Update - Recent Activities

I haven't blogged since June 22, and I think only once since we moved to Red Deer from Washington. Since I spent the summer bumming around my parents place like I was still in High School, you might have thought I'd have had more time for it. Not sure why, it just didn't happen. Here's what did happen, however:

I got a job. I start my training tomorrow. It's a very exciting opportunity for me, and I hope I enjoy it and show at least an average level of aptitude for it.

Michelle, Norah, and I may have a new home in Red Deer. Our first house! We made an offer, agreed on a price and possession date, and are only waiting financing and a clean home inspection. Keep those fingers crossed.

It has been a great summer. There are not many fathers who get to spend a full 3 and a half months with their firstborn.

J&M Garage Sales Inc

I think this week I'm going to test out a little business idea Michelle and I have been talking about for awhile. It's a garage sale running business. We advertise, set up, price, and run the garage sale in exchange for 50% of the earnings. You provide the clutter you want converted into cash. Could get some interesting responses. I'll let you know how it goes.

PS In case you hadn't guessed, no new leads on the job search front.

Cletus, Take the Reel

I Wish I Could Blog

I've had a number of things rolling around in my head to blog about, but the opportunity hasn't been there. Norah and Michelle keep me busy and free time is quickly devoted to outdoor activities (read: fishing) leaving little or no time to blog. Here is the stuff I wish I had time to post about:

• "Cletus, Take the Reel", a hilarious reprisal of Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel".
• Hanes Brands' environmental and human rights record. No sooner had I passed judgement and posted the Hanes post than they emailed me back with more details. I really need to get the updated info up there.
• My disenchantment with both major US political parties. Recently, the reasons I'm in favor of less government and more personal responsibility have been resurfacing. Too bad the GOP has such an awful environmental record and too bad the Dems will inevitably increase the size of government. Big brother's not the answer. Sigh. I stand by my choice of hope, diplomacy, and environmentalism even if it comes with big government. It's not a perfect world I guess.

I think that's it for now. I'm also trying to find time to post some pictures on Flickr from the Tulip Festival. Very fun!

Brand Impressions - Hanes

Recently I bought a package of Hanes T-shirts at my local Target. The tag indicated they were made in Honduras.

I sent an email to Hanes asking about both environmental and human rights issues. I mentioned that their response would go a long way to shaping my impression of their brand. Unfortunately, that was over a week ago and I still haven't heard anything. I also checked their website - no mention of an environmental, human rights, community involvement or any other type of corporate responsibility program or policy. Unfortunately, no information doesn't equal no message.

In the last few years, my buying habits have changed and I've begun taking into consideration:

• where products are manufactured;
• the amount and recycle-ability of packaging;
• my perception of the brand's environmental conscientiousness; and
  
• my perception of the brand's human rights impacts.
  

The last two are almost purely conjecture based on what I see on the product packaging, and my perceptions of what environmental and human rights conditions exist in the country where the item was produced. Relying on my own perceptions leaves plenty of room for incorrect assumptions. I had hoped that brands like Hanes could give me some real information to accurately shape my perspective of the brand. Alas, I'm left to assume the worst about Hanes and their products.

It's a shame, because the shirts are really nice. Guess I'll try Fruit of the Loom next time.

Living with Open Hands

"The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

Big Bonus = Poor Performance

-- NOTE: Post taken from The Smart Supervisor, a blog for front line supervisors --

Yesterday on Marketplace I heard some fascinating new research that shows excessively large bonuses are associated with poorer performance. The researcher noted that higher at-risk compensation motivates us (the desired effect) but also acts as a stressor (an undesirable effect). At a certain point, huge bonuses create more stress than motivation resulting in poorer performance.

This research adds to a growing body of empirical evidence supporting what smart supervisors have known all along: people don't leave, stay, or work hard because of money. Employees are retained and motivated by the vision the leader casts, the accountability the leader creates, the responsibility the leader gives, and the empowerment the employees feel. We are entering a period of time in which soft skills will be far more critical than hard skills. Or as Tom Peters puts it, "'soft' is the new 'hard'". So work on your soft skills, especially listening and communicating.

Check out the full Marketplace report. The researcher sounds a bit like Dr. Nick on the Simpsons.