TLAs enough already or useful?

At work, everyone uses acronyms, TLAs (three letter acronyms). Recently a team was created that for exactly 4 hours we called the ancillary team. Believe it or not someone shortened it to A-team. At other companies, I would object to this use of TLAs, but somehow they are positive and useful here.

A recent hire, knew that CP1 meant something significant, and just waited long enough to figure it out. Even now, 2.5 years into Intuit, I sometimes lean over in a meeting and ask what one means.

It is a "secret" language in a way. There is even a database which has all of the TLAs in it for new hires and they are encouraged to add ones that they discover are missing.

It is such a part of our culture and you can resist for a bit, but eventually you find yourself talking in shortcuts and saying things like "secret sauce" and "true north"

These are all good because we actually are aligned and speaking the same language.

Nevertheless, I was really surprised the the A-team only took nano seconds to be a part of our lingo

My dentist is the Best

Fawn Rosenberg in Lexington is the most fabulous dentist. We have been going to her for probably 20 years now. Every time a major procedure is done, she calls that night to make sure you OK. She has never forgotten in 20 years. When you refer people, she sends you movie tickets, as she did recently for me.

In this day and age this is what sets apart good customer service.

I am sure this takes time, and a bit of time out of her family time but this touch is why I refer people and why I would never go any where else.

Today, I was reminded because she called about Murg's procedure earlier today.

The office is also very welcoming and warm. She apologizes for hurting you and keeps asking if you are doing OK. Need more Novocain? She is just an amazing dentist. Go there and tell her I sent you. We can split the tickets.

Happy Day

Memorial Day 2009

Growing up, I did not really associate Memorial Day with my grandfather, but in the last few years, in a more contemplative mood, I spend a lot of the day thinking about him. He died in WWII, in a plane crash in Alaska, where he served in the Navy Reserve. I never knew him but have heard lots of stories from Mom about him.

Today, I regret that I never knew Grampa Joe. I am so appreciative that he served our country and I feel badly for my Mom that she lost her father at such a young age. It was the last patriotic war, in my mind anyway.

My cousins who serve in Iraq now; I appreciate them and their wounds that will last forever. I appreciate R, J's brother who served in Iraq twice.

I think about the Vietnam Veteran's Wall in DC, one of the most moving monuments.

I have been very contemplative today, about all of this. I am glad we take a day, every year to remember those who served, and to appreciate those currently serving. I used to think that the VFW at the end of our street, would lose membership, but with the Iraq war producing many new veterans every day, I guess not.

Are you Kidding?

By the title you can guess this is a RANT. Yesterday at staff we had a discussion about a message that managers are going to have to give their employees. Working with engineers is an interesting job. They can get you wrapped around the axel so quickly with their numbers, and they can over-think and over-orchestrate a simple mathematical task. That however, is not why I started to write this post however.

As I think about responding to them, I start to have this internal conversation, and actually it does not all stay internal, surprise surprise (ENFP). So I am walking down the hall and out pops "Are you kidding?" I try to do this when no one is around. What I have found is that if I have these internal conversations or rants, then I can back track from there and be more reasonable. I have gotten out some of the emotions as well this way.

Someone asked me yesterday if I would like to be the one to communicate the message. Yes, if I get your manager pay for it was my reply. This after all is what they get paid to do. So if you hear me say "Are you kidding?" ignore it, just the overflow of an internal conversation really meant for only me.

Southwest is the Best

I flew Southwest recently and had an amazing experience. l love they way they load, I love that they don't charge for bags, I love the safety messages are personalizes. I love the humor. I love the color of their airplanes. I love everything about this airline and would always fly them over others. In this day and age, they set themselves apart from other airlines.

Dogs know what is going on

It is a mute point now, but when I was watching the Celtics and Bruins finals, of course I got excited. Poor Qammi thought I was angry with her. They don't understand words, so only go on the tone. I tried ranting to "Make that shot" or "What are you thinking?" in softer tones. That lasted for 10 seconds, after all this is a rant.

I was reading Jane Fonda's blog just now and she was talking about her dog knowing that something was up since she was packing stuff up to finish her Broadway show. I though a lot about the dogs in my life who give you that look like "Are you OK?" "What is up with you?" As recent as this morning on my walk Qammi gave me that look. I know the bikers must have thought I was crazy as I said "What, why are you looking at me like that?"

I think she wanted to turn around since she had done her business, and the next step was her kibble for breakfast. I have been increasing the length of my walks, and she pretends to be wounded on the away part of the walk, and hustles her buns on the return part of the walk. She is a great barometer for how I am feeling.

Who knows what she was thinking this morning? All I know is that dogs know what is going on and they love you unconditionally.

Ping Pong or Tennis Ball

Today, I feel like either of these. First I thought it was ping pong but as I thought about it I feel more like a tennis ball today. Some tasks I have to accomplish are slams, and some are very high lobs into the air.

This day is typical of a lot of my days but the image I had in the middle today was of a ping pong ball, with very little control over where I am going next.

In the middle of one meeting, I take a peek forward as to what my next meeting is, and try to mentally get ready for this next one.

I don't really mind these kinds of days, because my destination at the end of the day comes sooner when it is chock a block full.

Slam or lob next ?