Update Take Two

Last week I started my new job. I'm the Client Services Manager for a security company. This week we had our world wide sales training. The theme is very laudable, "Integrity Wins".

The theme appeared in all of the executive's talks and we were issued a book, one of those business concepts in less than 100 pages, called The Integrity Advantage. I was reading a bit of it last night. It discusses how corporate culture often dictates how employees act. Also, how each employee represents the company's brand.
That when I go out into the world I represent the company's brand, my words, my actions and deeds. My company is committed to being an upstanding company and works to instill a culture that promotes that.

Our VP of International Sales told a story yesterday that really stuck with me. He lost a deal because his former company polluted a river 50 years ago and refused to help clean it up. Can you imagine how things would run if we all did that? Refused to do business with people and businesses that do not respect and contribute to our communities?

One of the dozen concepts mentioned was "You Know That The Little Things Count" - it may start with a feeling of entitlement, taking office supplies and then it goes on to cheating customers and on. I was struck by this. Beyond my professional actions, where do I cut corners in life? When am I thinking it is OK to not be straight forward? Who decides when it is OK to tell a white lie, or spin a concept and when it isn't?

When I was 15 I went off to a week long summer session called, Super Camp. There I learned a number of things that have suck with me. One thing is giving 100%. Don't do things half way, if you're going to do it, go all out. Another is living in integrity. I wish I could say that I have always kept my words and actions in line, but it is a goal to strive towards.

At first I was concerned about taking this job. It came along so quickly and I didn't have much of a chance to look around. This sales meeting - with over 100 Sales Managers who were energized and happy to be working for my new company. I made the right choice.

Great News for Women

What a wonderful day. Finally the FDA has approved the Morning After Pill. Not to be confused with a medical abortion, this medication prevents a woman from getting pregnant in the 1st place. I'm tickled pink.

NPR bit on Plan B

So encouraging after the Forbes debacle. This is going to help prevent abortions - how great is that?

Forbes Status

Evidently I'm not the only one who found that Forbes, aka Men's Health, article annoying:
Forbes Reply
Opinionistas

I think they took down the original article. I guess there were too many offended readers?

Outrage of the day

Now, I realize I should be writing an update on my life, but I can't help myself to posting this link:
Forbes Career and Marriage advice

Is this really Forbes or Playboy from the 1950's?
I can't wait for next week's issue where they give "career girls" advice on who they should be marrying. I can see the headline: C-level spouses secure your happiness, you'll be middling with a middle manager, why to aim high when looking for a mate.

What also amazes me is the tone. You refers to the assumed male professional while She indicates the wife-accessory. Is this Men's Health magazine? Do no women read Forbes? Maybe they don't, I don't know their target demographic. However, I know how I'll be classifying their magazine from here on out.

I'm simply amazed.

Catching up - if possible.

I wasn't able to finish the bit about Scotland... nor include details on my delightful trip to Minnesota. Scotland - got to have a great day hiking around Edinburgh, but lost my camera's memory stick... so missing photos. Nathan and I had an adventure free return, thankfully we didn't see any arab looking people mixing strange things in their water bottles, but we were in business class and sleeping for a fair part of the trip.

And now I don't have time to finish either. Little Brother is getting married Friday and I'm up to my ears in family. Can't imagine a better way to spend a weekend!