Complainers are everywhere they can identify obvious problems easily and tell everyone about it. Problem solvers are rare and valuable to have in your business. When these people talk about problems they don't focus on how the problem effects them but on how they can solve the problem.
I know I'm spouting out the obvious here, but I'm sick of complainers that rock the boat and make everything worse for everyone. When someone complains, and are very verbal about it, there are consequences for everyone involved. Some organizations, like schools, will create policies that come out of flippant complaints and these policies make it harder for other parents. These parents turn around and complain and another policy is put into place. Before you know it, the kids don't know which way is up or which way is down and their whole schedule is off. Complainers think only of themselves and not the far reaching implications of their words and actions.
I love problem solvers, these people take an issue, look at all the ramifications and take into account the resources they have and need to come up with the best solution. Compromise and diplomacy rule with problem solvers even when they get frustrated and feel attacked by the complainers. There are few problem solvers in my world and I truly value them as people and friends.
Leaders and great people were not complainers, they were problem solvers. They saw an issue and fought for it. They rocked the boat with their words and actions but their words were always for the greater good and NOT just themselves. Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln all stood for something outside themselves, they saw a problem and came up with a solution. Most of which meant a collapse of the way things were and a rebuilding of society for the better. They identified the problem, came up with a solution, and put their lives on the line for the good of others.
I want to be a leader, a problem solver, a better person for society. I educate and raise my children to be the same, to find a solution not just whine about the problem. To think of others and how their words effect the larger picture. To have a positive attitude but not a selfish positive attitude.
Karma and Consequences..... This is a really interesting view of health attitudes and the attitudes of economists / mortgage specialists.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
In the Business of Pumpkin Carving
If its hip it's here blog is always keeping its readers up to date on the trends and the latest products. The writer of this blog as brought to the attention of its readers a couple of guys who have made a business out of carving pumpkins.
If you love doing something, are passionate about it, and good enough then you can make a business out of doing just about anything!!!
Check out the pictures and the various designs of 'Manic Carvers' the blog has posted. You'll be amazed.
This blog does take time to load so please be patient with it.
Friday, October 30, 2009
A Take on Economists Bullish Attitudes
One blog I follow regularly is Alberta Bubble and I really like this person's viewpoint on the real estate market in Alberta. In a recent post he discusses the economists of today and how their bullish predictions are not meshing with actual economic numbers.
Is the recession over? Is the economy on the way up? It won't recover quickly but it has leveled out in some parts of Canada. The real estate market in the lower mainland of BC has rebounded a bit, whether that's the trend in the future I can't say very easily. Is it a sign of economic recovery? NO, more like an influx of buyers who have been waiting on the side lines for all of 2008 for prices and interest rates to drop. Once they've finished jumping into the market and interest rates start rising they may be surprised to find prices slip a bit more.
It is GDP that determines if a market is going into or out of a recession not the real estate market.
Anyway check out Alberta Bubble for an interesting look at economist predictions and what's really going on in the economy.
Why is it that every contraction in GDP called 'unexpected'? Or every decline in jobs seen through the eyes of economist who never saw it coming?Why do all these economics have to constantly bullish projections?
Is the recession over? Is the economy on the way up? It won't recover quickly but it has leveled out in some parts of Canada. The real estate market in the lower mainland of BC has rebounded a bit, whether that's the trend in the future I can't say very easily. Is it a sign of economic recovery? NO, more like an influx of buyers who have been waiting on the side lines for all of 2008 for prices and interest rates to drop. Once they've finished jumping into the market and interest rates start rising they may be surprised to find prices slip a bit more.
It is GDP that determines if a market is going into or out of a recession not the real estate market.
Anyway check out Alberta Bubble for an interesting look at economist predictions and what's really going on in the economy.
Should Small Town Businesses Advertise in Yellow Pages or Canpages?
When you live in a small town everyone knows everyone so why would any small town business need to advertise in a phone directory like Canpages or Yellow Pages?
I grew up in a very small town and I was under the assumption that everyone knows everyone and everyone's business. I still agree to an extent, the difference is when I go home now I don't know anyone, I don't know anyone's business. The town hasn't changed - when I'm in town I still get my hair done by the same stylist who cut my hair when I was a teenager. The people have changed though, I don't mean that the people I knew are different, I mean that they aren't there anymore. People move away and people move in, that simple.
It takes awhile to fit into a small town, some longer then others. It takes time to figure out who the local insurance agent is and why you should use their services and not the guy in the town 30 minutes away.
Phone directories, and online directories like Canpages.ca, are as useful to small town business as they are city businesses. Whether its' a tourist looking for a pizza or a new resident looking for a dentist, if a small town business wants to grow they need to be where people look for them.
The other reason is that many people don't want people knowing what they are up to so they will do business in the next town over. A small town business would benefit from advertising where neighbouring small town residence look to find what they are looking for - ie directories.
I was surprised at how much had changed in my home town, especially since I'm there 2-3 times a year. Usually I'm there to relax and stick my head in the sand, recently I needed something and the business that was there was no longer there. I started thinking about how much had changed instead of how much remained the same and I realized that I didn't know anyone in town anymore. So even if the facade of a small town never changes, the people who live there do and if you want their business you need to make it easy for them to find you.
I grew up in a very small town and I was under the assumption that everyone knows everyone and everyone's business. I still agree to an extent, the difference is when I go home now I don't know anyone, I don't know anyone's business. The town hasn't changed - when I'm in town I still get my hair done by the same stylist who cut my hair when I was a teenager. The people have changed though, I don't mean that the people I knew are different, I mean that they aren't there anymore. People move away and people move in, that simple.
It takes awhile to fit into a small town, some longer then others. It takes time to figure out who the local insurance agent is and why you should use their services and not the guy in the town 30 minutes away.
Phone directories, and online directories like Canpages.ca, are as useful to small town business as they are city businesses. Whether its' a tourist looking for a pizza or a new resident looking for a dentist, if a small town business wants to grow they need to be where people look for them.
The other reason is that many people don't want people knowing what they are up to so they will do business in the next town over. A small town business would benefit from advertising where neighbouring small town residence look to find what they are looking for - ie directories.
I was surprised at how much had changed in my home town, especially since I'm there 2-3 times a year. Usually I'm there to relax and stick my head in the sand, recently I needed something and the business that was there was no longer there. I started thinking about how much had changed instead of how much remained the same and I realized that I didn't know anyone in town anymore. So even if the facade of a small town never changes, the people who live there do and if you want their business you need to make it easy for them to find you.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Want to Work from Home?
I have been looking at various blogs and sites that help women who want to make money from home. As I find them I will add them to this post. There are so many work from home blogs and sites that are trying to sell you something or sign you up to be their downline. I am looking for sites that are helpful, informative, and genuine.
Here are some quality sites for you to check out:
The Work at Home Woman
Full of ideas and is a hub of information that will help you pick the best work from home business for you.
Work at Home Now blog
This is a collection of articles written by various authors about working at home. Chalked full of information.
Here are some quality sites for you to check out:
The Work at Home Woman
Full of ideas and is a hub of information that will help you pick the best work from home business for you.
Work at Home Now blog
This is a collection of articles written by various authors about working at home. Chalked full of information.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Bill C300 - Should the Government Step In when Companies Behave Badly?
John MacKay's private member's bill C300 has passed 2nd reading and even if it doesn't pass as law at least it is shining the light on some bad Canadian apples in the world of international business operations. Private member's bill C300, if passed, would enable the government to withhold taxpayer investment in any mining company who's business practices in other countries is found to be immoral or unethical.
On CBC Radio Mr. MacKay debated with John Baird, president of PDAC, whom is against bill C300. Mr. Baird negated the issue by using statistics saying there are only 17 complaints and at one point brought it down to 6/year for Canadian Mining Companies. He headed off any attempt by the reporter, Anna Marie Tremonti, to talk about specific complaints which would show that these are serious issues and they sometimes support appalling acts .
Usually I'd question what validity of reports and wonder if there was any real connection to the companies involved, however, Mr. Baird's dismissive attitude boiled my blood. I may have heard wrong but, as I understood it, he said it's only 6 complaints a year and in comparison to the good we do in the 3rd world they are moot.
Moot or not, 6 complaints a year is unacceptable when these complaints involve unethical and immoral practices that effect the lives of those too poor to have a voice. I am getting very sick of CEOs sitting in their ivory towers and looking at only the numbers and rationalizing their decisions with a "that's the cost of doing business" attitude. I do not consider myself to be on the liberal or socialist side of politics or business but I do believe in fair, ethical, and moral conduct.
The above incidents are examples of a global issue that is fueled by greed and profits. The above incidents may or may not have anything to do with Canadian companies but any company that doesn't utilize their clout to help improve the situation is only condoning it. I realize that the political situations in these areas make it very difficult and dangerous for companies to operate. I know that this is not a perfect world and there are grey areas, but there are lines that should never be crossed by a Canadian company.
If the recent economic and business environment has proven anything it is that industries are unable to regulate themselves. They cannot be trusted to ensure that their members are ethical or moral due to greed and personal attitudes. The SROs are not independent nor are they bipartisan. Big Brother has a place in society and that is to ensure that everyone plays nice, even the white collar criminals.
Viewpoint of another blogger who listened and wrote about the CBC Radio debate between John MacKay and John Baird on Bill C300
To listen to the CBC Radio's The Current Debate between John MacKay and John Baird
Under C-300, people can take complaints about Canadian resource companies directly to the federal government, regardless of what foreign country they are working in. If the complaint is accepted, an investigation would begin that would need to be completed within eight months. If the company is found to be guilty of environmental or human rights abuses, it would be ineligible for financing from Export Development Canada (EDC) or the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP), neither of which appears to be thrilled with the legislation.
On CBC Radio Mr. MacKay debated with John Baird, president of PDAC, whom is against bill C300. Mr. Baird negated the issue by using statistics saying there are only 17 complaints and at one point brought it down to 6/year for Canadian Mining Companies. He headed off any attempt by the reporter, Anna Marie Tremonti, to talk about specific complaints which would show that these are serious issues and they sometimes support appalling acts .
Primary school teacher Dante Valdez was attackedon 13 August by a group of about 30 people who burst into a local school in Madera, Chihuahua state. The attackers, most of whom work for a local mine, pushed and kicked him, and told him to stay out of their business.
Community leader Eligio Rebolledo Salinas (m) has been shot by unidentified gunmen.Three of his male relatives were later arrested without a warrant. They had all been campaigning for a fair deal with a mining company operating on their lands.
A prominent human rights defender has been detained as prisoner of consciencesince 24 July in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His organization had recently published a report alleging state complicity in illegal mining at a uranium mine, and he is facing politically motivated charges.
On 27 April 2009 police officials burned down 50 houses within the Porgera mining area, owned and operated by Canadian-based Barrick Gold Corporation.
On 4 September at approximately 7:30 am Yuri Melini[Director of the Centre for Environmental, Social and Legal Action] left his car and walked towards a house of a relative. A man standing near to him called his name and when he caught his attention fired at him four times. One bullet missed but three other hit him in the stomach, right knee and left leg.
CALAS [Centre for Environmental, Social and Legal Action] has recently been involved in a number of high profile environmental issues, including legally challenging the law that permits opencast mining for gold and other metals, campaigning against contamination of water sources and occupation of land in nature reserves. The attack against Yuri Melini is believed to be linked to his role in CALAS and the work of the organization.
Usually I'd question what validity of reports and wonder if there was any real connection to the companies involved, however, Mr. Baird's dismissive attitude boiled my blood. I may have heard wrong but, as I understood it, he said it's only 6 complaints a year and in comparison to the good we do in the 3rd world they are moot.
Moot or not, 6 complaints a year is unacceptable when these complaints involve unethical and immoral practices that effect the lives of those too poor to have a voice. I am getting very sick of CEOs sitting in their ivory towers and looking at only the numbers and rationalizing their decisions with a "that's the cost of doing business" attitude. I do not consider myself to be on the liberal or socialist side of politics or business but I do believe in fair, ethical, and moral conduct.
The above incidents are examples of a global issue that is fueled by greed and profits. The above incidents may or may not have anything to do with Canadian companies but any company that doesn't utilize their clout to help improve the situation is only condoning it. I realize that the political situations in these areas make it very difficult and dangerous for companies to operate. I know that this is not a perfect world and there are grey areas, but there are lines that should never be crossed by a Canadian company.
If the recent economic and business environment has proven anything it is that industries are unable to regulate themselves. They cannot be trusted to ensure that their members are ethical or moral due to greed and personal attitudes. The SROs are not independent nor are they bipartisan. Big Brother has a place in society and that is to ensure that everyone plays nice, even the white collar criminals.
Viewpoint of another blogger who listened and wrote about the CBC Radio debate between John MacKay and John Baird on Bill C300
To listen to the CBC Radio's The Current Debate between John MacKay and John Baird
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Why I Choose NOT to Re-apply for My Former Canpages Position
Back in August I was still planning on re-applying to Canpages for Advertising Consultant in the Lower Mainland - I really enjoyed my stint as an Advertising Consultant in Calgary. I've recently decided that I will not submit an application for the next round of hiring in November. The reasons why are simple enough, the amount of effort and time I put in to improve myself and try to get better numbers was at the detriment to my family.
I spent so much time on the phone, reading, travelling and prepping that I missed out on my kids lives. I travelled a lot - from November until April. I didn't realize how much I missed until I was home with them 100% of the time again.
It's not a reflection on the company itself, it's more about the balance. I wanted to do good, really good, but when I looked at my numbers and compared them to others I was working harder and making less money then others. That was the turning point for me, that and the almost daily push from management to bring in more and more numbers. So I read, strategized, called on all my leads, looked for new businesses and didn't focus on my kids when I was with them.
Canpages has grown in a short period of time, rapid growth is not always a good thing when it comes to reputation and in some areas their reputation has been compromised by sales reps over promising and under delivering. I have noticed an increase in hits to my blog resulting from the search "Canpages Sucks." I do not want to work for a company that has a bad reputation and bad reports to the Better Business Bureau. I want to work for a company that has a good reputation for not only being a great company to do business with but also to work for. The sales department at Canpages has been a revolving door - mostly due to their desire to grow fast and hiring inexperience and over zealous sales reps.
The results they have provided the bulk of their clients has been phenomenal and their clients businesses have grown as a result. I still believe that the product is necessary and used by many people in the marketplace to grow their business. I know that with the right sales rep, advertising programs can be developed that will increase any company bottom line. However with the constant push for daily numbers, not every customer ends up with the best advertising program for their business.
During my relocation I have relied on the Canpages phonebook to help me find, realtors, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, doctors, dentists, schools, after school activities, stores, utilities, and a whole slew of other services. I would have used the phonebook regardless of working there because I don't know anyone here to ask for referrals and I know exactly what I want and the phone book makes it easier to find it then Internet searches.
Canpages.ca has been a valuable tool when figuring out location of businesses and services in relation to where I live or planned to live. Without the maps and links it would have taken me a lot longer to figure out what businesses I wanted to contact to register my kids in activities. It made it easier to figure out which services or professionals to contact because Surrey is a huge area and I only wanted to deal with businesses in the South Surrey area since that's where I live.
If you are looking at Canpages for a sales rep position the only thing you need to know is - take it if you are someone who can excel in higher pressure sales centers. If you are a star sales person who can bring in consistant large contracts then you will make a lot of money with the company. If you are a relationship salesperson who excels at developing a good face for the company, this is probably not where you want to be. You see your clients once a year. This is a grind position where you are constantly cold calling, constantly looking for the next sale with a new lead.
For me what it comes down to is I'm not a 100% sales numbers only person, I am a consultant, relationship building sales type of person. The high stress of always needing to get that next sale and make that sale bigger is not the environment I want to be in. I need to feel valued as an employee and that my existence at the company matters and makes a difference if I'm there or not. I don't want to be just another number in the revolving door, I want a long term career with a company that is going to be around a long time. So I guess the hunt is on again.... this time I'll take my time and make better decisions about the company I work for.
I spent so much time on the phone, reading, travelling and prepping that I missed out on my kids lives. I travelled a lot - from November until April. I didn't realize how much I missed until I was home with them 100% of the time again.
It's not a reflection on the company itself, it's more about the balance. I wanted to do good, really good, but when I looked at my numbers and compared them to others I was working harder and making less money then others. That was the turning point for me, that and the almost daily push from management to bring in more and more numbers. So I read, strategized, called on all my leads, looked for new businesses and didn't focus on my kids when I was with them.
Canpages has grown in a short period of time, rapid growth is not always a good thing when it comes to reputation and in some areas their reputation has been compromised by sales reps over promising and under delivering. I have noticed an increase in hits to my blog resulting from the search "Canpages Sucks." I do not want to work for a company that has a bad reputation and bad reports to the Better Business Bureau. I want to work for a company that has a good reputation for not only being a great company to do business with but also to work for. The sales department at Canpages has been a revolving door - mostly due to their desire to grow fast and hiring inexperience and over zealous sales reps.
The results they have provided the bulk of their clients has been phenomenal and their clients businesses have grown as a result. I still believe that the product is necessary and used by many people in the marketplace to grow their business. I know that with the right sales rep, advertising programs can be developed that will increase any company bottom line. However with the constant push for daily numbers, not every customer ends up with the best advertising program for their business.
During my relocation I have relied on the Canpages phonebook to help me find, realtors, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, doctors, dentists, schools, after school activities, stores, utilities, and a whole slew of other services. I would have used the phonebook regardless of working there because I don't know anyone here to ask for referrals and I know exactly what I want and the phone book makes it easier to find it then Internet searches.
Canpages.ca has been a valuable tool when figuring out location of businesses and services in relation to where I live or planned to live. Without the maps and links it would have taken me a lot longer to figure out what businesses I wanted to contact to register my kids in activities. It made it easier to figure out which services or professionals to contact because Surrey is a huge area and I only wanted to deal with businesses in the South Surrey area since that's where I live.
If you are looking at Canpages for a sales rep position the only thing you need to know is - take it if you are someone who can excel in higher pressure sales centers. If you are a star sales person who can bring in consistant large contracts then you will make a lot of money with the company. If you are a relationship salesperson who excels at developing a good face for the company, this is probably not where you want to be. You see your clients once a year. This is a grind position where you are constantly cold calling, constantly looking for the next sale with a new lead.
For me what it comes down to is I'm not a 100% sales numbers only person, I am a consultant, relationship building sales type of person. The high stress of always needing to get that next sale and make that sale bigger is not the environment I want to be in. I need to feel valued as an employee and that my existence at the company matters and makes a difference if I'm there or not. I don't want to be just another number in the revolving door, I want a long term career with a company that is going to be around a long time. So I guess the hunt is on again.... this time I'll take my time and make better decisions about the company I work for.
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