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.

Guest Post: Finding your Purpose!

I am delighted to be able to have my friend, Mary Martin, as a guest writer today. Mary has written regular blogs for The Mansfield News Journal, Montgomery Advertiser,The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspapers online at Cleveland.com and Bloggers.com.

For awhile, I simply knew her as “hug momma” which was taken from her website, Hug Momma- a Collection of Stories. As our professional relationship grew, I discovered she has a passion to make a difference. Mary is a prolific story writer, strong in her faith, passionate about politics, and a devoted Wife and Mother. Mary has inspired me with her stories, support and friendship.

Mary Martin is an artist. She is currently working on her first book and creating a new website focusing on politics and news. Mary is likely my most loyal follower, judging by her comments and number of visits. She is also the only person brave enough to hit the “follow button” on my website. I am honored to call Mary a friend.

Please give a special warm welcome to Mary Martin and feel free to comment and follow Mary on her website and her journey to success!

Jim Carver

Finding your Purpose

I can’t tell you how many books I have purchased, or motivational tapes I have watched, or sermons I have sat through in the quest to answer the craving question, “What is My Purpose.” I can begin by naming the ones off the top of my head by talented well known speakers, followed by the ones I checked out from the library, the ones I did workbooks for, I can spot those sporadically stashed on the book shelf, and finally, I can check my audio book collection and find a few there, as well. I, my friends, am a well studied purpose seeker.

I’ve held at least three professional licenses, had several full of adrenalin bursts into promising careers each fizzling into unfulfilling monotony. I was like a little girl who had slid down the big slide with hands waving in excitement only to land hard at the bottom with a mouth full of sand. Full of disappointment, I’d ask myself what happened, and why didn’t I see this wipeout coming. I questioned if there was some flaw in me that was keeping me from achieving what most healthy people do. Was I a quitter, or perhaps just not the person I credit myself to be? In utter defeat, I would ask God, “Why?” and reason with Him that if I knew my purpose I could better serve Him.

Over and over people would ask me, “Well, what do you like to do?” and “What do you feel the most fulfilled doing?” I would draw a blank. The pace of raising my family offered little indulgent time, and with my past ventures not panning out, I had no confidence to take further risks. Others would encourage me to, “Keep going, you will find it eventually.” Those words were difficult to swallow, because to me it meant, “Continue to fail.”

Often, the simplest answers are the right ones. For me, this has proven true to the “what is my purpose” question. TRUST GOD. Every failure, every success, every book I read, person I met, every topic I studied has not been wasted. Every experience was forming a foundation of purpose. Like neatly stacked bricks and mortar, every day was part of building who God has created me to be. I couldn’t see it at the time, but with surrender and a determination to trust God and serve Him today, with whatever I have today, has freed me from the burden of needing to achieve greatness.

You have given me today, Lord, what would You like to do? Perhaps write a blog.

 IN His service – Mary Martin  http://hugmomma.com

 

The Strategic Plan

It’s been an interesting week here in the heart of the Rust Belt.

On Tuesday, I joined my wife as being laid-off from the same employer. Nearly 65 years of loyalty, wiped-out six months apart. With no insurance for either one of us beginning in February it’s been a race to take care of a three-month pharmaceutical supply and look into a surgery I put-off for a year or more.

Good News/Bad News

After visiting a physician (who now practices with a different healthcare system) for what I believed was a meniscus tear, the x-rays and MRI came back normal. The bad news is: I have a rare bone disease that causes my knee to buckle invariably while walking. Which equates to a bigger problem- who will hire a 56-year old male that walks like a crippled person at times?

Watcha’ Gonna’ Do?

The best option all along was to hire myself. I’ve gotten several ideas in mind to generate my own income and no longer be “someone’s cog in the system.” I am amazed in the short time I’ve been unemployed with the ideas I’ve gotten and hopefully a couple of those projects will pay the bills. We are only limited by the constraints- we place upon ourselves.

Being the Best

I was blown away by the accommodations the physician and his staff attempted to arrange after explaining my insurance would expire in a week. My former employer’s orthopedic department nearly laughed at me on the phone when given the same opportunity. Not quite the “expert care” advertized! My co-payment would have been less if the surgery and physician care was done in-house.

Upon explaining our situation to the physician, his jaw dropped and his comment was: “Unbelievable.” It was pleasant to learn his views and thoughts were exactly the same as mine. He truly sympathizes with the employees affected by the Strategic Plan and layoffs. I overheard his nurses say: “I’ve never had to arrange a standard procedure so quickly.”

You and your staff have my loyalty, trust and heart. I knew you would come through on such short notice and I am so grateful for your efforts! I will never forget your integrity, passion and commitment towards your patients.

The Theater of Pain

We were told less than 1% (25 or so) of the employees would be affected by the layoff, but judging from reports I am hearing, it could have been more. The organization did not file a report with Ohio WARN for a mass layoff (of 50 or more employees) so It's possible another layoff could happen. During my travels around town today, I am hearing word on the street of their partnership deal has already been signed and the average citizen can’t  understand why it is being kept secret from the employees.

My thoughts are it makes the partnering party look like the good guy once the deal is announced and the layoffs are already done. I have yet to hear of any management or administration positions being eliminated. My wife believes around 14 LPN’s will be affected after providing advice to that group. Sadly, I learned of another couple who was/is employed and signed mortgage papers for a house the night before her spouse was laid-off, Wednesday.

Many of us had decades of employment and are over the age of 50, some folks affected have spouses or children with disabilities and their former employer was the only source for affordable insurance. Some of those people are single mothers with children. My heart and prayers go out to all of those families.

My Pride and Joy

Last night, I wrote the introduction to my new forthcoming book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This weekend I will focus on laying out the chapters. For me, writing is the most therapeutic exercise possible.

 It shouldn’t take but a month or two to finish this expose. My original idea was to wait until I retired to write the book. Thanks to my former employer that day will likely be February 1^st!

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.

Let the "Good Times" Roll!

Why do we always think of the “good times” in the past tense? Is there any reason living today can’t be as relevant?

I have always looked backwards to find the days of enjoyment and pleasure. Everyone can relate to a period when we wished time could stand still, savor the moment forever and never let go. That feeling of total contentment with our life, our place in time and our peaceful surroundings in powerful harmony.

For me, my own life has strangely reached this echelon moment. I know how blessed I am and how lucky I feel to be exactly where I am- today. Not yesterday, or 30 years ago- today.

My wife was unexpectedly laid-off in June. Too make a long story short, despite the stress, frustration, having to change our lifestyle, and not having enough money to live on- we’ve never been happier together!

Go figure!

With both of us working the stress was more than we realized. My wife is a nurse, she was on her feet a lot, constantly up and down the hallways, lifting and turning patients. She carried a great disposition to encourage her patients- despite her stress and sometimes dealing with unappreciative patients and family members. Nursing is a tough job. I couldn’t do it!

Our adjustment during this period has put us closer together and despite working nearly 67 years together at the same facility, we are actually experiencing the “good times” now.

Her experience has made us realize a job isn’t everything.  Life is a bigger theater in the quest for doing something meaningful. What really matters isn’t how rich you are; but rather, how rich you live! Today is all we are guaranteed.

When your darkest moment comes, true relationships are all that matters.

Every day, I look forward to arriving home knowing my wife is waiting for me. I wonder what has transpired, inspired or motivated her day.  I am blessed to have her and for the first time in my life hoping the “good times” never end!

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.