I remember where I was. Do you know where you were? I would guess you can vividly describe your location, thoughts, emotions, etc. on that terrible day that changed the world as we know it. I had to give a speech that day to the employees of my organization. All 1200 of them were in the room and I started it with “We are at war.” The room was silent as I said that. It was very sobering for me as well as all those involved. I will never forget that day.
Fast forward eight years. Times are different. The war on terror continues (I know the current administration doesn’t call it that anymore, but it is indeed a war on terrorism, so why not call it what it is?)
Corporate America is also vastly different. Security and safety are looked at more now than ever before. Employees still have short memories though. We need to get over this. The reality of the world we live in is that there are still bad people out “there.” All people need to continue to be diligent and look for the next threat to us each as a person, organization, and country. Be it a theft of a laptop from your briefcase or office (by the way, there are 600,000 stolen each year), a “threat” to your company, or a terrorist attack. We can all do our part to make this a better place to live and work by looking out for each other. My thought for the day… “Be Vigilant.”
God Bless America
Adam
I hit the mall today with my lovely wife Kelly and our daughter. We did some shopping, went by Nordstrom and a hand full of other stores today, then I got to stop and watch. After all, what’s more fun than sitting in a busy shopping mall and watching people? While my family shopped, I learned.
Here’s what I focused on today: How many people actually knew what was going on past the text messaging device they were tapping on as they walked around?
The answer: Not enough. In fact, I had to wonder why these people had to walk and text at the same time. I’m not sure. For the sake of this post, I’ll call it efficiency. They are very efficient shoppers.
What I am sure of here is that they are only buying time before that causes them (or someone else) problems in some manner. People routinely get used to texting and doing whatever else they are involved in. It becomes second nature to pull out the wireless device and tap away to some person off in electronics land. The strange thing about this was that it didn’t only involve the younger generation, many different ages of people were involved in contributing to the “textosphere.” What’s this got to do with business? Let me explain…
Now don’t get me wrong, I text also. I also email, check and post on Facebook, and do whatever else my iPhone will let me do at the moment. BUT, I also realize the fact that I am involved in society at the time as well. There is a time and place for using the electronic gizmo and paying attention to what your are doing.
Back to my point…
We all should be concerned about this. Obviously society has chosen to label this activity a nuisance of some sorts and there is or has been legislation in nearly every corner of this great country to stop people from driving and doing this, but what else does it do to the participant?
Funny thing, as I was pondering this, a lady carrying a big bag of something or other tripped on an invisible speed-bump in front of me and almost planted her texting device in the concrete planter I was sitting next to. Strange how that happened. She was slightly embarrassed as she caught herself (without falling) and continued to walk/text.
Anyway, my point of this whole diatribe is that people are obviously programmed to believe that they CAN text and walk/text and talk/text and operate machinery, etc. They don’t recognize the danger in this. Not just the danger to them self, but the danger to others as well. Where does this leave all of us? I shutter to think of what the next great disaster will be as a result. This could be a personal disaster, a business disaster, or a disaster in society. Another crash of sorts? A failure of business infrastructure? Maybe nothing will ever happen, but the way things look, I’m not so sure.
As I concluded my discussion of my observations with Kelly, she pointed out to me the pack of teen girls walking through the lot tapping away. I had to go around them with my car. Luckily I wasn’t texting as well.
Be safe
Adam
The Future of HR Training and Corporate Loss Mitigation – in a blog
Welcome to the Red Folder Solutions Blog!
In an attempt to enhance distribution, I wanted to find a new way of providing direct contact to our friends in the Human Resources and Corporate Training world. This has to be it – through a regular blog. Please join me or one of our trainers here on a regular basis to enhance your liability reduction efforts and strengthen your organization through optimized teamwork, awareness, and confidence. We will discuss recent events and experiences and how they can help a business grow and strengthen. Our goal is to give you the ability to speak to a jury when you are involved in litigation and say “We at our company have gone above and beyond what is expected to ensure the safety of our staff, customers, and the public. We care, so we make the extra effort to show everyone that.”
It has been six short years since we started training business professionals how to stay safe on the job and sixteen long years since training Police Officers began. Many lives have been saved through our last program, SAFER (Safety Awareness For Every Realtor), which was distributed through RE/MAX International and the large, International Network of agents. SAFER lives on thanks to the dedication and hard work of the brokers in the RE/MAX system.
Now is the time for your businesses to take a good hard look at your internal training and support you provide to your employees.
Human Resources Trainers and Managers must understand that they hold the key to reducing both corporate liability in their organization as well as increasing employee productivity, retention, and morale through their training and support efforts. Once annual training is completed, it must be regularly augmented by available expert consultation and regular reminders. Please stop by here regularly to update your philosophies and training efforts through some fresh, new ideas. Please feel free to share your ideas as well. Let’s make this a great place to learn!
Please subscribe to our RSS feed and visit us at www.redfoldersolutions.com for further information. We can be contacted at contact@redfoldersolutions.com for any needs.
Stay Safe and Strong!
Adam Contos
