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Archive for May, 2017

IF YOU CANNOT BEAT THEM, INSULT THEM

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 31, 2017

BRYCE ON POLITICS

– Has liberal humor gone too far?

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To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

When it comes to humor in America, the age of subtlety disappeared a long time ago. Now, it’s a matter of “in your face” comedy whereby innuendo has been replaced by shock. Desperate for laughs, comedians rely on bawdy vulgarities to entertain their audiences. This is particularly true today in political humor where people like CBS’s Stephen Colbert and HBO’s Bill Maher recently used vulgar sexual humor in reference to President Donald Trump.

The question becomes, have we gone too far? Are such jokes designed to really be entertaining or just plain vicious? I understand the concept of free speech, but I also understand what is in bad taste.

Years ago, comedian Soupy Sales was thrown off the air for kiddingly asking his young viewers to take the change off of their parent’s dressers and mail it to the station for the crew’s holiday vacation. The FCC and his station wasted little time suspending him. A vulgarity like what is commonly heard on television today would have ended an entertainer’s career back then. Not anymore.

The crude and vulgar humor of liberal comedians on television is the new norm, and the FCC is slow to reprimand such bad taste. They now say things about Mr. Trump nobody would dare say about Barack Obama without fear of retribution. Plain and simply, it is classless, devoid of good taste, and insolent. Even worse, it is not funny and represents a deterioration of our culture. Despicable behavior endears you to nobody other than your friends who think the same as you.

More importantly, it is not going unnoticed by independent voters who handed Mr. Trump the election last November. The Democrats are no longer a national party. Because of its liberal slant, it only appeals to bedrock liberals in New England, Miami, Chicago, western California, and Seattle. The Midwest, South, the northern industrial states, and the West are not amused by the liberal antics, and are more interested in seeing the country prosper economically and peacefully.

The obnoxious behavior of the liberal comedians stoke the flames of controversy and encourages others, such as protesters and anarchists, to take action. The result, we are no longer tolerant of the rights of others. Hence, liberal college students are emboldened to shout-down opposing opinions, or fire-bomb a building. Colbert and Maher may have hit a cord with their Democratic viewers but they are also encouraging them to be more antagonistic. It is this mindset which is going to ultimately cost the Democrats next year’s mid-term elections. Obnoxious zealots are less likely to win political jobs than people who appear to be cool under pressure.

This is going to be a hard lesson for Democrats to learn. Until such time as the liberals can temper their fanaticism and appeal to the masses, not just the coasts, they will continue their death spiral. Then we will see who is laughing.

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Listen to Tim’s interview on WWBA-AM.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  TALKING WITH YOUR HANDS – Do we do it to excess?

LAST TIME:  WISCONSIN’S “CAMPUS FREE SPEECH ACT”  – Get ready for another showdown.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

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WISCONSIN’S “CAMPUS FREE SPEECH ACT”

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 29, 2017

BRYCE ON POLITICS

– Get ready for another showdown.

Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

Since childhood, many of us have been taught the concept of freedom of expression as contained in the 1st Amendment of the Bill of Rights, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Congress may not be able to make such law, but the Left is using political correctness as leverage to prohibit the expression of anything other than Progressive dogma. Chastising and berating conservative speakers on college campuses has become commonplace. There is also a tendency for liberal professors to preach their ideology from the classroom podium, regardless of the subject they are charged to teach.

Historically, universities have been neutral grounds to discuss just about any subject, but not so recently where conservative speakers are often shouted down and threatened by liberal agitators. Such censorship was simply unimaginable not long ago. A lot of this is based on the liberal inclination of the universities themselves which are overwhelmingly run by Democrats. A recent study published in the “Econ Journal Watch” (Sep 2016) reported on the number of Democrats and Republicans of faculties of the top 40-rated universities in the country. According to the study, Democrats enjoy a 11.5:1 ratio (115%) over Republicans. The study also revealed that 66 of 170 departments surveyed had no Republican faculty members whatsoever (39%). Consequently, the inclination of liberal doctrine on campus isn’t much of a surprise.

In response to the hostilities of the Left, Wisconsin Republicans have introduced the “Campus Free Speech Act” which is aimed at imposing disciplinary penalties on those thwarting free speech on campus, primarily shout-downs. It also requires that entering Freshmen are made aware of their free speech rights and the sanctions for violating them. One area it overlooks unfortunately, is professors editorializing in the classroom. Under the Wisconsin plan, professors and students can carry on a political dialog during class time, even if it wasn’t included in the course syllabus.

Opponents to the legislation claim any speech deemed offensive or hateful should be barred. This, of course, requires an interpretation of what is offensive or hateful.

In making his argument for the bill, Representative Jesse Kremer, one of the authors, quoted a 1949 Supreme Court decision regarding free speech:

“The function of free speech under our system of government is to invite dispute. It may indeed best serve its high purpose when it induces a condition of unrest, creates dissatisfaction with conditions as they are, or even stirs people to anger.”

This is precisely how the concept of free speech was taught to me, even in grade school. However, this is not how the radical Left wants it, particularly in Wisconsin, a state well known for union and agitator organizers who tried unsuccessfully to unseat Republican Governor Scott Walker. Instead, they want to suppress any talk not in line with their agenda.

Knowing of our first amendment right, it is difficult to believe such legislation is needed in this day and age, but because the radical left is bent on opposing any viewpoint other than their own, it was inevitable.

Keep your eye on Wisconsin. Look for the Left to bitterly fight passage of this bill. However, if it successfully passes, look for the same bill to appear on the docket in many more states. If it passes, the Left will likely test it in the courts, claiming it somehow violates the 1st Amendment. They would much rather use political correctness to shape public opinion than to be restrained by some regulation.

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  IF YOU CANNOT BEAT THEM, INSULT THEM – Has liberal humor gone too far?

LAST TIME:  ARE AWARDS REALLY IMPORTANT?  – or is it your job performance?

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

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ARE AWARDS REALLY IMPORTANT?

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 26, 2017

BRYCE ON LIFE

– or is it your job performance?

Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

I recently snuck away for a little fly fishing in North Carolina with a couple of friends who happen to be illustrators, very respectable ones I might add. One is a personal friend I have known for many years and although we have different professional backgrounds, we inevitably talk about business. The art industry is a highly competitive field, probably because colleges have been churning out a glut of artists, illustrators, and graphic designers over the years. Compounding the problem is the computer which greatly leverages the ability of even the most mediocre talent. Frankly though, companies do not care whether a piece of artwork was created by hand or with computer assistance. They just want a graphic which will enhance an article, a magazine, a book, or whatever. This means the graphics business is not just competitive, but fiercely so.

Within the art world, there is a multitude of awards for excellence at the local, regional, and national levels, even some international awards. All are considered prestigious to a certain degree, some more than others, and artists and illustrators regularly enter their work in hopes of gaining some recognition. In particular, young people crave such awards in the hopes it will boost their career and look good on a resume. As my illustrator friends were quick to point out, such awards may be useful for stroking one’s ego, but they certainly do not put food on the table. Consequently, it is not uncommon for winners of such awards to bypass award presentations as they are more focused on their next job.

You typically find more awards in the arts as opposed to the sciences, even though they have their fair share as well. Instead, sciences rely more on certifications denoting a person is properly skilled to perform a certain task. Whereas, awards stroke the ego, certificates offer prima facie evidence of your qualifications. It means you have passed certain tests of workmanship.

As my friends correctly pointed out, your job performance is more important than any award you can win. The applause of your customers is much more important than winning the esteem of your critics and contemporaries. Satisfied customers represent repetitive business and a more consistent cash flow. They also make better references than any award.

If you find yourself being squeezed between working on a billable job and winning an award, don’t think twice about it, take the money and run. Your work is much more important than any award.

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  WISCONSIN’S “CAMPUS FREE SPEECH ACT” – Get ready for another showdown.

LAST TIME:  GETTING FIRED  – What to learn from the experience.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

Posted in Life | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

GETTING FIRED

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 24, 2017

BRYCE ON MANAGEMENT

– What to learn from the experience.

Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

People get fired from their jobs for a lot of reasons, such as a company struggling in today’s economy, poor job performance, corporate politics, or even petty jealousies. Being fired is a real shot to the ego regardless of the reason. The first question one asks is, “Why?” Unfortunately, we don’t always get the answer, maybe because companies are afraid of possible litigation resulting from the dismissal or they believe they are trying to let the worker down easily. Consequently, employees are dumbfounded as to why they were fired or are left with a fabricated excuse, which, to me, can be more damaging than the actual firing itself.

Years ago, my father had to fire someone who had risen above his level of competency (aka “The Peter Principle”). He pulled the man aside, explained what he had done wrong and let him go. Years later, my father bumped into the man who was now working at another company. My father wasn’t sure how the man would react to their meeting. Actually, the man was quite warm to my father and confided to him that getting fired was the best thing that happened to him as he realized he was on a collision course with disaster in his old job and my father’s advice helped point him in the right direction. In other words, the firing had ultimately benefited the man in the long run and proved the point that keeping a poor performer does a disservice to both the company and the person.

Aside from economic downturns, employees typically get fired for a variety of reasons: incompetence, inability to grow and assume responsibility, failure to adapt to the corporate culture, excessive tardiness and absenteeism, bad attitude towards work, illegal acts, etc. In this situation, it is about you, the employee, and highlights a character flaw you may or may not be conscious of. In this situation, you should resist the temptation to become bitter, and try to learn from it instead. It must be something you have done (or not done), or the perception of what you have done. Either way, try to find the truth. If it is something concrete, that’s easy, but if it is a problem of perception, try to determine what the cause of the perception is and try to correct it. For example, maybe you were the victim of gossip or something misreported. Then again, maybe there is something in your character that causes people to perceive you as something that you are not. In other words, it’s time for some retrospection and soul searching. Regardless, do not dismiss the firing as just the ravings of a nut job. Remember, it is either something you have done, or the perception of what you have done.

This is why I’m a big believer of regularly scheduled employee performance reviews, which many people avoid as they feel uncomfortable talking about a person’s character. These reviews should not be taken lightly by either the manager or the employee. They are invaluable for pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the employee, clearing up misconceptions, and formulating a course of action to improve the employee. Some companies have a policy of performing such a review 30 days from the first day of work, others wait 60 or 90 days. They are then reviewed either on an annual or semiannual basis. The point is, don’t take your evaluation lightly, try to understand what the manager is telling you and ask questions. Otherwise you might find yourself totally surprised when the boss fires you.

Hopefully, the person doing the firing will do it professionally. I have seen too many people stumble clumsily through it thereby turning it into an ugly affair, benefiting no one. This is why I wrote the paper “Firing Employees isn’t for Sissies” some time ago.

Bottom-line: Don’t be bitter about firings and reviews. You might not like them, but you should definitely learn from them.

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  ARE AWARDS REALLY IMPORTANT? – or is it your job performance?

LAST TIME:  TRUMP’S “BIG AGENDA” (Book Review)  – Trump was vilified like no other presidential candidate in history, yet he still defeated the Democrats.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

Posted in Business, Life, Management | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

TRUMP’S “BIG AGENDA” (Book Review)

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 22, 2017

BRYCE ON POLITICS

– Trump was vilified like no other presidential candidate in history, yet he still defeated the Democrats.

Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

David Horowitz’ new book, “BIG AGENDA – President Trump’s Plan to Save America,” has been receiving good reviews and is a bestseller on the New York Times list. In it, he outlines President Trump’s plans to take back the country and reverse the Progressive agenda as put forth by President Obama, the Clintons, Senator Bernie Sanders, et al. From the outset, Horowitz makes it clear the country is at war with itself, something many of us have long known, but others should study, particularly Republicans.

The author begins by discussing the tactics of the Left, which is ultimately based on the work of Saul Alinsky, the famed community organizer and mentor to Obama, Clinton, and many others. Alinsky’s approach is less about frontal warfare and more designed to undermine the status quo by capturing the minds of the masses. The Progressives genuinely believe they are on a noble mission on the same scale as a religious movement, hence their zealous ferver. They believe they know what is best for America and will not be deterred. Consequently, no lie or wrongdoing is too great as long as the end justifies the means.

The Left portrays Republicans as unfit to lead the country. This comes from the Alinsky playbook whereby the best way to undermine your opposition is to vilify them. Calling people “racist” or any other deplorable moniker is an an attempt to make them social outcasts and enemies of the state. In reality, Progressives are the real party of hate as they try to prohibit free thinking and free speech using bullying tactics.

Democrats do not accept the Constitution as it is viewed as an impediment to their agenda of social change. For example, they do not want a Supreme Court to interpret the Constitution, but implement social justice instead. This was obvious during the presidential debates and recent Judge Gorsuch confirmation hearings. Their Achilles’ heel is their sense of morality; e.g., they do not believe in the rule of law as it pertains to illegal immigrants.

The Left is aided by the media and academia which is overwhelmingly Democrat and influencing the masses, particularly our youth. Congressional Democrats have implemented a stalling tactic in hopes the country will elect a new Congress controlled by the Democrats, and anarchists funded by Democratic causes stay in the media’s eye to protest anything violating their agenda. Such chaos could very well backfire on them come time for next year’s mid-term elections as independent voters grow weary of the Left’s whining.

With all this in mind, Horowitz makes an important point: Donald Trump was vilified like no other presidential candidate in history, yet he still defeated the Democrats. This shocked the Republicans as much as it did the Democrats. For example, Mr. Trump was the first nominee who had the audacity to stand up to Hillary Clinton, a woman no less, and called her a liar and crook during the debates. Republicans let out a gasp of disbelief, as this had never been done before, even by Mitt Romney who had the chance to call out Barack Obama during the 2012 debates, but failed to do so. Trump’s outspokenness resonated with Americans who were tired of “business as usual” in Washington. It also provided an important lesson; the Democrats must be put on the defensive. The Republicans need to learn how to be tough, a strong lesson Trump gave to a bewildered set of GOP Presidential candidates. He taught us it is time to be strong and fight back.

Towards the end of his book, Horowitz finally gets around to describing his vision of Trump’s battle plan, particularly in the first 100 days of his administration. Interestingly, most of the items listed have been addressed by the President. There are some points that were not implemented but will likely be considered shortly, such as relocating America’s Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Infrastructure spending, and attacking the past indiscretions of the IRS, but there is still considerable time remaining to do so.

Horowitz also stresses the importance of offering a new deal to Black America in the inner cities, who have suffered for decades under the rule of the Democrats. If Trump can improve education, clean up crime, and create jobs for the inner cities, this will be welcomed by Black Americans, an important voting block for the Democrats. This is why the mayors of Democrat-controlled cities are fighting Trump over such things as Sanctuary Cities and school voucher programs.

As I said, Horowitz’ book will be an epiphany for those who haven’t been paying attention to the political landscape over the last ten years, but it is common sense for the rest of us. All Republicans should read it for the battle-cry it represents. High school and college students should also study it to understand both sides of the two political ideologues. Yes, this is war, yet some Republicans naively believe it is nothing more than simple politics. As Horowitz points out, we have gone well beyond simple politics, this is a fight for the fundamental character of America, our morality, our sense of right and wrong. A war where one side embraces the morality and governing principles of our founding fathers, and another determined to set us on a different path. One side believing in capitalism, another in the redistribution of wealth a la socialism. One aimed at improving the gross domestic product, and the other nothing more than a rearrangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic.

The book spells out a “take no prisoner” approach to fighting the Left and saving the country. Basically, Horowitz is admonishing Republicans to reverse the tables and do unto Democrats what they have been doing all along to the GOP.

“BIG AGENDA – President Trump’s Plan to Save America” – David HorowitzHumanix Books
http://www.humanixbooks.com/bigagenda.html
ISBN 978-1-63006-087-9 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-63006-088-6 (E-book).
188 pages

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  GETTING FIRED – What to learn from the experience.

LAST TIME:  THE 99% COMPLETE SYNDROME  – You’re probably measuring the wrong thing if you keep asking for this figure.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

Posted in Politics | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

THE 99% COMPLETE SYNDROME

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 19, 2017

BRYCE ON MANAGEMENT

– You’re probably measuring the wrong thing if you keep asking for this figure.

Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

It is an undocumented fact that the last 1% of anything takes longer than the other 99%. There are plenty of examples to support this argument, perhaps none quite as visible as the progress bars we see on computers. You know, those little bars telling you how you are progressing in the installation of software or the execution of a program. More often than not, such progress bars seem to race through the first 99% like a blazing track star, yet when we get to that last 1% it seems to slow down to a snail’s pace.

I have also witnessed this same phenomenon in project management situations. As we were building our office in Florida our contractor proudly proclaimed he was 99% complete and we should prepare ourselves to move in. Interestingly, that last 1% dragged on for days, weeks, and even a few months, thereby delaying inspections and prohibiting our move.

In the Information Technology field, it is difficult to get a realistic picture of how much work remains on a project. Programmers love to announce they are 99% complete in writing their programs, but somehow that last 1% never seems to come to conclusion. Either something was wrong in the design of their software they hadn’t anticipated, something had changed, or gremlins had compounded their best efforts. Regardless, the project never ends.

This phenomenon is related to our perspective on work, specifically, “Is the glass half empty or half filled?” Instead of focusing on the work completed, people should be more concerned with the amount of effort remaining. For example, instead of asking about percentages, workers should be constantly evaluating the amount of effort required to complete remaining tasks in hours. Only after this is known should we consider the application of percentages, not before. Unfortunately, that is not the mindset in most project environments. Instead, people tend to consider the amount of work expended against the original estimate, not the remaining effort. This is certainly not a realistic or reliable way of reporting progress. It is pure fantasy.

Surprisingly, there are still quite a few project management packages allowing people to post percentages as opposed to automatically calculating it based on the estimate of hours remaining on project tasks which is simply ludicrous.

So, next time you hear someone claim they are 99% complete with something, it means they still have a long way to go and the person hasn’t got a clue when it will be completed, but it’s close…maybe. Ask yourself this, when was the last time you saw the final two minutes of a football game finish within 120 seconds? I’ve never seen it either.

“The last 1% of a project can take as long as the first 99%.” – Bryce’s Law

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  TRUMP’S “BIG AGENDA” (Book Review) – Trump was vilified like no other presidential candidate in history, yet he still defeated the Democrats.

LAST TIME:  WHAT WE LEARN IN SUPERMARKETS  – You can learn a lot from a supermarket, perhaps too much.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

Posted in Management | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

WHAT WE LEARN IN SUPERMARKETS

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 17, 2017

BRYCE ON LIFE

– You can learn a lot from a supermarket, perhaps too much.

Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

You can learn a lot from a supermarket. For example, if you want to know what a community is really like, visit the local supermarket. To me, it is a microcosm of the community, complete with local cuisine, customs, speech patterns, fashion, and social stature. It also tells us a lot about our driving skills. That’s right, driving. The similarities between how people push their shopping carts in the store and how they motor around town is truly remarkable. Think about it, here’s what you typically find as you meander the store aisles:

Speeders – these are the people who know exactly what they want, and go in and out of the store as fast as possible. They have little time for chitchat and God forbid you get in their way, WHAM! Actually, I like to follow the speeders through the store as they tend to clear the aisles for me (kind of like following an ambulance or fire truck). Most people are put off by speeders though, particularly when they accidentally ram into other shopping carts.

Slow Pokes – obviously this group represents the antithesis of the speeders. These are the people who either go grocery shopping like it is a carefree social outing or the geriatric types who can barely see above the carts. Then of course there are the people talking on cell phones or the handicap wheel chairs the size of a Sherman Tank. All of these people move at a snail’s pace and are totally oblivious to everyone else around them thereby causing traffic jams.

Road Hogs – these are the people who push their carts down the middle of the aisles making it difficult to pass from either direction, left or right. These are the same people who like to double-park their carts in the most congested parts of the store and look offended if you ask them to move (which, of course, they do reluctantly).

Navigation through the supermarket is probably the biggest reason why people loathe going to them. Perhaps if they were designed more like highways it would be simpler, such as turning lanes, traffic signs, and lines painted down the middle of the aisle floors (actually, I think this would be a great idea as people are conditioned to follow painted lines on the road and would probably observe one side or the other).

Thank God nobody ever thought of adding a horn to a grocery cart as I suspect the sound would be deafening. Maybe what we need is a motorcycle cop driving a two wheel Segway up and down the aisles writing tickets or traffic cops strategically located around the store.

Actually, I think they should give driving tests in supermarkets as a precursor to getting your actual driver’s license. Imagine kiosks in supermarkets like Kroger, Publix, and Safeway where you have to complete a written test and then be evaluated by Troopers with drill-sergeant hats and reflective glasses with clipboards judging shoppers on their driving skills. This should significantly cut down on the number of idiots on the road wouldn’t it?

Yes, supermarkets tell a lot about ourselves, maybe too much.

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  WHAT WE LEARN IN SUPERMARKETS – You can learn a lot from a supermarket, perhaps too much.

LAST TIME:  WHAT CAUSES “THE STUPIDS”?  – With the masses, it’s all about crowd control.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

Posted in Life, Social Issues | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

WHAT CAUSES “THE STUPIDS”?

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 15, 2017

BRYCE ON LIFE

– With the masses, it’s all about crowd control.

Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

Shortly after graduating from high school I went to work at a large amusement park in Cincinnati for a summer where I ran the cable car ride. I had a lot of smaller jobs while in school, but this was the first where I was exposed to the public on a grand scale. The amusement park provided instructional materials to try and prepare employees in dealing with the public, but I don’t think anything truly prepares you for something like this other than to throw you right into it whereby you either sink or swim.

I have to admit, dealing with the masses for the first time is an eye-opening experience and definitely not for the faint of heart. The public’s indiscretions and atrocities are truly mind-numbing as anyone who has ever worked at such a venue can tell you. While at the park, I saw motorcycle gangs, groups of transvestites, drunk hillbillies, etc., but it was Orphan Day at the park that finally pushed me over the edge. Basically, the park opened its doors to every orphan in the state of Ohio which, to me, seemed like releasing all of the animals from the zoo. The kids basically ran amok throughout the park un-chaperoned. In addition to just being pests, they endangered others on the rides, and frequently injured themselves. As I recall, the log-flume ride had more than its share of chopped off fingers from kids who wouldn’t listen to instruction and keep their hands inside the ride. On more than one occasion they caused my cable-car ride to shut down by jumping up and down in the car during the ride. As an aside, seeing a cable car bounce up and down on a line like a pogo stick is a frightening sight. Bottom-line, Orphan Day was my last day of employment at the park.

Recently, I was asked to help out at a major community event in my area. This was not just another rinky-dink arts and crafts festival, but rather a major outdoor event involving thousands of people. The particular group I was involved with was charged with directing parking and securing the entrances and exits to the event. As the human throngs invaded, I started to experience flashbacks to my amusement park days. Instead of dealing with orphans, motorcycle gangs, etc., I was dealing with basic families and retirees. Interestingly, I discovered they suffered from the same case of “the stupids” as the whackos I had in Ohio, It thereby occurred to me that “the stupids” know no boundary and can be found just about anywhere involving large groups of people.

Here are the earmarks of people suffering from “the stupids” in massive venues:

* Sensory impairment, particularly sight and sound. It seems people cannot see the largest of signs, even when it is blinking in front of them. Further, they seem to become deaf when you are trying to give them instruction; either that or they seem to forget the English language and look at you like you are from another planet.

* People become self-centered. Instead of trying to cooperate and wait their turn, they are more interested in pushing and shoving to the head of the line. When you try to correct them, they become belligerent, regardless of how polite you try to be.

* People develop a herd mentality whereby they follow anyone wherever they are going, right or wrong, kind of like lemmings.

Basically, I find people tend to lose consciousness in mass settings and prefer to have others do the thinking for them. If I have learned anything from this, it is:

1. People have no common sense in massive settings and need to be told what to do, not just once but repetitively until it sinks in.

2. People prefer to be led and told what to do. They are more content if they know someone is watching over them.

3. People are easily manipulated using simple commands. If the message is complicated, the less likely they will understand and obey it. Short, simple commands are all that is necessary (and all that John Q. Public understands).

If this all sounds like a cattle drive, it is, complete with park attendants who play the role of cowboys. Next time you visit an amusement park or political rally, observe how the masses are manipulated and you will see what I’m talking about. Just be careful not to spook the herd though, you might start a stampede. This is why you often hear soothing music at such venues, as it tends to calm people down (like the cowboy’s harmonica).

“Get along little doggie!”

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  WHAT WE LEARN IN SUPERMARKETS – You can learn a lot from a supermarket, perhaps too much.

LAST TIME:  RESPECTING PRIVACY  – What to do about a loudmouth neighbor.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

Posted in Life, Social Issues | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

RESPECTING PRIVACY

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 12, 2017

BRYCE ON LIFE

– What to do about a loudmouth neighbor.

Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

When I first went to Japan, I found it fascinating how so many people could get along in a small amount of space. For example, if you take the subway in Tokyo during rush hour, you better not be claustrophobic, as people are jammed in with you any way they can. Fortunately, I’m tall enough where I can keep my head above the fray and get some fresh air, but down below are Japanese pushed into my navel (and just about everywhere else). Remarkably, as close as the quarters are on the subway, the Japanese try to respect the privacy of the people surrounding them. I’ve always admired the Japanese for this; quite simply, there is great respect for the concern of others. Because of the small amount of available space, I guess they really have no alternative.

Contrast this attitude though to the United States where we have a heck of a lot more space, but we still have areas where people live in close quarters, such as apartment buildings and condominium complexes. I recently had a reader complain to me about a neighbor in her apartment building who was causing a lot of trouble for the residents there, whereby he would be loud, knock on doors in the middle of the night to wake people up, and generally be an all-around nuisance. They tried to talk to him, but he disregarded their complaints and continues on his war path. My reader asked me what she should do about the situation.

First, you have to recognize you are dealing with someone who is either immature or socially dysfunctional, and such people can be dangerous as they have no concern for anyone else but themselves, the absolute antithesis of the Japanese culture. Second, find out the rules pertaining to your apartment complex as written and attached to the lease or contract, perhaps some governing documents. If such rules and regulations do not exist, look up local government ordinances. Next, register a written complaint with the proper authorities; in fact, get as many people as possible to sign the complaint with you which adds more credibility to your argument. Although you may want to take your complaint to your landlord, in all likelihood, he will not care. From his perspective, an obnoxious tenant that pays his rent on time is better than a quiet, empty apartment for lease. In other words, you will have to register your complaint with law enforcement officials.

When your complaint is officially registered and the person is notified, he will either be forced to conform or may become more belligerent. Now is the time to keep a journal of any other incidents that may arise, including pictures or audio if pertinent. Hopefully, the situation will go away, but it may also erupt on a grander scale, whereby you end up in court or be forced to move yourself.

Such a situation is unimaginable in Japan. The neighbors would talk to the person who, in turn, would become embarrassed and comply in order to maintain harmony and not to lose face. However, in the “home of the free,” such a talk would only make the problem worse, not better.

There are of course other alternatives, such as a baseball bat persuader, or hire Nunzio “Three fingers” to have a little “chat” with the problem child, but it is probably best to try legal alternatives first. Then again, you could move to Japan, if you don’t mind being squashed into a subway car.

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  WHAT CAUSES “THE STUPIDS”? – With the masses, it’s all about crowd control.

LAST TIME:  CONFIDENCE IN PRESENTATION  – Getting the audience on your side.

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

Posted in Life, Social Issues | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

CONFIDENCE IN PRESENTATION

Posted by Tim Bryce on May 10, 2017

BRYCE ON COMMUNICATIONS

– Getting the audience on your side.

Click for AUDIO VERSION.
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

I had a young friend recently ask me for advice on a critical sales presentation he was getting ready to make. He had prepared a good graphical presentation on the computer, but was still a little squeamish about speaking in front of a group of people. Knowing I had been through this many times in my career, he asked for some advice. My first question to him was, “How well do you know your subject?”

He assured me he was supremely confident in his subject area, that he could answer any and all questions pertaining to it. I then replied that he had nothing to worry about as it is all about confidence. Quite often you hear people admonished to think of their audience without any clothes on. This is done to exert the speaker’s confidence and superiority over them. It’s not really necessary to think of your audience naked, unless they are all highly attractive people in which condition you will likely be distracted (as opposed to authoritative).

I advised my young friend, to remain confident and stay in control of the presentation. If you know the subject matter better than anyone else, as they should, go into the presentation with a little swagger, look people square in the eye, and almost dare them to ask you a question. A little intimidation can go a long way in demonstrating your confidence. More importantly though, I encourage speakers to interact with their audience. A pointed index finger can engage participation better than just asking, “Are there any questions?”

I frequently use the index finger not only to ask questions, particularly to those people who are half-awake, but to ask them, “Isn’t that right?” If there is disagreement, I want to get it out in the open and not let it simmer until later. More importantly, I am trying to get the audience on my side. Jokes and humor are useful for breaking the ice, but I want to recruit support for my argument, and this is primarily done by actively interacting with the audience. The index finger can be very powerful in this regard.

When I get nothing but blank stares after asking a question, I say something like this, “Look it is really quite simple, this means ‘Yes’ (shake head up-and-down), this means ‘No’ (shake head left-to-right), and this means ‘I haven’t got a clue what you are talking about’ (shake head diagonally).”

This is a good for breaking the ice and a clever way of warning the audience they will be asked to actively participate in the presentation (and they shouldn’t be caught napping).

I also advise speakers to dress for success. A good set of clothes not only is a sign of respect for the audience, it is an expression of your confidence and authority. The speaker should either dress better than his audience, or at least equal to them, but never worse.

I followed up with my young friend afterwards to see how his presentation had gone. He was pleased to inform me that all went well, that he had actively engaged the audience and got them on his side. In fact, he was quite pleased with his performance as well as his boss who was impressed by his swagger. More importantly, they got the sale.

This is why I am a big believer in encouraging more speech classes in school, starting in the elementary grades. Such training overcomes the intimidation of the audience and actually turns the tables. Giving an effective speech is much more than just the spoken word, or a slick graphical presentation, it is also the histrionics of delivering a speech. Just remember, your index finger is more powerful than a lot of people think. It means you are in charge.

Also published in The Huffington Post.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 40 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim’s columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2017 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

Also read Tim’s columns in the THE HUFFINGTON POST

NEXT UP:  RESPECTING PRIVACY – What to do about a loudmouth neighbor.

LAST TIME:  WHAT IS FAIR?  – Is it in the eye of the beholder?

Listen to Tim on WZIG-FM (104.1) in Palm Harbor,FL; KIT-AM (1280) in Yakima, Washington “The Morning News” with hosts Dave Ettl & Lance Tormey (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim’s channel on YouTube. Click for TIM’S LIBRARY OF AUDIO CLIPS.

 

Posted in Communications | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

 
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