I keep stubbing my toe on the minor annoyance (or sometimes major issue) of other people not doing what they said they would. Some are simple things like not sending information in an email...days pass, weeks pass, month pass...reminders given...still nuthin. Some are specific tasks in on the critical path of a project -- "whoops, just didn't get to it" after the deadline has passed and the project is at risk.
I understand other priorities.
I understand procrastination.
I understand just not wanting to do XYZ.
I struggle with you not telling me if you can't or won't do something.
I struggle with you making me track you down like a bloodhound on a scent.. and then YOU get annoyed that I'm "nagging" you (oh say, 3 weeks after you agreed to do something).
I know I'm a nag. I try not to be, but it's my nature. I try to trust and not follow-up...and it works for a while, so I think "I should just lighten up and give people room to excel" -- but then I get burnt. There I am with a major deliverable dripping down my metaphorical chin....with no way to hit the deadline...my name's on the task, but the issue was upstream.
I just wish people would say: I'm sorry. I will not be able to do this, but I'm telling you early so you can make other plans.
That would be refreshing. I think.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
'Dancing Panda' Scratches His Back - ABC News
This is a video that’s making the rounds:
'Dancing Panda' Scratches His Back - ABC News
It’s cute and, yeah, the little panda does kind look like he’s rockin’ to the beat.
But c’mon: it’s not news.
Somewhere along the way, the “human interest” story has taken over the rightful place of actual news on TV.
I know there is a “24-hour new cycle” and sometimes they say they have to scrape to find things to talk about… but why is it the news on BBC America is always chock-full-o-news? And not just whiney, blaming, complaining new-ish stories… nope, they’ve got actual journalism.
I think the news networks in the US figured out they can quiet the masses with “bread and circuses” and - BONUS! - save quite a wad of cash by not hiring and rewarding reporters for reporting THE NEWS.
I think there should be yet one more icon/graphic on the incredibly over-crowded screen: a pie graph showing the % of not-news, % of gratuitous network plugs, and % of news – well, that would be a teeny-tiny sliver, so a zoom feature would be a necessity.
Now back to some lovely piece of eye-candy in the studio with more dancing bears, cinnamon toast with Jesus’ face on it, and cheating-yet-repentant Hollywood stars….
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
But Please Don't Ask Me If I Liked the Book
I belong to a book club filled with thoughtful women who bring interesting insights to our lively discussions - which are sometimes even about the book!
The one thing I don't like about the group is the tendency to begin the discussion of the book with the question "Who liked the book?" I'm sure I've annoyed the other ladies by objecting to that question - many of them say that it's logical to start with a quick "poll" to see where the conversation is going to go.
I see the point. And I will often ask friends "didja like it?" when they mention of book, movie, or event. The question provides an opening to share opinions and a de facto recommendation if they did like it.
However, in the context of a book club --- a group designed to come together and talk about the book in a more critical and evaluative way --- the question of "liking" can get in the way. If most members liked (or LOVED) the book, it sets up an "us versus them" situation if few members felt differently. Sometimes, those in the majority have even uttered "you're crazy" if someone else dares to dissent with the majority.
I think a much better question would be "what did you like about the book" -- because even when a book does not thrill a reader, she should be able to isolate the elements (plot, pacing, fresh language, lyric rhythms, etc) that she DID like. And conversely, identifying what you did not like and why might lead to more interesting discussions than "ooh I loved the book."
I guess my point is this: saying "I liked it" or "I hated it" creates an ending rather than a beginning to the discussion. Having planted your flag firmly in like or dislike, are you open to changing that opinion?
On the other hand, if someone explains why they didn't like the treatment of a character, it might make sense to you. It might make you think about the book in a different way. If someone shares a story from her life that reinforces the author's point, it might make you forgive clunky prose for the larger truth.
We've all heard the advice: If you want better conversation, start with open-ended question. Asking "What was the strangest thing that happened this week" will initiate a much more interesting discussion with your child, for example, than asking "Did you have a good week?" (Answer: "Yup.")
To me "who liked the book?" is a closed-end question that encourages binary thinking. Something more open-ended will yield a livelier discussion.
The one thing I don't like about the group is the tendency to begin the discussion of the book with the question "Who liked the book?" I'm sure I've annoyed the other ladies by objecting to that question - many of them say that it's logical to start with a quick "poll" to see where the conversation is going to go.
I see the point. And I will often ask friends "didja like it?" when they mention of book, movie, or event. The question provides an opening to share opinions and a de facto recommendation if they did like it.
However, in the context of a book club --- a group designed to come together and talk about the book in a more critical and evaluative way --- the question of "liking" can get in the way. If most members liked (or LOVED) the book, it sets up an "us versus them" situation if few members felt differently. Sometimes, those in the majority have even uttered "you're crazy" if someone else dares to dissent with the majority.
I think a much better question would be "what did you like about the book" -- because even when a book does not thrill a reader, she should be able to isolate the elements (plot, pacing, fresh language, lyric rhythms, etc) that she DID like. And conversely, identifying what you did not like and why might lead to more interesting discussions than "ooh I loved the book."
I guess my point is this: saying "I liked it" or "I hated it" creates an ending rather than a beginning to the discussion. Having planted your flag firmly in like or dislike, are you open to changing that opinion?
On the other hand, if someone explains why they didn't like the treatment of a character, it might make sense to you. It might make you think about the book in a different way. If someone shares a story from her life that reinforces the author's point, it might make you forgive clunky prose for the larger truth.
We've all heard the advice: If you want better conversation, start with open-ended question. Asking "What was the strangest thing that happened this week" will initiate a much more interesting discussion with your child, for example, than asking "Did you have a good week?" (Answer: "Yup.")
To me "who liked the book?" is a closed-end question that encourages binary thinking. Something more open-ended will yield a livelier discussion.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Age of Manipulation
I was walking the dog in the park a few weeks ago, and I saw a family having a sad little moment in the parking lot. It became clear that the issue was the dad (or I assume) was leaving in a different car and the mom and two kids in another. People-watching from yards away, I could have the wrong scenario. It might have been the dad was just going somewhere else and would meet the family later, but I think it was a divorce or separated situation.
There was not a lot of eye contact between the adults; the older child quietly got in the car, and the younger boy (maybe 5-6) was crying and wailing. Again, I could be making false assumptions, but the crying was that sort of dry, over-emphasized diaphragmatic cry that kids do when they are upset but want to be MORE upset. And it worked to some extent, he got attention and hugs; the dad came back from his truck to say goodbye twice. The mom looked upset and I could envision McFlurries in their future. At a very tender age, this child learned how to use guilt as an effective weapon.
How old were you when you realized you could manipulate those around you -- maybe not all the time and maybe not exactly how you hoped -- but you can at least mix things up a bit. Kids do it with crocodile tears and siren wails; adults do it with distant stares, sudden outbursts, crypic accusations, or terse monosyllabic replies.
Why do we do it? Well, it works. If it didn't work, we wouldn't do it.
And as with most bad habits, we have casual users and chronic abusers. All things in moderation, as the saying goes. When does emotional blackmail become a problem? Maybe when it's your only tool? Or at least a tool you use so often its handle has become smooth and worn...
This is more than human nature --- cats and dogs do it too. We've all seen the baleful stare from man's best friend...a little drool and hot breath, and suddenly Fido has a bone. Have you awakened at 4am to the cat who is able walk across cotton candy without leaving footprints, but suddenly knocks every bottle off the vanity to remind you she's hungry?
Animals (4-legged or 2-legged) know how to get your attention...even if it doesn't always get us what we want.
There was not a lot of eye contact between the adults; the older child quietly got in the car, and the younger boy (maybe 5-6) was crying and wailing. Again, I could be making false assumptions, but the crying was that sort of dry, over-emphasized diaphragmatic cry that kids do when they are upset but want to be MORE upset. And it worked to some extent, he got attention and hugs; the dad came back from his truck to say goodbye twice. The mom looked upset and I could envision McFlurries in their future. At a very tender age, this child learned how to use guilt as an effective weapon.
How old were you when you realized you could manipulate those around you -- maybe not all the time and maybe not exactly how you hoped -- but you can at least mix things up a bit. Kids do it with crocodile tears and siren wails; adults do it with distant stares, sudden outbursts, crypic accusations, or terse monosyllabic replies.
Why do we do it? Well, it works. If it didn't work, we wouldn't do it.
And as with most bad habits, we have casual users and chronic abusers. All things in moderation, as the saying goes. When does emotional blackmail become a problem? Maybe when it's your only tool? Or at least a tool you use so often its handle has become smooth and worn...
This is more than human nature --- cats and dogs do it too. We've all seen the baleful stare from man's best friend...a little drool and hot breath, and suddenly Fido has a bone. Have you awakened at 4am to the cat who is able walk across cotton candy without leaving footprints, but suddenly knocks every bottle off the vanity to remind you she's hungry?
Animals (4-legged or 2-legged) know how to get your attention...even if it doesn't always get us what we want.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
How Now Dow Jow...er Jones
I'm confused about the fascination with the Dow Jones Index on the nightly news and water cooler conversations. It's a barometer of sorts, sure. But it's hardly the most representative. And while currently it sucks and the economy sucks (sorry, technical terms, stay with me)...it's not like the DJI causes economic problems or necessarily reflects them.
I'm not trying to say everything is peachy - every indicator is in a bad place right now. But why does DJI have a choke hold on our national psyche? Especially considering the fact that many of the people who rattle off the "number at the bell" don't really have much in the stock market anyway. If the average net worth in this country is negative (i.e., families owe more than they own)...then the DJI's trajectory is interesting, but not that compelling, eh?
I own mutual funds, and I've watched them shrink dramatically -- but I still plan to continue buying. "Buy low" right? Beats the alternative: locking in those losses.
There's two polar opposite outcomes here...first, the whole thing collapses into a pile of ruble in which case my portfolio, whether in a stock or cash position, will be as useful as Confederate bonds. OR, and I admit I think this more likely, there's a recovery somewhere down the path, in which case, staying in is the right choice.
But I digress...my really point of this was WHY is the DJI the touchstone? Just because it's quick and easy? People think they understand it (though I imagine very few do).... I dunno, it just seems weird to me that in a 180 min news update, the DJI numbers get spat out as if they had great impact on our daily lives. Or maybe I'm missing something....
I'm not trying to say everything is peachy - every indicator is in a bad place right now. But why does DJI have a choke hold on our national psyche? Especially considering the fact that many of the people who rattle off the "number at the bell" don't really have much in the stock market anyway. If the average net worth in this country is negative (i.e., families owe more than they own)...then the DJI's trajectory is interesting, but not that compelling, eh?
I own mutual funds, and I've watched them shrink dramatically -- but I still plan to continue buying. "Buy low" right? Beats the alternative: locking in those losses.
There's two polar opposite outcomes here...first, the whole thing collapses into a pile of ruble in which case my portfolio, whether in a stock or cash position, will be as useful as Confederate bonds. OR, and I admit I think this more likely, there's a recovery somewhere down the path, in which case, staying in is the right choice.
But I digress...my really point of this was WHY is the DJI the touchstone? Just because it's quick and easy? People think they understand it (though I imagine very few do).... I dunno, it just seems weird to me that in a 180 min news update, the DJI numbers get spat out as if they had great impact on our daily lives. Or maybe I'm missing something....
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Big Box of Apathy
So, yeah, the economy is crashing around our ears and consumer confidence is lower than ever. Wouldn't ya think that retailers would rally their troops - get their front line employees (oh, pardon me: associates) to wake up and start treating active customers better? Wouldn't you take a moment to explain that the consumer who actually drives to their charming concrete haven has a lot of choices and should be given, if not respect, at least eye contact?
I visited 3 large retailers today, looking for electronics item that can cost $70-300. In none of these locations was I offered any help as I shifted from foot to foot comparing the options. And in all 3 of these retailers, the out-of-stock in this category was about 60%. So even if I was able to discern my choice from the cryptic shelf "talkers" (ha!), there was a good probability the one I wanted was not available.
I've been involved in some form of retail for more than 20 years. I get out-of-stocks. I get the challenge of conveying a message from the ivory tower down to the front lanes. I get the balance required to offer assistance to those who want it without being overly cloying to those who are "just browsing, thanks." I get it. Really.
But I also get that there is a bloodbath happening as we speak in retail. Too many stores, too much inventory, and too many employees who don't give a flying fig what I want, if I can find it, or if I'm happy with my shopping "experience."
What would it take? Here's a couple suggestions:
1. Demand that the floor associates to make eye contact.
Target recently initiated a policy (or at least the stores in my area seem to have) where every time an employee crosses paths with a shopper he or she looks them in eye and asks, "Can I help you find something." 99% of the time, my answer is no, but this is a huge improvement over chasing down the retreating back of a red shirt as it rushed on some internally critical task. At the very worst of the Big Box retailers I visited today, not only did I not get eye contact, when I finally found a person, he took out his walkie-talkie to have in internal discussion with another employee. Maybe he was in the middle of helping another customer, I give you that possibility -- but he neither acknowledged me or suggested that he'd be available to help in a moment. In fact he simply walked away.
2. Insist that the floor associates to stop talking to each other.
This one kills me. One store brand seems particularly bad at this -- and their associates hover around endcaps like 1950's steno gals around the water cooler. Asking them for help results in blistering sighs and eye rolls---as if you had to interrupt the cool kids after gym class to get to your locker back in 7th grade. I'm glad they enjoy their co-workers' company...but if they don't wake up to the fact that the SHOPPER PAYS THEIR SALARY, they are going to enjoy standing in the unemployment line when their company closes down.
3. Empower the greeter to identify frustrations ...and solve
Several retailers have people sitting or standing at the front door -- ostensibly to greet the shopper, but also as a line of defense, I imagine, on shoplifting. In one of my frustrating visits, I caught the greeter's eye and said "sure would have been nice to get some help in here." She replied, sarcastically, "have a nice day." The stores are big and the floor personnel is spread thin. It's certainly possible to not cross paths with someone during your stroll thru the aisles---but, why couldn't the "greeter" have served me with her little walkie-talkie, saying "I'm sorry, let me get you someone to help." Why? because she didn't care.
You can blame the economy all you want. Life sucks, yadda yadda. But here are people who have jobs. Here is a consumer with cash in her pocket wanting to buy an item, and willing to upsold if someone can explain the difference between the $70 and $300 version. You'd think it would be a match made in heaven. But no. I wasted gas driving to several places and ultimately bought the cheapest version that was in-stock at Big Box #3.
Yup, these are the time that try men's souls. These are also the times that can make a retailer stand out, if they take the time to give true direction to their front line representatives. And, Mr. or Ms. Retailer, if you discover your current employees really don't care -- go hire new ones.
We are reminded daily in the media: It's a buyer's market on hiring. So why aren't you hiring people who want to be there and want to help?
I visited 3 large retailers today, looking for electronics item that can cost $70-300. In none of these locations was I offered any help as I shifted from foot to foot comparing the options. And in all 3 of these retailers, the out-of-stock in this category was about 60%. So even if I was able to discern my choice from the cryptic shelf "talkers" (ha!), there was a good probability the one I wanted was not available.
I've been involved in some form of retail for more than 20 years. I get out-of-stocks. I get the challenge of conveying a message from the ivory tower down to the front lanes. I get the balance required to offer assistance to those who want it without being overly cloying to those who are "just browsing, thanks." I get it. Really.
But I also get that there is a bloodbath happening as we speak in retail. Too many stores, too much inventory, and too many employees who don't give a flying fig what I want, if I can find it, or if I'm happy with my shopping "experience."
What would it take? Here's a couple suggestions:
1. Demand that the floor associates to make eye contact.
Target recently initiated a policy (or at least the stores in my area seem to have) where every time an employee crosses paths with a shopper he or she looks them in eye and asks, "Can I help you find something." 99% of the time, my answer is no, but this is a huge improvement over chasing down the retreating back of a red shirt as it rushed on some internally critical task. At the very worst of the Big Box retailers I visited today, not only did I not get eye contact, when I finally found a person, he took out his walkie-talkie to have in internal discussion with another employee. Maybe he was in the middle of helping another customer, I give you that possibility -- but he neither acknowledged me or suggested that he'd be available to help in a moment. In fact he simply walked away.
2. Insist that the floor associates to stop talking to each other.
This one kills me. One store brand seems particularly bad at this -- and their associates hover around endcaps like 1950's steno gals around the water cooler. Asking them for help results in blistering sighs and eye rolls---as if you had to interrupt the cool kids after gym class to get to your locker back in 7th grade. I'm glad they enjoy their co-workers' company...but if they don't wake up to the fact that the SHOPPER PAYS THEIR SALARY, they are going to enjoy standing in the unemployment line when their company closes down.
3. Empower the greeter to identify frustrations ...and solve
Several retailers have people sitting or standing at the front door -- ostensibly to greet the shopper, but also as a line of defense, I imagine, on shoplifting. In one of my frustrating visits, I caught the greeter's eye and said "sure would have been nice to get some help in here." She replied, sarcastically, "have a nice day." The stores are big and the floor personnel is spread thin. It's certainly possible to not cross paths with someone during your stroll thru the aisles---but, why couldn't the "greeter" have served me with her little walkie-talkie, saying "I'm sorry, let me get you someone to help." Why? because she didn't care.
You can blame the economy all you want. Life sucks, yadda yadda. But here are people who have jobs. Here is a consumer with cash in her pocket wanting to buy an item, and willing to upsold if someone can explain the difference between the $70 and $300 version. You'd think it would be a match made in heaven. But no. I wasted gas driving to several places and ultimately bought the cheapest version that was in-stock at Big Box #3.
Yup, these are the time that try men's souls. These are also the times that can make a retailer stand out, if they take the time to give true direction to their front line representatives. And, Mr. or Ms. Retailer, if you discover your current employees really don't care -- go hire new ones.
We are reminded daily in the media: It's a buyer's market on hiring. So why aren't you hiring people who want to be there and want to help?
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