Practical ideas, lessons learned and shared experiences for those in the world of CPA firm management, human resources, administration, marketing and technology.
The weekend is time for something off-topic, humorous or even weird.
I was reading Time magazine yesterday and saw a short blip about Queen Elizabeth’s 60th Jubilee being celebrated via Legos.
She has worn plenty of spectacular crowns, but none quit like this. To celebrate the U.K. monarch’s Diamond Jubilee, marking her 60th year on the throne, Legoland in Windsor, England, is creating a toy-size tribute. Starting May 24, its 4-in Lego Queen – outfitted with a diamond studded tiara – will reign over a mini Buckingham Palace and a court of mini royals.
How cool.
There is strength in numbers. When the bricks stick together, great things can be accomplished.
The weekend, time for something off-topic, humorous or even weird.
I didn’t even know what you called it. That irritating vocal style (mostly used by women) where every sentence ends in a gravelly vibrato. I notice it being used by young women interviewed on TV and mostly because my husband complains about it and mocks it. They drive him crazy and he in turn drives me crazy because he can imitate the style quite well.
A recent post by Fast Company describes it quite well using a situation where a job candidate was ruled out immediately because of how she talked on the phone. The position required someone to have a high degree of interaction with senior executive clients and required that the person in the position establish their credibility in the first few seconds of a conversation with those senior executives.
When a young lady, who appeared perfect for the position on paper, was interviewed over the phone, every sentence ended in a gravelly low vibrato. They describe it as a grating, kazoo-like effect that made the candidate sound immature, unconfident, and, frankly, annoying. A recently published article in the Journal of Voice reports that 2/3 of the female college students studied used vocal fry.
Watch the video for an amusing example. While it makes me smile, it’s a serious topic if you are a young lady looking for a job in public accounting.
The weekend is time for something off-topic, humorous or maybe even weird.
I’m always nagging CPA firm leaders about being more creative. Many of you do what you have always done (because, basically, it still works). Many of you do what everyone else is doing (because you hang your hat on MAP surveys and stories told by other CPAs at your state society or firm association meeting).
This weekend I wanted to give you a good example of being creative. I really like this short video from Johnson & Johnson. It talks about their Credo, which I want you to take note of. Consider their graphic and how you could use it to help you find the meaning of what you are doing as a company. More importantly, watch how the company, facing a problem/challenge, came up with an really creative and unique solution.
Enjoy your week-end!
I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.
It’s time for something off-topic, humorous or even weird.
My husband and I have been looking forward to April 18, 2012 for a couple of years. We are frequent visitors to the National Museum of the United States Air Force near our home in Beavercreek, Ohio. We knew that on the mentioned date twenty B25 bombers from WWII would be flying in for the 70th Reunion and anniversary of the Doolittle Raid on Japan.
If you don’t know much about it – here’s the short version. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. morale was very low. The U.S. could not fly the distance to attack Japan. The Japanese morale was extremely high; their people had been assured that the U.S. could not attack them on their soil. Under great secrecy, 80 men were chosen, lead by Jimmy Doolittle, to fly sixteen B25s off the deck of an aircraft carrier and attack the Japanese – just to show them we could (although they did not expect to do much damage). The planes had to be lightened, B25s had never taken off from an aircraft carrier before. Secrecy had to be maintained, etc. The pilots and crew knew they must try to land in China before they ran out of fuel after they delivered their bombs. Short story: They accomplished their mission, some giving their lives to do so. Seventy years later five of them are still living – all are in their 90s and four of them gathered this week to observe the anniversary.
Seeing the 20 B25s land on Tuesday, see them take off (about 30 seconds apart) and fly over in formation prior to the ceremony was awesome. It was one of those “I’m so proud to be an American” moments. I hope you’ll follow the links above to learn more about it.
Here’s a link to a video I took with my trusty iPhone (it takes a few moments to load) and here are some of my photos.
If you want to grow old as a pilot, you've got to know when to push it, and when to back off.
It’s Saturday again and time for something fun and off-topic.
My husband, Darrell, enjoys the blues and we often listen to Bluesville on satellite radio when we are driving. The names of the artists display when the music is playing and it amazes me how so many have colorful nicknames.
We grew up in a small town so nicknames are nothing unusual for us. I often wondered how my parents acquaintances got their nicknames but I never thought to ask. I remember….. Fat Parks (it was evident how he got his name!), Doc Owens, Coon Dog Oakley, and others that were easy to identify like Red Reid because he had red hair, Whitey for Jim White and Elmo for Larry Wenning because he resembled the Dagwood comic strip character Elmo.
The wonderful blues legend, B. B. King (Riley B. King), is a good example. Early in his career he was a radio personality and became known as the Beale Street Blues Boy, later shortened to Blues Boy, and you guessed it, even shorter to B. B.
I guess, to be a really great blues singer, you need a cool nickname. Well, here’s your chance. Use your initials to find your perfect blues name from the chart below. Mine is Skinny Bones Smith (which certainly doesn’t fit). If I was selecting my own I would choose Washboard Mama Blue – how cool.
A guy will promise you the world and give you nothin', and that's the blues.
Here’s a poster that uses the theme of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to promote fire safety for school children. Check out the song performed by Starfish here.
For accountants – when the week-end comes use the words for this purpose: Stop (stop working), drop (shut-down, relax, take it easy) and rock and roll (party, have fun, dance, run, swim, hike, golf)!
If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry.
It’s Sunday morning, a great time for reflection. Actually, every day is a great time for reflection. Find a time, early morning, mid-day or late at night and take time to THINK.
This week-end I want to share a poem – - it’s not exactly a “lighten-up” topic but it is a reflective topic and maybe a wake-up call for those of you who think work is life.
The poem was written by Jason Lehman who was 14 years old when he wrote it. The poem was sent to Abigail Van Buren, who after verifying that the poet was indeed a teenager wise beyond his years, published it in her February 14, 1989 “Dear Abby” column.
Present Tense
It was spring, but it was summer I wanted,
The warm days, and the great outdoors.
It was summer, but it was fall I wanted,
The colorful leaves, and the cool, dry air.
It was fall, but it was winter I wanted,
The beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season.
It was winter, but it was spring I wanted,
The warmth and the blossoming of nature.
I was a child, but it was adulthood I wanted,
The freedom and respect.
I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted,
To be mature, and sophisticated.
I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted,
The youth and the free spirit.
I was retired, but it was middle-age I wanted,
The presence of mind without limitations.
My life was over, and I never got what I wanted.
Are you getting what you want?
Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on the young.
Here’s their 3rd ad in a series highlighting their professionals and how their hobbies and passions bring value to their clients and to the firm. Meet Rachele Folino.
Looks like Rachele “lightens-up” on a lot of week-ends!
You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky.
Yesterday I had one of those nightmare type flights because of the weather.
Most flights were delayed and then cancelled. There was the usual VERY long line at the service counter to get rebooked, everyone was moaning and groaning but for the most part taking it in stride even though they would have to stay over night and the earliest flight out to Dayton, Ohio was at 1:00 today (Saturday).
Then, all of a sudden they announced to the long line of passengers, “the Dayton Ohio flight is NOT cancelled after all. Go back to the gate.” Well, we did make it home last night and my bag even arrived (counting my blessings).
Then this morning I read a blog post from Dilbert creator Scott Adams about his idea of a boarding system for airlines. I like his creative thinking in this post and especially the line: “I like fantasizing about the possibilities….” Read his thoughts here. The Dilbert strip today was pretty funny, too.
I want all of you inside accounting firms to fantasize about the possibilities, too.
As for today’s quote, I hope exchanging the word “engineers” with “accountants” does not apply! Smile, it’s the week-end.
Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems.
