I went for a run last night...it was late because I was at my son's basketball game until about 8:00. I'm just jogging along the sidewalk, listening to the Killers, when out of the corner of my eye, I spot a white van driving really slow next to me. Then the flashlight comes out and bounces all over the house in front of me. First, I thought it was the pizza delivery guy. But then I see the eagle decal on the door...and I realize it's the mailman. Or in this case, the mailwoman.
O.k. by this time, it's going on 9 p.m. What is she doing? Did she fool around all day at the mall, and now she's REALLY behind? Did she find some stuff wedged between the door and the seat and because she's incredibly dedicated, she's coming back at night to finish the job?
She's got a friend in the van with her...is that legal? Did she tell her friend, "look, I am so screwed. I went to the matinee today and lost all track of time. I have to get this stuff delivered by midnight tonight or it's curtains for me, so I'll buy you pizza and beer if you just help me with the mail!"
I mean, I trust my mailman, but it kind of creeps me out to think of him (or her) slinking around the neighborhood in the dark.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Proven Right...Was it Worth It?
You all know people like this at work -- they insist on getting the last word in because it's so important for them to be RIGHT.
I have actually been in meetings where my colleagues have thrown their own clients under the bus because to keep quiet meant they wouldn't get that last RIGHT word in.
I also have sat through really painful year-end evaluations (one of them was over 3 hours long) because every bit of constructive criticism I offered up had to be countered with a lengthy diatribe of why I was wrong...they DID do that, or that WAS accomplished. Don't people realize that just reinforces my opinion that you are an arrogant, inflexible tool...and I automatically make the assumption that you are that way with your clients, too?
Arrrggghhh.
Sometimes, it's best to just know in your heart you're right and let history tell the tale.
I have actually been in meetings where my colleagues have thrown their own clients under the bus because to keep quiet meant they wouldn't get that last RIGHT word in.
I also have sat through really painful year-end evaluations (one of them was over 3 hours long) because every bit of constructive criticism I offered up had to be countered with a lengthy diatribe of why I was wrong...they DID do that, or that WAS accomplished. Don't people realize that just reinforces my opinion that you are an arrogant, inflexible tool...and I automatically make the assumption that you are that way with your clients, too?
Arrrggghhh.
Sometimes, it's best to just know in your heart you're right and let history tell the tale.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Over my head in Overhead
What is an acceptable level of overhead? For charities and non profit organizations, most people cite a "no more than 25%" figure that has gained acceptance over the past several years, although some will argue that figure is restrictive and counter productive.
The overhead percentage at my company -- simply figured as number of non billable folks out of the total headcount -- is about 24%. But we're not a non profit...not theoretically, anyway. We have 9 IT folks--that's 1 IT person for every 7 billable staff people. This means I shouldn't even have to turn my own computer on in the morning.
My colleague's brother used to head up HR for Kowalski...the sausage people. He was a one-man band, responsible for the personnel issues of more than 350 people. Including little old Polish ladies who didn't want to work with their neighbors who didn't go to Catholic Church (true story). We have 3 HR people but for the most part, we ignore each other's religious convictions.
When times are flush, overhead isn't watched as carefully. There's more than enough profit to go around. But speaking for myself -- no raise in 2 years, a salary cut this year and 25 billable staff laid off in the last 2 years -- something's gotta give.
The overhead percentage at my company -- simply figured as number of non billable folks out of the total headcount -- is about 24%. But we're not a non profit...not theoretically, anyway. We have 9 IT folks--that's 1 IT person for every 7 billable staff people. This means I shouldn't even have to turn my own computer on in the morning.
My colleague's brother used to head up HR for Kowalski...the sausage people. He was a one-man band, responsible for the personnel issues of more than 350 people. Including little old Polish ladies who didn't want to work with their neighbors who didn't go to Catholic Church (true story). We have 3 HR people but for the most part, we ignore each other's religious convictions.
When times are flush, overhead isn't watched as carefully. There's more than enough profit to go around. But speaking for myself -- no raise in 2 years, a salary cut this year and 25 billable staff laid off in the last 2 years -- something's gotta give.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Boy's Club
I work in the auto industry. Not for one of the big 3 (or 6, or 2, or whatever it is these days...) but our clients are primarily automotive. And the good ol' boys club is still alive and well and as times get tougher...the boys club grows stronger.
Google "influential women in the automotive industry" and you get "Ask Patty." Not that there's anything wrong with Patty, but a chatty blog on car buying advice is now the zenith of automotive career success?
Thousands of high ranking women have left the automotive industry over the past several years and for an industry that sells 65% of its products to women (and they influence as much as 80% of all vehicle purchases) this is like putting a woman at the helm of Playboy magazine. (wait, that actually worked out pretty well, didn't it?)
At my company, if you are not a "car guy" (that's a literal term that's used all the time) you are not afforded the same respect. Oh, if you need an event planned or a contest or incentive trip organized, of course...call the women! But if you want to discuss marketing a new vehicle or launching a new car company...well, that's where the boys are.
Google "influential women in the automotive industry" and you get "Ask Patty." Not that there's anything wrong with Patty, but a chatty blog on car buying advice is now the zenith of automotive career success?
Thousands of high ranking women have left the automotive industry over the past several years and for an industry that sells 65% of its products to women (and they influence as much as 80% of all vehicle purchases) this is like putting a woman at the helm of Playboy magazine. (wait, that actually worked out pretty well, didn't it?)
At my company, if you are not a "car guy" (that's a literal term that's used all the time) you are not afforded the same respect. Oh, if you need an event planned or a contest or incentive trip organized, of course...call the women! But if you want to discuss marketing a new vehicle or launching a new car company...well, that's where the boys are.
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