Even Management is Out of Touch With Economy

In my position, working in a call center where part of my compensation is selling my companies services and products, and also in trying to retain current customers, now is not the best time of the world. We service accounts in Florida, Indiana, North Carolina, and parts of the Las Vegas area. And with the rise in personal cell phone use, sometimes, the home phone is an expense that can be easily removed.

 

When I moved into my current position, I was pleased to hear that my supervisor had started out in the same position. It always makes employees happy to know that their manager had to rise through the ranks too. Yesterday, we had a team meeting where she pronounced that she used to always be at around 200% of her sales quota. 9 years ago.

 

My, times sure have changed!

 

With national unemployment at the wrong side of 10%, and housing values in Florida and Vegas tanking, selling home phone and internet service to people who may not even want a home phone isn't as easy as it used to be. Yes, we are able to offer stand-alone internet service now, but at a much higher price. Our TV partner is Dishnetwork, which has some great prices, but they do require you lock into a two year agreement. With many people facing uncertainty, not many people want to sign up for something with a hefty price tag if they have to remove it.

 

With the national economy struggling, it is unfair to compare today's selling abilities and quotas to those of a more prosperous economy.

Bud Lite commercials? not so funny any more....

Since I was a communications major during college, I enjoy a smart and funny commercial as much as the next advertising person. The Bud Lite "Tailgate Tested, Tailgate Approved" ads are smart, and ride on the coat-tails of Billy Mays. Even the blue shirt is a rip-off. The commercials originally featured a most unlike beer crowd. In the first commercial, there was an elderly Asian woman cheering on the host. Even the real, although bizarre, creations featured on the commercials are available to purchase on their website.

But the most recent installment is too much for me. Its the condiment gun. Brilliant creation. Bad commercial. The host first asks "Does anyone have trouble putting a condiment on? (The crowd laughs. Cut to female shaking her head at male to her side, who gives the dumb male look) I know I do."

It's not even related to football or beer, but to sex. I know, I know.... sex sales, blah blah blah. I could have gotten together a junior high boys and said here's a condiment gun, make up a commercial. I would have gotten the same results. I don't expect much from beer commercials, and no one should. But to stoop this low, is just idiotic and degrading.

Do I have to turn the TV off when commercials are launched at hope I turn it back on in time for the next play? Come on advertisers, you can do better than this.

My Review of "Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich"

It's difficult to write a simple review of a biography that actually encompasses someone's entire life from childhood to adulthood and death. It is a great book. But there is a lot more to it than simply saying this is a good book.

 

As a father, it shows how the relationship between Press and Pete could also be the same relationship between fathers and children today. Do we push our children too much in one direction to be something that we wanted to be? Do we overlook bad habits or bad behavior because their gifted at the one thing we want them to be good at? Of course we want the best for our children, but we should also look at the relationship between Press and Pete as an example of how to nurture the gifts in children.

 

As a NC State alum, I was amazed at the history of the Maravich family with the Wolfpack basketball program. I lived in Raleigh for 10 years, and I learned more from this book about NC State basketball history than I did when I lived in Raleigh. I wonder what NC State basketball would be like today if Press would have pushed his little disciple more in the classroom so he did qualify academically.

 

Much can be said about his difficulties in the NBA as well. It's obvious that Pete would have been more successful if he had played 10 years later during the NBA explosion brought on by the Magic/Bird rivalry. If Pistol had been on the Hawks during his prime with Dominique Wilkins, that would have been incredibly entertaining.

 

I think it's sad that his career ended so early. But yet, it's obvious that some blame rests on his own shoulders. His behavior off the court clearly made him unwelcome in NBA locker rooms to some extent. Ultimately, it was his knees that ended his career. If Press didn't push him so hard earlier in life, would his body have held up better?

 

Regardless of the speculation, "Pistol" is a very good read for people looking for a good biography and basketball fans alike.