The Magic Kingdom!

When I was a kid, going to Disneyland was an incredibly exciting event.  I loved the Magic Kingdom!  But that was back in the day when each ride required a ticket and Disney tickets were labeled as either A, B, C, D, or E. For example, a climb through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse? A – Ticket. The Matterhorn, however, was an E-Ticket ride. Twists and turns, ups and downs, and lots of screaming. I know, it sounds more like a bad marriage than a fun ride.

A favorite Disney feature was and is The Electric Light Parade.  With its intoxicating calliope music, it never ceases to turn me in to a a four-year old, all over again. The twinkling lights and the twirling snails, Pete’s Dragon with smoke-fuming nostrils and all.  And every Disney Princess sparkles — a clear message that happiness can be wrapped in some flashing lights and vivid memories, either newly-created or from years gone by. The call of joy fills a jammed parade route.

The call of Disney embraces park attendees and reminds us all what it is like to be a kid once more – where wishing wells exist not only next door to Pixie Hollow, but down the street from Space Mountain. The evidence of an economic crisis is not quite clear at the happiest place on earth. As a matter of fact, excess is distributed around the park, like expensive manure. Young and old, smart and not-so-smart, wealthy and not-so wealthy. I have heard it said that Disney is the great equalizer. Everyone paid the same amount to get in, and everyone will have to eventually leave.

I think the magic Mickey Ears actually heard what the customers wanted, and created a place – other worldly that it is – that removes social or economic status and sets the tone and space for buying – even during times of economic strife.   And buying the consumer does not seem to have a problem with, at least not at Disneyland, “oh great lurers of men.” If you build it, they will come. Creating a fun place to work or vend is essential for the high turnover world in which we live, work, and play.

And no, we can’t all build a Disneyland. But what have you built, what are you building?  Have you established your target audience? Are they hearing and then comprehending what you are saying, what you are delivering?  If not, what will you do about it?  Understand your customer/client – understand their needs. Follow up with them.  Set the hook.  Connect today, stay connected tomorrow. Cross the moat, but do not miss the boat.

Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology.  She is also a proud mother of four, happily engaged to Tom, residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a daily contributor for Blogging4Jobs.  Connect with her on LinkedIn.  

 

work or play

Nine-year old Sam once asked his father, “Daddy, how can we make a stuffed animal come to life?” His father pondered…, and decided yep, that’s a good question.  A favorite toy, yet stagnant and non-productive.  The production of play is in the mind and action of Sam, not the stuffed animal itself.  Sam must move the toy where it needs to be and set it into the amusement in order to make the play work.

I remember a favorite teddy bear I named Fluffy.  He didn’t do much, just sat on my bed.  And I recall countless Barbies and paper dolls that required my imagination and other accessories in order to work.  A toy’s job is to play, so play is its occupation.

It is very easy to become stagnant in our jobs. To sit mindlessly at our desks, pounding away at a keyboard or surfing the net, smiling and dialing, or uploading and downloading…, But what is being produced?  How truly labor-intensive or productive do you make your day?

It is, unfortunately, not play that is required to gear up for your day. Do you sometimes wish you had a wind-up key at your base to help you somehow make it to five o’clock before completely winding down?  Rarely does my work day end at 5pm and most often starts before 7am. So if you are like me, barely making it to midnight is about right – which, the older I get, the more arduous a task that becomes.

But like stuffed animals, there are those who require a significant amount of engagement in order to work. Then there are those who are self-winding and self-finding. Their intrinsic motivation is intensive and undeniable.

Where is your intent, where is your purpose? Are you a stuffed animal that your clients or employer wish they could make come to life?  Are you a headless Barbie with no self-direction or a paper doll, flat in purpose?

Intensive Purpose. Purposeful Intent.  Look to these when you need a wind-up key.

Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology.  She is also a proud mother of four, happily engaged to Tom, residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a daily contributor for Blogging4Jobs.  Connect with her on LinkedIn.  

Vrrroooommm!

The engine rev’d and lurched the vehicle just a bit. The car next to me, a Cadillac Escalade, was polished and chromed with expensive wheels and tires. Its anxious driver could barely contain himself while waiting for the light to change. Apparently, it was very important to him that he be the first out of the gate, the first to cross the line at the intersection.

He raced down the busy street, weaving in and out of traffic, glassy-eyed and seemingly oblivious to all other cars. While he wanted to be first and must have been in a very big hurry, he arrived no more quickly than I, still having to wait at the next light, and the next. His eagerness only garnered dividends in pride. And while I have always admired a competitive nature, after all it is the basis for capitalism, I do not approve of this particular Escaladier’s lack of respect for other drivers or pedestrians that might get in the way of his silly quest: to be first to the next light.

His raucous music blared and yes, his ride was sweet, but what did it prove? That he had wealth? That he knew how to drive well? That he was a winner? That the guy with the biggest toys wins? What was really proven was more along the lines that he was bossy, unruly, selfish, and not so bright…, like I said, we arrived at the same destination at almost the same time. His behavior did not get him there any faster or esteem him in the eyes of those who witnessed said behavior.

What does a competitive nature say about the business you ? If you make wise choices, driving the closure of deals which create long-standing relationships, than it says you are smart. But if you base decisions on selfish needs or wants and then ignore the desires and requirements of those around you, your sense of competition has not improved your business acumen or endeared you to clients or associates. You have indeed separated yourself from the crowd, but from which crowd?

How do you measure your achievements in work? If you are competitive, if that is what drives better performance, then be prepared to measure “your performance”, not just beat those around you or your direct competition. If a victory does fall your way, study why you were victorious, not just simply that you were, that you beat everyone else. But most of all, make sure you understand what a victory would truly look like to you and those around you.

Simply arriving at the next stoplight first is not a prize – it isn’t even an honest day’s work.

Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology.  She is also a proud mother of four, happily engaged to Tom, residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a daily contributor for Blogging4Jobs.  Connect with her on LinkedIn.  

A few years ago, a young woman called me, devastated. She had been fired from her job. She had nowhere to turn and was seeking advice. What could I tell her but the same old, tired phrases “Everything happens for a reason” or “You will see, it will be for the better.”  She was hurt, confused, depressed, penitent, sorrowful, and scared.  But mostly, she was humble. That was actually the word she used. Humble.

How many of us use that word when describing ourselves or our work? I know that I often feel overwhelmed and under-qualified to pump out the work that is required to stay afloat in business these days, but each day I do, and each day I strive for that evasive perfection – like that White Stag in Narnia. Every once in a while, I catch a glimpse of its tail as it runs into the brush. I often feel I will never ride upon its fair back or gaze into its soft brown eyes - the eyes of success.  But that is only my version of success.

The young woman had been a supervisor overseeing forty customer service representatives in a call center. She had been recently promoted to the position, having successfully navigated interviews and applications that lined her promotional process. Promoted just two weeks ago, it was her responsibility to take over “escalated calls” and “intense exchanges of communication” both written and over the phone. Her downfall? She accidentally sent an internal email to a customer. That’s it.

No foul language was used, no derogatory terms, just a few details about her personal findings in an “escalated incident.” When she discovered her mistake, she immediately went to her supervisor and revealed what had happened. She was escorted to her desk where she packed her scant belongings and was removed from the premises. Due to an unbendable rule, she was terminated immediately.

How many of us carelessly hit the send button every day? How many of us have said careless words that derailed someone’s work or caused more labor? The mistake can be simple, but its impact can be distressing and life-changing, as in this young woman’s case. No, she did not commit an egregious error or threaten a life, she simply broke a strict rule.

Check your verbiage. Adjust your stance. Clear your throat. Kick the dust off your shoes. Pop your knuckles. Whatever you need to do to weigh in and stay humble. True humility is not self-effacing  - it is recognizing your small place in a huge world that can easily go on without you, and yet aware that you could not possibly go on without it.

Send – a simple word, a simple action with implications beyond culpability that transcend uncomplicated duty.

Whew.  Say that five times fast.

Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology.  She is also a proud mother of four, happily engaged to Tom, residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a daily contributor for Blogging4Jobs.  Connect with her on LinkedIn.  

Gee, thanks. How do you thank a business associate? Should you thank a business associate?

When offering thanks to anyone in business, what is the appropriate approach? Most Chamber of Commerce organizations allow for “testimonials” during our networking luncheon, they can often be tedious and self-indulgent. Do they work? Manners seem to be regionally-defined as well as industry-distinct, but should they? I mean, it’s not as if a “service tip” can be written in and added to your invoice or paycheck. What is an appropriate thank you for a candidate, client, vendor, service provider, or business associate to offer you?

Several years ago, I interviewed a young man for a position within my company. I liked him instantly over the phone and invited him on-site for an interview. He wasn’t exactly right in the position for which he had applied, but given that we were hiring for many newly-created positions, I kept him on the line for another req I knew would soon be opening up. Two days after our interview, he sent me flowers. He also sent them to the Vice President of Corporate Services - my boss. Despite the fact that I felt it was inappropriate, I enjoyed the flowers and I did end up hiring him – but not because of the flowers.  As a matter of fact, the flowers hindered his candidacy and almost cost him the job.

Another candidate sent me a thank you note with a Starbucks card tucked inside. He didn’t get the job but I did enjoy the coffee. I guess every position comes with perquisites of some sort or another, right? Still not sure how I feel about it. Is it taking a bribe if I don’t allow it to influence my decision to hire or buy or engage? Should I return the gifts that sometimes come my way? Is this at all related to payola or campaign contributions?

One of the search firms I worked for always sent a plant to our placements on their second day on the job. “Thank you for securing us a large fee.” It is a fine line, and one worth considering.  Business is business – service provider to client and vice versa. This doesn’t exactly fall under the holiday card exchange category. More “above and beyond…”  I also sent Thank You cards on vellum to individuals interviewed as Professional References – in other words, “We treated you nice and you were nice back, do you want to buy our services?”  Do we think they will not see past the gold-embossed Thank You?

Fees paid in full and in a timely manner would be thanks enough for me.  A pretty-near perfect job well done should be thanks enough for them.  But it doesn’t seem to be. Do we require endorsements, testimonials, or recommendations? Shouldn’t our work and referrals stand for themselves? Again, ego gets in the way. Perhaps the id is where we should meet. Where the two lines cross. When the rubber meets the road. Where you put your money where your mouth is…

So…, is a job well done thanks enough?

Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology.  She is also a proud mother of four, happily engaged to Tom, residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a daily contributor for Blogging4Jobs.  Connect with her on LinkedIn.  

Pure and Simple Genius

“Good sense is the master of human life.”  I don’t know who said that, but I like it.  How often, when confronted with a decision, business or otherwise, do we allow our emotions to cloud our judgment, to interfere with our common sense? We each possess it, it is available, an innate sense to make wise decisions, to know when to not push too hard in a business decision – with a client or team member, to know on which pitch to swing, to follow your gut or the little angel who whispers in your ear.

There are times, however, when our common sense gets sidetracked because we allow feelings, emotions, or increased involvement to veil the real issue or even trick us into thinking something other than what is right before our eyes. Common Sense can be a tricky little bugger.

“Common Sense is not so common.” ~Voltaire

What? Do you mean to say that not everyone possesses it?  Sadly, that would seem to be the case.  Take, for instance, a businessman who berates or calls potential client names.  The world is too small now for this so-called businessman or any of us to get away with this type of irrational and nonsensical behavior.  What kind of reputation have you made for yourself?  What do your current clients or partners/colleagues say about you? How about your friends and even family?

I have heard it said a number of times that common sense is relative to genius.  When you consider how easy it is to get diverted from using our common sense, this most likely is true.  Maybe it does take a dash of genius to actually see the common sense in a situation.  Of course, after a situation or issue has passed, common sense seems crystal clear or magically appears.  Hindsight is 20-20, right?

So, in a sense, we all have the opportunity to become a genius.  And, while it is easy to say, it’s the doing that is actually a bit more difficult.  Learning to do, to act upon what is right, to actually see things in reality, as they are – this can be a challenge.  But not impossible, but also - not so common.

Maybe we should just cut to the chase and call it what it is:  uncommon sense.  Pretty much clears it up, wouldn’t you say?

Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology.  She is also a proud mother of four, happily engaged to Tom, residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a daily contributor for Blogging4Jobs.  Connect with her on LinkedIn.