Freedom

As we approach Memorial Day weekend, I would like to ask 2 questions. First, what does Memorial Day mean to you? Is it the official start of summer? Is it the start of picnic season? Is it a time for family gatherings? Is it a time for the Indy 500? Is it a time for men to test their culinary skills using propane, charcoal or Weber? 

When I was a boy growing up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, it was tradition that we attended the Memorial Day parade that wound its way through town and ended at the cemetery. Everyone would gather to hear the speeches from both important townspeople as well as men and women from the VFW Post . 

As I got older, it seemed that we, as Americans got away from that tradition. I hope that during the busyness of the weekend, before you plant in your garden, cut your grass or light the outdoor grill – you take a moment to remember those who gave their lives so that we could enjoy so many of the freedoms we have today. Secondly, what does freedom mean to you? 
Is freedom not having to go to work every day? Is freedom being out of debt - not owing any bills? Is freedom having the luxury of choosing where you want to go, what you want to do, and how long you want to do it? Here is a thought…… 
Ask yourself, if what you are doing in life today, with your talent, skills and time – was that worthy of a man and / or a woman dying for? No matter what war they died in – the Civil War, Revolutionary War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, Gulf War or today’s war against terror - that soldier put their life on the line, many even giving their life – so that you can pursue your dream. 

Is the dream you are chasing worth the price that was paid for it? 
If so, then keep forging forward striving to become better, to make a difference, to change the status quo. 

If not, then I suggest you spend part of this weekend, searching your heart and your soul – asking your God what purpose you are serving and what you are being called to do. 

You see, that soldier did not die so you could hesitate, second guess yourself, dance in your comfort zone or even take your good old time reaching your goal. That pilot whose plane was shot down out of the sky did not give his or her life so you could live a life of “coulda, woulda, shoulda.” That POW did not endure torture, threats and abuse so you could reach the end of your life full of regrets ….wishing you had done more. 

No! 
They gave of themselves so you could give of yourself…..whether that is to make the world a better place……make it a safer place…….make life a bit easier on the next generation……..or to do whatever you were put on this planet to do. 

Now – get off your butt and do it. There are cemeteries full of military personnel who are counting on you. 
Lastly – and certainly not least – if you have served in the military – THANK YOU!!!!! Your decision to defend our country was not in vain. And, will never be forgotten. 

Have a safe week 

Ron Orendi

Whack A Mole

05/18/2011

Welcome to my weekly blog. Each week, I will share some insight on topics such as goal setting, personal improvement, leadership and soft skills (dealing with people). The information shared will be from my 10+ years in working with personal and leadership development. From time to time I will have “guest” bloggers sharing their knowledge and insight. 
Feel free to share your thoughts and how this info has helped you. 
Enjoy! 
“Whack A Mole” 

You’ve seen the game played at family amusement restaurants. It seemed goofy. It appeared a harmless dumb game. But what if you are the mole being whacked? 

All too often we feel that we are the mole being whacked the minute we stick our head up above the crowd. 

First, allow me to say that I am NOT choosing sides. Situations vary from employer to supervisor / manager to employee. 

What I have learned is that there almost always is ONE piece of information one is NOT aware of – that changes the whole perspective of looking at a problem or issue. 

Some may say, “If you are going to get whacked on the head anyway – why poke your head out of the hole?” 

Well, that is a defeatist attitude for one. This type of attitude will get you nowhere. No advancement. No raise (other than a cost of living adjustment). 
Let’s look a little deeper. If you are paid by the hour – then you are paid for what you bring to the table. Want more pay? Bring more to the table. Bring more knowledge, education, creativity, or skill – and you will get noticed. 
If you are being paid for 8 hours of work – then work the full 8 hours. No surfing the Internet for e-bay bargains, Facebooking friends, making personal calls or texting on company time. Save those things for when you are on your break or lunch hour. 

If you are a salaried employee – you are paid for the problems you can solve. You want to be paid more? Learn the skills and techniques to solve bigger problems. 

It has been said that most people work hard enough to keep themselves from getting fired…..and are paid just enough to keep them from quitting. 
Getting back to the original point – avoiding being whacked – some may deliberately set themselves up to keep their head from rising above the herd. 
Work slow-down by an employee is a form of cheating the company. Intentionally slowing down your pace is wrong. And, verbally slapping the company is very counter-productive. Encouraging discouragement is also wrong. 

You have a contract, whether written or verbal with the employer who provides your paycheck. The agreement is – you will be there for X amount of hours, doing the work / task you were hired to do. In exchange for that – you receive X amount of dollars. That’s the terms you agreed to. 
You were not hired to gossip about the employer. You were not contracted to discourage your co-workers. 

Now, let’s flip things a little. 

Standing out among the crowd is not being a “suck up”, a “brown noser” or a “butt kisser”. Those are terms used by critics. And, remember, no one ever built a statue dedicated to a critic. 

Everyone in upper management or in a CEO type of position stood out in the crowd. They did something that separated them from the pack. 

You want a promotion? You want more money? Then do something that makes you “extra” ordinary. 
Start by changing your outlook, your demeanor, or your attitude. 
NOTE - Nearly all people in high levels of companies have done things that also got them whacked on the head once or twice. They also have failed at things several times. 

When you fall – get up. 

When you get whacked on the head – keep forging forward. Keep coming up with fresh ideas, new concepts, new methods, creative ways for the company to run more efficiently. 

Look, quite often the hard hats are NOT the ones who get whacked by the mallet for a new idea. They are usually the ones who get hit by the big boom when the company down-sizes, restructures, moves, or closes completely. 

Have a good week 

Ron

Hey let’s meet – but where?

A client calls. He or she wants to get together with you over lunch. Great – but where? 

First, let me say that I am in no way endorsing certain restaurants, chain establishments, or places to eat. 

Every restaurant serves a purpose. So, let me ask, what is your purpose? 
If you are looking to impress the client – stick with restaurants known for their elegance. 

If you are looking for a place for a number of people to gather to get acquainted, I suggest a sports bar, lounge area or a medium priced establishment that offers plenty of room to mingle – but is not too crowded with people outside your circle of clients and associates. A place that offers Happy Hour food may be ideal. 

If you are seeking to have 6 to 12 people gather, eat together and discuss business – you may want to look at a restaurant that offers a private room. The private room or area should be one with minimal distractions. 

Perhaps you are looking for 4 to 6 people to discuss business or brainstorm. I strongly suggest avoiding noisy restaurants, food courts or outdoor seating. A mom and pop diner may be ideal – home cooking, relaxed atmosphere, and low noise. 

Unless you are with a group who eats for volume, avoid the buffet restaurants. Traditionally a buffet is noisy, chaotic and does not lend itself to serious business discussions. 

Also, fast food restaurants are generally not conducive to conducting business because they are loud, chaotic, often have children (toddlers through teens) carrying on and making a scene. 

Booth seating, although it tends to be somewhat private, does not create the business atmosphere. 

Once you have selected the restaurant, strategically place yourself at the table. If you are presenting an idea or sharing info at the meeting – ALWAYS select an area that is off the beaten path and not in a high traffic area. 

Furthermore, when sitting down make sure (if you are again the one presenting an idea or a product) to have your back to a wall. There is less distraction for your client. His or her attention should be focused on you. Windows, mirrors, other restaurant activity is something you do not want to have to compete with when you are doing business. 

If you know your client’s favorite drink or how he or she likes their coffee – it is a kind gesture to order a beverage for them. It shows that you have paid attention to their likes and dislikes. 

When the food arrives, allow your client to begin eating first. If his or her food does not arrive at the table with your meal, wait for their food to come before you start eating. 

If you are familiar with the restaurant, and the client is not – feel free to make dinner suggestions. 

One friend suggested always using the same restaurant so that the wait staff, cooks and managers get to know you. Introduce your client to them when he or she comes in to the restaurant. Then excuse yourself and go use the rest room. 

This allows the waitress, Molly, to brag on you to your client. 

Bon apetite 

Ron

I Got A Brand New Pair Of Roller Skates

Who remembers that song from long ago? The singer was Melanie, just in case you are trivia oriented. 

Recently, this song popped into my head. After singing it all day long (sometimes out loud) I wondered why I kept singing it. Later in the day, as I sang it – my wife chimed in and began singing with me. 

The next day, when she came home from work, she informed me that the song had been “stuck” in her head all day. 

So what is it about that song that can remain attached in the mind – like a barnacle to a ship? For that matter, why do certain tunes and jingles stay embedded in the cranium? 

It could be simply that the tune is so catchy. Possibly it is annoying enough to lodge itself in the memory. 

Let’s look deeper at this, shall we? 

Advertising and branding is all about recognition. Companies spend millions on trying to get their jingle, slogan and product to “stick” with you. 

In the advertising world there are several techniques used to achieve this goal. 
- Present the product in such a down home folksy way that people just love it. “Like a good neighbor…” - Annoy the masses with a commercial that people “love to hate” The consumer dislikes the ad or commercial so much that they talk about it to friends, family and coworkers. This follows the thinking that there is no such thing as bad press. “Whassuppppp?” 
- Make the commercial so outrageous that everyone is talking in the break room, at the water cooler and at family gatherings how bizarre or humorous it is. “the new Coke / Coke Zero blind taste test.” 
- Have a catchy phrase or jingle “Where’s the beef?” 
So, what if it was your product or business that people were talking about in one of the four above categories? It could be………. All it takes is some creativity and an ad campaign. 

Be willing to step out – take a gamble with your business or product and just like Melanie’s roller skate song, your business or product will be on people’s lips, in their minds and in their conversations. 

Have you got a brand new pair of roller skates and a brand new key? I bet you do. 

Have a great week…… 

Ron