Support that drives me crazy.

I called warranty support at a company we do quite a bit of business with. They made a big point that I was going to speak to a US representative and even gave the exact location (City and State)

So the first person took my name and number (Which I was already set up in the system) captured the Part number, serial number and problem type. Then they transferred me to technical support. (Which they did not tell me the location but it was NOT in the US) Then that person ask me for my Case number (Which I had) then proceed to ask me for my name, number, part number and serial number. Now come on. Why do this the first time. Don't the systems talk?

Then the support went on to suggest it could not be their product, rather they wanted to charge me to diagnose my network. I explained to them how I had several networks to connect to and the problem still existed along with the several ways I had worked to identify the problem.

Guess what. They needed to transfer me back to where I started.

A new beginning?

Some people look at the first of the year as a new beginning. I have to tell you that this really annoys me. What, now you have to change the calendar and year suddenly you are going to do all the things that you should have, wanted or needed to do last year? Come on, we both know that a significant amount of these new year resolutions are going to fail (Many before they get started)

If you want something make the change and go for it. Better yet, don't make huge changes in your life all of a sudden, make small meaningful changes that are more manageable.

We (Ok mostly Jenifer) spent toady taking down the Christmas decorations around the house. Both trees are put away, the Christmas art that the boys made is down and even most of the Snowmen that come out this time of year are gone. Jenifer and the boys have commented how bare the house is. It is nice to clean up and get all the stuff down. However next Jenifer will pull out the January tote from the basement and decorate appropriately.

It is nice to clean up your life. However remember it can feel bare if you do it all at one time. Plus take the small successes and build on those.

Could not have said it better myself

I had a chance to connect with a recent graduate from FHSU (Graduated this December) this year. He was having some problems finding a position and his way. I wanted to end the year with some advice from me in Nanshan's words

"now I just found myself a room to live in Flushing area in Queens ($350 a month, the cheapest room I could find so far) and was able to focus my mind on this letter..


Now that I got a place to live, the next step would be finding the internship and preparing for applying graduate school. Even till now, I still think the conversations I had with you beneficial and influential. Being honest and also being confident.. Always get done what are promised to do.. networking with people and being persistent...I can't thank you more for teaching me those things.."

Sometimes in business we forget what we know and more importantly to pass it along.

Nanshan, I wish you the best in NY and in your experiences. I still cannot imagine coming from the other side of the world to Hays KS and then finally on to NY City. (Heck, NY would scare me now!)

The lesson for me next year? Do something really scary. (I always preach doing something scary) Do something Nanshan scary.