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December 28, 2006
mercy
I loved the fact that idea of forgiveness is found in game theory. It is an important concept in personal and professional relationships. President Gerald Ford understood that. Anybody who grew up with Watergate understood the power of the President's action. He taught us the power of forgiveness in the healing process for all affected.
I've fallen in love with the trumpet again this holiday season. Recently, the show, Studio 60, had a piece devoted to New Orleans musicians. They played a brass piece that NBC has made downloadable on their website.
Posted by azileretsis at 07:47 AM | Comments (0)
December 27, 2006
consideration
My friends know that I will stop any conversations if they talk negatively concerning one of our other friends. I find that this talk rude and gossiping. I also feel if anyone is willing to talk about someone else negatively, everyone is seen as fair game in their eyes. In the workplace, this kind of talk is even worse. It lowers morale and reduces the cooperation potential.
Posted by azileretsis at 05:17 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2006
kindness
When I was a little child, I walked by a beggar in the streets with my aunt and my aunt hit me on the head. While giving me some money, she told me that I wasn't just to walk by a beggar. She also told me that one never knew what life would bring and she was speaking from her experiences as a child.
I've mentioned the issue of homelessness before but here's a reminder in the cold season.
Posted by azileretsis at 12:52 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2006
culture
Recently, I was reading about one shipper's corporate culture around the holiday was demonstrated in everybody helping out during the holidays. I think that's good corporate culture in action and managers leading by example. I've seen corporate culture where ownership and responsibility is shared and owned and I've seen companies that are not.
Posted by azileretsis at 05:36 PM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2006
within
As someone who has been trained in technical writing, I love good documentation. Today, I saw an awesome flow chart and it was like a Christmas gift to me. You can find good information in intimidating volumes of paper, now all digitized, all the better.
My friend and I were chatting abou desk accessories, check out the rabbit.
Posted by azileretsis at 07:18 PM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2006
season for giving
This year is the first time that my online shopping is greater than my offline shopping. I have to say it is a pleasant experience so far. Many of my personalized gifts have even come from online shopping. I'm loving Amazon right now.
Have I ever mentioned how huge of a difference working with someone who loves their job and someone who hates their job? I realized the difficulty I have with a fellow coworker is due to that they hate their job. Why spread the misery?
As for me, I am still fascinated with the industry I am in. The founder of the company created a business from a pennies or nickels revenue model. Similar to Google (though Google is more of a dime and dollar revenue model), transactions are the key in this revenue model. Volume is most important and paricularly the volume capacity. Great idea, bad execution. I am currently confounded by the number and degree of inefficiencies allowable in his business. I am either seeing a miracle or a mirage. I love Edgar.
Posted by azileretsis at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
December 16, 2006
online
Shopping online alot more this year. Amazon has a sense of humour. I love Time's person of year.
Posted by azileretsis at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)
December 15, 2006
injustice
The payday lending law is an example of injustice.
Selling drugs to dead people is another.
The elephant is in the fine print.
Posted by azileretsis at 06:22 PM | Comments (0)
December 14, 2006
gift giving
As a geek friend, aka gadget shopping guide, aka personal, 24/7 Internet attendant, when I buy a gift for a friend these days, I wonder how much tech support I have to provide once the gift is in the receiver's hands. I was thinking of this when I was looking to some accessories for a gift for a friend. Not only would I have to set up the gadget, allow the gadget to be anywhere she wants to use it, but also be there if any problems come up. Ah, the bother.
Posted by azileretsis at 10:31 PM | Comments (0)
respect
Oh, to see managers who treat others with respect in all circumstances.
I miss the Fool on NPR. The fools say that you should only buy stock if you buy its products. I would have to agree with their assessment. I would also add working for that company gives you a distinct view into it. I believe that a good employee in the right position, speaking honestly, can give you better information about that company than the market forces and the knowledge that drive those forces. I'm not saying insider information but just a conversation about seen culture, seen values, and his or her work environment can say a lot about a company.
Posted by azileretsis at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2006
leaders
Kofi Anan is stepping down today after a tumultous 10 years as the leader of the UN. NPR was talking about the type of leadership style he had and his successes and failures. Kofi Anan was the epitome of a true diplomat and NPR believes this lead to an ineffective leadership.
How does one create effective leadership in an environment where medocrity thrives and honesty and directness is lacking. No matter how big our global community gets, circles of knowledge seem get smaller.
The power of the euro has no more humour at all. Any euro critics have been silenced by the recent movement.
Posted by azileretsis at 08:57 AM | Comments (0)
December 07, 2006
dreams
I was watching NASA TV for the shuttle launch scheduled for tonight. It was scrubbed due to weather with less than 5 minutes on the clock. Listening to the crew speak with mission support, it struck me the team leader's tone after the launch was scrubbed. He was very thankful of mission support and his tone was just one of unbridled appreciation of the opportunity he has been given. It didn't matter the flight was delayed; he was going to leave earth someday soon. For five out of the seven crewmen, it will be their first flight into space.
Posted by azileretsis at 10:31 PM | Comments (0)
avoidance
I recently heard Carly Fiorina say that ethics cannot be legislated. I thought that was pretty wise. You can't mandate every decision; to do so is a Sisyphus task. To say the legal system or corporate policies do not leave room for independent thinking is trying to shift responsibility or avoid tough decisions. This is also why character is so important in leadership. Laws and policies shouldn't be created to try to control people but dictate the lines that they should not cross. BTW, this same idea comes up in TQM.
Posted by azileretsis at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)
December 04, 2006
scrooge
I think every businessman should watch or read The Christmas Carol annually. I forgot why I read it every year when I was younger until this weekend. The local theatre puts it on every year and I dragged my friend to see it. The themes in the story: generiousity, kindness to fellow man, and true meaning of Christmas should never be forgotten.
I was reading about conflict of interest that doctors have in research sometimes and I don't understand why they can't divest their interests in companies where there might be a conflict. We ask it of our politicans and we should ask it of those whose decisions affect the public good. Dickens tells an ageless story of where greed can get you and sometimes we need to be reminded.
Posted by azileretsis at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)
December 03, 2006
movies
The movie, The Banquet, was spectacularly done. Though compared with Hamlet, I found this version to be more straightforward. I also liked how the theme of desire was spun throughout the movie. Bravo!
Posted by azileretsis at 03:50 PM | Comments (0)