Verlen Larsen's "The Good Stuff" Blog

Change is good.

verlenlarsen — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 03:41:58 +0000

Well, Scoble‘s at rackspace now. And, following his “Corporate Blogging Manifesto” rule #13: “don’t write if your life is in turmoil, I have left this blog silent for a time (just barely started the dang thing).

I’m sure some degree of turmoil will continue for awhile, but at least there is some new definite direction for me.

Background: My position at Hamilton was eliminated in late January. I’ve been in power-search mode since then. I’ve been looking in two particular directions. In addition to looking for a new position in organizational management, I’ve explored some opportunities to expand one of my passions – writing. The job search culminated with me accepting a position with the Merrick group of companies, which I will begin on Monday 4/6/09. I will be handling B2B sales and marketing of the automotive product line. Some freelance writing opportunities are also likely to bear fruit in the near future.

So that’s me up to the minute. Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and positive influences in my life. They have helped me stay “afloat” through an uncertain time. I believe positive energy (good thoughts from friends, prayer, positive visuals) really does impact “real” events. According to the “experts”, I (we) beat the statistics by 3 to 6 months…in this economy! WHAT? In the state with the 2nd lowest unemployment rate in the nation?! Sweet!

Best wishes, v

Scobleizer – on the move.

verlenlarsen — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 08:51:20 +0000

A social media world icon, Robert Scoble is moving on from Fast Company.tv to ? A technology evangelist veteran from Microsoft to Fast Co. to co-authoring “Naked Conversations“, a book about how businesses are using blogging, The “Scobleizer” is directly responsible for energizing a move toward transparency and intimate conversation between companies and their clients and prospects.
Robert has not yet revealed his next move but I’m betting it’ll be to his and our benefit.
Here’s to your continued success Robert!

World class customer service — at a gravel pit!!!

verlenlarsen — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:29:11 +0000

This week, I picked up some gravel for my driveway at Hooker Brothers’ Sand and Gravel in Grand Island, Nebraska.The pickup box trailer I used hadn’t hauled anything heavier than a few household items in many moons. So when roughly a ton of gravel hit the bed, even though the operator was very gentle, the tires, with their 12 pounds of air went nearly flat!

I was just deciding I’d have to drive veerrrrry slowly and get some air at a gas station when the operator says, “you want to put some air in those tires?” We went to the shop where the “boys” were closing up to go home. I’d arrived at about twenty to closing time. Now it was at least five and no one was glaring at me to “hurry it up”. On the contrary, one of the men put air in my tires while I made small talk with the “operator”, who as it turns out was Scott Hooker.

Hooker Brothers has grown to be a major player in the construction and materials world in Nebraska over the past twenty or thirty years. It was easy to see that one contributing factor to that success has been world class customer service! And as always, it starts at the top. The very courteous “boys” were simply modeling their leaders.

Thanks Scott, “the boys” and the Hooker Brothers organization for an excellent customer experience.

Verlen

New favorite movie! “10 Items or Less”

verlenlarsen — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:00:40 +0000

So I just watched my new favorite (never heard of it before) movie, “10 Items or Less”. Morgan Freeman and Paz Vega were outstandingly unexpected. This is a life lesson in doing what you” feel”even when you’re so scared to fail that you want to puke. If you’re looking for heartstopping action — not your movie. A fresh encouragement to live the music that’s in you — yep this one’ll do. Note: not a kid movie, quite a bit of lanquage.

Relationship RX – just in time for Valentine’s Day

verlenlarsen — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:39:31 +0000

One of my favorite bloggers Dr. Mark Goulston has a great post. Simple, but effective habits happy couples practice that others don’t. Check it out!

090129

verlenlarsen — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:25:56 +0000

This is the day which the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Today is the day to pass on your wealth, the goodness that’s in you to someone deserving. Guess what you don’t have to choose. Everyone deserves your caring.