Smokers isolation

I was driving down the beautiful winding tree lined street today on the way to see the construction progress on my company's new building (this is starting out like an Ed post!). I glanced to my right to see a single lonely smoker the requisite distance from her non-smoking building puffing away. It is a very comfortable 55 degrees today so weather in this instance wasn't an issue. That said, in Iowa City where smoking is very restricted, it isn't uncommon to see smokers bundled up, braving the elements of cold February days so they can smoke. It seems that smoking is all at once the most social of habits, along with its close brethren of vices drinking. But seeing the lady this morning made me think that at times, in particular in a community with severe restrictions on smokers, smoking is a very isolating habit.

Dad and Lawn Care, Both at Their Finest!

As the weather warms and all of nature comes back to life from Winter, we all seem to get a little bit more of a spring in our step.  And whether its planting flowers, fertilizing the yard, seeding the garden or the creme-da-la-creme of mowing your lawn when it is in its finest form, most of us seem to spend infinitely more time outside in our yards.  Visiting with neighbors, throwing some steaks on the grill, or taking in the sunshine ... it doesn't really matter.  We all love basking in the glory and grandeur of our yards.

At least most of us do.  We all have "that neighbor" that believes his yard is a hay field, dealt best organically with those beautiful small yellow flowers (dandelions, creeping charlie) and the one who chooses to do as little to his/her yard as possible.  Thrives on harvested it only one or two times per year.  But other than "that neighbor" ... most of us like our yards to look nice.

So it goes without saying that some of us participate more robustly in our lawn care than others.  Yep, well our Dad rests at the peak of this hierarchy.

He's CRAZY about his yard.  If it's too long he's not happy.  If it's too short (you have the blade way too low) he's not happy.  If it's not getting enough rain he's not happy.  And if it's rainy and too wet, it's too long and too wet and he's not happy.  You get the point.

And as the son who inherited the "yard gene" as much as any of us, I appreciate and admire this trait in  my Dad.

But sometimes he just goes too far ...  case in point upcoming.

I spoke to Dad last night.  He said he was tired from a long and productive day.  I'll spare you all the details and just say that Mom and Dad found themselves at home by themselves at 3pm on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  And Dad decided to mulch the tomato's in the garden which requires some grass clippings.  Uh oh.

Now Dad wasn't about to damage the beauty of his recently mowed lawn just for some mulch for his tomatoes.  But he did need some grass clippings.  And he wasn't about to get weeds from a neighbor's lawn caked under his mowing deck just to get some long clippings by mowing the neighbors yard.

So what's the next best thing?  Mow his yard with a push mower that bags even though he mowed it the day before yesterday.  Yep, that's right.  And do you know how much of his yard he had to mow with the push mower/bagger in order to get the desired amount of clippings?  Consider first that he was probably cutting about 1/32 of an inch from each blade of grass and the answer is ... his whole damn yard!  Yep, all 2.3 acres of it.  With the push mower/bagger, on a glorious Sunday afternoon.  Hmmmm, and he was tired, but he was happy!  And proudly announced to me at 8pm that evening that not only had he gotten his tomatoes mulched with grass, but also mowed/bagged his whole lawn in the process!

I'm a believer that I'm a "chip off the old block" when it comes to this element of Dad's character and interest.  But I'm going to take a lesson from this and learn from his example.  Drop the blade a notch? Good idea.  Drop it three notches and mow the alley in the back for 30 feet?  Even better.  Brad jumped all over that solution.  But not Dad.  He's going to go about it the painstaking way that preserves his turf.  All 2.3 acres of it.

Now that's what I call a love of lawn care, gardens and the great outdoors!

A Mothers Day Tribute ... Metta World Peace Style

With Mothers Day yesterday it didn't matter whether you turned on the radio, the TV, or went to church for the Sunday morning sermon, all talk was about mothers.  The advice they dole out, the sacrifices they make, and how much better the world is because of what they do selfishly each day.  

So of course, I was thinking about all the advice that I have been given by my mother over the years.  And I'm still getting.  Most of it I listen to and attempt to learn from.  But some of it "goes in one ear and out the other".   But one that sticks out for me was one I've heard a thousand times.  "Remember son, your actions speak much louder than your words".  

Amen. 

So I have to ask, what do you think Metta World Peace's Mom (aka Ron Artest's Mom) had to say about the antics of her sons recently elbowing of James Harden in the head, warranting his 7-game suspension?  I'll bet her response wasn't "ah, that's my boy!"  Probably more along the lines of "what the #&@$ were you thinking son!"  Yeah, that's probably a more realistic script.  

I'm sure that all Moms are embarrassed by their kids actions at some point.  Tiger Woods' Mom, Scott Thompson's Mom, Sean Payton's Mom, Anthony Weiner's Mom ... I could go on and on.  

And no doubt there have been countless times when I embarrassed my Mom too.  Heck, we all do it.  It's almost expected as kids, "doing what kids do".  But sometimes as adults also, which is not only embarrassing but also disappointing to our mothers.  "I thought I had raised you better than that."  

Throwing a fit in the dugout after a strikeout, saying something inappropriate in church, acting up with my brothers in a public place, or just not doing my best on a test or exam I was taking.  All these are painful for our Moms.  But these are petty crimes of Mom embarrassment.  Their not a bank heist, something of grand enough proportions to be of national or international fame - with media swarming significant enough that any person in the free world has the opportunity to read about your error in judgment or see it first hand on their big screen.  No, that's Mom embarrassment of a whole new scale.  

So I wish they would have interviewed the Moms of a few of those above named who have made fatal or nearly fatal mistakes on Mothers Day.  

I'm imagining the interview on ESPN ...

Scott Van Pelt:  Metta World Peace Mom, do you think the 7-game suspension from Commissioner Stern for your son's actions is too soft?

Metta World Peace Mom:  Ron would have been grounded for longer than that just for acting up in church on a Sunday morning.  I expect much more than that from my boy!

Scott Van Pelt:  So what do you think would be an appropriate punishment for your son's recent behaviors on the court?  

Metta World Peace Mom:  If he was still living under my roof I would color his backside redder than a barn door! 

Now there is an idea for Commissioner Stern.  

Thanks for all the Moms out there teaching their kids the rights and wrongs of the world in a way that only a Mother could.  With heaping amounts of love and forgiveness to help make that painful lapse in judgment go down a little smoother.

The cost of political apathy

You guys have probably heard me say before that I'm pretty apathetic about American politics. I've reached a point of hopelessness when it comes to the men and women who make up the legislative branch of our government. I've lost faith. Then I came across an article about a month ago and for the first time, read about a candidate that I think I could get behind. Of course, it's too late now (not that my support would have made a big difference). This is my favorite portion of the article: "The real message he is carrying is that both parties–the 'duopoly,' as he calls it—are paralyzed by polarization and inertia, and that the Republican Party in particular is pursuing an 'unsustainable' course." Now that sounds like my kind of pseudo-Republican! Unfortunately, because he doesn't tote the party line, the Republicans have already started the process of spitting him out. I like a guy who is willing to talk reasonably to both sides. It's too bad. Sounds like he was a pretty incredible governor and COULD have been a great president.

2012 Aspirations, Checkpoint

Thought it would be good to go back (via this blog) and look at my 2012 aspirations (goals, with 60% less commitment) and check in to see how I'm doing so far.  Here's the list from a blog post I made early in the new year along with updated comments:

1. Get in shape for Grand Canyon trip and stay under 200 lbs for the full year.

I know I definitely wasn't in as good of shape as I should have been.  But that's the equivalent 20/20 hindsight.  I was pleased with my preparation prior to the trip but underestimated how challenging the hike would be.  I've also stayed under 200 so far this year but have been dangerously close a couple of times.  I'm about 195 right now.  

2. Complete the planned route with a minimum of bitching and moaning.

I was definitely sore and grumpy as we prepared for our last day of hiking (and most challenging) out of the canyon.  But the trip was uneventful from a bitching and moaning standpoint.  We all seemed to make the best of it and because everyone was sore to varying degrees, it was more bearable than if you were the only sap who could feel your calfs and thighs.  

3. Hunt with Brad at least one more time prior to Spring.

I struck out on this one.  This goal was somewhat constrained by the fact that birds were hard to come by according to the reserve where Brad is a member. But bottom line is I didn't get the quality time with Brad doing something we both love.  

4. Accept a new professional position (job), preferably in KC and with my existing employer.

Interesting because now this one will definitely be achieved, short the existing employer element.  I'm anxious about finding my next opportunity but do feel I will be happier in the long term once I find my next career step professionally.

5. Take a family vacation by renting a house "on the beach".

Still on the horizon, but highly probable.

6. Take a long weekend (with the boys) and set a new personal best for the largest fish I've ever caught.

Ditto, and I hope with the additional fish time I have on my hands that I can land the biggest fish portion of this aspiration as well. 

7. Successfully complete my first Sprint triathlon.

Aggressive, but still an aspiration.  Who knows.

8. Move to South KC, closer to where our lives continue to trend.

Highly unlikely since Holly and I consciously have decided to remain in North KC if we remain in KC at all.  

9. Ride at least 1,000 miles on my bike.

This is still very achievable and even more so now that Holly has agreed to "have a go" with me and try road biking.  I'm so excited and we'll probably try it for the first time this week.  Nothing crazy, just 10 miles or so for the first time out.  

10. Stay equally and hopefully more engaged in my kids activities and coach, cheer and support them in their endeavors.

I feel I've done really well here, and expect to continue to do so.  My kids are a wonderful inspiration for me and I absolutely love watching them excel at whatever they choose.  They are all good athletes in their own right, something they obviously have inherited from their Mom!  

2012 is shaping up to be a defining year for me.  I've been given the opportunity to reflect on what I've done in the past, but more importantly, what I'm going to do in the future.  I have no idea what tomorrow is going to bring for me professionally but it could have a sizable and material impact on my aspirations above.  

Marc on Mayweather

I don't like him. I can't even give any concrete reasons why, but I just don't. His arrogance probably has a lot to do with it. And the fact that he likes to beat up women doesn't help either (Have fun during your 90 days in jail buddy). He says a lot of stupid things, including his claim that MMA was started by white people because they can't dominate boxing. Yeah, on the one hand you can praise him for being "in control" of his finances. On the other hand you can call him a micromanager. Telling two of your people that they aren't allowed to go to the gym again until they find a betting receipt that you were dumb enough to leave in the pocket of your sweat pants - now that's quality leadership. I can't call myself a boxing fan, so I'm not even close to qualified to talk about who would win a Pacquiao/Mayweather fight. I do, however, think that Mayweather is a smart enough guy to know who NOT to fight. Once you have a loss under your belt, you don't make the money that he's making now. He knows that, so he doesn't want to fight someone who can beat him. In fact, the controversy about him NOT fighting Pacquiao generates money in and of itself. His smokescreen about drug testing and claiming that Pacquiao could not have won in so many weight classes without performance enhancing drugs apparently doesn't apply to his own success in at least five weight classes. He's scared to fight Pacquiao, because he doesn't want to lose. He also doesn't want to deal with someone who demands money in the same way that he does. In the end, I'm pretty confident that Mayweather will end up broke, because sooner or later his income will diminish and his gambling habit will get the best of him. Once he's no longer proving his manliness in the ring against opponents, he'll have to try to prove it with ridiculous bets (which he will eventually lose) or by continuing to beat up on women. It won't end well for Mayweather. He's no Muhammed Ali or Oscar de la Hoya.

My Dream Job

So what's your dream job?  If you were financially independent but chose to go to work anyway, what would you do?  I would be a minor league baseball owner!

Why?  Well, I could be around a game I love regularly and run a small business.  Being at the ball park is awesome.  And I'm assuming (since I never have actually spoken with anyone who could confirm this) that you don't have to deal with ego-maniacs as players.  I believe most players in the game at the minor league level are in it "for the love of the game".  Surely it's not for the money right?  

I also think I would be pretty good at this job.  Hiring a good general manager, coming up with creative marketing to get families out to the ball park.  And being sure they have fun.  If you go to a minor league game you get so much closer to the game, to the players, and you can do so without spending a fortune.  Now that's a value proposition.

If I had contact with a few players who "made it big" that would be cream.  Von Hayes?  Now there's a great memory.  Surely I would run into a few hidden gems of baseball players if I did it long enough right?

So what's your dream job?  If you say it's your current job I'm going to call you out.  Hold the cheese.  The only cheese allowed attached to this post is me.  That's another element of my dream job I would love, I would be "the big cheese".

Ok, so let me hear what you've got.

Why HR Matters

Ok, so everyone who reads this post probably knows I'm an "HR guy".  And I've been an "HR guy" for almost my entire professional life; since I graduated from college over twenty years ago.  So it should come as no surprise that I'm defending my profession.

But I'm going to do so with a twist.

My professional experience working with executive leadership (the C-suite) has taught me that few executive business leaders truly respect and understand how significantly their HR team can positively impact their business.  Now there are a lot of HR teams out there that can't.  But there are just as many who can.  And I'm not talking about soft, non-quantifiable improvement like morale and engagement.  I'm talking about increasing revenues and profits!  In fact, I will climb out on a limb and say that in some businesses HR plays a more significant role in financial success than communications, legal, finance and marketing put together!  Often HR can play a more important role in financial success than any functions other than sales and operations.  And if you want to optimize the sales and operations in your business who do you call on?  That's right, HR!

So I'm going to pull back on my own reigns because I can feel a rant building.  But my message with this post is simple - "people are the life blood of just about every business".  And what function has a greater impact on the people in your business than any other?  Easy answer right ... HR!

Because I'm sure the B3AW readership is packed with those occupying C-suite roles, I'm going to provide all of you three simple rules to improve your business.  These rules were given to me by one of the most business savvy people I've ever met, and a professional who I am also privileged to call a mentor and a friend.

So here goes.

There are only three ways to make more money in your business:  (1) sell more, (2) sell the same amount at a higher price, or (3) reduce your costs.  Yes, it's that simple.  Now, think about how you (as a C-suite executive) will go about executing any of these strategies.

(1) If you want to sell more, who do you count on?  Your people.
(2) If you want to sell your product/service at a higher price, who do you count on?  Your people.
(3) If you want to reduce your business costs, who do you count on?  Your people.

So the trifecta of improving your business all comes from one singular and crucial resource.  That's right, your people.  And what function do you rely on to ensure that you have the right people - people who motivated, engaged, productive, show good business judgment, and make the right decisions for your business?

I think you can answer that one.  And that could make you a more knowledgeable, informed and strategic C-suite executive than most.

Am I bitter?  No.  Am I out to show my C-suite executives the light by building and leading a best-in-class HR team?  Yep.

Ed on Mayweather Jr.

I'm a fan of boxing, I'm a fan of winners, and I'm a fan of Mayweather.

Sure, he's a strong candidate to lose everything he's earned from his boxing exploits.  And he's arrogant as hell.  But I don't like him because of his financial management skills - I like him because he's an extraordinary boxer!  Quick as a cat, slippery, and with an ego to back up those lightning quick hands.  I would suggest that the arrogance, ego and showmanship is part of what makes him great.  He gets in his opponent's heads, and that clearly is part of being a great fighter.

He'll meet his match someday, as age ultimately beats everyone.  But I personally think that he could be Pacman.  Manny's invincibility needs to be removed, and I think Floyd is just the guy to do it.

I would like to suggest maybe this should be the fight we go see in Vegas, but my pocketbook can't take that kind of punishment.  Most everyone who's fought Floyd would tell you the only thing that felt good about fighting him was their pocketbook.  Their nose, chin and stomach hurt like hell!

I’m bipolar on Floyd Mayweather Jr. (part 2)

There was a very interesting article about Floyd Mayweather Jr. on ESPN. On top of the world know, in another 15 years (or less) he’ll be a headline and cautionary tale about getting caught up in an unsustainable lifestyle as a professional athlete. Success as a pro athlete is short-term and his net worth of $100 million will last about 7 years after he stops earning money if he continues with $10K dinners luxury cars, a history of needing lawyers to defend his violent tendencies and a gambling habit. Just ask Scotty Pippen, Warren Sapp, etc. The list of 50 year old broke former sports millionaires goes on and on.

I’m bipolar on Floyd Mayweather Jr. (part 1)

There was a very interesting article about Floyd Maweather Jr. on ESPN. It is admirable and innovative for a person to turn their industry through their individual effort. He has completely redrawn the compensation model for himself and a fighter. This took the willingness to accept tremendous risk and the wherewithal to actually pull it off. I can say that perhaps I’ve misread his pressers and media coverage as just another flamboyant athlete with a half a brain and less of a care. Like him or not, he’s doing something right with his business and it’s paying off.