A few years ago, I was exposed to an approach to work described as Lean while working for a large health care organization in Seattle. Lean is a framework used by companies in many industries to relentlessly pursue the ideal customer experience by eliminating waste in all of its forms. One of the neat things I like about Lean is the involvement of front-line people in examining their product/service through the eyes of their customer and my job is to help folks do those types of exercises/activities.
One of the Lean components I teach to folks is the concept of Waste and its 8 deadly forms. In health care, transportation, and other high-risk industries, Waste can truly be deadly, but you've probably experienced waste more frequently in your life at home, at work, or your involvement in some kind of organized group (fantasy football league, fraternity, club/social group). So what does waste look like? Well at my company we have a handy little acronym (DOWNTIME) to define waste in its 8 forms; I've tried to be somewhat brief in my descriptions:
Defects - producing incorrect, inaccurate work. You notice this when you ask for no relish on your hot dog and it comes coated in relish.
Overproduction - producing a service/deliverable before its requested by a customer. You notice this at the bakery when they're giving away free muffins at the end of the day that weren't needed/sold
Waiting - the easiest form of waste to identify. The customer is waiting for goods to be produced and/or service provided. You notice this when you're in line at the security checkpoint in the airport. Or when you're waiting for the cable installation guy to show up. And you notice this when you're waiting for your television program to come back from commercial (more on this later)
Not Using Talent/Overburdening Staff - this isn't as easy to see as a customer, but you know it as an employee. These are all of those ideas people have to deliver a better experience for their customer but aren't empowered to do anything about it. It also involves taxing the hell out of people's body (and mind), which is common in service industries where people are on their feet.
Transportation - this is another one that is pretty easy to see, but its the movement of people, information, or equipment. You notice this in the shoe store when they have to "go to the back" to get your pair of shoes to try on.
Inventory - excess piles of work that needs to be complete, information to be processed. Look in your inbox, I'm certain there are examples of work "in inventory" waiting for you to take action on it. (and don't feel bad, I do too)
Motion - unnecessary movement; this is often walking/bending/reaching/heavy lifting stuff that requires an employee to exert more effort than needed
Extra processing - this is putting more effort in to a task than is required to complete it. Its often seen when there's a "final check" or "review" before finalizing something. The thinking is if you do something right the first time, you can avoid those 'downstream' checks, reviews, etc. You've probably also got some kind of "workaround" either at work or home that may get your work/task complete but probably isn't the easiest way.
So you're probably wondering why the rant about waste? And how does Commercial Free Sports play a role?
When I was exposed to the concept of Waste, it made a whole lot of sense to me and helped put a finger on all of those things that drive me nuts as either an employee, a customer, or an objective observer. And these days, I'll often find myself daydreaming about how Lean thinking could be applied to some of the problems in completely different settings--education, athletics, politics (ick), social ills, etc; and I found myself thinking about waste as a customer experiencing the broadcast of an NFL Football game.
If you think about what it is you're looking for as a customer watching a game, its to see the two teams competing against each other. From a Lean standpoint, the value added activities are the plays on the field, and possibly the analysis of the action taking place. In professional football, that's 60 minutes with a few clock stoppages for things like the end of periods, incomplete passes, changes in possession, and penalties. So in my mind, the game should take about 80 - 90 minutes to watch.
But an avid viewers of sporting events (or any program for that matter) know that the time you spend on the couch is closer to 3 hours, meaning about half of that time is waste, non-value added activities. Most of that time is me flipping to other stations to see what else is on, but I had the idea last night during the Bears-Vikings game (I'll save commentary on the Bears for another day) that one of the big 4 sports leagues should experiment with a commercial free broadcast.
Think about it, rather than cutting to a commercial, wouldn't it be interesting if you had a brief interlude with a summary of team's performance on interesting statistics up to that point? Maybe a sideline reporter with an update on the sideline chatter? What about an interview with a fan or a vendor who embodies in the spirit of the home team? How about some of those 'experts' breaking down game film and sharing their insight/thought with us lay-people? Shoot, I'd even find it amusing if they had some kind of fantasy football analysis! ANY of these would be more valuable to me (as a consumer of football) than the 9,000 Subway commercials I've watched while waiting for teams to leave time outs.
I realize there are a whole bunch of financial reasons (advertisers) why we may never see this, but as things like Slingbox, DVRs, Tivo's become the standard those advertisers will need to find ways to get their product in front of people while meeting those people on their time. So why not have a "uniform/equipment report sponsored by UnderArmor" or a "first period data dive sponsored by Old Spice" rather than the mindless, annoying commercials that few folks are probably watching?
So if you know anyone who works with one of the major networks (or leagues), feel free to drop my idea in their suggestion box and you're free to take all of the credit for it. While you work on that, I'll watch the 93,000th Zales/Kay Jeweler commercial during tonight's bulls-sixers game.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Recent Updates, and the Job Series, Part Deux
Although my posts tend to be more of the upbeat, positive variety, it has been a challenging few weeks. Two weeks ago this evening, my Uncle Tango passed away--my father's brother. It was tough on all of us to see a great guy leave us way too early, and his funeral gave us all a chance to honor a great man and reflect on how important family is; in both good times and bad.
Uncle Tango had a great heart and a genuine passion for helping everyone who crossed his path. He and I spent many of our hours together talking about our beloved bears/bulls, our careers, and our travel odysseys. Fortunately, I had a chance to see Uncle T plenty since moving back to Chicago and he will always serve a reminder that I should keep my mind active and curious while helping those around me in some way, shape or form. Uncle Tango did those things better than most I know, and those are two ways I'd like to be described someday.
Where I seem to be doing most of my helping these days is at work. For those not keeping score at home, I'm working for a large clinical lab in Quality Management, where I work with the folks who do the testing (and their leaders) to deliver a positive experience for the patients (and docs) who rely on their work. In the simplest terms, I help teams get better at serving their customers.
I've been involved with this type of work for the past few years and I really enjoy it--I get to work on behalf of the voice of the patient to ensure they get what they need, and I also get to work with teams to examine their work and improve through the use of a framework called Lean. It can be challenging work at times, and things have been very busy of late as I acclimate myself to the intricate world of the laboratory, while figuring out how I can help the organization using Lean principles. Everyone I work with has been great, and I enjoy the work, its just taken a lot out of me over the past few weeks.
Speaking of work, I promised a three part series on Jobs, which brings us to Part II; the college and after years. It is Sunday night, and I am looking at a long week, so I'm only going to write about one of my college jobs. And frankly, I don't think you're going to find it interesting to read about me as a bus boy working in a restaurant.
For those not familiar with my academic transcript, High School was not a strength for me. I am frequently described by my mother as the kind of kid "with all the brains in the world who never applied himself." She's probably right to a degree--I think I could have probably figured out most of what it took to get good grades, but it wasn't important to me back then. So when I left high school for college I took a flier on a small school in Tampa; the University of Tampa.
I had been used to working, and when I arrived at UT I looked in to ways I could make a few extra bucks to pay for Ramen Noodles and the occasional concert ticket. I came across some fliers during "new student orientation" related to the radio station and figured what better way to make a few bucks than to play music and hear myself talk over the radio? I had my choice of shift, based on my musical preference (mine was Heavy Metal at the time) and ended up in the 9 - 11 slot on Sunday Night; broadcasting solo over the airwaves of the University of Tampa.
Before you get all excited looking for archival footage recorded by one of my fans, you have to realize there were more kids at my high school than the University of Tampa, my program aired on shortwave radio through the university (and cafeteria), and ABSOLUTELY NO ONE LISTENED TO IT. So I had plenty of fun with my two hours on the radio--I'd play some random Megadeth tunes, sprinkle in some Pantera, and have visions of the school loving what I was playing. And when I got done with listening to my own music, I'd pick up the phone and call people on the air for no reason. I'd call my buddies at other schools in the Midwest (who obviously weren't listening), my roommate, and anyone else to kill two hours of time. As you might expect, my radio career was short lived, but it was one of the funnier jobs I've had and I actually like the idea of being on the radio.
Uncle Tango had a great heart and a genuine passion for helping everyone who crossed his path. He and I spent many of our hours together talking about our beloved bears/bulls, our careers, and our travel odysseys. Fortunately, I had a chance to see Uncle T plenty since moving back to Chicago and he will always serve a reminder that I should keep my mind active and curious while helping those around me in some way, shape or form. Uncle Tango did those things better than most I know, and those are two ways I'd like to be described someday.
Where I seem to be doing most of my helping these days is at work. For those not keeping score at home, I'm working for a large clinical lab in Quality Management, where I work with the folks who do the testing (and their leaders) to deliver a positive experience for the patients (and docs) who rely on their work. In the simplest terms, I help teams get better at serving their customers.
I've been involved with this type of work for the past few years and I really enjoy it--I get to work on behalf of the voice of the patient to ensure they get what they need, and I also get to work with teams to examine their work and improve through the use of a framework called Lean. It can be challenging work at times, and things have been very busy of late as I acclimate myself to the intricate world of the laboratory, while figuring out how I can help the organization using Lean principles. Everyone I work with has been great, and I enjoy the work, its just taken a lot out of me over the past few weeks.
Speaking of work, I promised a three part series on Jobs, which brings us to Part II; the college and after years. It is Sunday night, and I am looking at a long week, so I'm only going to write about one of my college jobs. And frankly, I don't think you're going to find it interesting to read about me as a bus boy working in a restaurant.
For those not familiar with my academic transcript, High School was not a strength for me. I am frequently described by my mother as the kind of kid "with all the brains in the world who never applied himself." She's probably right to a degree--I think I could have probably figured out most of what it took to get good grades, but it wasn't important to me back then. So when I left high school for college I took a flier on a small school in Tampa; the University of Tampa.
I had been used to working, and when I arrived at UT I looked in to ways I could make a few extra bucks to pay for Ramen Noodles and the occasional concert ticket. I came across some fliers during "new student orientation" related to the radio station and figured what better way to make a few bucks than to play music and hear myself talk over the radio? I had my choice of shift, based on my musical preference (mine was Heavy Metal at the time) and ended up in the 9 - 11 slot on Sunday Night; broadcasting solo over the airwaves of the University of Tampa.
Before you get all excited looking for archival footage recorded by one of my fans, you have to realize there were more kids at my high school than the University of Tampa, my program aired on shortwave radio through the university (and cafeteria), and ABSOLUTELY NO ONE LISTENED TO IT. So I had plenty of fun with my two hours on the radio--I'd play some random Megadeth tunes, sprinkle in some Pantera, and have visions of the school loving what I was playing. And when I got done with listening to my own music, I'd pick up the phone and call people on the air for no reason. I'd call my buddies at other schools in the Midwest (who obviously weren't listening), my roommate, and anyone else to kill two hours of time. As you might expect, my radio career was short lived, but it was one of the funnier jobs I've had and I actually like the idea of being on the radio.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Jobs, Part I
One of the unique things about the job I began a few months ago is the amount of time I spend in the car. The service area of the company I work for spans from the far south suburbs of Chicago, all the way up to northern Wisconsin. And although most of my work is in northern Illinois and Southeast Wisconsin, I spend a ton of time in the car. Most of that time is spent listening to the blowhards spew their nonsense on Chicago sports talk radio (both hosts and callers), but when I've had enough of their dribble I'll turn my attention to other subjects.
Earlier today, I was thinking about my current job in light of all of the jobs I had before this one and what makes this current one unique from the others. In a nutshell, I was trying to piece together exactly how it became that I got to where I am today. Its really not that interesting of a story, but I found it semi-humorous when I thought back about all of the jobs, the bosses, the companies, and experiences I had prior to today. And after hearing from Mardy King (an alias for an amiga of Romeo Sierra) that my blog needs less sports content, I decided to give readers some insight into the jobs (both good and bad) throughout my life. I'll do it in parts, with the first installment a summary of my early work history and I'll try to provide some relevant insight into what I took from those experiences.
My first job ever was at Northmoor Country Club as a caddy at age 14. Northmoor is a private club that I only knew about because it was located across the street from my junior high school and very close to my parents' home. I wasn't particularly interested in golf, but heard they'd hire just about anyone as a caddy, and the job seemed reasonably easy. I don't recall much from the interview process, other than I was asked to caddy for the caddymaster to demonstrate my skill in raking traps, staying out of the way, and my understanding of etiquette.
Once I began the job, I was the lowest of the low on the caddy totem poll, which meant caddying for golfers that weren't exactly young, good at the game of golf, or remotely interesting to be around. I worked for a caddymaster with a handy little drug and gambling problem, but he was always nice to me and most of his funny business took place outside of my line of sight. And if it was going on, I was way too clueless to know what was going on.
Most of what I learned from that job still stays with me to this day; but those lessons are much more applicable on the golf course than the corporate world. I got hooked on the game of golf, developed some understanding of its rules, and how to follow direction from an adult that wasn't my mother or father. But that's about it.
The following summer, I decided to "take my caddying talents" to Lakeshore Country Club, also located near my parents' home. At Lakeshore, I had a bit of a sense for what I was getting in to, and was much more comfortable interacting with members, my boss, and other caddies. The caddymaster was an old, bitter guy but he liked me, and even acknowledged my service to the Lakeshore members by bestowing upon me the "Rookie Caddy of the Year" award. You won't find that in the "honors and achievements" section of my current resume, but I do remember being proud of that award. There were a few 'regular' members I caddied for who may have had a say in the outcome, but it was nice to get some form of recognition for a summer full of ass-kissing.
But despite the public praise, I hated the job. I grew tired of lugging around tons of weight and as a golfer it was painful to watch wealthy hacks make a mockery of a game that I wanted to be playing every waking minute of the summer. I used to have these fantasies of getting to the furthest hole from the club house, dropping the bags, and turning to the members and saying something like, "carry your own damn bags." But I never had the courage to do that, and that was probably the biggest lesson I took from that job: even if I didn't necessarily enjoy or like it, I owed it to my employer to put my best foot forward. And it also was nice to be recognized for putting a good effort in to something; which I try and remember whenever the tables are turned and I'm in the position where I'm the recipient of good service. It matters to the person who hears it, and I try to remember that as I go about my day (both at work and elsewhere).
After two summers baking in the sun, I knew it was time for me to move in to a more 'service' oriented business, and took a job at Lebo's Shoe Outlet as a sales associate. Luckily, Juliet Mike (a close friend) joined me in the quest to become the best 15 year old shoe salesmen this side of Lake Cook road. He and I spent most of our summer shooting baskets (there was a hoop in the store), organizing shoe displays, and helping the occasional customer pick out a new pair of shoes. I learned how to understand what a customer needs, how to sell them something they had very little interest in (Reebok Pumps?), and how to handle a timecard. Juliet Mike and I stuck it out for probably 9 months to a year, which in the world of a 16 year old kid is a lifetime.
My Lebo's experience also gave me some appreciation for having fun at work. Look, if you're going to spend your time there, you might as well laugh a little and have some fun along the way. And with that spirit, I moved on to health club where I was essentially paid to look after kids while their parents worked out. In addition to being around kids all day, I worked with another close friend (Charlie Sierra) and it was easily the most fun I've had in any job. I mean, what other job can you be paid to play dodgeball, do a bunch of arts and crafts, and generally goof around for the entire time you're there?
I think this job helped me be comfortable around little kids, and that experience has benefits that extend well beyond my professional life. Its not easy to entertain little kids, and although my brother and sister might not love some of the "Uncle Dan" influence, my experience at the club forced me to find creative ways to entertain kids. This job was also pivotal in the establishment of the Delta Whiskey Diaper Changing Policy, which is essentially "#1s are fine, #2s require intervention from a parent." The nice thing was, the health club supported this policy, so whenever we smelled a stinker we'd find the parent on the treadmill and have them come down to change it without a single wipey-dipe. I'm not certain that policy would hold up if I end up having kids of my own, but for the time being it has worked out OK for me. For parents or caregivers out there, I would NOT suggest implementation of this policy without first checking with your significant other.
Stay tuned for Part II, when we'll visit the jobs throughout college and my 20-something years....
Earlier today, I was thinking about my current job in light of all of the jobs I had before this one and what makes this current one unique from the others. In a nutshell, I was trying to piece together exactly how it became that I got to where I am today. Its really not that interesting of a story, but I found it semi-humorous when I thought back about all of the jobs, the bosses, the companies, and experiences I had prior to today. And after hearing from Mardy King (an alias for an amiga of Romeo Sierra) that my blog needs less sports content, I decided to give readers some insight into the jobs (both good and bad) throughout my life. I'll do it in parts, with the first installment a summary of my early work history and I'll try to provide some relevant insight into what I took from those experiences.
My first job ever was at Northmoor Country Club as a caddy at age 14. Northmoor is a private club that I only knew about because it was located across the street from my junior high school and very close to my parents' home. I wasn't particularly interested in golf, but heard they'd hire just about anyone as a caddy, and the job seemed reasonably easy. I don't recall much from the interview process, other than I was asked to caddy for the caddymaster to demonstrate my skill in raking traps, staying out of the way, and my understanding of etiquette.
Once I began the job, I was the lowest of the low on the caddy totem poll, which meant caddying for golfers that weren't exactly young, good at the game of golf, or remotely interesting to be around. I worked for a caddymaster with a handy little drug and gambling problem, but he was always nice to me and most of his funny business took place outside of my line of sight. And if it was going on, I was way too clueless to know what was going on.
Most of what I learned from that job still stays with me to this day; but those lessons are much more applicable on the golf course than the corporate world. I got hooked on the game of golf, developed some understanding of its rules, and how to follow direction from an adult that wasn't my mother or father. But that's about it.
The following summer, I decided to "take my caddying talents" to Lakeshore Country Club, also located near my parents' home. At Lakeshore, I had a bit of a sense for what I was getting in to, and was much more comfortable interacting with members, my boss, and other caddies. The caddymaster was an old, bitter guy but he liked me, and even acknowledged my service to the Lakeshore members by bestowing upon me the "Rookie Caddy of the Year" award. You won't find that in the "honors and achievements" section of my current resume, but I do remember being proud of that award. There were a few 'regular' members I caddied for who may have had a say in the outcome, but it was nice to get some form of recognition for a summer full of ass-kissing.
But despite the public praise, I hated the job. I grew tired of lugging around tons of weight and as a golfer it was painful to watch wealthy hacks make a mockery of a game that I wanted to be playing every waking minute of the summer. I used to have these fantasies of getting to the furthest hole from the club house, dropping the bags, and turning to the members and saying something like, "carry your own damn bags." But I never had the courage to do that, and that was probably the biggest lesson I took from that job: even if I didn't necessarily enjoy or like it, I owed it to my employer to put my best foot forward. And it also was nice to be recognized for putting a good effort in to something; which I try and remember whenever the tables are turned and I'm in the position where I'm the recipient of good service. It matters to the person who hears it, and I try to remember that as I go about my day (both at work and elsewhere).
After two summers baking in the sun, I knew it was time for me to move in to a more 'service' oriented business, and took a job at Lebo's Shoe Outlet as a sales associate. Luckily, Juliet Mike (a close friend) joined me in the quest to become the best 15 year old shoe salesmen this side of Lake Cook road. He and I spent most of our summer shooting baskets (there was a hoop in the store), organizing shoe displays, and helping the occasional customer pick out a new pair of shoes. I learned how to understand what a customer needs, how to sell them something they had very little interest in (Reebok Pumps?), and how to handle a timecard. Juliet Mike and I stuck it out for probably 9 months to a year, which in the world of a 16 year old kid is a lifetime.
My Lebo's experience also gave me some appreciation for having fun at work. Look, if you're going to spend your time there, you might as well laugh a little and have some fun along the way. And with that spirit, I moved on to health club where I was essentially paid to look after kids while their parents worked out. In addition to being around kids all day, I worked with another close friend (Charlie Sierra) and it was easily the most fun I've had in any job. I mean, what other job can you be paid to play dodgeball, do a bunch of arts and crafts, and generally goof around for the entire time you're there?
I think this job helped me be comfortable around little kids, and that experience has benefits that extend well beyond my professional life. Its not easy to entertain little kids, and although my brother and sister might not love some of the "Uncle Dan" influence, my experience at the club forced me to find creative ways to entertain kids. This job was also pivotal in the establishment of the Delta Whiskey Diaper Changing Policy, which is essentially "#1s are fine, #2s require intervention from a parent." The nice thing was, the health club supported this policy, so whenever we smelled a stinker we'd find the parent on the treadmill and have them come down to change it without a single wipey-dipe. I'm not certain that policy would hold up if I end up having kids of my own, but for the time being it has worked out OK for me. For parents or caregivers out there, I would NOT suggest implementation of this policy without first checking with your significant other.
Stay tuned for Part II, when we'll visit the jobs throughout college and my 20-something years....
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Delta Whiskey's Season Preview
I'm a busy man these days. In addition to beginning a new job, I'm finding myself busy outside of work as well. There's been tons of blog columns I've wanted to write, but every time I thought I'd get to it, I've ended up occupying my time elsewhere. But one of those ideas I'd had was an NBA Season Preview, so I'm holding myself to at least pulling this together. Whether I get to topics of greater substance (relationships, work, politics, etc.) remains to be seen. Perhaps 2011 will be the year I get back in to a consistent effort with the site and writing.
But enough about me, its time to talk about my favorite topic: the NBA. For those who know me, basketball has played a pretty pivotal part of my life. From a kid playing Small Fry Basketball, to my feigned attempt at organized hoops in high school, and on to my days as a coach in my adult years, basketball has always been part of the Delta Whiskey equation.
And as a kid with a dad who invested his heart and wallet in the Bulls, the NBA has meant something within my family life that goes far beyond NBA titles, scoring championships, or anything that takes place on the court. My dad and I have probably attended more than 200 games together in the 29 years he's had his tickets. His loyalty is unquestioned, and I could write a column a day about the circumstances that surrounded some of the games he and I attended together.
So whenever the NBA season begins, my level of excitement rises just a bit. No matter how bad (or good) the Bulls are expected to be, I'm a fan of the NBA and get excited that basketball is back in my life. And with a summer full of headlines, drama, and discussion, this NBA promises to be exciting. For the NBA/basketball fan, I hope some of what I write you'll find interesting. For non-NBA fans, amuse me and read on.
NBA 2010 - 2011: The Year of Transition
I've watched players in Bulls uniforms (technically warmups) lolly gag through layup lines before a game, and usually I'll pick out a guy or two on the roster I could do without. For Bulls fans, these are guys like Eddie Robinson, Eddy Curry, Tyrus Thomas, and even Jalen Rose towards the end of his time as a bull. I'd describe these as "Guys who seem like they'd rather be somewhere else."
So at a recent preseason game I attended with Romeo Sierra, I looked at the 2010 - 2011 Bulls and could not identify one of these types. I even made a point of turning to her and saying, "I can't find a guy I don't like." So you could describe my demeanor as upbeat heading in to a year that I'm calling "the year of transition." The Bulls will be a team that won't win the NBA title, but they've got the pieces in place to get them well on their way.
Guys I'm watching like a hawk:
Derrick Rose - the fan and family favorite, D-Rose has a little pep in his step coming in to this year and its great to see. Since entering the NBA, he's been a humble stud. The kind of guy that won't show up his opponent, disrespect a coach, or blab in an officials ear excessively. Its really hard to watch him play and not like him, and I'm excited to see what he looks like after spending the summer with a bunch of young studs, a great coach (Coach K), and a chance to win a title. He's going to do a few things every night that have you asking, "Did he really just do that?" and the transition I see on D-Rose's horizon is his role as a vocal leader on the floor. One of the great things you see from the studs (MJ, Kobe, Duncan, etc.) is their ability to coach their teammates on the floor. It'll take some time, but D-Rose needs that kind of presence for him to be one of the great ones.
Joakim Noah - the favorite of Romeo Sierra, Noah is the kind of guy you'd love to coach. He'll do anything you ask him to, he'll work his ass off to get better, and he'll bring passion and energy to everything he does. That energy may seem like a non-variable for many of you, but think about your workplace. Do the people who get things done tend to be belligerent, lazy, or bored? Of course they don't, and the Bulls feed off his energy and willingness to do the little things. He sets great screens and will play a huge part in freeing up space for D-Rose on the offensive end, but he'll need to develop the 8 - 12 foot jump shot for teams to stay honest. And with a shot that makes Bill Cartwright's look like a thing of beauty, the jumper may be a stretch. So his transition will take place on the Offensive End, because on the defensive end I don't think there's a guy he can't defend.
Kyle Korver - of the new additions this summer, Korver is one I'm very excited about. Every team needs a gunner who can keep a defense honest, and its been a while since the Bulls have had the right shooter at the right time. There have been some great shooters in recent years (Ben Gordon) but there haven't been other pieces on the floor to free up these shooters to shoot without a hand in their face, in the location on the floor they're most comfortable shooting from. With Korver, there's now a very tricky balance teams are going to have to strike with helping to prevent D-Rose's penetration and staying at home with Korver. If you leave D-Rose to go 1 on 1, he'll beat whoever is guarding him 8 times out of 10. If you come to help D-Rose, you'll leave Korver open to drain 3's all day from the spot he likes. He's not going to wow anyone on defense, but that's why he won't start. He'll be a great guy to have off the bench, but I worry about his health. As for his transition, he's just got to stay out of trouble and keep his wits about him while living up on the North Shore.
Tom Thibadeau - there's a bunch of friends I text during significant bulls/NBA games. In the old days, I'd call my dad to chat about a big game, but with the advent of text messaging I'm able to keep multiple conversations going with people from all over the country. As it became clear that Thibadeau was to be the next bulls coach, I remember texting some of my hoops friends about how crazy TT seemed to be as an assistant coach for the Celtics. I have never seen an assistant, stand and coach literally EVERY DEFENSIVE possession. So its obvious he has a passion for defense, and his teams in Boston were able to defend well once they had the right parts. There are many similar parts here in Chicago, so we'll see if he's able to bring that same discipline to the Bulls. For Tommy T, its a year of transition. His first year as the head of the staff, the team, and the public figure Chicago will want to be charismatic. He's also got a reputation as a data fiend and film studier. So the transition in his world is balancing all of this. Speaking for myself, its not easy to step in to a new role where you're asked to do more, quicker, faster, and successful. But good thinkers figure out a way to make it work, and I'm confident he'll be able to take the bulls from a 'good' team to a 'great' team.
Predictions:
I've often wanted to predict what I think would happen on record, mainly to see how well I'm able to predict a series of events that would be impossible to accurately calculate. But somehow, I like to think that years of watching basketball has made me somewhat knowledgeable about things, so I'm putting my reputation on the line. And I've asked some friends to join me as well, although they'll be keeping their responses with an Alias of their choice. Only I'll know who folks predicted, and maybe this will help me know who among my friends is the best to help me predict a whole bunch of other things. I'm only predicting 3 things, and that's all I'm asking of my audience and/or those I've asked. Keep in mind, this isn't what I WANT to happen, just the way I see it....and I'll assume the same is true for everyone else.
Delta Whiskey (yours truly):
Bulls Wins: 52
NBA Champ: Heat (ick)
MVP: Kevin Durant
Roger Daltrey:
Bulls Wins: 45
NBA Champ: Lakers
MVP: Kobe
Roger Daltrey's Oldest Son
Bulls wins: 49
NBA Champ: Celts
MVP: Kobe
Roger Daltrey's 2nd Son
Bulls wins: 49
NBA Champs: Lakers
MVP: Kobe
Romeo Sierra (Delta Whiskey's better half)
Bulls wins: 43
NBA Champ: Lakers
MVP: Derrick Rose (love the optimism)
Bravo Kilo (partner in crime as a coach of Small Fry Basketball, biggest bulls fan I know outside of me)
Bulls wins: 49
NBA Champ: Rockets (ballsy, but I like it)
MVP: Kevin Durant
Sierra Echo (partner in crime on Pat Barker's Freshman Basketball Team)
Bulls wins: 47
NBA Champ: Magic
MVP: Dwight Howard
Charlie Sierra (longtime bulls fan and season ticket holder, played some EPIC 2 on 2 games in our 20s)
Bulls wins: 49
NBA Champ: Lakers
MVP: Dwight Howard
Bravo Whiskey (my dad)
Bulls wins: 47 (he actually gave me two number 46 and 48 so I'm splitting the difference)
NBA Champ: Lakers
MVP: Dwight Howard
But enough about me, its time to talk about my favorite topic: the NBA. For those who know me, basketball has played a pretty pivotal part of my life. From a kid playing Small Fry Basketball, to my feigned attempt at organized hoops in high school, and on to my days as a coach in my adult years, basketball has always been part of the Delta Whiskey equation.
And as a kid with a dad who invested his heart and wallet in the Bulls, the NBA has meant something within my family life that goes far beyond NBA titles, scoring championships, or anything that takes place on the court. My dad and I have probably attended more than 200 games together in the 29 years he's had his tickets. His loyalty is unquestioned, and I could write a column a day about the circumstances that surrounded some of the games he and I attended together.
So whenever the NBA season begins, my level of excitement rises just a bit. No matter how bad (or good) the Bulls are expected to be, I'm a fan of the NBA and get excited that basketball is back in my life. And with a summer full of headlines, drama, and discussion, this NBA promises to be exciting. For the NBA/basketball fan, I hope some of what I write you'll find interesting. For non-NBA fans, amuse me and read on.
NBA 2010 - 2011: The Year of Transition
I've watched players in Bulls uniforms (technically warmups) lolly gag through layup lines before a game, and usually I'll pick out a guy or two on the roster I could do without. For Bulls fans, these are guys like Eddie Robinson, Eddy Curry, Tyrus Thomas, and even Jalen Rose towards the end of his time as a bull. I'd describe these as "Guys who seem like they'd rather be somewhere else."
So at a recent preseason game I attended with Romeo Sierra, I looked at the 2010 - 2011 Bulls and could not identify one of these types. I even made a point of turning to her and saying, "I can't find a guy I don't like." So you could describe my demeanor as upbeat heading in to a year that I'm calling "the year of transition." The Bulls will be a team that won't win the NBA title, but they've got the pieces in place to get them well on their way.
Guys I'm watching like a hawk:
Derrick Rose - the fan and family favorite, D-Rose has a little pep in his step coming in to this year and its great to see. Since entering the NBA, he's been a humble stud. The kind of guy that won't show up his opponent, disrespect a coach, or blab in an officials ear excessively. Its really hard to watch him play and not like him, and I'm excited to see what he looks like after spending the summer with a bunch of young studs, a great coach (Coach K), and a chance to win a title. He's going to do a few things every night that have you asking, "Did he really just do that?" and the transition I see on D-Rose's horizon is his role as a vocal leader on the floor. One of the great things you see from the studs (MJ, Kobe, Duncan, etc.) is their ability to coach their teammates on the floor. It'll take some time, but D-Rose needs that kind of presence for him to be one of the great ones.
Joakim Noah - the favorite of Romeo Sierra, Noah is the kind of guy you'd love to coach. He'll do anything you ask him to, he'll work his ass off to get better, and he'll bring passion and energy to everything he does. That energy may seem like a non-variable for many of you, but think about your workplace. Do the people who get things done tend to be belligerent, lazy, or bored? Of course they don't, and the Bulls feed off his energy and willingness to do the little things. He sets great screens and will play a huge part in freeing up space for D-Rose on the offensive end, but he'll need to develop the 8 - 12 foot jump shot for teams to stay honest. And with a shot that makes Bill Cartwright's look like a thing of beauty, the jumper may be a stretch. So his transition will take place on the Offensive End, because on the defensive end I don't think there's a guy he can't defend.
Kyle Korver - of the new additions this summer, Korver is one I'm very excited about. Every team needs a gunner who can keep a defense honest, and its been a while since the Bulls have had the right shooter at the right time. There have been some great shooters in recent years (Ben Gordon) but there haven't been other pieces on the floor to free up these shooters to shoot without a hand in their face, in the location on the floor they're most comfortable shooting from. With Korver, there's now a very tricky balance teams are going to have to strike with helping to prevent D-Rose's penetration and staying at home with Korver. If you leave D-Rose to go 1 on 1, he'll beat whoever is guarding him 8 times out of 10. If you come to help D-Rose, you'll leave Korver open to drain 3's all day from the spot he likes. He's not going to wow anyone on defense, but that's why he won't start. He'll be a great guy to have off the bench, but I worry about his health. As for his transition, he's just got to stay out of trouble and keep his wits about him while living up on the North Shore.
Tom Thibadeau - there's a bunch of friends I text during significant bulls/NBA games. In the old days, I'd call my dad to chat about a big game, but with the advent of text messaging I'm able to keep multiple conversations going with people from all over the country. As it became clear that Thibadeau was to be the next bulls coach, I remember texting some of my hoops friends about how crazy TT seemed to be as an assistant coach for the Celtics. I have never seen an assistant, stand and coach literally EVERY DEFENSIVE possession. So its obvious he has a passion for defense, and his teams in Boston were able to defend well once they had the right parts. There are many similar parts here in Chicago, so we'll see if he's able to bring that same discipline to the Bulls. For Tommy T, its a year of transition. His first year as the head of the staff, the team, and the public figure Chicago will want to be charismatic. He's also got a reputation as a data fiend and film studier. So the transition in his world is balancing all of this. Speaking for myself, its not easy to step in to a new role where you're asked to do more, quicker, faster, and successful. But good thinkers figure out a way to make it work, and I'm confident he'll be able to take the bulls from a 'good' team to a 'great' team.
Predictions:
I've often wanted to predict what I think would happen on record, mainly to see how well I'm able to predict a series of events that would be impossible to accurately calculate. But somehow, I like to think that years of watching basketball has made me somewhat knowledgeable about things, so I'm putting my reputation on the line. And I've asked some friends to join me as well, although they'll be keeping their responses with an Alias of their choice. Only I'll know who folks predicted, and maybe this will help me know who among my friends is the best to help me predict a whole bunch of other things. I'm only predicting 3 things, and that's all I'm asking of my audience and/or those I've asked. Keep in mind, this isn't what I WANT to happen, just the way I see it....and I'll assume the same is true for everyone else.
Delta Whiskey (yours truly):
Bulls Wins: 52
NBA Champ: Heat (ick)
MVP: Kevin Durant
Roger Daltrey:
Bulls Wins: 45
NBA Champ: Lakers
MVP: Kobe
Roger Daltrey's Oldest Son
Bulls wins: 49
NBA Champ: Celts
MVP: Kobe
Roger Daltrey's 2nd Son
Bulls wins: 49
NBA Champs: Lakers
MVP: Kobe
Romeo Sierra (Delta Whiskey's better half)
Bulls wins: 43
NBA Champ: Lakers
MVP: Derrick Rose (love the optimism)
Bravo Kilo (partner in crime as a coach of Small Fry Basketball, biggest bulls fan I know outside of me)
Bulls wins: 49
NBA Champ: Rockets (ballsy, but I like it)
MVP: Kevin Durant
Sierra Echo (partner in crime on Pat Barker's Freshman Basketball Team)
Bulls wins: 47
NBA Champ: Magic
MVP: Dwight Howard
Charlie Sierra (longtime bulls fan and season ticket holder, played some EPIC 2 on 2 games in our 20s)
Bulls wins: 49
NBA Champ: Lakers
MVP: Dwight Howard
Bravo Whiskey (my dad)
Bulls wins: 47 (he actually gave me two number 46 and 48 so I'm splitting the difference)
NBA Champ: Lakers
MVP: Dwight Howard
Saturday, July 17, 2010
July News: Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
I realize my infrequent posts probably aren't ideal when it comes to getting a loyal following, but rest assured ADW friends--there's been plenty of activity in my world. To my surprise--people actually read some of what I write, but its been tough to find time to hop on for life updates, reflection, social commentary, and all of the other nonsense you've come to expect on the internet's most random, ADD-fueled, website.
But I figured I'd try a new format today, which should flow similar to your local newscast. Let's see how this goes:
TOP HEADLINES
Delta Whiskey Accepts New Job!
As of August 2, I'll begin a new role at an organization that provides a broad range of diagnostic services (blood tests, tissue samples, DNA testing, prenatal testing, etc.) to patients/caregivers in Illinois and Wisconsin. The job will be a big challenge--the organization provides a large volume/variety of services and I'll have more responsibility than I've had in previous roles. But I'm very encouraged after conversations during my interviews that the company and its leaders are enthusaistic about improving how they care for patients which is the critical component to my work.
Just as I coach teams to do, I did some thoughtful planning around how to make sure its a job that works for me both now and long-term, and I feel confident that the job will give me a chance to push myself, learn, and help others in an organization that supports me in those aims. I'm not crazy enough to think the job is going to be easy, and there will be lots of learning for me to do...high school chemistry was NOT a strength of mine, but lucky for me a knowledge of the Periodic Table was not part of their screening process.
In terms of work/life balance, the job also allows me to take the train to and from work, which gives me back 2 hours of my life a day that I had been spending in the car with white knuckles, listening to Sports Talk radio. That's time I can spend reading, working, writing (good news for ADW fans?), or relaxing without the traffic and stress that came with a 30+mile commute to and from the South Side. No guarantees I'll stop listening to sports talk radio, but definitely fewer days of white knuckles and stressful commutes.
Romeo Sierra, Delta Whiskey Enjoying All Summer Has to Offer!
Outside of work, Romeo Sierra and I have had a great few months. With any relationship, there's a period of learning about each other as individuals, which evenutally leads to learning about how we are as a couple. Our ability to communicate, trust each other, and support each other are hallmarks of a healthy relationship, and she and I have been great about learning what we need from each other for us to have what we need. Neither of us are relationship 'pros', but we share a common interest in improving as boyfriends/girlfriends.
Besides all of that serious dating stuff, she's a ton of fun. I may have met my match in terms of interest/energy/curiousity and extroversion...which has made for a ton of great times together that are certain to continue. We're headed to a party tonight at the place we originally met which will be fun and a chance to think back on that night a bit...Without her chutzpah and a helping hand from mutual friends Alpha Sierra and Juliet Kilo we may have never met, and I'm a lucky guy that we did!
Birthdays, Retirements, Holidays
In the family, there's been plenty of things to celebrate. As many know, my dad hung up the stethoscope and now spends his days exercising (wooo hooo!), helping my ma around the house, volunteering at the Botanic Gardens, and spending time with his grand kids. The rumors of him joining the professional Solitaire tour are completely false, but if he ever decides to pursue that goal I have no doubt he'd dominate! I'll see what I can do about getting an interview with him for the ADW readers.
My niece turned 6 last week, which was a blast for all of the family to celebrate. For her gift, we got her an i-pod with playlists from the family of our favorite music. Sure, she may be young for an ipod, but she loves music and its much cooler to be rocking out to Pearl Jam than adding another doll to the orphanage of retired action figures in my sisters basement! And in terms of my playlist, it included most of my favorite bands: Metallica, Wilco, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, White Stripes, Weezer, etc., and I'm keeping my fingers crossed she likes at least ONE of those songs. But with Taylor Swift, High School Musical, and Beyonce competing for her airtime I dont see that happening!
Local Sports
Golf Game Struggling on the Scorecard
Last year I had nothing but time to devote to improving my golf game. I played 46 rounds in 2009 and my golf swing was consistent, reliable, and easy which led to great scores. This year I've played 6 times, with plenty of good shots but a lot more bad shots and not-so-great scores.
But more important than the number on the scorecard has been hanging with friends (many who I didn't see much while out in Seattle), getting away for a few hours of relaxation, and goofing around. But I still try to get a club in my hand every week, even if its just pounding balls at the driving range.
And Romeo Sierra has picked up a golf club as well...for those on Facebook you can see a video of her hitting a pure 7 iron at the Diversey Driving Range. Her response after the shot is pure joy--there is nothing more fun for ME than to see that glow in someone's eye after hitting a shot exactly how they wanted to hit it. I'd just like to have some of that joy myself!
Da Bulls
I've spent reader time blabbing about sports-related topics, and there's no reason this shouldn't be part of the July news bulletin. The Bulls didn't get Lebron, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh, but they have worked hard to bring in a team that will be much improved next year. From a stud post-presence (Carlos Boozer) to a sharpshooting stud (Kyle Korver) and a tough as nails defender (Ronnie Brewer), the Bulls will be a tough team to beat. Will they be better than the Miami schmucks? Probably not, but I like the team-focused approach the Bulls have embraced, and with a coach that will work harder/smarter than his predesecsor I'm confident the 2010 - 2011 season will be very entertaining at 1901 W Madison. And Derrick Rose has spent his summer working his ass off, something that will pay off come next winter when he ascends to the NBA's elite.
Personal Commentary
Plenty has been blogged, read, discussed, and spewed about the Free Agent nonsense from national media outlets, and I don't think I have much to add to the conversation. But since its my blog and I can, I will.
I'm guessing there will be a date/time down the road when the Lebron James spectacle is looked back as a blowhard move by a blowhard athlete, and my hunch is he will feel the same way once some time passes. If he doesn't intellectually 'get it' he'll eventually see the impact of his decisions in his wallet. For every 2 fans he picked up by "taking his talents to south beach," he probably lost 1,000 elsewhere in the country. And those fans are the customers who buy his shoes, his uniform, and tickets to his games.
He's a young guy who has made some poor choices, and despite what America wants to tell him, he's going to have to learn from the consequences of his actions that there is a way to be honest, respectful, and considerate to his fans, employer, and teammates. He shit on a lot of people this past few months/years, and there will be a day he will look back on all of this and see how poorly he handled it. But until then, I wish him nothing but failure and a miserable experience in Dade County--which as I observed first hand is clearly the basketball hotbed of America. And I'm privately hoping for a lockout next summer that forces these guys to live on their non-NBA salary...then they'll learn what it means to think strategically about big decisions.
And for you Miami Heat PR Team and its loyal "fans": I want to make sure you're clear on the process for winning an NBA championship since you and the Heat organization/PR folks seem to have forgotten to complete some key parts of that work plan. I was embarassed to call myself a basketball fan when I saw that sham celebration (complete with keys to the city!) on TV. You're a disgrace to the game and those who worked their asses off to make the league what it is today.
But since I like to help others, please stick with the plan outlined below before conducting future 'celebrations':
Step 1: Assemble team
Step 2: Practice
Step 3: Scout opponents
Step 4: Create game plans
Step 5: Execute, revise game plans--hopefully winning enough to make the playoffs
Step 6: Win 16 games in the playoffs
Step 7: Celebrate
Off to a day of cleaning, fun, and great times tonight--hope all of you enjoy your weekends!
But I figured I'd try a new format today, which should flow similar to your local newscast. Let's see how this goes:
TOP HEADLINES
Delta Whiskey Accepts New Job!
As of August 2, I'll begin a new role at an organization that provides a broad range of diagnostic services (blood tests, tissue samples, DNA testing, prenatal testing, etc.) to patients/caregivers in Illinois and Wisconsin. The job will be a big challenge--the organization provides a large volume/variety of services and I'll have more responsibility than I've had in previous roles. But I'm very encouraged after conversations during my interviews that the company and its leaders are enthusaistic about improving how they care for patients which is the critical component to my work.
Just as I coach teams to do, I did some thoughtful planning around how to make sure its a job that works for me both now and long-term, and I feel confident that the job will give me a chance to push myself, learn, and help others in an organization that supports me in those aims. I'm not crazy enough to think the job is going to be easy, and there will be lots of learning for me to do...high school chemistry was NOT a strength of mine, but lucky for me a knowledge of the Periodic Table was not part of their screening process.
In terms of work/life balance, the job also allows me to take the train to and from work, which gives me back 2 hours of my life a day that I had been spending in the car with white knuckles, listening to Sports Talk radio. That's time I can spend reading, working, writing (good news for ADW fans?), or relaxing without the traffic and stress that came with a 30+mile commute to and from the South Side. No guarantees I'll stop listening to sports talk radio, but definitely fewer days of white knuckles and stressful commutes.
Romeo Sierra, Delta Whiskey Enjoying All Summer Has to Offer!
Outside of work, Romeo Sierra and I have had a great few months. With any relationship, there's a period of learning about each other as individuals, which evenutally leads to learning about how we are as a couple. Our ability to communicate, trust each other, and support each other are hallmarks of a healthy relationship, and she and I have been great about learning what we need from each other for us to have what we need. Neither of us are relationship 'pros', but we share a common interest in improving as boyfriends/girlfriends.
Besides all of that serious dating stuff, she's a ton of fun. I may have met my match in terms of interest/energy/curiousity and extroversion...which has made for a ton of great times together that are certain to continue. We're headed to a party tonight at the place we originally met which will be fun and a chance to think back on that night a bit...Without her chutzpah and a helping hand from mutual friends Alpha Sierra and Juliet Kilo we may have never met, and I'm a lucky guy that we did!
Birthdays, Retirements, Holidays
In the family, there's been plenty of things to celebrate. As many know, my dad hung up the stethoscope and now spends his days exercising (wooo hooo!), helping my ma around the house, volunteering at the Botanic Gardens, and spending time with his grand kids. The rumors of him joining the professional Solitaire tour are completely false, but if he ever decides to pursue that goal I have no doubt he'd dominate! I'll see what I can do about getting an interview with him for the ADW readers.
My niece turned 6 last week, which was a blast for all of the family to celebrate. For her gift, we got her an i-pod with playlists from the family of our favorite music. Sure, she may be young for an ipod, but she loves music and its much cooler to be rocking out to Pearl Jam than adding another doll to the orphanage of retired action figures in my sisters basement! And in terms of my playlist, it included most of my favorite bands: Metallica, Wilco, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, White Stripes, Weezer, etc., and I'm keeping my fingers crossed she likes at least ONE of those songs. But with Taylor Swift, High School Musical, and Beyonce competing for her airtime I dont see that happening!
Local Sports
Golf Game Struggling on the Scorecard
Last year I had nothing but time to devote to improving my golf game. I played 46 rounds in 2009 and my golf swing was consistent, reliable, and easy which led to great scores. This year I've played 6 times, with plenty of good shots but a lot more bad shots and not-so-great scores.
But more important than the number on the scorecard has been hanging with friends (many who I didn't see much while out in Seattle), getting away for a few hours of relaxation, and goofing around. But I still try to get a club in my hand every week, even if its just pounding balls at the driving range.
And Romeo Sierra has picked up a golf club as well...for those on Facebook you can see a video of her hitting a pure 7 iron at the Diversey Driving Range. Her response after the shot is pure joy--there is nothing more fun for ME than to see that glow in someone's eye after hitting a shot exactly how they wanted to hit it. I'd just like to have some of that joy myself!
Da Bulls
I've spent reader time blabbing about sports-related topics, and there's no reason this shouldn't be part of the July news bulletin. The Bulls didn't get Lebron, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh, but they have worked hard to bring in a team that will be much improved next year. From a stud post-presence (Carlos Boozer) to a sharpshooting stud (Kyle Korver) and a tough as nails defender (Ronnie Brewer), the Bulls will be a tough team to beat. Will they be better than the Miami schmucks? Probably not, but I like the team-focused approach the Bulls have embraced, and with a coach that will work harder/smarter than his predesecsor I'm confident the 2010 - 2011 season will be very entertaining at 1901 W Madison. And Derrick Rose has spent his summer working his ass off, something that will pay off come next winter when he ascends to the NBA's elite.
Personal Commentary
Plenty has been blogged, read, discussed, and spewed about the Free Agent nonsense from national media outlets, and I don't think I have much to add to the conversation. But since its my blog and I can, I will.
I'm guessing there will be a date/time down the road when the Lebron James spectacle is looked back as a blowhard move by a blowhard athlete, and my hunch is he will feel the same way once some time passes. If he doesn't intellectually 'get it' he'll eventually see the impact of his decisions in his wallet. For every 2 fans he picked up by "taking his talents to south beach," he probably lost 1,000 elsewhere in the country. And those fans are the customers who buy his shoes, his uniform, and tickets to his games.
He's a young guy who has made some poor choices, and despite what America wants to tell him, he's going to have to learn from the consequences of his actions that there is a way to be honest, respectful, and considerate to his fans, employer, and teammates. He shit on a lot of people this past few months/years, and there will be a day he will look back on all of this and see how poorly he handled it. But until then, I wish him nothing but failure and a miserable experience in Dade County--which as I observed first hand is clearly the basketball hotbed of America. And I'm privately hoping for a lockout next summer that forces these guys to live on their non-NBA salary...then they'll learn what it means to think strategically about big decisions.
And for you Miami Heat PR Team and its loyal "fans": I want to make sure you're clear on the process for winning an NBA championship since you and the Heat organization/PR folks seem to have forgotten to complete some key parts of that work plan. I was embarassed to call myself a basketball fan when I saw that sham celebration (complete with keys to the city!) on TV. You're a disgrace to the game and those who worked their asses off to make the league what it is today.
But since I like to help others, please stick with the plan outlined below before conducting future 'celebrations':
Step 1: Assemble team
Step 2: Practice
Step 3: Scout opponents
Step 4: Create game plans
Step 5: Execute, revise game plans--hopefully winning enough to make the playoffs
Step 6: Win 16 games in the playoffs
Step 7: Celebrate
Off to a day of cleaning, fun, and great times tonight--hope all of you enjoy your weekends!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
A lot can happen in a year....
It's been about a year since I left Seattle for Chicago, and life has been a blend of laughter, suprises, and suspense in nearly all areas of life. And although I didn't feel the need to commemorate the entire year, I've had a few interesting days in Orlando that have me in a reflective mode. So here's your Delta Whiskey entry for June 9, 2010.
I'm at a conference in Orlando, done by the Lean Enterprise Institute on Healthcare Transformation. You may have heard by now, there's a few problems with our healthcare system, and this is a gathering of folks who share my passion for problem solving through a management system that can be used to improve just about anything. Loyal blog followers (all 15 of you) may remember earlier posts about my use of the Lean concepts (Hoshin Kanri) to identify the value added activities that I believed would lead to "Peace of Mind" in 2009. I certainly learned a lot from the exercise, and my "day job" is to help a hospital solve problems slightly more complex than "How do I make sure I attend enough concerts this year?"
In attendance at this conference are a number of friends and coworkers from my prior job at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle. Those close to me know that I've struggled at times with my current position, and I'd be lying if I don't miss the feeling of coming to a great place to work every day. But as I've mentioned before, I cannot prioritize my career over other areas of my life, and those other areas are excellent these days.
So for those looking for the highlights of late....here ya go:
I'm at a conference in Orlando, done by the Lean Enterprise Institute on Healthcare Transformation. You may have heard by now, there's a few problems with our healthcare system, and this is a gathering of folks who share my passion for problem solving through a management system that can be used to improve just about anything. Loyal blog followers (all 15 of you) may remember earlier posts about my use of the Lean concepts (Hoshin Kanri) to identify the value added activities that I believed would lead to "Peace of Mind" in 2009. I certainly learned a lot from the exercise, and my "day job" is to help a hospital solve problems slightly more complex than "How do I make sure I attend enough concerts this year?"
In attendance at this conference are a number of friends and coworkers from my prior job at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle. Those close to me know that I've struggled at times with my current position, and I'd be lying if I don't miss the feeling of coming to a great place to work every day. But as I've mentioned before, I cannot prioritize my career over other areas of my life, and those other areas are excellent these days.
So for those looking for the highlights of late....here ya go:
- Delta Whiskey now has a girlfriend. We'll call her Romeo Sierra for now to protect her identity. She's bright, creative, caring, spontaneous and attractive....and she finds me moderately amusing. Who knows, maybe we'll get a "guest post" from her one of these days???
- My pops hung up the stethoscope for good a few weeks ago. Those of you who know my dad are aware of his commitment to serving patients for 30+ years as a neurologist. I've had the honor to shadow him with patients and staff and know that he worked his butt off to take care of as many as he could (while playing nice) during his time in medicine. And his work provided a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food in my mouth, medications for me when I was sick, and countless other things. But most importantly his work showed me what hard work, discipline, quality, and integrity look like....so thanks Dad! He also turns 67 on June 10, so happy birthday pops!!
- Retirement sounds a long way away for myself, and work has been a bit of a grind. From a development standpoint, I'm learning a ton...although I loved the structure, discipline, and shared vision at Group Health I'm also seeing first hand the challenges I'll face bringing Lean to others. Experience has always been my best teacher, but learning can be painful.
- Annie (the dog) still barks a LOT. This can be somewhat problematic with guests at my apartment, particularly when Romeo Sierra and her canine companion come to visit. Anyone with suggestions that SOLVE (defined as no barking when a stranger enters my apartment) the barking problem will be handsomely rewarded with an item from the Delta Whiskey Gift Catalog.
- THE BLACKHAWKS - not going to comment any further. This playoff run has been a blast, and I may not be the longest tenured fan but I like these guys and they're not going anywhere for a while.
- The Bulls - I like the new coach they've hired from the Celtics. I think he's a hard working, intelligent, hungry guy who knows how to engage players in playing defense. Get the Bulls a Free Agent and my dad and I will have a fantastic winter in 2010-2011. And although I think Lebron James WILL leave the Cavaliers, I would be shocked if he wore a Bulls uniform next year. Believe me, I've thought about emailing the new coach to see if he needs an assistant on the bench with two full seasons of Junior High Head Coaching experience.
- Golf game is back on track - I've played a few rounds with buddies but do NOT anticipate eclipsing last year's 46 rounds. If I play 14 times I'd be a happy guy, and honestly could care less about what I shoot.
- Upcoming Summer Concerts, Sporting Events, and Street Parties....the summer in any city is great, so I'm not going to list the reasons why Chicago summers are my favorite. But I'm psyched the summer is here and hope you are too....get out and have some fun!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I'm back.....
Its been a while since my last update for a few reasons; but mainly because I no longer have a laptop. My trusty Dell, that has been with me since I originally lived in Chicago has seen its last days. That being said, if anyone out there reads this and knows of a PC repairperson I would LOVE to pick their brain on saving the data on that machine.
But in the meantime I'm resorted to using a public computer for private affairs, like blogging. Thankfully my building has a nice computer center, so I'm hunkered down and prepared for a brief update. I will get my own computer once again, but there are other priorities on my plate.
So here goes:
On the work side of things I'm beginning to step on some more solid ground at the hospital I'm assigned to. The project I'll be working on is improving the process for discharging patients out of the hospital. Having been discharged more times than I can count, its painful, slow, and a complete pain in the ass for patients. The good news is, the staff agrees with all of that and hate it as well, so if I can do my job reasonably well we should be in good shape. The commute isn't ideal, but I really like the community, the staff at the hospital, and the project...so all's good on that end.
Its been tough since the Super Bowl to look forward to any big highlights. I'm not one to complain about the weather, so that's not necessarily the reason, but I feel like the holidays are a time when we're looking forward to the next holiday, the next year, the next...... and then the Super Bowl comes and goes and there's this vacant space.
Which brings me to one thing I AM looking forward to, which is an upcoming trip to San Diego (to have my tooth repaired...lets just say I gotta guy), followed by a weekend in Las Vegas with the buddies for my 33rd birthday and a boxing match that never took place between Mayweather and Pacquiao. Sunshine, friends, a moderate amount of adventure...all things that are good for the soul.
Of course there are things that put a smile on my face almsot every day(despite the weather), like my dog struggling through the snowdrifts, the dramatic response to the "storm of the century", and all of the other amusing things that go on from day to day so I'm still a happy guy. Besides, the Bulls and Blackhawks are looking strong as we head towards the stretch run and pitchers and catchers report to spring training in 6 days.
There's plenty of other things going on in my world, some of which I don't want to send out for the world to see...but if you're curious to find out just drop a line and I'd be happy to fill you in......
Stay outta trouble (or go find some) and thanks for continuing to read,
DW
But in the meantime I'm resorted to using a public computer for private affairs, like blogging. Thankfully my building has a nice computer center, so I'm hunkered down and prepared for a brief update. I will get my own computer once again, but there are other priorities on my plate.
So here goes:
On the work side of things I'm beginning to step on some more solid ground at the hospital I'm assigned to. The project I'll be working on is improving the process for discharging patients out of the hospital. Having been discharged more times than I can count, its painful, slow, and a complete pain in the ass for patients. The good news is, the staff agrees with all of that and hate it as well, so if I can do my job reasonably well we should be in good shape. The commute isn't ideal, but I really like the community, the staff at the hospital, and the project...so all's good on that end.
Its been tough since the Super Bowl to look forward to any big highlights. I'm not one to complain about the weather, so that's not necessarily the reason, but I feel like the holidays are a time when we're looking forward to the next holiday, the next year, the next...... and then the Super Bowl comes and goes and there's this vacant space.
Which brings me to one thing I AM looking forward to, which is an upcoming trip to San Diego (to have my tooth repaired...lets just say I gotta guy), followed by a weekend in Las Vegas with the buddies for my 33rd birthday and a boxing match that never took place between Mayweather and Pacquiao. Sunshine, friends, a moderate amount of adventure...all things that are good for the soul.
Of course there are things that put a smile on my face almsot every day(despite the weather), like my dog struggling through the snowdrifts, the dramatic response to the "storm of the century", and all of the other amusing things that go on from day to day so I'm still a happy guy. Besides, the Bulls and Blackhawks are looking strong as we head towards the stretch run and pitchers and catchers report to spring training in 6 days.
There's plenty of other things going on in my world, some of which I don't want to send out for the world to see...but if you're curious to find out just drop a line and I'd be happy to fill you in......
Stay outta trouble (or go find some) and thanks for continuing to read,
DW
Friday, January 8, 2010
Reshuffling the Deck, ADW: The Book, 2010
I've had a few weeks to cool it on the blog front, and have had several really nice emails/comments from folks about the blog. The theme that hang together through the comments was that the content was amusing/interesting, and that I should continue to write if I'm finding it rewarding, useful, etc.
Its been a goal of mine for a while to give book writing a and that's where my focus will be for at least the first part of 2010. I'll probably still write an occasional entry, but I'm going to put my time in to a project that I'm slightly more excited about--the book.
You may be wondering what the books is about, and although I realize I'm running the risk of having my idea ripped off, I figure telling you about the book is the least I can do for my loyal following (all 8 of you).
The book's common focus is T-Shirts. Yes, T-Shirts. I have a hypothesis (which I'm about to test) that you can learn almost everything you need to know about someone from their T-Shirt collection. All of us have a few that we go to when we're sick, cleaning around the house, even wearing out for a night--and my book will uncover the stories behind those T-Shirts. I'll have a few of my own sprinkled in, but I think the book will be a tad more interesting if I draw in some other folks in my life. Not quite Kramer's coffee table book, but a distant relative.
So to begin this project, I've set a goal to interview two people per month about their favorite T-Shirt and to write up those interview summaries in a chapter format. It could turn out to be a disaster, or it could turn out to be great, but the only way I'll know is by giving it a shot. If I find the stories aren't compelling/interesting, then I'll shitcan the idea and try something new.
In terms of other things going on in my life--my work situation is greatly improved (for those who knew it was somewhat problematic) and I'm looking forward to an exciting 2010. If you're wondering about whether I've planned this year as much as last year, the answer is "sort of." One of my learnings from the 2009 planning exercise was that you really can't plan for 365 days so I've broken down life in to 90 day increments around the same areas as last year -- health, finances, career, hobbies, and social/family. There are a few things I'm trying to emphasize this year as we move along--balance, reflection, stability, and improvement are words I'd like to use to describe this year and we'll see how it all plays out.
In the meantime, make sure to check back from time to time on ADW, and feel free to drop me an email if you're curious how things are going.
Its been a goal of mine for a while to give book writing a and that's where my focus will be for at least the first part of 2010. I'll probably still write an occasional entry, but I'm going to put my time in to a project that I'm slightly more excited about--the book.
You may be wondering what the books is about, and although I realize I'm running the risk of having my idea ripped off, I figure telling you about the book is the least I can do for my loyal following (all 8 of you).
The book's common focus is T-Shirts. Yes, T-Shirts. I have a hypothesis (which I'm about to test) that you can learn almost everything you need to know about someone from their T-Shirt collection. All of us have a few that we go to when we're sick, cleaning around the house, even wearing out for a night--and my book will uncover the stories behind those T-Shirts. I'll have a few of my own sprinkled in, but I think the book will be a tad more interesting if I draw in some other folks in my life. Not quite Kramer's coffee table book, but a distant relative.
So to begin this project, I've set a goal to interview two people per month about their favorite T-Shirt and to write up those interview summaries in a chapter format. It could turn out to be a disaster, or it could turn out to be great, but the only way I'll know is by giving it a shot. If I find the stories aren't compelling/interesting, then I'll shitcan the idea and try something new.
In terms of other things going on in my life--my work situation is greatly improved (for those who knew it was somewhat problematic) and I'm looking forward to an exciting 2010. If you're wondering about whether I've planned this year as much as last year, the answer is "sort of." One of my learnings from the 2009 planning exercise was that you really can't plan for 365 days so I've broken down life in to 90 day increments around the same areas as last year -- health, finances, career, hobbies, and social/family. There are a few things I'm trying to emphasize this year as we move along--balance, reflection, stability, and improvement are words I'd like to use to describe this year and we'll see how it all plays out.
In the meantime, make sure to check back from time to time on ADW, and feel free to drop me an email if you're curious how things are going.
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