Labor Day - A Different Perspective

Most stories look at Labor Day from the perspective of the factory worker.  That is important, but today I offer a different perspective.

On this day I am reading my Kindle with cooking shows in the background. Now why am I listening to cooking shows?  A major surprise to my friends - I gave my wife control of the remote.  Before you ask, yes I really did. 

So today I am listening to Tricia Yearwood's cooking show, Tricia's Southern Kitchen, and Pioneer Woman. 

On one of Yearwood's episodes she talked about her grandmother and how she cooked a lunch and dinner every day. That made me think about this perspective on Labor Day.  It is the labor of mothers and grandmothers cooking meals every day.

My friends all know this about me, I am half Lebanese. My mother is a full blooded Lebanese lady. My friends also know I was raised in Midland, Texas.  My mother and Sitie (Lebanese for grandmother) cooked hearty, healthy meals. However, even though I was raised in the South/Southwest, my mother and Sitie did not cook much Southern food.  Most of the food had an Arabic flavor to it. In fact, in my parents' home, if you had half a gallon of virgin olive oil and/or 10 cloves of garlic, you were running dangerously low on absolutely key ingredients. 

My wife is the Southern cook. You name any Southern dish and the chances are she cooked it.

All three take great pride in their meals and signature dishes.  All three are meticulous cooks.  For the family, they use the best ingredients, spend considerable time on prepping and seasoning, and when appropriate, presentation. 

This is labor and one of love. It takes time to go to the store or stores for the right ingredients, washing and prepping food, seasoning, cooking, serving and you get the idea.  The family sits down at the dinner table, enjoys food and conversation and then their goes separate ways. Perhaps to study or a school related activity.  To get to that point, it takes labor. However, the benefits are immense (as I suspect all three ladies realized that years ago).  A meal can bind a family for a short time, it feeds hungers (appetite and togetherness) and encourages discussions. 

So as you think of Labor Day, remember the mothers, grandmothers and wives who labor in a kitchen every night so a family can bond.  What a great gift.

The Importance of Passion

First, congratulations to my daughter for earning a spot on the Osbourn Park High School Varsity Cheer squad.  She will be a Yellow Jacket cheerleader for another season and during her senior year. The first home game is this Friday.

All parents want to see their children succeed.  We want them to find their passion. Often times a parent's interests and passions are far different than our children.  It certainly is in my case.  Since I was uncoordinated as a teenager, my interest was more cerebral. That interest was debate. 

My son was interested in forensics and track. My daughter in dance and cheer. Both lettered in high school, my son in track and my daughter in cheer.  For that I am pleased and for several reasons. 

I always enjoyed attending a track meet where my son ran the 400, 4 x 4, or cross country and cheering him and the team.  My daughter's dance competitions and cheering at games were a thrill.  I tried to go to as many competitions and parent events as possible through the years. One benefit is watching my kids and their friends improve every year. That is a real reward. 

Their dedication to sports forced me to take an interest in several activities I would have not given much thought to. Now, I look for track meets and cheer competitions on the various sports channels.  Of course I follow with great interest the Summer Olympic track competitions. For that I am grateful.

Passion drives you to excel. For example, my daughter's tumbling, gymnastics and dance all helped her earn a position on the varsity cheer squad. She worked hard for several weeks.  And not only in school, but also at home.  

Equally, passion from one can also be instilled in others. Back in college I ran. I would not win any competitions, but I enjoyed it. For some reason I stopped.  After I dropped some weight and watched my son run in track meets, I decided to take up running again. A big benefit to living in Northern VA and Prince William County is the abundance of outstanding trails. At one point I was running 5 times a week.  After an injury I am working my way back. 

However, the most important point is my love of running was rekindled by my son's track experiences.  When we are all together, my son, my daughter and I start a run together, but never end together.  That is the power of passion.

hhttp://www.yellowjacketathletics.org/index.cfm?action=main.teamroster&id=27198ttp://www.yellowjacketathletics.org/index.cfm?action=main.teamheadline&id=27198&headlineid=20293213

Not Getting It

I read the Politico every day. It is an excellent political journal with outstanding writers.

One story posted a while ago caught my interest. It was about Michelle Kwan and controversy she encountered when she did a commercial for Coke and the hypocrisy of her serving on President Obama’s Council on Fitness, Nutrition and Sports.

Ms. Kwan was harshly criticized by some association I have never heard of and does not deserve a mention in this piece. Yes, this sounds cynical, but sometimes I think third tier no name associations make such ridiculous charges against a celebrity to gain their (undeserved) 15 minutes of fame.  And by raising the organization’s profile, also raise funds. 

Now I do not get it.  Ms. Kwan is a talented athlete and intelligent lady. For her to endorse Coca-Cola and also serve on a fitness and nutrition council does not raise any red flags to me.  Ms. Kwan is not saying drink a 12 pack of Coke every day. 

Have we become so inflexible that you must agree entirely with an organization?  Not getting it. I cannot get my family to agree with me on 100 percent of everything I know is right, so why would I expect it from anyone else.  And yes, I do know what is right.

Frankly, in debate we called this a red herring. You have nothing else to say, so attack something so insignificant and try to blow it out of proportion. Put the other side on the defensive.  Or in this case, put Ms. Kwan on the defensive. 

My suggested response for Ms. Kwan, “I apologize, now who did you say is criticizing me for my commercial and public service activities?”  She is told the name of the organization. And her response is “Never heard of it.”

From the Politico

MICHELLE KWAN SKATES INTO HEALTH CARE CONTROVERSY — The former figure-skating champion is being criticized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest for promoting Coca-Cola for the Sochi Olympics while at the same time serving on the President’s Council on Fitness, Nutrition and Sports. Kwan is pictured on Coca-Cola’s website holding a bottle of non-diet Coke. It’s “unacceptable” to allow makers of junk foods to “rent Michelle Kwan or other council members,” according to CSPI. But the National Center for Public Policy Research quickly defended Kwan, calling CSPI the “food police.” “This absolutist view is not only absurd, it undermines public health by suggesting that people who enjoy an occasional sugary beverage cannot be active, athletic and healthy,” NCPPR said. CSPI’s release

The Customer is (Usually) Always Right

I really enjoyed a recent AP news story, but not for the problems the owners of Amy’s Baking Co. experienced.  Rather, this story crystallizes the ever increasing power of social media and the rising demand for customer service.  It offers all of us an excellent learning experience.

The article highlighted a business owner (Amy’s Baking Co.) struggling with constant negative social media posts.  You may recall the name from the series “Kitchen Nightmares.” The reaction by the owners to these critiques was highly combative.  The owners basically called the people posting negative comments stupid, etc. As my mentor used to tell me, do not argue with a company that buys ink by the barrel. He was referring to a newspaper.  We also hear for every bad experience, the person wronged will tell 10 people.  Today, a person wronged will tell thousands of people.  In short, is it unwise to provoke a person highly skilled in the application of social media.

The owners’ reaction was so harsh and so negative it inspired several articles on what not to do on social media.  This one from Forbes is one of the best.  It is by Ms. Kelly Clay.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/05/14/lessons-from-amys-baking-company-six-things-you-should-never-do-on-social-media/

Years ago when I lived in Columbia, SC, I drove by a new car dealership. Across the street was a car apparently purchased from the dealership.  A large painted yellow sign claimed that the dealership sold him a “lemon” and you do not want to buy a car from the dealership because it might be a lemon too.  I think we do not take these activities seriously, because it is one man making a claim. Now, take that same man and put him on Twitter and Facebook. Others will read it and they may add a gripe they have. If the message is written in an intelligent manner, it may lead to more critical comments.  For a business, that is a real danger, especially if you throw lighting fuel on the flames.

This brings me to the second part - customer service.  Experience tells us to admit to a problem, show a solution and offer something of value to the dissatisfied customer.  Telling a customer that they are stupid or just plain insulting them will never get you very far (recall the previous paragraph).  As a business owner, you may disagree with a customer, but remember, social media is about words used to generate emotional responses.  How do you show humor or irony in 140 characters?  It is very difficult. Equally important, it is easier and probably the right approach for a business to admit the customer may have a point or politely correct a misconception. And, be sure to read the Forbes article, the link is in the article.

Potential Boyfriend Questionnaire

(and I use the term "boyfriend" loosely)

For all fathers with daughters who have boys interested in her.  Feel free to add or revise this questionnaire as needed.  

Peggy Potential Boyfriend Questionnaire

Academics

What is your favorite subject? Why?

What classes do you struggle with?  What steps have you taken to improve your performance?

What is your current GPA?

Are you planning to go to college?

If so, where?  And what is your thoughts on your major?

What do you read?

 

How does a bill become a law?

Clubs

Are you a member of any clubs?

If so, what are they?

Why did you choose them?

Athletics

Do you participate in any sports?

If so, what are they?

Why did you choose them?

Do you do any additional workout above and beyond what is required by your sport?

Personal

Do you drive?

Ever been pulled over or gotten a ticket or in a wreck? If yes, please elaborate.

What are your hobbies?

Do you regularly exercise? If so, what is your routine?

Do you work now? If so what do you do and what have you learned?

What do you watch on TV?

What kind of music do you listen to?  Why?

Who are your favorite musicians?

What is or are your favorite book or books?

Do you subscribe to any periodical magazine? If so, what is it?

Favorite news source?

Who do you admire and why?

Who is your favorite sportsperson and why?

Who is or are your favorite presidents and why?

Are you a republican, democrat or independent? Why?

Have you ever shot a gun? I have.

Do you pray? If not, you may want to start to after you begin dating my daughter.

Scenario Questions

Peggy and I want to go to the symphony and you want to go out with your friends. What do you do?

Peggy and I want to go to the ballet to see Swan Lake.  You want to go party with your friends. What do you ultimately decide?

You pick Peggy up for a date.  Describe what happens as soon as you park the car at our house.

Peggy must be home at 10 PM. You and Peggy are with your friends watching a movie.  You must leave in 15 minutes to get her home on time, but the movie ends in 30 minutes. What do you do?

You say something mean to Peggy. What do you do next?

You and Peggy are driving home. Peggy will not put on her seatbelt, what do you do?

Peggy’s mother makes dinner for all of us. First, do you bring anything? Second, the roast is dry, what do you tell Peggy’s mother?

Peggy wants to go to the mall, you want to play football with your friends, what do you do?

You let Peggy pick the restaurants for dinner dates. She picks Chipotle again, for the 15^th time. What do you do?

The Redskins are playing the Cowboys and the game is tied.  With over 4 minutes left, you and Sandy are glued to the screen.  Peggy and I walk in and inform you that Downton Abbey starts now.  What do you do? (Bonus if you know what Downton Abbey is.)

You, Sandy, the Pope, Mother Theresa, President and Michelle Obama, George and Laura Bush, Peggy and I are on a plane. It is going to crash. You run to get the parachutes and find only two, what do you do?

You walk in the room, Peggy and I are discussing British Parliament as we watch it on CSPAN. What do you do? (Bonus if you know what CSPAN is and can briefly describe it).

You, Peggy and I are going to the car lot. You are buying your first car. Knowing Peggy will be in the car with you, what kind of car are you looking for?
 

It is Peggy’s birthday, what are your plans?

It is my birthday, what are your plans?

Anything else you want to tell me?

Anything else I need to know (and remember, I hate surprises).

One man I greatly admire and respect is former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. My reason is pretty simple.  Mr. Rumsfeld embodies a true public servant.  He was elected to Congress; accepted top level jobs in various administrations, served two tours as Secretary of Defense, and was successful in the private sector as the CEO of a pharmaceutical company.

Perhaps equally important, he started compiling a list of rules back in 1974.  He periodically updated it and made it available to the public.  I keep a copy of it and refer to it often.  It reflects the wisdom of a man who experienced considerable success and took on challenges in the public and private sector.  Oddly enough, I am not aware of anyone one else in the public or private sector that compiles a list like this and generously makes it available to citizens.

One other aspect I like is when he uses a quotation; he attributes it to the source.  No small footnotes buried in the back of the document, he tells you where he got it right after the actual sentence. That probably seems minor, but as a writer and former debater, I greatly appreciate it.

You probably know most of Mr. Rumsfeld's rules. However, it is well organized and easy to read.  Some of the entries are humorous. And some are very serious. You will note on the first page the last revision was September 10, 2001. Please be sure to read Mr. Rumsfeld's introduction paragraph on the second page.

For those in the private sector, I suggest starting on page 9. On that page Mr. Rumsfeld notes lessons learned in business.  Of course his rules noted elsewhere in the attachment also apply to business.  The rules under the heading “Doing the Job in the White House” certainly apply to working in most public and private sector organizations.

 

The section titled “Life” is not his rules, but rather quotations he found over the years and covers a multitude of subjects. 

Whether you agree with Mr. Rumsfeld or not, his rules are excellent advice. The rules are written simply and the PDF is well organized. 

http://www.cornerbarpr.com/images/home/rumsfeldsrules.pdf

Greener Pastures

Jim Zumwalt, my friend and the city manager of Manassas Park, announced his retirement earlier this month. It is well deserved. Jim has been a public servant for over 40 years. 

When I think about a true public servant, I picture Jim.  He continually amazed me with his breadth and depth of knowledge and constructive ways to solve challenges. Jim definitely possesses the winning combination of intellectual curiosity, extensive experience, and wisdom. 

Give Jim a white board with different color markers and you were off to a very fast start. He loved to sketch out the problem on the white board.  Jim is not talkative, but when he speaks people at the table listen. He kept conversations focused and he dissected each challenge from a number of directions.  It was common for Jim to listen to an issue. And then watch him lead a discussion that ranged from translating it into policy and finally exploring the mechanics of implementation.  He made it look so easy and as I have seen and learned, it is very taxing and difficult.

City management loses a true professional.  He was as I wrote earlier, a public servant. And now, Jim can pursue more noble and personal interests.

http://www.cityofmanassaspark.us/index.php/news/599-city-manager-position