This weekend Was my sons pinewood derby race with Cub Scouts. The pinewood derby is one of my lingering memories from my years in Cub Scouts. I would love to say that what I remember is the long hours of one-on-one time with my father (of which there was plenty) or the creative genius that went into each and every car that I made (I thought there was lots at the time) but know what I remember most was the fact that despite the above not a single car that I ever made won a single trophy.
For those of you who don't know, the pinewood derby starts with purchase a $5 kit from the boy scouts that contains a rectangular block of wood with pre-cut axle grooves, 4 nails for axles, 4 plastic wheels and a set of numerical decals. That's it. Nothing else...no templates, no guides, just the block of wood and the wheels. From that your are, as a parent, required to create an Enzo Ferrari complete with working headlights. Oh and it can't weigh more then 5 ounces. Once this is complete it is raced against the Ferrari's, Lambo's, and Porsches created by the other parents with varying degrees of assistance from their children.
Pinewood derby is taken very seriously in some circles. There are even regional and national championships if one is so inclined. A lot has changed since I was a boy. My troops track was wood...TJ's packs is metal. My troop had someone stationed at the end of the track to determine the winner...TJ's pack has an electronic/computer timing device that is sensitive down to the ten thousandth of a second. Yes you read that right, we are talking 4 decimal places...more then even is registered in olympic swimming and NASCAR. One thing hasn't changed and that is the amazing enthusiasm that the kids put into race day. It is truly wonderful to see 40 or 50 scouts yelling and screaming and cheering each other on.
Anyway, this was TJ's second year doing the derby. My goal is slowly transition the work from me to him. Last year he designed the car and put the final paint on. This year he designed the car and put on all the paint and decals start to finish. Last year while I was cutting out his whimsical design with nothing but a copping saw, he took one look at it and said, "Dad, is that the best you can do?!". This year, he said "Thanks Dad! I am really having fun with you!". I think we are making progress. Oh and did I mention that he won a certificate for most futuristic car...definitely progress.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
My Kingdom for a Sales Person
So we have finally hit the point that we are ready to hire a sales person...
WANTED
One or more top notch sales person(s) to build a crack sales team. Ideal candidates will be personable, self-starters with unbelievable patience and a sense of humor. Advertising sales, B2B, management, and/or start-up experience a strong plus. Generous commission based compensation plan with benefits. Computer literacy a must.
Pretty straight forward really...why is it then that better then half of the resumés that I have received thus far don't even list sales experience. What makes these people think that their time as a hostess in a Denny's after they graduated high school last year qualifies them to run a sales organization? I am all for aiming high but come on...don't waste your time and mine even replying to the ad.
Some observations from the resumés that I have seen to date:
1) Don't make simple spelling and grammatical mistakes in the sentence that describes how detail oriented you are.
2) Do not state in your resumé that you are very computer literate and submit a poorly formatted (actually nearly indecipherable) text document as your resumé.
3) Do not submit an email cover letter with your resumé attached that is blank or just reads "call me thx. Send from my iPhone".
4) Do not put as you top qualification that you are competent using email and then fax in your resumé.
5) Do not describe your ability to use "clear and concise communication skills" in a resumé that is 4 pages single spaced and include run-ons and sentence fragments.
6) No matter what never, NEVER list a prison guard or a parole officer as a reference...even if they are just family friends.
The funny thing about going through all of these resumés is that looking back at my early career resumés I realize that I made some pretty silly mistakes in them. Ones that today if I saw the same things in a resume crossing my desk it would have a one way trip to my circular file. So maybe when interviewing we need to give people a little slack and see how they comport themselves face to face and not judge the book by it's cover letter.
WANTED
One or more top notch sales person(s) to build a crack sales team. Ideal candidates will be personable, self-starters with unbelievable patience and a sense of humor. Advertising sales, B2B, management, and/or start-up experience a strong plus. Generous commission based compensation plan with benefits. Computer literacy a must.
Pretty straight forward really...why is it then that better then half of the resumés that I have received thus far don't even list sales experience. What makes these people think that their time as a hostess in a Denny's after they graduated high school last year qualifies them to run a sales organization? I am all for aiming high but come on...don't waste your time and mine even replying to the ad.
Some observations from the resumés that I have seen to date:
1) Don't make simple spelling and grammatical mistakes in the sentence that describes how detail oriented you are.
2) Do not state in your resumé that you are very computer literate and submit a poorly formatted (actually nearly indecipherable) text document as your resumé.
3) Do not submit an email cover letter with your resumé attached that is blank or just reads "call me thx. Send from my iPhone".
4) Do not put as you top qualification that you are competent using email and then fax in your resumé.
5) Do not describe your ability to use "clear and concise communication skills" in a resumé that is 4 pages single spaced and include run-ons and sentence fragments.
6) No matter what never, NEVER list a prison guard or a parole officer as a reference...even if they are just family friends.
The funny thing about going through all of these resumés is that looking back at my early career resumés I realize that I made some pretty silly mistakes in them. Ones that today if I saw the same things in a resume crossing my desk it would have a one way trip to my circular file. So maybe when interviewing we need to give people a little slack and see how they comport themselves face to face and not judge the book by it's cover letter.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Old School Social Network
So if the first week was infrastructure, and the second week was printing and distribution, this week was brought to you by networking. I'm not talking about the new fangled LinkedIn and Facebook kind of networking, I am talking about the old fashioned, pressing the flesh, networking group meetings.
Call them what you will, leads groups, business after hours, or coffee and collaboration...to an outsider all they really seem to be, is a substitute for an AA meeting for people that should probably go to AA. Actually that's not true at all. They really are amazing and vital groups of people that have the best interests of both their business' and other members business' at heart and are more then willing to impart their wisdom to those just starting out.
In the telecommunications industry and many other technology driven industries, networking focuses on the industry and the technologies pertinent to that industry. Wireless folks network with other wireless folks, Oracle experts with other Oracle experts. There is a healthy exchange of information and ideas but it is a rarity that the conversation turns out side of the area of focus for any length of time. These groups are great for what they are but when it comes to small business the needs of the small business owner are greater then just the monocular focus of these groups.
There are literally hundreds of online options for the technologically inclined networker. However, when you are meeting people that you are going to rely on for your bread and butter you better darn well be able to shake their hand and look them in the eye. Remember it's more then just a cup of coffee at stake at these meetings. It is no less then your reputation and livelihood on the line...make the best of it.
Call them what you will, leads groups, business after hours, or coffee and collaboration...to an outsider all they really seem to be, is a substitute for an AA meeting for people that should probably go to AA. Actually that's not true at all. They really are amazing and vital groups of people that have the best interests of both their business' and other members business' at heart and are more then willing to impart their wisdom to those just starting out.
In the telecommunications industry and many other technology driven industries, networking focuses on the industry and the technologies pertinent to that industry. Wireless folks network with other wireless folks, Oracle experts with other Oracle experts. There is a healthy exchange of information and ideas but it is a rarity that the conversation turns out side of the area of focus for any length of time. These groups are great for what they are but when it comes to small business the needs of the small business owner are greater then just the monocular focus of these groups.
There are literally hundreds of online options for the technologically inclined networker. However, when you are meeting people that you are going to rely on for your bread and butter you better darn well be able to shake their hand and look them in the eye. Remember it's more then just a cup of coffee at stake at these meetings. It is no less then your reputation and livelihood on the line...make the best of it.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Building Relationships
This week I have been meeting with independent distributors and our printer for the new publication. As I have been talking to these folks, I have been struck by some interesting contrasts between what I am doing now and my old gig.
For instance one of my frustrations on my previous job was the fact that we were a small fish playing in a very big pond, where the bigger fish had large teeth and weren't afraid to use them. It always felt that we were being used and discarded. We were often pressured to do things that were not in our best interests but were to the distinct advantage of the larger companies that we dealt with. As a small company, hungry for business we were always more then happy to take the short end of the stick, even though we know darn well that it was going to come back to haunt us. We were always told that we had to do this for the sake of the "partnership".
Here is the definition of partnership:
A partnership is an arrangement where entities and/or individuals agree to cooperate to advance their interests. In the most frequent instance, a partnership is formed between one or more businesses in which partners (owners) co-labor to achieve and share profits or losses.
The problem with the "partnerships" in my former life, is that they were largely one sided or at best very lopsided. For instance a giant wireless carrier and a little content provider were considered a "partnership". However, the mechanics of this partnership were almost always in favor of the large carriers. In other words, these "partnerships" were unidirectional.
Here is the definition of partnership:
A partnership is an arrangement where entities and/or individuals agree to cooperate to advance their interests. In the most frequent instance, a partnership is formed between one or more businesses in which partners (owners) co-labor to achieve and share profits or losses.
-Wikipedia
The problem with the "partnerships" in my former life, is that they were largely one sided or at best very lopsided. For instance a giant wireless carrier and a little content provider were considered a "partnership". However, the mechanics of this partnership were almost always in favor of the large carriers. In other words, these "partnerships" were unidirectional.
As I have begun working with various distribution "partners" and printing "partners" I have been struck by the two-way nature of these business dealings. There is a mutual respect and understanding of what each organization brings to the table and a strong desire between both parties to bolster the business of the other. This is how "partnerships" should work. There is a strong advantage to fostering these types of relationships. As my past boss was fond of saying, "A rising tide lifts all ships". If these relationships are maintained then all companies in the supply chain stand to benefit or if necessary support each other, during a crisis.
I think that we in business spend too much time fostering unequal "partnerships" but not enough time creating meaningful, equitable, business "relationships". If more relationships are created between companies, then maybe just maybe the abject greed that some large companies have displayed in recent years, would disappear. I for one am going to make it a point with this new venture to not form partnerships but build relationships!
Week one
Well, week one at the new job is behind me. Its always interesting and exciting starting a new job. Everything is new again. New commute, new people to meet, new lunch spots. I always remember with photographic clarity the first commute to a new job. It's always strange to me to think, "Wow, I might be driving this route for a long time.".
This was the first week of our new family reality. I take it as a good sign that Nala, the dog, seemed to be the most upset. Evidently she sat at the door every night expecting me to come home.
Contrast that with the fact that the kids barely said hi when I came in the door at the end of the week. Actually that's not entirely true I did get big hugs from Katie and Jojo before they went back to whatever they were doing, and TJ tore himself away from the book he was reading to say hi. I think all in all Everyone is adjusting nicely...however...I did receive this photo from Carrie...think they are trying to tell me something? Poor gingerbread house!
The week in North Carolina was basically taken up with the minutiae of starting a business; starting with unpacking and moving into my new office. We are renting an office from a lawyer who specializes in defending Hispanic folks from everything from immigration cases to DUI's. Maybe it's just me but I found it rather ironic that he gave me the keys to the suite on a bottle opener keychain emblazoned with his name and phone number. I then noticed that these bottle openers were what he gives away to his clientele. That tells me a lot about his operation. It reminds me of the sadistic dentist that I went to as a kid who would always, rather gleefully I might add, hand out lollipops after a filling or cleaning.
Anyhow, the rest of the week was a blur of mundane activities. Getting phone lines set up, arranging for Internet access, and my favorite activity...shopping. So much stuff to buy...office supplies, white boards, all-in-one printer/fax/scanner, oh my. Now that my office is set up I am ready to tackle what the next week will have in store.
This was the first week of our new family reality. I take it as a good sign that Nala, the dog, seemed to be the most upset. Evidently she sat at the door every night expecting me to come home.
Contrast that with the fact that the kids barely said hi when I came in the door at the end of the week. Actually that's not entirely true I did get big hugs from Katie and Jojo before they went back to whatever they were doing, and TJ tore himself away from the book he was reading to say hi. I think all in all Everyone is adjusting nicely...however...I did receive this photo from Carrie...think they are trying to tell me something? Poor gingerbread house!
The week in North Carolina was basically taken up with the minutiae of starting a business; starting with unpacking and moving into my new office. We are renting an office from a lawyer who specializes in defending Hispanic folks from everything from immigration cases to DUI's. Maybe it's just me but I found it rather ironic that he gave me the keys to the suite on a bottle opener keychain emblazoned with his name and phone number. I then noticed that these bottle openers were what he gives away to his clientele. That tells me a lot about his operation. It reminds me of the sadistic dentist that I went to as a kid who would always, rather gleefully I might add, hand out lollipops after a filling or cleaning.
Anyhow, the rest of the week was a blur of mundane activities. Getting phone lines set up, arranging for Internet access, and my favorite activity...shopping. So much stuff to buy...office supplies, white boards, all-in-one printer/fax/scanner, oh my. Now that my office is set up I am ready to tackle what the next week will have in store.
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