Ξ November 6th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Work |
I recieved word today that all of the remaining ducks, save for Raider Duck were released today. While we all knew it was coming, it still is a shock to take it all in.
Raider Duck knows that it is only a matter of days, if not hours before his time is finished.
One thing I am glad I was able to do while I was up on my last trip (20 hours of driving within 39 hours) this past Tuesday was to tell them all that while it may seem that Charlie Brown and King Henry are pulling these strings, it really isn’t up to them. There is a person assigned to a Chapter 11 company to oversee all of the finances day to day operations, and the future. This person pulls all of the (purse)strings, and makes all of the decisions. For once in their lives, Charlie Brown and King Henry don’t have too much say in their company’s future, which I am sure must be killing them. Explaining this to the ducks seemed to help things some, but in reality, how can anything help this situation?
I spoke with Raider Duck this evening, and ran some things by him. I am sure that they will all find their ways to new ponds quickly.
That was how the Chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, John T. Chambers introduced himself to me tonight.
Yeah, go ahead and re-read all of that again.
I met the CEO of Cisco tonight. Out on the patio of some hotel overlooking the San Francisco bay. We talked some about the park and the technology that is in it. Then he asked me “What do you think we need to do better?”
Wha?! Me?
Now to be fair, I was up there with about 30 other people, the circle of conversation was just six of us, and he was asking the question to all of us.
But this is me. People are looking at me now. And one of them runs a 130 Billion dollar business.
Hand to God, I actually heard myself say to myself “He took a duck to the face at two hundred and fifty knots”
Of all the people there on that patio, I was in the unique position of coming from the Cisco organization from a supplier role (in my previous life, I worked for one of Cisco’s suppliers and that company took on a lot of the business practices) so I got to know how the sausage got made and I was able to learn a lot from that. So I told Mr. Chambers that, and that one of the things that I learned personally was the importance of the ethic that is taught to the sales force. Without getting too much into detail, what they teach the sales force is to sell solutions, not boxes. They are taught to understand the needs of the customer’s business and to now understand it from the perspective of different functional groups, not just the IT department’s view and then to provide the right thing, the right way, and in the right time.
I learned a lot of those fundamentals while at Jabil, and I took them to heart here at the park. To the point where the concept was completely foreign to the rest of my coworkers.
And I told him, that he needs to continue to push to his people. This type of ethic is important not only in his company, but in the companies of his customers.
He moved onto someone else.
He seemed to listen to it all. I don’t know. He could have just been placating all of us, maybe not. After all, he knew who I was, and he gave me his business card with his direct phone line.
This whole trip is surreal.
A lot happened on that patio tonight. And in time, I hope to share it.
Ξ August 16th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Work |
I was informed this afternoon that Guitar Hero duck, the one from yesterday, will be leaving in the morning. I’m not really surprised, to be honest; and this is part of the overall plan. I guess the thing that really irks me is that there is a lot of drama on the back end going on in his life that I don’t think that he wanted to let others in, and I think there are a few decisions deep down he doesn’t like that he made but feels responsibility to them because he doesn’t understand fully that he has choices in his life.
Plus, he’s only 20.
I see a lot of me in him, both good and bad. In five years, he’ll have the potential of being something extraordinary - whether or not he will admit it to himself and do something about it is something that only time will reveal to us all.
Farewell Mr. Wells. I hope that in life, you find the potential within yourself that we know that you have. My offer still stands, I’ll take you around the world with me.
HA!!!!!!
I got you. I’m sure my mom has more than likely fainted from the title of this post, and Amante must be going back and forth between confusion, and wondering where the good knives are. It isn’t what you think though.
It’s my ducks.
Last night I was informed that Guitar Hero duck (a.k.a. Nerd Duck, a.k.a. the child prodigy a.k.a. my network engineer) was getting evicted from his condo because the duck’s girlfriend brought some people into the place that they were renting, and those people completely trashed the place. The management company found out and gave them until next Thursday to get a new place. That coupled with the news from yesterday didn’t sit well.
As it appears, the duck was just going to settle for getting some place in the ghetto, and when Raider duck told me that, I flipped out. Guitar Hero duck wouldn’t survive a day there, and would end up hooked on crack by month’s end. I can’t have that, not just personally, but because that will ruin the team. It just isn’t an option.
So when he came in today, I grabbed him by the ear, threw him into Bruno and we drove up to one of my contacts that I’ve made while I’ve been up here. We walked into the place sat down, and started looking at their offerings. We went and visited one and I told my contact - 80’s Pop singer/shopping mall crooner Tiffany, that Guitar Hero would bring his girlfriend and then they would decide if it could work for them. I also told them, that we need to make this work, and make it work soon.
Driving back, we started going over the cost of this place to see if he could afford it. One of the things I asked him was how much his current electric bill is… which landed at between $100-$150 a month.
I nearly caused an accident from slamming on my brakes. My bill up here is high when its $75 a month.
“What temperature do you keep your thermostat set?” I asked him.
“62″, he replied blankly.
I almost, God only knows how I managed restraint, beat him right there.
It was then that I really realized that I am a parent.
Ξ August 14th, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Work |
Good news, bad news, or rant first?
I’ll let you choose:
Good News: I managed to rescue an interview/case study with HP from the fiery depths of never being able to happen, and now have them coming to the Park on the 28th and 29th. Apparently I was so well liked in my phone interview last month, that they felt that it was a good idea to come to the park and film it. Bonus score: I’m going to get all of the ducks in front of the camera too, so that they can have that added to their CVs. If there is anything that I’ve learned in this whole “looking for a new job” thing is that if you have the potential for having a unique way to market yourself, then take it. I really need to thank Peter for this if it pans out to something because I know he more than likely had a lot to do with this behind the scenes.
It gets better. Yesterday I got an email from Cisco (the networking people) and they want to interview me for what they call their Physical Security Division for their Global Sales Meeting (woopie!!). I had to get permission from Charlie Brown, and figured that I’ll just completely avoid King Henry since he nearly torpedoed the HP thing from lack from communication. Reading the email closer, they want to do it either the 28th, or Sept. 4th. Well, since HP took the 28th, I guess it’s Sept 4th for Cisco. Oh, and they’re going to “take care of travel” for me. Rock Star Accomodations for me thankyouverymuch.
Bad News: Charlie Brown hit me up with the next round of the “diet plan” today. Though, this isn’t unexpected, it just sucks to go through. To make it all even worse, there is just no real rhyme or reason to it, just trimming off to get us to the end of the year, when we receive a whole new influx of cash, and get to ride this roller coaster (no pun intended) all over again. So, knowing what I know from my ducks, I could offer up Yankee Duck because I know that he has a couple of offers for more money, and I went to Charlie Brown with that. One of his first things he did (which is what REALLY scared me), was look at the org chart and ask me, “Where else can you cut?” Looking at who is left, I told him that honestly his options are either myself, or Raider duck (as we’re managers). Everyone else who is left, is someone who is critical to the operations of the Business (not the park). His response was quick, and a surprise (which in a weird way gave me some comfort) “You and Raider Duck are off of the table”. We then spent a few minutes going over why it makes sense (at least to me) to keep the rest of the ducks. It’s more expensive to outsource them, and chances are that if we lay them off, they aren’t going to stick around waiting until next year without a job; and with the deal that I’ve scored on them (I got my ducks REALLY cheap), next year it will be even harder.
But then, why should I be looking at the future? No one else is? Idiots!
The rest is clear. I’m going to more than likely loose Yankee Duck at the end of the month. The storm clouds are gathering again. Oh, and when this is all over, I’ll now have the largest department, at 6 (including me). That is really scary.
Rant: So after the meeting with Charlie Brown (who has lost considerable weight in the past three months due to stress), I alerted Raider Duck, Angry Black Duck, and Mohawk Duck to the fact that I’ve been asked to make cuts. Raider duck freaked out like he normally does, but after I told him what Charlie Brown told me, he seemed to calm down a bit. The good news is that he is actively job hunting, but like me, not hearing any replies. I also think that I’ve managed to break his stage fright, and he’s going to get in front of the cameras for HP. He knows the importance of getting himself and the ducks this exposure, and he’s even going to swallow his fear for the better good. Angry Black Duck is mad at the people in charge because of all of this mess, and he hates that there is no communication from the executives, just them hiding and barricading themselves in their office. It’s not a flowery descriptor, they’ve actually put walls up and frosted windows so people can’t see them. He also has CNN on speed dial to see if he can get Al Sharpton down here when he gets laid off. No, I don’t think he’s joking.
(A bit of background, I’m here in South Carolina, and from my initial staff of 10 and two interns, seven of them are black. In the rest of the “office/administrative area” there were like six or seven more black people working there. Now, after the first round of layoffs, there are a total of seven, four of which are my ducks)
Then I have Mohawk duck. He’s unflappable under all of this, and it’s making me freak out. (I think that at its base, it’s a thing where I’m watching someone give up control, willingly, and my reaction is like I’m watching someone walk into a vat of acid). I want him to be actively looking for a new job. But his isn’t.
In the grand scheme of things, if I stop and look back at this, if I make it to the end of the year, it all gets reset and we all have money again. No more freaking out for 8 more months or so. But I don’t want to have to go through this over and over, because no matter how well I plan; no matter how low ball I make my budget, we’ll come back to this point in time every year, and I won’t be rewarded for spending my money correctly and frugally and I’ll have to make cuts. And since I’ll have gone in lean, I won’t have fat to cut. But other departments do the exact opposite - which is a contributing factor to our problem.
Again, idiots!!
Ξ August 6th, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Work |
No one would believe this, would they?
Over 15 years of experience in Information Technology with the ability and willingness to accomplish what few on this planet can or would volunteer to do. An expert in the design and delivery of cost effective, high performance information technology infrastructures and applications to address complex business problems. Extensive qualifications in all facets of project lifecycle from initial feasibility analysis and conceptual design through documentation, implementation, user training, and enhancement Strong international networking, systems, and telecommunications background with a proven ability to build and manage creative, highly energized, focused teams. Using experience from a diverse range of technologies within multiple industry settings, designed and implemented and then supported the entire technology horizon necessary to build the first theme park in the United States in the past ten years.
I think it makes me sound like the second coming; which I understand I need to do; but still. Wow!!
I think we as a species would do better if we outlawed adjectives and adverbs outright.
Ξ August 3rd, 2008 | → 1 Comments | ∇ Work |
First, let me welcome my newest visitors to my blog, I figured that this is the easiest way to update the majority of you quicker than more slower, conventional means. I was tempted to use Twitter, but I figured that the majority of you would have no idea what that is and it would be more of a limiter than a boon.
The latest update from the front:
I’ve just come from a meeting with Charlie Brown, and it appears that I may be safe from the events tomorrow, and that my initial diet plan has been accepted.
That. Is. Good. News.
There is still the issue that a sizable number of people are still going to be involved tomorrow, some of them may be my ducks, some of them may be my friends. One of them, is a very good friend of mine that I cannot stand to loose. Tomorrow is going to suck if what Charlie Brown said about me is true. It is bad enough to see your comrades fall, worse still to have to feel the guilt of being the one who remains. Worst, if it is all because it is based not on the measure of who I am as a man, but whether ot not I hold favor with King Henry.
That. Is. So. The. Bad.
Still, the ducks and I are resolute in our plan; and Amante is here assisting me with their resumes. If all goes to plan, I will find something for all of them, and I will be the one to turn the lights out. Can the plan change? Undoubtedly. But the ducks and I have taken a page from Leonidas and his Spartans. Against unbelievable odds, and with the outcome certain; we will chart our own destiny.
My life is indeed crazy… that or I am playing the role of Job in some weird TV movie and as much as I would like to reveal everything going on, as the police say “I am not allowed to comment during an ongoing investigation”.
That being said; it was all right. Everything. My dread. The Hubris. Everything. After many many reschedules of my diet meeting, I finally was able to get a few minutes with Charlie Brown, and I wanted to get to the “truth” of my concerns and questions. The answers given to me were a bit enlightening, scary, and resolving.
It is obvious that I am not long for this company, no matter whether it is by my own hand or from the hand of another; and strangely my thoughts are only concerning my team and what to do with them. Protecting them.
Again, it’s about control. Even in the midst of a situation that I can’t control, I have to find that one little thing that I can control just so that the rest of my life makes sense. Earlier this week, I finally had to confront the ducks and let them know what was up. I couldn’t hide it anymore and they were starting to get really scared. So I took Raider Duck, Mohawk Duck and Angry Black Duck aside and laid it all out on the table for them. I have always been honest with them and communicated openly throughout the entire project. That isn’t to say that I haven’t kept certain things confidential, but as far as our department is concerned; the openness and honesty was something that I wanted from my leaders throughout my career. It was only expected that I act on that when the opportunity was handed to me. After telling them, they seemed to be a bit relieved; they now knew. They were afraid of what they don’t know, and now knowing what is going on with me, in a strange way made them feel a bit better.
We descussed it more today, as we can all tell that things are coming to a head, and it was stunning to have Mohawk duck come up to me and tell me that if the worst was to happen, that the main ducks would leave the pond out of respect to me.
It was a Dead Poet Society moment.
I also began the quiet, but necessary process of getting things in order. I have informed a few of my contacts of what is happening and that it can happen at any moment. And still, even now, my main concern is about my ducks. As much as people were concerned about me, I made sure that their efforts are directed at finding new ponds for the ducks and to think of me later. No matter what happens, I know that I will be okay, but because I have that nasty need for control, I am focusing myself on the other ducks.
These are lives, not line items. Lives that I feel personally responsible for.
Amante is driving up tomorrow and will be here tomorrow afternoon. Our plans this weekend for visiting my sister defend her thesis are shot, so it wasn’t like she wasn’t coming up here anyway. But to have her here now is what I need the most.
Ξ July 23rd, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Work |
I came across this from the Effective CIO:
I am, I fear, driving my team crazy. One moment, I am demanding perfection, unwilling to accept even the slightest error. The next moment, I’m encouraging them to experiment, to make mistakes, to get results rapidly to our customers. It all makes sense to me, but I don’t know that they see the method to my (apparent) madness.
In reality, IS organizations suffer from a split personality. Half of our job is to deliver any and all computing services, 24 by 7, without fail, no matter what. The other half is to innovate, find clever new solutions to problems, and get those soutions out to people as quickly as possible. The former role demands unrelenting perfection; the latter will tolerate (and even requires) failure and iteration.
He continues on describing the two halves of the split personality, and I have to say that I totally agree with him. My problem is that I have mastered my “schizophrenia” and I can seemingly switch back and forth between “Operations” (keeping what you have in place running) and “Innovation” (making new worlds happen). However, I’m not sure that the ducks know how to deal with it. Part of the problem is that they are young and inexperienced for the most part, and I have to constantly remind myself of this. They haven’t had the same experiences as I have; but being in these situations can prepare them both professionally, and on a maturity level they can be perfect.
I have faith in them. I just hope that they have faith in me, and that I have faith in myself.
Ξ July 21st, 2008 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Work |
A group of the ducks came up to me. Their feathers were all ruffled up. Clearly they were agitated. Quickly, Nerd duck, the network engineer asks me, “What do we do when we find out that there is a laptop on the network named ‘Sweetdad’, and they’re downloading a bunch of shit off of the internet?”
“Well, who is it?”
“We don’t know, but they’re in BI-39.”
“Well shut down their port, and lets go find out.”
I led the group of ducks out to BI-39 - a large auditorium and we started going through the break rooms like a well machined, trained, geeky SWAT team. Nerd duck tripped over his shoelaces only twice. I began questioning everyone we ran into, “Are you sweetdad?” “Who is sweetdad?”.
Nothing. They were all clueless gits. Their maws catching flies. Some of them seemed upset because I was standing in front of the television and Judge Judy was on.
Running out of places to hide, we took our search upwards to the third floor. To the sound booth. We’ve dealt with these people before.
After no one answered the knocks at the door, we entered the room with the practiced tactical precision of a blind epileptic; and there it was… right before our eyes.
“Okay, so what I am about to do, no one else in this company has the ability to do. None of you have the ability to do this; and if I find out that you ever do this, I will fire you.” The ducks nod in understanding. I quickly unplug all of the cables connecting the laptop to various USB devices, the electrical supply and most importantly; my network and we quickly make our egress back to the Ivory Tower. I make a side stop at HR to pick up the Policy Handbook that all employees sign. Mother Hen from HR asks me what’s up and I give her a quick, “Someone brought their laptop in and was using our bandwidth to pirate stuff”. Her eyes gloss over.
Back at my desk, I write an email to the ducks:
When the owner of the laptop named “Sweetdad” shows up because his laptop has been “stolen”
Inform him that the Sr. Director of IT has possession of his laptop because of the material he was downloading was in breach of the Computer Policy as described in the Policy Handbook, and that if he would like it back, that I need to speak to their VP first.
Dave
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