For a while now, I've been writing about certain situations, mostly related to business and management, without giving too many details. It doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to know I was referring to my own job and my unhappiness with it. I was cryptic because I was being respectful of my employers and protective of my job.
Well, that's all over now. After months of misery, of being under-appreciated, overworked, and underpaid, I resigned. There was no fit of rage, no "Jerry Maguire" speech, no AK-47. I didn't even stop and say good-bye to my co-workers. I simply responded to yet another insulting email written in broken English by a person who is not my boss, with: "Effective immediately, I resign my position as director of sales." I hit send. I walked out. I came home, made lunch, and helped Abby with spring cleaning (I know it's not spring - you get me.)
The calls came after, along with promises that all I deserved was just around the corner, like the drunk who promises his wife as she walks out the door that he was planning to go to the meeting next week. Too little too late.
My former boss asked how I could make a decision as serious as this one in a moment of anger. I told him the moment I walked out was the end of my anger. It was an easy decision, one that instantly brought peace. It wasn't about them or about me; we just weren't the right fit.
I learned more in the time working for this company than in any other similar period of time in my life. I learned:
- Get it in writing. Although we want to believe the best in people, written agreements help define what that is. Although most of us would never steal or kill, knowing there are laws meant to punish those who do provides comfort to us, as well as a behavioral guideline.
- Set the expectations. I gave too much for too little. It's hard to get someone to expect any different once you spoil them.
- Stand your ground. Not an inch of our territory, not a stone of our fortress. If you give someone an inch, they will take you a mile. Draw your boundaries and adhere to them; if you don't, no one else will.
- Respect: Give it, earn it, expect it, demand it. If you allow yourself to be disrespected once, you'd best get used to it.
- Know your value and demand it.
I may eventually sit down and write a memoir of this experience. It has been eye-opening and educational. I learned a lot about what not to do in business and I think the world could benefit from the knowledge - especially younger people coming up in business.
I am free. I know where I've been. I know where God is taking me. I'll let you know when I get there.
God bless you. Make it a great day. Be free.
- Adolfo
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Day # 189 - Operational Freedom
Today's post is about business. It's an operations thing. Those of you who work for someone else will understand. Those of you who are self-employed, stop reading now, fall on your knees and thank God for that gift - then get back to work, because you don't want to risk losing that freedom.
In business, as in government, or any other organization, it is important to know your role. It is important for roles to be clearly defined for each member of the team, from the CEO to the janitor. This seems elementary, but it's one of those things that can easily be lost when there are too many people trying to be the chief - it leaves no little Indians. The micromanaging control-freaks of the world will soon enough lose the best people and wind up with the weak and the lazy running their departments or businesses. Most of these second-rate "businesspeople" will be okay with it, because they are so unsure of their worth as human beings that they would rather hold on to their power and fail, than release it and prosper.
The formula to success in an organization is simple:
1 - Hire the best people you can find.
2 - Pay them what they are worth.
3 - Incentivize their performance.
4 - Get the hell out of their way.
Your organization will never thrive if you have an accountant watching the sales department, telling them how to speak to clients, when and if they can take a lunch break, monitoring emails and taking them out of context, and generally interfering with the smooth operation of the single most important function of any business. A hospital administrator should never walk into an operating room and tell the surgeon how to do her job, either.
This should speak for itself, but common sense ain't all that common.
The same applies to children. Give your kids enough space to operate. Let them make mistakes. This is important in their formation. If you don't know failure, you will never know success. If you control every step of their lives, they will never learn to make decisions and never know what they can be - so they won't have any incentive to try to become more, to become better, to reach their God-given potential.
Allow your people to breathe. A closed fist may not let anything go, but it also cannot receive anything; and the tighter your grip, the more (whatever) will slip from your fingers.
Adolfo
In business, as in government, or any other organization, it is important to know your role. It is important for roles to be clearly defined for each member of the team, from the CEO to the janitor. This seems elementary, but it's one of those things that can easily be lost when there are too many people trying to be the chief - it leaves no little Indians. The micromanaging control-freaks of the world will soon enough lose the best people and wind up with the weak and the lazy running their departments or businesses. Most of these second-rate "businesspeople" will be okay with it, because they are so unsure of their worth as human beings that they would rather hold on to their power and fail, than release it and prosper.
The formula to success in an organization is simple:
1 - Hire the best people you can find.
2 - Pay them what they are worth.
3 - Incentivize their performance.
4 - Get the hell out of their way.
Your organization will never thrive if you have an accountant watching the sales department, telling them how to speak to clients, when and if they can take a lunch break, monitoring emails and taking them out of context, and generally interfering with the smooth operation of the single most important function of any business. A hospital administrator should never walk into an operating room and tell the surgeon how to do her job, either.
This should speak for itself, but common sense ain't all that common.
The same applies to children. Give your kids enough space to operate. Let them make mistakes. This is important in their formation. If you don't know failure, you will never know success. If you control every step of their lives, they will never learn to make decisions and never know what they can be - so they won't have any incentive to try to become more, to become better, to reach their God-given potential.
Allow your people to breathe. A closed fist may not let anything go, but it also cannot receive anything; and the tighter your grip, the more (whatever) will slip from your fingers.
Adolfo
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Day # 168 - Chain of Command
In life, and in business, there is always a chain of command. We all have to answer to someone - a boss, a customer, a voter, parents, loved ones. Even the president is supposed to answer to voters; although that probably doesn't happen the way it's supposed to.
Too often, people look for who to blame, not how to fix a particular problem. It's easier and, for the weasels, cleaner. These people don't realize that when you point a finger, three are pointing back at you. Those who attempt to profit at the expense of others will eventually have to answer for their actions. Of course, when that moment comes, they'll sink down into the abyss pointing at the iceberg.
I think about the recent foreclosure mess. Politicians pointed fingers at the banks, when it had a lot to do with banks complying with the rules congress had set forth. Did you hear Barney Frank talk about how the congress should have kept a closer eye on Fannie and Freddie? Of course not. Taking responsibility, especially when things are a mess, is a grown-up thing to do. Congress is clearly not up to the task. They pointed those fingers and no one said a word, but history will be the final judge.
Be different. Be a problem solver. I've said it before: Only point your finger to lead the way. When you see a problem in your organization, don't think of how you can use it to burn someone; figure out a solution. Don't ignore problems, deal with them. If you want to come to the attention of the right people, this is how it's to be done. Besides, life has a way of paying you back for these things. Some call it Karma. Call it what you will - if you are one of these finger-pointing, backstabbing people, you are getting slaughtered in other areas of your life, even if you don't know it yet.
Do the right thing; you will be rewarded.
- Adolfo
Too often, people look for who to blame, not how to fix a particular problem. It's easier and, for the weasels, cleaner. These people don't realize that when you point a finger, three are pointing back at you. Those who attempt to profit at the expense of others will eventually have to answer for their actions. Of course, when that moment comes, they'll sink down into the abyss pointing at the iceberg.
I think about the recent foreclosure mess. Politicians pointed fingers at the banks, when it had a lot to do with banks complying with the rules congress had set forth. Did you hear Barney Frank talk about how the congress should have kept a closer eye on Fannie and Freddie? Of course not. Taking responsibility, especially when things are a mess, is a grown-up thing to do. Congress is clearly not up to the task. They pointed those fingers and no one said a word, but history will be the final judge.
Be different. Be a problem solver. I've said it before: Only point your finger to lead the way. When you see a problem in your organization, don't think of how you can use it to burn someone; figure out a solution. Don't ignore problems, deal with them. If you want to come to the attention of the right people, this is how it's to be done. Besides, life has a way of paying you back for these things. Some call it Karma. Call it what you will - if you are one of these finger-pointing, backstabbing people, you are getting slaughtered in other areas of your life, even if you don't know it yet.
Do the right thing; you will be rewarded.
- Adolfo
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Day # 131 - Lead Us Not Into Incompetence
All your life you will find yourself dealing with incompetent people. We can't all be Einsteins; Lord knows I'm not, but there's something worse thant plain old incompetence and that's incompetence coupled with authority, arrogance, or ignorance, or worse, all three.
You'll always recognize this because the offender will blame their ignorance on what you are doing. You will explain yourself or your action or your report or whatever. It will be obvious they don't get it, and they will respond with, "I'll get back to you," or "I'll look into it," and they drop the subject completely. People like this have the power to ruin your day if you let them.
The key is: don't let them. Know that they are a test and take it upon yourself to educate the poor fools. I say they are a test because sometimes God will use certain people which are in certain spots to test your resolve, your faith, or your confidence. Accept that it's a test, don't fly off the handle, and do your best at everything.
I am not implying that I am perfect or all-knowing. I have probably been the fool in someone else's scenario more than once, but we won't get into that. My point is that everything should be taken as a growth and learning opportunity and the most should be made of it. Look at these people as teachers, the course is What Not To Do 101. Pay close attention in this class. You'll be glad you did.
Make it your best day, in spite of the turkeys. God bless you.
- Adolfo
http://www.adolfojimenez.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
You'll always recognize this because the offender will blame their ignorance on what you are doing. You will explain yourself or your action or your report or whatever. It will be obvious they don't get it, and they will respond with, "I'll get back to you," or "I'll look into it," and they drop the subject completely. People like this have the power to ruin your day if you let them.
The key is: don't let them. Know that they are a test and take it upon yourself to educate the poor fools. I say they are a test because sometimes God will use certain people which are in certain spots to test your resolve, your faith, or your confidence. Accept that it's a test, don't fly off the handle, and do your best at everything.
I am not implying that I am perfect or all-knowing. I have probably been the fool in someone else's scenario more than once, but we won't get into that. My point is that everything should be taken as a growth and learning opportunity and the most should be made of it. Look at these people as teachers, the course is What Not To Do 101. Pay close attention in this class. You'll be glad you did.
Make it your best day, in spite of the turkeys. God bless you.
- Adolfo
http://www.adolfojimenez.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Day # 124 - Get the Best Deal
We are trained by society to accept what is given to us. We don't go to a marketplace to buy our food and we don't trade the oranges we grew for the rice someone else grew. Everything is packaged, stocked neatly on shelves, and priced to sell. Car dealerships advertise their "No-Haggle" pricing. As if haggling was a bad thing. While I believe business should and could be friendly, I also believe that in order for you to get the best possible deal, you need to remember that the person across the table from you is not your friend. In fact, their interests are in direct conflict with yours.
Say you're buying a car. You find the model you want with the features you need. The sales guy tells you a price. Sure, it sounds like a good price, but is it the best possible deal? Of course not. So, you should haggle. Don't be embarrassed to do it. You are looking out for your best interests and there are plenty of other car dealers out there so be willing to walk away.
If you are offered a job, should you accept the first offer they give you? Absolutely not. Counteroffer. Know your value. If they tell you they are offering you the maximum amount budgeted, it's time to talk perks. Let them know you know what you know. You know?
Why is this important? If you don't negotiate the best possible deal, you will always feel unsatisfied. You will always have that nagging feeling in the back of your head. I am not talking about being greedy, I am talking about not being greedy. I am talking about knowing your value and the value of the things you wish to acquire.
Trust me, I've been on both ends of this. I have done a good job working out a deal, and I've felt the sting of regret several times to. The effort of hard bargaining is a lot easier to swallow.
Make it your best day in every way. God bless you.
- Adolfo
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
Say you're buying a car. You find the model you want with the features you need. The sales guy tells you a price. Sure, it sounds like a good price, but is it the best possible deal? Of course not. So, you should haggle. Don't be embarrassed to do it. You are looking out for your best interests and there are plenty of other car dealers out there so be willing to walk away.
If you are offered a job, should you accept the first offer they give you? Absolutely not. Counteroffer. Know your value. If they tell you they are offering you the maximum amount budgeted, it's time to talk perks. Let them know you know what you know. You know?
Why is this important? If you don't negotiate the best possible deal, you will always feel unsatisfied. You will always have that nagging feeling in the back of your head. I am not talking about being greedy, I am talking about not being greedy. I am talking about knowing your value and the value of the things you wish to acquire.
Trust me, I've been on both ends of this. I have done a good job working out a deal, and I've felt the sting of regret several times to. The effort of hard bargaining is a lot easier to swallow.
Make it your best day in every way. God bless you.
- Adolfo
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Day # 111 - Bridge Burning
Harvey Mackay says, "If you burn your bridges, you'd better be a damn good swimmer."
I think of all the bridges I've burned in my life. Of course, like most fires, the ones that burn bridges are often caused by carelessness. It's not always done on purpose. Sometimes I have burned bridges because they were structurally unsafe. Other times I burned them because I was acting on emotion rather than intellect.
Not long ago, when I was chair of the chamber of commerce, there were people, part of the old guard, who saw fit to attack me for any decision I made that they did not agree with. They went so far as to sabotage me. Some of these were well-known and (in some circles) well-respected members of the community. Would I have preferred to keep them on my side? Sure, but at what cost? I am not willing to bow to anyone but God.
I have regretted some of my bridge burnings. I have tried to repair some of them, and it has sometimes worked. Other times, the damage is too great and there's no way across the river. So I have lost friends or contacts.
The lesson is that sometimes we will make the mistake of burning a bridge. For the most part, if we are not malicious, if we are sincere in our effort to mend the bridge, we can find our way back. Other times, we may want to burn the bridge (with certain people tied to it.) I would suggest letting the relationship atrophy instead. You are losing a friend or acquaintance or contact but that doesn't mean you need to gain an enemy.
So cross that bridge when you get to it and leave it intact if you can. You never know when you need to get back across.
God bless you. Make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
I think of all the bridges I've burned in my life. Of course, like most fires, the ones that burn bridges are often caused by carelessness. It's not always done on purpose. Sometimes I have burned bridges because they were structurally unsafe. Other times I burned them because I was acting on emotion rather than intellect.
Not long ago, when I was chair of the chamber of commerce, there were people, part of the old guard, who saw fit to attack me for any decision I made that they did not agree with. They went so far as to sabotage me. Some of these were well-known and (in some circles) well-respected members of the community. Would I have preferred to keep them on my side? Sure, but at what cost? I am not willing to bow to anyone but God.
I have regretted some of my bridge burnings. I have tried to repair some of them, and it has sometimes worked. Other times, the damage is too great and there's no way across the river. So I have lost friends or contacts.
The lesson is that sometimes we will make the mistake of burning a bridge. For the most part, if we are not malicious, if we are sincere in our effort to mend the bridge, we can find our way back. Other times, we may want to burn the bridge (with certain people tied to it.) I would suggest letting the relationship atrophy instead. You are losing a friend or acquaintance or contact but that doesn't mean you need to gain an enemy.
So cross that bridge when you get to it and leave it intact if you can. You never know when you need to get back across.
God bless you. Make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
http://www.honeybeepartyrental.com
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Day # 107 - Change of Venue
Lead us not into temptation... We've all heard it before. I went into the office yesterday and just wasn't feeling it. So... I went home to work. I didn't come home and put on my Superman jammies and bunny slippers, I kept my work ensemble on. I fired up the laptop and went to work.
I was more productive yesterday than any other day in this incredibly long short week. I wasn't getting up to go to the fridge every five minutes. No one walked into my office to chat. No questions that should answer themselves. No B.S., no nonsense. Just work.
I made two sales, set two appointments and sent out three contracts yesterday. I also revised an agreement for what is becoming a very big and important client. In my business, that's a busy day. Better than busy, it was productive. The kind of productivity that translates directly to the bottom line.
I know not everyone has the option of taking work home, or to a coffee shop, but you can always come to the office a little early to avoid the crowd. When people ask if you have a minute, say NO! Or tell them yes, you have exactly one minute. For years I have wasted so much time because I never understood the power of No. Learn it, you'll be better at your job, and you will find the work-life balance we all need.
I would also recommend putting yourself in a position where you are not lead into temptation. Don't keep a lot of junk food in your house or in your desk, so that the Oreos don't call your name when you have work to do. It's human nature to be lazy and if your lazy brain has to convince you you're hungry to get you to stop working, it will. Avoid the pitfalls.
I am not advocating workaholism. I am advocating productivity. If you want to move up in your career, grow your business, or just prosper and be successful at everything you do, learn to be more productive. I learned this lesson late, but I plan to make up for it.
So, turn your desk away from the window, stay away from the water cooler and coffee station and get your work done! The right people will notice.
God bless you. Make it your best and most productive day yet.
- Adolfo
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
I was more productive yesterday than any other day in this incredibly long short week. I wasn't getting up to go to the fridge every five minutes. No one walked into my office to chat. No questions that should answer themselves. No B.S., no nonsense. Just work.
I made two sales, set two appointments and sent out three contracts yesterday. I also revised an agreement for what is becoming a very big and important client. In my business, that's a busy day. Better than busy, it was productive. The kind of productivity that translates directly to the bottom line.
I know not everyone has the option of taking work home, or to a coffee shop, but you can always come to the office a little early to avoid the crowd. When people ask if you have a minute, say NO! Or tell them yes, you have exactly one minute. For years I have wasted so much time because I never understood the power of No. Learn it, you'll be better at your job, and you will find the work-life balance we all need.
I would also recommend putting yourself in a position where you are not lead into temptation. Don't keep a lot of junk food in your house or in your desk, so that the Oreos don't call your name when you have work to do. It's human nature to be lazy and if your lazy brain has to convince you you're hungry to get you to stop working, it will. Avoid the pitfalls.
I am not advocating workaholism. I am advocating productivity. If you want to move up in your career, grow your business, or just prosper and be successful at everything you do, learn to be more productive. I learned this lesson late, but I plan to make up for it.
So, turn your desk away from the window, stay away from the water cooler and coffee station and get your work done! The right people will notice.
God bless you. Make it your best and most productive day yet.
- Adolfo
http://www.facebook.com/adolfojimenez1
http://ayearwithoutnews.blogspot.com
http://www.twitter.com/adolfojimenez
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Day # 86 - Opportunity II
The opportunity I wrote about a week or so ago is still in process. Time is of the essence. Literally. This deal has to get done in about six days or it will end up costing us an additional 100k at a minimum. I met with an major player in the deal yesterday. He is a very shrewd young man. In all honesty, I went in there expecting something totally different than what I got. I decided to lay all my cards face up on the table and it seems to me he did the same.
It proved that even though sometimes in a negotiation you have to hold back some information, you must be honest and make an effort to be friends with the person on the other side of the table. The world is small enough that you can end up across the table from him again some day. If you can make a deal, fine. If you can't, then it's always best to part friends.
Now I have to go back to the party I am representing and give them what I think is good news, but what they may consider bad news. I can't go into too much detail, but essentially what I need to do is sell them a $10 bill for a buck. Sounds easy, but they want it for a dime. I am working for experience here so I don't stand to make a dime if the deal falls through. I make approximately a dime if I am successful.
There are many opportunities in this situation and the biggest for me is the experience I am gaining. I hope I will get this wrapped up soon so I can reveal what it's all about. Until then, keep guessing.
Lessons:
- It's always better to negotiate as friends.
- Honesty is still the best policy.
- You won't gain unless you are willing to give.
I have a fun day planned today. I hope you do, too. God bless you and make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
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It proved that even though sometimes in a negotiation you have to hold back some information, you must be honest and make an effort to be friends with the person on the other side of the table. The world is small enough that you can end up across the table from him again some day. If you can make a deal, fine. If you can't, then it's always best to part friends.
Now I have to go back to the party I am representing and give them what I think is good news, but what they may consider bad news. I can't go into too much detail, but essentially what I need to do is sell them a $10 bill for a buck. Sounds easy, but they want it for a dime. I am working for experience here so I don't stand to make a dime if the deal falls through. I make approximately a dime if I am successful.
There are many opportunities in this situation and the biggest for me is the experience I am gaining. I hope I will get this wrapped up soon so I can reveal what it's all about. Until then, keep guessing.
Lessons:
- It's always better to negotiate as friends.
- Honesty is still the best policy.
- You won't gain unless you are willing to give.
I have a fun day planned today. I hope you do, too. God bless you and make it your best day yet.
- Adolfo
Start building your Success Library!
Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
Follow A Year Without News
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