in the U.S. Periodicals of all size and repute have discussed the topic. Just do a search (boomer “labor shortage”) and read a few articles to reach your own conclusion.

The short version, as soon as 3-5 years the U.S., due to increasing numbers of Boomers retiring, will be left with a smaller, less-experienced work force.

There are so many variables, the argument won’t have been decided for another 20-30 years .

Tied to concerns of a potential labor shortage are concerns involving knowledge transfer.  As the more ‘worldly’ move on, they’re taking their hard-won knowledge with them.  Those left behind will have to relearn everything themselves.  There is a potential loss of competitiveness from things like lost productivity, re-learning, and ability to recruit to meet needs.

Here’s a real-world example.

Read the rest of this entry »

Today, feel like loosening up a bit. Maybe I’ll post a more-serious blog post today…and then again…maybe I won’t:).  For those closest to me, you’re likely aware there’s a much-awaited new member to my family.  Tigger is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (GSMD), or Swissy for short, coming to us from Wildest Dream Farm.  At 15 weeks, she’s already clocking over 35 lbs and has been an absolute pleasure.

More than prior puppies I’ve had, Tigger has an incredible ability to attract followers and become a local celebrity.  Some of her litter mates have inquired as to how she’s been able to attract such fanfare.

According to Tigger herself, here are her Top-10 steps for obtaining celebrity

1. Look cute
2. Find high-traffic areas; like corner coffee shops, store entrances
3. Frequent, repeated visits, so they know to expect you
4. Video spots, YouTube can help
5. Social media participation – Facebook posts are good. Fan page
   probably over the top though.
6. Post pics to Flickr
7. No biting, minimal barking—not a problem for us Swissies
8. Posturing (sitting puppy, puppy’down-head between paws, tail wagging)
9. Occasional bathing for lustrous gotta-touch coat.
10. Have a nut-job for an owner
11. BONUS: This is the big one—Love others as much as they love you!

Hope you’re ready for a Grrreat! weekend,

Tigger!

Two things triggered the following post today. First, was a stop at the local mall. Second, was happening across an online article on ereaders.

This afternoon my wife and I happened by the local Apple store. It was my wife’s first iPad interaction. She’s seen, and briefly used, my Sony eReader PRS-505. She ‘gets’ the eReader. Over lunch, I was surprised when she asked me where the iPad ‘fit,’ and who it was best suited for.

Darn good question…as the sole device for someone…it’s a narrow market. I think she said it right. In her mind the iPad’s a luxury device. Most of us need a computer first, iPad later. It’s been said elsewhere, of course. But I found it very interesting coming from someone who focus is elsewhere; not worrying about ‘iPad dominance’ or ebooks and ereaders..

Eventually, Read the rest of this entry »

A very common summer experience for Americans is a summer, ‘road trip.’  Many of us first experience this quintessential summer experience as children, riding in the back of the family sedan, heading off to points far far away.

This experience varies a lot by who you are in the car (SUV, crossover, truck, whatever).  The dog’s experience is typically from 6” above the floor; nothing to see, warm vibrating floor, stuffy. Kids might be able to just see out the windows, a tad bored, asking, “are we there yet?”  As adults, as parents, we get the full exposure of the experience.  The dog(s), kid(s), logistics, climate control, road signs, and near-hourly stops at restrooms and vendors for snacks or drinks.

Have you stopped to think about what made certain portions of the road trip more or less enjoyable?

Take a look at just two parts of the trip that can have a significant impact on Mom & Dad: Construction and Pit Stops.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sometimes, it’s nice to just relax.  Have some fun.  See what happens.  Recently, my family and I (JT) became proud owners of a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (GSMD) pup, Swissy for short, named Tigger.  She’s proven to be an absolutely beautiful dog, both personality-wise and cosmetically.

The breeders, John & Tina Bailey, Wildest Dream Farm, created a Google Group for the litter’s owners.  We’ve had great fun learning, comparing notes, and sharing pictures and stories.  Today, Tigger had a trip to the vet for more shots, and shared her story with the group.  Now that the background has been set, here’s her story, my new guest blogger, in her own words…

.

Greetings,

For my siblings, comparing notes, JT took me to the vet again. Strange place.  Smelled funny.  And then, there were two sets of doors we had to go through on the way in.  Why do places need doors anyway? They just keep me from being able to pee on the grass whenever I want.  Carpet’s a good substitute though.

Read the rest of this entry »

This past Friday, I attended a competition worth $50,000.  In short, five entrepreneurs had been selected as finalists in a business plan competition.  Each had 3 minutes to present their business plan and then do a 1 minute Q&A session.  Targeting about :30 for all 5 to present, it actually took just shy of 40 minutes.

Here were the five companies:

• Data center cooling solution
• Sign language system (for the deaf)
• Coffee shop point of sale (POS) system
• Diesel/Ethanol hybrid fuel system
• Pre/Post conception gender determiner

Of all the companies originally submitting it is hard to imagine a more diverse group of finalists.

Question is, if you were being asked, as an investor, to pony up $50,000 based on a 4 minute discussion, how would you decide?  Surprisingly, keeping this frame of thought in mind, it became very clear, very quickly, who I would put my money behind.

At a very high level:

Read the rest of this entry »

Therein lays the first clue of what to fix: ‘employee’ retention. There are uncounted articles written about employee retention. Employee retention is a very human topic. Yet the vast majority of related articles treat their subject (we humans) very impersonally, like things. Not, ‘how to keep your people,’ or, ‘how to keep your team together.’ Rather it’s ‘employees.’ Makes the topic sound about as exciting as personnel, headcount, ‘bodies’ (my least favorite).

It’s interesting. Do me a favor and try doing a couple internet searches. Try, ‘why employees leave’. And then, try swapping out ‘employee’ with ‘people’, or something similar, and see what happens. All of a sudden, your results go from being very dry, very clinical in nature, to results that tend to have human interest, deal with real ‘people’ issues.

Think about it, do you think it matters? It sure does, for me. How do you feel when referred to as ‘employee’ versus ‘team member’?

There are a few basic keys to keeping people engaged. They are trust, communication, faith, and guts.

Read the rest of this entry »

Someone asked me this question, last week.  How do you learn?  Struck me as not only a genuine question, but one I hadn’t thought about in some time.

How do you learn?

Prior to the advent of the internet, digital media, and ubiquitous connectivity (for most), we were largely constrained to three methods.  Social (talk with people), reading, and video.  There just weren’t too many ‘other’ options.  Now, there’re so many it really is worth thinking about.

Digital mediums have dramatically changed all three of the traditional mediums. Social learning was largely limited to in-person face-to-face activity.  These might be local business events, service club gatherings, or simply talking with a mentor or friend over coffee.  Now, we have the ability to ‘talk’ continuously to folks through instant messaging, social networks, telephony (e.g. Skype) and more.  We can ‘talk’ until our minds go numb.  My view is that face-to-face cannot be beat—but it isn’t always possible.

Read the rest of this entry »

A bit off-target for my blog, I have seen this basic question come up at least four times in recent weeks.  Many job seekers, increasingly hungry for work, have begun to adopt a, “I’ll work anywhere there’s work…” mindset.

This mindset certainly seems reasonable if you’re in Michigan.  For the first time in 10 years, Michigan is expected to have positive job growth. Imagine.  A new University of Michigan economic forecast, just out, is now being discussed.  For a state that’s lost 855,000 jobs in the past 10 years (since June, 2000), 230,000+ last year alone, state job growth is forecast to increase for the first time.  With only 20K new jobs expected next year, moving anywhere, somewhere, certainly seems a requirement for many.

The question may be where?  And, how do you decide?

Should you consider the unemployment rate before jumping?  The short answer is Yes. Among other things…

Read the rest of this entry »