Category: Work
May 09
10 Things your IT guy wants you to know
I had this passed along to me and since I am a IT guy, I found some humor in it (truth sprinkled with humor). We deal with so many issues (most of them emergencies) on a regular basis that we have to find ways to be as effective as we can. Sometimes we can come across as a little “matter of fact” about those issues we deal with, but that is not always our intent. So seeing that other techies have the same struggles and how they would address “customers” was fun and funny to read. I thought you may in enjoy it also.
1. If you ask me technical questions please don’t argue with me because you don’t like my answer. If you think you know more about the topic, why ask? And if I’m arguing with you…it’s because I am positive that I am correct, otherwise I’d just say “I don’t know” or give you some tips on where to look it up, I don’t have the time to just argue for the sake of it.
2. Starting a conversation by insulting yourself (i.e. “I’m such an idiot”) will not make me laugh, or feel sorry for you; all it will do is remind me that yes, you are an idiot and that I am going to hate having to talk to you. Trust me; you don’t want to start a call that way.
3. I am ok with you making mistakes, fixing them is my job. I am not ok with you lying to me about a mistake you made. It makes it much harder to resolve and thus makes my job more difficult. Be honest and we can get the problem resolved and continue on with our business.
4. There is no magic “Fix it” button. Everything takes some amount of work to fix, and not everything is worth fixing or even possible to fix. If I say that you just need to re-do a document that you accidentally deleted 2 months ago, please don’t get mad at me. I’m not ignoring your problem, and it’s not that I don’t like you, I just cant always fix everything.
5. Not everything you ask me to do is “urgent”. In fact, by marking things as “urgent” every time, you almost ensure that I treat none of it as a priority.
6. You are not the only one who needs help, and you usually don’t have the most urgent issue. Give me some time to get to your problem, it will get fixed.
7. Emailing me several times about the same issue in the same day is not only unnecessary, it’s highly annoying. Emails will stay until I delete them, I won’t delete them until I’m done with them. I will typically respond as soon as I have a useful update. If it is an urgent issue, let me know (see number 5).
8. Yes, I prefer email over telephone calls. It has nothing to do with being friendly, it’s about efficiency. It is much faster and easier for me to list out a set of questions that I need you to answer than it is for me to call and ask you them one by one. You can find the answers at your leisure and while I’m waiting I can work on other problems.
9. Yes, I seem blunt and rude. It’s not that I mean to, I just don’t have the time to sugar coat things for you. I assume we are both adults and can handle the reality of a problem. If you did something wrong, I will tell you. I don’t care that it was a mistake, because it really makes no difference to me. Don’t take it personal, I just don’t want it to happen again.
10. And finally, yes, I can read your email, I can see what web pages you look at while you are at work, yes, I can access every file on your work computer, and I can tell if you are chatting with people on an instant messenger or chat room (and can also read what you are typing). But no, I don’t do it. It’s unethical, I’m busy, and in all reality you aren’t all that interesting. So unless I am instructed to specifically monitor or investigate your actions, I don’t. There really are much more interesting things on the internet than you.
May 09
Windows 7 RC
Well I did it, I took the plunge. I installed the new Windows 7 RC on my tablet. I am only a few hours into it and the jury is still out. The installation went very smooth and getting it up and running was effortless. It very much has a Vista feel to it.
First, I had a issue that I had to overcome before I could really look under the hood. I have spent the better part of two days working on connecting it to my wireless network at home. I mean come on! It works fine on other wireless networks, but nooooooo, not mine. But, I finally got the thing figured out. Maybe it’s a guy thing, but it is hard to let those things go when you can’t figure them out.
Part of the problem was that I hacked my Linksys wireless router and put a different firmware on it. I thought I was technically savvy, but when I get into things like this, I feel like an amateur.
So I hacked away and I have been running the “new” firmware on the router for the past 6 months with no problems. It actually has some great features. The best one is the OpenDNS that is built into it. If you do not know what it is, check it out.
But a rouge setting had effectively stopped me dead in my tracks. After much searching I finally found it. I am fortunate that I have another computer to compare settings with, or I may have given up long before I found it. All my other computers work fine, but Vista 64-bit, and now Windows 7 64-bit do not play well with that setting.
Now finally I feel like I can move on. The weight has been lifted. Time to dig into Windows 7 with a little more depth!
P.S. – If you have the “Tomato” firmware on your wireless router, make sure you turn off the “afterburner” setting. You will save yourself a lot of trouble.
Apr 09
The Measure of a Man
As I was leaving work today, I had a lot on my mind. We just are in the middle of a reorganization and there is a lot to accomplish. I am very excited about where we are headed and what the future holds for the ministry. Making a difference in the workplace is a team effort and it is very gratifying. But is that what defines us as a person? I am in a different boat than most people because I work at an awesome church and I certainly believe that I am called there for more than just “work”.
But still, as I walked out the doors, I just thought about who I am as a person. How am I doing as a father, a husband, or a son? Do I live my life consistently in all areas? Do I put so much into one area, that I have nothing left in others? Am I out of balance? In some area’s I am sure I measure up. In some other area’s I am sure I don’t.
I think about a car that is out of alignment or has one low tire. That one item affects the whole car. The alignment issue makes the car pull in one direction, so you are always fighting the steering. If uncorrected, parts start to wear out faster and eventually cause more damage. The low tire does something very similar, it drags the whole vehicle in the direction of the problem. Our lives also get dragged in the direction of the imbalance.
When we over commit in one area, it is at the expense of another. The areas of our lives should complement each other. Work should compliment home; home should complement our relationships; relationships should complement our work. It is the art of life in the balance. But, we all go through season’s where balance is tough to achieve.
So I submit this, through the highs and the lows in our lives, our character is who we truly are. Circumstance will always change. If your countenance changes every time the wind blows, that is a reflection of your character. Every storm is an opportunity to build your character. The combination of maintaining balance in your life and your countenance is great gain.
So the measure of a man is just a gauge. It is a mark that is used for your own personal growth. Don’t compare your mark with others. It is just a way to make improvements and course corrections in your own life. So take the time to take regular measurements and make the necessary adjustments to stay on course in becoming the person God has created you to be. Build your character and seek balance in all you do.
Apr 09
Taming of the Crew – Part 2
On Monday I talked about how teamwork has payed great dividends in created great performances at CB Productions. Today I want to expand on that by talking about teamwork at work. The power and gratification that great teamwork provides, surpasses even individual accomplishments that most people would find to be the apex of achievement.
I often wonder why there is not more cooperation inside of organizations. It seems people often have a very narrow view of what they do in companies and only perform inside of those parameters. One outworking of this is not recognizing that the customers we have are both internal to organizations as well as external. We typically focus on the later. This inevitably leads to individuals and departments that become self sufficient and protective of their turf. By being near sighted, we often sacrifice long term gains, for more instant results. We fight the fires today at the expense of fire prevention for tomorrow.
Maybe today, we do not have the staffing we need. Maybe today, we do not have the processes in place that should be. Maybe today, we can’t afford to buy that certain software package we need. Well how can we get to the point of getting our needs met? I would suggest that as the health of an organization increases, so will the ability to have you needs met in your particular areas.
Have you heard of the debt snowball? It is pooling all your financial resources to pay off a particular debt. Once paid off, focus on the next debt, etc. The ability to get out of debt multiplies by using this process. It is financial teamwork. If you paid on each debt equally, you will stay in debt much longer. There is power in coming together. There is power in meeting others needs and sacrificing short term gains for long term health. You give up something now for something greater down the road.
Every time we help another department succeed, we are investing in our future. By cooperating with others, we all win.
So how do we do this? Each person in an organization was hired because they possessed certain gifts and talents that is unique to that position. As leaders it is important to unleash that potential by trusting them, encouraging them, and being a resource for them. Allow them to own problems in the area they are responsible for and provide time to get together in groups to foster teamwork. Everyone is a leader in some area of their lives, so exercise it where you can.
I know the power of teamwork. I have seen it in action. It is a force that surpasses anything that individuals can do on there own. It is a beautiful thing to watch. May the power of teamwork be unleashed in your life.
Apr 09
Taming of the Crew – Part 1
This weekend we were a performance of “Taming of the Shrew” by a group of 13-18 year old homeschoolers (our youngest daughter is the assistant stage manager). Now maybe I am biased, but they put out a quality performance that rivals ANYTHING that is available in the Twin Cities. The Minneapolis area has more live theaters per capita than anywhere in the U.S. (outside of New York City) and is the third-largest theater market in the country.
This is the 5th play I have seen by CB Productions. The acting of each cast member is superb. Each production has been just as good as this one. I have seen the same actors in lead, major, and minor roles. Once the have had a lead role, they are just as gracious in a lesser role the next time around. There are no superstars, just a lot of depth. How can these productions be so good year after year? This is not an advertisement for CB Productions, but there is something going on here. I love to observe what makes them tick.
I was able to watch about 20 minutes of the group working together before today’s performance. It is probably my favorite part of the whole process. Before each performance, they get together as a group and go over “notes” from the last performance. These notes are a collection of reflections of what went well and what did not from the last performance. Then they all rate that performance from 1 to 10. Each person is a integral part of this whole process. Also, they pray before each performance. They form a circle, hold hands, and one person prays for that particular performance. Lastly, they play team games to loosen up before each performance. The do quirky, fun, and physical things to get the blood flowing.
Back to today’s performance. When I watched the prelude to today’s performance, I saw them do something I had not seen before. They were standing in a circle and they went around as each person told the group about what value the person, just to their left, brought to this production. It was very moving. Each person was able to hear something good and positive about another person.
What they do to build teamwork is foundational for their success. They do it over and over. The kids run the show, they have input, they make decisions, they are all valued. By the end of a performance run, each person feels like family. It is very emotional time on the last day because each goes their separate way for the year and for some, it is their last production. The whole thing is like a microcosm of life played out before you. It is a beautiful thing to watch.
On Wednesday, I will take about how this teamwork mentality is foundation for success at work as well as home. Till then . . .
What I am Reading
