Well, now that I have your undivided attention, let me explain. The year 2008 will see my advancement into a very special age group, namely, those people eligible for Medicare!
This magical age of 65 provides one with certain mystical rights ? Medicare benefits of course which means we will be swimming in extra disposable income ? yeah right! And how about another increase in social security benefits without having to endure a performance review! And most importantly, the removal of all vestiges of being politically correct ? as if that ever encumbered me!
An added benefit is moving into the 65-69 age group for competing in sporting events or as it is sometimes referred to as: ?65 to death.? For those of you who may be runners you know that I will now be the youngest in a group of runners vying for prizes given only to the first three finishers in each age group.
Not that this makes for a significant advantage because in my last 10K (6.2 miles) race, I was roundly beaten by a 72 year old. I wonder if he passed the drug test!
In any event, advancing into this age group means I no longer have to make any New Year’s resolutions because changes to my lifestyle at this juncture could be injurious to my health, well being and mental acuity. So for me to make any personal resolutions would be a waste of time and thus I am making them for all of you. I know you will understand and if not, just chalk it off to my reaching an age of senility.
So for 2008 here is what I am proposing:
+ I resolve that all wait staff in restaurants pay attention to me while taking my order and quit looking around to view other activities that may be going on in the restaurant. If I am not the center of attention then perhaps my waiter should extract the tip for my meal from the people he or she is so attracted to! Is it too much to ask that the wait staff at least appear to be focused and interested in providing me with exceptional customer service?
+ And speaking of restaurants, I resolve that all establishments serving food leave the hot water valve on in the restrooms. How many times have you encountered a restroom sink that only has cold water? I have a confession to make in that regard. On a regular basis when I discover a lack of hot water, I instinctively reach under the sink and turn on the hot water valve, which inexplicably has been turned off. On some occasions, I have even used my handy Swiss Army knife to override the system. How the wait staff washes their hands with cold water is beyond me. So next time you visit a restroom at McDonalds, or Wendy’s or Burger King and the water is hot, you have me to thank for it.
+ I resolve that all phone calls I make in 2008 do not contain the message: ‘For quality purposes this call may be recorded or monitored by a supervisor.? Do we really believe that someone is hired specifically to listen to phone calls all day? At one point in my career I managed a customer service telephone area and we found it just as effective by practicing ‘management by walking around? and overhearing the representatives rather then listening to reams of recorded messages at day-end. If there is to be a phone message I recommend that it be: ‘For truth of disclosure purposes, this call is not being monitored because we’re tired of fooling you to make you think that it is.?
+ I resolve that when executives are released from an organization the words ‘leaving to devote more time to other activities and family? be fully explained. What are those other activities and what does his or her family have to say about the executive’s sudden arrival on the home scene? Is the family happy and content or would they rather the executive just focus on those ‘other activities.? And just when you thought you have heard all the reasons for someone to depart an organization try this from Global Chief Growth Officer Thomas Hernquist who spearheaded Hershey Co.’s premium and dark chocolate portfolios and who resigned from the company effective Dec. 31. Mr. Hernquist said he intends to work on ventures that ‘leverage strategic consumer insights.? Wow! That is just too cerebral for my soon to be 65 year old brain! Why couldn’t he have just said that he was ‘pursuing other activities?? Or my favorite: ‘Leaving so I can function in a jerk-free environment.?
+ I resolve that the words ‘merger of equals? and ‘synergy? be banned from business jargon forever. We all know that there is no such thing as a merger of equals ? Daimler-Chrysler certainly proved that. In a merger there is always one dominant party and thus ‘synergy? means ‘we will look for ways to combine our processes but ultimately we bought your company so our processes will be used.? Now if that sounds cynical on my part, I think it is also realistic. I, along with many of you, have been through mergers and frankly none have been pleasant. So for 2008 let’s substitute the words ‘full court press take no prisoners buy-out? for ‘merger of equals.?
+ I resolve that when organizations release staff because of the company’s desire to ‘go in a different direction? that new ‘direction? or strategy should be spelled out to the remaining staff and the shareholders. What if the new direction is contrary to the expectations of those who will now have to implement it?
+ I resolve that all meetings start and end on time. In that regard, let me share with you the thoughts of two captains of industry on being punctual. First, Bob Iger, President and CEO of Walt Disney ? ‘Meetings need to start on time. I’m zealous about that because my day needs to be managed like clockwork. If people are late for meetings, the meetings tend to go late, which throws off my agenda thereafter. I frequently start the meeting even if all the people expected to be in attendance aren’t there. I don’t need to say to people, ‘Be on time?, they know.?
And this from Simon Cooper, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company ? ‘I’ve always believed that if you’re late, it says something about the lack of value you have for other people’s time. Being on time for all meetings is the best use of time in the workplace. I hope I’ve instilled that in my staff. I certainly embarrass them if they’re not.? That pretty much sums it up for me. One other comment and that is at the end of a meeting if someone leaves without an assignment that person was not needed at the meeting and shouldn’t be invited back for subsequent meetings on the same topic.
+ I resolve that all establishments that imprint a survey request on receipts provide me with on the spot reimbursement for completing the survey. Over the years I have completed surveys for every department store, coffee shop, bagel store and sundry other establishments without benefit of a thank you. Sure the receipt indicates that I have been entered into a drawing for $5,000 but I doubt it. Just the other day I asked the Barista at a local coffee shop if he was aware of anyone who had ever won a cash prize by completing a survey and of course the answer was a resounding ‘No.? So from now on I want a free coffee or bagel for completing the form.
Well, those are just some of the resolutions for all of you for 2008. And if I sound like the fictional deranged character Howard Beale from the movie ‘Network? when he said, ‘I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.? so be it. At my age I think I’ve earned it and yes I am feeling a bit deranged from service expectations not being to my liking especially when it comes to hot tap water in restrooms. Does Medicare cover my idiosyncrasies?
And just so you don’t think that I have completely gone bonkers, I do want to make one resolution of my own. I resolve that 2008 be your best year ever and that you are always surrounded by family and friends and lots of laughter!
And if some of my resolutions have left you perplexed and troubled just keep in mind the words of comedian Joey Adams when he uttered: ‘May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.?