Thoughts from Farid:
Here’s the last part to help Organize Your Life. Since it’s the beginning of a new
year, you will start on a fresh page if you take time to organize, de-clutter, and take
charge of your life. Good Luck and Happy New Year!
TEN STEPS TO GET THE JOB DONE:
1. Empty the Space - If it's a drawer or a cabinet, dump everything into a container or box. Give this space a good cleaning. Empty and clean the corner of the room or garage. Now you will begin using your 5 boxes as you decide if it’s to put away/return, pass on, keep, fix, or throw away.
2. Use It or Lose It - Handle each item only once. Think to yourself: a) When is the last time I used this? How often do I use it? Could I borrow or improvise the few times I use it? Is it a duplicate? Is it out of date? What impact would it have on my life if I didn't have this? Do I value this item? Can it be fixed? Would I feel guilty if I gave it away? How
easily could I get another one if I really needed it? Can someone use it more than I can? Think of how this space could be used if this item weren't there.
3. Get Rid Of It Now - Take the trash out of the house now. Return all borrowed
items now. Bag up all items for charity now. The important thing is to get it out of your sight and life. Put them in your car and take care of them the next time you do errands. Ship handed down things to the designated person who will want them if they don't live close by.
4. Group Like Things Together - At this point you only have your Keep Box
and your Fix-It Box. Now you can sort. Store like things together (now will be the time to set up additional storage containers, files, drawer dividers. The best way to group things for one task would be in one container or location (i.e. gift wrap, shoe polish items, baking items, painting supplies, tools, etc.). Remember, our goal is to put them away where they will be living permanently when you're done.
5. Consolidate and Compress - Putting things that were once scattered in several places into one compact container means they take up less space. You will eliminate clutter, unusable space, and wasted time. If it's broken and you are not going to fix it, give it to organizations like Goodwill Industries who have people who can repair and then sell the items. Clothing - Get rid of duplicates, outdated, ill-fitting or unused items. Storage items - Downsize storage items such as boxes, caddies, racks, etc. Can you use a smaller container for the items? Closets - Remove all empty hangers and empty shoeboxes.
6. Go For Quality, Not Quantity - Keep only the best. Examine the true cost of buying an inferior item. It might be actually cheaper in the long run to buy the best, which will last longer and be more efficient. As for decorations, choose your favorites and display them rather than have knick-knacks scattered everywhere.
7. Think Multipurpose - Look for appliances and tools that can handle many jobs, not just one. They take up less space and cost less in the long run.
8. Alphabetize - It will be much easier to find things back if you label the storage boxes alphabetically whenever feasible. Even items used daily - Spices, Books, Videos, Files.
9. Label It - i.e. Kitchen - Write on a recipe card which items are on each bottom shelf or seldom used corner cupboards. List each item on each Storage Box (or on a card that will be taped to the outside of each box). Some organizers label each box A-Z, and keep the recipe cards in a separate recipe card box. You can retrieve items and then return them correctly when you are finished. Find a "record" system that works best for you. If you chose to keep these items, you want to access them quickly and effortlessly.
10. Put It Away - This needs to become a habit, or you will end up in the same situation as before. Ask yourself, where does this belong? Don't allow yourself (or anyone else in your household) to think they can put it away later. Everything needs to have it's own "home".
Showing posts with label 2007. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2007. Show all posts
Thursday, January 14, 2010
THEN they speed-up.
THEN they speed-up.
This age of technology and gadgets are getting more exciting and challenging. We have started with fax machines and now we are into IPOD and cell phones that do everything including being a television receiver.
BUT we are still using our mouth for speaking and our ears for hearing. Two simple tasks that sometimes are overtaxed and I am sure you have all experienced the situation I am to explain.
You received a voice mail on your cell phone or a message on your home answering machine. For some unknown reason this call is important and you listen to the message carefully as the caller speaks slowly and methodically giving you all the information and the information that they need you to call back with in order to take care of this life saving situation. The message goes on for a long time and finally the person asks you to call him at the ~~~~~~~~~~~ number. The number that is the most important part of the message after five minutes of falling sleep listening to the caller repeat himself ten times is said in speed of light. All you get from the number to call is one or maybe two digits. Here you have to listen to the message over and over again in order to decipher the speed of the light numbers and after exhaustion you do not even give a hoot about the urgency of the call. You are ready to strangle the caller for not taking the time to slow down when he gets to the number.
Here is the way to leave your number so you would create friends rather than evil caller that you will be called. At the beginning and end of your call give your name and phone number. This way they do not have to listen for the whole message all over in order to get the phone number. Make your message is short and to the point, since you are asking them to call back, you will have time to have a one on one experience. When you get to leaving your number: please call me at “pause” slow down and say the area code “pause” slow down and say the 3 digits of your number “pause” slow down and give the last 4 digits of your number.
By doing this you have become the noble man of the phone circuit.
This age of technology and gadgets are getting more exciting and challenging. We have started with fax machines and now we are into IPOD and cell phones that do everything including being a television receiver.
BUT we are still using our mouth for speaking and our ears for hearing. Two simple tasks that sometimes are overtaxed and I am sure you have all experienced the situation I am to explain.
You received a voice mail on your cell phone or a message on your home answering machine. For some unknown reason this call is important and you listen to the message carefully as the caller speaks slowly and methodically giving you all the information and the information that they need you to call back with in order to take care of this life saving situation. The message goes on for a long time and finally the person asks you to call him at the ~~~~~~~~~~~ number. The number that is the most important part of the message after five minutes of falling sleep listening to the caller repeat himself ten times is said in speed of light. All you get from the number to call is one or maybe two digits. Here you have to listen to the message over and over again in order to decipher the speed of the light numbers and after exhaustion you do not even give a hoot about the urgency of the call. You are ready to strangle the caller for not taking the time to slow down when he gets to the number.
Here is the way to leave your number so you would create friends rather than evil caller that you will be called. At the beginning and end of your call give your name and phone number. This way they do not have to listen for the whole message all over in order to get the phone number. Make your message is short and to the point, since you are asking them to call back, you will have time to have a one on one experience. When you get to leaving your number: please call me at “pause” slow down and say the area code “pause” slow down and say the 3 digits of your number “pause” slow down and give the last 4 digits of your number.
By doing this you have become the noble man of the phone circuit.
BEWARE OF SUMMER CREATURES
BEWARE OF SUMMER CREATURES
Just because the lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us, everyone should still be alert to some of the dangers commonly associated with the current seasonal activities, whether you are vacationing or spending time at home enjoying the great outdoors.
Several weekends ago I went to Las Vegas to attend the wedding our Kevin (our plant manager) and Lucy (who also works in our So. Cal. Plant) as well as visiting with my brother, Firooz. As usual, the extended weekend was a fun-filled, exciting time for everyone.
On that particular Sunday night (about midnight), I woke up feeling as though my hand was on fire. It looked as if I had been bitten by a spider in two places. I called my wife in California to tell her about it, and after looking up the information in her Home Medical Manual, we determined that I had been stung by a scorpion, which are common in the desert areas. The book indicated that all scorpions are poisonous in various degrees, and each incident should be treated as a medical emergency.
I went to the Emergency room at a local hospital and was told my stings were not highly poisonous, and there was no medical treatment for it other than Benedyl to help me sleep plus antibiotics to be sure the sting sites wouldn’t become infected. I was told to “ice” the sting areas every couple hours for some relief. For several days, I couldn’t bend my finger, and I had various areas of numbness on my hand interspersed with hot pain. My appetite was gone also, which is a common symptom. Needless to say, I was not comfortable for the following 72 hours.
Unfortunately, Nevada is not the only state with creature hazards. Others include diseases from common insects such as West Nile Virus from mosquitoes (found in California), Lyme disease from ticks (found in the Midwest), and spiders (who know no state boundaries). And let’s not forget deer, who are able to hide behind the lush foliage and trees, ready to spring out in front of cars, which is a real problem in North Carolina this time of the year. You will notice all of these areas include the homes or vacation spots of our employees.
Basically, this is just a reminder to be safe and prepared while enjoying the remaining summer months. When in doubt about seeking medical attention, I would advise everyone to always “error on the side of caution” rather than assume it’s no big deal. My doctor informed me that your entire body can be affected if the venom (from insects, etc.) is potent, as is the case with spiders and scorpions, or if anyone is hypersensitive, as some people are, to bee, wasp, and yellow jacket stings. Be informed of all warning signs relating to certain symptoms of any bites or stings. Be Safe!
Just because the lazy, hazy days of summer are upon us, everyone should still be alert to some of the dangers commonly associated with the current seasonal activities, whether you are vacationing or spending time at home enjoying the great outdoors.
Several weekends ago I went to Las Vegas to attend the wedding our Kevin (our plant manager) and Lucy (who also works in our So. Cal. Plant) as well as visiting with my brother, Firooz. As usual, the extended weekend was a fun-filled, exciting time for everyone.
On that particular Sunday night (about midnight), I woke up feeling as though my hand was on fire. It looked as if I had been bitten by a spider in two places. I called my wife in California to tell her about it, and after looking up the information in her Home Medical Manual, we determined that I had been stung by a scorpion, which are common in the desert areas. The book indicated that all scorpions are poisonous in various degrees, and each incident should be treated as a medical emergency.
I went to the Emergency room at a local hospital and was told my stings were not highly poisonous, and there was no medical treatment for it other than Benedyl to help me sleep plus antibiotics to be sure the sting sites wouldn’t become infected. I was told to “ice” the sting areas every couple hours for some relief. For several days, I couldn’t bend my finger, and I had various areas of numbness on my hand interspersed with hot pain. My appetite was gone also, which is a common symptom. Needless to say, I was not comfortable for the following 72 hours.
Unfortunately, Nevada is not the only state with creature hazards. Others include diseases from common insects such as West Nile Virus from mosquitoes (found in California), Lyme disease from ticks (found in the Midwest), and spiders (who know no state boundaries). And let’s not forget deer, who are able to hide behind the lush foliage and trees, ready to spring out in front of cars, which is a real problem in North Carolina this time of the year. You will notice all of these areas include the homes or vacation spots of our employees.
Basically, this is just a reminder to be safe and prepared while enjoying the remaining summer months. When in doubt about seeking medical attention, I would advise everyone to always “error on the side of caution” rather than assume it’s no big deal. My doctor informed me that your entire body can be affected if the venom (from insects, etc.) is potent, as is the case with spiders and scorpions, or if anyone is hypersensitive, as some people are, to bee, wasp, and yellow jacket stings. Be informed of all warning signs relating to certain symptoms of any bites or stings. Be Safe!
WE CAN CREATE CHANGES BY REALIZING WE DO MAKE A DIFERENCE.
WE CAN CREATE CHANGES BY REALIZING WE DO MAKE A DIFERENCE.
Since sales are the “life blood” of any company, we subscribed to a company that finds various government leads for specific products, namely printing.
Several weeks ago, I downloaded a bid request for bar-code labels for Broward County, Florida. Our estimating department went through the extensive process of furnishing a price for the two separate items which included die charges, programming, etc.
I turned the prices over to Ruth so she could read all 24 pages of the quotation request and fill in the necessary information required. As she was reading the contract section, she saw that they would only accept bids from vendors who held a business license within Broward County, Florida, and put it back on my desk.
Since this sounded like a very strange and somewhat prejudicial rule or specification, I contacted the person in charge of purchasing these labels. During the course of our conversation, I mentioned the time we had spent working on this bid and why did they put it out for bid if it was a useless exercise? He asked me what I was planning on bidding. It turned out our price was less than half of what they had been previously paying. At that point, he asked me to please submit our pricing in writing, and he would do a price comparison to turn over to his management.
A week later, I e-mailed him again to see who got the contract and for what price. He informed me that the contract had not been awarded yet, since there was now an internal investigation in process. A week later, he informed me that the quotation would be going to an unrestricted market (national market) the following morning with a new bid closing date. He e-mailed me copy of the bid the following morning and at that point I sent in a formal quotation with our pricing.
At the time of this writing, the bid has not closed the due date. I don’t know if we will get the order or not. The main thing I want to emphasize is that we can and we will make a difference as long as we don’t cower whenever we face an obstacle. Our industry is extremely competitive as it is, without having to face these extra restrictions that just don’t make any sense. I am sure the County Managers weren’t even aware that they were over-paying on these items, and who knows how many more there are. I think we opened up a “can of worms” for this group.
Since sales are the “life blood” of any company, we subscribed to a company that finds various government leads for specific products, namely printing.
Several weeks ago, I downloaded a bid request for bar-code labels for Broward County, Florida. Our estimating department went through the extensive process of furnishing a price for the two separate items which included die charges, programming, etc.
I turned the prices over to Ruth so she could read all 24 pages of the quotation request and fill in the necessary information required. As she was reading the contract section, she saw that they would only accept bids from vendors who held a business license within Broward County, Florida, and put it back on my desk.
Since this sounded like a very strange and somewhat prejudicial rule or specification, I contacted the person in charge of purchasing these labels. During the course of our conversation, I mentioned the time we had spent working on this bid and why did they put it out for bid if it was a useless exercise? He asked me what I was planning on bidding. It turned out our price was less than half of what they had been previously paying. At that point, he asked me to please submit our pricing in writing, and he would do a price comparison to turn over to his management.
A week later, I e-mailed him again to see who got the contract and for what price. He informed me that the contract had not been awarded yet, since there was now an internal investigation in process. A week later, he informed me that the quotation would be going to an unrestricted market (national market) the following morning with a new bid closing date. He e-mailed me copy of the bid the following morning and at that point I sent in a formal quotation with our pricing.
At the time of this writing, the bid has not closed the due date. I don’t know if we will get the order or not. The main thing I want to emphasize is that we can and we will make a difference as long as we don’t cower whenever we face an obstacle. Our industry is extremely competitive as it is, without having to face these extra restrictions that just don’t make any sense. I am sure the County Managers weren’t even aware that they were over-paying on these items, and who knows how many more there are. I think we opened up a “can of worms” for this group.
FUTEK VISIT.
FUTEK VISIT.
If you need your climate changed, just wait until I visit the area.
On September 8, 2007, I arrived in Appleton/Neenah, WI for a week’s visit. It was a beautiful Saturday and the weather was pleasant. I enjoyed a coolness that I had been missing in California with our tremendous summer heat. I was wearing short sleeves and enjoying this cooler version. As the week-days progressed, it got cooler, then cold, and then much colder. By Saturday, September 15, 2007, when I left Appleton / Neenah, WI for California, the temperature was in low 30’s and there was frost.
If in any area of the country you need your climate changed, just send me an invitation.
My visit to Futek was fantastic. It was wonderful to see the office and the factory busy, with everyone working hard to get the orders produced, shipped, and meeting deadlines. I would like to thank all of you at Futek for your hard work and dedication.
The Phone System at Futek was there from the day we started the operation in Neenah, WI. It had met its day and was causing problems. Also, having no voice mail was a challenge for everyone. Negotiations with our dedicated California telephone vendor allowed us to obtain a Toshiba system that was affordable. It is state of the art and will be installed in the coming weeks. I would like to thank Chuck, Heidi, and the entire crew at Futek who made my visit to Futek so pleasant and successful. Also, it was great to have lunch with Maurie and Kathy (our AFE Today Editor).
I wish you all a pleasant climate.
If you need your climate changed, just wait until I visit the area.
On September 8, 2007, I arrived in Appleton/Neenah, WI for a week’s visit. It was a beautiful Saturday and the weather was pleasant. I enjoyed a coolness that I had been missing in California with our tremendous summer heat. I was wearing short sleeves and enjoying this cooler version. As the week-days progressed, it got cooler, then cold, and then much colder. By Saturday, September 15, 2007, when I left Appleton / Neenah, WI for California, the temperature was in low 30’s and there was frost.
If in any area of the country you need your climate changed, just send me an invitation.
My visit to Futek was fantastic. It was wonderful to see the office and the factory busy, with everyone working hard to get the orders produced, shipped, and meeting deadlines. I would like to thank all of you at Futek for your hard work and dedication.
The Phone System at Futek was there from the day we started the operation in Neenah, WI. It had met its day and was causing problems. Also, having no voice mail was a challenge for everyone. Negotiations with our dedicated California telephone vendor allowed us to obtain a Toshiba system that was affordable. It is state of the art and will be installed in the coming weeks. I would like to thank Chuck, Heidi, and the entire crew at Futek who made my visit to Futek so pleasant and successful. Also, it was great to have lunch with Maurie and Kathy (our AFE Today Editor).
I wish you all a pleasant climate.
GIVE THEM THE KEYS!!
GIVE THEM THE KEYS!!
Recently I had a run in with a car jacker. As I was
parking my Mercedes at the Bank of America, in Santa
Fe Springs, a car jacker approached me to give him my
keys. Since I was having a hectic day and didn’t really
feel like giving up the keys to this jerk, he went and
punched the guy right in the face. After a few choice words, the guy backed off. I began to chase this creep across the street and off he went, down around the corner. I entered the bank and called for help. The police came to check it out only to find out he had stolen another car at a gas station, two blocks away. I realized the danger I put himself in, and would suggest to others that under normal circumstances……...
GIVE THEM THE KEYS!!!!
Recently I had a run in with a car jacker. As I was
parking my Mercedes at the Bank of America, in Santa
Fe Springs, a car jacker approached me to give him my
keys. Since I was having a hectic day and didn’t really
feel like giving up the keys to this jerk, he went and
punched the guy right in the face. After a few choice words, the guy backed off. I began to chase this creep across the street and off he went, down around the corner. I entered the bank and called for help. The police came to check it out only to find out he had stolen another car at a gas station, two blocks away. I realized the danger I put himself in, and would suggest to others that under normal circumstances……...
GIVE THEM THE KEYS!!!!
Let’s wait for the Government to make it a legal 3 day weekend.
Let’s wait for the Government to make it a legal 3 day weekend.
There are times when one wonders if Monday has become the 3rd day of the weekend! Weekends use to be just one day, Sunday (Sabbath) for worship, rest, and reflection. It was decided that an extra day was needed for recreation, so Saturday was added and people used this day to plan for fun, special chores, and shopping, still leaving worship, resting, and reflection to be done on Sunday.
Then comes Monday! How does one stretch the two day weekend into three to include Monday (or Friday)?
This is where I get really upset when I come to work and I find out at any location someone on a Friday or Monday has called in “sick”. How come they do not get sick on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, but they do on Friday or Monday? I do not accept this excuse, knowing full well they either did too much over the weekend and now they feel tired or don’t feel well as a result (and it definitely is not caused by a virus or bacteria strain), or they go someplace, or plan a project at home that didn’t get finished in time.
Working is not a social thing (although we encourage friendships and good working relationships). It is the obligation that each employee must make to their family and to the company they are working for to show up on the weekdays that are work days (with the exception of holidays and vacation days), and to be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to perform their job duties to the best of their ability.
Starting immediately, plan your vacations in advance, and let your manager know well in advance when you are taking any day(s) off so we can plan accordingly.
If you call in “sick” Friday or Monday, I want you to know that I will not look at it under a favorable light, unless you have a doctor’s note available. If you know you are going to take off on a Monday or a Friday, and you have vacation days left, all you need to do is let us know in advance. The key words here are “in advance”. Companies cannot function normally at the “whim” of their employees deciding if and when they will come to work. Success depends on structure.
Fridays and Mondays make up 28.4% of the 365 days year, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays make 42.7% of the 365 days year. The law of probability would make it 1-1/2 times more likely to get sick mid- week.
Let’s not start a 3 days weekend until the government makes it mandatory.
There are times when one wonders if Monday has become the 3rd day of the weekend! Weekends use to be just one day, Sunday (Sabbath) for worship, rest, and reflection. It was decided that an extra day was needed for recreation, so Saturday was added and people used this day to plan for fun, special chores, and shopping, still leaving worship, resting, and reflection to be done on Sunday.
Then comes Monday! How does one stretch the two day weekend into three to include Monday (or Friday)?
This is where I get really upset when I come to work and I find out at any location someone on a Friday or Monday has called in “sick”. How come they do not get sick on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, but they do on Friday or Monday? I do not accept this excuse, knowing full well they either did too much over the weekend and now they feel tired or don’t feel well as a result (and it definitely is not caused by a virus or bacteria strain), or they go someplace, or plan a project at home that didn’t get finished in time.
Working is not a social thing (although we encourage friendships and good working relationships). It is the obligation that each employee must make to their family and to the company they are working for to show up on the weekdays that are work days (with the exception of holidays and vacation days), and to be physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to perform their job duties to the best of their ability.
Starting immediately, plan your vacations in advance, and let your manager know well in advance when you are taking any day(s) off so we can plan accordingly.
If you call in “sick” Friday or Monday, I want you to know that I will not look at it under a favorable light, unless you have a doctor’s note available. If you know you are going to take off on a Monday or a Friday, and you have vacation days left, all you need to do is let us know in advance. The key words here are “in advance”. Companies cannot function normally at the “whim” of their employees deciding if and when they will come to work. Success depends on structure.
Fridays and Mondays make up 28.4% of the 365 days year, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays make 42.7% of the 365 days year. The law of probability would make it 1-1/2 times more likely to get sick mid- week.
Let’s not start a 3 days weekend until the government makes it mandatory.
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