February Stories

I was going to be poetic and affectionate with my February story this month.  However, two things happen on the way: 1) I had no time with work and networking, and 2) I’m a realist, not a poet and I’m not that graceful.  So, I called an old friend to do these stories.  The stories (or haikus in this case) are from Shad Ewart.  These three haikus are about the month of February.  Please enjoy:

For the people who believe in love:

A stolen glance, then

Fumbled conversations, then

The heart skips a beat…

 

For the weather geeks:

Brutal whipping winds

Don’t mess with Mother Nature.

March could be much worse.

 

For Puxatony Phil:

Poor past predictions

And the market keeps falling…

Phil needs a bailout.

 

Shad Ewart (or Shad in DC) is a professor at Anne Arundel Community College and the haikuist for the Tony Kornheiser Show (if it comes back).

 

The Future of Employment

Since I started my company a month ago (technically, I’m unemployed, but if I make a profit this year, I’m officially self-employed.  That’s my rule of thumb), a lot has happened.  There was the start of a big economic crisis, which has lead the stock market into chaos, Alan Greenspan admitting his mistake that he created this mess, George W. Bush is still president, and a bunch of companies started having hiring freezes and layoffs, causing people to scramble this holiday season.  This brings up two trains of thought.

The first one is the generational gap of these businesses.  I spoke to a fellow alum of George Mason about this and we’re somewhat competitors in our industry.  We talk about that our generation (Millennials) does not like the big companies and people our age prefer smaller or medium companies that speaks to them.  If you been reading current events the past few years, you already know about company downsizing, bigger banks taking over others, mergers, buyouts, golden parachutes, etc.  People are much fed up that the additional money goes to the people who caused these situations, which make some potential job seekers very hesitant.  The Millennials want to have the freedom that there should be no supervision and work as independents in their jobs.

However, the trend will continue to get young talent to the big companies because the big companies have what most companies do not have:  money.  I would refer companies like Booz Allen & Hamilton, Ernst & Young, and other big companies as “adult internships” that pay the job very well, but only on a short-term basis.  These jobs have everyone applying for and who can’t blame them.  These jobs will cover their student loans, grad school, and the occasional bachelor parties and hang-outs.  That’s great and all and more power to them, but what’s next?

This leads to the second thing I want to talk about and that is company identity.  From the articles from Laurie, Jenn, HR Minion, and Mark, who all went to the Talent Management Summit in Vegas (I couldn’t come because of money plus I would of gamble like crazy), the material is the same old HR stuff and still companies think HR can have a seat on the table and the need to “speak the language of business.”  What language is that, the Harvard Business Review? This is where companies need an overhaul of their business strategy.

As I’ve mention before in my Big Announcement post, companies must focus on their brand first and hire talent who actually gives a damn about the product and would want to work there.  Most of the companies are just hiring talent like the 2000 Dan Snyder Redskins.  If you remember that team;  after a playoff season the previous year, they signed Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, and Mark Carrier for a lot of money, plus they had 2 of the first 3 picks in the 2000 NFL Draft.  There was hype around the team to win the Super Bowl.  What happened?  Team started 6-2 and ended 8-8 and did not make the playoffs.  This is a perfect example of what your company looks like now.  Do not get me wrong, you do need superstars in your company, but you also need the “blue-collar” people who can do the dirty work to have success.  Also, you need these people who admire the leadership and the mission and values of the company to make you work for them.

According to Dan Pink, we are living in a Free Agent Nation, and he’s correct.  However, I will take it one step further and this is where companies need to go.  EVERYONE IS A FREE AGENT!!!  At my last company when I announce that I was starting up my own company, they said the typical stuff, but then I heard that I should of mention I was interviewing for other HR jobs and they would like to assist on my search.  If I were of known that, I would have mention I was job searching way earlier. 

I do believe both employee and employer do need to be transparent and communicate about the next step.  Of course, the number one issue will be money and that makes it very complicated, but if the worker cares about is getting a raise and get a bonus, then that person would have to look elsewhere if he cares is a paycheck.  My belief is that there’s a match somewhere for every employee or job seeker here.  It is also the company’s responsibility to be open to their employees of what they are and this is where there’s a huge disconnect because they assume people chose to be here and they did, but it could be many reasons why they selected the company.  The other side of the argument is the variables of each job from corporate culture, the chemistry of the employees, and if this is for the short or long haul?  I will say take it day-to-day.  Employers are not expecting employees to stay there for a long time, but it’s their responsibility to make employees comfortable during their time and it’s the individual who decides if they are doing enough for the company or themselves.

You are thinking this is a radical idea of overhauling the old business system.  You’re right.  The reason for the downturn in the economy and employment is that we believe too much of our leaders and executives will fix anything, have all the answers, and our guard will never let us down.  However in most cases, it did and now everyone is scrambling for answers.  There is one answer to solve all these problems:  YOU.  You need to know yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, your networks, your passions and interests, and your beliefs and values.   If you answer all these questions, you’re prepared to jump back in the job market and find a job that you want.  For the economy to rebound it’s you that dictates the market and companies will be looking for a leader or a contributor to help their company.  The final answer will always be you if you want the job.  That’s why 2006 Time’s Person of the Year is You.  Like every answer in physics is inertia, every answer to the economy and businesses is YOU;  don’t forget it.

Tracy’s Random Thoughts October 2008 Edition

Well, this is the first October random thought in two years and there are a lot of things to go through and also I’m tight on budget.  Let’s go:

1.   The Economic Crisis

The number one spot would normally be one month to the elections, but the economic crisis has been a big issue since the stock market took a plunge a few weeks ago.  I’m not a financial guy, but all I know is there were so many factors caused by:

·         Sub-Prime mortgages banks shouldn’t hand out.

·         Liquidity on credit

·         Out of control spending

·         Golden parachutes

·         Excessive loans everywhere.

To me, I think most of the economic crisis is all true that I mention above, but I think behavioral economics play a role as well.  People thought of buying stock and getting houses during the Bush administration thought the surplus would cover it.  However, with war costs almost at a trillion dollars and people believing in false advertising has now caused the economy to drop.  Right now, people do not believe in the current administration and any word Bush says, the market will drop.  Think of it as a roller coaster of emotions and right now, everyone is angry and stocks are on a down slope because of audience reaction.  This indicates the markets and financial structure need an overhaul.  They can’t do anything because they have a lame-duck president and administration that caused this crisis, they have a critical election coming up in three weeks, and when a new president is elected, the person has to start very early.  Of course, the United States can call Paul Krugman now since he is a Nobel Prize Winner in Economics.

2.   The Presidential Election winding down

This leads me to the Presidential elections.  We all know the economy is the number one issue to most of the people.  Obama gets the point.  David Leonhardt points it here; Andrew Sullivan has the copy of his most recent speech in Ohio; and John Talbott has a book called Obamanomics. 

As for McCain:  Here are the crowd reactions about it:  “Terrorist,” “Treason,” “Kill Him!”  It doesn’t mean economics, just trying to put down Obama since McCain’s only answer to the economic crisis is spending freeze, “That One,” “My Friend(s),” and $300 billion mortgage package, which conservatives did not like.  Unfortunately, the negative attacks have given Obama double digit leads in both the national and state polls.  Then last Friday, McCain had to take the microphone off this woman who said Obama was an Arab and he heard enough.

I honestly think this was not McCain’s presidential campaign.  I think he knew he lost the control of the election when Obama made a great speech at the Democratic Convention and he had to top that.  He wanted Joe Lieberman so he can cover both sides of the political aisle.  However, the neoconservatives took over McCain’s campaign and needed the next neocon leader and found one in Sarah Palin.  She has the same demeanor as George W. Bush with a laid back attitude, which would have been great except on this election, it is real policy issues people care about.  If you want to know about this election and their campaigns, one had all the pressure to be a “politician” and play the straight and narrow because of his color, and the other had a possible winning campaign, but sold his soul to the other side for more attention and more voters and it’s costing him.  You already know the picture.

3.   Washington Sports

Redskins – I’m amazed that their 4-2 right now and wins against Arizona, Dallas, and Philly does help on tiebreakers, but they lost to the former winless Rams have second thoughts, but oddly, I knew it was coming, and now they know they have to be focus each game because the division and conference will only get tougher.

Capitals – After that terrible opener against the Atlanta Thrashers, the Caps have won two in a row and looked very strong.  I hope this season will be a Stanley Cup season because the Capitals are now DC’s second favorite team and have the best star in DC in Alex Ovechkin.  By the way, I have the 11-game plan; I already used one last Saturday on the home opener.  Here are the ten games I have and contact me if you’re interested of going:

·         November 8 – New York Rangers

·         November 14 – New Jersey Devils

·         November 28 – Montreal Canadiens

·         January 31, 2009 – Detroit Red Wings

·         February 20 – Colorado Avalanche

·         February 22 – Pittsburgh Penguins

·         February 24 – Philadelphia Flyers

·         March 8 – Pittsburgh Penguins

·         March 27 – Tampa Bay Lighting (Or Melrose’s Mullets)

·         April 3 – Buffalo Sabres

Of course, all these tickets are on the nosebleed sections, but the view is still good.  As I’ve said before, hockey is the best viewing experience of all the sports.

Wizards – Arenas is out, Jamison is hurt, Haywood has a glass wrist.  The Curse of Lez Bullets have hit again.  We’re back to the 80s again.

Nationals – Well, the Nationals have the worst record in the majors and you know that means:

·         Jim Bowden potential firing

·         Sucking up to people to renew their 2009 Season tickets (I’m one of them, but I’m going for the 6-game plan next year and we have the Red Sox at home.  Who wants to join?!).

·         The DC Government can rest on the $3.1 Million office.

·         Stephen Strasburg will be the Nationals number one pick in the 2009 draft, unless the front office really screws this up, which will not shock me.  I heard he’s very good.

D.C. United – There’s no buzz with this team since Freddie Adu was a benchwarmer.  Although they won the MLS Cup in 2004, they can’t win a playoff series.  I’m telling you, it’s the Curse of the Adu (or that Adu has a voodoo doll with pins).

4.   Twitter

This week, I just started up my Twitter profile.  I wanted to see what the rage is all about.  Here are my observations:

·         I can get quick updates on the news.  News alerts are very helpful.

·         It’s the same as the Facebook Status lines.

·         It’s really an enhanced version of the Status line.

I can see why people are enjoying it and its usefulness.  Do I have to describe everything I do?  Here’s what I’m doing:  Doing my blog in shorts, watching Countdown with Keith Olbermann, sad that the Rays are whooping the Sawx, and thinking …. 

Whoops, I’m all out of characters.

5.   Randor Bierd

Something a little special during flu season.  If you are sick or having a bad day, have a picture of Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Randor Bierd on your screen or a frame picture.  I hear a smile from him cures the sick and releases negative energy of your body.  Here you go:

 

That is all for today.  Just a reminder, I won’t be live-blogging the Pushing Daisies episode because I have other commitments that evening. I will twitter on the last Presidential debate just to be important.  And now, your moment of Zen:  I have none.