Unknown's avatar

My Challenge to the High Paid CEO’s of the World

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Tomorrow is Labor Day, and I thought I’d make a challenge to the higher paid CEO’s of the world.

First, believe me when I say that I’m not talking about those CEOs who truly pay their employees fairly and who try to understand where their employees are coming from and that, the bigger the company, the more it is supported by the employees.

The CEOs I’m talking about and issuing the challenge to are those CEOs that you hear about in the news who are paid 100 times or more than their average employee, as well as those who pad their own salaries at the expense of their employees when they could easily pay their employees more without hurting their business’ profits. Some CEO’s of some large corporations may be paid as much as 1,000 times the salary of the average employee at their companies.

So, how do these CEOs get paid so much? Well, their salaries are determined by boards made up of other CEOs. So, there’s a “I’ll rub your back if you rub mine” mentality. This results in CEOs getting more and more raises, even in those cases when some of their companies perform ever more poorly every year! Oftentimes, its only when a CEO does something really egregious that negatively effects the other CEOs on the board does a CEO get fired or penalized in some way.

But, are these CEOs really worth 100-1,000 times the salary of their average employees? A lot of industry insiders and of course, fellow CEOs will say “yes”, because the companies are large and the decisions that a CEO makes will affect the entire company, plus, they say you would not attract the talent needed for the job, etc.

I’m not so sure this is true. In Japan, most large corporation CEOs make no more than 35 times the salary of the average employee. Yet, companies like Sony, Toyota, and Toshiba, and many other Japanese corporations, have all done well and have certainly made their mark worldwide.

So, my challenge to these CEOs is this:

If you can fill in completely for, and do the work of just 20, that right, just 20, of your average employees for just 1 month, without any ill effects to the company, or customers, both internal and external, to the point where they couldn’t tell the difference in terms of work quality, quantity, and adherence to the same deadlines and quotas, then you really do deserve that huge salary.

An example would be a CEO filling in for a unit of 20 people who puts together and coordinates accounts for the sales team, such as the one I was once part of about 12 years ago.

The challenge would be that the entire unit would be off for that month and the CEO himself or herself would come in and do all that the 20-person unit does for a whole month.

If that CEO can fill in as above, making sure each sales rep gets the accounts that they should get, with all the paperwork and information intact, in order, and on time, seeing that the accounts are delivered to the sales division by the deadline, making needed corrections to accounts, reassigning accounts when the division needs them assigned, seeing that the accounts are printed and collated, filing reports correctly, seeing that added materials for those accounts that require them are added to the paperwork for those accounts, double checking to make sure that the sales division has gotten exactly what they need,  plus, maintaining any machines that the unit uses, keeping track of and ordering supplies, making calls for any needed repairs, making calls and sending e-mails to investigate and address any problems, and working with and meeting with, division managers and other internal customers, without anyone who interacts with, or depends upon, that unit, not seeing any negative impact to them for that month, then that CEO certainly deserves that huge salary!

That’s my challenge to the high paid CEOs of the world. Will they accept? I doubt it.

And to those who think the CEO should be made to fill in for exactly 100 people or that number of people who would equal the CEO’s salary? Well, in a way, comparing the CEO to the average worker in their company is a little like comparing apples and oranges, so that’s why I lowered the number of people to 20. And if this still doesn’t convince you, try calling just 10 people you know and offer to take on all of their responsibilities for just 2 weeks. You’ll see!

Of course, a lot of CEO’s won’t even know of this challenge, but, if any of you happen to have the ear of one, or care to write or e-mail one, let them know about this challenge. If any do take it up, I’m sure they will learn a lot.

Happy Labor Day everyone!

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Unknown's avatar

What are some Good Traits to Have?

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Lots of times, I’ve been in situations where I didn’t know what to say, or whether to say anything at all, or where my timing was just off, or I just felt plain awkward, even if I was just standing there. And, from my perspective, it just seems as if everyone else knows what they are doing.

So, in thinking about this, I’ve identified three traits I wish I had. I’ve also added them to my Page of Lists on this site.

The first of these is, knowing what and what not to say, or whether I should say anything at all.

This may be the best trait I could have. Oh, there have been times when I did say the right thing or when I did keep my mouth shut for the better. But oftentimes, even when I said the right thing, or rightly kept my mouth shut, I was often unsure if I did do the right thing. It would be great to always know. The benefits of such a trait start with the fact that I’d be much less likely to inadvertently insult someone or simply say the wrong thing in a situation such as a job interview or when talking to a car sales rep. Also, I would know when I could negotiate, present something, or sell something,  and when I shouldn’t even try to.

Next, is having great timing.

This is almost as good as knowing what to say. It would be nice to decide to take that different route when it’s not going to be clogged with traffic, or to get to the checkout area just as a new check stand is opening so you can be first in line.

Last is, looking good no matter what.

I’ve often felt awkward in some situations, sometimes just by being there. It’s that feeling like you’re the only one who hasn’t a clue and everyone else looks like they know what they’re doing. This is especially true when thrust into a new situation, such as starting a new job. You hear things like, “reg-E”, “30aught6”, or “MA2784”, and wonder what the heck is being talked about. And you get the feeling that others expect you to have known this from day one. Or at least it seems that way. It’s quite possible that it’s me feeling this way and that others aren’t really perceiving me as a “know nothing”, though In some cases I knew some were seeing me as such.

I guess what I’m really wanting here is the ability to not feel as if I know nothing in such a situation.

So anyway, these are just my votes for the top 3 traits I would want to have or have to a greater degree.

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Unknown's avatar

If It’s Good, Let Them Know Too!

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Oftentimes, when you hear someone talk about customer service they’ve received or a product that they’ve purchased, you often hear the bad side. Not always, but probably more often than not. And most of us, if we do have a bad or negative experience with a product or service, we are more likely to tell about it.

To be sure, you will hear about good service and products, too, but I think you’re more likely to hear the negative more than the positive. And what’s the possible effect of this?

That fewer people in the service industry will go the extra mile, or even do their jobs as required, and good products and features will disappear as positive feedback is little or non-existent.

Now, this effect is usually long-term and not readily apparent, but I believe it is there. So, in my case, I do try to give positive feedback whenever I have the chance to review or give an opinion on a good service or a good product that I’ve purchased.

When I purchase something online, find that I am satisfied with it, and I get an e-mail requesting a review of the product, I submit the review and make sure to point out what I like about the product. And in the case of someone who gets tips, such as a waiter or waitress, I add to the tip if the service was above average or they went the extra mile. It makes my day as well as theirs.

This helps to ensure that the service person will continue to provide the excellent service they’ve provided and that the company or store will try to continue to carry that great product. And it’s just the right thing to do.

After all, if they provided a lousy service or product, most of us would certainly let them know it. We should be just as eager to let them know what a great job they’ve done or how great their product is when our expectations are exceeded as well.

Be sure to mention those positives, too!

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Unknown's avatar

Independence is Fine for The Right Reasons

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I am politically independent for several reasons, but to be independent just to be independent is not one of them. I don’t believe in being a rebel without a cause.

Whenever a politician who is, or at least comes across, as an independent thinker, enters the race, it grabs my attention. But, does it mean I’m hooked? No, it means only that I take notice.

They still have to make their case!

Why am I drawn to independent candidates? It’s because most candidates from either camp try to adhere to all the planks of their camp.

I, on the other hand, don’t believe in all the planks of either camp, in fact, I believe in some of the planks of both camps.

So, neither camp completely fills the bill for me, as I feel that each demands that its followers adhere to all of the planks in the camp, some of which I don’t agree with.

So, what do I look for in an independent candidate? First, it doesn’t matter to me what party they belong to or if they are affiliated with any party or not, so long as they are willing to think on their own and, if they do belong to a party, that they’re willing to challenge the party on some issues.

But, it’s more than just a willingness to call out the status quo. They also have to have ideas of their own. Too often, including this time around, I’ve seen candidates who tout themselves as independent thinkers, come out with no solutions or ideas of their own, and in some cases, only attacking the other candidates and the media for simply questioning them.

I remember an election year in the past where a new party was, …attempted?, to be formed, called the “Reform Party”. Well, it was touted as the answer to the other two parties, but all it was, was chaos. They never really brought any new ideas, except to say they were an alternative to the other two parties. It went nowhere.

Yes, like many of you, I do want to see a challenge to the two parties, but it needs to be a credible challenge. Such as a candidate who not only points out where the other two parties go wrong, but also offers up solutions, and communicates to the people of both sides that they don’t have to fear an independent candidate who demonstrates that he or she can still lead despite the lack of party affiliation, and can communicate the message of “The people first, party second.”

So, what does an independent candidate need to do to have a chance of real success, both for him or herself as well as for the people?

  1. Yes, point out how the status quo is not working and attack the issues and failed solutions, not silly things as to whether a moderator or interviewer asked a supposed “gotcha” or unfair question, or whether an opponent hugged someone from the opposing party. It’s important for candidates to remember that, in order to work towards a solution, people from opposing sides often have to work together and it’s easier to be friendly while doing so, especially in times of crisis. And, as for supposed unfair media questions, candidates must remember that the real world will throw these kinds of questions at them all the time!
  2. If the candidate is a member of a major party, they must be willing to go against their party if their position on an issue is at odds with the party line.
  3. The independent candidate must be willing to talk to media and the people on both sides of the political spectrum.
  4. They need to convey the message that they can work with both sides to a viable solution but not be fence-sitters or flip floppers. That does not mean they cannot change their position if it’s for the right reasons, however!
  5. They have to convince the people to not follow their parties blindly, but to really think things through. This can be really tough, but if a candidate has the charisma, I believe it can be done.
  6. Probably not last, but very important is, they must have viable solutions to problems, especially to those they point out! Too often, independent candidates end up being viewed as not having any substance. Sure, in the beginning, they often draw a significant following, especially from those who are really fed up with the status quo and the major parties. But they often only go so far, and support stops growing, or even wanes, as people see that the candidate is offering no solutions but instead only keeps pointing out the same problems over and over.

So, this is just my opinion, but, I do ask that, during campaign season, you really, really, evaluate the candidates for everything, not just a few sound bites.

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Unknown's avatar

It’s About the Heat

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Just some musings here about heat and hot weather.

I hate the heat. Really. Unlike just about everyone else, I prefer cold to heat. That’s one of the reasons I moved from Southern California (The Los Angeles area, to be exact.) to the Portland, Oregon area just over a decade ago. It seems it’s almost always hot in L.A., at least to me. Of course, places like Phoenix and Las Vegas are much hotter in summer, and the southern states are much more humid, but at least they cool off more in the winter and have a stronger tendency to stay cool during the winter months.

I remember many times when it was in the 80’s or even 90 during the Christmas holidays, and there would be 2 week stretches of 100 degree weather in September and October, when the area’s famous (or infamous!) Santa Ana winds would blow. I often jokingly say that “It’s always 95 degrees in Los Angeles! And even if it’s less than 95 degrees, it’s still 95 degrees in Los Angeles!

To give you an idea of my bias, I distribute fliers door to door throughout the year. When I tell people, one of the first things they ask about is how much winter cold and weather affects me. I always tell them that it’s heat that will slow me down more than anything and that it takes about 5 solid months of winter weather and precipitation before I start to want warmer weather, but it only takes about that first one day, that’s right, one day, at 80 degrees, the first in spring or summer, to make me wish for that winter cold to come right back. We’re talking Portland winter, not L.A. winter, by the way.

Besides, in summer, there’s nothing I can do about the heat, but, in winter, all I have to do if I start to get too hot, is stop, unzip my jacket, and the cold air cools me off just fine.

Though people from back east or the Midwest would find a Portland, Oregon winter very mild, even at its worst, it is significantly colder than an L.A. winter, and 80’s are generally not seen at all from late October through the end of March. And it definitely won’t be 95 degrees on Christmas Day!

Still, Portland can have its heat moments. I’ve experienced a few hot summers here, from time to time, though still not as hot as an L.A. summer.  2009 was the hottest I’ve seen up here, where we had 4 days over 100, including 2 back to back 106 degree days, and about 28 90 degree days. This summer, 2015, we’ve had about 20 90 degree days this year, but so far have not broken the 100 degree mark yet. (And hopefully won’t!)

Summers here, and winters, too, can be variable. We may get hot weather early in a summer, and then the rest of the summer defies conventional wisdom and remains relatively cooler. This happened in 2005. We had a couple of rare 90-plus degree days in May, and then the rest of the summer stayed in the low 80’s for the most part.

Just when it seems at times that summers here are getting warmer, I’m reminded that it could just be that my heat threshold has lowered, when I go down to L.A. in the summer for a couple of weeks to visit relatives, and find the summer heat more intense down there.

I do know that my tolerance for cold has greatly increased.  When I was in high school in the L.A. area, I used to feel really cold outside in my P.E. clothes if it was cloudy and in the mid 50’s! Now, when I go down at Christmas to see my family, the jacket I wear to go to the Portland airport comes off, and usually stays off until I get back to Portland! And it’s not even my heaviest jacket! That jacket is reserved for really cold days accompanied by the Portland area’s famous “east wind”.

So, there’s my take on heat. Do I hate Summer? Only the hot part. I do enjoy the longer days.

So, have a great and cool summer!

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Unknown's avatar

So, How Do I Like My Smart Phone After 6 Months?

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Well, I’ve had my Smart Phone for 6 months now. It’s my first. So, how do I like it, and smart phones in general?

I have to say, so far, so good! And, as a matter of fact, I’ve gotten used to what my phone can do for me now.

First, and probably most important, are the apps that I can get, for free. Yes, there are some you have to pay for, but so far, I haven’t needed those. Most companies that provide apps will provide them for free, since many of them want you to come to them or buy from them. And the free app acts as free advertising for them as well.

Apps are really great, as they can often allow easy access to finding things on the go, and comparing prices. They can also alert you.  If your favorite store is having a sudden sale, and you have their app, you may get an alert from them.

Apps can also help in monitoring information and controlling things from afar. I have an app that allows me to check to see if my burglar alarm is set, and, if it’s not, I can set it from my phone!

I also have an app for locating theaters and checking what movies are available, where they’re playing, and I can even purchase tickets, which would be waiting for me when I get there! It’s also the same with many apps for eating places, including many of your favorites!

And if I don’t know where there is?

I have Google Maps, which can mark the location and tell me how to get there, too! This came standard with my phone, and most smart phones will come with a set of pre-installed apps, such as the Google set on Android phones.

Next, I have internet access. So, I can check up on e-mails and unclutter my inbox without having to wait until I get home! I can also surf the web. And, I can also watch YouTube videos, though these will use up lots of data and memory.

So, am I one of those who is constantly texting or checking my phone? No, I’m not. While you do have to try to avoid the urge to multitask with a smart phone, (Studies show multi-tasking makes one less effective!) I’ve never been a good multitasker and I refuse to bend to the idea that one must be doing everything at once all the time or be connected all the time!

But, if I’m waiting in a doctor’s office or am in some other “waiting situation”, then yes, I may check my e-mail inbox with my phone.

And finally, there are apps for free games, which are pretty good, too. I have Chess and also Checkers apps.

So, while I didn’t feel the need for a smart phone until a possible job situation came up which required one, I’ve seen that they can do a whole lot more than a “regular” cell phone can.

And best of all, you don’t need the latest, top of the line $700 I-phone or Android phone to get these great features! I got my phone, an LG Optimus Zone 2, for only $49! To see how, check out my post, “Again, Before Jumping In, Do Your Research! (Or how I got a $149 phone for just $49!)”.

So, if you’re thinking about a smart phone, you can get them with lots of features, and cheaply, too!

Good luck with your smart phone!

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Unknown's avatar

Stop Smoking Already!

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I just can’t help it! When I see someone smoking, especially here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, where I live, I just can’t get over it. At least, where I used to live, in Southern California, the air was often smoggy, (However, significant progress in the region’s air quality has been made over the years.) so, in a way, it somehow didn’t seem as bad when I saw someone smoking. But here, in the Pacific Northwest, with its pristine air, it just seems like smokers here are really robbing themselves of some of the best air on the planet!

But in reality, smokers rob themselves regardless of how polluted their local air is. Oh, I know, the rate of smoking has dropped, especially since the 1940’s, when it seemed every adult smoked. (Just watch an old movie from 1960 or earlier!)

But those who continue to smoke are still robbing themselves, and not only health-wise, but financially. And, those of us, like me, who are not smokers, probably know, or have known, at least one person who is. And you may have tried at times to get them to quit.

Unfortunately, the health threat argument often doesn’t scare a smoker into quitting. After all, cancer and heart disease aren’t like bears at the gate presenting an immediate and obvious threat in most cases, and when they do, it is often too late.

But, the financial drag of smoking, not even counting the financial side of the health threat, is significant and shows itself every time a smoker buys more cigarettes! Perhaps this argument can carry more immediate weight with some smokers. So here it is.

Now, a smoker might not think the cost of a single pack is enough to justify quitting.  Recently, I was in a store and was waiting to check out, and I noticed the prices of the cigarettes. The lowest cost pack was $4.70. Again, $4.70 might not seem like that big a deal.  But let’s take a look at an example below, starting with a price breakdown as well as a longer term view.

First, the breakdown. Let’s assume that a smoker smokes only half a pack a day. And buys a pack for only $4.00 even. A pack usually contains 20 cigarettes. That’s 20 cents per cigarette. Cheap? If the smoker smokes just one a day, then it is. But our smoker smokes half a pack, or 10 cigarettes a day. That’s $2 a day.

Now, for the longer term view.

In a week, that’s $14.

In a 30 day month, that’s $60.

In a 365 day year, that’s $730!

Just think of what an extra $730 can get you. In some cases, that could be an extra month’s rent or an extra 1-2 month’s groceries or an extra brake job on the car, or airfare, or a week or more at a hotel, and then some! Surely, you can think of a time in the past year when an extra $730 would have come in handy!

And remember, that’s just smoking half a pack of cigarettes a day! Many smokers smoke more than this, some, a lot more. And some, if not most, cigarettes run more than $4 a pack.

Using the $4-a-pack example above, a full pack-a-day smoker is looking at spending $1,460 yearly!  This amount of money can possibly buy you a pre-owned 1990’s vehicle that is in decent, if well-used, condition, in some cases! Just check out Craigslist for Ford Aerostar vans!

So, to smokers, look at this example to see how much you are spending to …kill yourselves.

And to those who are trying to get a smoker to quit to little or no effect, try this argument. Find out how many cigarettes or packs they smoke daily, and how much they pay per pack. Then, crunch the numbers and show them the results. I think they’ll be stunned.

To smokers, I hope you succeed in quitting! To those trying to get a smoker to quit, I wish you luck and hope that this argument works!

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And thanks for reading!  🙂

Unknown's avatar

A Fathers’ Day (and Mothers’ Day, too) Message

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I’ve written before on how it is important to keep in touch and, with June 21st being Fathers’ Day, as well as the first day of summer, it’s especially important to stay in touch with your parents.

If they at least tried to be what a parent should be, it is important to keep in touch with them and to remember and contact them always, especially on special days like their birthdays and Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day.

Sure, you may have chafed under their rules in the past and you’ve certainly had your disagreements, as we all have, but chances are, you also had your good times and there have been times when they showed you how much they loved you, warts and all. And as the years pass, if you stop to really think about it, you’ll see they did more for you, in many ways, than you realize.

And, you don’t know how long you’ll have them, and even if they live to be 100 and you are 75, when they pass, it will still feel like it’s too soon.

So, On Father’s Day, call your father! And if he’s no longer with you, then call your mother! And vice versa on Mother’s Day!

You’ll be glad you did.

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Unknown's avatar

Air blowers: A Symbol of Stupidity

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Lots of things can be a symbol of stupidity, but I do have one candidate that stands out for me. It’s the air blower.

Why? Well, I distribute fliers door to door and often run across gardening crews working on someone’s yard. And the crews are often using the usual equipment, including mowers, weed wackers, various pruning shears, brooms, and of course, air blowers.

The weed wackers and mowers are the most constructive, as the grass has to be mowed, weeds need to be cut back or out, and bushes and trees often need pruning. And the brooms are good for cleanup.

Air blowers are also used for cleanup. But what do they really do? They blow dust and debris all over the place, for one.  And some goes into the neighbors’ yards and driveways, and onto their cars, too.

Some people may say, “So what, at least they cleaned my place!”
But guess what happens? The crew that does your neighbor’s yard (And it could be the same crew you hired!) will use air blowers to do their cleanup, and some of that dust and debris that was blown from your yard to theirs, will be returned to you!

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Add to this the noise. Always, I have observed that the air blowers were the loudest of all the equipment that the crew used.  They drown out the gas-powered pruners, the weed wackers, and even the lawn mowers!

So, why are air blowers used? I think it’s just “grown” on gardeners over the years.

It’s simpler and easier than using just brooms, for one.  And gardeners often claim that they cannot work without them!

Well, there have been gardeners as long as humans have had homes, for thousands of years. What did all those gardeners do before air blowers came along?

And, as for ease of cleanup, using a hose would be just as easy, far less dusty, and much cleaner. And the neighbors won’t be complaining about the coating of dust on their just washed cars.

Now, of course in areas where there is drought, such as California, using water is no longer an option for now.

But how about this: A vacuum cleaner. Not a real large truck mounted model, or the ones you use in your house, but one you can push with a large bag and its own motor.

This is not new. When I was in elementary school, before air blowers were used very much, a custodian would push a vacuum cleaner with a very large bag around the play yard every so often. It worked just fine. The vacuum had its own motor and was fully portable, and no louder than an air blower. It used no water and created no dust, nor did it just shuffle debris around that would be shuffled back when another section of the play yard was vacuumed. And it was small enough to be easily carried in a gardener’s truck.

I doubt this solution would be implemented, but, if you know a gardener, or have one working for you, you might give him or her this suggestion.

Maybe you can stop the dust and debris transfer this summer season.

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Unknown's avatar

Don’t Let Time pass You By!

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I was talking to a friend recently, about my upcoming vacation and how I need to have my time off, not only to “get away” but also to see family and friends that I live far from and don’t get a chance to see every day.

I’ve always felt that it’s good to stay in touch, including face to face visits, even if there is great distance involved. But, I’ve known and met many people in my life that had relatives or friends that they haven’t seen in years, often due to the distance and busy lives.

Of course, it is understandable, in today’s fast-paced world, that time is scarce. The problem with this is that, many of us postpone that trip for later, “when I have more time…” which never seems to come. Before you know it, the friendship has faded, or worse, that great friend or relative has died.

I read an article once from a travel writer, who said that he was always postponing visiting his favorite uncle, due to his job. His uncle later died and the writer has regretted not visiting his uncle, for the sake of any job. Jobs come and go, but people cannot be replaced and once they’re gone, they’re gone!

I’ve lost several relatives and friends within the past year, but one thing I don’t regret is my having made time to visit them and to have them visit me.

Last Christmas, I met a relative who’d been out of the family circle for a long time, and I could see, without his telling me, that he most likely felt that he’d missed out on a lot, and regretted it.

So, if you have that wonderful friend or relative that you haven’t seen in a long, long time, don’t postpone that trip! Make time for that visit!

No regrets.

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