I don't know about that...I work for a company that outsources A LOT of business overseas and their attitude when it comes to rejection of material is pretty much 'fuck you....find it cheaper'; which goes to the fundamental thinking that defects are a way of life. Americans have to come to the realization that if you TRULY want it made in America by Americans you'll pay more. Unions, standards of living (believe it or not) and consumer spending have all (in cohesion) made it difficult at best to purchase anything domestic; except a hamburger...which in itself is up for debate. I, personally, would like nothing more to purchase goods and services from nothing but the US, however financially speaking it's just not feasible.
Maybe the laws don't work 'as expected' for you or your community but America, generally, works for me. MHO. By the way....I'm not a particularly religious person but please try to refrain from stating 'God' and 'Fuck' in the same sentence right next to each other....it's just bad form; for any religion. My apologies if you're an athiest.
Levi was around well before Wal Mart. They had PLENTY of time and market share to not rely on Wal Mart. Their product was over-priced to begin with and they reaped the benefits...and because they didn't 'roll with the times' with their business model they lost market share. So be it. Wal Mart is not in the market for bailing out failing busnesses or marketing methods. It finally became time to pay the piper for exuberent prices and profitability and Levi lost. Again, so be it. Besides, when's the last time Levi made a pair of jeans that didn't fit an anorexic model or a rock star with their pants hanging half way down their crack? Nice target audience.
Excuse me? I live out in the middle of (excuse the expressions) bum-f*** Egypt and local businesses do little to nothing to improve the community. The only difference is that the profits go into business owner's pockets rather than the shareholders'. The 'mom & pop' shops here charge upwards of 500% more for products or services equivalent to the nearest 'big city' (~3000 people) because they can. I guarantee you these establishments are paying minimum wage because they have to....(I know; I have a daughter looking for a job) but given the chance they'd rape the local work pool just like Wal Mart if they could. Wal Mart just does it on a bigger scale while providing AFFORDABLE merchandise. People, generally in my neck of the woods, can't afford local pricing (especially for what they're getting paid to work within the community) and when a company like Wal Mart comes around it's a God-send. Say what you will about corporate America but I'd still rather spend $1 for something that my local 'mom' is selling for $5. Especially when both institutions hire from the same local workforce, which is where the money is generated to begin with.
Yes and no....I agree it's caused problems, however if someone comes up with a viable way (on paper) to launch a person into space using nothing but collected human fart gas, so be it. Would the inventor have the resources to build the machine over NASA? I know I'm trying to be funny here but there are some instances where full disclosure may be non-profitable; if at all because of a lack of money or resources.
OMG.....do you remember the MADNESS and RIOTS at Christmas time when Teddy Ruxpin was released? Fights, fists, stampedes.....total chaos; and a total joke for a toy. Seems times have not changed.
I think it would just be best to let professionals handle it (but give them guidelines to adhere to). Memories are just too precious to not follow up with a format that will be here for a while and most likely be easily transerrable in digital format (like DVD). The cost may sting a little now but I don't think you'll regret it.
Wow...West Wing AND Enterprise? You really ARE a sci-fi advocate! Too bad Martin Sheen still lives in the US after threatening to leave if dubya got elected. I guess he weighed his options and realized that he would not be as big in Europe as he is here playing the president that he endorsed during the elections. At least the pay is better and he can pretend that he's president. Did I mention the pay is better?
Maybe they'll pick up another African-American sit-com. Apparently there's not enough of them to fill the slot but I'm sure they'll think of something.
Just a thought...in my experience 'suggestion boxes' usually get little response from upper management. I, personally, don't like them because I want to acknowledge the person making the recommendation for improvement. Other than that, 'suggestion boxes' usually turn out to be an anonymous method for co-workers to shit on each other; which is what I don't want in a team environment.
HAHAHAHA....LOL....now that's the funniest thing I've seen on Slashdot in a long time! Almost sounds like a good Dilbert cartoon with Catbert doing the farting! Good show!
Now there's some optimism for 'ya. You wouldn't last long under my management strategy....I expect feedback and require improvement (given the fact I empower you). Corporate politics is nothing more than political speech and the quicker you learn it the better off you are. I'm not saying double-talk, I'm saying corporate speech (usually money). I was hired as a manager to accomplish several goals within my department; none of which included a budget. A year later I have a budget. A good manager knows how to motivate, empower and work within the financial constraints that are identified. If current resources are required that exceed those guidlines, a good manager also knows how to get them and proceed. I'm not part of the IT department but I have seen many poorly managed departments in which the managers themselves should be shit-canned, however the 'grunt' workers (in any department) rarely tend to see the big picture. IT personnel generally think they're getting 'picked on' but the fact of the matter is it's not just that particular department. Look around...there are other layoffs as well. Here in the mid-west, manufacturing used to be king of the walk...now it's just a shell of its former self. It's not just the IT jobs that are moving off-shore. It's ironic you mentioned kung-fu...but I don't have to accept it; and I won't. American workers better wake up to the fact that other countries can do it better, faster and more efficiently than us, which = $. We better wake up very quickly if we want that to change.
Just a thought: mention 'process improvement' and you're usually in the clear. That's the current catch phrase; especially with ISO 9001:2000 registered companies. It's also usually somewhat of a cushion on the budget side of things.
Would it be any different in a department of 5 people? If it needs to be said; say it. I know geeks have balls, they just have to use them once in a while.
The bureaucratic process you mention does have some positive repercussions to a good group of managers. As the manager of a non-IT group I have weekly meetings, document them and send the meeting minutes not to just my group but all the other managers as well. Not only is it documented training for my team, it's proof positive that others in the organization cannot claim 'I didn't know that's what your department was doing'. I regularly empower my people and actively look for feedback on process and procedural changes that take place on almost a weekly basis. Everyone at one of my meetings is REQUIRED to give some feedback (good, bad or indifferent) before the meeting is dismissed and it is not documented as part of the meeting minutes. I call it the 'round robin'. I also regularly invite other managers to attend these meetings (their time permitting) and to date I've had one manager (the HR person) attend a meeting in almost a year. What a shame. In several department meetings, IT needs were identified and I assigned myself 'action items' to follow-up on with the IT manager. Sadly, none of the action items were addressed in the estimated completion date time frames because the IT department was too 'busy' to address them. On a side note, the estimated dates were quite generous, usually 2-3 weeks to have software installed on my team's PC's. Regardless, there are some managers (like myself) that do take the team approach, talk about the issues, require feedback, implement improvement and take a stance with their peers when it's best not just for the business but the team as well. The more well-oiled I can run my department the more I can show that my team contributes to the overall profitability of the organization. My boss is happy with that idealism, I'm happy with myself and my team is more productive. Sometimes upper management knows what they're doing and it doesn't just show with immediate 2nd quarter returns but an entire shift in employee motivation. Most times a 3% COL (lol) pay increase does more to undermine employee loyalty than a manager who can show that his/her department can make a direct impact on profitability and how an individual's participation affects that process. I've gotten better response from my team on training and empowerment than I could have with a 3% wage increase; it's almost insulting. I don't think I'm a new breed of manager, I just think when a stand needs to be made, make it. Even if you have a less understanding boss than me, you'll have a clear conscience. I know that doesn't help come non-payday but you'll be better off for it.
I don't disagree, but I've seen a lot of instances where disposable cameras were of great value: weddings for example. At my wedding (yes, I'm married) we put out a disposable camera at each of the tables at the recdeption and asked the participants to take their own pictures as long as we got the cameras back. Out of about 20 cameras we got 18 back (which I thought was great) and the pictures were awesome. We got images that we weren't present for and our guests were 'interactive' in our wedding. I believe if I'd put 20 digital cameras out there, I'd have less memories and been out about $4000; even on the low end.
Girlfriend on film, audio, digital whatever. Generally speaking, a girl on anything is usually good enough for me.....jeez, does that sound desperate or what?
Slashdot Mirror
So? Karma be damned.
I don't know about that...I work for a company that outsources A LOT of business overseas and their attitude when it comes to rejection of material is pretty much 'fuck you....find it cheaper'; which goes to the fundamental thinking that defects are a way of life. Americans have to come to the realization that if you TRULY want it made in America by Americans you'll pay more. Unions, standards of living (believe it or not) and consumer spending have all (in cohesion) made it difficult at best to purchase anything domestic; except a hamburger...which in itself is up for debate. I, personally, would like nothing more to purchase goods and services from nothing but the US, however financially speaking it's just not feasible.
Maybe the laws don't work 'as expected' for you or your community but America, generally, works for me. MHO. By the way....I'm not a particularly religious person but please try to refrain from stating 'God' and 'Fuck' in the same sentence right next to each other....it's just bad form; for any religion. My apologies if you're an athiest.
Levi was around well before Wal Mart. They had PLENTY of time and market share to not rely on Wal Mart. Their product was over-priced to begin with and they reaped the benefits...and because they didn't 'roll with the times' with their business model they lost market share. So be it. Wal Mart is not in the market for bailing out failing busnesses or marketing methods. It finally became time to pay the piper for exuberent prices and profitability and Levi lost. Again, so be it. Besides, when's the last time Levi made a pair of jeans that didn't fit an anorexic model or a rock star with their pants hanging half way down their crack? Nice target audience.
Excuse me? I live out in the middle of (excuse the expressions) bum-f*** Egypt and local businesses do little to nothing to improve the community. The only difference is that the profits go into business owner's pockets rather than the shareholders'. The 'mom & pop' shops here charge upwards of 500% more for products or services equivalent to the nearest 'big city' (~3000 people) because they can. I guarantee you these establishments are paying minimum wage because they have to....(I know; I have a daughter looking for a job) but given the chance they'd rape the local work pool just like Wal Mart if they could. Wal Mart just does it on a bigger scale while providing AFFORDABLE merchandise. People, generally in my neck of the woods, can't afford local pricing (especially for what they're getting paid to work within the community) and when a company like Wal Mart comes around it's a God-send. Say what you will about corporate America but I'd still rather spend $1 for something that my local 'mom' is selling for $5. Especially when both institutions hire from the same local workforce, which is where the money is generated to begin with.
Politicians for sale? Are you serious? This is something new? Well, I guess or that site it is...
Yes and no....I agree it's caused problems, however if someone comes up with a viable way (on paper) to launch a person into space using nothing but collected human fart gas, so be it. Would the inventor have the resources to build the machine over NASA? I know I'm trying to be funny here but there are some instances where full disclosure may be non-profitable; if at all because of a lack of money or resources.
OMG.....do you remember the MADNESS and RIOTS at Christmas time when Teddy Ruxpin was released? Fights, fists, stampedes.....total chaos; and a total joke for a toy. Seems times have not changed.
I think it would just be best to let professionals handle it (but give them guidelines to adhere to). Memories are just too precious to not follow up with a format that will be here for a while and most likely be easily transerrable in digital format (like DVD). The cost may sting a little now but I don't think you'll regret it.
Wow...West Wing AND Enterprise? You really ARE a sci-fi advocate! Too bad Martin Sheen still lives in the US after threatening to leave if dubya got elected. I guess he weighed his options and realized that he would not be as big in Europe as he is here playing the president that he endorsed during the elections. At least the pay is better and he can pretend that he's president. Did I mention the pay is better?
Maybe they'll pick up another African-American sit-com. Apparently there's not enough of them to fill the slot but I'm sure they'll think of something.
~1000 people in your class? Jesus...where are the classes held? In a stadium?
Nice Armageddon plagiarism; it fit in nice with your post! Bruce Bruce would be proud!
Well, that would be YOUR experience with YOUR particular company. Not all are like that.
Just a thought...in my experience 'suggestion boxes' usually get little response from upper management. I, personally, don't like them because I want to acknowledge the person making the recommendation for improvement. Other than that, 'suggestion boxes' usually turn out to be an anonymous method for co-workers to shit on each other; which is what I don't want in a team environment.
HAHAHAHA....LOL....now that's the funniest thing I've seen on Slashdot in a long time! Almost sounds like a good Dilbert cartoon with Catbert doing the farting! Good show!
Now there's some optimism for 'ya. You wouldn't last long under my management strategy....I expect feedback and require improvement (given the fact I empower you). Corporate politics is nothing more than political speech and the quicker you learn it the better off you are. I'm not saying double-talk, I'm saying corporate speech (usually money). I was hired as a manager to accomplish several goals within my department; none of which included a budget. A year later I have a budget. A good manager knows how to motivate, empower and work within the financial constraints that are identified. If current resources are required that exceed those guidlines, a good manager also knows how to get them and proceed. I'm not part of the IT department but I have seen many poorly managed departments in which the managers themselves should be shit-canned, however the 'grunt' workers (in any department) rarely tend to see the big picture. IT personnel generally think they're getting 'picked on' but the fact of the matter is it's not just that particular department. Look around...there are other layoffs as well. Here in the mid-west, manufacturing used to be king of the walk...now it's just a shell of its former self. It's not just the IT jobs that are moving off-shore. It's ironic you mentioned kung-fu...but I don't have to accept it; and I won't. American workers better wake up to the fact that other countries can do it better, faster and more efficiently than us, which = $. We better wake up very quickly if we want that to change.
Just a thought: mention 'process improvement' and you're usually in the clear. That's the current catch phrase; especially with ISO 9001:2000 registered companies. It's also usually somewhat of a cushion on the budget side of things.
Would it be any different in a department of 5 people? If it needs to be said; say it. I know geeks have balls, they just have to use them once in a while.
The bureaucratic process you mention does have some positive repercussions to a good group of managers. As the manager of a non-IT group I have weekly meetings, document them and send the meeting minutes not to just my group but all the other managers as well. Not only is it documented training for my team, it's proof positive that others in the organization cannot claim 'I didn't know that's what your department was doing'. I regularly empower my people and actively look for feedback on process and procedural changes that take place on almost a weekly basis. Everyone at one of my meetings is REQUIRED to give some feedback (good, bad or indifferent) before the meeting is dismissed and it is not documented as part of the meeting minutes. I call it the 'round robin'. I also regularly invite other managers to attend these meetings (their time permitting) and to date I've had one manager (the HR person) attend a meeting in almost a year. What a shame. In several department meetings, IT needs were identified and I assigned myself 'action items' to follow-up on with the IT manager. Sadly, none of the action items were addressed in the estimated completion date time frames because the IT department was too 'busy' to address them. On a side note, the estimated dates were quite generous, usually 2-3 weeks to have software installed on my team's PC's. Regardless, there are some managers (like myself) that do take the team approach, talk about the issues, require feedback, implement improvement and take a stance with their peers when it's best not just for the business but the team as well. The more well-oiled I can run my department the more I can show that my team contributes to the overall profitability of the organization. My boss is happy with that idealism, I'm happy with myself and my team is more productive. Sometimes upper management knows what they're doing and it doesn't just show with immediate 2nd quarter returns but an entire shift in employee motivation. Most times a 3% COL (lol) pay increase does more to undermine employee loyalty than a manager who can show that his/her department can make a direct impact on profitability and how an individual's participation affects that process. I've gotten better response from my team on training and empowerment than I could have with a 3% wage increase; it's almost insulting. I don't think I'm a new breed of manager, I just think when a stand needs to be made, make it. Even if you have a less understanding boss than me, you'll have a clear conscience. I know that doesn't help come non-payday but you'll be better off for it.
So I take it you didn't get laid? Should've mentioned it AFTERWARDS.
How do you figure? Are you sharing that homemade tape with over 250,000,000 people?
I just KNEW there would be a reference to the SW prequels in this thread...the only thing missing was the annoying opinion that Jar Jar was annoying.
I don't disagree, but I've seen a lot of instances where disposable cameras were of great value: weddings for example. At my wedding (yes, I'm married) we put out a disposable camera at each of the tables at the recdeption and asked the participants to take their own pictures as long as we got the cameras back. Out of about 20 cameras we got 18 back (which I thought was great) and the pictures were awesome. We got images that we weren't present for and our guests were 'interactive' in our wedding. I believe if I'd put 20 digital cameras out there, I'd have less memories and been out about $4000; even on the low end.
Girlfriend on film, audio, digital whatever. Generally speaking, a girl on anything is usually good enough for me.....jeez, does that sound desperate or what?