Somebody is Everybody's Customer!

Last evening, I was watching an online program and it brought back some painful memories about customer service and everybody involved.

During the program, the restaurant business was going badly with customers dissatisfied with their dinners at a frightening rate and when the server was asked if it bothered him. All he could say was: “You have to learn to not let it get to you personally, in order to work here.”

LEADERSHIP BEHIND GROWTH

Have you ever witnessed the collapse of a process, organization or department day after day?  I have and it hurts. Perhaps even more frightful is the fact that it’s accepted and appears to be all that is expected of people. That is truly sad.

I’ve watched an organization attempt to improve processes to a point and the internal power struggles often resulted in management turnover. Each time it happened, the end result weakened with less service. The bigger the organization grew the less control it had and the outcome became the norm.

We use to joke that if the service offered today stopped, we wouldn’t see much of a difference. That’s how bad it was.

WHO CARES?

I attempted to let my thoughts be known, because I cared and have seen far better service. My comments weren’t appreciated and fell on deaf ears. The management style is stuck in this “see no, hear no evil” mode and basically the biggest fear is “not being the person to stick their neck out.” The fear of opening a can of worms might prevent the career climb of the ladder, so they invite the typical downward spiral behavior.

There comes a point in time when you must protect your own sanity. What it should have been was a realization it was time to find another job.

PARALYSIS BY ANALYSIS 

When you witness an organization so dysfunctional that it fails to follow its own blueprint; there’s no hope. I often talk about how easy it is to accept mediocrity, but this behavior is beneath mediocrity.

Poor leadership with growth and denial is a huge problem. The end result is always the same. Everyone who partakes loses.

Some know it, some don’t get it and some- really don’t care!

Which are you?

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Rock Lines Returns!

(Rock Lines is one of my feature articles in the new expanded version of The Rust Belt Chronicles. Stay tuned for a launch date.)

Trevor Bolder Recuperating

Uriah Heep bassist, Trevor Bolder, is recuperating after having surgery on his Pancreas. The operation and chemotherapy was successful in killing the cancer cells. We wish Trevor the best. Word has it; he may be back sooner than expected with Mick Box and company.

It looks like they hit the “Nail on the Head” with this procedure!

Trevor is a superb bass player, former member of David Bowie’s Spiders from Mars band and has the closest playing style of Jon Entwistle alive today. Witnessing his bass solo on “July Morning” is something to behold and unfortunately many YouTube’s postings fail to focus on his solo. We found a nice video displaying his prowess here, although the sound is a little distorted.

Filling in for Trevor on Heep’s upcoming tour is bassist, Dave Rimmer, best known for his work with Zodiac Mindwarp.  You may send Trevor a card or letter at this address:

Trevor Bolder

PO Box 6249

Leighton Buzzard

Bedfordshire

LU7 0WSTR
 

 

Thank Hank Party- The Cleveland Agora

 

The Cleveland Agora will host a 100^th anniversary party on March 22^nd in honor of its founder Hank Loconti. The VIP event ($200.00 a ticket) begins at 5:30 pm and the doors open for a concert ($48.00 ticket) at 8:30 pm.

Musical Guests include: Glass Harp, Foghat, members of the James Gang, Michael Stanley, Jimmy Ley, Freddie Salem (formerly of The Outlaws), Bootsy Collins, Unsaid Fate and many other surprise appearances. All proceeds will be donated towards the restoration project of the Agora at 5000 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mystery Artist
 

 A few blogs ago, I mentioned I was back in the saddle backing-up a local up-and- coming artist. Who is this mystery man?

It’s the multi-talented artist, Rob Hemmick. I’ve had the pleasure of watching this young man mature as an artist. I first was blown away by his “one-man band” appearances 20 years ago and since then, Rob has produced his own material and honed his writing skills to a professional level.

You can check his latest release- "Sad Flight to the Sun", here.

The band features Eric Cicolani on guitar of The Thomas Edison Sound Machine and Ron McDonald of Mad Gathering on bass. The band is currently rehearsing for opening slot gigs later this spring.
 

That’s all for Rock Lines this week and make sure to watch for the new expanded edition The Rust Belt Chronicles to stay up on the latest happenings in Rock Lines.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Cleveland Browns Improve Defense!

(This article will appear in the new Rust Belt Chronicles- Browns Town Section).

The Cleveland Browns improved their defense significantly at the beginning of free agency.  Desmond Bryant, Paul Kruger and Quinton Groves should have opponents and (hopefully) quarterbacks reeling. Where they actually go from here is anyone’s guess. Browns fans must be excited to see the recent edition of players acquired to help bolster the new 3-4 defense of Ray Horton. The front seven of the defense is loaded with aggression and speed.

Stopping the run and applying quarterback pressure is a key factor in the AFC North. The Brown’s have been in many close games over the last few years and maybe we will finally win those games. Last season, a lot of the rookies received playing time due to injuries and that has to reap dividends this year. It was exciting to see the youth of the Browns excel at many of the defensive line and linebackers positions.

Perhaps, the factory of sadness is about to turn a corner?

The one major weakness is who will play opposite Joe Haden in 2013? So far in FA, the Browns haven’t signed a cornerback and many of the players approaching their prime have been signed. I believe the Browns will sign at least someone in free agency to cover in nickelback situations.

Does this mean the Browns are going for Dee Milliner in the 2013 Draft or have good reason to believe he will still be available at No. 6?  Perhaps the coaching staff has someone in mind from one of their former teams that could be negotiated through a trade?

Cornerback, Brent Grimes was in town to listen to the Browns and is waiting several days to make a decision. Grimes is recovering from last year’s season ending injury (Achilles) and may never be the player he was before the injury. Some believe he is just using other teams to up the ante with Atlanta. When healthy, Brent was a very good player, but; is he damaged goods?

Another position of need is free safety. Few players “in their prime” are available at this point of free agency.  It would be nice to get a player at the right price through FA. The Browns may draft a youngster and work with the kids on the current roster.

Personally, I believe they will choose a linebacker/pass rusher at No. 6, if the player the front office wants is on the board. If not, expect a trade down to get back the No. 2 pick we lost with Josh Gordon.

That’s what I love about this time of year- lot’s of speculation, hearsay, hype and rumors.

Right now we’ve got a solid, young front seven defensive unit. We are only one or two players from having a top 5 NFL defense. The Browns still have money to spend. Throw in Ray Horton’s aggressive style and for the first time in a long time, the game is going to be exciting on the lakefront!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Feast or Famine of a Free Spirit!

It’s been a strange week.

I had my first rehearsal with a group of friends supporting an up-and coming artist on Tuesday. It isn’t a normal band type situation as I am learning the pre-recorded percussion parts and merely being a backup musician. I am hoping there will be some “freedom” to be somewhat creative with my drumming. The learning curve will be the tell-tale factor in how soon we perform publicly.

Who is this talented young man? You may read about him in the new Rock Lines section of the upcoming expanded edition of the Rust Belt Chronicles.

The other neat possibility is I can see this becoming two or even three separate projects since the bass player has his own material as well. We could entertain in small lounges or dinner clubs with much of the material and/or expand into a rock/progressive band playing in larger venues. Providing time and resources are available our possibilities could be vast.

I really hadn’t planned on being in another band again, but the itch just won’t go away!

On Wednesday, my wife and I had supper at a local Italian restaurant. Look for the restaurant review in the first edition of the expanded edition of the Rust Belt Chronicles.

On Friday, I ran across some questions concerning legal photo usage and how to find a source to use images; so I questioned a few people online. As usual everyone replied. Next thing you know, I have a person who works for a popular blogging site possibly offering me to head his Ohio blog which would give me access to photos legally. The pay is minimal to start, but it would give me a huge audience immediately and could turn into a better position.

Interesting indeed, too bad I didn’t start this type of income two or three years ago.

So I began researching the company, its founders, policies and knowledge base for information. This led me to compare the company to its market competitors. After several questions I cooled my jets realizing instead of trying to get my own paper going; I had veered-off in a completely different direction.

While the company makes millions of dollars per year, the writers only see a small percent. For the experience and what could come out of it might not be a bad idea. But, can I devote enough time and energy to two entire online projects or more and make the best of both worlds?

With my own paper there is no middle-man, but the audience is small starting out. I may try both initially if the proper time and sanity are available.

The week that started out with only a few obstacles ended up taking so many directions, writing a blog was out of mind and impossible.

Who knows, maybe I needed a break. Maybe you needed a break from my daily writings?

 I am hoping to refocus on launching my expanded journal and one way or another- making a lot of noise!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Today is only Yesterday’s Tomorrow!

Anybody miss my muse? Attempting to build a website the last few days reminded me of one of my programming classes in college. Maybe you can relate dealing with the tenured faculty member who only gives you 15 minutes of his time and manages to disappear until the last few minutes of class. Your only hope is the student sitting next to you is willing to assist you with questions.

Those situations always made me wonder why I was paying for class and the instructor was getting paid. It seems it should have been the other way-around. Oh well!

No, it wasn’t that bad until I forgot how to access the help forums due to forgetting where to find my email box for the application. After registering again, I still haven’t received the email message with my new password. So, I turned to my best friend- Google and eventually found a solution to the problem.

It turns out the drop-down menu option wasn’t part of the theme I purchased. I found a plug-in to download that should avoid learning how to change the code in the template. It worked for awhile, then; it suddenly stopped working. I didn’t know what the actual problem was so for hours and hours, I deleted pages and rebuilt the menus. I changed relationship fields hoping something would work.

I thought perhaps I changed some setting without understanding the relationship to the database.  

Over and over, I tried to no avail. Searching the forums for hours, I read where it was advised to deactivate all the plug-ins one by one to rule out a plug-in or a theme being updated could cause the failure. Once that didn’t work, I deleted the plug-in for dropdown menus and re-installed it. Bingo- it was fixed.

I recalled all the times at college when you become frustrated and the solution is apparent but you become so fixated on resolving the issue, we become blind. Unable to see the forest through the trees!

After the menus and drop-down menus were built I attempted to test a post on one of my dropdown pages. A (big) problem became apparent when the posts didn’t appear under the sub-page! This was easier to resolve by deleting all the beautiful drop-down pages and rebuilding the pages as categories under the main menu. Walla- works like a charm!

I learned quite a bit and hopefully won’t make the same mistakes again. After working all night and yesterday on the issues I was really frustrated. I give my wife credit for bearing with me. My frustration level was at a peak. Lack of proper sleep didn’t help my cause.

Technology is fun when things go smooth. Letting issues get the best of you certainly doesn’t have to happen. Walk away, relax and take a deep breath. Some sleep always helps too.

After all- Today is only yesterday’s tomorrow!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Life is Too Short!

Back when I first started blogging, I recall an instance where someone questioned my credibility as a writer. The comment was: “What makes you an expert on anything?”

At first I was crushed. Then I realized I had either hit a nerve with someone or maybe they were jealous.

It’s easy to critique someone.

I don’t have 3 college degrees or permission from an old school newspaper. What makes me an “expert” is I have a passion for what I do and make a significant difference in people’s lives.

People have basic needs. What’s more important than providing to that demand?

Don’t let bullies stand in your road of progress. We normally refer to those people as “bosses” in the workplace.

Be your own boss.

Rely on yourself and take advantage of the resources available.

Start something. Don’t waste another day.

Life is too short to not do something meaningful that Matters!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

The Decision!

Yesterday’s blog was a big deal for me. I’ve committed myself to going forward with a new project. Will it succeed and fill a void? I certainly hope so.

A few people are excited and so it’s good to have a little momentum to back me. It’s not going to be an easy road to travel, but easy isn’t how anything truly meaningful begins. Perseverance and the ability to use modern technology with some great people and friends is all that is necessary to start.

What really matters is getting started. Everything else is trivial. Too often, we procrastinate and dream big dreams only to fail to initiate the process. Fear keeps us from our best work. It’s far easier to reason we don’t have the time, skills or background to take the giant leap.

With today’s technological information we have no excuse.

Between online videos, forums, blog articles and connecting with people from the internet, virtually any business can be started. We have the freedom and ability to do what was impossible without money, persuasion and experience; thirty years ago. The rules have changed.

Isn’t it time we get in the game?

Years ago, I worked in the factories and watched the auto industry production slow. It affected my wages by constantly being laid off and called back to work until the factory relocated. I spent 31 years in healthcare and witnessed the impending changes that kicked my wife and I to the curb. Why not do something where I call the shots for once?

You should too!

Relying on someone else to “keep us on the island” is a waste of precious time. Living a life of mediocrity usually implies living pay check to pay check. We bought into the American Dream years ago, so we could purchase stuff we don’t need or afford, due to the marketing displayed primarily on television.

You know the routine, work your shift, come home, eat a meal and turn on the television; while tuning out everything else. Pretending tomorrow will be better, only to play as the world turns, day after day. Television was the only media source to escape with at the time. Media sources have expanded and given us a vast wealth of ways to spend our time.

We can play online games or use the Internet to our advantage. We can do what we did yesterday or create our own plan. We can hang out on the island until our time is up or set sail to a new home.

Your choice!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.