Blog

Many companies make the mistake of treating their companies like children. The lives of their employees are governed by policies that extend beyond the wall of the office. Although some policies are well-intentioned, allowing a legal department or the whim of a controlling executive to dictate the behavior of employees is both counterproductive and damaging to employee morale.

(more…)

Source.

I really like these guys.

Cedric Nabe is exceptional.

Cedric came to the US in 2004 on a track scholarship from Geneva, Switzerland. He didn’t speak English and had no friends or family in the US.  Despite the struggle to keep up with his athletics and academics, he managed to make the All American and All ACC during his first year at FSU. He went on to become captain of the track team, led the team to a National Title, and was a member of the 4×100 Meter Relay Team that broke the university’s record.

…and that’s just athletics.

Cedric mastered the English language in short order. He was able to make both the Dean’s list and the President’s list before graduating. He majored in Information Technology and was awarded the 2007 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award for a web application that he built for student-athletes like himself called the SportLog. Cedric chaired the FSU chapter of the Association of IT Professionals and increased its membership many times over.

(more…)

I’m sitting in the Atlanta Airport and I have a few moments to kill, so I thought I’d share something that really bothers me. In the airports that AirTran services, they have kiosks set up where they sign people up for credit cards and give them some ridiculous teddy bear or something. Cool.

I don’t have an issue with people being signed up for their cards. I have one. I ­do have a problem, however, with the way they’re going about it. Customers are called over by one of up to three or young persons standing behind a counter. People are called over as if they’re being helped, but they’re actually being signed up for a credit card. The whole process takes less than five minutes, and in the time that I sat and observed it (although I’ve seen it many times before), it disgusted me to the point of wanting to interrupt the transactions.

(more…)

If you’re not looking out for yourself, no one is.

Pushback is the term used to describe standing ones ground in the workplace. It could be an employee against a demanding boss, a project team against unreasonable deadlines, or a consultant against a unfavorable contract. You get the idea.

Essentially, it boils down to how much of your time, effort, life, and vitality you’re willing to give something. That might sound hyperbolic, but it’s not. Corporate America, on the whole, is a heartless beast. It will drain you of every ounce of strength and free time that you have to give. Late nights, weekends spent working, and abbreviated vacations are represent the reality that some people live. I’m not saying that all companies are like that. Not at all.

What I’m saying is that it can happen. You volunteer to work a weekend because you’re up for promotion and you want to look good for reviews. You stay late every Friday night so your boss can see you in the office once when everyone else is gone. Soon, you find yourself doing these things out of habit. Then these things become expected of you.

That’s when the trouble starts.

Actually, the trouble started the moment you volunteered without knowing what you were getting yourself into. It doesn’t have to be this way.

It’s important to keep your career in perspective. Another 10 – 20K per year is not going to change your life. Your project will trudge on without you. You will never attend your child’s high school graduation and wish you could have spent more time in the office. Your significant other will never wish you’d stop leaving your Blackberry at home while you’re on vacation.

Just a gentle reminder that work isn’t going anywhere.

Is anything more important than customer service?

I was in the airport this morning and had some time to kill. I walked up to a place that sold smoothies, and wondered why no one else was in line. The two stores next to the Smoothie place (fast food and coffee, respectively) had winding lines.

I approached the young lady working there and asked her if they sold Acai smoothies. She gave an almost imperceptible nod – shyly, as if I correctly guessed the color of her undergarments and asked for confirmation. I smiled as I prepared myself for the conversation that would come next. Since it was obvious that the young lady detested her own employment, I diligently scoured the menu for the the Acai smoothies so I could complete my transaction with a minimum of friction (communication).

I was unable to locate the section, so I asked her how the smoothies in question were sold. Without opening her mouth, she leaned across the counter and pointed to a display sign advertising the Acai smoothies. Somewhat helpful, thanks. At this point, I strongly considered leaving. I had to decide whether or not my patience could take the final leg of the transaction.

I ordered the smoothie and it was great, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how awful her customer service skills were. I won’t be back, under any circumstances. Instead of me recommending them to my friend and readers, I’m posting this entry on how unpleasant my experience was.

Looking back, I can’t imagine why people weren’t lining up for smoothies.