Do You Read Directions?

Oops-you just did it again. You just assembled your new office furniture and only had a few parts left over. You tell yourself “that shouldn’t matter, they always ship extra parts.” But wait! –why won’t your new spiffy chair roll across the floor? You are probably experiencing an ailment that is very common, especially to men, of not reading the instructions. And this is probably not the first time this has happened.

Putting together your new office furniture, your kid’s bike, or your new lawnmower is not the only place that reading (and following) the instructions is important. Have you ever submitted an application for something important only to have it returned for more information or a missing signature? This type of delay could be very expensive, especially if there was a time limit on your application. The problem was easily avoided if you had read (and follow) the instructions.

I have found that some instructions are very hard to comprehend because they were created in another language and in another culture and then translated for our use. It is pretty easy to not follow these directions because they don’t make sense, or sometimes even leave out important steps of the process. Others, however, are amazing in their completeness and ease of understanding. If you just follow one step at a time, in order, not jumping ahead of yourself, the item goes together very easily, and you won’t have any parts left over. If you try to out smart the directions you are likely to create chaos and have more trouble correcting your mistakes than you would have had if you’d followed the instructions in the first place.

This advice about following the directions applies not only to mechanical things, like tools and toys, but also to software, computer programs, cameras, and other communication devices. Technology instructions often fit into that category of translated instructions that make no sense. I know I don’t have a technology gene so I have learned to rely on one of my partners for help. Just hand them the device, admit you are dumb, and wait—they will always find the answer for you.

Asking for help is the surest way of avoiding chaos and sensory overload. You will also make lots of points with your friends, because they want to be helpful and they will like it that they are smarter than you. You now have an opportunity to make your friends happy, not strain your brain, and move up to the next level of technology so you can race ahead, until the next time you get a new toy.

What now...

The question is---how do you get back “up on the horse” after a week or more of major crises in your life? I’ve just had one of those weeks that none of us needs or deserves. In one week I had to face my mother’s death, major court mediation, and a car accident that came close to totaling my car (fortunately, nobody was hurt). These are all life changing experiences, but handled one at a time they can be easily endured. When they all happen in one week, they can each be monumental and difficult to handle. Your normal life definitely gets put on hold.

I have always believed that adversity is an opportunity to learn something of importance, whether it be how to address a problem or how not to do something. The most challenged, unsuccessful person in the world can be a great teacher of how not to confront a problem. This awareness can easily be spun into a positive lesson.
What am I supposed to be learning from last week, besides patience? As I look around on Monday morning trying to assess what this week might hold I realize that I have basically been in hiding. My mail has piled up, my house is a mess, the laundry is taking over and I don’t know where to start to dig out.

A friend has just suggested the standard advice, get up, dress up and show up. This just means putting on a happy face and moving forward. Another bit of advice that comes to mind is “fake it ‘til you make it.” This may be all I can do for now. It will probably take some time for me to really get back on track. I do know that forward momentum breeds forward momentum. Just because I’m overwhelmed now doesn’t mean that I will always be that way. Time will lead me out of this chaos and back on the path to serenity.

... its going to be a great ride.

Are you ready to act like the Roadrunner and fall off the cliff into the abyss? With the bankruptcy of General Motors yesterday, we are about to experience dynamic changes in our culture and our futures. As uncertain and overwhelmed we were the last time we made major cultural changes, we survived it, and we will survive it again. The only real difference this time is the pace of our lives and the speed with which we encounter change.

The last major change was the transformation from the industrial age to the information age. In that case specifically General Motors, and all its support systems, is going to emerge from its restructuring activities in a whole new form; bigger and stronger, but very different from today. The industry grew up 50+ years ago and hasn’t aged gracefully. It is going to have to become leaner and more responsive to its customers (both internal and external) in order to survive. New technologies will be embraced and new inspirations will be encouraged. It has been several generations since we were able to witness such changes and these will be even more dynamic than previously. Hang on—its going to be a great ride.

SPARKY

She was an amazingly strong woman. Not muscles strong, strong of character. Her essence told you that she cared and would do whatever she could to help you reach your next goal or master your next challenge.

As far as I know she was raised by a “wannabe” society lady and a character of some interest, although time has faded those memories. She grew up in Brooklyn, which in the 20’s and 30’s had a special character of its own; then in San Francisco, a magical place for the coming of age of a young lady.

Our heroine survived all the traumas life had to offer in the 20th century; wars, depression, economies, both plus and minus, and major culture shifts. She waltzed thru all of it. She became a highly respected artist and teacher and a mom. I’m sure that she would consider her family her greatest accomplishment.

Her family consisted of her husband who she cherished (and bickered with) for 66 years, a daughter and a son. During the “growing up” years for her children she developed an amazing sense of humor. She put up with her son cutting the neighbor’s flowers and then selling the “bouquets” back to them for a penny or two. She showed phenomenal restraint when her daughter “cooked” eucalyptus perfume in the kitchen and then packaged it in all the available perfume bottles in the house, regardless of their previous contents. I’m sure in the back of her mind, eventho she wanted to strangle them; she appreciated their creativity and spirit.

Creativity and spirit were the mainstays of her life. When her daughter was in high school she decided to finish the schooling she hadn’t completed because life had led her in different directions. She went to the local junior college and then on to University to get her degrees and the education she so cherished; and she became a teacher, a good one who was liked and respected by both her students and her peers. And now that the more intense activity of raising children had abated somewhat she started producing more artwork of her own, which led to many exhibitions and shows where she could share her vision.

Wisdom is an overused word for our parents, but it is one that fits. Analyzing situations, sorting through to the core and then finding workable solutions appeared to come easily to her. Maybe it wasn’t as easy as it looked, but she was good at handling challenges and fixing problems with apparent ease.
As her children grew into maturity I’m sure she abhorred some of their choices, but she let them make them and just hung back as a safety net. She cheered for them and ached with them as they worked through their own challenges. She was always there for them regardless of how high or low they were on the scale of life. Awed, proud, and often dismayed, she stood by them regardless.

Later she became a very good friend. Someone who would hold your hand, even if you were far away, call you to task to guide you back to the right path, and be your loudest cheerleader when you succeeded. Although she had created a richly rewarding life for herself, she still always had the time and interest for you.

She is now struggling with the end of her life and she doesn’t deserve such an undignified parting; she would not have chosen this path. But this is the one she must take and with her goes a major part of our hearts. After 86 years the most precious gifts of love, tolerance, humor, and awe for life will be her legacy. It is just a shame that more people couldn’t have been a part of it all.

Ready, Set, Learn

Most economists are predicting that the economy will bottom out before the end of the year. How are you faring? Some industries have been hit harder than others, like real estate and automotive while some seem to be striving, like anything green. My question is—what have you learned from this downturn and what permanent changes you have made to cushion yourself in the future? We are anxious to help you explore the possibilities so you can be better prepared and better able to avoid negative consequences.

It is important that you take advantage of every possible learning experience. You may be in a position to go back to school or, more likely, you can just spend some dedicated time on your computer asking questions and looking for answers. Either way, updated knowledge will give you the edge in any type of economic chaos. Study everything you can. You will be better prepared than the competition to stay the course. This suggestion applies to your business and financial life as well as your personal life.

You don’t have to embrace all that the younger generations are doing, but you should stay open to possibilities. Read their blogs, check out their social sites, like Facebook and Twitter, and listen to their music. While we have lessons to teach them, they also have lessons to teach us. These interchanges will help all of us grow.

Keep in mind that the “annoying” teenagers of today are going to be the leaders of tomorrow and very much in charge of our fate. Having an idea of how they think and operate in life will put you ahead of the curve and lead you to a more satisfying life.

Should Your Business Use a Staffing Agency?

YES, YES, YES! – You should consider using a staffing agency because we save you money. We eliminate the direct burden of workers’ compensation costs and potential legal exposure, which can be significant expenses. Using a staffing agency also gives you the flexibility to release the worker without any cost to you and you won’t be responsible for unemployment costs either. The average cost of a new hire is $7,000.00 and we are able to substantially reduce that cost for you by taking on these extra burdens.

Staffing agencies offer customized recruiting, screening and training to identify the true talent. We aggressively recruit candidates and keep a large database of highly skilled talent to fit your every need. We guarantee to match you with the right talent – the first time. We also offer heavy screening to ensure that you are receiving an A+ employee. We do comprehensive drug screening, background checks, credit checks, motor vehicle reports and more.

If you are having trouble finding the right employee from your job posting, have no fear. We will post your open positions on various websites for free! We run “blind ads” so job seekers are not pounding down your door. They come to us; our pre-screening efforts are number one so we are able to weed out the bad candidates and only provide you with the best matches.

Work doesn’t stop when someone has to leave on an emergency in the middle of the busiest season or when your employees take vacation; someone needs to always be available. Staffing agencies can fill these temporary assignments. We can also fill temporary to permanent and direct placement needs; offering you a range from seasonal/short-term work all the way to long-term full-time careers.

Your staffing agency is an important partner of your management team, one that helps lead your company to success.

Contributed by Krysta Grizzard, Staffing Manager, Employment Trends, krysta.grizzard@employmenttrends.com

Do You Have Your Hat on Backwards?

In today’s tough economy you have done your due diligence, thoroughly analyzed your income and out go, and sorted your numbers every which-way. You have discovered that your Widget A only accounts for 12% of your business. Should you drop this product line?
WAIT! There are other areas to consider before you pull the plug. Have you done a full analysis of the total potential market? You are likely to find that although Widget A only represents 12% of your business, it actually represents 90% of the total market. Whether by design or happenstance you have discovered a niche and filled it. This has long been the mantra of product designers and sales teams-“find a niche and fill it.”
With this knowledge on hand would you still want to pull the plug on Widget A? What are the chances for add-on sales of your other products? Are your Widget A customers likely to recommend your to their friends and associates? How much of the infrastructure of Widget A overlaps other products in your line? It may only represent 12% of your income, but how much of your outgo does it represent, probably a lot less than 12%.
A major car manufacturer I worked for several years ago made just this mistake and has never been the same since. These are all questions they should have asked as part of their strategic planning analysis. Your Widget A may not be your most profitable product, but it may have a great value to you in the whole scheme of things, in capturing extra business, or in just filling a need that nobody else is able to do, thus making you a hero and a successful commercial enterprise.
A lot of the success of your business will depend on this balancing act. It is critical that you due your due diligence, but not make any decisions until you look at the picture from both sides, yours and the client’s.