This month a year ago I started a new job after 12 years of working on a bank's website. This month, this year, I lost my job. Now I'm unemployed. And so begins another chapter in my career.
The great thing about losing your job is you then have time to think. Your thoughts are not distracted by an assignment. There is no externally imposed deadline keeping your mind from being at ease. Your phone doesn't ring while you're taking time to spend with your family. Your phone may not ring at all.
I think that is what I value about being unemployed. That quiet. That time. Time that is mine.
About 9 months after my father passed away I was laid off from a start up I'd been working at for almost three years. The start up was ending. I'd worked hard at that job. I'd changed positions, worked late nights and weekends, and put a lot of myself into the job. While I was very disappointed that the company wasn't continuing, I was also relieved to have time to think and to rest. I actually took three months off. I didn't even look for a job. Maybe not the best financial strategy, but it was a solid strategy to protect my well being.
During that time I rode my bike a lot. I worked on my computer still and learned a few things. I spent time with friends and got more involved with people. I was calm and took life one day at a time. When I went back to looking for work I was energized and eager to contribute. I'd even say that defines my work ethic: eager to contribute.
Are you eager to contribute? If not, then what are you doing? Is life not too interesting to just watch from the stands? Being involved is what gives one value and where we reap the rewards. There is little value in being unemployed other than reflecting on what you value. Perhaps knowing what you value is the key to a successful career.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Start-Up Appetite
Six weeks ago our manager had what was called a brainstorming session. Like most impromptu company meetings we were all a little confused. It's funny how no matter the size of the organization basic human interaction remains consistent. My last job was at a company with over 30,000 employees at the time and these type of meetings went pretty much the same way.
We were asked to brainstorm on companies that focused on niche / techy eccentrics. We all just sat there. Our manager then stood by the white board, pen in hand, and said, "Everyone stand up. Let's get into this."
We were still wondering what 'this' was. The ice was broke and we listed companies like Volkswagon, Apple, Brookestone and others. A common thread that was clear: all these offered more expensive products. You pay a premium to join the 'in' crowd. Strangely we were offering a service for under $20 per month.
Like sailors on Captain Ahab's ship, we were ready to set sail, or at least get sales, but little did we know of the journey we would embark on. Moby Dick was out there...waiting.
Thus begins most startups. Back in the day, the 1990's, this process would take a year if not more to first launch. Then another 6 to 9 months to get on the west coast. Viral marketing was just called marketing and you had to argue about getting a website up. It was all about getting into stores, and it took time. None the less, the weeks before Gold Master, or whatever you called the final product release, were strenuous. Demands ran high and people changed.
You'd change too if you spent 14 hour days working on the unknown, the un-proven. It's madness really, and you wonder why anyone does it. I will say there is an adrenaline rush, and excitement to the work. The fact is though, the body can only last so long on adrenaline. When that runs out, you become sub-human. The struggle to balance your life requires more energy then you have left and for most it's easier to give in. To feed the monster is easier than to run from it.
And that's what you have in the end. You've created a monster. Today they have cool names with odd spellings. Maybe a y instead of i or a 3 instead of an E. Today too, they grow at an alarming rate, if they grow. Back in the day, it may take 5 years to fail or succeed. Now success can happen in less than two months. That success may mean global demand.
Yes, the Start-Up is a mean monster. He'll devour everything in site, if you let him. Health and well being are just an appetizer. Soon relationships, marriages, and families are on the plate. This is about the time you launch, go live, open, whatever you are doing is almost done. The strain of the last week on the project is met with the 'the last straw' for family and friends. The monster waits patiently.
Then you launch, and for your sake I hope you're ready. What began as a brainstorm on positioning ended up six weeks later as demand that brought down the website more than once, melted down our billing system, and filled the fulfillment group with tickets. All that remained were half eaten pizzas, soda cans on the floor, and the stench of champagne in the carpet.
People were tired. No, exhausted. Several had colds come and go, only to return soon thereafter. Captain Ahab stood at the helm. He said he knew we were tired. He said he was tired. He said we had to press on. I could hear the monster, hiding in the ceiling, looking on and snickering. The third course was about to be served.
We were asked to brainstorm on companies that focused on niche / techy eccentrics. We all just sat there. Our manager then stood by the white board, pen in hand, and said, "Everyone stand up. Let's get into this."
We were still wondering what 'this' was. The ice was broke and we listed companies like Volkswagon, Apple, Brookestone and others. A common thread that was clear: all these offered more expensive products. You pay a premium to join the 'in' crowd. Strangely we were offering a service for under $20 per month.
Like sailors on Captain Ahab's ship, we were ready to set sail, or at least get sales, but little did we know of the journey we would embark on. Moby Dick was out there...waiting.
Thus begins most startups. Back in the day, the 1990's, this process would take a year if not more to first launch. Then another 6 to 9 months to get on the west coast. Viral marketing was just called marketing and you had to argue about getting a website up. It was all about getting into stores, and it took time. None the less, the weeks before Gold Master, or whatever you called the final product release, were strenuous. Demands ran high and people changed.
You'd change too if you spent 14 hour days working on the unknown, the un-proven. It's madness really, and you wonder why anyone does it. I will say there is an adrenaline rush, and excitement to the work. The fact is though, the body can only last so long on adrenaline. When that runs out, you become sub-human. The struggle to balance your life requires more energy then you have left and for most it's easier to give in. To feed the monster is easier than to run from it.
And that's what you have in the end. You've created a monster. Today they have cool names with odd spellings. Maybe a y instead of i or a 3 instead of an E. Today too, they grow at an alarming rate, if they grow. Back in the day, it may take 5 years to fail or succeed. Now success can happen in less than two months. That success may mean global demand.
Yes, the Start-Up is a mean monster. He'll devour everything in site, if you let him. Health and well being are just an appetizer. Soon relationships, marriages, and families are on the plate. This is about the time you launch, go live, open, whatever you are doing is almost done. The strain of the last week on the project is met with the 'the last straw' for family and friends. The monster waits patiently.
Then you launch, and for your sake I hope you're ready. What began as a brainstorm on positioning ended up six weeks later as demand that brought down the website more than once, melted down our billing system, and filled the fulfillment group with tickets. All that remained were half eaten pizzas, soda cans on the floor, and the stench of champagne in the carpet.
People were tired. No, exhausted. Several had colds come and go, only to return soon thereafter. Captain Ahab stood at the helm. He said he knew we were tired. He said he was tired. He said we had to press on. I could hear the monster, hiding in the ceiling, looking on and snickering. The third course was about to be served.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
A Turning Point in Culture
It began mid summer of 2011 with a simple, but bold statement considering the context of the previous 18 months of work. "I want the marketing to match the product."
My division's general manager (GM) said this to our marketing team during a brainstorming session for what was going to be a new brand. With this he was demanding clarity, honesty, and an even higher level of work. A thin line had been drawn in the sand that indicated this was going to be different.
The second turning point was even stronger and had implications not just in our division but in our parent company. Our GM decided that we would separate the development of the product from the development of the brand. This meant releasing the product first as a beta under an existing brand and then doing a full brand launch when both the product and the marketing were ready. The company tradition of charging the gate at full speed had now been modified. Our development would charge ahead without the distraction of marketing. Meanwhile our marketing could take up strategic positions and engage in gorilla warfare in support of the development charge.
If you've never been in the throes of an online marketing campaign, especially one in a startup environment, this may seem like a hyperbole. Unfortunately too many of us in business spend this small time planning, then with a less than optimal plan we rush forward and spend the next eight weeks (or insert time frame here) going at the speed of light toward the goal.
Certainly no plan is fully comprehensive, nor is it cost efficient to attempt such a feat. Yet too often we throw ourselves into it as a group and don't stop along the way to evaluate, regurgitate, and amalgamate. By simplifying and focusing as we go we can take more precise shots at the target. In our case, we weren't out to kill the competition, but to define a new space where we could be alone for awhile.
The other thought process we fall into is doing things how they've always been done. Our GM had to convince and cajole his way through our parent company to keep these now two separate efforts afloat. Impatience on their end was fortunately buffered by him. Still it was clear we had our work cut out for us. I think this even inspired a tone to get it done.
Have you ever had to work smarter and harder?
My division's general manager (GM) said this to our marketing team during a brainstorming session for what was going to be a new brand. With this he was demanding clarity, honesty, and an even higher level of work. A thin line had been drawn in the sand that indicated this was going to be different.
The second turning point was even stronger and had implications not just in our division but in our parent company. Our GM decided that we would separate the development of the product from the development of the brand. This meant releasing the product first as a beta under an existing brand and then doing a full brand launch when both the product and the marketing were ready. The company tradition of charging the gate at full speed had now been modified. Our development would charge ahead without the distraction of marketing. Meanwhile our marketing could take up strategic positions and engage in gorilla warfare in support of the development charge.
If you've never been in the throes of an online marketing campaign, especially one in a startup environment, this may seem like a hyperbole. Unfortunately too many of us in business spend this small time planning, then with a less than optimal plan we rush forward and spend the next eight weeks (or insert time frame here) going at the speed of light toward the goal.
Certainly no plan is fully comprehensive, nor is it cost efficient to attempt such a feat. Yet too often we throw ourselves into it as a group and don't stop along the way to evaluate, regurgitate, and amalgamate. By simplifying and focusing as we go we can take more precise shots at the target. In our case, we weren't out to kill the competition, but to define a new space where we could be alone for awhile.
The other thought process we fall into is doing things how they've always been done. Our GM had to convince and cajole his way through our parent company to keep these now two separate efforts afloat. Impatience on their end was fortunately buffered by him. Still it was clear we had our work cut out for us. I think this even inspired a tone to get it done.
Have you ever had to work smarter and harder?
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Time for a check-up?
At my work they have a wellness program. You have blood work done, then meet with a nurse. The nurse takes your blood pressure, weight, and monitors your reaction to peddling on a stationary bike. The nurse then discusses your diet and goes over all the data with you. There is a system behind all this that ranks your health: level 1 thru 5; 5 being the best.
At the heart of an organization's health is morale. Much like a person's resting heart rate or blood pressure, morale is ignored. Yet morale is a great indicator of an organization's health! Where I work we're in the middle of bypass surgery. Other departments in the organization are by-passing us and outsourcing work we'd normally do for them. We even have a vendor sitting in our area that is doing our work for one of our departments! Ironically management has been taking extra measures to stem 'concern'. Instead they should should be polling morale and digging into employees concerns. It is the employees who see everyday where the inefficiencies are happening.
When a person focuses solely on building enough wealth for their retirement and ignores their health, we all know what happens. Fifteen, twenty years down the road, maybe less, they've got real health issues. Often it gets to the point where their poor health reduces their productivity. Now that retirement goal appears harder to obtain, or hopelessly out of reach.
An organization that ignores its health will slowly see that it is harder and harder to meet goals. Often people think it's because those goals have become too lofty, wherein reality it is the increased effort necessary to achieve those goals that make them out of reach. As an organization's health decreases the effort required to achieve something increases.
So cost reduction can be realized by improving our organization's health. Much like a person who has been running for a year now finds it easier to run a mile, our organization will see it easier to get specific things done if we spend some time on a consistent basis improving its health.
As I stated earlier, the health program at work rates individuals from 1 to 5. One of the things associated with that rating is the time between checkups. So a person rated at 5 only goes once a year, while a person rated at 1 may go once a month. It is this follow-up that works towards improving a person's health.
So if you rate your organization at level 1 (in poor health and not working towards improvement) then don't wait another year to reassess. You may be thinking, "Do we need a check up?" I suggest a better question is "How often do we need a check up?"
At the heart of an organization's health is morale. Much like a person's resting heart rate or blood pressure, morale is ignored. Yet morale is a great indicator of an organization's health! Where I work we're in the middle of bypass surgery. Other departments in the organization are by-passing us and outsourcing work we'd normally do for them. We even have a vendor sitting in our area that is doing our work for one of our departments! Ironically management has been taking extra measures to stem 'concern'. Instead they should should be polling morale and digging into employees concerns. It is the employees who see everyday where the inefficiencies are happening.
When a person focuses solely on building enough wealth for their retirement and ignores their health, we all know what happens. Fifteen, twenty years down the road, maybe less, they've got real health issues. Often it gets to the point where their poor health reduces their productivity. Now that retirement goal appears harder to obtain, or hopelessly out of reach.
An organization that ignores its health will slowly see that it is harder and harder to meet goals. Often people think it's because those goals have become too lofty, wherein reality it is the increased effort necessary to achieve those goals that make them out of reach. As an organization's health decreases the effort required to achieve something increases.
So cost reduction can be realized by improving our organization's health. Much like a person who has been running for a year now finds it easier to run a mile, our organization will see it easier to get specific things done if we spend some time on a consistent basis improving its health.
As I stated earlier, the health program at work rates individuals from 1 to 5. One of the things associated with that rating is the time between checkups. So a person rated at 5 only goes once a year, while a person rated at 1 may go once a month. It is this follow-up that works towards improving a person's health.
So if you rate your organization at level 1 (in poor health and not working towards improvement) then don't wait another year to reassess. You may be thinking, "Do we need a check up?" I suggest a better question is "How often do we need a check up?"
Sunday, November 29, 2009
The Day Before Thanksgiving
Twas the day before Thanksgiving
where I work all year
not a manager was stirring
much less even here.
My sandwich devoured
and crumbs in my lap
I leaned back in my cube
for an afternoon nap.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
but a stressed out Project Manager
with a face full of fear.
I watched in disbelief
as her lips moved so fast
explaining another request
that's sure to be the last
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
so back and forth she paced in my cube
with a look on her face as that of a rube.
"We need this today?"
she said in good health.
I laughed as she spoke
in spite of myself.
I spoke not a word
but went straight to my work
typing and clicking
my hands with a jerk.
The PM sprang from my cube
and said, "Send it on when you're done.
I'm leaving early
and will be long gone."
She tore open the door
and left in a flash
with the speed of a runner
in a forty yard dash.
But I heard her exclaim, ere she drove out of sight
"Happy Thanksgiving and have a good night!"
Monday, March 2, 2009
Food for Thought in the Workplace
I recently setup a food diary at the dailyplate. This was the result of several things going on at work, home, etc. In the site you can provide your age, height, weight, activity level, and health goal and it will suggest a daily caloric intake. My first day I was only 400 calories short. Today I'm 1100 calories shy!
It was quite a shock to see that and it made me think, "Was there more to it than food?" Am I not eating myself to death as a way to deal with discontentment at the workplace?
I guess what contributed to this thought process was my friend with cancer. Cancer is a terrible thing and you don't realize how awful till you see it affect someone. This person's life has been changed to spending the day managing their pain. At any given time it's a choice from Aleve to a prescription narcotic that makes one forget the day even happened.
Then I started applying this to my coworkers. How are they "managing their pain?" I suppose there are some that drink to forget the day even happened, but I don't know for sure. What I do witness is the coke addict: person who drinks coca cola all day long. I also see the muncher: person that eats their way through the long work day. There's the adrenaline rusher: who gets by on hype and trauma only to crash at 4pm. I'm sure you've got a talker in your office: who talks to friends on the phone all day while they "do their job". One type I see a lot of at this job is the feeble surrender: a person who has given up on having an identity and has barely enough energy to say yes to every demeaning task demanded of them. That reminds me. I need to include the invitee: a person who fills their day with meeting after meeting to avoid dealing with the harsh reality of where there career has taken them.
That's not to say, "The glass is empty let's all stop eating together." It's important that you both enjoy what you do for work and the environment in which you work. I know of several that enjoy what they do. Typically they go straight to their cube early in the morning and only come up for air at lunch and when they leave. If you do get a chance to talk to them you'll hear the frustration that the environment is not conducive to maximize their talents. Then there's the people I've known who had both work they enjoyed and an environment that was a fit. These people are more than happy to tell you about their job and company. In fact instead of trying to cope at work, they're trying to balance the rest of their life.
Balance is the key. And of course, the first step is to admit you have a problem. So are you thriving at your job or just trying to manage the pain? Not sure? Then try keeping a food journal. You never know what you'll find!
It was quite a shock to see that and it made me think, "Was there more to it than food?" Am I not eating myself to death as a way to deal with discontentment at the workplace?
I guess what contributed to this thought process was my friend with cancer. Cancer is a terrible thing and you don't realize how awful till you see it affect someone. This person's life has been changed to spending the day managing their pain. At any given time it's a choice from Aleve to a prescription narcotic that makes one forget the day even happened.
Then I started applying this to my coworkers. How are they "managing their pain?" I suppose there are some that drink to forget the day even happened, but I don't know for sure. What I do witness is the coke addict: person who drinks coca cola all day long. I also see the muncher: person that eats their way through the long work day. There's the adrenaline rusher: who gets by on hype and trauma only to crash at 4pm. I'm sure you've got a talker in your office: who talks to friends on the phone all day while they "do their job". One type I see a lot of at this job is the feeble surrender: a person who has given up on having an identity and has barely enough energy to say yes to every demeaning task demanded of them. That reminds me. I need to include the invitee: a person who fills their day with meeting after meeting to avoid dealing with the harsh reality of where there career has taken them.
That's not to say, "The glass is empty let's all stop eating together." It's important that you both enjoy what you do for work and the environment in which you work. I know of several that enjoy what they do. Typically they go straight to their cube early in the morning and only come up for air at lunch and when they leave. If you do get a chance to talk to them you'll hear the frustration that the environment is not conducive to maximize their talents. Then there's the people I've known who had both work they enjoyed and an environment that was a fit. These people are more than happy to tell you about their job and company. In fact instead of trying to cope at work, they're trying to balance the rest of their life.
Balance is the key. And of course, the first step is to admit you have a problem. So are you thriving at your job or just trying to manage the pain? Not sure? Then try keeping a food journal. You never know what you'll find!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Fastidious Fatigue
So I went to my doctor and complained about being tired and not getting any relief or boost from food. I explained my diet: 3 square meals a day. I talked about my sleeping habits: solid routine of in bed before 10pm, average about 7 hours sleep. I mentioned how this year I've stepped up my exercise routine: now back at the gym 3+ days / week. My age isn't an issue. My weight is steady. I'm in good shape. Then the doctor asked an interesting question.
"So, how are things at work?"
I think anyone that works full-time realizes how much time that takes out of their life. In fact, I know of one manager who said, "Let's face it. Salary employee means 50+ hours /week." Course what he doesn't realize is that's in his world. This is a guy that has a stressful day before he even leaves his house in the morning.
What many don't realize is the toll work takes on their health. This goes on up to the HR department. I'm surprized at how many companies still don't offer health club discounts or some other healthcare incentive. Even so, how many of us get up out of our chair every two or so hours? [Personal Note: I bought my own chair for work, cuz the ones they supplied were uncomfortable.] I wouldn't be surprised if opthamology was one of the fastest growing professions considering how many people stare at a screen 8 hours a day at work. What's worse is most then go home and watch TV for another 2+ hours every night.
So if I get enough sleep and try to eat right, is that enough? And the answer is: Nope. Many then try exercise as the cure. One co-worker mentioned that her husband, now over a certain age, is getting a belly. I asked if he goes to the gym. She emphatically responded yes. So I inquired what his routine was. She said she didn't know, cuz she didn't watch him. Uh? Do those two not talk? At any rate what makes him think that doing 30 minutes on the treadmill, 3 or 4 times per week is gonna make him look like an athlete? I read about one athlete (track and field) whose coach asked her to build her core more. One requirement was 500 sit-ups per day.
I make no claim to know the answer to good health, but from what I can tell it's all the above and more. One other thing that stands out to me is friendships. I attended a funeral about 3 years ago wherein a man I knew pretty well had died suddenly of a heart attack. It shocked me and friends of mine that also knew him. I knew this man was a giving guy and he'd helped me through a tough time, but I was still surprised at the number of people at his memorial service and the next day at his funeral. Someone told me the place sat 500 and it was standing room only. And several that came for the funeral were not able to make the service the night before. Also this wasn't some political pretense. Those there were people deeply moved at one point or another in their life by this man.
We all have the power/opportunity to inspire and guide people and it all starts with a smile. A hello.
I am fortunate to have a very good friend at work and a couple other friends there as well. This one guy and myself can crack each other up. The ongoing jokes just get better with each day/month/year. In fact nothing is above (or below) our humor. We challenge management to bring on another reorg. Take away one more 'benefit'. Lately they've even lowered the water pressure in the building. They can turn the water off for all we care: it'll end up in a joke.
So while I am plagued by fatigue, it may be just that I am overly concerned about the details of work. Then again it could be the project I'm on could be accomplished just as easily by a blind chimpanzee. Whatever the case, I try not to take myself too seriously. And if I do I've a friend at work that will quickly make light of it.
So do you have a friend at work? Would you say a friend at work is more important that enjoying your job?
"So, how are things at work?"
I think anyone that works full-time realizes how much time that takes out of their life. In fact, I know of one manager who said, "Let's face it. Salary employee means 50+ hours /week." Course what he doesn't realize is that's in his world. This is a guy that has a stressful day before he even leaves his house in the morning.
What many don't realize is the toll work takes on their health. This goes on up to the HR department. I'm surprized at how many companies still don't offer health club discounts or some other healthcare incentive. Even so, how many of us get up out of our chair every two or so hours? [Personal Note: I bought my own chair for work, cuz the ones they supplied were uncomfortable.] I wouldn't be surprised if opthamology was one of the fastest growing professions considering how many people stare at a screen 8 hours a day at work. What's worse is most then go home and watch TV for another 2+ hours every night.
So if I get enough sleep and try to eat right, is that enough? And the answer is: Nope. Many then try exercise as the cure. One co-worker mentioned that her husband, now over a certain age, is getting a belly. I asked if he goes to the gym. She emphatically responded yes. So I inquired what his routine was. She said she didn't know, cuz she didn't watch him. Uh? Do those two not talk? At any rate what makes him think that doing 30 minutes on the treadmill, 3 or 4 times per week is gonna make him look like an athlete? I read about one athlete (track and field) whose coach asked her to build her core more. One requirement was 500 sit-ups per day.
I make no claim to know the answer to good health, but from what I can tell it's all the above and more. One other thing that stands out to me is friendships. I attended a funeral about 3 years ago wherein a man I knew pretty well had died suddenly of a heart attack. It shocked me and friends of mine that also knew him. I knew this man was a giving guy and he'd helped me through a tough time, but I was still surprised at the number of people at his memorial service and the next day at his funeral. Someone told me the place sat 500 and it was standing room only. And several that came for the funeral were not able to make the service the night before. Also this wasn't some political pretense. Those there were people deeply moved at one point or another in their life by this man.
We all have the power/opportunity to inspire and guide people and it all starts with a smile. A hello.
I am fortunate to have a very good friend at work and a couple other friends there as well. This one guy and myself can crack each other up. The ongoing jokes just get better with each day/month/year. In fact nothing is above (or below) our humor. We challenge management to bring on another reorg. Take away one more 'benefit'. Lately they've even lowered the water pressure in the building. They can turn the water off for all we care: it'll end up in a joke.
So while I am plagued by fatigue, it may be just that I am overly concerned about the details of work. Then again it could be the project I'm on could be accomplished just as easily by a blind chimpanzee. Whatever the case, I try not to take myself too seriously. And if I do I've a friend at work that will quickly make light of it.
So do you have a friend at work? Would you say a friend at work is more important that enjoying your job?
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