We last held a barbecue at our house just after Labor Day 2008. This weekend with all the same guests (save one) we held the first barbecue this year. The patio is finished and the whole event seemed surreal in a way. We have been under much stress and the relief was quite refreshing. Life is slowly getting back to normal the stuff we lost is being replaced (at a much slower pace) and the new grill is fantastic!.
Although it was just Hamburgers and hot dogs it felt as we had just had a picnic last week..
I am angry still at the insurance company and that is a resentment I think I can hold on to for awhile.
I wish to thank My Brother In Law for all of his help in getting the yard in shape and Isaac for the help in the garage. To my wife this is just a start and we have much to do still but we will get it all taken care of in short order.
Expect the before and after pictures as soon as we have the doors in place nd the final inspection completed.
Imagine, 8 months from fire to feast, 13 guests, 20 Hamburgers 16 Hot Dogs, Homemade salads and deserts. Lots of pop and mostly Laughter and the love of friends and Family. This is what summers are all about.
It’s Been a long time coming!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
a play on banned buzzwords
We need some face time with the lexicon of the industry with some banned buzzwords that have been pushing the envelope of productivity. Because on the ground there are a lot of Parking lot issues about kicking the tires of post-mortem, process driven, eager beavers standing on the platform, picking the pockets of resistance. The next steps are to take a quick hit and pull the trigger so we can bury this one outside the box while taking a Helicopter view of lessons learned by using banned buzzwords.
The other day I was taking a thought shower and dropped the soap while trying to Throw it against the wall and see if it sticks I slipped and fell Under the bus which was moving forward on the ground floor in the third sector with a ten thousand foot view of wordsmithing wishlist of water cooler Solutions that make up this blog.
Yes I am trying to be transparent and uber seamless in utilizing the words I am not supposed to use in this songsheet of tools that socialize the issues of what we are not supposed to use in meaningful dialog.
They say it is mission critical that I transfer knowledge upon you due to my out of the loop mindset and vast experience in the jobjar! The real deal here is the game plan we have because it’s that time of year again to facilitate our competencies build up the bottom line of our community of learners so we can enhance the environment of blue sky thinking thus becoming the best of breed when it comes to empowering the core values of this department.
The best practice here is not to get caught in the eddies or with them while crosscutting and drilling down to that simple plan of brining the bells and whistles to the cost cutting of the consumer-centric that is our customer.
The game changer here is to have a heads up on the high level expectations of our off the shelf clientele
Leveraging our experience with multi-tasking . put the best foot forward on the path to success lest we get caught in the perfect storm of slippage into the synergistic talking points that get far too streamlined into top down warm and fuzzy feelings toward sustainable world –class and tested for soundness technical support.
There I have used them all ,the list of words and phrases some visionary in Marketing has told us not to use. These words are spewed out in some surreal songsheet of conversation with the client, as we do not know what the hell we are saying. Using this blog as a temperature gauge of our written communications with each other and the end user as well our fellow cohorts will keep us in the forefront of lasting ownership of the situation and solution of the client needs. So at the end of business we are on the same page as the other departments without confusing the other guys with a bunch of nonsense!
When the rubber hits the road the competition will be pushed off the platform, on the ground floor running under the bus because we just dropped the dime on them!
The other day I was taking a thought shower and dropped the soap while trying to Throw it against the wall and see if it sticks I slipped and fell Under the bus which was moving forward on the ground floor in the third sector with a ten thousand foot view of wordsmithing wishlist of water cooler Solutions that make up this blog.
Yes I am trying to be transparent and uber seamless in utilizing the words I am not supposed to use in this songsheet of tools that socialize the issues of what we are not supposed to use in meaningful dialog.
They say it is mission critical that I transfer knowledge upon you due to my out of the loop mindset and vast experience in the jobjar! The real deal here is the game plan we have because it’s that time of year again to facilitate our competencies build up the bottom line of our community of learners so we can enhance the environment of blue sky thinking thus becoming the best of breed when it comes to empowering the core values of this department.
The best practice here is not to get caught in the eddies or with them while crosscutting and drilling down to that simple plan of brining the bells and whistles to the cost cutting of the consumer-centric that is our customer.
The game changer here is to have a heads up on the high level expectations of our off the shelf clientele
Leveraging our experience with multi-tasking . put the best foot forward on the path to success lest we get caught in the perfect storm of slippage into the synergistic talking points that get far too streamlined into top down warm and fuzzy feelings toward sustainable world –class and tested for soundness technical support.
There I have used them all ,the list of words and phrases some visionary in Marketing has told us not to use. These words are spewed out in some surreal songsheet of conversation with the client, as we do not know what the hell we are saying. Using this blog as a temperature gauge of our written communications with each other and the end user as well our fellow cohorts will keep us in the forefront of lasting ownership of the situation and solution of the client needs. So at the end of business we are on the same page as the other departments without confusing the other guys with a bunch of nonsense!
When the rubber hits the road the competition will be pushed off the platform, on the ground floor running under the bus because we just dropped the dime on them!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Under pressure (The cost of being a customer)
Some time ago I was approached with a demonstration for my nephew. This was his new job and he is selling fire alarm systems for homes. This is pretty good stuff I might add.
The demonstration was filled with newsy stuff about the dynamics of a fire and all that happens in the 2 or 3 seconds you have to collect your thoughts and get to action getting out (best bet) or put it out which is not always your best bet.
We agreed we needed the system and promised to purchase one when the time was right.
Well 2 months later we had a fire and all the commotion that followed (see other posts), Then after long last the insurance paid off and we were in the process of getting the Garage rebuilt This is not complete as of yet but we are close.
So my Nephew calls us the other day and asked if we were ready to buy the system ($3,000 worth), “But Uncle you really need this after all you have already had a fire. (National average is one fire in a life time, typically) I am not typical.. by no means! Well I said I did promise to by one but all in good time. I want the house finished before I get this (a big choice was an a/c unit or this).Then the second call came in “But Uncle I have to have my work order in by the end of the week” I asked “ is your boss pushing you? “Sorta”. I told him I would call back.
In discussion with my wife she said we needed the system but we still need to finish the garage. I agreed and called him back “we want to wait about a month” . “But you promised!” I asked “Are they still bugging you?” Now it is the regional manager he replied.
Then came the text messages, the voice mails and only an hour had passed. “ Can we do the paper work and install it now? I can put the application through and you can pay later?” “That would be fine but Credit is something the fire helped to remove from me along with my tolerance for pushy salesmen!
A week passed after I exclaimed “Enough! I will buy when I am DAMN GOOD AND READY!! At a family picnic my nephew was there and the boss showed up. “Hey give him a break, I really didn’t like the way you yelled at him!” “Expletive deleted” Pat! ( This is a family site ya know) I will buy it when I am ready and I still have added expenses with the Garage as it is.” Well we will talk later he said. That reminded me of the little kid in the movies that shakes his fist and says I will get even!
I was at the Grand Fathers Day celebration and sure enough (you guessed it) he was there!
“OKAY!” I will fill out the paper work!, “Oh then you’re ready to install?
NO! Paperwork that’s all! Oh! he said with great disappointment.
“By the way I have to go to a friends house so I can pick Cherries for Grandpa, Want to come with me?”
“Sure”
Some Friend (dare I say Fiend) He takes me to Pats house to pick cherries. While ther the topic of the application came up. I said ok. Then before we left the car was filled with alarms and detectors and a free gift or three. The next day I was once again pressured to fill out the application. “Wait The Bank information is missing!” That’s Right I said (I never intended a credit application to be completed) “But I will get in deep trouble if it isn’t filled out the proper way!” This was his first solo sales gig.
My Nephew was very upset I was feeling pressure from him. His boss and my wife (family thing ya know?) I Exclaimed, “ALRIGHT, DAMN IT!” Her take this check and get out!
I am 3,000 dollars lighter and much relieved that if I have a fire that I have 2 or 3 seconds to get out or put the damn thing out and my homeowners insurance (who ever it will be with) (see posts) will be 25% less!
Ring a ding!
The Frustrating thing is that I succumbed to higher than normal pressure, I Bought the thing not to save my home or save money or protect my home (all the right reasons and was going to happen anyway) but to get them off my back! This was a bad customer move. Note to sales department: use leverage but not pressure.
Use the unfortunate event do not prey upon it and last but not least never do this with a family member.
My Nephew is happy, I am protected, Family is safe and I am a better customer for the experience!
Next week you should see my new Garage! I hope!
The demonstration was filled with newsy stuff about the dynamics of a fire and all that happens in the 2 or 3 seconds you have to collect your thoughts and get to action getting out (best bet) or put it out which is not always your best bet.
We agreed we needed the system and promised to purchase one when the time was right.
Well 2 months later we had a fire and all the commotion that followed (see other posts), Then after long last the insurance paid off and we were in the process of getting the Garage rebuilt This is not complete as of yet but we are close.
So my Nephew calls us the other day and asked if we were ready to buy the system ($3,000 worth), “But Uncle you really need this after all you have already had a fire. (National average is one fire in a life time, typically) I am not typical.. by no means! Well I said I did promise to by one but all in good time. I want the house finished before I get this (a big choice was an a/c unit or this).Then the second call came in “But Uncle I have to have my work order in by the end of the week” I asked “ is your boss pushing you? “Sorta”. I told him I would call back.
In discussion with my wife she said we needed the system but we still need to finish the garage. I agreed and called him back “we want to wait about a month” . “But you promised!” I asked “Are they still bugging you?” Now it is the regional manager he replied.
Then came the text messages, the voice mails and only an hour had passed. “ Can we do the paper work and install it now? I can put the application through and you can pay later?” “That would be fine but Credit is something the fire helped to remove from me along with my tolerance for pushy salesmen!
A week passed after I exclaimed “Enough! I will buy when I am DAMN GOOD AND READY!! At a family picnic my nephew was there and the boss showed up. “Hey give him a break, I really didn’t like the way you yelled at him!” “Expletive deleted” Pat! ( This is a family site ya know) I will buy it when I am ready and I still have added expenses with the Garage as it is.” Well we will talk later he said. That reminded me of the little kid in the movies that shakes his fist and says I will get even!
I was at the Grand Fathers Day celebration and sure enough (you guessed it) he was there!
“OKAY!” I will fill out the paper work!, “Oh then you’re ready to install?
NO! Paperwork that’s all! Oh! he said with great disappointment.
“By the way I have to go to a friends house so I can pick Cherries for Grandpa, Want to come with me?”
“Sure”
Some Friend (dare I say Fiend) He takes me to Pats house to pick cherries. While ther the topic of the application came up. I said ok. Then before we left the car was filled with alarms and detectors and a free gift or three. The next day I was once again pressured to fill out the application. “Wait The Bank information is missing!” That’s Right I said (I never intended a credit application to be completed) “But I will get in deep trouble if it isn’t filled out the proper way!” This was his first solo sales gig.
My Nephew was very upset I was feeling pressure from him. His boss and my wife (family thing ya know?) I Exclaimed, “ALRIGHT, DAMN IT!” Her take this check and get out!
I am 3,000 dollars lighter and much relieved that if I have a fire that I have 2 or 3 seconds to get out or put the damn thing out and my homeowners insurance (who ever it will be with) (see posts) will be 25% less!
Ring a ding!
The Frustrating thing is that I succumbed to higher than normal pressure, I Bought the thing not to save my home or save money or protect my home (all the right reasons and was going to happen anyway) but to get them off my back! This was a bad customer move. Note to sales department: use leverage but not pressure.
Use the unfortunate event do not prey upon it and last but not least never do this with a family member.
My Nephew is happy, I am protected, Family is safe and I am a better customer for the experience!
Next week you should see my new Garage! I hope!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Hey, It's not my job!
This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
Source: www.comedy-zone.net
Who’s job is it? All of ours. When we need to get to the bottom of an issue, it is not abnormal to go to Client services or sales to get an answer and communicate the information you received back to the customer. I have led Sales to new clients or added services to a customers program. This is not unusual, as this is how teams work together. The 4 people in the above story remind me of places I have worked at in the past. Where everyone knew it wasn’t their job.
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.
Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it.
It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done.
Source: www.comedy-zone.net
Who’s job is it? All of ours. When we need to get to the bottom of an issue, it is not abnormal to go to Client services or sales to get an answer and communicate the information you received back to the customer. I have led Sales to new clients or added services to a customers program. This is not unusual, as this is how teams work together. The 4 people in the above story remind me of places I have worked at in the past. Where everyone knew it wasn’t their job.
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