I fired out a tweet with this not too long ago, but I have to also post this.
I'm not a huge fan of Nine Inch Nails, although I do enjoy their work. What I really like most about them is they seem to 'get it'. For instance, HD footage leaked out of one of their shows and instead of throwing a fit (see Metallica for those), they let the person who did it use their server and published it on their website (I saw a minute of it, but at 360 gigs I didn't have enough storage to watch the whole thing). It was stunning footage.
Their last album was free and was released in a million different bit rates also. All downloadable via their website.
Anyhow, I could go on and on and on. It's just cool to see a band constantly try to evolve not only with music, but also with technology.
Now, you've got to see this video. The film quality is amazing.
NIN: Burn Live from on stage, Melbourne 2.25.09 [HD] from Nine Inch Nails on Vimeo.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Making The Team Happy
First, for the few people that read this, I'm sorry for not posting anything lately. Life has been insane between work, my mom (more later), and personal life in general (some good, some bad). Anyway.......
Today I spent a lot of time at work thinking about how incredible my team is. Front to back, I love every single one of them. Yes, they are each different, but that's what is so special about them. Allow me to define some groups that either report to me or have a dotted line to me.
Group A) Analysts - These are my brainstormers, data cutters, trend finders, and project managers
Group B) IT Pros - These are my dotted line folks that work on the software I "own", the servers, the storage, etc etc
Group C) Administrative Group - Sort mail, work the front desk, scan, do attorney requests, etc etc
Group D) Nurses - Work patient claims, appeal claims, do some analyst stuff, collect the noncollectable from the insurance plans
All tolled, I have almost 40 people working at some capacity for me (or, as I like to say, with me).
So, to the point of the title of this blog, I am always fascinated what keeps a team happy. I learn so much from the group each day. And, what I find is that what would make me happy is NOTHING like what the team wants to make them happy.
So, without further ado, here is what I think makes my group happy (or, better put, is what I HOPE and THINK is making my team happy).
1) Recognition - The first thought when I say this for most is "gifts for doing great things". That's not even close. I elaborated here.
2) Simple Thoughtfulness - For each "holiday" we get the group a little something. Valentines day = a bag of goodies. Indians Baseball home opener = Indians key chain. Cleveland Browns home opener = tissue box (Kidding).
3) Reward In Public - We make certificates for jobs well done and hand them out during our quarterly meeting.
4) Know Names - The day I have 100 people on my team, I will know all their names. The day I have 1000 people on my team, I will know all their names. Yes, this hits a threshold that becomes difficult. Until I hit that, I will stick with this premise.
5) Let Work Go - Its okay to talk about something other than work with each person. I'm in a hurry a lot. Slowing down to take a minute to chat is worth a ton (and, its fun).
6) Get Feedback - This should be so easy, but truth be told, I'm really bad at it. I consistently tell myself to shut up and listen.
7) Gatherings for No Reason - Have a pot luck at work for no reason at all other than hanging out with the group.
8) Give Them a Way to Reach You 24/7 - This one is scary. I know. I have yet to get one call....but I'm willing to bet that it makes a difference they can get to me if needed.
9) Ask that Respect Go Both Ways - This is tricky, but only fair.
10) Weddings are Optional, Funerals are Mandatory - I stole this from Rudy Giuliani's book, Leadership. I won't take time to explain this hoping that you'll take the time to read the book.
11) Learn From Them - There is not a day go by where I don't learn from one of my team members. I learn their kids name, I learn a recipe, I learn something I didn't know about healthcare, I learn a cool software trick....it's never ending.
12) Visit - I'm also horrible at this. Our building is huge. But when I think about it, I go over and just wander around to say hi.
So there is my humble list. If you have any other ideas, leave a comment. It is time for me to cut this short and get some sleep.
Today I spent a lot of time at work thinking about how incredible my team is. Front to back, I love every single one of them. Yes, they are each different, but that's what is so special about them. Allow me to define some groups that either report to me or have a dotted line to me.
Group A) Analysts - These are my brainstormers, data cutters, trend finders, and project managers
Group B) IT Pros - These are my dotted line folks that work on the software I "own", the servers, the storage, etc etc
Group C) Administrative Group - Sort mail, work the front desk, scan, do attorney requests, etc etc
Group D) Nurses - Work patient claims, appeal claims, do some analyst stuff, collect the noncollectable from the insurance plans
All tolled, I have almost 40 people working at some capacity for me (or, as I like to say, with me).
So, to the point of the title of this blog, I am always fascinated what keeps a team happy. I learn so much from the group each day. And, what I find is that what would make me happy is NOTHING like what the team wants to make them happy.
So, without further ado, here is what I think makes my group happy (or, better put, is what I HOPE and THINK is making my team happy).
1) Recognition - The first thought when I say this for most is "gifts for doing great things". That's not even close. I elaborated here.
2) Simple Thoughtfulness - For each "holiday" we get the group a little something. Valentines day = a bag of goodies. Indians Baseball home opener = Indians key chain. Cleveland Browns home opener = tissue box (Kidding).
3) Reward In Public - We make certificates for jobs well done and hand them out during our quarterly meeting.
4) Know Names - The day I have 100 people on my team, I will know all their names. The day I have 1000 people on my team, I will know all their names. Yes, this hits a threshold that becomes difficult. Until I hit that, I will stick with this premise.
5) Let Work Go - Its okay to talk about something other than work with each person. I'm in a hurry a lot. Slowing down to take a minute to chat is worth a ton (and, its fun).
6) Get Feedback - This should be so easy, but truth be told, I'm really bad at it. I consistently tell myself to shut up and listen.
7) Gatherings for No Reason - Have a pot luck at work for no reason at all other than hanging out with the group.
8) Give Them a Way to Reach You 24/7 - This one is scary. I know. I have yet to get one call....but I'm willing to bet that it makes a difference they can get to me if needed.
9) Ask that Respect Go Both Ways - This is tricky, but only fair.
10) Weddings are Optional, Funerals are Mandatory - I stole this from Rudy Giuliani's book, Leadership. I won't take time to explain this hoping that you'll take the time to read the book.
11) Learn From Them - There is not a day go by where I don't learn from one of my team members. I learn their kids name, I learn a recipe, I learn something I didn't know about healthcare, I learn a cool software trick....it's never ending.
12) Visit - I'm also horrible at this. Our building is huge. But when I think about it, I go over and just wander around to say hi.
So there is my humble list. If you have any other ideas, leave a comment. It is time for me to cut this short and get some sleep.
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