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.

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.

 

The Rust Belt Chronicles is Expanding!

 

The Rust Belt Chronicles is going to expand. I haven’t decided the number of days I will publish or if it will be a weekly journal; but I want to open The Rust Belt Chronicles as a free news source that asks the tough questions and does something meaningful at the same time.
 

We won’t be controlled by outside advertisement or political party pressure. We will charge for advertisement space, but the general premise is to start small and build. Stay tuned.
 

My blog will move to a new home and may be featured (along with other blogs) in the new Rust Belt Chronicles online paper or another separate site.

Have I confused you yet?
 

So, I am hoping to make a dent in the universe between these 2 business adventures. My third venture will not be announced until we have a prepared launch date.
 

I look forward to these changes and hope you join me on one or all of my new journeys!
 

Thank you and God Bless!

 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.

Don't Let this Be You!

Dan Miller must have read my mind. What perfect timing to read his blog.

As some of you know, I was recently laid-off by the organization I gave nearly 32 years of my life too. I am 56 years-old and between my age, health and spending years in a job that wasn’t advancing my skills towards modern techniques with asset management and purchasing, I basically became a master of nothing.

Rule #1

Never stay in a position that prevents you from growing or expanding your skills.

So as I awoke today, I began thinking about how or what I am actually going to do next. I love blogging, but; it doesn’t pay the bills. A lifetime of accumulating debt isn’t helping matters.

Rule #2

Avoid using credit cards at all costs.

So realistically, where does this leave me? I don’t see myself making the money I made prior to being laid-off. I certainly couldn’t work two jobs that require much physical exertion to make ends meet.

Rule #3

Think outside the box.

I have no desire to go back to cubicle nation, college or stand in-line with everyone else. Been there, done that.

No, it’s time to make a ruckus. Start my own business and see what happens. It’s time to make mistakes, learn and be creative. Some ideas may work, some won’t.

Rule #4

Do something!

When we get hit with a dramatic circumstance we either find a way around the obstacle or let it keep us paralyzed. Creating limitations for ourselves keeps us from moving forward. We become our own worst enemy and ensure our reliance on someone else’s decisions. That’s not the best place to be.

We have been conditioned to seek permission whether it’s through being hired by someone else or dependent on the government.

Rule #5

Don’t let this be you.

So today, I decided to take a new direction and forge my own path, that doesn’t rely on a boss, system or a CEO. The journey begins with me.

I will unveil one of my new businesses soon. In the meantime, I have a lot of work to do. I want to thank Dan Miller for his timely post.

My blog is moving to a new self-hosted site soon and I am looking forward to doing 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.

Making Connections?

Reminder: I will be speaking on Caroline Gavin’s podcast show on BlogTalk Radio, Purposeful Pathway on February 27th. I am looking forward to chatting with Caroline and honored to be her guest. The show airs at 1:00 pm on Wednesday and if you miss it “live” you can catch it here.

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It seems we share a common problem with other bloggers, business owners and organizations. In order to succeed you must connect with people. It doesn’t matter what you’re selling, pitching or want to become. Until you have built a loyal following, nobody really notices your efforts.

Connections are the new economy. Most of our shopping is done online through companies we’ve come to trust. Twenty years ago, we would’ve had second thoughts about trusting anyone online with our credit card information. Today, it’s a common practice.

In today’s economy connections are everything. Whether it’s customers or employees our ability to connect is what builds trusting relationships. It’s not about you or me. It’s about others.

Most CEO’s, presidents and management have a new role to fill and don’t have a clue how to win the confidence of their customers and employees in order to create a culture where everyone is connected. The top-down style of management is dead. The Industrial Age had its day and many companies that haven’t figured this out are slowly dying.

The top-down approach was always focused on the person higher –up the ladder. The CEO’s concern was keeping the board of trustees happy, the CFO was concerned about the CEO, and the supervisor was concerned about keeping their manager happy. Who cared about the employees and customers? Nobody!

During the Industrial Age the assumption was people had to have what you offered. Choices were limited. The Internet has allowed us to become a global economy. That’s why the top-down style of management totally misses the boat. That ship has sailed and is likely not coming back soon.

In the Industrial Age, it wasn’t imperative to establish a relationship; it was a matter of driving business through advertisement. The choices are so vast now, there is only one-way to survive- by building trust and connecting with those that matter most to your success. Companies are building trust through offering their services online; twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. How are going to compete?

That’s why billboard ads are useless. Nobody pays much attention to those targeted signs. If people have a connection with you they care, if not; you’re wasting money that could’ve been spent on your resources (your employees and customers). They are the one’s seeking your loyalty.

The employees and customers are the bottom line. Not your stockholders, board or mantra. You only have two choices- connect or stay disconnected.

Every day you hesitate to connect you’re losing ground. When a car is disconnected from a train it has no momentum, it’s dead on the tracks. The remaining cars are able to travel faster and gather more steam for the journey. Disconnecting is isolation.

Sitting idle on the tracks of life is no comfortable position. While some see managing without the top-down approach as a loss of power, it’s really your only chance to remain powerful and become noble.

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.

Unique isn’t Scriptable!

One of the ideas of the Industrial Age was the use of scripts. Phone scripts, greeting scripts and even answers to common questions became scripted. If there was a way to standardize any form of communication it was scripted and required in the employee manual. I hate scripts.

The company first got the idea of a phone script from an employee who brought it to the attention of the management, who proceeded to think he was a boy genius for copying the idea from various other industries. Soon, this employee grew in popularity and he recommended the use of scripts to other management. They implemented his ideas eventually throughout the business.Years later, the company featured constant scripted messages on the computers.

Ironically, the employee who brought forth the idea of using scripts never practiced what he preached. Meanwhile, the brainwashing continues.

The main reason I dislike using scripts is it dehumanizes the ability of the employee to be genuine. Listening to someone ramble through a script is phony, insincere and nobody cares for it. Why not allow employees the opportunity to be creative or dazzle their customers? A scripted response isn’t genuine and it adds no value to your business.

When an organization uses scripts they are cutting corners towards mediocrity. A script can be memorized by anyone. It sends the message your business is trapped in the old Industrial Age mode of operation. We don’t want mindless robots, we want to see, hear and feel your passion.

When I hear someone reply with a script, it tells me you believe your employees are just numbers and the customers are stuck hearing their ambivalent monotone voice. It’s easy to assume something works when so many businesses do exactly the same thing. The problem is not one of those business distinguishes themselves by following a script.

Wouldn’t you rather stand-out?

Unique isn’t scriptable.

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.

Running Down A Dream!

Most people wander aimlessly through their life. Many don’t realize options exist outside of the daily grind. We become so focused on the immediate schedule, chores and tasks or simply feel we don’t have the time to allocate towards our dreams. The only remedy is to create the time and start now!

Look at your schedule and decide what to give up for one hour of working on your dream.

Logout of Facebook, give-up your favorite online games, turn-off Twitter, television, email and chat for an hour in order to do something that will make a difference in your life. Perhaps, stay-up one extra-hour or get out of bed one-hour earlier to work towards your goal. You’ll be surprised at the amount of time available.

Start seeing yourself as a business- your business.

What have you always wanted to do?

·        Search the Internet for connections with people of similar interests and ideas.

·        Seek advice and ask questions.

·        Realize the journey is a process and anything worth doing takes time.

·        Find a niche. Look for a need to fill or a unique slant to something where you can fill a void.

·        Break down your idea into a realistic path.

What will it take to launch your idea?

·        Develop a step-by-step process.

·        Research each step and gain the necessary knowledge.

·        Seek advice, check forums, send emails to experts and ask questions.

·        Focus strictly on one-step at a time; otherwise you will become overwhelmed and likely give-up. This isn’t a race. Overnight sensations are rare and few survive the long haul anyway.

By breaking down the process the plan becomes manageable. You will become one of the experts once you finish each process in addition to developing your own product or business.

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes.

Mistakes are a learning experience, not a failure. They give us our chance to improve and gain valuable insight. How could we perfect something if we didn’t have errors? Mistakes are little bumps along the journey to correct our maneuvers.

Stop doing nothing and start becoming productive. Once you realize there is life ‘outside the box’, you’ll become excited at your progress and will find additional hours to spend on pursuing the dream. You will discover how creative, talented and passionate it is to chase down your dream.

At some point you will wonder why you didn’t act sooner. But it’s ok and it doesn’t matter because your moment arrived now. Start running down your dream today. I guarantee you’ll love it!

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 Mask of Toxicity

Have you ever worked for a toxic workplace? It’s usually apparent by noticing the employees tension upon entering the hallowed halls. Sometimes, an entire industry shares the same atmosphere. It’s a cold vibe that exists when an organization is built upon profit and greed.

Sadly, the style permeated from the top-down is the root of the problem. The Industrial Age was loaded with organizations seeking greater power and control in the workplace. The management style was effective to increase profits for years. In the last few years it has become the downfall of many organizations.

Years ago, employees (and children) revolted by forming Unions. This buffer was needed due to factories hiring cheap child labor. The Unions helped to establish laws to prevent children from being hired and safety regulations. In those days, it was common for children to lose fingers, toes and limbs, resulting in entire family incomes being lost.

We’ve come a long way from those days, but we have so much more work to do!

A majority of toxic workplaces have their own compassionate mission statement, but how they operate has nothing to do with that philosophy. When greed overtakes a business, it’s the beginning of the end- individually and collectively as an organization. The narcissistic style of management sooner or later catches up with organizations bent on sucking the life out of their own companies and employees.

Corruption is a by-product of greed. It undermines the best companies and destroys from within. When leadership focuses solely on profit it usually turns a cheek to everything else. The status quo is all that matters.

Money spent on advertizing is wasted on the snowball of public opinion. Invariably, one bad decision is followed by another. Denial is a powerful and dangerous imposter for those seeking justification. Yet, she is all they have to seek approval.

The tension and stress associated with being trapped in this toxic environment isn’t worth the sacrifice. The headaches, anxiety, ulcers and fear associated with working in this type of situation aren’t worth paying the price for a paycheck. Most experts recommend seeking employment elsewhere. I must agree.

You deserve better. Life is too short to spend in a toxic workplace. Trust me.

 You’ll be glad to remove the mask of toxicity.

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.

Free at Last!

Earlier today, my boss walked into my office, stating: “Let’s take a walk, we have something to discuss.” The scene reminded me of the Prisoners of War being befriending by their captors and one day having to lead the walk to the gas chamber. ‘Just doing my job’ is what they were told prior to the executions. I am sure it was a stressful situation for him as well and people do what they must do to protect themselves.

The President of Human Resources and my department Vice President were seated in the room. The HR person proceeded to tear-up and give me the script of “Due to a reduction of staff, unfortunately your job has been eliminated.” I was extremely nervous, but relieved at the same time.

Our medical insurance expires at the end of the month. My head is spinning with thoughts of bills, debt and our very existance. What to do next? How can I even sleep? How can a system that two people gave nearly 65 years of your blood, sweat and tears just toss you aside?

Ethics require a Heart and a Conscience

With my wife being laid-off in June from the same employer, two questions have recently been on my mind:

When a company knows the husband and wife are depended on the income of the same employer would it be ethical to lay both spouses off?

 

When you lay-off the spouse, how ethical is it to fight against unemployment benefits when the other spouse is still employed by the same employer?

 

The Writing on the Wall

I was expecting to be laid-off partly because:

·        Last Friday, my wife won her hearing with the State of Ohio against her former employer protesting her unemployment compensation.

·        My boss has mostly steered away from me for a month or so.

·        The institution announced upcoming layoffs weeks ago.

The few take-a-ways from the last 32 years are getting to know some great people. I must thank my former employer for the inspiration for much of my writing over the last few years. It appears age, years of service, the strategic plan and challenging the system comes with a price. A price I have gladly paid to do Something Meaningful that Matters.

So ironically- on Martin Luther King Day; I am finally - Free at Last!

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.

Do you follow a Map or Compass?

I recently explained the fear tactics organizations use against their employees to a friend and her response was: “Well, that’s human nature.” I was stunned momentarily. I had forgotten people are so busy trying to fit-in, wanting to be liked and somehow have to justify other’s bullying style of actions. I also forgot, I had once thought just like her.

Accept your lot or be driven out. Don’t step out of line, follow the map.

Not true.

What was safe is now risky. If you wish to see a ship sink, just stay onboard. It’s coming quicker than you think. The life jacket wasn’t part of the deal. When you hit the iceberg of reality, the comfortable ride is over. 

Sooner or later she will realize it’s time to cut line, jump ship and move on. My hope is she doesn’t follow the masses.

I am hoping she finds her own boat with her own compass and steers the path towards success!

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.

No Longer A Victim!

Once I understood the history and reasoning of fear the Industrial Age uses to control and leverage the common man; life has become less stressful. I no longer feel like a victim or sacrificial guinea pig. The tactics that once wrecked my day are just a speed bump in my rearview mirror. The power, I once allowed to rule my thoughts, decisions and health (while constantly wondering: “Why would you do that to someone”); no longer terrorizes my life.

In a world of profound technical advancement, it boggles the mind how organizations perpetuate terror through fear without the realization of human feelings or thought of an objective view. Organizations operating in the Industrial Age believe their purpose negates everyone and everything in relevance to their own agenda. Power corrupts from within and slowly those organizations are dying. The idea that “we will get whatever we want” doesn’t resonate nearly with as much value today.

We’ve been surrounded by this machine-type presence all of our lives. The Internet has made us aware of the ‘dirty deals’, ‘golden parachutes’, and lobbying to maintain power. The Internet is the voice of transparency in a cluttered world. We no longer have to wait for the newspaper to arrive or the 6 o’clock news.

The voice of the people is easily spread through real-time tweets, Facebook and instant messaging anywhere in the world. This has given the leverage back to the people. Public opinion has the ability to go ‘viral’ and bring a company to its knees overnight.

Why would organizations create a toxic work environment as business model?

·        It’s profitable.

·        They can.

·        It’s been this way for years.

·        They know no other way.

Those businesses enthralled deep into the Industrial Age are clutching their fists in an attempt to hang-on to the last dance. The barbaric/Neanderthal use of fear to captivate their employees is all that remains to justify their worth, power and control. The very system that told us to be flexible, accept change and be open to new ideas; is unable to adapt!

 Ironic- isn’t it?

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.

Capitalism at its Finest?

Image used courtesy of: extranoise.

 

It’s amazing how organizations are so obsessed in using power, fear and control to manipulate and market themselves as a moral entity. 

Organizations use “spin” to market their agenda and often create more harmful results than good. Even more pitifully, the process is repeatedly used resulting in reduced customer satisfaction and trust. Is it any wonder business is suffering? Sadly, the alternative to repairing the mess is more advertisement, fluff and tighter control.

Greed is often the culprit in an Industrial Age environment. The thinking is: “If we build it they will come” or “People will forget the past.” Not true in today’s world. People remember remarkable, something special and we recall disasters.

The notion of a subservient class and superior rulers is a brainwashed idea of the Industrial Age. It is a hideous outdated form of manipulation based on fear, compliance and obedience. It was productive for 100 years because people bought into the idea. Seriously, what were we thinking?

Organizations with parochial run Boards and management are crumbling in the USA. In today’s new economy it’s about connecting. Connecting to everybody; including the 47%.

Everyone matters- has a voice and the means to use it. It’s no longer 1970 and a megaphone isn’t required to be heard. Technology and the capability of forming tribes of people bonded in common causes will tip the disruption from fear. Power of technology is shifting culture, economies, governments and your life.

We can either realize the “old regime” is dead or we can whistle towards a dark alley. The choice is yours. Many will stay the “We’ve always done it this way” course and disaster is imminent. The post-industrial age- isn’t built upon dividing and conquering; it’s about connecting!

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.